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Tag: Zamfara

  • Anxiety as bandits impose N1m levy each on Zamfara communities, residents rush to meet deadline

    Anxiety as bandits impose N1m levy each on Zamfara communities, residents rush to meet deadline

    Gunmen suspected to be bandits have demanded over N1 million as levies from different communities in the Zurmi, Kaura Namoda and Birnin-Magaji local government areas of Zamfara State.

    The communities are Birnin Tsaba, Gabaken Mesa, Gabaken Dan-Maliki, Turawa, Askawa and Yanbuki

    A resident, Aliyu Abdul said the people of Askawa have paid N5 million for 18 abducted persons and to prevent further attacks on their community.

    While noting that some communities are yet to raise the money before the December 11 deadline given by the gunmen, he said the situation has caused panic in the affected areas.

    “Gabaken Mesa has paid N1 million, Gabaken Dan-Maliki N1 million and Birnin Tsaba N1 million, just to mention but few,” Aliyu said in an interview with Channels Television.

    He explained that the Yanbuki community was told to pay N19 million but after negotiation, it was reduced to N10 million.

    When asked whether the community has informed security agencies, he said: “No one is going to police to report, knowing full well that nothing will be done but to tell them to pay the money.

    “I personally went to the military on Friday evening in Kaura Namoda to report the incident; I almost ended up fighting with one of the soldiers. I can categorically tell you nothing has been done, till now.”

    Meanwhile, the Zamfara State Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Dosara, confirmed the development.

    He said the state government is aware of the levy imposed on these communities but assured that the government is working with the security agencies to ensure that the communities are secured.

    “The said government is working with the security agencies to make sure that these communities are secured,” the commissioner said.

  • JUST IN: Gov Matawalle lifts suspension of telecom services in Zamfara

    JUST IN: Gov Matawalle lifts suspension of telecom services in Zamfara

    Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, has announced the suspension of the ban on telecommunications services in the state.

    He made the announcement on Saturday at an event in Gusau, the state capital, where he stated that the resumption of telecommunications services would begin on Monday.

    “I want to announce today (Saturday) that we have taken a decision to lift the ban on telecommunications in the state,” the governor was quoted as saying in a statement by Zailani Bappa, his Special Adviser on Public Enlightenment, Media, and Communications.

    “God’s Willing, as from next Monday we shall have that effected.”

  • Zamfara: 95 students, 449 others rescued from bandits in three months – Matawalle

    Zamfara: 95 students, 449 others rescued from bandits in three months – Matawalle

    No fewer than 544 people abducted by bandits in the last three months have been rescued by security operatives in Zamfara State, authorities have said.

    The state governor, Bello Matawalle, disclosed this on Friday at an event held at the Government House in Gusau, the state capital.

    He explained that the victims, who included 95 students, were those rescued from bandits since the government announced a set of stringent measures on August 27 to further curb the activities of bandits troubling the peace in the state.

    A breakdown of the figure shows that 18 are students of the College of Agriculture and Animal Science, Bakura, 75 students are from the Government Day Secondary School, Kaya, while the remaining two are students from the Federal Government College in Birnin Yauri, Kebbi State.

    The security measures, Governor Matawalle explained, are intended to give security personnel the leeway in fighting bandits and the government’s action is progressively yielding results within the short period of time under review.

    He also disclosed that the security operatives have arrested many suspected bandits and their collaborators across the 14 local government areas of the state, as well as intercepted a large cache of alcoholic drinks and hard drugs meant for the criminals.

    “The new measures are taking much (toll on bandits), especially the shutting down of mobile telecommunications network for public security and safety which are the primary objective of a responsible government,” said the governor.

    He, however, cautioned residents against taking the laws into their hands – even in an obvious breach, saying the government would no longer condone the wanton killing of people in marketplaces, as was the case in the past.

    “Anybody caught breaking this rule will face the appropriate wrath of the law,” Governor Matawalle warned. “I, therefore, call on vigilante groups and concerned individuals to follow the rule of law and due process in addressing any issue that might arise in such situations.”

    He commended the security personnel operating in Zamfara for their efforts in dislodging bandits and their informants, as well as destroying their hideouts.

    The governor also thanked the residents for their cooperation and support to the military exercises and government programmes and project aimed at taking the state to greater heights.

    He called on traditional rulers and other community leaders to ensure that the new measures were monitored and tailored to success, to ensure a further relaxation in due course.

    At the event, Governor Matawalle swore in two new commissioners, 10 special advisers, eight permanent secretaries, and the newly appointed Auditor-General for the state.

