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Tag: bandits

  • Kogi community buries 25 victims of banditry

    Kogi community buries 25 victims of banditry

    Twenty-five victims of Thursday’s banditry at Agojeju-Odo community in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi were buried on Saturday.

    Chief David Akpa, District Head and Ochala Onu-Ife Bagaji Odo, Omala, Kogi, told newsmen in his palace that those buried included two women and four children.

    Akpa described the attack as barbaric and wicked given the way and manner the bandits unleashed mayhem on his people.

    “We are mourning our loved ones who were killed in cold blood. We have never had any misunderstanding either with bandits or with herdsmen before now.

    “As it is now, we are living in fear, more so that we heard that they are coming to Bagaji Odo, where surviving victims are taking refuge.

    “We are pleading with the federal and state governments to come to our aid and protect us from bandits,’’ he pleaded.

    Akpa explained that Thursday’s attack was the second in the year sending serious fears into residents.

    A community member had alleged on Thursday that a running battle between militia groups in parts of Benue and some bandits led to the onslaught on the sleepy towns of Agojeju-Odo, Ajokpachi-Odo, Bagaji and environs.

    “They destroyed farm produce with ease in an attempt to draw the communities into the conflict,’’ he said.

    Retired Commodore Jerry Omodara, Special Adviser on Security to Gov. Usman Ododo said on Friday that the governor had ordered a thorough investigation of the incident.

    “The killing of innocent and harmless residents of the community by alleged hired militiamen is very callous, unacceptable and condemnable,’’ he said.

    Omodara said property; especially houses, vehicles, and crops were destroyed in the attack.

    He called on people of Agojeju-Odo and neighbouring communities to remain calm as government and security agencies were on top of the situation.

    Police spokesman in Kogi, SP Williams Ovye-Aya, also confirmed the attack and assured that security operatives were keeping vigil over the community to forestall further attacks.

    “A tactical response team of the police, the military, and members of vigilance groups has been deployed in the area. Normalcy has since returned to the troubled community.

    “Investigation into the incident has started to bring the perpetrators to book,’’ Ovye-Aya assured.

  • Katsina Police command eliminate five suspected bandits, rescue 100 kidnapped victims

    Katsina Police command eliminate five suspected bandits, rescue 100 kidnapped victims

    Katsina State Police Command said it has eliminated five suspected bandits and rescued 100 kidnapped victims in the state.

    This was made known by the command’s spokesman, ASP Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, in Katsina on Friday while briefing newsmen on the achievements recorded by the command in March.

    According to him, 658 rustled animals were recovered, while 11 suspected murderers, and 29 rapists were apprehended within the period under review.

    Sadiq-Aliyua said a total of 51 major crime cases such as armed robbery, kidnapping, culpable homicides, cattle rustling, among others, were reported in the month of March.

    He explained that out of the number, 30 cases involving 64 suspects were charged to court.

    He added that  nine suspects were arrested for armed robbery and 19 others for sundry offences, including intimidation, incitement, theft, and belonging to gangs of brigands.

    In addition,  the command on Friday presented a cheque of over N4.5 million to 13 families of deceased police officers who lost their lives in active service.

    Deputy Commissioner of Police, Finance and Administration, DCP Aminu Usman-Gusau, presented the cheques on behalf of the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Aliyu Abubakar-Musa.

    According to him, the money is from Group Life and Inspector General of Police Family Welfare Insurance Schemes to support families of deceased personnel.

  • Bandits kill 19 persons in Kogi communiuty

    Bandits kill 19 persons in Kogi communiuty

    Bandits killed 19 persons and injured several others at Agojeju-Odo community in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi on Thursday.

    A community member alleged that a running battle between militia groups in parts of Benue and some bandits led to the onslaught on the sleepy towns of Agojeju-Odo, Ajokpachi-Odo, Bagaji and environs.

    “They destroyed farm produce with ease in an attempt to draw the communities into the conflict,’’ he said.

    Retired Commodore Jerry Omodara, Special Adviser on Security to Gov. Usman Ododo confirmed the incident on Friday when he spoke with NAN in Lokoja.

    He said the governor had ordered a thorough investigation of the incident.

    “The killing of 19 innocent and armless residents of the community by alleged hired militiamen is very callous, unacceptable and condemnable.

