TheNewsGuru

Tag: Attacks

  • Police arrest four new suspects with links to violent attacks on Soludo

    Police arrest four new suspects with links to violent attacks on Soludo

    The Anambra Police Command says it has arrested four new suspects in connection with the reported attack on Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

    The command’s Spokeman, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the fresh arrest in a statement issued in Awka on Thursday.

    Ikenga gave the names of the four suspects as Mbah Victor (30), John Olisakwe (21), Chigozie Omeh (20) and Emmanuel Nnobi ( 28).

    “The suspects confessed to have actively taken part in the attack and subsequent abduction of the Commissioner for Water and Public Utility, Mr Emeka Ezenwanne,” the statement states.

    It further states that the command had intensified efforts to rescue the commissioner.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that Soludo was attacked by gunmen at a political gathering in his Isuofia home town in Aguata Local Government Area on Wednesday.

    It was gathered that three police orderlies attached to him were killed by the gunmen.

    The police had earlier confirmed the arrest of one suspect in the wake of the attack.

    According to him, “Efforts are still ongoing to apprehend other fleeing accomplices, unravel the circumstances surrounding the incidence and bring the suspects to book,” he stated.
    The command reaffirmed its commitment toward ensuring the safety of residents of the state.

    It further called on the people to assist the command with useful information that would help to tackle crime and criminality in the state.

  • Bandits kill seven in fresh attacks on three Kaduna LGAs

    Bandits kill seven in fresh attacks on three Kaduna LGAs

    At least seven people have been killed and several others injured after bandits attacked Igabi, Giwa, and Chikun local government areas of Kaduna state.

    Security agencies also reported that properties worth millions of Naira were destroyed and cattle rustled in a series of separate attacks that occurred in the three local government areas.

    The latest incidents come barely 24 hours after the state government reported that 937 people were killed by bandits in 2020.

    According to the Kaduna State Commissioner for internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, the armed bandits stormed Gangi village in Igabi local government, shooting sporadically in what seemed to be a cattle rustling operation, and in the process killed four residents.

    Two other persons also sustained gunshot injuries while three houses and a truck were razed by the bandits during the attack.

    In all, 20 cows belonging to two residents of the village were rustled and herded away by the bandits.

    In another incident, armed bandits attacked Marke village in Giwa local government area and killed one resident.

    Similarly, at Kuriga in Chikun local government area, the bandits killed two people and injured one person along the Buruku road linking with Birnin Gwari local government area.

    Governor Nasir El-Rufai has expressed sadness over the incidents, and sent his condolences to the families of those killed while praying for the repose of their souls. He also wishes the injured citizens a quick recovery.

  • PANDEF condemns attacks on Police formations

    PANDEF condemns attacks on Police formations

    The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on the attackers of police personnel and facilities in the country to stop their criminal activities.

    PANDEF’s National Publicity Secretary Ken Robinson gave the advice in a statement he issued on Friday in Warri, Delta.

    Robinson urged the alleged perpetrators to seek lawful and acceptable ways to vent whatever grievances they might have against the police.

    He noted that there could be some bad eggs in the police force and called on the authorities to redouble their efforts to sanitise the organisation.

    “PANDEF strongly condemned the reported attacks on police stations in parts of the country.

    ‘“The said attacks on police stations and personnel for whatever reasons are barbaric and should not be condoned in a civilised society.

    “We, therefore, urged the police authorities to weed out unpatriotic officers and restore the dwindling primacy of the force within the internal security architecture of the country,” he added.

    Robinson advised the security personnel to be professional in their conduct.

  • Bandits kill ten in fresh Kaduna attacks

    Bandits kill ten in fresh Kaduna attacks

    No fewer than ten people have been killed after bandits attacked three villages in Zango Kataf and Chikun local government areas of Kaduna state.

    The latest incident comes barely 24 hours after seven people were killed by bandits in Igabi and Kajuru local government areas of the state.

    The bandits according to the Kaduna State Commissioner for internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, attacked
    Kurmin Gandu village in Zango Kataf local government and killed five people.

    In addition, they also burnt down ten houses, two motorcycles, and 50 bags of ginger, while some dry season farmers lost water pumping machines and other valuables around the Zango Urban general area.

    Aruwan explains that some survivors of the attack are recuperating in the hospital. Meanwhile, while search and rescue operations are in progress.

    Similarly, security agencies reported that armed bandits attacked Sabon Gayan and Ungwan Turai villages in Chikun local government area and killed five persons.

    Following the attack, troops of Operation Thunder Strike are combing identified criminal hideouts in the Sabon Gayan area, following reports that several bandits sustained bullet wounds.

  • FG breaks silence over attacks on CAMA

    FG breaks silence over attacks on CAMA

    The Federal Government has assured that provisions of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 (CAMA) were not targeted at churches, mosques and other religious bodies.

    It said insinuations being read to the law were wrong and mischievous.

    Senior Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Ita Enang, gave the assurances on Tuesday during an interaction with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Abuja.

    The meeting, which was organised for enlightenment of the Christian body over the contentious provisions of the CAMA, also saw the Presidential aide swearing to an oath to assure the church he had come to them with the whole truth about the new law.

