TheNewsGuru

Tag: Banditry

  • Former Emir of Kano slams Buhari’s govt, says Nigeria better under Jonathan

    Former Emir of Kano slams Buhari’s govt, says Nigeria better under Jonathan

    The former Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi Lamido II has said there is no change and that Nigeria was better in 2015 when President Muhammadu Buhari took over from Goodluck Jonathan.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Sanusi as saying the situation in the country is worse while speaking at the Akinjide Adeosun Foundation (AAF) leadership colloquium and awards on Thursday in Lagos State.

    “This is the only oil-producing country that is grieving at the moment when oil prices have gone up as a result of the Russia/Ukraine war. Our total revenue is not able to service our debt. And if anybody does not understand that we are in a complete mess, we are.

    “We were in a deep hole in 2015. And between 2015 and now, we have been digging ourselves into a deeper hole. We thought we had a big problem in 2015. 2015 is nothing compared to what will happen in 2023.

    “We have terrorism, we have banditry, we have inflation, we have an unstable exchange rate, and the worst thing is that those in leadership actually think we are going to thank them when they leave office, that we are going to appreciate them.

    “There is no change. There is no sense of urgency. If you are running a company and your sales revenue cannot pay interest, you know you’re bankrupt. When the total revenue of the Federal Government cannot service debt we are smiling,” Sanusi said.

    The former Emir of Kano, who was a Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) ascribed the challenges facing the country to the problem of leadership, stressing that there are so many Nigerians, who, given the opportunity will do well but they simply cannot contest in that space.

    Sanusi stressed that the vast majority of those in office have a vision that is limited to the next election, saying: “It is to win. And when you’ve won, you’ve reached a destination, not a journey. Leaders after leaders, most of those who have ruled did not have a vision for a united Nigeria”.

  • FG seeks support of NGOs’ in fight against terrorism, banditry

    FG seeks support of NGOs’ in fight against terrorism, banditry

    The Federal Government has called on  Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) operating in Nigeria to support its efforts in the fight against terrorism, banditry and all forms of criminality.

    The Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Mr Clem Agba, made the call at the unveiling of an NGO, ‘Sure for you Rescue and Resettlement Initiative (SURE4U” in Abuja.

    SURE4U was established by the former Comptroller-General of Immigration Service, Mr Muhammad Babandede to promote social justice, gender equality, protection and integration of vulnerable children and returnees into society.

    Agba urged NGOs to support government efforts by ensuring that they did not engage in activities that undermines Nigeria’s sovereignty and national security.

    He also urged NGOs to support the government in addressing the plights of the vulnerable in Nigeria.

    “The problem of providing for the vulnerable people in our society is at the heart of President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s commitment to lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in ten years.

    “There is the overwhelming need to accord the vulnerable a priority so as to enable them contribute meaningfully to the socio-cultural and socio-economic development of Nigeria.

    “Consequently, the National Development Plan 2021 to 2025 takes into consideration the plight of the Almajiri children and other vulnerable Nigerians and adequate room has been made to ensure their inclusion in the implementation of the plan.

    “It is hoped that NGOs will complement the efforts of government in this regards. Some of their invited contributions includes human capital development and technical assistance;

    “Development of Small Scale farmers; Research, monitoring and evaluation; Enlightenment Campaigns; Advocacy for the poor; and conflict resolution/peace building,’’ he said.

    The minister said that Babandede’s experience at NAPTIP and NIS would be brought to bear in the running of the new organisation, with multi-tasked vision on the vulnerable children in the society.

    He added that SURE4U would be involved in Migration issues including provision of adequate and hospitable reception to Nigerians deported back home, mainly to assuage their frustrations due to forced displacement.

    According to him, the menace of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) as one of the world’s most despicable human phenomenon.

    “Girl-child education and inmates incarcerated because of minor offences requiring settlement of small judicial fines are also amongst the noble precepts of the NGO.

    “The experience garnered by the founder while at NAPTIP and Immigration Service would certainly come in handy in meeting the organisation’s objectives.”

