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Tag: bandits

  • Kaduna: Bandits waste 23 lives in 24 hours

    Kaduna: Bandits waste 23 lives in 24 hours

    Bandits have killed 23 persons in attacks across five local government areas of Kaduna State within 24 hours, the Commissioner, Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan has said.

    Aruwan, in a statement issued to newsmen in Kaduna on Tuesday, said the attacks occurred in Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Chikun, Igabi and Kauru Local Government Areas.

    According to him, reports from security agencies disclose that the attacks on soft targets in the five local government areas occurred around Kaduna State’s borders with neighbouring states.

    “In Birnin Gwari LGA, 10 citizens were killed by bandits in an attack on Ungwan Gajere, Kutemeshi Ward, three persons were injured in the attack.

    “In Igabi Local Government Area, bandits shot one person dead between Sarkin Baka and Dankyawai village, near Gidan Kurmi.

    “In Giwa local government area, armed bandits invaded Janbaba village, one person was shot dead.

    “In Kishisho village, Kauru Local Government Area, gunmen suspected to be from a neighbouring state killed five persons.

    “In Chikun Local Government Area, five citizens were killed by bandits in Gwagwada-Kasaya village in Kunai Ward.

    “Similarly, in Agwa, Chikun LGA, one person was shot dead in an attack by bandits.

    “Also in Chikun Local Government Area, one bandit was killed near Bugai, when members of the community repelled an attack,” he said.

    The commissioner said that Gov. Nasir El-Rufai had expressed sadness over the attacks, condoled with the families that lost their loved ones and offered prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured.

    Meanwhile, air platforms of the Nigerian Air Force were trailing and engaging bandits in some locations in Chikun, Birnin Gwari, Giwa and Igabi LGAs.

    The commissioner said residents would be briefed upon the receipt of operational feedback.

  • Bandit commander, Daudawa, 6 others surrender 28 rifles to Zamfara govt

    Bandit commander, Daudawa, 6 others surrender 28 rifles to Zamfara govt

    Six more bandits led by their leader called Auwalu Daudawa surrendered 28 AK 47 rifles, with 27 magazines, and General Machine Gun to Zamfara state government on Monday.

    About ten days ago six repentant bandits submitted 14 rifles to the state authorities pledging to renounce armed banditry and other forms of crimes.

    The repentant bandits, who swore by the Qur’an in Government House, declared that they would not go back to banditry.

    Their leader, Auwalu Daudawa, also promised to convince those who were yet to repent to do so.

    Receiving the repentant bandits, Governor Bello Matawalle called on all the bandits to come out and accept the peace process initiated by his administration and promised to take care of all those who have repented.

    “My administration would take proper care of all the bandits that have repented, and I will continue to dialogue with bandits to end banditry in the state,” he said.

    Matawalle appealed to the people of the state, particularly the politicians to support his administration in its efforts to get rid of banditry and other forms of criminal activities.

  • 19 killed, several injured as bandits invade Kaduna communities

    19 killed, several injured as bandits invade Kaduna communities

    At least 19 people have been killed and several others injured in two separate attacks by unidentified gunmen in Birnin Gwari and Kajuru local government areas (LGA) of Kaduna, a government official said Sunday.

    Samuel Aruwan, the commissioner for the internal security and home affairs in the state, confirmed the two attacks Saturday in a statement made available to newsmen.

    “On a sad note, the Kaduna State Government has received reports from security agencies of the killing of 19 citizens in Birnin Gwari and Kajuru local government areas of Kaduna central senatorial district,” he said.

    According to the commissioner, 14 people were killed Saturday by “armed bandits” at Kutemeshi village in Birnin Gwari and five others killed at Kujeni village in Kajuru on the same day, while several others were left with bullet wounds.

    Aruwan said some shops were also looted with valuable items carted away, adding that some of the injured have been moved to a neighboring state for urgent medical attention, while others are in transit to an orthopedic hospital in Kaduna.

