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Tag: bandits

  • Niger state massacre: We lost many gallant officers – Army spokesman

    Niger state massacre: We lost many gallant officers – Army spokesman

    The Nigerian Army has revealed that many security operatives, including soldiers and police, were killed by bandits during an attack in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

    Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, confirmed this in a statement on Friday.

    According to reports, at least 43 people, including 30 soldiers and seven mobile police personnel and civilians were killed when the armed men stormed the Gold mining site.

    They also abducted several Chinese nationals.

    Confirming the attack, Nwachukwu said that some bandits were also gunned down during the attack.

    “Sadly, a number of personnel paid the supreme price in the fierce firefight that ensued.

    “Subsequently, the location has been reinforced and troops are on the trail of the criminals with some already neutralized.
    .

    “The GOC 1 Division has moved to the location to take charge of the follow up operations”, the statement reads.

  • Why we asked Zamfara citizens to acquire guns – Gov Matawalle

    Why we asked Zamfara citizens to acquire guns – Gov Matawalle

    Gov. Bello Matawalle of Zamfara has said that the State Government relied on extant legislation to direct residents to acquire weapons to defend themselves.

    This is contained in a statement issued by Jamilu Magaji, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, and made available to newsmen on Tuesday.

    Magaji stated that the governor made the remark while inaugurating some security committees in Gusau.

    The statement explained that the governor’s directive was part of the administration’s efforts to tackle protracted security challenges in the state.

    It added that the State Government was aware of the misgivings expressed in some quarters regarding the new measure.

    It noted that the measure was meant “to encourage the communities suffering almost daily from the inhuman aggressions from the bandits to acquire firearms to defend their communities.

    “Self-defence is a natural instinct and has always been part of human survival strategy.

    “As those entrusted with the safety of lives and property of the people, we will do everything possible to uphold this responsibility within the ambit of the law.

    “We are also aware that the security forces are doing their best to combat this formidable challenge.

    “Their efforts are, however, hampered by the lack of adequate modern warfare equipment and the dearth of personnel.

    “Our decision to mobilise people to secure their communities is, therefore, for the people to complement the efforts of the conventional security forces in dealing with banditry and fishing out informants

    “The acquisition and usage of firearms by the public, who desire to do so, would be governed by the Nigeria Firearms Act,” he further stated.

    The statement added that the state government had explored all options to address the issue to no avail.

    It explained that apart from dialogue, reconciliation and disarmament, the government also had regular engagement with Federal Government and neighbouring states, including the Nigerien authorities.

    “We also shut down mobile telecommunication networks to give security forces the leeway to take the battle directly to the bandits,” the statement added.

    The governor further said that his administration had provided modern RUGA settlement for nomads and logistics support to security agencies, including vehicles and drones.

    He said that in recent weeks, the state witnessed increased attacks in some parts of Gusau, Bukkuyum and Gummi Local Government Areas.

    Matawalle said that government had provided 20 new Hilux Vans and 1,500 motorcycles to the committee on security to commence operation.

  • Insecurity: Defend yourselves – Zamfara govt tells residents

    Insecurity: Defend yourselves – Zamfara govt tells residents

    The government of Zamfara State has asked residents to arm themselves against bandits, while also promising to facilitate securing basic weapons for the people, especially farmers, to defend themselves.

    Ibrahim Dosara, Commissioner of Information, made this known in a statement, while also revealing that the Commissioner of Police in the State has been directed to issue gun licence to those eligible to bear arms.

    According to Dosara, the State government has also set up a committee to ensure proper implementation of the measures.

    The statement reads: “Following increase in the activities of bandits in various parts of the state and the government commitment to ensure adequate security and protection of lives and property of the citizenry in the state, particularly during this rainy season, government has resolved to take further measures to deal with the recent escalating attacks, kidnapping and the criminal levies being enforced on our innocent communities.

    “This act of terrorism has been a source of worry and concern to the people and government of the state. Therefore, in order to deal decisively with the situation in our respective communities, government has no option than to take the following measures:

    “Government has henceforth, directed individuals to prepare and obtain guns to defend themselves against the bandits, as government has directed the state commissioner of police to issue license to all those who qualify and are wishing to obtain such guns to defend themselves. Government is ready to facilitate people, especially our farmers to secure basic weapons for defending themselves. Government has already concluded arrangement to distribute 500 forms to each of the 19 Emirates in the state for those willing to obtain guns to defend themselves.

