TheNewsGuru

Tag: bandits

  • Untold hardship in Abuja as military checkpoints resurface over bandits attacks

    Untold hardship in Abuja as military checkpoints resurface over bandits attacks

    There is presently untold hardship in Abuja after military checkpoints resurfaced at all entry points into the city centre of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) over the recent spate of bandits attacks.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports military checkpoints have been suspended in the FCT for over two years, but no reason has yet been offered for their return.

    However, on Tuesday bandits attacked the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) and abducted four staff members and some children.

    Similarly, at least two persons were reportedly kidnapped from Government Secondary School in the FCT on Tuesday as well, when over ten heavily armed gunmen stormed the school premises.

    The attackers went away with the Vice Principal, Academics of the Junior Secondary School section, Malam Nuhu Mohammed.

    The 52-year old school head was abducted alongside an 18-year old son of another staff member of the school, Master Clement Paul Egbeji.

    The spate of attacks by bandits might have prompted the security measure that left thousands of civil servants, artisans and commuters stranded at major entry points into Abuja city centre.

    Workers, who left their homes as early as 5 a.m for their respective working places were trapped inside their vehicles.

    The chaotic situation forced several people to abandon their vehicles to trek several kilometers in order to meet up with appointments.

    Meanwhile, there are security reports of a planned attack on the Nigerian capital by bandits and terrorists.

    Security reports obtained by the military late Tuesday night indicated that attackers were planning to enter the FCT through the Abuja-Keffi expressway and other entry points.

    Troops have been placed on high alert and are deployed to strategic locations where they are mounting security checkpoints to monitor, prevent and arrest any potential attackers.

    The soldiers have mounted roadblocks at all entry and exit points into the FCT, and are conducting stop and search operations on specific vehicles and passengers.

    The operation, which began midnight Tuesday, is said to have led to the arrest of some suspects who are now assisting the security operatives with useful information, Daily Sun has gathered.

    Motorists, especially those who live along the Abuja-Keffi expressway in areas like Kugbo, Karu, Jokwoyi, Orozo, Karshi, Nyanya, Mararaba, One-man village, Masaka, among other satellite towns, are finding it difficult traversing the road as a result of roadblocks mounted by soldiers of the Guards Brigade, who are responsible for the security of the President, his immediate family, VIPs, as well as the FCT and its environs.

    Some residents told Daily Sun that they left their homes as early as 6:30 am but are yet to arrive at their places of work.

    A military source, who does not want to be identified on print, told Daily Sun that similar checkpoints have been mounted around Abaji, Zuba and Bwari areas to arrest suspects before they gain access into the capital city.

    The source said that the invasion of the University of Abuja early Tuesday morning by bandits who abducted some staff members and their families, may not be unconnected to the security measures, with troops in hot pursuit to apprehend the kidnappers.

    The source further stated that while authorities are aware of the effect on residents, motorists and other road users of the security points mounted by the soldiers, the security of the FCT and its residents was crucial, asking that the public bear with the temporary inconvenience.

    When contacted, the Commander of the Guards Brigade confirmed the security measures at checkpoints by soldiers.

  • Bandits invade secondary school, kidnap Vice Principal in Abuja

    Bandits invade secondary school, kidnap Vice Principal in Abuja

    An unknown armed group has reportedly invaded a junior secondary school in Yebu, Kwali Council of Abuja and abducted its Vice-principal, Mohammed Nuhu.

    The armed men abducted Nuhu after they had successfully invaded the staff quarters of the school.

    Reports of the incident which took place four days ago, only got to the media on Wednesday.

    The assailants were said to have gained entry into the premises using sophisticated weapons. They reportedly attacked the security personnel manning the gate, reports Daily Trust.

    Stephen Knabayi, the chairman of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) wing of the Nigeria Union Teachers (NUT) also confirmed the abduction.