    He said Nasir El-Rufai, the governor of Kaduna state, has been monitoring the security situation at the locations since Saturday morning, expressing sadness over the attacks. The governor also directed the state emergency management agency to urgently provide relief materials to the affected communities.

  • Six die as bandits open fire on commuters in Kaduna

    Six die as bandits open fire on commuters in Kaduna

    Bandits have opened fire on six commuters along the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road.

    The Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.

    He said the bandits, who were on the run from aggressive patrols by security agencies in the Birnin Gwari general area, took to the highway around Ungwan Dangedda, adding that as they retreated, they shot at several vehicles.

    The driver of one commercial vehicle was said to have been hit and lost control of the vehicle, which somersaulted several times before coming to a stop.

    According to the Commissioner, the bandits then fled the location.

    The six persons that died on the spot from the crash were identified as: Abdurrashid Ya’u, Sa’idu Ya’u, Suwaiba Ali, Sulaiman Ustaz, Ramatu Ya’u and an unidentified infant.

    Meanwhile, the following persons suffered injuries – Ubale Yahuza, Rabiu Ibrahim, Umar Musa, Saude Yusuf, Mohammed Aminu and Kadima Mercy.

    Reacting to the incident, Governor Nasir El-Rufai expressed sadness, praying for the repose of the souls of those who perished in the crash.

    While commiserating with the families of the deceased, the governor wished speedy recovery to those injured.

  • Sheikh Gumi narrates his encounter with bandits in Zamfara forests

    Sheikh Gumi narrates his encounter with bandits in Zamfara forests

    Renowned Islamic Scholar Sheikh Dr Ahmed Mahmoud Gumi has narrated his encounter during a trip to the camps of bandits in Zamfara State.

    Worried by the high rate of insecurity in the NorthWest region, the well-respected cleric visited the stronghold of the attackers, appealing to them to accept peace.

    Briefing Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State at Government House, Gusau, on yesterday, the cleric said the bandits have turned into insurgents following the bad treatment from the people of the state.

    He appealed to governments at all levels to make peace with the bandits, saying dialogue is the only option to end the menace.

    “In most of the bandits and Fulani camps we have visited in Zamfara, I come to understand that what is happening in the state is nothing but an insurgency.”

    “Some people are of the view that the bandits should be fought and killed, but what we understand is that majority of them are illiterates who need proper education and enlightenment,” he said.

    Gumi said most of the bandits he came across are violent because of persistent attacks and harassment from a vigilante group.

  • Insecurity: Cleric, Sheikh Gumi holds peace talks with gun wielding bandits in Zamfara [Photos + Video]

    Insecurity: Cleric, Sheikh Gumi holds peace talks with gun wielding bandits in Zamfara [Photos + Video]

    Popular Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Dr. Ahmad Gumi, has met with some notorious bandits in Zamfara State for a peace talk.

    The bandits are said to be those terrorising Shinkafi Local Government Area of the state.

    According to reports published on by DESERT HERALD, a newsmedium in the region, Zumi’s visit to the bandits in the forest of Tubali and Makkai in Shinkafi Local government comprises of large territories of more than 3000 hectares of Savannah grasslands all under the exclusive control of the armed Fulanis comprising mostly of young teenagers of ages 14, 15, 16 while their adults are mostly between the ages 18 and 30 years at maximum. The Fulani insurgents are in 100 percent control of command and administration of all the settlements in Tubali and Makkai forest.

    Watch video

  • Bandits kill two, kidnap others in Kaduna

    Bandits kill two, kidnap others in Kaduna

    Bandits have killed two persons and abducted several others in attack on Garawa village, Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    The development came shortly after several bandits were neutralised in air missions across Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Igabi and Chikun councils.

    Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan disclosed these in a statement on Monday.

    Aruwan stated that investigations were ongoing on the Giwa incident, as security agencies intensify patrols in the council.

    He said the bandits attacked and killed two persons in a different location within the same council.

