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Tag: bandits

  • 99 percent of bandits terrorizing Katsina from Zamfara – Masari

    99 percent of bandits terrorizing Katsina from Zamfara – Masari

    Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State has declared that 99 percent of bandits presently terrorizing Katsina are based in Zamfara state, saying urgent attention of relevant security agencies and key players must be drawn to address the situation

    Masari who made the above declaration while speaking with a Journalist at his country home in Kafur, shortly after inspecting a land earmarked for an Airstrip, in Funtua, Katsina state, by the Nigerian Air force, also noted that three major local Government Areas namely: Sabwa, Dandume and Faskari sharing common boundaries with Zamfara, have now turned into an epicenter for banditry activities

    The Governor further insisted that the bandits usually kill, kidnap and rape innocent Katsina citizens before moving to their enclaves in adjoining forests of Zamfara State, adding that these bandits must be eliminated by security personnel before peace will be restored in Katsina state.

    He said’’ the nefarious activities of bandits from Zamfara had truncated the efforts of my administration in restoring normalcy in the state’’.

    “The only places that we are having problems are Faskari, Sabwa, and Dandume Local Governments but all other local governments in the state, especially Jibia, Batsari, Safana and Danmusa there is relative peace

    “From the reports, I receive every morning if you find any case of rustling or kidnapping is mostly around Faskari, Sabwa, and Dandume. We have been complaining to the military authority to take full control of Gurbi-Gidan Jaja-Kaura Namoda areas of Zamfara State.

    “Unless security is fully reinforced in these areas, being the danger zone where most of the bandits live and move freely, we cannot secure Katsina without security in Zamfara, because 99 percent of all the attacks and kidnappings happening in Katsina were from Zamfara.”

    Meanwhile, Masari has commended the Nigerian Air Force, for their decision to cite their Air Strip in Funtua saying it will go a long way in tackling the spate of banditry activities affecting economic lives in Dandume, Faskari, and Sabwa Local Government Areas, including some parts of Zamfara, Kaduna and the Niger States.

  • Bandits release 26 abducted Katsina girls to Zamfara governor

    Bandits release 26 abducted Katsina girls to Zamfara governor

    Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle on Sunday said dialogue with bandits was still relevant just as he secured the release of 26 minor Katsina State girls from bandits without the payment of any ransom.

    The girls who were kidnapped by bandits in the Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State were brought into the bushes of Zamfara State but were discovered by the government and released through negotiations by the Commissioner for Security and Home Affairs Abubakar Dauran who is in constant dialogue on behalf of the state with bandits on the need to embrace peace and live a normal life.

    Governor Matawalle, who received the rescued girls said his administration would not abandon the peace dialogue with bandits as firepower alone could not solve the problem of banditry in the state.

    “This is a testimony to our vision for engaging the bandits in dialogue. For those who believe we are wrong to dialogue with the bandits, the securing of these minors who are all girls, unhurt, is true, priceless”.

    The 26 rescued girls, whose ages range between 8 and 12 were medically checked and provided with new clothes. Governor Matawalle ordered for their safe return to Katsina State.

    This latest rescue brings the total number of those released by bandits in the last one week to more than 40.

  • Bandits kill 30, abduct women, girls in Katsina

    Bandits kill 30, abduct women, girls in Katsina

    At Least, 30 persons including four security personnel, have been reportedly killed by gunmen suspected to be bandits at Diskiru village in Dandume Local Government Area of Katsina State.

    The attack occurred in the early hours of Thursday when bandits invaded the community, killed and abducted residents.

    Some of the survivors suggested that the incident might be a reprisal over an earlier invasion in which the villagers inflicted injuries on the bandits.

    But Katsina State Police Command confirmed that 17 persons were killed including four members of the vigilance group.

    “Last week, bandits came and they didn’t find it easy with the villagers because about three of the bandits were killed.

    “So, they went, regrouped and came back, over 200 of them on motorbikes, each carrying AK-47 rifle; they even came with a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG). They killed as many as they could; they killed 12 of the villagers and set many houses ablaze.