    “The area is now calm, however, following the deployment of security operatives, who are keeping vigil there,’’ he said.

    Omodara said property; especially houses, vehicles, and crops were destroyed in the attack.

    He called on people of Agojeju-Odo and neighbouring communities to remain calm as government and security agencies were on top of the situation.

    Police spokesman in Kogi, SP Williams Ovye-Aya, also confirmed the attack and assured that security operatives were keeping vigil over the community to forestall further attacks.

    “A tactical response team of the police, the military, and members of vigilance groups has been deployed in the area. Normalcy has since returned to the troubled community.

    “Investigation into the incident has started to bring the perpetrators to book,’’ Ovye-Aya assured.

  • Updated: FG invites Gumi for questioning over comments on bandits

    Updated: FG invites Gumi for questioning over comments on bandits

    The Federal government of Nigerian on Monday  invited controversial Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi for questioning.

    Gumi was invited for questioning over his comments on the activities of bandits in the country.

    The minister of information and orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated this while addressing journalists at the State House, Abuja, on Monday.

    It would be recalled that the cleric offered to dialogue with bandits who abducted about 287 schoolchildren  from Kuriga Government Secondary and LEA Primary Schools in the Chikun Local Government Area of the state.

    Gumi posited that president Tinubu must not repeat the mistake made by former President Muhammadu Buhari, who refused to dialogue with bandits.

    Previously Gumi has been involved with  negotiating on behalf of state governments to free abducted persons in the country.

    Although, 287 abducted Children were released on Sunday but the FG claims that no ransom was paid for their release.

     

  • Niger State: Pandemonium in Madaka village as bandits kill 30 persons, burn over 50 houses

    Niger State: Pandemonium in Madaka village as bandits kill 30 persons, burn over 50 houses

    Madaka village in Niger state was thrown into pandemonium as about, thirty persons were killed and  50 houses  wee reportedly burnt down by bandits.

    Findings show that the attack occured on Thursday and it resulted in an unspecified number of casualties, including the Village Head, Saleh Ahmad Kakuri, the Commander of the vigilante, and his Deputy, under the Madaka District of Rafi local government area of the state.

    It was further gathered that the bandits also targeted Majanjan District in the same local government on the same day. During this attack, Alhaji Salihu Immahuri, the Maianguwan (Village Head) of Anguwan Bala, and his two wives were also killed.

    A traditional ruler from the area confirmed the incidents, saying that the bandits operated for several hours without any response from security agencies.

    According to him, the bandits stormed the village around 3:30pm on Thursday.

    He said, “The bandits invaded the village around 3:30pm on Thursday. Over 30 bodies have already been recovered by the villagers. They operated for several hours without response from security agencies.”

    He added that the attacks resulted in significant casualties due to the timing, which coincided with the peak of trading in the market.

    Another source from the village said over 50 houses, including commercial shops, were burnt down during the assault.

    “Over 50 houses including commercial shops, a number of cars and motorcycles were burnt down during the attack.

    “The suspected armed men stormed the village shooting sporadically, killed several people and burnt down the market.

    “They also abducted an unspecified number of the villagers to an unknown destination. For now, we cannot say the exact number of people killed or abducted.” The source stated.

    This incident recalls a similar attack that occurred in the same village a few years ago, resulting in significant loss of life.

    As of now, the Niger State government has not issued a statement over the reported attack.

  • Katsina Abducion: Joint security team rescues 14 passengers, four victims still missing

    Katsina Abducion: Joint security team rescues 14 passengers, four victims still missing

    Joint security team which comprised of the Nigerian Military, Police and members of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps have rescued 14 passengers abducted by  bandits on Thursday.

    The Katsina Police Command spokesperson, ASP Abubakar Sadiq, disclosed this on Thursday night via a press release.

    He said the incident occurred around 1:30 pm when suspected bandits intercepted a Katsina State Transport Authority (KTSTA) bus traveling between Funtua and Katsina.

    According to earlier reports, the gunmen, armed with AK-47 rifles, reportedly intercepted the bus at Gidan Kifi village on the Marabar-Kankara Road and abducted all passengers on board.

    However, ASP Sadiq disclosed that in a swift response following a distress call, the joint task force mobilised and engaged the kidnappers in a gun battle and successfully rescued 14 out of the 18 kidnapped victims.

