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Tag: bandits

  • Bandits kill seven, kidnap 10 in fresh Kaduna attacks

    Bandits kill seven, kidnap 10 in fresh Kaduna attacks

    At least seven people have been killed and ten others kidnapped in separate attacks carried out by bandits in Chikun, Kajuru and Giwa Local Government Areas of Kaduna State.

    Among the victims were four persons who were kidnapped and shot to death by the bandits at Tsohon Gayan community in Chikun Local Government Area, while another two were also killed at Iri Station in Kajuru Local Government.

    A resident of Iri Station in Kaujuru Local Government Area said the bandits stormed the community around 1:00 am with some sophisticated weapons and started shooting indiscriminately.

    He said residents of the area heard the sound of heavy gunshots forcing the people to scream, adding that the bandits succeeded in abducting 10 persons.

    “They will come and push into people’s houses. At the end of the day, we discovered that 10 of our people were abducted and two were killed,” he said.

    “Besides that, these people were saying that they were a small group, that big people will be coming back. So we don’t know what we have done to them and what to do now.”

    The distraught resident called on the Kaduna State Government to beef up security and drafting out security operatives in the area.

    On his part, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan who led Security operatives to the affected communities on Saturday, described the attack as inhuman, assuring that the state government in collaboration with Security agencies will do everything possible to arrest the perpetrators and halt further attacks.

    “We have lost about seven citizens. Four of the many citizens that were kidnapped in Chikun Local Government were shut dead yesterday and one other person was killed in Galadima General Area of Giwa Local Government.

    “In the early hours of today, we got a distress call from Iri Station in Kaujuru Local Government and two citizens were killed. We came here to see things for ourselves.”

    Kaduna State and other northwestern states have been battling the scourge of banditry with many being kidnapped and killed in recent months.

    As part of the measures to tackle the menace, Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai had vowed that the state government would not negotiate with bandits or pay ransom to secure the release of abducted persons.

  • El-Rufai withdraws his kids after bandits threaten to attack Kaduna public school

    El-Rufai withdraws his kids after bandits threaten to attack Kaduna public school

    Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai has withdrawn his children from a public school in Kaduna after getting wind of a plot to kidnap his son.

    The governor had in September 2019, enrolled his six-year-old son, Abubakar-Sadiq into Kaduna Capital School, a public school located in the Kaduna state capital, in order to show leadership to revamp public education in the state and make it more competitive.

    But in an interview with the BBC on Friday, El-Rufai noted that available security reports revealed that three bandits groups were planning to abduct his son from the school, a situation which he also notes will expose other children to grave danger.

    The Governor also disclosed that he had enrolled Sadiq’s younger sister, Nasrine in the same school after turning six years, before the security development, thereby forcing the family to withdraw the two children from the public school temporarily.

    “My son is registered in the school because his sister also became six years of age and we registered her in the school but we’ve had to temporarily withdraw them for the security of the school because we got intercept from at least two groups that are planning to attack the school to kidnap my son,” he said.

    “I don’t think they will succeed because there will be enough security there to prevent it but other children may be placed in danger. We have no idea what weapons they will come with.”

    He however said that his two children are currently homeschooling, and are only going to Capital School to write exams, with the hope of returning to Kaduna Capital School when security improves.

    The Governor further explained that his family took the decision to withdraw his son and daughter based on the advice of security agents, and in order not to put the school at risk of being attacked by bandits.

    As Kaduna State and other parts of the north-western region continue to experience the scourge of banditry, El-Rufai has been one of those few governors that have repeatedly kicked against the payment of ransom to kidnappers.

    He also reiterated his administration’s stance, explaining that three groups intercepted had vowed to abduct his children to see if he would make a U-turn on the payment of ransom.

    The Kaduna Governor has insisted that the state government has no money to pay bandits amid the renewed attacks by armed groups in the state.

    He stated that the recent bandits’ attacks on communities in the state were a result of the government’s decision that it would not negotiate with them.

    “We have a feeling that the renewed attacks in Kaduna are not unconnected to the position that we have taken as a government that we will not negotiate with criminals,” said the governor who was a guest on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.