    “The DPO learnt about the situation and called for reinforcement from the military, Operation Sahel Sanity.

    “Based on the intelligence we had, we learnt that the bandits were going to pass through a cattle route that went into Faskari local Government Area.

    “So, we alerted the officers there and laid a seige. The hoodlums ran into the siege.

    “But unfortunately, they came in their numbers and got into a gun duel with our men, forced themselves to pass through the ambush.

    “As a result of that, one of our security personnel lost his life and four of the vigilantes were killed by the bandits.

    “Reinforcement from the Airforce was sought. The report I have was that so many of them were killed by the fighter jets,” Isah said.

    Another source from the village said “the bandits were many and were on a revenge mission because three of them were killed by the villagers when they attacked a few days days ago.

    “They were armed with sophisticated weapons, and they stormed the village on motorcycles and began shooting sporadically.

    “Some of the villagers fled into the bush and neighbouring farmlands. When the gunmen began search from house to house, they noticed that the able-bodied residents were nowhere to be found.

    “They became infuriated and began killing the elderly and small children who were unable to escape. Several people lost their lives and many others were injured in the process.

    “Initially, there were 12 bodies, but some other bodies were later discovered in the forest and farmland areas.

    “As I speak, there are 25 bodies, and we heard that more than five bodies have been discovered while dozens were injured.

    “Security were alerted about the attack and they later came and fought back the gunmen, but it seems there were casualties from both sides.”

    The source noted that an unspecified number of residents including married women and young girls were abducted by the gunmen who also set several houses ablaze in the course of the attack.

  • Police kill 5 suspected bandits in Katsina State

    Police kill 5 suspected bandits in Katsina State

    The Police Command in Katsina State said it had killed five suspected bandits in Safana Local Government Area of the state.

    The spokesman of the command, SP Gambo Isah, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Katsina.

    Isah said that the suspects were killed on Oct. 27 at about 04:00 hours at Tsaskiya community in Safana local government area.

    “Based on credible intelligence, the command in collaboration with the military, succeeded in repelling coordinated attack by bandits on revenge mission on Tsaskiya Community of Safana.

    “Bandits numbering over 200 armed with sophisticated weapons like General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) and AK 47 rifles, shooting sporadically, clandestinely attacked the village through three entry security barricades.

    “The combined security teams engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel and as a result, five suspected bandits were killed and many escaped with gun shots wounds,” he said.

    He further said that the hoodlums shot and killed one Rabe Bala, 30, a lunatic, when they sighted him in the village.

    The police spokesman explained that the hoodlums kidnapped three women who ran into a nearby bush path for safety while on their way out of the community.

    He said that search parties were still combing the nearby bushes with a view to recovering more corpses and arrest the injured bandits.

  • Bandits massacre 8,000 in Northwest – FG

    Bandits massacre 8,000 in Northwest – FG

    President Muhammadu Buhari has issued a marching order to security agencies to do whatever is necessary to put an end to banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling and other related crimes bedeviling Katsina and the Northwest region

    The Minister for Interior, Ogbeni Rauuf Aregbesola, accompanied by the Minister of Police Affairs, Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, made the disclosure at an emergency town hall meeting with stakeholders in Katsina which was organized as part of measures to end the spate of insecurity facing the state and the region

    While assuring the region of the determination of the Federal Government to bring its total brutal and ferocious might to bear on the enemies of peace in the area, the minister added that time has come to put an end to all forms of criminality.

    He said: “President Muhammadu Buhari and his cabinet were saddened with the wanton killings and destruction of lives and property being carried out by the bandits.

    “The marauding bandits terrorizing the North-West zone of the country have massacred over 8,000 persons in Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto and Niger states.

    “Their most threatening attack was on April 18, 2020 on Katsina villages during which 47 people were killed. These criminals attack mostly people in the rural areas; kill, steal and rape without mercy, they are practically destroying the economy of rural areas and the food supply chain of the country”.

    He also declared that the charge received from the President is twofold; first is to put an end to the banditry group, while the second is to work with the government and people of the state to restore normal life, especially to the people in the rural areas and the farming community.

