The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Armed bandits

  • Bandits attack Jigawa village, kill one, injure nine

    Armed bandits in the early hours of Thursday attacked Garin Mai-dawa village in Dutse local government area of Jigawa, killing one and injuring nine.

    One Alhaji Mohammed Jinjiri was killed while children were among those who sustained gunshot wounds.

    It was gathered the criminals arrived the village around 3am on Thursday, demanding for the residence of a prominent business man, Alhaji Abdulkadir.

    Wife of one of the injured Malama Rahama Muhammed told our reporter: “The armed bandits demanded for money after they have gained entry into our house they tortured me accusing of the keeping the money.

    “They were carrying guns and menacingly pointing at me demanding I should bring out the money my husband came home with and threatening to kill him if I refused.”

    She said her husband pleaded with her to go and get them the money he brought so that they can spare his life.

    According to her: “The terrible ordeal did not end after I have brought them the money as they insisted on wanting more which I told them was all that‎ is with me.”.

    READ ALSO: Police arrest 22-yr-old man for beheading his brother in Jigawa over cattle

    It was learnt one of the bandits fired at Abdulkadir’s face‎ who instantly fell to the ground while a neighbour to the victim, who ran in to rescue him was also shot dead.

    Muhammad said: “We initially all th‎ought our husband was killed until some people that came after the robbers have left found out that he was still breathing.

    “That was how he and the other victims that sustained gun injuries were rushed to the Rasheed Shekoni Teaching hospital in Dutse.”

    Deputy Governor Bar Ibrahim Hassan confirmed the incident, stating the bandits allegedly tracked one Abdulkadir from the market to his residence for money.

    The deputy governor said people should not panic as the police have been adequately briefed and would ‎trace and arrest the culprits.

    Commissioner of Police Mr. Bala Zama Senchi also confirmed the attack and declared the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) have been mobilised to the area.

    He assured the criminals would be brought to book soonest.

  • Armed bandits kill five persons in Niger communities

    Armed bandits have killed five persons during an attack on 17 communities in Rafi and Shiroro local government areas of Niger State.

    Thirty-five others suspected to have been abducted have been declared missing by the communities.

    The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) broke the news to The Nation yesterday in Minna, the state capital.

    The agency’s spokesman Ibrahim Audu said the attack occurred last Thursday night.

    He said about 3,500 were displaced, adding that the displaced persons were camped at Kagara Central Primary School and Pandogari Primary School.

    The agency spokesman said the state government had provided some palliatives in the form of food items and sleeping materials.

    He added that materials would be distributed to the affected persons within the week.

    Speaking to The Nation on the development, Audu said: “Nsema has activated the temporary camps with profiling of the affected persons and health personnel have been deployed to the two camps.

    “The state government has directed provision of all requirements for camp operation.”

  • Armed bandits kidnap 15, kill nine in Niger

    Armed bandits have killed nine people and kidnapped 15 others in a recent attack in Banda, Malfa and Tunga villages in Kurebe and kwaki wards of Shiroro local government area of Niger state.

    It was learnt that 11 women and girls were raped and injured and are currently hospitalized in critical condition after the attack which occurred over the weekend.

    In a press statement by the Senator representing North East Senatorial District, Senator David Umaru, he revealed that last week, several attacks were carried out in some villages across the district.

    According to him, a woman, her daughter and a Royal Prince were abducted at Kwararamai, three persons were killed whilst three others were abducted in Malfa adding that villages like Kwararamai, Jankuta and Marraraban Bataro were also attacked as 17 persons were abducted in one night.

    “It is with a heavy heart and a very sad mood that I issue this statement today on a most callous and brutal armed attack on my good people of Badna, Malfa, Tunga villages and surrounding communities in Kurebe and Kwaki wards of shiroro area within Niger East Senatorial District.

    “I am particularly saddened and shocked at the cruel massacre of nine people of my constituents, the kidnap of 15 innocent people mostly women and girls in an attack in which several others were raped, injured and hospitalized with 11 in critical condition.

    “It is painful to note that this incident which occurred not more than 36 hours ago is just one amongst several other brazen attacks that have been carried out in the area in recent times.”

    The Senator who called for urgent security intervention and sufficient security personnel to be drafted to these villages stated that the areas are no longer safe for the people to live in.

    “These incidents which are still very fresh our memories are quick reminders of the present reality in this area that lives and properties of the inhabitants of these communities are no longer safe. There is, therefore, the need for urgent intervention by security agencies.

    Read Also: NAF kills scores of bandits in Zamfara

    He called on security agencies to give priority again to securing lives and properties of the villagers in order to build on the peace that have prevailed in the area before the gangsters resurfaced recently, “All the Security and relevant Government agencies should focus attention on the worst affected areas in Shiroro, Munya and Rafi Local Government areas.