    The report came 24 hours after gunmen abducted three senior members of the University of Abuja staff and three of their family members from the university’s staff quarters in Giri.

  • UniAbuja: Banditary acts in Abuja show Buhari’s failures – PDP

    UniAbuja: Banditary acts in Abuja show Buhari’s failures – PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party has said the attack on the University of Abuja by bandits shows the failure of President Muhammadu Buhari-led’s government.

    The armed bandits had stormed the Staff Quarters of the University and abducted six persons in the earlier hours of Tuesday.

    The PDP which condemned the attack “demanded an unconditional release of the victims to reunite with their families members.”

    This was contained in a statement titled, ‘Bandit Attack in UniAbuja Under Buhari’s Security Precincts, Shocking,’ signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan on Tuesday.

    The statement read, “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) condemns the Tuesday’s attack on the University of Abuja by bandits, who abducted four staff members and some children in the institution

    “The party describes the attack as cowardly and demanded an unconditional release of the victims to reunite with their families members.

    “The PDP describes the banditry which occurred within the precincts of President Muhammadu Buhari’s immediate security purview, just 16 kilometres from the Aso Presidential Villa, as shocking and further shows the helplessness and failures of his administration.

    “With this act of banditry in Abuja, Nigerians expect President Buhari, in line with his promise to lead from the fronts, to straightaway give himself a “marching order” to rescue the victims, just as gives to others whenever there are cases of security failures in commands outside of his security precincts

    “The PDP however charges the security agencies not to relent in the face of the failures of the Buhari administration but rise up to the occasion, track down the bandits and rescue the victims.

    “The party laments the persistent insecurity in the nation and urged all the citizens to be at alert and assist security agencies in their genuine efforts to secure the country under an incompetent administration.

    “The PDP urges Nigerians to continue to pray for the safety and freedom of all compatriots languishing in their abductors’ den, while tasking governments at all levels to rise up to the occasion and device more efficient strategies of securing our nation.”

  • Shehu Sani mocks Buhari govt: Declare bandits ‘civil servants’ if ‘terrorists’ isn’t approriate

    Shehu Sani mocks Buhari govt: Declare bandits ‘civil servants’ if ‘terrorists’ isn’t approriate

    Former senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani has urged the government to declare bandits as federal civil servants since it is becoming hard for them to pronounce them terrorists.

    Recall bandits and kidnappers are on rampage in the North West, killing and kidnapping citizens in exchange for ransoms.

    Reacting to the killings of Muslim worshipers in their mosques in Niger and Katsina State; as well as the killings of Christians in their Churches in Kaduna, the former lawmaker represented Kaduna Central District at the 8th Assembly wondered why the Buhari government are yet to declare bandits’ groups in the North as terrorists.

    He wrote:“They [bandits] killed Muslim worshipers in their mosques in Niger and Katsina State; they killed Christians in their Churches in Kaduna State; if the Government doesn’t want to declare them terrorists, it should declare them federal civil servants.”

  • Panic as bandits attack Baptist Church in Kaduna, kill two, scores abducted

    Panic as bandits attack Baptist Church in Kaduna, kill two, scores abducted

    Some gunmen on Sunday invaded the Baptist Church, Kakau Daji in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing two while scores were said to have been abducted.

    The President of the Kaduna Baptist Convention, Rev. Ishaya Jangado, confirmed the incident but noted that the exact number of those abducted had yet to be ascertained as of the time of filing this report.

    “The incident occurred this morning but we don’t know the exact number of people that were kidnapped yet,” he said.

    However, no official confirmation came too from either the state government or the police as the Kaduna State Police Command’s spokesman, ASP Mohammad Jalige, as at the time this report was filed.

    Chairman of the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Joseph Hayab, while reacting to the incident, said the attack was “another sad story of how deteriorating our insecurity has become.”

    “These evil people have troubled us for too long.

