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Tag: Killings

  • Umahi talks tough on spate of attacks, killings in Ebonyi

    Umahi talks tough on spate of attacks, killings in Ebonyi

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has expressed worry over the incessant attacks and killings in the state by political thugs, warning those involved to desist from such unlawful and heinous acts.

    Umahi gave the warning on Sunday in Abakaliki during a state-wide Fasting and Prayer Service held by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and widows.

    The programme, in conjunction with Ebonyi State Government at the Christian Ecumenical Worship Centre in Abakaliki, was to pray towards the conduct of peaceful elections.

    The governor decried the growing spate of political violence in various communities, saying he would consider banning commercial motorcycle operations in the state.

    Umahi noted that there was need for security agencies to be furnishing the government with information in its effort to check instances of security breaches for action.

    According to him, all hands must be on deck, by council chairmen, traditional rulers and the residents to move Ebonyi forward by ensuring lasting peace and stability in the state.

    “I have learnt that most of the kilings are being carried out by motorcycle operators.

    “Well, for this, I may consider the banning of motorcycle anywhere in the state until after election,” the governor said.

    On cash crunch, he urged security agencies to ensure the safety of customers and financial institutions.

    Earlier, Rev Fr Abraham Nwali, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Religious and Welfare Matters, said there was a need for fasting and prayers for successful, peaceful and credible elections in the country.

    Nwali described peace as a great gift to humanity.

  • New year tragedy puzzles: 38 horrifying deaths from around Nigeria

    New year tragedy puzzles: 38 horrifying deaths from around Nigeria

    With just five days into the new year, at least 38 persons have died from bizarre, tragic and unclear circumstances across Nigeria, setting off a range of murder puzzles that the police are already working to figure out.

    No fewer than seven persons were confirmed dead after an accident involving a Toyota Hiace bus and Mack tanker occurred along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway on Sunday 1 January.

    The Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ogun Ahmed Umar, said the accident was caused by the excessive speed by the bus driver who lost control and hit the Mack tanker from the rear.

    “A total of 16 persons sustained varying degrees of injuries (10 male adults and six female adults) while seven persons were recorded dead from the crash (six male adults and one female adults), and two others were unhurt,” Umar said.

    Earlier on Sunday, in a suspected case of murder and arson, a former staffer of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Kehinde Fatinoye and his wife Bukola were killed and set on fire by yet-to-be-identified assassins who invaded their residence in the Ibara area of Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Sunday.

    The couple was murdered after returning from a crossover service, while their son, Oreoluwa Fatinoye, was whisked away by the assailants. Oreoluwa’s corpse was recovered two days later from a river in Adigbe-Obada area of the state and buried by the family.

    In a bizarre incident that occurred in Oyo state on Sunday, an angry driver drove into the dancefloor of a new year party, killing five persons, before fleeing the scene. The Police have now launched an investigation into the matter.

    Other tragic killings which occurred on the first, second and third day of the New Year in Anambra state claimed seven lives. Four youths were killed in Okpuno community on 1 January in what appears to be a cult-related clash, while the President General of Obosi town, Ike Okolo, was shot dead at a petrol station on 2 January and two other persons in a tricycle where reportedly killed by gunmen on Tuesday 3 January.

    In Koko, Kebbi state, 10 other rice farmers, including six males and four females lost their lives in a boat mishap that occurred on 2 January on the way to Samanaji, a riverine community in the area. 80 persons onboard the boat at the time of the accident were rescued, while 10 persons are reportedly still missing.

    Also in northwest Nigeria, a couple identified as Sulaiman Idris and Maimuna Haliru, were found dead in their home in Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of Kano state on Tuesday, after the police were alerted that the couple had not been seen since Monday.

    Police spokesperson Abdullahi Haruna-Kiyawa, said preliminary investigation revealed that the couple died of suffocation from the fumes of a charcoal firepot lit to warm their room from cold.

    “On receipt of the report, the Kano State Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Dauda, directed a team of detectives led by CSP Ahmed Hamza, DPO Dawakin Tofa Division to proceed to the scene.

    “The bodies of the victims were removed from the scene and rushed to Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital, Kano, where a medical doctor confirmed them dead,” Haruna-Kiyawa said.

    Elsewhere in Sapele town, Delta state, suspected cultists shot dead the deputy leader of Warri North council Bigha Grikpa, and three others in the early hours of Wednesday, 4 January.

    Other victims include Mathew Ekiopa, who ran a thriving boutique at Lexi Junction, and his sales girl simply identified as Blessing. They were hit at point-blank range in the head and arm in front of the shop.