    He added, “We will not give them any money and they will not make any profit from Kaduna; anyone that comes to Kaduna will not get a penny from the state government, except he will get a bullet instead.”

    According to Governor El-Rufai, the security challenges being witnessed in the northwest region of the country have been existing for some years and gradually evolving and getting worse with time.

    He was confident that while the state government does not have any reason to change his position, the military would wipe out the bandits from the region.

    The governor stressed that the government would continue to protect the people of the state and their properties, no matter the antics of the armed men.

  • Alleged preferential treatments: Why Nnamdi Kanu’s case is different from Boko Haram, bandits, others – El-Rufai

    Alleged preferential treatments: Why Nnamdi Kanu’s case is different from Boko Haram, bandits, others – El-Rufai

    Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State on Friday said there was no basis for the comparison between violent terror groups in the north and the re-arrested leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

    The governor in obvious response to the allegation of preferential treatment on the part of the federal government for the armed northern groups as against the embattled IPOB leader said it was a case of ‘comparing apples to oranges’.

    El-Rufai, speaking in an interview on Pidgin Service of the BBC, said Kanu’s case is different from that of Northern bandits because the IPOB leader “challenges the sovereignty and the authority of a state and incites violence; he refers to his own country as a zoo,” in contrast to the bandits who “are just collections of independent criminals. It is a business for them. It is not a case of Nigeria must break up.”

    His words: “I was very happy (when Nnamdi Kanu was arrested) because first, he jumped bail, jeopardising his sureties.

    “Secondly, a person that challenges the sovereignty and the authority of a state and incites violence; he refers to his own country as a zoo.

    “This should be a message to all these separatists challenging the authority of the Nigerian state to be very careful.

    “No! No! No! No! People are comparing apples to oranges.

    “Nnamdi Kanu is the leader of IPOB, a proscribed organisation. He is identifiable, costably in constant communication and everyone knows where he is.

    “Let’s take Boko Haram for instance. Shekau was in hiding and for the past 10 years and the military had been waging a war to get him.

    “It is not like Shekau was in Saudi Arabia, sitting in one place, tweeting about the break-up of Nigeria or asking Boko Haram to go and kill Helen and Nasir el-Rufai.

    “Nnamdi Kanu is in one place while Shekau is waging guerrilla warfare. The insurgency is still going on and the Federal Government is not giving up.

    “Regarding bandits, they are not centralised under one leadership. Who is the head of the bandits? Who is the equivalent of Nmandi Kanu with banditry?

    “Bandits are just collections of independent criminals. It is a business for them. It is not a case of Nigeria must break up.

    “I want to challenge anyone to tell me the central leader of bandits in the same position as Kanu.”

  • Insecurity: Nnamdi Kanu cannot be in jail while Miyetti Allah, bandits walk free – Wike tells FG

    Insecurity: Nnamdi Kanu cannot be in jail while Miyetti Allah, bandits walk free – Wike tells FG

    Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike says it is not enough for the Federal Government to arrest Nnamdi Kanu, while leaders of other notorious groups are roaming wild and free.

    Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB), was rearrested, brought back to Nigeria, and re-arraigned on Tuesday, June 29.

    Speaking on the development, Governor Wike said for justice to be said to have prevailed, the Federal Government must ensure that the leaders of other groups that have been linked to killings and unrest must be arrested and made to face the law.

    Wike spoke on Thursday on a monitored Channels Television programme.

    “I have said as governor of Rivers State, I do not believe in Kanu’s principles or the way he wants to actualize Biafra. I have said that Rivers State is not part of Biafra.

    “However, having arrested him, the due process of the law must follow. You cannot just say that because you have arrested him therefore you will not allow justice to prevail. You must follow the due process of law.

    “And again, do not do it as if all our target is against a certain section of the country because it is not only Nnamdi Kanu we are talking about as regards insecurity in the country. We have bandits, we have Miyetti Allah who have caused a lot of problems, so government must endeavour to go after the heads of these organizations and associations and arrest them and bring them to book,” Wike stated.

    The governor was of the opinion that if the government toes his advice, then Nigerians will be able to say that of a truth, justice has been done.