    “I condole with the families of the Baptist denomination and Kaduna Christians for these losses and urge our security agencies to separate war against enemies of Nigerians from politics. No one knows who will be the next target.”

  • Of Wachakal Airport, Wastage and the Bandits In Government, by Hassan Gimba

    Of Wachakal Airport, Wastage and the Bandits In Government, by Hassan Gimba

    When the news hit the airwaves that the federal government had budgeted N6.3 billion to build an airport at Wachakal, in Yobe State, 130 kilometres from Damaturu, the state capital, not a few people were taken by surprise. This is because there is already an international cargo airport, which can serve as a normal airport as well, being built in the state capital.

    In 2017, the then governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Geidam, had awarded the contract for its building at the cost of N11.3 billion with the promise that the contractors would complete it by the end of his tenure, which ended on May 29, 2019.

    Though government officials touted it to be the cheapest airport contract of the time in the country, in June 2018, the sum of N1.760 billion was added to United Aviation Services for the supply and installation of communication gadgets at the airport under construction. Again, in November that year, Gaidam added to the contractors N4.2 billion for the “completion” of the airport. And with six days to May 29, 2019, the governor gave them the sum of N6,067,305,786.91 for the upgrade of the design of the airport. Hmmm…a contract design upgrade for N6bn!

    Therefore, with this history, it is normal for people to ask if the Wachakal airport will get completed for the amount budgeted.

    But beyond that is the million naira question: Does Yobe State need another airport? Is it a priority for the state? Assuming it is, does it make sense to site it 130 kilometres from the state capital? How many states in Nigeria have airports this far from their state capitals? While there is a federal university at Gashua and wetlands at Nguru, over ninety-five percent of those going to Yobe for business or to explore investment opportunities using the services of airports will not consider disembarking 130 kilometres away from where they will meet with the relevant people. If not for the security situation, coming from Maiduguri International Airport in Borno State, roughly 100 kilometres away, is a better proposition.

    Even the Potiskum airfield, established before the Maiduguri airport, is not an alternative for now, but reviving and upgrading it will be more economically important for the nation. Because of the airfield’s global recognition, Potiskum, which the pilots refer to as Papa Oscar Tango, is a Mandatory Reporting Point (MRP) in navigational charts. Kano, Potiskum and Lagos are mandatory reporting points which even Maiduguri is not. Pilots on that international air route therefore must mention Potiskum when flying over.

    While the Maiduguri airport was built in 1950, the Potiskum airfield, which was once a beehive of activities during the colonial days, came into being in 1945 during the scramble for Africa by the colonialists because Potiskum was a sprawling town in the North that was earlier annexed by Germans before the British took over.

    The construction of the airport was to make the movements of the colonialists in and out of Potiskum easy because the town was a gateway to other nearby towns in the North, which had enhanced trading activities and other associated commercial services in the region. When the airfield was constructed, planes carrying goods and colonial masters took off and landed in Potiskum daily.

    Sadly, high-ranking government officials do not consider the economic viability and relevance of projects; they would not site projects in the right areas, rather they would take them to their hometowns. So they bypassed the Potiskum airfield for an upgrade, a project that would have been more beneficial to the state and nation.

    And this is also how the construction of rail lines was taken off the Kano-Potiskum-Damaturu route.

    They prefer to waste public funds in this manner rather than do what is right and makes economic sense. Would they have spent the funds in this manner if it were their hard-earned money?

    Potiskum is one of the top three towns around the northeast area in business activities. People from neighbouring Borno, Jigawa, Kano, Bauchi and Gombe and many others from Niger, Chad, Cameroon and the Central African Republic have a stake in its cattle and grains market, adjudged to be among the biggest in Sub-Saharan Africa.

    The profit to be made by the Nigerian Railway Corporation from Potiskum alone from passengers and goods cargo will surpass what it makes between Abuja and Kaduna. But no, that will not be a consideration because those with the powers to do and undo – today – do not have Nigeria at heart.

