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Tag: bandits

  • Four police officers, several bandits killed during gun duel in Zamfara

    Four police officers, several bandits killed during gun duel in Zamfara

    Gunmen have killed four policemen and an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Zamfara State.

    The gunmen also left another person critically injured.

    The spokesperson of the state police command, Shehu Mohammed confirmed the incident to newsmen.

    It was gathered that security operatives were killed in an ambush by heavily armed bandits along Gora Community in Maradun Local Government Area of the state.

    Mohammed said the ambush followed the killing of an unspecified number of bandits who blocked the Bakura – Gusau road on Sunday afternoon.

    He said, “Yes, they ambushed our troops killing four policemen, one Civil Defence personnel and another was critically injured but receiving treatment in an undisclosed Hospital”.

    The Command according to him has sent a reinforcement of troops and traced the bandits to the forest.

    He disclosed that six rifles belonging to the police were recovered from the bandits after a gun duel that lasted for hours, noting that peace has returned to the area.

  • Bandits reduce ransom for abducted kids by N50m; Niger Govt reacts

    Bandits reduce ransom for abducted kids by N50m; Niger Govt reacts

    Daredevil gunmen who invaded and abducted children of the Tanko Salihu Islamiyya school, Tegina in Niger State, have reduced the demanded ransom for their release to N150 million.

    Also, some of the 136 abducted pupils of Tanko Salihu Islamiyya School, Tegina in Rafi local government area, are reported to have fallen sick in captivity.

    The bandits disclosed the children’s ill health to headmaster of the Islamiyya School, Alhassan Garba Abubakar, who reported the situation to reporters.

    According to him, the bandits who had been demanding for N200 million said they would accept N150 million as ransom to release the abducted children.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the children were abducted on May 30, 2021 and have been in captivity for 16 days as at Tuesday, 15th June.

    The head teacher, who refused to disclose the amount raised so far, said it is still a far cry from the demanded ransom.

    “The amount raised so far has been a far cry from what the bandits are demanding before they release the pupils.

    ” I am not part of the committee of the parents going to churches and mosques to solicit for donations for the ransom money to be paid; so I cannot tell you the exact amount of money raised so far,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the Niger State Government has insisted it would not pay any ransom for release of the children.

    It also assured parents that plans were underway to rescue the children.

    Secretary to the Niger State Government, Alhaji Ahmed Matane, said the government would not pay any ransom to the bandits.

    Responding to the ill health of the children, the SSG stated the bandits could use any kind of strategy to make the parents pay the ransom they demanded since they know they would not get it from the government.

  • Arrest bandits behind Plateau killings- Lalong

    Arrest bandits behind Plateau killings- Lalong

    Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, has called on residents of the state to intensify surveillance in their communities so as to stop further attacks on them by gunmen.

    The governor made the call on Monday when he visited some communities invaded by gunmen in Jos South Local Government Area of the state.

    Lalong’s call was contained in a statement issued after the visit by the Director of Press and Public Affairs, Government House, Makut Macham, and titled ‘Kuru killings: Lalong warns against attacks on innocent citizens, begs communities to increase surveillance’.

    “Governor Lalong, who expressed disgust over the murderous incident which occurred on Sunday night in Sabon Layi Kuru, in Jos South Local Government Area and left 12 people dead and five critically injured, said these unprovoked and isolated attacks on soft targets must be stopped at all cost, as the government will never allow few criminal elements to create fear in the hearts of the citizens.

    “He said irrespective of the motives behind the killings, the government is treating it as a purely criminal activity and has directed security agencies to swiftly investigate, pursue, and arrest the perpetrators who must face justice,” the statement partly read.

     

  • Emir of Zazzau raises alarm: ‘Zaria under bandits’ siege’

    Emir of Zazzau raises alarm: ‘Zaria under bandits’ siege’

    The Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmad Nuhu Bamali has decried the security challenges occasioned by banditry and kidnapping in his domain, particularly in Zaria, saying it is under the siege of bandits.

    The Emir who described the security situation as unacceptable and situation no one prays for, added that, Zaria residents now feel vulnerable and are in a state of fear.

    Speaking while receiving heads of Security agencies in the state led by the State’s Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan in his palace on Monday, the emir lamented that children can no longer go to school as bandits are moving about unchecked.

    He called for urgent security action, saying that, it will not be good for his people to remain under the fear of bandits for a long time.

    “We are calling on security personnel and agencies to rise up to the challenge and put an end to this sad situation.

    “We have several military formations in Zaria and environs yet our people are feeling unsafe due to banditry,” the Emir said.

    The security heads however said that, the aim of the visit was to douse tension and build the confidence of Zaria residents.

    They said they also came to commiserate with the Emirate over the recent spate of attacks and kidnappings of residents in the area.

