TheNewsGuru

Tag: bandits

  • Deadline: Greenfield students won’t be killed, talks ongoing to ensure their release – Gumi

    Deadline: Greenfield students won’t be killed, talks ongoing to ensure their release – Gumi

    Islamic Cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has assured that the remaining students of the Greenfield University, Kaduna will soon regain their freedom from their captors.

    Gumi said negotiation was ongoing for the release of the students of the privately-owned university abducted by bandits on April 20, 2021.

    Few days after their abduction, five of the students were killed by the bandits while the leader of the bandits, Sani Jalingo, said the remaining students would be killed if the government or the parents failed to provide N100 million and 10 motorcycles for the bandits.

    Recall the deadline to kill the remaining students had lapsed since Wednesday.

    But on Thursday, Gumi while receiving the parents of the 27 Afaka students on a thank-you visit to his Kaduna residence, said the bandits had rescinded their decision to kill the students.

    He said, “The talk with the Greenfield University students’ abductors is also going on. you know they threatened to kill all of them after a particular deadline but after talking to them, they are now lowering their bar.

    “So, we thankful they have stopped killing. And we are still negotiating with them. I hope this Afaka case will also encourage to know that there is hope in negotiation and release the children.”

    While fielding questions from newsmen shortly after the visit, Gumi said the role he and former President Olusegun Obasanjo played were purely mediation roles, noting that fight was between the bandits and the government.

    He explained that the bandits while attacking the government, attacked government institutions and “innocent children.”

    Gumi said, “The role myself and former President Olusegun Obasanjo played in the release of the 27 Afaka students is the role of mediators because the fight is not between us and them but between the bandits and the government.

    “What we understand is that these people are trying to attack the government by attacking the government institutions and take innocent children.

    “Having understood that we came to the conclusion that this is not a hopeless situation and that we can really go in and negotiate for the release of these children, which we did after so many ups and downs.

    “But in the long run, a conclusion was reached and these children are out. So, we are happy that, all of them are out and none was killed.”

  • Seven killed as bandits attack community in Niger

    Seven killed as bandits attack community in Niger

    Seven people have been reportedly killed by bandits in Yangalu Community in Magama Local Government Area of Niger State.

    The bandits were said to have invaded the community in large numbers on motorcycles and shot sporadically to scare away the people.

    Bandit attacks, which has become a daily occurrence in parts of Niger state, have led to the killing, maiming and displacement of many people.

    The situation has led to a humanitarian crisis, with thousands of people displaced from over 70 communities.

    It was gathered that the bandits before leaving the community destroyed properties and foodstuff.

    The chairman of Magama Local Government Council, Sufiyanu Yahaya, who visited the community to commiserate with the people in the wake of the attack assured them that measures will be taken to improve the security situation in the area.

  • Bandits reportedly write, threaten to attack Veritas University, Nigerian Law School

    Bandits reportedly write, threaten to attack Veritas University, Nigerian Law School

    The Management of Nigerian Law school and Veritas University in Bwari have been forced to shut down following a letter they allegedly received from bandits who threatened to attack and kidnapped their students.

    Thenewsguru.com TNG confirmed the development from some of the students who have returned home following closure of the said schools.

    A security expert working on the area who pleaded anonymity confirmed the incident but said “no brief have been received by the police yet” on the development.

    In his words;

    “As we all know Sabon wuse has a shortcut that links to Bwari where there is a recent threat on Law school and Veritas.

    I don’t think this is in isolation of ransom paid by the govt. (My take).

    The whimper of these guys has now being fueled and they are moving fearlessly for fatter targets.

    Based on these, we will experience sharp increase in abduction/kidnapping mainly VIPs children and family members on route in and out to school or office. Abduction of Various sector and organizations staff members. Attack on popular government facilities, top private schools and universities in FCT.

    My Advice
    the situation in the country is deteriorating which requires extra conscious to deal with the current threat’s.

    Going forward.
    1. Kindly ensure you take your kids to school yourself or assigned a trust worthy driver.

    2. Monitor them while at home not to go out of sight.
    3. Make alternate of route a habit.

    3. Don’t allow bike riders to take you directly to your resident, stop 100 -200 mtrs from your house.
    4. Low profile is the key this time around”

    He said.

    Meanwhile a leaked audio conversation between Ordinary Ahmed Isah and the Inspector General of Police Ahmed Alkali confirm the possibility of many bandits finding their way into the Federal capital territory.

  • Pay bandits N100m Greenfield Student’ ransom before it’s too late, Gumi warns CBN

    Pay bandits N100m Greenfield Student’ ransom before it’s too late, Gumi warns CBN

    Islamic cleric, Sheik Ahmad Gumi, has urged the government not to take the threat by the kidnappers of students of Greenfield University, Kaduna lightly.

    He urged Central Bank of Nigeria should pay the N100m ransom being demanded by the kidnappers of the students.

    Recall that one of the bandits, Sani Jalingo, had on Monday in an interview with the Hausa service of the Voice of America threatened to kill the abducted students except a ransom N100 million and 10 motorcycles was given to them.