    Also speaking, the Minister of Police Affairs, Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, admitted that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is bedeviled with unprofessional conducts that are not in line with democratic principles of governance.

    He noted that the stakeholders’ engagement is coming at a time when Police in this country is being faced with the challenge of unprofessional conducts that are not in tune with the principles of democratic governance

    Earlier, the Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari said the state government had made frantic efforts in tackling security challenges in the state.

  • Bandits kill customs officer, nine others in Katsina

    Bandits kill customs officer, nine others in Katsina

    The Katsina State Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has been thrown into mourning following the murder of one its officers by bandits at one of its checkpoints at Dan Arau village along the Katsina/Jibiya Highway.

    Garba Nasiru, who was an Assistant Superintendent of Customs, was killed on Friday afternoon.

    It was learnt that security operatives engaged the bandits in a gun duel before his corpse could be retrieved from them.

    Reports from sources within the division disclosed that the late officer had since been buried according to Islamic rites.

    The Spokesperson for the Katsina State Police Command, Gambo Isah, however, confirmed the incident but did not give details.

    He said, “Yes, the incident was true. Bandits killed a customs officer at the Dan Arau village checkpoint but approach the customs for details.”

    In a similar incident, bandits, also on Friday evening, killed nine villagers at Tsauwa village in the Batsari Local Government Area of the state.

    It was learnt that the bandits had invaded the village and stolen a motorcycle, among other items.

    The bandits killed nine villagers in the attack before retreating to the forest following the arrival of the police at the village.

    Isah also confirmed the incident, while assuring the public of the command’s determination to rid the state of criminal elements.

  • Special Report: Looming hunger in Northern Nigeria as bandits, flood truncate farming activities

    Special Report: Looming hunger in Northern Nigeria as bandits, flood truncate farming activities

    Activities of bandits and the inevitable flooding in the climax of the raining season is already threatening to push some communities in Northern Nigeria especially, the North-West into famine.

    While the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reported in September this year that over a hundred thousands homes and wide areas of crops have been destroyed in recent flooding in Jigawa, Kano, Kebbi and Sokoto states, some farmers in bandits ravaged areas in Kaduna State have abandoned their crops and farms for fear of being Kidnapped for ransom.

    In Jigawa State alone, about 50,000 homes in 17 out of the 27 Local Government Areas (LGAs) are reportedly damaged.

    In an interview with TheNewsGuru.com, TNG, Jigawa based Journalist Malami Ibrahim revealed that an estimated 100,000 persons in the state may experience hunger and starvation thereby adding to the already alarming poverty rate in the state. He said that the Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) reported early in September this year said that as many as 20 people have died in the flooding. Many of those fatalities were as a result of building collapse. “Close to fifty thousand Persons are displaced in seventeen local governments, their farmlands are not saved either, they seriously need attention….” Ibrahim said.

    The situation is similar in Sokoto and it’s neighboring Kebbi state. The two neighboring states who are known for their perennial flood related ecological issues are now battling to tame the August flood disaster that is threatening the livelihoods of it’s citizens which is predominantly agrarian.

    TNG gathered that about 11 LGAs namely; Argungu, Birnin Kebbi, Bunza, Suru, Koko-Besse, Yauri, Shanga, Bagudo, Maiyama, Jega and Dandi are affected by flood. “…..six bridges are completely destroyed, about 500,000 hectares of crops including rice, millet, sorghum, maize and sugarcane are completely bad….” Hussaini Jalo a sugar-cane farmer told TNG. Two among many actualities is the fact these farmers will not send any yield to the market as usual and more disturbing, feeding themselves and their families.

    Known for cultivating Rice, Kebbi farmers are now disquieted, they seeking for Stimulus and relief packages from their governor Atiku Bagudu. TNG spoke to a resident of Dandi local government via the telephone, according to her she lost a complete two acres of rice farm to flood. She said she is not the only one affected by the flood. After meeting a host of sources from Kebbi, TNG authoritatively gathered that about 600,000 acres of farmland have been destroyed by flood.

