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Tag: bandits

  • BREAKING: Bandits attack emir’s convoy kill three policemen, five others in Katsina

    BREAKING: Bandits attack emir’s convoy kill three policemen, five others in Katsina

    Bandits have attacked the convoy of the Emir of Kaura Namoda, HRH Sanusi Muhammad Asha, killing three policemen and five others.

    The Zamfara State Commissioner of Police, Usman Nagogo confirmed the incident which happened in Funtua, Katsina State, to newsmen on Friday.

    It was gathered that the suspected gunmen on Thursday night attacked and killed the eight persons on their way back to Kaura-Namoda in Zamfara State.

    Sources close to Kaura-Namoda Emirate Council revealed that the Emir’s convoy was ambushed while he was on his way from Abuja to Zamfara State.

    According to the sources, the Emir was in his official vehicle with a Toyota Hilux forming part of the convoy, he didn’t sustain any injury but we lost eight occupants of the Toyota Hilux including the driver, two palace guards, three police escorts and two traditional title holder, they were all killed by the gunmen.”

    reorts indicate that the incident which occurred close to midnight made the Emir to spend the night at Funtua police station.

    As of the time of this report, it was gathered that Kaura Namoda Emirate Council was making arrangements to convey the bodies of those killed for burial later today.

  • Release of Katsina schoolboys: Nigeria’s armed forces know their job, Buhari boasts

    Release of Katsina schoolboys: Nigeria’s armed forces know their job, Buhari boasts

    President Muhammadu Buhari has welcomed the release of kidnapped students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State, describing their safe return as a big relief to their families, the entire country and international community.

    In a short remark shortly after their release was announced, President Buhari expressed the nation’s appreciation for the steps taken by all involved to make their release possible.

    President Buhari specifically cited what he called the “spirit of partnership and the collaborative efforts of the government of Katsina, Zamfara and military leading to the release.’’

    He commended the nation’s intelligence agencies, the military and police force for providing the environment for safe release of the hostages.

    “The Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, and the army worked extremely hard. As soon as I got the information I congratulated them. The Armed Forces know their job. They have been well trained and properly motivated.”

    On the issue of detainees held elsewhere in the country by either terrorists or bandits, the president gave assurances that his administration is aware of its responsibility to protect the life and property of the Nigerians.

    President Buhari urged the citizens to be patient and fair to the administration as it deals with the problems of security, economy and corruption.

    He noted that the administration was fully aware that it was elected to resolve challenges.

    “When we came, we made efforts that yielded the return of the Chibok Girls. When a similar incident of school abduction happened at Dapchi, we successfully returned all but one of the more than one hundred abductees. When this latest incident happened, we put in our efforts and today we have this result to show.”

    The President pointed to the successes of the administration in dealing with security in the South South and North East.

    He said the North West now presents a challenge which his administration is determined to deal with.

    “We have a lot of work to do, especially now that we have re-opened the borders. It is unfortunate that the bandits and terrorists continue to get weapons even under the circumstances of the border closure. We are going to dare them. We will deal with all that,” the president further assured.

  • Zamfara, Kano order immediate closure of day, boarding schools for fear of bandit attacks

    Zamfara, Kano order immediate closure of day, boarding schools for fear of bandit attacks

    The Zamfara State government has ordered the immediate closure of some Boarding and Day Schools in the state.

    Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi, who is the Commissioner for Education, made the announcement while briefing reporters in Gusau, the state capital.

    He explained that the affected schools were those that share borders with Katsina, Kaduna, and Sokoto States.

    The commissioner noted that the three states were prone to banditry, saying that the decision was important to forestall any form of attack on the schools.

    He added that the action was necessary considering the security situation in the country and to prevent what happened at the Government Science Secondary School in Kankara, Katsina State.

    Abdullahi assured parents and guardians that the safety of the students was paramount to the state government.

    He revealed that the government has concluded plans to deploy security operatives to the remaining schools that were not closed.

    The affected educational facilities comprise seven boarding schools and day schools.

    Boarding schools listed include G.S.S. in Tsafe, G.S.S. in Magaji, G.A.S.S. in Zurmi, G.G.S.S. in Moriki, Science Secondary School in Shinkafi, Science Secondary School in Dansadau, and Science Secondary School in Bukkuyum.

    The affected day schools are G.D.S.S. in Nasarawa Mailayi, G.D.S.S in Gusami, and G.D.S.S. in Gurbin Bore.

    In a similar vain, the Kano State Government on Tuesday ordered the closure of all public and private schools in the state with immediate effect, Mr Sanusi Kiru, Commissioner for Education announced.

    Kirk, who gave the directive in a statement issued in Kano, urged parents to take their children from their various schools.

    “Parents whose children are in boarding schools are to also arrange and convey their children/wards back home from Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020.

