TheNewsGuru

Tag: bandits

  • Be ready for crushing defeat -Buhari to bandits

    Be ready for crushing defeat -Buhari to bandits

    President Muhammadu Buhari has sent a harsh warning to bandits, saying that “the clock of your ultimate destruction is ticking as you will no longer have a place to hide.”

    In a statement in Abuja on Monday, Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s spokesman, said President Buhari was reacting to the killing of over 30 people in Goronyo in Sokoto State on Sunday by bandits.

    According to the president, the days of the bandits are indeed numbered because the military capabilities of armed forces are being boosted by the acquisition and deployment of advanced equipment.

    “The bandits are living in fool’s paradise of invincibility, but reality will soon dawn on them harder than ever before.

    ”The bandits are currently under desperate pressures because of the intense and sustained air and ground operations against them in their hideouts by our security forces.

     

    “The cowardly attacks on innocent people by the bandits show a rearguard action of criminals under pressure.

    ”But they will have no place to hide and our gallant security forces will not relent in the current offensive to defeat these callous enemies of humanity,” the president emphasised.

    He appealed to all Nigerians “not to despair because this administration is determined more than ever before to protect Nigerians from murderous criminal gangs that have no respect for the sanctity human of life.”

    The President extended his sympathy to the families of the victims of the Goronyo attack and called on the people to continue to be patient as the military strategises on how to deliver the crushing blow to these bandits.”

     

  • ‘You have no place to hide’, Buhari sends warning message to bandits as Tambuwal confirms killing of 43 people in bloody Sokoto attacks

    ‘You have no place to hide’, Buhari sends warning message to bandits as Tambuwal confirms killing of 43 people in bloody Sokoto attacks

    Forty-three people have been confirmed killed in the wake of the attack by bandits on Goronyo township in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

    The state governor, Aminu Tambuwal, who made the clarification on Monday said the toll was confirmed after due diligence on figures of those who lost their lives to the market attack that occurred the previous day.

    While receiving the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Governor Tambuwal had said the bandits killed about 30 people.

    “The number of people that died in Goronyo; I did say it was above 30. I was not categorical about the figure,” he was quoted as saying in a statement by his media adviser, Muhammad Bello.

    “We just finished a meeting with some stakeholders and I have confirmed that we lost 43 people, unfortunately to that incident. May God Almighty have mercy on their souls.”

    In his reaction to the killing, President Muhammadu Buhari sent a tough warning to bandits, saying their clock of ultimate destruction was ticking and they would no longer have a place to hide.

    “The days of the bandits are indeed numbered because the military capabilities of our forces are being boosted by the acquisition and deployment of advanced equipment,” he was also quoted to have said in a statement by his spokesman, Garba Shehu.

    According to the President, bandits are living in the fool’s paradise of invincibility, but reality will soon dawn on them harder than ever before.

    He stressed that the criminals were under desperate pressure because of the intense and sustained air and ground operations against them in their hideouts by the nation’s security forces.

    “The cowardly attacks on innocent people by the bandits show a rear-guard action of criminals under pressure,” President Buhari added.

    “But they will have no place to hide, and our gallant security forces will not relent in the current offensive to defeat these callous enemies of humanity.”

    He appealed to all Nigerians not to despair, saying his administration was more determined to protect Nigerians from murderous criminal gangs that have no respect for the sanctity human of life.

    The President also sympathised with the families of the victims and called on the people to continue to be patient as the military strategises on how to crush the bandits.

  • Over 30 killed in overnight attacks on Sokoto market

    Over 30 killed in overnight attacks on Sokoto market

    Suspected bandits have attacked the Goronyo market in Goronyo Local Government Area in the Eastern Senatorial District of Sokoto State.

    Sources in the village said the assailants attacked the market in large numbers on Sunday night, shooting sporadically and killing several persons.

    Reacting to the attack on Monday, Governor Aminu Tambuwal said about 30 people were feared dead in Goronyo township, the headquarters of Goronyo local government area.

    He disclosed this when the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Farouk Yahaya paid him a courtesy visit.

    “Between last night, yesterday evening till this morning, we were greeted with a very dastardly attack in Goronyo local government, particularly Goronyo Township, where scores and tens have lost their lives and still counting. We’re not sure of the figure. But it is 30 something,” he said.

    The governor noted that the army chief has “come at a very trying moment for the army and the Nigerian nation. We’re faced and bedevilled by many security challenges in our own area here, particularly banditry, kidnapping and other associated crimes.”

    He called for synergy between the army and other security operatives in the state while requesting for the presence of more forces in the state and the deployment of more resources.

    Tambuwal also pledged that his administration will continue to support the army and other security operatives.

    The latest attack is the third time in two weeks bandits have attacked a village market in Sokoto State.

    Earlier this month, 20 persons were killed at Ungwan Lalle market in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of the state.