    Goronyo, Rabah, Sokoto-North, Wamakko, Silame and Binji are the local government affected by the recent flood in sokoto with up to 27,000 farmers loosing their sources of livelihoods and over 5000 displaced.

    Kaduna and Neighboring Kano States have mile case. The two states known for high commercial activities may not have to worry like their Jigawa, Sokoto and Kebbi counterparts. Only Danbatta and Rogo Local government are affected by flood in Kano. TNG gathered that only four people died from the recent flood in Kano and only houses numbering 200 according to the Kaduna State Emergency Management agency where destroyed.

    TNG notes that while Kaduna was yet to witness any devastating flood disaster as at the time of filing this report, however, the continuous warning drums of hunger and starvation have continued to beat especially in Gwada and Kargo villages in Igabi local government areas of the state where residents alleged that bandits have forced them to abandon their crops in the farms.

    Aminu Musa told TNG that he cultivated guinea-corn worth N25,000 last year but couldn’t harvest for fear of being Kidnapped. “kudin jari noman dubu goma ne na kashe sa’anan da noman da shuki duka na Kash dubu ishirin da buyer….” Musa said bitterly in Hausa meaning, “I paid N10,000 to be given the farmland and further spent N25,000 to buy and plant the guinea-corn ….” Musa said since last year only farmlands within the neighborhoods are being cultivated which is not enough to feed his family.

    Sani Abdullahi from same Gwada also claimed he has to abandon a farmland given to him in Kargo village for fear of the bandits. He said the bandits attack and loot their Communities. “we use to here them testing their guns….” Abdullahi said. Asked whether they have reported the matter to authorities, he said on several occasions police and the Army have gone round on patrol but found no on. “I have no choice than to start relying on some petty business that can afford me drinking water, Abdullahi said.

    CSO berets FG, States

    Early detection warning was taken with non-nonchalant attitude, Comrade Abantlehe Executive director , MEDIA CRUX told TNG. According to Mr Abantlehe, “NIMET predictions was not adhered to by both the state and federal government. Governance is serious business of protecting lives and properties of the flood. Whether man-made or not it is a must that predictions any disaster must be taken with serious with immediate alacrity….” He said. He added that the impact of climate change which is very key in the factors that causes flood should be tamed. “Northern Nigeria is known with a small amount of trees which are also removed illegally for commercial purposes, I think a tree planting program should be introduced in the north, if this is done flood will be reduced, also there are no drainage in Northern Nigeria, the north have a poor Architectural setting, this must be tamed….” he said.

    “….The various state government may also have to adopt hunger prevention strategies during the ongoing harvest season to avoid famine come 2021 dry season….” He added

    On the issues of bandits in Igabi, Abantlehe said ; ” it is because the bandits are carrying arms if not the villages would have repel them…. We must tame the proliferation of light arms into the country. Let there be a collaborations between the countries where these arms are coming from so they will killing farmers, our borders must be controlled….” He said. He added that unemployment and poverty is another factor. “Since the bandits Kidnap and ask for money it means they are hungry so government must create jobs…..” He added.

  • Bandits’ Kingpin surrenders self, three AK 47 rifles to Army in Katsina

    Bandits’ Kingpin surrenders self, three AK 47 rifles to Army in Katsina

    A bandit kingpin, commonly known as’’ Sada’’, has willingly surrendered to troops at forwarding Operation Base at Dansadau and submitted three AK 47 rifles, one Sub Machine Gun, and two Magazines

    Army’s Acting Director, Media Operations Brigadier-General Bernard Onyeuko, told newsmen in a press release made available at Army Super Camp 4 in Faskari, Katsina State, that the surrendering of the bandit was as a result of intensified pressure from ‘’Operation SAHEL SANITY”

    He further disclosed that the bandit is being profiled for further necessary action by the civil authority.

    In another operation, troops conducting stop and search along Bingi road intercepted a suspected bandit: Isah Shehu, who was arrested with camouflage uniform concealed in a bag.

    Investigations revealed that he was a notorious bandit addressed as “Commander” by members of his group.

    According to Onyeuko, the bandit is currently in custody providing troops with vital information.