    “All inconveniences are regretted,” the commissioner said.

    No official reason was given for the directive, which came three days to the end of the third term.

    All schools in the state are expected to close on Friday, Dec. 18.

    Recall that recently, more than 300 students in a boarding school at Kankara Local Government Area of the neighbouring Katsina State were abducted.

    Also, the Kano State Government had expressed concerns over the sudden upsurge in COVID-19 cases in the State, where 85 persons recently tested positive in a space of 10 days.

  • 12 bandits, collaborators apprehended in Zamfara

    12 bandits, collaborators apprehended in Zamfara

    The Defence Headquarters said the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji, have apprehended seven suspected bandits and five of their collaborators in different operations in Zamfara.

    The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, in a statement on Tuesday, said the operations, which took place on Monday, also resulted in the recovery of weapons and logistics.

    Enenche said the troops successfully ambushed some marauding bandits around Magizawa, Kani, Zango, Tabanni and Nasamu villages of Kaura Namoda Local Government Area (LGA) of Zamfara.

    He said the operation was conducted sequel to actionable intelligence on the movement of bandits in the area leading to arrest of seven bandits.

    According to him, many of the bandits were killed, while several others fled into the forest with fatal gunshot wounds.

    He said that the troops also recovered one magazine with 17 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition during the operation.

    Enenche said the troops also apprehended a suspected bandits’ logistics supplier while attempting to convey 20 brand new motorcycles carefully concealed in a J5 bus, to a suspected bandits camp.

    According to him, the suspect and his conductor confirmed that the consignment was to be delivered to a designated location in Jibia in Katsina state during preliminary investigation.

    He said the suspects were currently undergoing further investigation after which they would be handed over to the relevant prosecuting agency for further action.

    The Coordinator also disclosed that four suspected bandits’ collaborators were intercepted at Raudama village with an unspecified number of suspected rustled cows.

    According to him, the suspects initially claimed to have recovered their cattle from suspected rustlers but preliminary investigation, however, revealed that the suspects were beneficiaries of proceeds of cattle rustling.

  • Sultan to Buhari: Bandits bringing kidnappings to your doorstep is big blow on you, heads must roll

    Sultan to Buhari: Bandits bringing kidnappings to your doorstep is big blow on you, heads must roll

    Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III led Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), has told President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure adequate punishment is melted out to security agencies for their slackness over bandits’ abduction of hundreds of students of Government Science Secondary School (GSSS), Kankara, Katsina State on Friday.

    The apex Islamic body in a statement on Monday through its Secretary-General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, JNI stated categorically that, there are lapses in Nigeria’s security architecture that need to be urgently and seriously addressed.

    JNI said that, the boldness of the bandits to carry out the abduction on the day Mr. President arrived Katsina State on a private visit and bring it up to his door step in his presence, is to further test the resolve of his Government.

    It however asked President Muhammadu Buhari to listen to the calls from Nigerians to revamp the security architecture and address the nation, adding that, “there are insinuations that for pecuniary benefits, some top echelon among the security operatives don’t want the insecurity to end.”

    “If not, how can one explain the movement of the bandits in their hundreds on motor cycles without being detected? What happens to intelligence gathering that this heinous plan was not uncovered before it was hatched? How comes the bandits took their time, gather the school boys, heaped them on bikes and whisked them away without being rounded up by the security agencies? Mr. President needs to hearken to the call of Nigerians; REVAMP THE SECURITY ARCHITECTURE AND ADDRESS THE NATION!

    “The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) under the leadership of its President-General, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, the Sultan of Sokoto received with absolute shock the most unfortunate story of the abduction of students from Government Science Secondary School (GSSS), Kankara, Katsina State, after shooting the security guard on the spot, at about 10:45pm on Friday.

    “This abduction in commando style is one tragedy too many coming on the heels of the infamous Zabarmari massacre just not long ago.

    “This indeed is a sad reminder of the abductions of school Girls in Chibok and Dapchi of Borno and Yobe States of North-East Nigeria, and it’s an indicator that the powers that be don’t read the present through the spectacle of the past; this wouldn’t have happened.

    “For the umpteenth time, we will continue to ask: for how long shall the masses continue to live in fear? For how long shall the Federal and State Governments continue to issue empty condemnations whenever tragedies stroke? Is the government and the security agencies so overwhelmed and thus cannot secure the citizens? Are there insurmountable challenges or acts of sabotage that the Government is hiding from the public? These and many more questions continue to bedevil every discerning mind within and outside Nigeria.

    “The Kankara abduction was so belligerently orchestrated that it happened the day Mr. President arrived Katsina State on a private visit. Are the bandits this bold as to further test the resolve of the Government or smite the face of the Commander in Chief by bringing it up to his door step in his presence? This further proves what we once said that the bandits rule in many communities and do as they wish with impunity.