    He asked the new officials, who were subjected to swearing with the Holy Quran dissociating themselves from banditry, to play their part in ensuring the return of peace to the state.

    The governor also announced the re-opening of selected markets in the state – all livestock markets in Gummi, Bagega, Danjibga, Kasuwar Daji, Tsafe, Talata-Mafara, and Nasarawar Godel.

  • Bandits kill nine, rustle livestock, burgle shops in Zamfara

    Bandits kill nine, rustle livestock, burgle shops in Zamfara

    At least nine persons have been killed by bandits in Tungar Ruwa Village located in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

    The gunmen also rustled livestock, burgled shops, and carted away foodstuff, among other valuables.

    According to reports, the gunmen invaded the town on Wednesday night and started shooting sporadically leading to the death of nine locals and several others injured.

    The incident was confirmed on Friday night by the spokesperson of the Zamfara State Police Command, Mohammed Shehu.

    The police spokesperson said the tactical operatives have been deployed to the area to go after the perpetrators and to forestall further attacks.

    The Command further appealed to the people to always cooperate with security agencies to clamp down on criminals and their collaborators.

    Meanwhile, on Sunday, gunmen suspected to be bandits also attacked Rijiya village in Gusau Local Government Area of the state, killing six people and abducting several others.

    A resident of the village explained that the bandits stormed the village on motorcycles and shot sporadically into the air killing some of the residents.

    Also on Monday, seven police personnel were killed by bandits along the Tofa-Magami road in Gusau Local Government Area.

    Eyewitnesses said the incident occurred around 6:00 pm when the police operatives were patrolling the area. The bandits were said to have ambushed the police operatives, killing seven of them and setting ablaze the operational vehicle.

  • Bandits ambush police patrol team in Zamfara, kill seven, set vehicle ablaze

    Bandits ambush police patrol team in Zamfara, kill seven, set vehicle ablaze

    No fewer than seven police personnel have been reportedly killed by suspected bandits along the Tofa-Magami road in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

    According to reports, the incident occurred around 6:00 pm on Monday when the police operatives were patrolling the area.

    The bandits were said to have ambushed the police operatives, killing seven of them and setting ablaze the operational vehicle.

    According to eyewitnesses, the bandits who were about 100, engaged the Police operatives in a gun duel before overpowering and killing them.

    The Spokesperson for Yarima Bakura Specialist Hospital Gusau, Awwal Ruwandoruwa, confirmed receiving seven dead bodies of the slain police operatives.

    Meanwhile, the Zamfara State Government and Police Command are yet to confirm the incident.

  • Three security operatives, not 20 killed during bandits attack on Zamfara – Police

    Three security operatives, not 20 killed during bandits attack on Zamfara – Police

    The Zamfara State Police Command on Saturday denied that about 20 security operatives had been killed by bandits along Shinkafi road.

    Earlier reports had it that the security operatives, mostly personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and local vigilantes, had been ambushed by a group led by notorious bandit leader, Turji.

    In a statement signed by spokesperson, Mohammed Shehu, the Command confirmed the attack but said only one police and two civil defense personnel had been killed in the ambush.

    “What happened was that, on 28th October 2021, Joint Police/Civil Defence Operatives deployed along K/Namoda – Shinkafi Road to stem the tide of banditry, kidnapping and other heinous crimes were ambushed by suspected armed bandits who came in large number,” the statement said.

    “The operatives who were always at red alert engaged the hoodlums to an extensive gun duel that lasted for hours. Some of the assailants were neutralised while others escaped with possible gun shot wounds. Unfortunately, a Police Operative and two (2) Civil Defence Personnel paid the supreme price and their corpses were evacuated and buried accordingly.

    “The Commissioner of Police while deploying reinforcement of Police Tactical operatives to the area, reiterates the continuous commitment and resilience of the Police to rid the State of all activities of criminal elements.”

    The Command urged the public to “ignore the outrageous number” of the earlier reports and “continue to be security conscious while going about their legitimate business.”

  • Bandits kill seven in renewed attacks on Zamfara communities

    Bandits kill seven in renewed attacks on Zamfara communities

    Suspected armed bandits have reportedly killed seven persons during an attack on Yanbuki village in Zamfara State.

    The incident is said to have occurred on Tuesday evening in Zurmi Local Government Area of the state.

    An eyewitness on Wednesday said immediately the bandits arrived in the village, they fired sporadic gunshots.

    As a result of the large number of the assailants, residents were said to have become skeptical and ran to safety.

    “We have conducted the burial of seven (7) people who lost their lives to the attack in Yanbuki,” said the witness who does not want his name mentioned.