    The fourth victim identified as Alhaji Bello, a businessman, was said to be making a purchase at the boutique when the gunmen struck.

  • CAN expresses worries about killings in the country

    CAN expresses worries about killings in the country

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Thursday in Enugu expressed worries about renewed killings in the country.

    It said it would continue to engage governments at all levels to ensure that the killings were curtailed.

    CAN National President, Rev. Daniel Okoh, expressed their worries at the 31st General Assembly and Standing Committee of the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN).

    Reacting to recent attacks at Eha-Amufu, Enugu State, by assailants, the CAN president charged that federal and state governments were failing in their responsibility of securing lives and property of Nigerians.

    “I want to tell you that CAN has not relented in its call to the Federal Government and the security agencies to be alive to their responsibilities to defend citizens and the territorial integrity of the country.

    “We have been talking to the security agencies; we have been raising our prophetic voice and we hope that those in charge will listen.

    “We will continue, not only just to talk to them openly, but will engage them in conversation, and we pray that within a short time, God will answer our prayers.

    “It is a collective responsibility, not just the responsibility of the government alone to know, see and fish out certain movements that are suspicious and report same to the authorities,’’ he said.

    On the 2023 general elections, Okoh advised the electorate to vote for a presidential candidate who has the capacity to tackle the economic and security problems facing the country.

    The CAN president stressed that the Church would not endorse any candidate or political party ahead of the elections.

    He added that the Church would rather engage all presidential candidates to remind them of the enormity of the responsibility of the office.

    In his remarks, President of CCN, Most. Rev. Benebo Fubare-Manuel, said aside the 31st General Assembly, the event provided the Council the opportunity to celebrate its 93rd year of formation.

    Fubare-Manuel stressed that the Council had contributed significantly to strengthening and uniting the Christian community as well as spearheaded the formation of CAN.

    The CCN president urged Christian bodies to always speak with one voice, especially as it pertains to the political, economic and security situations in the nation, to avoid being taken for granted.

    Earlier, chairman of the occasion and former Minister of Power, Mr Chinedu Nebo, raised alarm over “ existential threat facing Christianity in Nigeria’’.

    Nebo condemned tribal and religious bigotry and asked voters to participate actively in the 2023 general elections.

  • PDP condemns consistent kidnappings, wanton killings in Kaduna State

    PDP condemns consistent kidnappings, wanton killings in Kaduna State

    The Kaduna State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday condemned consistent kidnappings for ransom and killings of people in the state.

    Its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Abraham Catoh, noted that several innocent citizens had been kidnaped in different parts of the state, while some were killed within their communities or on their farms.

    He urged the state government to redouble efforts at securing lives and property.

    “Amongst those killed lately was the PDP ward chairman of Idon Ward in Kajuru Local Government Area, who was killed at his farm,’’ he stated.

    The PDP also charged the state, the Federal Government, and all security agencies to end terrorism quickly considering that the general elections were around the corner.

    “Rising from a State Working Committee meeting, the party urges security agencies to, as a matter of strategy, set up a 24-hour joint patrol on all major highways and forests in the state.

    “They should also collaborate with neighbouring states to nip terrorism and kidnappings in the bud.

    “The worsening humanitarian crisis due to the multiplier effects of insecurity across the state is a depressing situation in many of the affected communities,’’ Catoh stated.

    The PDP also sympathised with victims and the people who had lost their loved ones to the dastardly acts.

    “The traumatic and psychological effects on the people of Birnin Gwari, Kajuru, Giwa, Igabi, Sanga, Zangon Kataf, and Chikun Local Government Areas are unimaginable.

    “We urge all citizens of goodwill and humanitarian agencies to demonstrate solidarity with these victims and provide support to those affected,’’ Catoh also stated.

  • Gov. Umahi suspends traditional ruler indefinitely

    Gov. Umahi suspends traditional ruler indefinitely

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has suspended the traditional ruler of Isinkwo community in Onicha Local Government Area, Mr Josephat Ikengwu over on-going killings in his domain.

    Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Kenneth Ugbala, stated on Sunday at Abakaliki that the suspension of the traditional ruler was with immediate effect.

    Ugbala noted that Ikengwu had failed in his responsibility to stop the killings in the community.

    “Consequently, he is to return all government property in his possession, including his official vehicle, to the SSG on or before close of work on Monday, Oct. 17, 2022,’’ Ugbala stated.