    For several weeks troops have been conducting air and ground operations on bandit camps in neighbouring Zamfara state where authorities have shut down telecom services to disrupt communication between the gangs.

  • Why bandits now release kidnap victims without collecting ransom – Zamfara Government official

    Why bandits now release kidnap victims without collecting ransom – Zamfara Government official

    The Deputy Chairman of Zamfara State Committee on finding a lasting solution to Armed Banditry, Dr. Abdullahi Shinkafi, says bandits no longer have food to feed their kidnap victims and are releasing them freely without collecting ransom.

    Shinkafi said this during an interview on Saturday in Gusau while hailing the efforts of the state government aimed at tackling the activities of bandits in the north-western state.

    “There were some people who were kidnapped, 11 of them. They released one and told them to bring N200,000 each. Before they started negotiating, (they demanded) N20 million per person,” he said.

    “When the relatives of the victims refused to send the money, they left with no option than to release them. They said they don’t have food to feed them that some have started dying in captivity.

    “So it is yielding a lot of results and biting them very hard. The sustainability of these security measures will help in downgrading the activities of bandits in Zamfara State.”

    Shinkafi added that due to the telecommunications shutdown, bandits wrote letters to the people of Shinkafi and the Acting Emir of Zurmi, using receipts of their purchased motorcycles to demand ransom for kidnapped victims.

    He also confirmed that the task force in the state has traced the address of the motorcycle company in Kano State and arrests have been made.

  • JUST IN: NAF denies paying bandits not to gun down Buhari’s plane

    JUST IN: NAF denies paying bandits not to gun down Buhari’s plane

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has denied paying the sum of N20 million to bandits who operate in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State in exchange for a captured anti-aircraft gun.

    The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, made the denial in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

    According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the reason behind the payment was to retrieve the anti-aircraft gun which it alleged the NAF feared could be used against aircraft operating within the state.

    “The NAF wishes to categorically state that there is absolutely no iota of truth in the spurious allegation that was undoubtedly designed to cast aspersions on the good image of the service.

    “The said report is totally false. It should, therefore, be taken as a fake news and disregarded.

    “Indeed, we ordinarily would not have responded to such baseless and utterly illogical allegation, but for the need to set the record straight and reaffirm the NAF’s unflinching commitment to decisively dealing with the bandits and all other criminal elements.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, it must be stated that there is no basis for the NAF to pay bandits or any criminal elements that it has continued to attack and decimate in Katsina, as well as other parts of the North-West and other theatres of operation in the country.

    “Indeed, as recent as Oct. 12, NAF aircraft conducted five missions in the Jibia general area and engaged targets with rockets and cannons at Bala Wuta bandits’ locations in Kadaoji.

    “Similar successes were recorded at Fakai Dutsin Anfare, an area in Jibia known for its high incidences of bandits activities.

    “The false reportage, therefore, begs the question as to why the NAF would negotiate for a weapon allegedly seized and still carry out air interdiction missions on the same bandits and their strongholds.

    “The NAF is of the view that this latest false report could be a part of a campaign to further the cause of insecurity in Nigeria by elements who see NAF as a threat following a series of successful exploits in operations against criminal gangs.”

    He, however, noted that the development was an avenue once again for NAF to appeal to members of the media, both national and international, and social media, to be circumspect in their reportage, as well as endeavour to always verify their facts before going public.

    The director, however, enjoined the public to disregard the falsehood emanating from some sections of the social and mainstream media.

    He added that NAF also used the opportunity to call on citizens to continue to cooperate with security agencies as efforts were ongoing to rid the entire country of criminals and their activities.

    “On our part, NAF as a professional and disciplined force will not in any way be discouraged from carrying out its mandate to rid the entire North-West of banditry and other forms of criminality.

    “We remain resolute in performing our function and will continue to work in synergy with other sister services and security agencies to rid the country of all criminal elements.”

  • REVEALED! How NAF paid bandits N20 million not to shoot down Buhari’s plane

    REVEALED! How NAF paid bandits N20 million not to shoot down Buhari’s plane

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) coordinated ransom payments to armed bandits in exchange for an anti-aircraft gun seized from the Nigerian Army, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.

    According to the report, the desperate deal was brokered as President Muhammadu Buhari was planning a trip to Katsina State.

    The U.S. outlet said N20 million was delivered to the bandits in Rugu Forest by a Nigerian Air Force official, who leaked details of the operation under anonymity, because the military realised that it would be too risky to leave the weapon in the hands of violent criminals operating in an area the presidential jet would fly over.

    The rugged, lawless jungle that covers parts of Kaduna, Zamfara and the president’s home state of Katsina has served as a vast haven for bandits terrorising Nigeria’s northwestern communities. A large portion of kidnapping plots emanates or terminates in or around the forest, security agencies have previously warned.