    According to him, Alhaji Saadu was killed in Fatika District by the bandits while some citizens were kidnapped.

    “Similarly, armed bandits raided Doka village also of Fatika District in the same local government and abducted some residents.

    “In Angwan Dan Yaya village of the same district, one resident Alhaji Suleiman Audu was shot dead by armed bandits.

    He said: “Governor Nasir El-Rufai has expressed sadness at the reports, and prayed for the repose of the souls of the slain, while sending his condolences to their families. He prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured, and urged security agencies to step up responses in the area towards curbing such attacks.”

    On the air attacks, the Commissioner stated several bandits were neutralised in the air missions across Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Igabi and Chikun councils.

    He hinted vigorous ground and air patrols are set to continue in the general area.

    According to Aruwan, air platforms conducted armed reconnaissance over Sabon Birnin, Rikau, Kaya, Kerawa, Galadimawa, Fatika, Kidandan, Saulawa, Dogon Dawa, Ngade Allah, Kuduru, Yadi, Damari, Takama, Sabuwa, Ungwar Yako and its connecting track to Kuduru, as well as the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road all of Birnin Gwari, Chikun, Igabi and Giwa local government areas.

  • Seven notorious bandits repent, surrender weapons in Zamfara

    Seven notorious bandits repent, surrender weapons in Zamfara

    Seven notorious bandits on Friday repented and surrendered their weapons to the Zamfara State Government.

    The repentant bandits also took an oath to stop banditry and embrace the peace accord instituted by State Governor Bello Matawalle to end the decade-old banditry in the state.

    They were received at the Government House in Gusau, the state capital, in the presence of some traditional rulers and Islamic clerics who took turns to counsel them as their weapons were handed over to the State Police Command.

    They surrendered 14 weapons including AK 47 rifles.

    The bandits who swore by the Holy Qur’an indicated their willingness to stop banditry and embrace peace for the rest of their lives.

    The State Commissioner for Security and Home Affairs, Abubakar Dauran who presented the bandits to Governor Matawalle said they willingly took the decision to accept the peace offered by the Governor and will accept to be re-integrated into the society.

    The governor accepted their resolve as they took the oath with the Holy Quran not to either go back to their past ways or become informants for their former colleagues who are yet to key into the peace process.

    Governor Matawalle also promised to continue with the peace process in the state employing the carrot and stick approach towards a successful end to the menace in the state.

    Zamfara State Commissioner for Security and Home Affairs, Abubakar Dauran while briefing journalists said over 1,000 kidnapped victims have been rescued and over 148 weapons with 1,418 live ammunitions surrendered by bandits since the inception of peace dialogue with bandits.

    As part of efforts to fight banditry, Governor Matawalle’s administration has made it a policy to extend an olive branch to bandits who are willing to give up a life of crime.

    The policy has been noted to have significantly reduced the frequency of banditry and bloody attacks in the state.

    Other state governments in the northern region troubled by bandit activities have employed a similar approach with varying success.

  • Bandits attack Fulani settlement in Kaduna, kill 12

    Bandits attack Fulani settlement in Kaduna, kill 12

    No fewer than 12 people have been killed and houses burnt after bandits attacked a Fulani settlement at Na’ikko village in the Giwa local government area of Kaduna State.

    Most residents of the community whose houses were burnt have fled their homes and presently taking refuge at Barkallahu village in the Igabi local government area of the state.

    Narrating how the incident happened to reporters when the Kaduna state Commissioner for internal Security and Home Affairs, visited the displaced persons at where they are taking refuge in Barrkalahu, Nura Haruna who lost two of his sons and two brothers said the attack followed the abduction of a man and subsequent killing of his son by suspected kidnappers in a neighbouring community.

    He says the bandits stormed the village and started shooting sporadically in what he describes as an unwarranted attack on the innocent locals.

    He, however, calls on the Security agencies and Kaduna state government to fish out the perpetrators of the attacks and bring them to justice.