  • Worst of insecurity is over in the country – FG

    Worst of insecurity is over in the country – FG

    The Federal Government of Nigeria has posited that the era of kidnapping,  terrorism, banditry and killings is almost over in the country.

    FG stated that the worst insecurity is over in the country, saying relative peace is now being enjoyed in the country.

    Nigeria’s minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed made the government’s position known at a press conference on Nigeria’s security in Abuja on Monday.

    The minister said the military and other security agencies have succeeded in restoring security across the nation.

    “As you are all aware, the issue of security has dominated our national discourse in recent times, against the background of the terrorism, banditry and kidnapping in the North-East, North-West and North Central; separatist violence and crude oil theft in the South-East and South-South as well as cultism, armed robbery and sundry crimes in the South-West.

    “Today, we are here to tell you that while we may not be there yet, our military and other security agencies have succeeded – and are succeeding – in substantially restoring security across the nation. As far as the daunting security challenges we face are concerned, we can tell you that the worst is over. Never again will terrorists and bandits and their cohorts hold sway in our country.

    “The security challenges we have faced, as an administration, have been daunting – from terrorism to banditry to kidnapping to separatist violence to crude oil theft to armed robbery and sundry crimes. It’s undoubtedly the greatest challenge to the peace and security of our great nation since the civil war from 1967 to 1970.

    “It is the kind of challenge that would have overwhelmed many nations. But thanks to the purposeful leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, we can say, I want to repeat, that the worst is over and peace and security are gradually returning to the land. Please don’t misunderstand or misrepresent this assertion. We may still witness isolated cases of security challenges here and there, but it will not be on the scale that we have witnessed in the past.

    “Some said the security challenges have overwhelmed the military, but the military has now demonstrated that no group of ragtag criminals can ever overwhelm them. Terrorists and bandits and co can run but cannot hide, and this has been demonstrated by the arrest of those who attacked a church in Owo.

    “These criminals can run but cannot hide, as we have seen in the decimation of the cowards who ambushed the Brigade of Guards troops in Abuja. I am sure you will hear from my colleagues how our military and other security agencies have been decimating the top echelon of ISWAP and Boko Haram, how armed bandits camps and resources have been destroyed, and how the capacity of IPOB/ESN has been substantially degraded.

    “We are therefore not saying the battle is over. No. What we are saying is that our military and other security agents have been able to contain the daunting security challenges we face and that the worst is indeed over. We have now put the terrorists, bandits and their ilk on the run and we will not relent until they have been crushed,” He said.

  • Powerful indigenes are behind banditry in Zamfara – Matawalle

    Powerful indigenes are behind banditry in Zamfara – Matawalle

    Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State has revealed that the respected and powerful people are sponsors of attacks and killings in the state.

    Zamfara State has suffered a series of bandit attacks in recent times.

    On Tuesday, April 12, bandits abducted five female students of the College of Health Science and Technology, Tsafe, Zamfara State.

    Reacting, the state governor, Matawalle said the bandits are sponsored by powerful men.

    He also alleged that residents of the state have been recruited by bandits as informants.

    Zailani Bappa, a media aide to the governor, quoted the governor as saying in a statement: “Strong facts indicate that the recurrence of banditry in the state is aided and abetted mostly by powerful indigenes. Some of these people are strong personalities who the people respect.

    “There are also, among the generality of the people who receive paltry sums of money to serve as informants to bandits.”

    Matawalle said it was for the above reason that political appointees in the state were directed to swear by the Quran while taking the oath of office.

    However, he noted that some top politicians in the state declined to use the Quran to swear an oath.

  • No mercy for perpetrators of Plateau killings – Buhari

    No mercy for perpetrators of Plateau killings – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the brutal terrorist attacks in Kanam and Wase Local Government Areas of Plateau, describing the killings as heinous.

    In a statement by his spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, on Tuesday in Abuja, the president said the perpetrators should not be allowed to escape justice.

    “They should not be spared or forgiven,” he further directed.

    He ordered law enforcement agencies to work strenuously with the government of the state, to bring the situation under control and take steps to bring the culprits to justice quickly.

    Buhari expressed condolences over the terrorist incident, saying that as a matter of priority, peace must return at all costs to the state and the entire country.

    “I urge all our citizens, the people of Plateau State in particular, to expose the perpetrators of such incidents, their sponsors and those who encourage such criminals who carry out these dastardly acts of murder, so that the law will take its course.

    ”They must not be forgiven,” the president said.