    They however assured the Emir that, they were working hard to put and end to all forms of criminality ravaging the area.

    The Security Commissioner assured the Emir that, there is heavy presence of security in the 12 local government areas that make up the Zazzau Emirate.

    Aruwan however noted that, it is not possible for security to be at every nook and cranny of the communities, hence the need for community leaders to collaborate with the security agencies in the area of intelligence gathering.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that a student was killed and 10 others were kidnapped when bandits attacked Kaduna State owned Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic in Zaria last Thursday.

    Twelve other persons were kidnapped by gunmen in an attack on a new residential area of Kofar Gayan/Kofar Kona axis of Zaria in the early hours of Sunday.

  • UNICEF worried over continued detention of 150 Niger students in bandits captivity

    UNICEF worried over continued detention of 150 Niger students in bandits captivity

    The United Nations Children Fund, UNICEF, has expressed dismay over the continued detention of 150 students of Salihu Tanko Islamiya School, Tegina, in Rafi local government area of Niger state by bandits.

    The UN body, in a statement Monday says it is concerned that schools have become targets by bandits in Nigeria, stressing that it is a gross violation of the right of children to education.

    It however called for the unconditional release of the 150 and also tasked the government of Nigeria to ensure safety of schools across the country.

    The Officer in Charge, UNICEF Nigeria, Rushnan Murtaza said, “We are appalled that two weeks after 150 students were abducted from their school, they continue to be held by their abductors.

    “Parents are grieving their children’s ‘disappearance’; siblings are missing their brothers and sisters – these children must be immediately and unconditionally released and safely reunited with their families.

    READ ALSO: Bandits abduct over 10 people in Kaduna Community
    “It is horrifying that schools and schoolchildren continue to be targets of attack – and in this particular incident, even children as young as 3years old.

    “We can only begin to imagine how frightened they are, and the impact this will have on their mental health and well-being.

    “We are also calling on the Nigerian Government to take all measures to protect schools in the country, and implement the promises made in the Financing Safe Schools in Nigeria Conference in April this year, so that children will not be fearful of going to school, and parents afraid of sending their children to school.

    “Schools must be safe places to study and develop, and learning should not be a risky endeavor.”

  • Bandits kidnap eight family members, four others in Kaduna

    Bandits kidnap eight family members, four others in Kaduna

    Kidnappers have abducted a family of eight and four others in the Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    The latest attack comes barely 48 hours after bandits attacked Nuhu Bamali Polytechnic also in Zaria, kidnapping eight students and two lecturers, as well as shooting another student to death.

    Eyewitnesses said the bandits who were in large numbers, invaded the Kofar Gayan area of Zaria city in the early hours of Sunday when the residents were still sleeping and attacked some houses, where they abducted eight family members.

    The bandits also attacked other houses within the area and kidnapped four other residents.

    The Kaduna State police command through its spokesman, Mohammed Jalige confirmed the incident on Sunday.

    He disclosed that four other kidnap victims were rescued by police operatives who arrived in the area during the raid and engaged the bandits in a gun battle.

    The police spokesman also said security operatives have begun an aggressive patrol in the general area and along the Kaduna-Zaria highway with a view to arresting the bandits and rescuing those kidnapped.

  • Katsina police arrest 13-year-old boy for killing bandits

    Katsina police arrest 13-year-old boy for killing bandits

    The police in Katsina have arrested a 13-year-old boy, for killing two men suspected to be bandits in the state.

    The police said the suspect, Abdulkarim Mati, was once an errand boy to a bandits’ leader, Ardo Nashaware, who resides in Birnin Magaji forest, Zamfara State.

    He was said to have fled the forest where he allegedly committed the act. According to the spokesman for the Katsina police command, Gambo Isah, who confirmed the incident on Saturday, officers recently arrested Mati from where he ran to after his escape from the forest.

    Isah said the suspect confessed that he was taken away from his parents under the guise that he would assist in rearing cows for his masters, adding that instead, he was taught how to operate AK-47 rifles and serve as a guard for kidnap victims.

    “The boy, who demonstrated skills in handling AK-47, also confessed to have been bullied by some elderly bandits, who provoked him, and as a result, picked an AK-47 rifle and shot dead two of the elderly bandits,” Isah said.

    Meanwhile, the command has arrested two suspected bandits said to be terrorising the Batsari Local Government Area of the state.

    The men – Ibrahim Lawal, 45, of Kabobi village; and Mamman Shu’aibu, 39, of Garin Runji Fulani settlement, in the Batsari Local Government Area – were arrested on Wednesday.

    The police described the duo as notorious bandits, cattle rustlers and members of a syndicate that kidnaps for ransom in the council and nearby communities.