    Gumi, according to a report published in The PUNCH (after a phone interview) lamented that his efforts, which had been yielding fruits, were not being appreciated by the government.

    He said: “The money they are asking for is too much; if I give you that money, you cannot run away with it.

    “Nobody can run. So, why not give them the money, they release the boys and then we pursue them and get our money back and do what is necessary; it is simple logic.

    “So, bring the money from the central bank.

    “How can they move that money?

    “We should not be stupid.

    “These people are getting infiltrated; Boko Haram is getting close and they don’t respect the clergy.

    “I need support to get them inoculated against the infiltration of these ideologies, whether Boko Haram or Ansaru, whatever it is.

    “We need to shield them because they are naïve.

    “If there is too much pressure on them, and they see help from Boko Haram, who are richer and have more weapons, it is going to consume everybody.”

  • JUST IN: Bandits have migrated into four LGA’s in Bauchi, govt raises alarm

    JUST IN: Bandits have migrated into four LGA’s in Bauchi, govt raises alarm

    Bauchi State government on Monday said bandits from neigbouring Yobe State have migrated into four local government areas of the state and launched an attack in Gamawa LGA, where they vandalised telecommunication masts in order to facilitate their nefarious acts.

    The Secretary to the State Government, Alh. Sabiu Baba, made the disclosure on Monday at a press conference at the Government House in Bauchi after a security meeting between the governor and head of security agencies in the state.

    He listed Zaki, Gamawa, Darazo and Dambam as some of the affected Local Government Areas.

    Details soon…

  • JUST IN: After collecting N55m, bandits vow to kill abducted Greenfield students

    JUST IN: After collecting N55m, bandits vow to kill abducted Greenfield students

    The terrorists, in Kaduna branded as bandits, who kidnapped 22 students of Greenfield University have vowed to kill the remaining students in their custody tomorrow, Tuesday, 4th of May, 2021.

    Sani Jalingo, the leader of the terrorist gang who kidnapped the students, issued the threat on Monday while speaking with the Hausa Service of the Voice of America.

    He said the remaining students will be killed if the Kaduna State Government or the students’ family fail to pay the money demanded by Tuesday.

    Jalingo said he and other terrorists are demanding a ransom of N100 million and ten motorcycles.

    He insisted that if the money (N100m) and the items (motorcycles) demanded were not provided on Tuesday, trucks would be used to evacuate the lifeless bodies of the remaining students.

    He confirmed that 17 of the abducted students, including 15 females and two males are in their custody – after five of the students were killed.

    Jalingo also confirmed that the families of the remaining students had so far paid N55 million to them.

    The 22 students including a staff were abducted from the privately-owned university located along the Kaduna-Abuja highway in Chikun LGA.

    The attack occurred at 8:15 pm local time on 20 April 2021.

    The Greenfield University kidnapping is Nigeria’s fourth kidnapping from an academic institution in 2021, and the fifth since December 2020, coming five weeks and six days after the Afaka kidnapping, in which 39 students were abducted.
    Following the kidnap of the students and a staff of the school, the bandits had made contact with the parents and demanded N800 million ransom for the release of the students.

    But Jalingo said the ransom demanded is now N100 million and ten motorcycles.

  • Tension in Kaduna as bandits threaten to kill remaining Greenfield University Students

    Tension in Kaduna as bandits threaten to kill remaining Greenfield University Students

    Bandits have told the Hausa Service of the Voice of America (VOA Hausa) that they they will kill the remaining 17 students abducted from Greenfield University, Kaduna State if the remaining N45million naira ransom is not paid to them by Tuesday.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) gathered that parents of the abducted students have so far gathered and N55million to the bandits but the kidnappers claimed they have used it to feed their hostages.

    Twenty-two students and a member of staff were abducted from the school campus along the Kaduna-Abuja highway on April 20 and within a week, five of them were killed.

    In an interview with the Hausa Service of Voice of America (VOA), monitored by our correspondent, a leader of the bandit group who identified himself as Sani Idris Jalingo, said if the Kaduna State Government or their families fail to pay a ransom of N100 million as well as provide them with 10 brand Honda motorcycles by Tuesday, the remaining students will be killed.

    Jalingo said there were 17 students in his custody, including 15 females and two male students among them a grandchild of the late 18th emir of Zazzau, Shehu Idris, whom he identified as Hamza.

    He vowed that it was his final warning and should government or the students’ families fail to meet his demands, all the students will be killed.

    “You are speaking with the abductors of Greenfield students. We heard the utterances of the Kaduna State Governor that he will not pay ransom to bandits to purchase additional arms.

    Asked if he sees himself as a terrorist, Jalingo laughed and said: “I’m not but a food seeker.”

    Emphasising on his threat, the bandit said: “If they fail to bring N100 million and 10 brand new Honda motorcycles known as Boko Haram by Tuesday, I can assure you they will use trucks to evacuate the bodies of the remaining students.”