    On his part, the Kaduna State Commissioner for internal Security and Home affairs while commiserating with the victims over the killings, however, appeals to them to recourse to the law, and to shun any form of reprisals.

    He assures them that the government will do everything within its powers to arrest the mastermind of the attack.

  • Insecurity: 158 bandits, terrorists killed in first three weeks of 2021 – FG

    Insecurity: 158 bandits, terrorists killed in first three weeks of 2021 – FG

    The Federal Government says no fewer than 158 armed bandits, terrorists and criminal elements have been neutralised by the Armed Forces across the country since the beginning of the year.
    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who disclosed this at a media briefing on Monday in Abuja said the figure excluded scores of other terrorists and armed bandits killed during airstrikes.

    Mohammed said some 52 criminal elements were arrested, with scores of arms, ammunition and equipment recovered while troops also rescued a total of 17 kidnapped victims across the country.

    He said that a total of 684,856 barrels of stolen crude oil, 1,724,000 litres of stolen Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 500,000 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) were recovered.
    Giving details of the feat by the military in each geo-political zone, the minister said in the North-West, 118 armed bandits were killed in action and a total of 11 kidnapped victims were rescued within the period.

    “During the same period, a cumulative total of 358 livestock and five assorted rifles were recovered from the armed bandits by the gallant troops in the zone.

    “In the same vein, a total of 11 arrests were made, and those arrested include high profile armed bandits, gun runners and bandits’ collaborators,’’ he said.

    In the North-East, the minister said 30 terrorists, including some of their commanders, were killed by troops, apart from the scores, who were killed in air raids/attacks.

    He said several gun trucks were captured in addition to the 13 recently captured at Marte in Borno, while some others were destroyed by the troops.

    “Also, a total of 13 assorted rifles and two Anti-Aircraft guns were recovered from Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists, in addition, several arrests were made – including high-value targets – within the period.

    “Now, during the past week alone, five Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists were eliminated by troops as they attempted to overrun Abbagajiri and Dusula towns in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno.

    “The troops, from the 402 Special Forces Task Force Brigade, had on Wednesday encircled some terrorists’ enclaves at Abbagajiri and inflicted heavy casualties on them.

    “Apart from the five who were killed, many other terrorists escaped with gunshot wounds, while the troops also captured several guns and some Improvised Explosive Device (IED)-making materials among others,’’ he said.

    In the North-Central, the minister said that a total of six kidnapped victims were rescued, while five armed bandits, including militia gang leaders, were killed in action.

    He said that 11 armed bandits were equally arrested in the zone.
    “Only on Saturday, the Air Component of Operation Thunder Strike neutralised several armed bandits at Chikwale Forest in the Mangoro area of Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    “The operation followed credible intelligence reports indicating the significant presence of armed bandits in the area, which is about 20km West of the Kaduna-Abuja Highway,’’ he said.

    In the South-South, the minister said troops of Operation Delta Safe destroyed operational activities of 24 illegal refining sites, 11 wooden boats, 142 metal tanks, 17 dugout pits and 45 ovens.

    He said 30 suspects were arrested while 14 pumping machines, 13 speed boats and 13 outboard engines were recovered.

    “Additionally, a total of 684,856 barrels of stolen crude oil, 1,724,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 500,000 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) were recovered.

    “Furthermore, a total of 1,184 of 25kg bags of Yaraliva Nitrab or Fertilizer suspected to have been smuggled from the Republic of Cameroon were impounded,’’ he said.

    In the South-West, Mohammed said troops of Operation AWATSE destroyed several illegal refining sites and arrested 8 boats engaged in illegal activities.
    He said in addition to the kinetic military operations, which led to the successes, the Armed Forces routinely carry out non-kinetic operations inform of Civil-Military Cooperation Activities (CIMIC).

    The minister assured that, with this renewed determination and vigour, the security agencies would sustain their onslaught against terrorists, bandits and criminal elements in the country.
    He urged the citizens, to give their support to the security agencies, who daily sacrifice to keep the country safe.