    “The mission to buy back the antiaircraft gun began with a handoff from a high-ranking air force intelligence officer in the capital Abuja: a black zip-up bag he said was full of 20 million Nigerian naira,” the paper reported, after stating that such military hardware in the hands of bandits “posed a threat to President Muhammadu Buhari, who had been planning to fly to his hometown about 80 miles away.”

    The gun truck with 12.7 caliber anti-aircraft fire was reportedly disassembled and transported back to the military on motorbikes after the deal was concluded.

    Meanwhile, The Journal did not specify when the deal was brokered or the presidential trip that was planned. The president has been in his hometown at least twice this year that his office disclosed to the public. The first trip was in late January and another in July.

    Although the Nigerian government claimed combat victories against armed bandits, several military bases have been sacked by the violent criminals dreaded largely for their abduction of schoolchildren and prominent personalities, including politicians and emirs.

    Last month, a forward operating base crucial to the military campaign against banditry was raided in Zamfara, leaving at least 12 officers killed. The bandits also seized military equipment when they captured the base in Dansadau, about 80 kilometres south of the capital Gusau, in the September 11 operation.

    Less than two weeks later on September 24, bandits again struck a joint base of security forces in the neighbouring Sokoto State, killing several soldiers, Civil Defence officers and civilians.

    The Nigerian Air Force also confirmed on July 19 that bandits had shot down one of its fighter jets, but the pilot was able to eject and there were no casualties. The incident came as Mr Buhari was visiting his hometown for this year’s Sallah.

    It was not immediately clear why service chiefs opted for a ransom payment in the operation described by The Journal. Military weapons that fell into the hands of Boko Haram insurgents and bandits were usually destroyed by airstrikes.

    Whereas Mr Buhari has promised to be tough on the bandits and publicly railed against governors negotiating with them, his government has been known to pay ransom to terrorists and other violent criminals.

    The government paid millions of dollars to free some of the Chibok girls seized in 2014 under President Goodluck Jonathan. It also facilitated hundreds of millions of naira in ransom to bandits who seized schoolchildren in Niger State earlier this year.

    The Gazette has yet to hear back from the Nigerian Air Force about the reported N20 million ransom to bandits.

  • Bandits go on rampage again in Zamfara, kill 12, set police building, van ablaze

    Bandits go on rampage again in Zamfara, kill 12, set police building, van ablaze

    No fewer than 12 people have been killed in an attack by bandits who invaded Sakajiki village in Kaura Namoda Emirate in Zamfara State.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in Zamfara, Mohammed Shehu, confirmed the incident on Friday.

    He said the casualties recorded in the incident would have been more if not for the response of the police operatives deployed in the area.

    Narrating how the attack occurred, a source in the village told said the assailants arrived at about 9 pm on Thursday and were there for several hours.

    He added that at least a dozen persons were confirmed dead as the attackers continued with their operation until around 4am on Friday.

    They also set several shops and other houses ablaze, including an edifice of a police outpost in the area, as well as several vehicles – one of which was a police patrol van.

    Another source explained that the persons who were confirmed dead were those whose bodies were brought to the open, while a search for those not seen was ongoing.

    The team of police mobile force operatives, according to him, tried their best to repel the attack, but they were purportedly overpowered by the bandits.

    Shehu, on his part, disclosed that the commissioner of police in Zamfara has deployed an additional squad for reinforcement.

    He assured the people of the area that the command would redouble its efforts to ensure that banditry was wiped out of the state.

  • Insurgents establishing camps in Abuja, Niger dangerous – Afenifere

    Insurgents establishing camps in Abuja, Niger dangerous – Afenifere

    THE pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, on Wednesday said the festering expansion of tentacles of Boko Haram terrorists and bandits, with the alleged establishment of camps in Abuja and some parts of Niger State, is a strong indication of looming danger in the country.

    It, therefore, tasked the Federal Government to redouble its efforts in tackling insecurity by doing away with primordial cleavages and declare bandits as terrorists, as recommended by the National Assembly. In a press statement forwarded to the Nigerian Tribune by the national publicity secretary of the group, Comrade Jare Ajayi, it contended that “with the ever-growing reports of how much terrorists are gaining grounds in Nigeria, urgent, decisive, enduring and sincere actions need to be taken to prevent the country from going into smithereens.”

    According to the statement, “the reports of how gunmen overran the police divisional headquarters in Umulokpa, Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State on Friday, October 9, 2021, in broad daylight and abducted a police officer and the abduction of seven inmates of St Albert the Great Institute of Philosophy, a Catholic seminary in Fayit, Kaduna State, on Monday, October 11, are the latest of instances epitomising the level of how the government is failing in the most basic of its responsibilities – protection of the citizens.”