    “SURE4U holds a huge promise for its intended objectives in Nigerian, especially the less privileged in the society,

    Agba said it was more interesting to see such an organisation founded and headed by a credible personality who had served the government and still ready to serve the country through non-governmental activities.

    He added that undertaking an NGO activities in terms of funding and other logistics was never an easy task, adding that many NGOs found it difficult to garner sufficient and continuous funding for their work.

    Also speaking, Mrs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), said that SURE 4U has similar mandates with her agency hence the need for the support.

    She added that the almajiri programme was a serious problem in the country that needed an urgent attention.

    “Almajiri programme is a strong form of internal human trafficking because it has departed from it original reason why it was being initiated.

    “It comes with a lot of abuse and there is no reason why we should condone it.

    “While I was the Director-General of NAPTIP, on a daily basis, with the help of the security agencies, we intercepted two to three trucks of children being transported across the country.

    “So, definitely, it calls for collective effort to address the issue of almajiri in the country, ” she said.

    On his part, SURE4U Board of Trustees (BOT) Chairman, Sen. Usman Kibiya commended the Federal Government in tackling issues such as the number of out of school children and child trafficking.

    He called on the government for more effort at educating the girl-child saying that policies on the vulnerable in the society should be redesigned to carter for their needs.

  • Zamfara state gov. establishes community protection guards

    In an effort to curb banditry and kidnapping in parts of Zamfara state, governor Bello Matawalle has begun training for a newly-established security outfit, Community Protection Guard (CPG).

    The announcement was contained in a statement by Malam Jamilu Birnin-Magaji, Press Secretary to the Governor in Gusau.

    The statement said the new outfit would give needed support to the conventional security agencies in their effort to end banditry and kidnapping that had ravaged the state.

    Matawalle said at the exercise, that his administration had resolved to tackle the state’s security challenges head-on by implementing new security measures.

    “The Governor said the government came up with additional measures for combating insurgency in the state.

    “Among the new measures is the recruitment of CPGs in each of the 19 Emirate Councils of the state.

    “He said the decision to establish the CPG was informed by his administration’s desire to use possible options to deal with the increasing act of banditry causing loss of lives, untold hardships and rupturing inter-communal peace in parts of the state,” the statement said.

    It said that the governor urged the guards to concentrate fully on their training as the task ahead of them was enormous and daunting.

    “As Community Protection Guards, yours is a patriotic call, your names would stand out in history as people with remarkable patriotism, selflessness and love for peace.

    “Only people with courage and bravery will offer to serve as guards of their communities, bravely standing up to face the brutal infamy of the bandits,” Matawalle said.

    The governor also called on them to work within the parameters of the rules of engagement which would be clearly spelt out during the training.

    He counselled them as newly-recruited guards, to serve as agents for the restoration of normalcy and peace in their communities.

    Matawalle said at the end of the training, the CPG members would be deployed to their various communities in the 19 Emirate Councils of the state to complement the security forces in the fight against banditry and sundry crimes.

    He reminded them to remain disciplined throughout the exercise and to keep in mind that they were trained for a life-saving mission that would spare their neighbourhoods from terror and suffering.

    He said their efforts would restore the dignity of human life and peaceful co-existence in the state.

    The Commissioner of Police, Zamfara Command, CP Ayuba Elkana, said the training was part of a series of measures being taken to tackle crimes.

    Elkana expressed the command’s support to Matawalle in the fight against banditry.

    He urged the recruits to be law-abiding, and God-fearing in the discharge of their duties to achieve the desired goals.

    Earlier, the Commissioner for Security and Home Affairs, retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji  Mamman  Tsafe, said the guard was established to assist the security agencies in securing the state.

    The event was attended by the Speaker, Zamfara House of Assembly, Alhaji Nasiru Magarya, Secretary to the State Government Alhaji Kabiru Balarabe, and Chief of Staff, Government House, Malam Ibrahim Suleiman.

    Others included the State Head of Civil Service, Alhaji Kabiru Muhammad, members of the State Executive Council as well as Heads of security agencies in the state.

  • Niger govt. confirms bandit attack on mining site

    The Niger Government has confirmed an attack by bandits on a mining site at Ajata Aboki village, Shiroro Local Government Area of the state.