    “We are currently investigating the situation and working diligently to locate the missing individuals. Our officers are deployed in the area where the abduction is reported to have occurred, conducting a thorough search and following all leads.”Sadiq said.

  • Scores of passengers reportedly kidnapped as bandits attack 18-seater bus in Katsina

    Scores of passengers reportedly kidnapped as bandits attack 18-seater bus in Katsina

    Kankara  Local Government Area of Katsina State was on Thursday morning thrown into pandemonium when scores of passengers were reportedly kidnapped by bandits.

    It was gathered that the hoodlums intercepted an eighteen-seater bus with the registration number (14B-300-KT), loaded with passengers, belonging to the Katsina State Transport Authority.

    An eyewitness told Channels Television on a telephone call that most of the passengers on board were in transit from Funtua LGA to Katsina LGA.

    The eye eyewitness said the incident occurred precisely between the Burdugau and Yargoje communities before reaching Kankara town.

    However, authorities concerned are yet to make comments on the kidnap as of the time of making this report.

    Kankara is one of the frontline local government areas in Katsina South where not only the residents but commuters live in fear of bandit attacks.

    The North-West state is one of Nigeria’s worst hit by banditry.

  • Pandemonium in Sokoto as bandits Abduct scores of students, kill monarch

    Pandemonium in Sokoto as bandits Abduct scores of students, kill monarch

    Confusion in Sokoto state as bandits abducted scores of students in Tsangaya, Gidan Bakuso in Gada Local Government area of the North-West state.

    They also killed a monarch and two others in Turba Village, Isa Local Government Area.

    The abduction and killings came about 48 hours after bandits abducted more than 200 pupils and teachers of Government Secondary School and LEA Primary School at Kuriga, Kaduna State.

    The proprietor of the school in Tsangaya, Liman Abubakar, confirmed the abduction.

    He said it occurred around 1am.

    “Some of our students are unaccounted for so far but we are still counting. They invaded our town around 1am, shot one person and abducted a woman.

    “As they were leaving the town, they sighted our students rushing into their rooms and they kidnapped many of them.

    “We have so far counted 15 who are missing and we are still searching for more,” he said.

    Abubakar added that this was not the first time the village was attacked by bandits.

     

  • BREAKING: Confusion in Kaduna as Bandits attack School, Abduct scores of Pupils

    BREAKING: Confusion in Kaduna as Bandits attack School, Abduct scores of Pupils

    Bandits have reportedly attacked a government primary school at Kuriga community of the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, abducting scores of pupils.

    The community is located along the Kaduna Birnin-Gwari Road which has been terrorised by bandits for many years.

    The police authorities and the Kaduna State government are yet to confirm the incident but a local source told Channels Television that the bandits invaded the school at 8:30am on Thursday and took away many pupils including the head teacher.

    He said that many students sustained injuries as they attempt to flee the school on sighting the bandits.

    Bandit attacks in the North-West part of the country has been on the increase in recent times, with resident taking to the streets to protest the ugly trend.

    On Tuesday, residents of the Kankara Local Government Area in Katsina State embarked on yet another protest over the incessant bandit attacks in their community.

  • Police place N50m bounty on 2 Katsina bandits

    Police place N50m bounty on 2 Katsina bandits

    The Police Command in Katsina State on Sunday promised a N50 million reward to anyone with useful information that could lead to the arrest of two bandits – Modi Modi and Jan Kare.

    The Police, in a statement by the Public Relations Officer, Mr Abubakar Aliyu, alleged that the duo had been responsible for most of the terrorist attacks in the state.

    The statement alleged that Modi Modi and Jan Kare, all males, were operating within Katsina State, particularly in the regions of Kankara and Safana Local Government Areas.

    “The safety of the residents is of paramount importance, that is why we are making these commitments. We are taking decisive actions against criminal elements threatening peace and stability,” it said.

    Aliyu explained that the identity of the informant and the information provided would be kept strictly confidential.

    “All concerned citizens are encouraged to give us any relevant information that could assist the security agencies in apprehending the masterminds behind these heinous crimes of kidnapping and banditry in the state,” he said.

    He urged anyone with useful information to contact the command headquarters or call the following numbers: 07015142112 08023871144.