    “Only last week, unrefuted reports had it that bandits suspected to be remnants of Boko Haram terrorists were setting up camps in villages in Kuje Area Council of Abuja Municipality. Penultimate week, chairman of Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, Suleiman Chukuba, disclosed that insurgents had taken over about 500 communities in his council, forcing the residents of the communities into becoming Boko Haram members and equipping them to fight against the government,” the statement added.

    It recalled that the Niger State governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, had, earlier in August, announced that Boko Haram terrorists had captured some areas in the state and had even hoisted their flags in those communities.

    “As such, allowing the terrorists to establish in the state can be dangerous, not only to his state but also to the country. Niger and Nasarawa are not the only states that terrorists have set up camps. Zamfara, Borno, Kaduna, Benue, Yobe have cache of lands where bandits have established themselves from which they unleash terror on the people and government interests.

    “In the South-West, Ibadan to Ijebu-Ode highway, parts of Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun and Osun states posted cases of armed attacks and abductions almost on a daily basis. The same way it is happening in Edo State, among others.

    “In the South-East, besides frequent killings by gunmen, the effectiveness of the ‘stay-at-home’ order being given by a non-state actor, IPOB, is an indication of how much governments seem to have been consigned to feebleness by insurgents that kept getting emboldened by the day,” it added.

    The group warned that failure of government to act decisively on security challenges confronting Nigerians will imperil the socioeconomic activities in various parts of the country.

  • Catholic church explains in details attack on seminary in Kaduna

    Catholic church explains in details attack on seminary in Kaduna

    The Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, Kaduna State has explained in details the attack by bandits on its seminary in St. Albert Institute known as Christ the King Major Seminary.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the bandits stormed the St. Albert Institute located in Fayit, Fadan Kagoma in Jema’a Local Government Area of the State and attacked seminarians in the Chapel of the Seminary.

    According to a statement by the Chancellor of Kafanchan Diocese, Rev. Fr Emmanuel Uche Okolo, at the time of the attack, 132 seminarians, 6 non-seminarians, one female non-academic staff and one steward were on ground.

    Rev. Fr Okolo, however, stated that six seminarians sustained various degrees of injuries, and that, contrary to our earlier report, three theology and four seminarians were abducted.

    The statement reads: “We announce with unease the kidnap of three major seminarians of the Christ the King Major Seminary, our diocesan Major Seminary domiciled within the St. Albert Institute.

    “It houses mostly the formators and seminarians preparing for the catholic priesthood. The Seminarians receive academic formation from the St. Albert Institute.

    “The event. took place on Monday, 11 October 2011 at about 7.26pm, in the Chapel of the Seminary in Fayit, Fadan Kagoma in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    “As at the time of the attack to formators including the Rectors of the Seminary and the Institute, 132 seminarians, 6 non-seminarians, one female non-academic staff and one steward were on ground.

    “Six seminarians sustained various degrees of injuries. A dispatch of soldiers of the Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) was on ground to accompany some formators and the injured seminarians to Salem Hospital in Kafanchan. There, they were treated and discharged after being confirmed to be stable.

    “From the narrative of the seminary security agents, the law enforcement personnel and the headcount conducted after Mass on the 12 October, 2021, it was confirmed that three Theology Four seminarians were abducted. These seminarians belong to the Apostles of Divine Charity and the Little Sons of the Eucharist Congregation.

    “We ask for your closeness to us in praying for the quick and safe release of our abducted brothers. The entire well-wishers of our Institute and Seminary are hereby encouraged to desist from taking the laws into their hands. We would use every legitimate means to ensure their prompt and secure release.

    “May Our Lady of the Holy Rosary and St Wilfred intercede for our abducted brothers and all other kidnapped persons”.

  • Bandits invade market, gun down 20 villagers in Sokoto

    Bandits invade market, gun down 20 villagers in Sokoto

    Bandits have invaded a market at Ungwan Lalle in Sabon Birni Local Government Area in Sokoto State and shot 20 villagers dead.

    It was gathered that the bandits stormed the market and started shooting sporadically at anyone on sight and successfully gunned down 20 people.

    They were said to have arrived the market in large number.

    Many people were said to be injured in the attack.

    Confirming the attack, member representing Sabon Birni North, Aminu Almustapha Gobir, said the whole Sabon Birni was in a mourning state over the attack.

    “Sabon Birni is under siege, this is what I have been telling you people and the government is not happy about it,” he said

    Gobir, who witnessed the burial of the two brothers, noted that traders from different places were killed by the attackers.

    However, the state government has blamed the traders for the attack because all rural markets in the eastern part of the state were banned as part of measures to curtail banditry.

    The Commissioner for Carriers and Security Matters, Colonel Garba Moyi (rtd), stated while speaking with newsmen.

    The Sokoto State Police Command is yet to issue a statement on the attack.

    Several bandits have fled from Zamfara State to Sokoto State after the military’s sustained attack on them, driving them away from the area.