    The state Commissioner for Internal Security, Mr Emmanuel Umaru confirmed the incident in a statement in Minna on Thursday.

    Umaru said the bandits attacked the site at about 6.00 p.m on Wednesday.

    He said that a joint security team was quickly mobilised to the scene in response to a distress call received by the government.

    “Consequently, the joint security team engaged the terrorists and they were yet to determine the number of casualties from both sides.

    “However, a yet to be ascertained number of workers in the mining site including four Chinese nationals were reported to have been abducted.

    “Security forces were reinforced for the manhunt of the remaining terrorists as some of them were neutralised and rescue of the injured victims including security personnel,” Umaru added.

    The commissioner said that those injured had been evacuated to government hospitals for treatment.

    “While the Niger government commiserates with heads of security agencies in the state and families of the slain personnel, the state government assures that their sacrifices will not go in vain.

    “The state government acknowledge all the efforts of the joint security operatives and that of the communities toward taming the spate of insecurity in some parts of the state,” he added.

    Umar enjoined the security personnel not to be discouraged in discharging their constitutional duties against all forms of threats.

    He assured that the state government would continue to provide them with the needed support to enable them eradicate banditry in the state.

    The commissioner added that Gov. Abubakar Bello had directed security agencies to ensure the safe return of the kidnapped victims.

  • Banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling, and cultism attract death penalty in Zamfara

    Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle, has signed the anti-banditry and other related offences bill into law.

     

    The law which comes into force with immediate effect has the death penalty for those found guilty of banditry and other related offences in Zamfara.

     

    Speaking shortly after signing the bill on Tuesday, Matawalle said the law formed part of measures to tackle banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling in Zamfara.

     

    The law: Prohibition and Punishment for Banditry, Cattle Rustling, Cultism, Kidnapping and Other Incidental Offences, 2022 was passed by the state legislature on Monday.

     

    He said the law was part of the government’s series of efforts to address the nagging challenge of banditry and associated crimes in the state.

     

    “Today, we have signed the bill on Prohibition and Punishment for Banditry, Cattle Rustling, Cultism, Kidnapping and Other Incidental Offences, 2022.

     

    ”You may recall that yesterday (Monday) I inaugurated four security-related committees, as part of our counter-banditry initiatives.

     

    “Formation of the committees is aimed at ensuring the effective implementation of the security measures being taken to end the over-decade-old banditry and other security-related challenges,” he said.

     

    The governor said he had earlier signed Executive Orders 7, 8,9, and 10, which provided the legal instruments and operational guidelines for the committees.

     

    According to him, the most fundamental focus of governance anywhere in the world is security. Matawalle further said that his government would go to any length within the law, to secure the state and restore peace in the communities.

     

    “Zamfara State, under my watch, will continue to explore all possible remedies to our plight.

     

    ”Those making insinuations about our decision to support the right of community members to self-defence against ruthless attacks by bandits ought to take into consideration the scale of the problem we are facing.

     

    “They should take into account the plight of the innocent people who are maimed, killed, and kidnapped every day in various parts of the state,” he added.

     

    The governor said the state Community Protection Guards were not different from the Civilian Joint Taskforce, JTF in Borno and Amotekun in the southwest sub-region.

     

    “Our move is particularly significant considering the fact that there is currently no part of the country that is not facing one form of insecurity or the other.

     

    “Our conventional security forces are operating in various theatres ranging from southeast to southwest, northeast to north-central, heroically battling with varying degrees of security challenges.

     

    “They are not only overstretched but also lack enough modern equipment to prosecute counter-banditry and insurgency warfare effectively,” he said.

     

    He said that a similar move by the Zamfara Government aimed to complement the efforts of the security forces, “with the ultimate goal of totally defeating the miscreants”.

     

    The new law, according to him, will serve as a legal instrument for prosecuting banditry-related offenders.

     

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that according to the new law, any person found guilty of banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling, cultism or being an informant to the bandits is liable to the death penalty.