    “People must apply from the Commissioner of Police, license to own guns and such other basic weapons to be used in defending themselves. A secretariat or centre will be established for the collection of intelligence on the activities of informants.

    “People are strictly warned and advised to make sure that any information or intelligence about an informant must be true and nothing but the truth, as all information on such informants must carry correct data on the suspects, including their pictures, correct names, address, occupation and witness to testify the genuity of the information given, as government is taking punitive measures against any one found as informant. Any person who give wrong information against anybody, will be served the same punishment with an informant and will be treated as such.

    “Government has requested the state House of Assembly to pass, as matter of urgency, the informants bill before it, to enable government take the drastic measures on informants as contained in the bill.

    “Government has ordered for the recruitment of 200 additional Community Protection Guards in each of the 19 emirates of the state, making it 500 per emirate, to increase their manpower and strengthen its force and capacity to deal with the bandits”.

  • Bauchi won’t be safe haven for bandits – Bala Mohammed

    Bauchi won’t be safe haven for bandits – Bala Mohammed

    Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State said on Saturday that the state would not be a safe haven for bandits.

    Mohammed said this when he paid a condolence visit to the people of Sabon Gari, Jada community in Alkaleri Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

    Some gunmen had on Thursday invaded a house in the community and killed one woman, Mariam Mohammed, who tried to stop them from kidnapping her son.

    Other communities raided by the gunmen where three other persons were killed and three others injured included; Wadan, old Jamari, Sabuwa, and Jauro Bano.

    The Police Command in Bauchi State had on June 19, confirmed the abduction of a former Secretary-General of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Alhaji Sani Toro.

    Also abducted were former assistant coach of Super Eagles, Mr Garba Yila, and one Alhaji Isah Jah.

    Speaking during the condolence visit, the governor said in order to tackle the challenges all hands must be on the deck.

    He called on the residents to join hands with the state government, as well as the security agencies to flush out the criminals in the state.

    Mohammed described the woman who was killed during the invasion of the community as a heroine, adding that her death was not in vain and promised that his administration would immortalise her.

    The governor said that her heroic act was an example for others, especially women.

    “If left unchecked the relative peace enjoyed in the state will be in danger as bandits appear to be emboldened in their onslaught on several parts of the country.

    `These recent attacks by bandits are becoming a thing of concern and I charge you all to be on the alert. Security agencies cannot defeat bandits without the support of the people.

    “I call on everybody to join hands with the security agencies in the fight against criminals”, he said.

    The governor also promised to strengthen relations between communities and security agencies, particularly the police.

    Earlier, the chairman of Alkaleri LGA, Mr Yusuf Garba, commended the governor for the visit, saying it was a demonstration of his love for his people and concern for security in the state

  • Bandits attack Kaduna churches, kill worshippers, injure others

    Bandits attack Kaduna churches, kill worshippers, injure others

    The Kaduna State Government (KDSG), on Sunday, confirmed that bandits attacked worshippers, killing three persons and injuring two others in Kajuru Local Government Area in the state.

    The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan, confirmed the incident in a statement issued in Kaduna.

    Aruwan said, “On a sad note, security agencies have reported to the Kaduna state government that bandits attacked worshippers and locals at Ungwan Fada, Ungwan Turawa and Ungwan Makama in Rubu general area of Kajuru local government area.

    According to the report, the bandits stormed the villages on motorcycles, beginning from Ungwan Fada, and moving into Ungwan Turawa, before Ungwan Makama and then Rubu.

    He explained that in Rubu village, the bandits attacked worshippers in the Maranatha Baptist Church and St. Moses Catholic Church.

    “Three locals have been confirmed killed in the attacks, and two persons were left injured – one of them a man and a yet-to-be identified woman.

    “An unspecified number of other locals were also kidnapped,” according to reports.

    “The bandits looted shops and carted away some valuables from the villages,” he said.

    Aruwan said, the Acting Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, expressed deep sadness, and condemned the attack in the strongest terms.

    She sent her sincere condolences to the families of the deceased victims, as she prayed for the repose of their souls.

    He said the Acting Governor also commiserated with the attacked churches, and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

    “Security patrols are being conducted in the general area as investigations proceed,” Aruwan said.

    When contacted, the Kaduna Command Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mohammad Jalige, also confirmed the incident, saying the attack happened on Sunday while worshippers are in church.

  • Kaduna-Abuja Train: Bandits release names of freed abductees

    The names of the 11 persons freed from the custody of the Abuja -Kaduna train that was attacked few weeks back have been released by bandits.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that bandits  had abducted over 60 train passengers in March 2022 but released the Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture a few days later.