    He warned security agencies not to waste their time planting trackers on the motorcycles, saying his members do not go to cities and therefore arresting them will be difficult.

  • Bandits kill 323 people in Kaduna

    Bandits kill 323 people in Kaduna

    Bandits have killed 323 people in Kaduna State in the last three months, the state government disclosed on Friday.

    Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, disclosed this while giving the report of bandits attack in the state.

    Aruwan said deaths linked to banditry, violent attacks, communal clashes, and reprisals in the first quarter of 2021 totalled 323 across the state.

    Of this, he said 20 were women, 11 were minors, while 292 were male.

    The commissioner said 236 of the recorded deaths occurred in Birnin Gwari, Chikun, Igabi, Giwa, and Kajuru LGAs.

    He added that Birnin Gwari recorded the highest figure of 77 deaths, followed by Chikun with 52, Igabi 45, Giwa 42 and Kajuru 20 deaths in the first quarter.

    According to him, Southern Kaduna Senatorial District had 68 deaths in total, of which five were women and two below the age of 18.

    He added that Kajuru had 28 deaths, followed by Zangon Kataf with 14 and Kagarko with 12 deaths.

    Aruwan disclosed that Northern senatorial zone is the least affected with 19 people killed and that Zaria has the highest casualty of six.

    The commissioner stated that 64 armed bandits were neutralised during engagements with ground forces.

  • Bandits are our children, we should empower them – Umahi

    Bandits are our children, we should empower them – Umahi

    Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi on Friday said bandits are ‘our children’, and called for their empowerment.

    Umahi spoke in Abakaliki at the presentation of 40 Toyota Sienna vehicles and 20 Hilux vans to security agencies for enhanced operations in the state.

    The governor declared his intention to negotiate with bandits to ascertain their grievances and the way forward.

    Umahi directed local government chairmen and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to identify the bandits and present them for debriefing.

    “I want talk to the bandits and empower them as we cannot continue to kill ourselves and destroy public infrastructure.

    “The bandits are our children and I am pained when they or the security agencies are killed.

    “I want to ascertain their grievances against the Ebonyi or federal government, collate the facts for discussions to commence,” he said.

    He expressed disappointment over the announcement of guidelines for the 2023 elections, noting that the nation was at a crossroad for such engagement.

    “Let us forget about the 2023 elections with the leaders taking responsibility for the situation and discussing for a way forward.

    “No one takes money to the grave and when we hear a gunshot, we will run and abandon the money we amassed.

    “This is not a period to discuss political parties but ensure that the resources of this nation which can truly transform it is judiciously utilised,” he said.

    Umahi debunked the insinuation that members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) or Eastern Security Network (ESN) were after him, insisting that he has discharged his duties to the people.

    Dr Kenneth Ugbala, Secretary to the State Government said that the presentation was the first batch of the 100 sienna vehicles and 40 utility vehicles to be procured for security agencies.

    “The governor has fully paid for the 40 sienna vehicles and 20 Hilux vans being presented as the recipients are charged to judiciously utilise the vehicles.

    “I want to thank the governor for this feat despite the prevailing economic challenges as he had earlier distributed 70 utility vehicles to security agencies in 2019,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the heads of various security agencies, top government officials, youth groups among other stakeholders, witnessed the presentation ceremony.

  • Bandits killed 323 people, abducted 949 in three months – Kaduna State Govt

    Bandits killed 323 people, abducted 949 in three months – Kaduna State Govt

    A total number of 323 people were killed by bandits in Kaduna State between January and March 2021, the government has said.

    The figure was contained in a security report presented by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs in Kaduna, Samuel Aruwan, at the State Security Council meeting.

    Governor Nasir El-Rufai presided over the meeting held on Friday at the Government House in Kaduna, the state capital.

    Presenting the first quarter security report to the council, Aruwan explained that of the 323 people killed by bandits during the period under review, 292 were males and 20 were females.

    He added that a total of 949 people were kidnapped by bandits during the period, while Kaduna Central senatorial district accounted for 236 deaths within Birnin Gwari, Chikun, Igabi, and Kajuru Local Government Areas.

    The commissioner, however, informed the council that some successes were recorded on the part of the security forces, including the killing of hundreds of bandits and recovery of many weapons.

    In his opening remark, Governor El-Rufai decried the spate of kidnapping and banditry in Kaduna which he said was taking an alarming proportion.

    He was worried that the situation was already getting out of hand and called for urgent measures to stem the tide of insecurity in the state.

    The governor also raised an alarm that the bandits operating in the state were inching closer from rural communities to the cities, where they have attacked innocent citizens in recent times with utmost boldness.

    According to him, there is a need to allay the sense of fear and lack of confidence in security agencies through prompt operations to restore security in Kaduna.

    The Commissioner of Police in Kaduna, Umar Muri, and Commandant of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Uche Iyke, also briefed the council.

    Both men stressed the need to secure schools from further attacks and tackle the menace of drug addiction and trafficking which were identified as factors contributing to banditry.