    Isah also said police personnel recently arrested some members of a syndicate that specialised in burglary and theft of motorcycles in Katsina.

    Isah said all the suspects would be prosecuted after the completion of investigations.

  • 90 feared killed in fresh attacks on Zamfara communities

    90 feared killed in fresh attacks on Zamfara communities

    The police in Zamfara have confirmed Thursday’s attack on Kadawa village of Zurmi local government area of the state, where over 90 people were said to have been killed.
    The Police Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, SP Shehu Mohammed, made the confirmation to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gusau on Friday.
    “Yes, l can confirm to you that an attack took place at Kadawa village of Zurmi local government where bandits took advantage of the night to strike on unsuspecting people and killed them in cold blood.
    “On getting the news of the attack, the Commissioner of Police, CP Hussain Rabiu, ordered combined units of security personnel to mobilize to the area, restore peace and confidence in the communities and track the perpetrators so that they can be brought to book,” Mohammed said.
    “The CP, also in company of the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Alhaji Nasiru Magarya, were at the affected community to condole with bereaved families,” he said.
    NAN had gathered from some eye witnesses in the village that the bandits invaded the village mid Thursday, speaking in foreign languages and shooting at anyone trying to escape in the pandemonium.
    One of them who simply gave his name as Lawali said 67 bodies were recovered within the village while 26 others were picked up at different locations on the outskirts of the village with several others wounded.
    NAN also reported that Governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle called on the people of the state earlier Friday, at his special two-year anniversary prayers, to rise up and defend their communities against attacks.
  • How bandits abducted 2 lecturers, 8 students at Bamalli Poly – Kaduna State Govt

    How bandits abducted 2 lecturers, 8 students at Bamalli Poly – Kaduna State Govt

    The Kaduna State Government has confirmed the kidnap of two lecturers and eight students by bandits in an attack at the Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria.

    The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan, also confirmed the death of one student in the incident in a statement on Friday in Kaduna.

    Aruwan said that security agencies had briefed the state government on the incident which took place at the main campus of the polytechnic in Zaria on Thursday night.

    He said the bandits invaded the institution’s staff quarters in the campus, shooting sporadically and in the “process, two students were hit and sustained gunshot injuries’’.

    “They were rushed to the hospital for medical attention. Sadly, one of the victims died early this (Friday) morning, while the other is receiving treatment,’’ he said.

    Aruwan said Gov. Nasir El-Rufai was saddened by the incident and prayed for repose of the soul of the student killed.

    “El-Rufai wished the injured student a speedy recovery,’’ he said, adding that senior government officials and security agencies were already assessing and interfacing with the management and students of the institution.

  • Nobody should pay bandits ransom if I’m kidnapped – El-Rufai’s wife

    Nobody should pay bandits ransom if I’m kidnapped – El-Rufai’s wife

    Wife of Kaduna State Governor, Hajia Asia El-Rufai has said that Nigerians must sacrifice to end banditry and kidnapping, saying that, no ransom should be paid to her abductors if she is kidnapped.

    The Governor’s wife made the remarks in Kaduna on Wednesday while addressing participants of a peace and security training, organized for Kaduna women by Equal Access International (EAI).

    The training according to the EAI’s Country Director, Mr. Maaji Peters is aimed at securing Nigerian communities through creation of Civilian Security, CIVSEC who will make contributions and decisions on issues that affects them and their communities.

    El-Rufai’s wife who was the Guest of Honor at the event said that, Nigerians must get back their once peaceful country and women have a great role to play in achieving that.

    Mrs El-Rufai who emphasized that ransom should not be paid if she is kidnapped, added that, “we must sacrifice to bring this to an end. I am ready to die in the hands of kidnappers if it will bring peace to this country.

    “For as long as you continue to pay ransome, it is like you are adding kerosene to fire. you are giving bandits, kidnappers money for ammunition to continue to haunt you. We should not pay ransome. this is my personal opinion.

    “I have said it before and I will say it again, if I am kidnapped don’t pay any ransom. rather pray for me that if it is death, I go in a good way and if I am going to be released that I am not violated.

    “As long as we are giving them the money and they hurt people around, they will not change. Collectively as a country we have to say no, we can not continue to give them our hard earned money to buy weapons and drugs to kill and maim our children. If we don’t put a stop to this, they will destroy us all. They will even kidnap the person that takes the ransom to them.

    “You will see that some of them you even give the ransom and they still kill the person, so you have lost twice,” she said.

    Speaking on communal clashes witnessed in parts of Kaduna State, Hajia Asia El-Rufai told the women drawn from Chikun, Kajuru and Jama’a local government areas to shun divisive narratives created by selfish politicians and work for the unity of the State.