    He lamented some politicians, especially those from the opposition, had wrongly characterised the intents and purposes of the Act, giving it an anti-religious law.

    He said the misconceptions that trailed the Act had found their way in through deliberate misinformation, explaining they were spinned to blackmail President Muhmmadu Buhari.

    The President, he said, didn’t originate the law and at previous occasions withheld accent when he was not convinced it was good enough for Nigeria.

    According to him: “We want to declare as a fact, that the Act does not target churches or religious bodies as wrongly assumed.

    “For illustration of this I present a tabular form of the provisions of the 1990 ACT which came into force on January, 2nd 1990, which after more than 30 years of operation has now been repealed and replaced by CAMA 2020 hereunder are the comparative provisions in the two enactments to show particularly that the 2020 ACT assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari has not introduced any matter oppressive to the Christian Community or any religion nor any matter discriminatory against any class of persons in Nigeria.”

    CAN, in its reaction, urged Buhari to suspend the implementation of Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), 2020.

    CAN said Buhari should follow it up by affirming a thorough reappraisal of the legislation in correlation with the provision of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended).

    President of CAN, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, who expressed displeasure over the CAMA 2020, said the reactions from public officeholders have not helped matters because they are binary in perspective and pander towards a fait accompli.

    His words: “We are mindful that comments in public domain are beginning to indicate that CAMA, 2020 has the potential that can further undermine the faith of stakeholders in the Nigerian-state.

    “The dominant schools of thought in the public domain, hold the view that should stakeholders of the Nigerian-state seek judicial intervention or amendment of the Act by the National Assembly, they shall achieve nothing much, as they consider such, as exercises in futility.

    “We must allay their fears and encourage them to exercise their democratic rights in our participatory democracy; hoping that when citizens approach these state institutions, they shall rise up to the challenge.

    “Mr. President, from the foregoing, we are of the opinion that you should kindly issue the appropriate directives to suspend the implementation of CAMA 2020 and affirm a thorough reappraisal of the legislation that is in correlation with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), other extant legal and policy frameworks, the national economy, national security, national interest and the wellbeing of the Nigerian-state.”

  • Nnamdi Kanu warns IPOB members against further attacks on Yorubas

    Nnamdi Kanu warns IPOB members against further attacks on Yorubas

    Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Leader, Nnamdi Kanu, has warned members of the group against attacks on Yorubas.

    A statement by the Head of Directorate of State of IPOB, Chika Edoziem, reads: “Consequent upon the directive by Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the IPOB worldwide during his live broadcast on Sunday, July 19, 2020, to the effect that all attacks on Yoruba people should cease forthwith, the Directorate of State of the IPOB has deemed it instructive to reiterate and reaffirm the adherence by all to that directive from our leader.

    “To this effect, all IPOB media personnel operating on different segments and platforms – be it on print, radio, visual and social media, as well as the generality of IPOB family members – must strictly obey that directive as given by our leader.

    “It is time to once again exhibit the discipline which IPOB is known for. We must use the knowledge and information acquired from Radio Biafra during Onyendu’s teachings and those attained from individual research to present our viewpoints on issues of public interest and debate.”

  • COVID-19 lockdown: Presidency warns security agencies against further attacks, killing of innocent Nigerians

    COVID-19 lockdown: Presidency warns security agencies against further attacks, killing of innocent Nigerians

    The Presidential Task Force on the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic has appealed to security agencies to handle the task of enforcing the movement restrictions with tact and caution.

    Chairman of the task force and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, who made the appeal during the daily press briefing in Abuja, also appealed to all Nigerians to be law-abiding and self-restraining while the period of circumspection lasts.

    The SGF’s appeal came on the heel of reports of the alleged use of brute force on citizens in different parts of the country by security agents deployed to enforce the observance of some of the measures recently introduced by the Federal Government to manage the spread of the pandemic in the country.

    Mustapha appealed to those in the business of retailing and sales of essential commodities, especially food items, not to see the emergency situation as an opportunity to take advantage of the populace, by hiking prices of their goods.

    He called on all citizens to see the current situation as a threat to, not just the human race, but a particular threat to the Nigerian economy and national security, hence the need for all citizens to play their part by remaining understanding with government in all steps being taken and obeying all instructions.

    “The Federal Government has ramped up its synergy with the state governments through video-conferencing communication and the platform of the Governors’ Forum. By these measures, a lot of gaps are being closed for uniformity of purpose.

    “The PTF finds it very necessary to appeal to our law enforcement agencies to deploy tact and caution in the course of enforcing the rules, even, in the face of provocation. We similarly appeal to all Nigerians to be law-abiding, exercise patience and self-restraint. The message from Mr. President is that no Nigerian should on account of these rules suffer any harm or pains during this period or at any time in our national life.

    “To the Nigerian traders and business men and women, we appeal for resistance to the urge to hike prices of goods and commodities, during this period as our compassionate nature must prevail. This is the best time to be considerate and to show empathy for our fellow Nigerians.