    Looking at it objectively, it is such placing of personal interests above the collective that has brought Nigeria to this sorry pass. If the current leaders had the patriotism and love for the people known as the attributes of the late Sardauna, Sir Ahmadu Bello, insecurity wouldn’t have bedevilled us this way. Sardauna could have built ABU Zaria in Rabah, his village, or Sokoto, where his grandfather’s throne was. But no, he didn’t. Instead of being vainglorious and causing the wastage of public funds, he based it where it would be meaningful and of more benefit to the people. And for this and many others, his name will remain in the hearts of good people.

    There are certain projects a patriot does not commandeer to his area just because he can. Airports are among them. You can take a university there, a military/paramilitary training institution, relevant industries or research institutions. But surely not airports or railway stations meant for areas with large populations and goods to transport, where the majority will have access and what they generate can sustain them thereby relieving the government of much needed funds. Any good national political leader from a state like Yobe must see the state as his constituency and not just his enclave or tribe. And people must see him as being just and fair to all – those he considers his, and those he wants to see as not his.

    Anywhere there is an injustice to the collective and wastage of the nation’s resources either for personal gain or to massage bloated egos, insecurity will not be far away. There is a correlation between wastage, corruption, and insecurity.

    On February 1, 2021, in my write-up entitled Mandela and the Parable of the Fulani, I wrote on this page: “But there is also something wrong with the North. It lacks a leader. It lacks focus, and it lacks vision. Most of the Fulani terrorising Nigeria now could have long been engineers, medical doctors, professors, etc. The regime of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida started what it christened nomadic education. Under it, there were many things involved that could change the way the Fulani live. But because most of our leaders are short-sighted and prioritise lining their pockets, they never took that programme seriously. Now, with all the money they have sliced for themselves, those who should have been professionals today will not allow them to enjoy it.”

    Now one can see how both those who, through corruption, have brought insecurity upon us and the innocent who find travelling between Abuja and Kaduna safer through the trains are now jittery because the products of wastage have turned their evil towards the rails.

    Bandits operating in Niger State to the West, Kogi to the South, Kaduna to the North and Nasarawa to the East have sandwiched Abuja and there is a need for the clinical onslaught against them. The Fulani settlements in these areas have to be forensically combed. Quite a few of the rugas around Kuje, Lugbe, and close to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport are alleged to be used by bandits to store weapons.

    As long as public officers surviving on public funds have no patriotic feelings but indulge in wastage of the trust invested in them, so long will our problems of insecurity continue. We should never be foolish to assume that wastage of public funds, another form of corruption, has no relationship with escalating violent crimes and insurgency.

    Those public officers who regard national influence as a Magna Carta for the wastage of public resources do not differ significantly from the bandits that bomb rail tracks, destroying public property to take people captive for ransom.

    The difference is that while the bandits are crude in their operations, these officials are suave, but all enslave the nation for lucre, all indulge in the wastage of public funds and property for their base interests.

  • Bandits kidnap 9 Kaduna villagers, demand N50m

    Bandits kidnap 9 Kaduna villagers, demand N50m

    Bandits struck at Dangilmi community in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, where they abducted 9 villagers.

    While confirming the incident, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria ( CAN) in Kaduna state, Rev Joseph John Hayab,said the bandits had demanded for a N50 million ransom on the abductees.

    The affected community is not far from the Bethel Baptist High School where over a hundred students were abducted in July, 2021.

    According to Rev Hayab, “they were abducted close to jakaranda and the bandits are demanding for N50 million ‎. Yesterday ,Friday, I got calls from the villagers and even their leaders and I told them what can we do in such a situation.”

    “So today ,Saturday, I had to call the leaders of our churches and the school management not to have anything to do with that premises for now. This is because we will look stupid if the bandits return to the area and abducted someone,” he said

  • Three security operatives, not 20 killed during bandits attack on Zamfara – Police

    Three security operatives, not 20 killed during bandits attack on Zamfara – Police

    The Zamfara State Police Command on Saturday denied that about 20 security operatives had been killed by bandits along Shinkafi road.