    He added that a failure to see that the other arrests are made will only suggest that the move is targetted at just one section of the country, a situation which Wike says will breed issues over injustice and debates regarding marginalization.

    The IPOB Leader, Nnamdi Kanu was earlier in October 2015 arrested by Nigerian authorities on an 11-count charge bordering on “terrorism, treasonable felony, managing an unlawful society, publication of defamatory matter, illegal possession of firearms and improper importation of goods, among others.”

    He was granted bail in April 2017 for medical reasons. However, Mr. Kanu fled the country in September 2017 after an invasion of his home by the military in Afara-Ukwu, near Umuahia, Abia State.

    Subsequently, he was intercepted on June 27, 2021, and was brought back to stand trial in Nigeria two days later.

    Governor Wike was of the opinion that only a trial that follows due process and the drive to bring other defaulters to justice will ensure that the present government is not seen as nepotistic and bias in its dealings even with regards to insecurity.

  • Bandits ambush Governor Ganduje’s convoy, injure three policemen

    Bandits ambush Governor Ganduje’s convoy, injure three policemen

    Suspected armed bandits on Tuesday night attacked the convoy of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State.

    Kano State Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, who confirmed the attack, however said Ganduje was not in the convoy that came under attack by the bandits who blocked the Zamfara, Katsina and Kano Road, around Shema last night.

    Ganduje was among the governors who stormed Gusau, the Zamfara state capital, to formally welcome Governor Bello Matawalle and other top politicians in Zamfara who have joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    A source from Government House in Kano State, narrated that after the occasion, the Kano governor joined his Jigawa State counterpart, Muhammadu Abubakar Badaru, back to Kano.

    It was gathered Ganduje, who was not happy that his convoy drivers did not fill their tanks in preparedness for the return journey, decided to join Badaru and left ahead of his convoy.

    On their way back to Kano (from Zamfara), Ganduje’s motorcade came under heavy attack by gunmen believed to be bandits. Three policemen sustained varying gun injuries in the incident, it was learnt.

    According to reports, major tragedies were averted as the security operatives attached to the Kano State governor’s convoy engaged the bandits in a gun duel, repelling the attack and opening the way for other vehicles to pass.

    Meanwhile the injured policemen have been discharged from the hospital.

  • Bandits kill Zamfara lawmaker, kidnap son, driver

    Bandits kill Zamfara lawmaker, kidnap son, driver

    Suspected bandits have killed the lawmaker representing Shinkafi Constituency in the Zamfara House of Assembly, Muhammad Ahmad.

    The Director-General, Press and Public Affairs, of the assembly, Malam Mustafa Jafaru-Kaura, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Gusau that the gunmen also kidnapped the lawmaker’s son and driver.

    He said that incident occurred on Tuesday at Sheme in Kastina State while Ahmad was on his way to Kano.

    “He (lawmaker) was taking his son to a hospital in Kano. The lawmaker’s son and driver were kidnapped by the bandits,’’ Jafaru-Kaura said.

  • Troops neutralise scores of bandits in Zamfara – Army

    Troops neutralise scores of bandits in Zamfara – Army

    The Nigerian Army says its troops of 8 Division have eliminated an unspecified number of bandits in fierce encounters in Talata Marafa Local Government Areas of Zamfara.

    The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

    Nwachukwu said that troops, while on a fighting patrol, came under fire from bandits operating along Mayanchi-Dogo Karfe and Fagantama villages in the area.

    He said the bandits were overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the troops in the fierce encounter that ensued where scores of bandits were neutralised.

    According to him, troops also recovered one PKT riffle, large cache of ammunition, and a motorcycle.

    Nwachukwu also disclosed that the troops neutralised five bandits in another encounter at Bingi village in Bungudu Local Government Area of the state.

    He said that the bandits withdrew in disarray having sustained severe gun shot wounds during the gun duel while one AK47 riffle, one Motorcycle and three mobile phones were recovered.

    According to him, the Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, commended the troops for their combat resilience and renewed vigour.

    “He also urged them to sustain the aggressive posture in order to defeat all criminal elements operating in the North West and other parts of the country.

    “He urged communities in the North West to support the troops with useful information at all times to enhance anti- banditry operations,” he said.