    “I am pleased to inform Nigerians that we made progress in the mobilization of resources to re-enforce our preparedness and other implementation arrangements.

    “In recognition of the danger to which our frontline health workers are exposed to, government is working with other stakeholders to structure medical and life insurance cover for their protection. I therefore wish to assure them of our commitment and urge them to put in their utmost best as they battle to save us from this ravaging disease.

    “The role of the Non-Governmental Organisations and Civil Society Organisations in this battle is also well recognized. I however urge them to deploy their resources, especially community-based manpower to shore up the arrangements by the sub-national entities,” Mustapha said.

  • Bandits kill seven in fresh attacks on Zamfara community

    Bandits kill seven in fresh attacks on Zamfara community

    Zamfara Commissioner for Security and Home Affairs, Abubakar Dauran on Thursday, confirmed the killing of seven persons by bandits at Malele village, Mutunji District of Dansadau emirate in Maru Local Government Area of the state.

    Dauran told reporters in Gusau that the incident occurred on Tuesday at Malele village.

    The commissioner said: “The Emir of Dansadau, Hussaini Umar had informed me on Tuesday that Malele village attack by the bandits left seven persons dead.

    “We had earlier received reports by locals that they noticed the incursion into the state by suspected armed bandits who we believe are those running away from the neighbouring states of Kebbi, Kaduna and Niger after been pursued by the security from those states.

    “We are, however, lucky that after the attack on the Malele community, the bandits had disagreements between them and they killed each other, but we have no information of an attack on any other community around Dansadau.”

    However, Mahammadu Malele, an eye witness told reporters that the bandits had on the day of the attack, blocked the Gusau-Dansadau road, close to Malele village where they killed three persons including a 15-year-old girl, before they entered Malele.

    He said the bandits also wreaked havoc at Babban Kwari; a neighbouring village where they killed scores and burnt their houses and properties.

    He said that 16 bodies of 14 males and 2 females were recovered after the attacks.

  • Presidency speaks on alleged attacks on Buhari in Kebbi

    The Presidency on Thursday night reacted to purported attack on Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari in Kebbi State.

    Buhari was in Kebbi State on Thursday to declare open the Argungu Fishing and Cultural Festival.

    The president’s security was breached by a young man who moved briskly and menacingly towards him while taking photograph with host Governor Atiku Bagudu and Jigawa governor, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar.

    How the security men missed the intruder was unclear as he leapt out of the crowd watching the photo session.

    Reacting to the development, the presidency in a statement issued by its spokesman, Femi Adesina said it was the first time the international tourism event would hold in eleven years, as security considerations had rendered it impracticable.

    “As the President went round the arena to inspect rice pyramids on display, and take photographs with farmers, a young man was so very excited to see his President so close. He made an attempt to get to him.

    “World over, such would not be allowed by security details. The young man was prevented, and he protested that he should be allowed to greet his President. Now, professional contortionists are making mischief of the event. They are passing the video clip off on social media as an attempt to attack the President.

    “Malicious people always twist things to give a negative narrative. But they simply dash their heads against the wall. The country moves on,” he said.

  • We won’t take further attacks on our citizens in your country, Buhari tells Ramaphosa

    We won’t take further attacks on our citizens in your country, Buhari tells Ramaphosa

    Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday began a visit to South Africa and minced no words when he condemned in the strongest terms the attack on Nigerians and other Africans in the country, and called for implementation of measures meant for the prevention of such incidents.

    He also called for the protection of foreigners.

    Buhari is visiting South Africa weeks after xenophobic attacks in Johannesburg stirred tension between Nigeria and South Africa, Africa’s leading economies.

    On Thursday, Buhari and his host Cyril Ramaphosa went into long-planned talks aimed at bolstering trade ties and political cooperation as both leaders struggle to boost their flagging economies.

    But the talks were expected to be overshadowed by the violence in South Africa targeting foreigners, which included Nigerians. Mobs descended on foreign-owned stores in and around Johannesburg in early September, destroying properties and looting.

    “We call for the strengthening and implementation of all the necessary measures to prevent the re-occurrence of such actions,” Buhari said at the start of the talks.

    The violence — in which at least 12 people were killed, most of them South Africans — sparked fury in Nigeria and saw hundreds of migrant workers repatriated to the country.

    Buhari condemned “the very few incidents of retaliatory attacks” which saw some South African businesses in Nigeria forced to close shop.

    “We took strong and decisive measures to stop the attacks and prevent any re-occurrences,” he said at Union Buildings, the seat of the presidency in the capital Pretoria.

    For his part, Ramaphosa, who has repeatedly apologised over the attacks, reiterated his government’s “deep regret at the incidents of public violence”.

    “Some of the acts of violence were directed at foreign nationals and some of whom coming from your own country”.

    “We firmly condemn all forms of intolerance and will not hesitate to act against criminal acts and violence,” he said.

    The three-day state visit, the first to South Africa by a Nigerian leader since 2013, had been planned before the wave of violence.

    A Town Hall meeting” between Buhari and Nigerians living in South Africa is scheduled for Friday to listen to the expats’ experience and showcase efforts to support them.