TheNewsGuru

Tag: bandits

  • Just in: Bandits kidnap Zamfara speaker’s father, six others

    Just in: Bandits kidnap Zamfara speaker’s father, six others

    Suspected bandits have abducted the biological father of the Speaker of Zamfara state House of Assembly, Alhaji Nasiru Muazu Magarya.

    The armed men also kidnapped the Speaker’s stepmother, uncle and four others in a raid on his community, Magarya in Zurmi Local Government Area of the state.

    The speaker is representing Zurmi east in the assembly.

    Salihu Zurmi, lawmaker representing Zurmi West in the state assembly, told newsmen that the armed men invaded the community on Wednesday evening.

    “This is the fourth time they are attacking the community, the first one they killed some people while during the second assault they torched residential houses and carted away cows and other domestic animals,” he said.

    The Director General, Press Affairs of the state House of Assembly Mustapha Jafaru Kaura, said a press statement will soon be issued on the issue.

  • FG focuses on arms procurement, ends negotiation with bandits

    FG focuses on arms procurement, ends negotiation with bandits

    The Federal Government has explained its decision to cease all negotiations with bandits and kidnappers, saying that ransoms are used to procure arms.

    The Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, revealed this while addressing the press at the close of Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    When asked for government’s reaction to the viral footage showing some kidnapped students in Kaduna State being tortured by kidnappers, Nwajiuba said the government was doing its part to rescue the students as soon as possible.

    He said, “Truly speaking, it is disheartening anytime any of our students are taken at any point, I can assure you that the Federal Government is doing all that it can.

    “Insecurity at the school level, you may understand, stems from insecurity around the area. Before we had Chibok, there was Boko Haram in the area. It is the success of the military in more or less incapacitating Boko Haram in the North-East that led to some level of insurgents in the North-West.”

    Nwajiuba said that since the military cannot go into the forest and start shooting at everyone they find, bandits had taken advantage to use some citizens as human shields.

    Buhari unleashes maddening heat on agitators, turns blind eyes as blood-thirsty bandits, terrorists revel in cash, challenge Nigeria’s aerial power

    He added that the government would no longer negotiate with bandits, saying ransoms were being re-channeled into the procurement of arms.

    He said “We are constrained to stop negotiations with bandits because we’ve seen that every time they get any payment, it leads to further escalation, because they rearm and they go back.”

  • Bandits abduct eight residents in fresh attack on Niger community

    Bandits abduct eight residents in fresh attack on Niger community

    No fewer than eight residents have been kidnapped by bandits in a fresh attack on Agwan Fulani in Kwakwashi community of Niger State.

    The sad incident, it was gathered, happened around 1am on Tuesday.

    It was further gathered that the bandits asked for the mobile phones of those abducted.

    A resident of the area, Joseph Ake, said that the bandits fired gunshots throughout the operation.

    He stated that the bandits took nine residents with them, adding that one person escaped but got injured in the process.

    He said, “The bandits came around 1am. That was when the sound of gunshots started renting the air. They did that till they left.

    “The bandits took the manager of a hotel in the area and a guest and the lady with him.

    “In a family, they took a brother and sister; they went from house to house and picked one each. They would either take the wife and leave behind the husband or they take the husband and leave behind the wife.

    “They initially took nine people with them but one of them escaped. He got injured in the process and he is at the hospital receiving treatment. The rest are with them. Their families are waiting for them to be contacted.

    “They specifically demanded the mobile phones of everyone they took with them.

    “Policemen came after they left and looked round. They after some time came back and called a community meeting.”

     

  • Bandits storm General Hospital in Zamfara, capture health worker, one other

    Bandits storm General Hospital in Zamfara, capture health worker, one other

    Armed men suspected to be bandits terrorizing some parts of Zamfara State have invaded a General Hospital in Dansadau community in the Maru local government area of the State.

    TheNewsGuru gathered that the incident occurred on Friday when the assailants invaded the facility and kidnapped two health workers.

    The chairman of Nigerian Medical Association, Zamfara State chapter, Dr. Mannir Bature confirmed the incident to Channels Television.

    According to him, the bandits stormed the hospital with the intention of kidnapping medical doctors and nurses attached to the hospital but after a search, they only ended up in kidnapping a ward attendant and a patient’s relation.

    He further revealed that two other female staff of the hospital were wounded in the raid.

    Following the incident, Dr. Bature noted that the NMA Zamfara branch will hold an emergency state officers council meeting on Saturday 31st July 2021 at NMA Secretariat to deliberate on the issue.

    The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Mohammed Shehu was unable to take his calls and could not respond to text messages forwarded to him.