    He said ’’In the quest to root out bandits and all criminal elements in the northwest zone of the country, troops of Operation SAHEL SANITY have relentlessly doubled their efforts in this regard. The gallant troops deployed within the theatre of operation have recorded more successes against the bandits and other criminal elements in the zone’’.

    ‘’On 30 August 2020, following credible information on bandits’ movement with 40 cattle rustled at Kwanar Maje area, the gallant troops quickly moved in and intercepted the bandits along with Anka – Gummi road. However, on sighting the advancing troops from afar, the criminals abandoned the cattle and fled into the forest. All the rustled cattle were successfully recovered and handed back to the rightful owners’’

    He also disclosed that troops deployed at Faskari in Katsina State on routine patrol came in contact with some bandits in the company of 2 women suspected to have been kidnapped and that after a hot pursuit the bandits abandoned their 2 kidnapped women who were later rescued and reunited with their families.

    There was also a gun duel with the bandits at Mararaban Kawaye following a tip-off that armed bandits have kidnapped 3 commuters.

    The troops were able to track the bandits through their withdrawal route and engaged them in a firefight which forced the bandits to abandon the kidnapped victims and fled into the bush.

  • Army will be ruthless with bandits in Katsina, North West – Buratai

    Army will be ruthless with bandits in Katsina, North West – Buratai

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Yusuf Tukur Buratai, on Saturday vowed at the Army super camp 4 in Faskari, Katsina that the troops will ruthlessly deal with the bandits and other criminal elements that are presently terrorising Katsina and other north west states.
    Buratai, who made the declaration while interacting with the media further commended the troops for the successes recorded so far in the region in quelling banditry activities, and urged them not to relent until the criminals are routed out.

    He said, “on the assessment generally, it is quite encouraging and this is what is required, I also want to thank the people of the region the northwest for their support, especially Zamfara and Katsina states where our phase are located for the sake of this operation Sahel Sanity.

    “Their support and cooperation have made it possible for the neutralisation of several of these bandits and arrest of 100 informants, logistic suppliers and cattle rustlers.

    “Be rest assured, we will be ruthless to these criminals who disturb the peace and security of our country, we will not tolerate these attitudes or misconduct of molesting, kidnapping, cattle rustling, raping of innocent ladies and other forms of criminality.

    “We are determined to work with the civil administration to have a secure and peaceful Nigeria.”

    He urged the people to continue in the same manner, adding that security issues are tackled by collective efforts and supports of all.

  • Troops arrest 418 bandits, 315 illegal miners in North-West

    Troops arrest 418 bandits, 315 illegal miners in North-West

    Troops of Operation Sahel Sanity of the Nigerian Army have arrested 418 bandits and 315 illegal miners in the North-West.

    The Acting Director, Defence Media Operation, Brig.-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, stated this while briefing newsmen on the success recorded by the Army Operation at the Special Army Super Camp 4, Faskari, Katsina State, on Saturday.

    Onyeuko explained that Operation Sahel Sanity launched by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, in July 2020, was to support Operation Hadarin Daji to fight banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling, arm robbery and all form of criminalities in North-West and some parts of North-Central.

    He stated that troops of the Operation Sahel Sanity had recovered 43 Ak-47 rifles, 100 locally made guns, 3,261 live ammunitions and 151 local bullets from bandits across the five states of Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kaduna and Niger.

    READ Also: Illegal miners are criminals undermining Nigeria’s sovereignty – Lawan
    He said that from July to date, the troops have neutralised 100 bandits, 20 informants, and six arms dealers that specialised in supplying arms to bandits.

    According to him, during the period under review, 81 bandits’ camps were destroyed including that of notorious bandits’ leader, nick named “Dangote” who was killed on July 24.

    Onyeuko announced that a total of 3,984 cattle, 1,627 sheep and goats, and three camels were also recovered from the camps.

    He said the animals have been handed over to relevant authority who would return them to their owners.

    Onyeuko assured communities in the affected states of the army’s determination to rid the zone of all criminalities, urging them to provide relevant information to security agencies in the ongoing operations.