    “They have been ransacking houses – room by room – throughout the night, burgled shops, and carted away goods and foodstuffs belonging to the residents of the area.”

    According to the source, the bandits rustled about 500 cows, as well as hundreds of sheep and goats during the attack.

    He stated that this was the second attack by the bandits since the shutdown of the telecommunications network in the Yanbuki area.

    Within the last one week, gunmen invaded and ransacked nine other villages in Zurmi LGA.

    They include Bindin, Kadamutsa, Gidan Zago, Marmaro, Dada, Maduba, Kacha, Dangasamu, Hushin Dusti.

    Residents of the communities are said to have fled their homes to take refuge in safer areas within and outside Zurmi.

    During the invasion, over 40 people are reported to have been abducted by bandits who threatened to either kill or kidnap anyone found in the affected villages.

    “The bandits move around freely within these villages and threatened people and with their brutality, people decided to flee because there are no security operatives to defend them,” a villager said.

    Meanwhile both the Zamfara State Government and Police Command are yet to confirm the attacks.

  • Why bandits now release kidnap victims without collecting ransom – Zamfara Government official

    Why bandits now release kidnap victims without collecting ransom – Zamfara Government official

    The Deputy Chairman of Zamfara State Committee on finding a lasting solution to Armed Banditry, Dr. Abdullahi Shinkafi, says bandits no longer have food to feed their kidnap victims and are releasing them freely without collecting ransom.

    Shinkafi said this during an interview on Saturday in Gusau while hailing the efforts of the state government aimed at tackling the activities of bandits in the north-western state.

    “There were some people who were kidnapped, 11 of them. They released one and told them to bring N200,000 each. Before they started negotiating, (they demanded) N20 million per person,” he said.

    “When the relatives of the victims refused to send the money, they left with no option than to release them. They said they don’t have food to feed them that some have started dying in captivity.

    “So it is yielding a lot of results and biting them very hard. The sustainability of these security measures will help in downgrading the activities of bandits in Zamfara State.”

    Shinkafi added that due to the telecommunications shutdown, bandits wrote letters to the people of Shinkafi and the Acting Emir of Zurmi, using receipts of their purchased motorcycles to demand ransom for kidnapped victims.

    He also confirmed that the task force in the state has traced the address of the motorcycle company in Kano State and arrests have been made.

  • Abducted Zamfara Emir regains freedom

    Abducted Zamfara Emir regains freedom

    The abducted Emir of Bungudu, Alhaji Hassan Attahiru, has regained his freedom.

    A family member of the Emir, Gazali Shehu Ahmad, who is also a Special Adviser to Zamfara State Governor on Strategy, confirmed his release on his personal Facebook page on Saturday.

    The Emir was in captivity for 32 days before he regained his freedom

    “On behalf of the family and Bungudu Emirate, we wish to thank everyone for the prayers and support during this trying time,” Ahmad said on Facebook, on behalf of the family and Bungudu emirate.

    “We appreciate all the efforts of Kaduna State Government throughout this challenging period.

    “Our immense gratitude to the Zamfara State Government in playing a key role to see our father returned home safely.”

    “We salute the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) and Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) for the support in facilitating the release of the Emir.

    “We wish to plead with the public to respect the privacy of the Emir in the coming weeks as he receives medical attention and post-trauma management.”

  • Bandits go on rampage again in Zamfara, kill 12, set police building, van ablaze

    Bandits go on rampage again in Zamfara, kill 12, set police building, van ablaze

    No fewer than 12 people have been killed in an attack by bandits who invaded Sakajiki village in Kaura Namoda Emirate in Zamfara State.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in Zamfara, Mohammed Shehu, confirmed the incident on Friday.

    He said the casualties recorded in the incident would have been more if not for the response of the police operatives deployed in the area.

    Narrating how the attack occurred, a source in the village told said the assailants arrived at about 9 pm on Thursday and were there for several hours.

    He added that at least a dozen persons were confirmed dead as the attackers continued with their operation until around 4am on Friday.

    They also set several shops and other houses ablaze, including an edifice of a police outpost in the area, as well as several vehicles – one of which was a police patrol van.

    Another source explained that the persons who were confirmed dead were those whose bodies were brought to the open, while a search for those not seen was ongoing.

    The team of police mobile force operatives, according to him, tried their best to repel the attack, but they were purportedly overpowered by the bandits.

    Shehu, on his part, disclosed that the commissioner of police in Zamfara has deployed an additional squad for reinforcement.

    He assured the people of the area that the command would redouble its efforts to ensure that banditry was wiped out of the state.