    They also released a pregnant woman who was abducted alongside other victims.

    The bandits had earlier given the FG ultimatum to release some of their family members in their custody or risk the lives of the abductees.

    However, on Saturday 11, 2022, the terrorists released five males and six females whose names were given below;
    Amina Ba’aba Mohammed
    Rashida Yusuf Busari
    Jessey John
    Hannah Ajewole
    Amina Jibril
    Najib Mohammed Dahiru
    Hassan Aliyu
    Peace A. Boy
    Danjuma Sa’idu
    Gaius Gambo

    A boy whose name wasn’t given was among the eleven released by the bandits.

    Publisher of Desert Herald, Tukur Mamu, served as a mediator in the deal that led to their release.

    it’s still unknown if the Federal Government had yielded to the demands of the bandits.

  • Police kill two bandits, recover guns, weapons in Kaduna

    The Kaduna state  Police Command  said its operatives have killed two bandits and seized two AK 47  assault rifles in the Birnin Gwari axis, on Tuesday.

    The Kaduna state police command spokesperson ASP Mohammed Jalige, confirmed the development in a statement he issued on Thursday in Kaduna State.

    Jalige said: ”In furtherance to its sustained onslaught against banditry in Kaduna, particularly Birnin Gwari axis, the command on Tuesday, May 31, recorded another success.

    ”This involved neutralizing two bandits and recovering two AK 47 assault rifles, while several other bandits sustained bullet wounds.”

    He revealed that the police got a tip off from some persons who had prior information and gave it to the them.

    He noted that the information gotten from the informants helped the police to track and attack the bandits.

    ”They had stprmed  Kimdi village, of Birnin Gwari LGA, ”in their ignoble mission to kidnap people.

    “The Command immediately dispatched a nearby team of crack operatives to the location to repel the attackers and an exchange of fire ensued, where two of the bandits were neutralized and two AK 47 assault rifles recovered.

    “The command is not unmindful of the security challenges, particularly around the Birnin Gwari axis.

    ”Alongside the state government and other security agencies, the command is working to contain bandits.

    ”This is to ensure that the sanctity of human life is adequately protected at all times.”

    He explained that the recent successes recorded by the command and other sister agencies attest to the fact that ”no effort is spared in prosecuting the war against criminal elements.”

    Jalige said the Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Yekini Ayoku, has called on all stakeholders and communities concerned to exercise restraint.

    ”security is undoubtedly everybody’s business, but unguarded communication has the potential to mar the ongoing concerted efforts being made to reduce the negative impact of these challenges.

    ”This is to enable farmers to make maximum use of this farming season to boost the economy of the state.”

  • Bandits release female corps member after getting N2m, 5 phones, N100,000 recharge cards and motorbike

    A female corps member, Faith Onoriode, who was kidnapped on the Abuja-Kaduna road by bandits, has been released after her family provided a motorbike, five Tecno phones, airtime and two million naira as ransom.

     

    The Biology/Microbiology graduate of Delta state Polytechnic, Otefe, Oghara, was kidnapped alongside others on March 21, 2022, while on her way to orientation camp in Jigawa state.

    Bandits
    Faith Onoriode

     

    Her brother, Mr Festus Onoriode, who confirmed her release, said she was released by the kidnappers on Sunday, May 29 and is currently undergoing medical attention.

     

    Speaking on details of the release, he said the bandits gave them specifications of the motorbike and the telephone, and also requested for airtime worth one hundred thousand naira, all of which they received before releasing her.

     

    He claimed they went as far as Lagos state to purchase the bike requested by the bandits because it was not sold in Kaduna.

     

    Speaking further, he added that delivering the motorbike to the kidnappers’ camp was also not easy, adding that the kidnappers advised them to procure service of escort, so they could beat the vigilant eyes of about ten military checkpoints in the Southern Kaduna area of Kaduna state where they were told to drop the bike.

     

    “We paid two million naira, one hundred thousand naira recharge card which they split into fifty thousand naira MTN and fifty thousand naira Airtel that we sent. They also demanded a motor bike and five phones. They gave the specification of the motorcycle and the phone. They said motorbike is not sold in Kaduna, it is in Lagos,” Festus explained.

     

    “We bought the bike and added the five Tecno phones. When we told them we were ready with the bike, they advised us to arrange for an escort to take it to a spot. And the escort took three hundred thousand naira to do this.

     

    “We used escort to deliver the bike. There are about ten army checkpoints on the road. We waited for sometime before they released my sister. God did it that she was not raped.