     

  • Bandits attack Zamfara General Hospital, kidnap two

    Bandits attack Zamfara General Hospital, kidnap two

    Armed bandits have attacked a General Hospital within the Dansadau community in the Maru local government area of Zamfara State.

    The attack which took place in the early hours of Friday led to the abduction of a health worker and one other individual.

    Confirming the attack, the chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, Zamfara State branch Dr. Mannir Bature said the gunmen stormed the hospital and started looking for medical doctors and nurses and in the process abducted a ward attendant and a patient’s relation.

    He further stated that two other female staff of the hospital were wounded in the raid.

    Worried about the unfortunate incident, Dr. Bature noted that the NMA Zamfara branch will hold an emergency state officers council meeting on Saturday 31st July 2021 at NMA Secretariat to deliberate on the issue.

    Dansadau community has been in the news recently for several attacks by bandits, leading to the kidnapping of residents.

    The community has been reaching out to the Federal and State Governments, pleading that more security personnel be deployed to the troubled area.

  • Troops eliminate 42 terrorists, bandits, rescue 93 victims –DHQ

    Troops eliminate 42 terrorists, bandits, rescue 93 victims –DHQ

    The Nigerian troops have eliminated 42 terrorists and bandits, arrested 41 and rescued 93 kidnapped victims in the Northeast, Northwest and North Central theatres of operation in the last two weeks, Defence Headquarters says.

    The Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brig.-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, announced this while giving updates on the military operations across the country on Thursday in Abuja.

    Onyeuko said that the troops of Operation Hadin Kai, had eliminated 16 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists and arrested 29 as well as rescued 40 civilians in the Northeast within the period.

    He said the successes were achieved through several land and air operations which include robust clearance, ambush and road piquet operations as well as comprehensive air patrol within the theatre.

    “Cumulatively, the operations led to the neutralisation of 16 BHT/ISWAPs as well as arrest of 29 of them, while 40 civilians were rescued.

    “BHT and their families, five female adults and 12 children were arrested at FOB Mayanti and Darajamel on July 15.

    “Troops also recovered one General Purpose Machine Gun, four AK-47 rifles, 50 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and one belt containing 296 rounds of 7.62 mm NATO ammunition, accessories for making IED among other items,’’ he said.

    Onyeuko also disclosed that the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji in the North West, neutralised no fewer than 14 bandits, arrested 24 and rescued 36 victims in different locations within the theatre.

    He added that troops also assisted one of the victims to deliver a baby safely during one of the encounters.

    According to him, a total of seven AK-47 rifles, six motorcycles, assorted military and police uniforms, six vehicles and four machetes among other items were recovered within the period.

    “Also, a total of 24 criminal elements were intercepted and arrested, including 16 bandits’ informants/collaborators and an impostor by name Faisal Saidu who paraded himself as Lance Corporal Saidu Abubakar.

    “Furthermore, a total of 223 rustled livestock were recovered during the period,’’ he added.

    The defence spokesperson further disclosed that troops Operation Safe Haven, successfully conducted several kinetic and non-kinetic operations in various locations in Plateau, Bauchi and Kaduna State within the period.

    He said that the troops eliminated seven bandits and five armed robbers with several others escaping with gunshot wounds, while 12 were arrested within the period.

    He added that a total 12 assorted rifles, a truck load of stolen railway tracks and sleepers were also recovered and 17 kidnap victims rescued in the course of the operations.

    According to him, all arrested criminals and recovered items have been handed-over to appropriate prosecuting agencies for further necessary action, while rescued victims have been reunited with their families.

    “Peace and security meetings were also held in various parts of the state with community heads, youth leaders and relevant stake holders.

    “Troops have continued to dominate the theatre of operations with aggressive fighting and air patrols to deny criminal elements freedom of action within the theatre of operations,’’ he said.

    Onyeuko said that troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, Whirl Punch and Thunder Strike, have continued to exert dominance in Benue, Nasarawa State, Kaduna State and along Abuja-Kaduna Highway to deny bandits freedom of action.

    He said the troops had on July 18, tracked and arrested a notorious criminal named Mr Simon Unande, who allegedly supplied military uniforms and accoutrements to militia gangs in parts of Benue and Taraba.(

  • BREAKING: Bandits abduct another First Class traditional ruler in Kaduna

    BREAKING: Bandits abduct another First Class traditional ruler in Kaduna

    Daredevil gunmen suspected to be bandits have abducted the Traditional Ruler of Jaba Chiefdom in the Jaba local government area of Kaduna state, Gyet Maude.

    Brother of the monarch, Anthony Maude confirmed the development to Channels Television via telephone on Monday.

    According to the brother, the monarch was kidnapped on his farm located at Gitata community in Nasarawa State.