     

    It also provides that anyone found guilty of aiding and abetting the crimes would be liable to life imprisonment, 20 years imprisonment, or 10 years imprisonment, without an option of a fine.

     

    Matawalle commended the legislature for keeping up with its constitutional responsibility of making laws to secure the state.

     

    “We equally thank the Federal Government under the able leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari for its consistent support and cooperation to Zamfara State to achieve the desired end,” he said.

  • Police tackles Abuja-Kaduna highway crimes with air assets

    The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, has said the police have deployed air assets for aerial surveillance of the Abuja-Kaduna highway.

     

    The police boss explained that the assets would support ground police teams in the fight against kidnapping and banditry.

     

    The IG spoke in Abuja during a meeting with Strategic Police Managers, where the Police Specialised Service Automation Project (POSSAP) was inaugurated.

     

    Baba said the Police had strengthened its ‘Operation Restore Peace’, a Special Anti-Secessionist Operation in the Southeast, with the deployment of more special operational units and assets.

     

    He pledged the determination of the Force to employ appropriate frameworks that would engender a fair, peaceful, secure, and credible electoral process in Ekiti and Osun states as well as the general elections.

     

    “We are currently working on enhancing the capacity of officers of the Force in election security management. I have approved the conduct of an election security management training for police officers ahead of the general elections.

     

    “The training will be delivered in partnership with a training and security consultant with vast experience in election security management,” he said.

     

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the IG hinted that the exercise would hold across the six geopolitical zones and will commence with the Northcentral Zone on August 4 in Abuja.

     

    On the inauguration, he said: “”The POSSAP, as approved by the Federal Government, is intended to ensure the standardisation of the process of offering police services.

     

    “It is also to guarantee accountability in the process and act as a source of complementary revenue which will be channelled to augment the personnel welfare and other administrative and operational needs of the Force.”

     

    He said the initiative was in line with the Strategic Revenue Growth Initiative (SRGI) of the Federal Government, which aimed at improving revenue sufficiency for critical agencies.

     

    On notable records under his leadership, he said: “From January 2022 till date, the Force has successfully effected the arrest of 328 terrorists/bandits, 325 armed robbery suspects, 339 suspects of kidnapping, and 247 suspected cultists.

     

    “Similarly, a total of 307 kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt, while 510 sophisticated firearms and 8,906 ammunition were recovered.”

  • What Nigeria must do to end insecurity – Saraki

    What Nigeria must do to end insecurity – Saraki

    Sen. Bukola Saraki, the Presidential aspirant on the platform of the PDP, said he would adopt technology to end banditry and other insecurity sources when voted to power.

    Saraki made the statement on Thursday while interacting with delegates of Taraba PDP in Jalingo.

    He said he was in the state to seek the support of Taraba delegates to be Nigeria’s next President.

    “The country has gone through so much and we need to do things differently.

    “We can not have the same type of leaders tomorrow as we have today. 2023 is about the future of this country and our children.

    “This country has been so divided and we can’t afford to use sentiments to vote.

    “We must do it right for the sake of those who died for no fault of theirs.

    “We have been through so much in this country and we must apply for competence to rescue Nigeria.

    “I am the only aspirant who has come out with policy direction to solve Nigeria’s problem because its bad leadership is responsible for insecurity.

    “We need a President that understands the economy and has vision for investment as my agriculture revolution in Kwara remains the largest livestock producer in Nigeria till today,” he said.

    Saraki promised to boost investment in mining and agriculture, to create empowerment for Nigerians

    In his response, Gov. Darius Ishaku of Taraba, said saraki was competent and courageous.

    ” We need someone that will fix insecurity and bring investment.

    “Saraki has good credentials to lead Nigeria and I urge the delegates and Nigerians to vote for competence,” he said.

  • I will end banditry in six months if elected president – Wike

    I will end banditry in six months if elected president – Wike

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has said he will end banditry in six months if elected as the next president of Nigeria.

    TheNewsGuru reports that Wike vowed to stamp out banditry in the first six months of his presidency while speaking in a meeting at Abeokuta to the PDP delegates from Ogun State on Saturday.