  • Yuletide: Despite hunger, glaring insecurity, killings, abductions Nigerians must remain resilient – Rep Chinda

    Yuletide: Despite hunger, glaring insecurity, killings, abductions Nigerians must remain resilient – Rep Chinda

    By Emman Ovuakporie

    Leader of the House of Representatives Peoples Democratic Party, PDP caucus, Rep Kingsley Ogundu Chinda has said despite the hunger in the land, killings, abductions, state of insecurity, Nigerians should remain resilient to combat the challenges occasioned by the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

    Chinda in a Christmas message to his constituents in Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency of Rivers State and Nigerians, simply entitled: ‘ A Call For Resilience’ enjoined Nigerians to remain positive and resilient in the face of these challenges and hope for a better and greater Nigeria.

    Hear Him:

    “As Christians across the globe celebrate this year’s Christmas, I hereby for myself, my family and constituents rejoice and felicitate with them, particularly Nigerians and those resident in Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency.

    “Clearly, Christmas comes with bliss, funfare and happy moments. But what bliss,funfare and happy moments can we truly say Nigerians are having in the face of glaring hunger, economic hardship, rising cost/standard of living, kidnappings, killings and general insecurity across the country, occasioned by a clueless, inept and incompetent APC led Federal Government?

    “This question clearly leaves us with the reality that as we mark this year’s Christmas, we must more than ever before, be pragmatic, take stock, uphold the truth at all times and reflect deeply on the virtues of love for one another, sacrifice and preseverance- some of the virtues that Jesus Christ lived and died for. Indeed, we must remain positive and resilient in the face of these challenges and hope for a better and greater Nigeria.

    “Once again, I wish us all merry Christmas and a prosperous New year in advance.

  • Killings: Buhari’s delegation meets Tambuwal, vows to flush out bandits in Sokoto, other troubled states

    Killings: Buhari’s delegation meets Tambuwal, vows to flush out bandits in Sokoto, other troubled states

    President Muhammadu Buhari has restated the Federal Government’s commitment to flush out banditry perpetrators and protect citizens from the onslaught of all forms of criminal activities in the country.

    Buhari gave the assurance on Friday when the Federal Government delegation paid a condolence visit to Gov. Aminu Tambuwal over the killings of 23 travellers by suspected bandits.

    This is contained in a statement by Malam Muhammad Bello, Special Adviser to the governor on Media and Publicity, on Saturday in Sokoto.

    The president’s condolence message was delivered through the Head of the Federal Government delegation and National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno.

    Monguno commended Tambuwal for shoving an official trip, to receive the federal government delegation at a short notice.

    ”We are in Sokoto on a specific mission instructed by President Buhari, to condole you and the very good people of Sokoto State as well as the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, over the unfortunate incidents that have been occurring over the last couple of weeks.

    ”Mr President views the occurrence as unfortunate series of developments in which very innocent lives have been lost.
    “Every life of a citizen is important, it gives great concern to the president that lives are being lost in inhuman conditions.

    “Mr President is conveying his profound condolence over the loss of all the citizens who have departed.
    ”He also wants us to express his deep sympathy as well as his determination that the perpetrators of this gruesome, wicked activities are apprehended and brought to book.

    “Mr President is deeply troubled that fellow citizens had to go through this trauma. He has charged to make sure that all the relevant agencies do not rest until we are able to flush out the perpetrators of not just these last two incidents that occurred, but also previous incidents.

    “Each of the top security chief in the country is here, an indication that Mr President wants us to address this issue in order to provide comfort to the people of Sokoto State,” Monguno was quoted as saying in the statement.

    Responding, Tambuwal said Sokoto State was in the appalling grip of bandits and kidnappers marauding and scaring the populace in recent times.

    Tambuwal said the situation was exacerbated by the influx of bandits and criminals displaced by the ongoing “Operation Hadarin Daji,” to end the nefarious activities in neighboring Zamfara.

    ”This has left Sokoto State vulnerable to the deadly and inhuman activities of criminal elements.

    ”The consequences of Operation Hadarin Daji has resulted, before now and in the last four days in broad daylight attacks and kidnappings occurred in parts of Isa, Sabon Birni, Tangaza, Illela and other local government areas of the state.

    “The timing of the operation might not be conducive as security agents might not have enough equipment to move and contain those that moved to Sokoto State. So the timing and way the operation was being carried out left Sokoto vulnerable.” the governor said in the statement.

    According to the statement, members of the federal government delegation include the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Usman Baba-Alkali, Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI), Maj.-Gen. Samuel Adebayo, Director-Generals of the State Security Service (DSS) and National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mr Yusuf Bichi and Amb. Ahmed Rufa’i, respectively.