    Earlier reports had it that the security operatives, mostly personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and local vigilantes, had been ambushed by a group led by notorious bandit leader, Turji.

    In a statement signed by spokesperson, Mohammed Shehu, the Command confirmed the attack but said only one police and two civil defense personnel had been killed in the ambush.

    “What happened was that, on 28th October 2021, Joint Police/Civil Defence Operatives deployed along K/Namoda – Shinkafi Road to stem the tide of banditry, kidnapping and other heinous crimes were ambushed by suspected armed bandits who came in large number,” the statement said.

    “The operatives who were always at red alert engaged the hoodlums to an extensive gun duel that lasted for hours. Some of the assailants were neutralised while others escaped with possible gun shot wounds. Unfortunately, a Police Operative and two (2) Civil Defence Personnel paid the supreme price and their corpses were evacuated and buried accordingly.

    “The Commissioner of Police while deploying reinforcement of Police Tactical operatives to the area, reiterates the continuous commitment and resilience of the Police to rid the State of all activities of criminal elements.”

    The Command urged the public to “ignore the outrageous number” of the earlier reports and “continue to be security conscious while going about their legitimate business.”

  • Insecurity: Why we are yet to proscribe bandits as terrorists – FG

    Insecurity: Why we are yet to proscribe bandits as terrorists – FG

    The Minister of Defense, Bashir Magashi, has explained that despite calls to proscribe bandits as terrorists, the Federal Government is yet to do so because it is still reviewing and following all the required procedures.

    Magashi said this while responding to questions from journalists in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital on Friday when he led service chiefs to receive an operational brief from the headquarters of the theatre command Operation Hadin Kai.

    He assured the Theatre Commander and other principal officers that the Commander in Chief of the armed forces has provided all that is required to execute the war against insurgency in the northeast and other troubled areas like the northwest and the southeast.

    In September, the Senate had also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to declare them as terrorists.
    The federal lawmakers also asked President Buhari to declare all the known leaders of the bandits wanted and track them wherever they are for arrest and prosecution.
  • Bandits kill seven in renewed attacks on Zamfara communities

    Bandits kill seven in renewed attacks on Zamfara communities

    Suspected armed bandits have reportedly killed seven persons during an attack on Yanbuki village in Zamfara State.

    The incident is said to have occurred on Tuesday evening in Zurmi Local Government Area of the state.

    An eyewitness on Wednesday said immediately the bandits arrived in the village, they fired sporadic gunshots.

    As a result of the large number of the assailants, residents were said to have become skeptical and ran to safety.

    “We have conducted the burial of seven (7) people who lost their lives to the attack in Yanbuki,” said the witness who does not want his name mentioned.

    “They have been ransacking houses – room by room – throughout the night, burgled shops, and carted away goods and foodstuffs belonging to the residents of the area.”

    According to the source, the bandits rustled about 500 cows, as well as hundreds of sheep and goats during the attack.

    He stated that this was the second attack by the bandits since the shutdown of the telecommunications network in the Yanbuki area.

    Within the last one week, gunmen invaded and ransacked nine other villages in Zurmi LGA.

    They include Bindin, Kadamutsa, Gidan Zago, Marmaro, Dada, Maduba, Kacha, Dangasamu, Hushin Dusti.

    Residents of the communities are said to have fled their homes to take refuge in safer areas within and outside Zurmi.

    During the invasion, over 40 people are reported to have been abducted by bandits who threatened to either kill or kidnap anyone found in the affected villages.

    “The bandits move around freely within these villages and threatened people and with their brutality, people decided to flee because there are no security operatives to defend them,” a villager said.

    Meanwhile both the Zamfara State Government and Police Command are yet to confirm the attacks.