    “If there is any worse outcome than the abduction itself, it is the fact that this is the most potent action to frustrate school enrolment in Northern Nigeria, as no parent will forthwith be comfortable to send their children or wards to boarding school despite the many enrolment campaign efforts by the Government. And it will even be callous for anyone to call on the traumatized parents to expose their beloved children to these unprotected environments to be used as fodder by bandits and insurgents at will.

    “What baffles us the most is the government’s inability to locate the enemy’s actual enclave, the focal point of their strength and to devote all available means to rout them out or incapacitate them.

    “Is it that the political will isn’t there? What really is the challenge or Nigerians don’t deserve to know from the government they elected?

    “We nevertheless in a plangent mood commiserate with the families of the GSSS Kankara victims and wish them safe and immediate reunion with their respective children. We also pray for Allah’s continuous guidance, strength and stamina to all those on the battle fields against all forms of insurrections in Nigeria. In the same vein, we urge the people and Government of Katsina state not to get depressed; Allah, the Most High shall continue to be their strength in-sha’Allah.

    “In light of the above, we call on Governments at all levels to with all urgency do everything possible and use any means possible to return the school boys.

    “The Prayers of the JNI and Nigerian Muslims are therefore that: Government should spare no effort(s) to immediately return all the abducted students of GSSS Kankara. And then there should be no sacred cows – heads must roll for the repeated slackness.

    “Government at all levels in collaboration with different security agencies should proactively rise against the tide of insecurity in whatever guise by nipping it in the bud, before it escalates; We must all be upright in our dealings and remember that we shall all account for our respective actions and inactions, thus we should be God-conscious.

    “We should continue to seek Allah’s intervention to ending these orgies bedeviling our country, as well as return to Allah with all righteousness; repentance, remorsefulness, brokenhearted and seeking for His pardon,” JNI said.

  • How I escaped from bandits — 18-year-old student reveals

    How I escaped from bandits — 18-year-old student reveals

    Osama Aminu Maale, an 18-year-old student of Government Science School, Kankara, in Katsina State, has recounted how he escaped from bandits who abducted hundreds of his colleagues last Friday.

    According to Maale, 520 students were abducted when the armed bandits stormed the school on Friday night.

    “There were a total of 520 of us that were taken by the gunmen from the school,” he told AFP on the phone.

    “After they took us away we stopped inside the bus where they made the older students take a headcount. We counted 520,” he said.

    The hostages were split into groups before Maale and four others escaped.

    “One of the gunmen hit me repeatedly when I failed to keep up with the rest of the group due to my failing health before he let me trail behind, giving me the chance to escape,” Maale added.

    The Federal Government has said efforts were on to release students abducted by armed men who raided their hostels.

    UN children’s agency UNICEF criticized the assault on the school in Katsina, the home state of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

    State governor, Aminu Masari, who visited the school on Saturday, said soldiers were working to locate and free the hostages.

    “Soldiers are currently in the bushes fighting the bandits. We will do all we can to ensure all the abducted children are reclaimed,” he said.

    Masari said it was still not clear how many students were “in the hands of the bandits” and how many had managed to escape.

    “The school has a population of 839 and so far, we are yet to account for 333 students,” Masari told a federal government delegation in his office on Sunday.

    “We are still counting because more are still coming out of the forest,” said the governor.

    “Up till this moment, no one can give a precise figure of the children abducted,” he stated, adding that students who escaped confirmed some of their peers were taken.

     

  • JUST IN: Despite Buhari’s presence, bandits invade Katsina school, kidnap students

    JUST IN: Despite Buhari’s presence, bandits invade Katsina school, kidnap students

    Bandits, ignoring the presence of President Muhammad’s Buhari in Daura, Katsina state, have attacked the Government Science Secondary School in Ƙanƙara abducting a yet to be specified number of students said to be in the hundreds.
    The school is said to have a student population of 800 but 200 of them in JSS 3 were said to have gone on vacation before the attack.

    Hint of the attack first came into limelight when activist former Senator Shehu Sani tweeted about it in the morning today.

    Kankara lies south of the state, about 197km from Daura.

    The school principal, Malam Usman Abubakar, who confirmed the story said the bandits were armed with sophisticated weapons.

    He said the attacked happened around 10.15 pm on Friday, and that the horrible operation that lasted about an hour.

    Abubakar revealed that the bandits on arrival at the school entrance, broke the school gate, shot one of the policemen at the gate on the leg.

    The other policeman escaped, while the injured policeman is now hospitalised.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the attack came less than six hours after President Muhammadu Buhari arrived his home state for a week-long private visit.

    He last visited in December last year.