     

    “It was God. We went round churches for prayers while my sister was in the custody of the kidnappers. She was released around 6:30 to 7pm last Sunday. It was the lord’s doing. People had paid money and they didn’t see their hostages.

     

    “It was God that released her. We are thanking God for all He did. She is in the hospital in Kaduna. We also thank the security agencies in Kaduna for all they did for us. It was not easy raising the ransom. People assisted us. We thank God she came out,”

     

    “I don’t have any choice but to still thank the kidnappers for releasing my sister. When we hear what people pay up north to be released, we are grateful to them for keeping their promise.” He said.

     

    Full list of passengers who boarded Abuja-Kaduna train

  • Don’t ply Kaduna highways for now-Security group advises travellers

    Due to the incessant attacks and abductions being perpetrated by bandits on the Kaduna-Birnin-Gwari Road in Kaduna State, the Chairman of Birnin Gwari Vanguards for Security and Good Governance, Ibrahim Nagwari, has advised travellers to avoid the highway pending the restoration of security in the area.

    Few persons have been reportedly abducted on Tuesday after travellers along Kaduna-Birnin-Gwari road  were attacked by bandits.

    Findings show that  the largest percentage of those abducted are Women ,some  children were said to be among the travellers that  were taken to an unknown location.

    It was gathered that the bandits, who blocked the highway, set about eight vehicles ablaze.

    Nagwari, in a statement, said that there was a “need for the people of Birnin-Gwari and communities along the Kaduna-Birnin-Gwari Highway to halt with immediate effect travelling on this notorious highway until the security situation improves.”

    He explained further that the bandits blocked the Birnin-Gwari-Kaduna Highway, intercepted a convoy of motorists with security escorts between Kuriga and Manini, near Udawa, and they left with an unspecified number of people into the bush.

    Nagwari expressed fears that the gunmen had formed an alliance with the Ansaru terrorist group to declare war on the residents of Birnin-Gwari, adding that the political will of the government to tackle the security threats had been a mirage.

    He urged the people of the area to stop travelling through the Kaduna-Birnin-Gwari Highway until security could be guaranteed.

     

    “We had always appreciated the efforts of security personnel in their passion to curtail the security challenges bedevilling the Birnin-Gwari general area, but our people have reached a point of no return.

    “This organisation, hereby, advises all our citizens to exercise maximum restraint and obey all rules of the land and seclude themselves in prayers for Allah’s intervention to deal with these terrorists and their collaborators within our communities.

    “Equally, we pray for the safe return of our people, mostly women and children that were abducted.”He said

  • 7-day Ultimatum: Bandits withdraw threats, to dialogue with FG

    The 7-day -Ultimatum threat issued by bandits who attacked Kaduna -Abuja train  earlier in the week has been withdrawn.

    NewsGuru.com reports that bandits had written a letter to the Federal Government  threatening to stop feeding abductees and plans to kill them if their demands are not met by FG.

    The spokesperson of Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, Malam Tukur Mamu, the ‘Dan Iyan Fika, confirmed to pressmen that the earlier threat by the abductors of the ill-fated train passengers to start killing them had been withdrawn.

    Sheikh Ahmad Gumi’s spokesman, who was privileged to open a channel of communication with the terrorists through one of their leaders, Abu Barra, explained that, “I can authoritatively confirm that the earlier threat to stop feeding the over 60 abducted passengers of the Abuja-Kaduna bound train and threat to start executing the victims was successfully withdrawn on Saturday afternoon.”

    He said that the threat withdrawal was to allow the Abu Barra-led abductors engage in  a proper dialogue with the government on the matter.

    According to him, a temporary truce that would enable government facilitate action was indeed reached with the abductors.

    As a result of serious and frank engagement, he said the bandits had agreed to continue to take care of their victims, including providing them with medical first aid services.

    Sheikh Ahmad Gumi’s spokesman confirmed that the bandits gave the government another two weeks, effective from Monday, 30th May, to release their teenage children before any talk that may lead to the release of some of their victims.

    Tukur Mamu urged the government do the needful, as soon as possible, as many of the victims have serious health challenges in view of the rainy season.

    The spokesman explained that his decision to accept the mediation efforts was purely on humanitarian grounds and as part of the sacrifice and commitment of Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Gumi to contribute to lasting peace and security across the North, especially the North West.

    He further explained that in view of the encouraging development, it remains to be seen how government would react to ensure the immediate release of the kidnapped victims that have now spent two months in captivity.