  • Again! Bandits kidnap dozens of passengers on Kaduna-Kachia Road

    Again! Bandits kidnap dozens of passengers on Kaduna-Kachia Road

    Another mass abduction of travellers by bandits has taken place on Kaduna-Kachia road in Kaduna state, the Police Command in the state confirmed.

    The Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Jalige, said the exact number of hostages taken by bandits, was yet unknown.

    Jalige said three empty vehicles were recovered from the scene, while one person was found injured and taken to hospital for treatment.

    An eyewitness who did not want his name mentioned said the kidnapping happened about 3:00pm at Makyalli area.

    According to him, he was plying the road when some people alerted him a few meters to the place of the incident.

    He said he and some other lucky commuters spent about 40 minutes on the highway before security operatives came and cleared the road.

    One of the victims of the kidnapping is the Vice Chairman of Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Mr James Bijimi.

    The kidnapping comes two days after bandits killed a driver and kidnapped 33 other people in the Kachia metropolis.

    Bandits have carried out a number of kidnappings in the state, especially on the Kaduna-Abuja highhway.

    The bandits made headlines when they kidnapped some students of Forestry College and later Greenfield University.

  • Bandits kill driver, kidnap pregnant woman, 32 others in Kachia LG, Kaduna

    Bandits kill driver, kidnap pregnant woman, 32 others in Kachia LG, Kaduna

    At least one person has been killed and 33 others abducted following an attack by bandits suspected to be kidnappers in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    The incident which occurred last night within Kachia metropolis also left several people injured.

    District Head of Kachia ward, Idris Suleiman confirmed the incident when security operatives led by the Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan visited the area.

    Suleiman said the bandits in their large numbers invaded the community at about 9 pm on Wednesday night and started shooting sporadically in a bid to create panic among the residents.

    He explained that the bandits first attacked a bakery where they kidnapped five persons and killed the driver to the owner of the bakery, before moving to another area called Mother Cat where they also kidnapped 28 persons including a pregnant woman.

    According to him, the bandits also looted several shops within the town after the traders abandoned their shops and scampered for safety to avoid being caught in the crossfire.

    Bandits have in recent times left Kaduna in a state of unrest, with many being killed and many others being kidnapped, including students of various institutions.

    The latest attack in Kachia comes a few days after the village head of Dogon Daji community in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Mallam Anja, was shot dead by bandits.

    The marauders raided the residence of the village head and shot him at close range, after which he died on the spot.

  • Army replies Gumi’s allegations of military supporting bandits

    Army replies Gumi’s allegations of military supporting bandits

    The Nigerian Army has reacted to claims by Sheikh Ahmad Gumi that the Nigerian military was colluding with bandits responsible for various crimes and atrocities across the country.

    The Islamic scholar made the allegations when he featured on ARISE TV Morning Show on Wednesday.

    Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations in a statement condemned Gumi’s allegations.

    Nwachukwu said the military arm has conducted its constitutional responsibilities most professionally in line with global best practices of adherence to the rules of engagement and protection of fundamental human rights.

    He noted that Gumi’s comment was a calculated attempt to denigrate the Nigerian military and undermine the sacrifices of patriotic troops, who are working tirelessly to restore peace and stability across the country.

    “It is essential to remind ourselves that this same military, being accused of connivance, are the ones who recently put their lives on the line to rescue abductees of the Government Secondary School, Birnin Yawuri from kidnappers.

    “While the NA will not attempt to excuse the possibility of black sheep amongst its fold, it must be stated unambiguously that it will not condone any form of sabotage or aiding and assisting the enemy by any personnel, as provisions for dealing decisively with such acts are crystallised in Section 45 (1) of the Armed Forces Act CAP A 20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

    “It must also be pointed out, that while the military is very much receptive to constructive criticism, it should not be perceived as a gateway for derogatory comments that have the potential to embolden criminals.

    “It is also necessary to reiterate that patriotism must be taken to a trajectory where subversive conversations on the state are brought to the barest minimum.”

    The Army advised opinion leaders to demonstrate patriotism in building peace, rather than being agents of destabilization and aggravating the current security challenges facing the nation.