    The community is located at the boundary between Kaduna and Nasarawa states

    It is not yet clear if the royal father, who is over 80-year-old, went to the farm alone or was accompanied by his security details.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG notes that both the Kaduna State Government and the police authorities were yet to confirm the incident as of the time of filing this report.

  • Bandits kidnap over 60 travellers in Sokoto, kill two

    Bandits kidnap over 60 travellers in Sokoto, kill two

    Over sixty travellers have been abducted by bandits along the Sokoto-Gusau highway.

    An official of the Sokoto Mass Transit said one of their buses was attacked by the bandits.

    The official who spoke under condition of anonymity with Channels Television said the bandits blocked the highway on Sunday Morning wielding sophisticated weapons and eventually kidnapped over sixty travellers.

    A bus driver and one other passenger escaped the attack but the rest of the passengers were taken away into the bush by the bandits.

    Local residents also explained that the bandits blocked Wurno-Goronyo road around 5:00 p.m. the same day, killing two people and abducting others.

    The attack on Wurno-Goronyo road was confirmed by the Chairman of Wurno Local Government Area, Abubakar Arzika.

    He said two people, including a lady, were killed by the bandits.

    He, however, could not confirm the abduction of other passengers along the road, saying police were still investigating the matter.

    Police authorities in the state are yet to release a statement on the incident.

    Kidnapping for ransom has become commonplace in Sokoto and many other states in Nigeria.

    The attacks are carried out by armed bandits whose aim is to terrorise residents and make money.

    Apart from the kidnappings, the bandits also kill residents of communities at will. A group of bandits recently shot down an alpha jet the military was using to attack the bandits in Zamfara State.

  • Bandits kidnap ransom bearer in Niger

    Bandits kidnap ransom bearer in Niger

    Bandits in Niger state have abducted a negotiator who had been sent to pay ransom to secure the release of 136 students kidnapped on 29 May from the Salihu Tanko Islamic school in Tegina.

    The negotiator, a 60-year-old man from the community, was taken because kidnappers said the ransom he brought was short.

    Abubakar Alhassan, director of the Islamic school and parents of the children confirmed this, according to a news agency report.

    The kidnapped negotiator was not identified.

    Alhassan said the school and parents have been negotiating with the kidnappers who demanded 30 million naira ($72,993) to release the students from the school.

    Alhassan said the school had contributed to a ransom and some parents sold property to raise cash given to the negotiator.

    Armed groups have been blamed for a series of raids on schools and universities in northern Nigeria in recent months, abducting more than 1,000 students for ransom since December.

    The government has said it would not pay any ransom.

    President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered security forces to search for the students.

    “We sold most of our properties and used our savings to see that our children are returned.

    “Unfortunately after all the effort, they said that we did not bring the money as they required,” said Ibrahim Salihu, father of two of the children abducted by the school in Niger state.

    “We are now left with nothing and our children are still held captive,” he said.

    The police did not respond to a request for comment.

  • Three policemen injured as bandits attack Police armoury in Kaduna

    Three policemen injured as bandits attack Police armoury in Kaduna

    Police Division at Mararaban Jos, in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State say that its personnel repelled some bandits who had attempted to take over the armoury.

    The state Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Jalige, who confirmed the attack on Saturday, said that the bandits had attempted to take over the armoury of the Police Divisional Headquarters but were resisted by the officers on guard duty.

    According to Jalige, the bandits came into the town in large numbers, shooting indiscriminately while targeting the armoury of the division.

    He, however, noted that though three of its personnel — an Inspector, two Special Constabulary — were left with varying degrees of injuries, the bandits were overpowered and escaped with bullet wounds.

    He said that the personnel were currently undergoing medical treatment, while the command had since launched investigation into the attack.

    The Police spokesman said, “On the 23th July, 2021 at 2300hrs, there was an attack on Maraban Jos Divisional Police Headquarters where bandits in large number came in three Sharon utility vehicles and in their desperate attempt to override the personnel on duty shot sporadically in order to gain access into the divisional amoury but met professional and stiffer resistance from the personnel on duty.

    “The gun duel between the bandits and the Station Guards lasted for some minutes however; the superior and tactical fire power of the Police forced the bandits to retreat of which some have sustained fatal bullet wounds.

    “The operatives were able to secure the amoury, the entire station and other adjoining facilities at the division.

    ” Sadly, one Inspector and two Special Constabulary personnel sustained varying degrees of injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment.

    “Investigation into the incident has since commenced using the available evidence recovered from the scene as effort is geared towards apprehending the fleeing hoodlums.

    “In view of the above incident the Commissioner of Police Kaduna Command issued a stan directive to all Officers of the Command to ensure that proactive measures are emplaced to protect all Police facilities in the state and forestall the repeat of the ugly incident.”