    He assured that his administration will provide the logistics and gadgets necessary for the security agencies to expeditiously end banditry in the country if elected President.

    Wike said that he will prioritise the protection of lives and properties of every Nigerian.

    The governor reiterated that he remains committed to the ideals of PDP and will never leave it for another political party under any circumstances.

    In his response, Gov. Adedapo Abiodun of Ogun State urged the delegates to support Gov. Wike to actualise his Presidential aspiration.

    Abiodun expressed optimism that Gov. Wike will win PDP’s ticket and subsequently the 2023 Presidential election.

  • Banditry: Zamfara dethrones 2 emirs, district head

    Banditry: Zamfara dethrones 2 emirs, district head

    Zamfara dethroned the Emir of Zurmi, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and that of Dansadau, Alhaji Hussaini Umar, on Wednesday for their alleged involvement in banditry.

    The government also removed Alhaji Suleiman Ibrahim, District Head of Birnin Tsaba, in Zurmi Local Government Area from office, for a similar offence.

    Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Ibrahim Dosara, announced their removal at a news conference after the State Executive Council meeting.

    “Council approved a committee’s recommendation for the dethronement of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the first-class Emir of Zurmi, in Zurmi Local Government Area.

    “Council also adopted the committee’s report and approved the removal of Alhaji Husseini Umar, a second-class Emir of Dansadau, in Maru Local Government Area.

    “It also approved the removal of Alhaji Suleiman Ibrahim, District Head of Birnin Tsaba, in Zurmi Local Government Area,’’ the commissioner said.

    He added that the government’s decision followed the indictment of the traditional rulers and the community leader by two committees set up to investigate them.

    Zamfara suspended the three culprits from office in June 2021.

    It set up the two committees to investigate them following their alleged involvement in banditry and land racketeering in their respective domains.

    Government also placed the traditional rulers under house arrest for the period the investigation lasted.

    The committees headed by a retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police and Commissioner for Security, Alhaji Mamman Tsafe, submitted their findings to the state government earlier.

    The state government, after receiving the report set up a White Paper committee to review the recommendations.

    The Council upheld the outcome of the White paper and dethroned the two emirs and the district head.

    Government also gazetted the committee’s recommendations.

    The acting governor of the state, Alhaji Hassan Nasiha, presided over Wednesday’s State Executive Council meeting.

  • Why we established village security structure in Katsina – Gov Masari

    Why we established village security structure in Katsina – Gov Masari

    Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State says his administration has established village security structure as part of efforts to tackle insecurity in the state, especially banditry.

    The governor disclosed this on Sunday in Katsina when he received the APC national leader, Bola Tinubu, on a condolence visit over the recent murder of his Commissioner, Dr. Rabe Nasir.

    According to the governor, the village security structure consists of the village heads, the two religious leaders that are dominant in the areas and also the head of butchers.

    He added that members of the structure are head of barbers, officials in the motor parks, youth leaders, head of vigilantes, and whoever has a role to play in the communities.

    According to Gov. Masari, “We have involved them under our new security structure which clearly outlined the involvement of every section of the Community.

    “We have fully involved the traditional institutions. Like I said, because we realized that this is a community issue, it has been approached through communal participation of everybody.

    “Again, we established conflict resolution centres organized and operated by the judiciary, particularly the Office of the Chief Judge of the state. We are currently establishing over 40 conflict resolution centres across the state, and they have started working.

    “And you will be surprised, about eight that we have opened so far have disposed of more cases than what regular courts would have done.”

    He added that the centres deal with community issues such as conflict between landlords and tenants, and sale of plots.

    “Disputes such as minor trade issues which are not criminal in nature, issues of drainage, issues like maybe your goats entering your neighbours and misunderstanding erupting between the families.

    “All these are issues that you don’t have to go to court, these conflict resolution centres are equipped with community participation so that we will reduce the workload on the judiciary.

    “And also bring harmonious living among communities, you know courts do not settle disputes.

    “You hardly go to court and come out as friends, but if you go to conflict resolution centres, you come out as friends because you have agreed to resolve your issues outside the normal court or police station system,” he added.