    Masari shuts down boarding schools

    Meanwhile, Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State has ordered for the immediate closure of all boarding secondary schools in the state.
    The directive follows the abduction of an unspecified number of students of the Government Science Secondary School Kankara by bandits in the night on Friday.
    The Governor spoke on Saturday morning when, accompanied by his Deputy Alhaji Mannir Yakubu and other government officials, he visited the state school, where he met with the school officials, some parents, traditional and religious leaders as well as security officials.
    The Governor, who could not control his emotions , pleaded with the people to be patient and show restraint and understanding, assuring them that government will do every necessary things to ensure the release of all the abducted students. He said the already security officials, constituting the military, the police and the Department of State Security had swung into action and are on the trail of the abductors.
    Governor Masari further assured that both governments at federal and state levels were doing their best to bring an end to banditry and other debilitating criminal activities in the state.
    According to him, the government is very firm in its resolve to be ruthless in any engagement with the bandits.

  • Photos: 16 Kano men perished in fatal accident, not killed by bandits – Kaduna Government

    Photos: 16 Kano men perished in fatal accident, not killed by bandits – Kaduna Government

    The Kaduna State Government has faulted viral story of Thursday which suggests that sixteen business men from Kano state who were returning from a business trip on Wednesday from Abuja where killed by bandits.

    In a statement released on Friday, Kaduna State commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan said, the story is misleading and incorrect. According to Aruwan, the “Kano indigenes perished in accident, and were not killed by bandits on the Kaduna-Abuja Road”.


    “….The fact is, they perished at the Rigachikun axis of Kaduna-Zaria Road in a road accident following a burst tyre….” Aruwan said.
    “….Our deep condolences go to their families, as we pray that their souls rest in peace. We also wish those who sustained injuries speedy recovery….” He added

  • Bandits kill policeman, kidnap seven in Niger

    Bandits kill policeman, kidnap seven in Niger

    A Mobile Policeman has been killed and seven others kidnapped in recent bandits attacks in Mariga and Rafi Local Government Areas of Niger State.

    Another policeman was injured in the encounter in Mariga local government area.

    It was learnt that the mobile policemen were on a daily patrol in Mariga town cattle market when the bandits attacked the market and started shooting sporadically.

    It was during the shooting that the policeman died and another person sustained injuries.

    The injured policeman was rushed to the Minna General Hospital after the attack where he is currently receiving treatment.

    This attack in Mariga local government area is coming hours after another group of bandits kidnapped seven people in Shamuyanbu village in Kusherki District of Rafi Local Government Council of the state.

    Four women and three men were abducted during the attack.

    It was learnt that the bandits invaded the village on motorcycles shooting sporadically which led to the people taking to their heels for safety.

    “They forced the people kidnapped on the motorcycles with the bandits riding and another behind the victims and sped off,” one of the villagers told The Nation.

    Several calls placed to the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Wasiu Abiodun were unanswered.

  • Sad! Bandits kill 10 in Kaduna, kidnap 8 ABU students

    Sad! Bandits kill 10 in Kaduna, kidnap 8 ABU students

    Bandits on Monday killed no fewer than 10 villagers in Albasu village of Igabi Local Govermment Area of Kaduna.

    It was also confirmed that gunmen suspected to be Kidnappers on Sunday night abducted two persons and killed one person at Maraban Kajuru in Kajuru Local Govermment area of the State.

    Though, the authority did not state the number of people killed in Igabi, a source from the area put the casualty figure at 10.

    Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, who confirmed the incidents in a statement Monday night, said security operatives were after the bandits in the two areas.

    He also revealed eight students of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) have been reported to be among those kidnapped on Kaduna-Abuja road Sunday evening.

    According to him: “The Kaduna State Government has stated that the security operatives are presently pursuing bandits in some locations in Igabi and Kajuru local government areas of Kaduna Central Senatorial District.

    “The development follows today’s bandit attack at Albasu village of Igabi and Sunday night attack at Maraban Kajuru in the two councils.

    “Security agencies have notified the government that they are pursuing bandits in the area, and will provide further updates.

    “On Monday armed bandits attacked Albasu village located south wards of Malum forest in Sabon Birni general area and subsequently killed some locals, while on Sunday night at Maraban Kajuru, armed bandits kidnapped two persons and killed one person while escaping into a nearby forest.

    “Governor Nasir El-Rufai has sent condolences to the families and prayed for the repose of their souls.

    “The Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Professor Kabir Bala has informed the government that eight students of the institution were among those kidnapped on Sunday afternoon on the Kaduna-Abuja Road.

    *Similarly, troops on patrol around Chikun and Kajuru LGAs boundaries found a corpse of an armed bandit who died of gun wounds.

    “An AK/47 rifle and other valuables were found beside the decayed corpse.”