    “I therefore humbly call on the Niger state Commissioner of Police and the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1st Div. Kaduna to deploy sufficient personnel to the hot spots particularly in surrounding villages in kurebe/Kushaka, and kwaki/chukuba, wards of shiroro local government area of Niger state. Attention should, nonetheless, also be given to areas under serious threats in Munya and Rafi LGAs.”

  • Armed bandits strikes in Niger border town

    Fifteen persons have been kidnapped and two others killed by unknown armed bandits at Mangwaro,a boundary with Kaduna and Niger state, The Nation learnt on Wednesday. 

    All the kidnapped victims are from Niger state, 10 are from Gwada in Shiroro local government area and 5 from Munya local government area of the state.  
    It was learnt that they were returning from Kaduna state when they were kidnapped.
    The Niger state Commissioner of Information and Strategy Alh Danjuma Sallau confirmed the incident to newsmen in Minna.
    Sallau who hails from Munya local government area however said that all is calm as government has deployed security agents to the area to maintain normalcy as panic and tension filled the town when the news of the kidnap filtered in.
    “A combined team of security agencies of d Army Police Civil Defence and Local Vigilante have been drafted to the area to enforce peace”, the Commissioner said.
    He said that the government is working together with the security agencies to figure out how to  release the kidnapped victims from their abductors.
    The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Abubakar confirmed that the incident occurred at Mangwaro neighboring town of Kaduna and Niger state.

  • ‘Armed bandits killed 5 persons in Zamfara’

    The Zamfara Police Command has confirmed the killing of five persons in Gidan Halilu village in  Birnin-Magaji Local Government Area of the state.

    The Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Muhammad Shehu, made the confirmation in a statement issued in Gusau.

    “We wish to confirm that on Dec. 19, a group of armed bandits attacked some villagers of Gidan Halilu Village in Billashe district of Birnin Magaji Local Government Area in their farms.

    “On receiving the report, the command mobilised teams of Police Mobile Force, Counter Terrorism Unit and conventional personnel headed by the Area commander,  Kaura Namoda Police Area Command,  to the affected community.

    “The police teams have been mobilised to the affected village to repel the attack, restore normalcy and arrest the perpetrators,’’  he said.

    Read also: Ogun, Imo and Zamfara on my mind

    The News Agency Nigeria (NAN) reports that five corpses were recovered while one person was injured.

    The corpses were taken to a hospital in Birnin Magaji while the injured was admitted for treatment.

    According to Shehu, the area has been subjected to extensive bush combing with a view to preventing further attacks.

    The police spokesperson said that fear reduction and confidence building patrols, as well as stop and search exercise, were ongoing in the area.

    Shehu, who said normalcy had been restored in the area, appealed to residents to  remain vigilant and report any suspicious movement to the nearest police station for prompt action. (NAN)

  • Chief of Army Staff’ Convoy intercepts Armed Bandits

    The convoy of the Chief of Army Staff,

    Lieutnant General TY Buratai was intercepted by armed bandits/armed robbers at midnight [Saturday night ] while on routine tour of operational areas by the Nigerian Army to curtail the activities of evil men across the country.

    The incident according to our source took place along Numan – Yola Road at about 11.30 p.m. 5 May 2018.

    Four of the armed robbers were arrested with 3 Dane guns, machetes and charms. The bandits who mounted road block where the COAS’ convoy ran into were on their daily operation of attacking innocent Nigerians.

  • Bandits attack bullion van in Delta, carting away N60million

    Bandits attack bullion van in Delta, carting away N60million

    There was pandemonium Friday in  parts of Asaba-the Delta State Capital after armed bandits  attacked a bullion van carting away over N60 million.

    While the operation lasted many motorists abandoned their vehicles in the middle of the Benin-Asaba dual carriageway causing a traffic gridlock.

    Guns boomed during the midday raid forcing many motorists and passers-by to scamper for safety around the ever-busy Koka junction end of the Benin-Onitsha expressway.

    The Nation gathered that the bullion van belongs a to a first generation bank in Anambra State.

    An eyewitness who pleaded anonymity said siren blaring bullion van was ambushed by a gang of robbers in a convoy of three vehicles including a grey coloured Sienna van.

    It was learnt that the policemen escorting the bullion van engaged the robbers in a shootout, but were overpowered by the superior firepower of the robbers.

    The Nation gathered that the police escort numbering eight fled the scene of the incident.

    Delta Police image maker, DSP Andrew Aniamaka who confirmed the incident said “internal connivance” cannot be ruled out, lamenting that some commercial banks were still in the habit of conveying money without using bullet-proof vans despite repeated warnings by the Police Command.

    He said the van was coming from Onitsha and headed towards Agbor, adding that the bullion van had made stops at Awka, and Onitsha in Anambra State.

    His words, “I suspect internal connivance. This is in spite of the warning issued by the State Command for commercial banks to convey money following approved guidelines. The bullion van is not bullet proof; it is a configured bullion van”

    Continuing, “Who informed the hoodlums that they were carrying cash through that route? It is quite unfortunate that banks are still using configured bullion vans without bullet proof, subjecting their personnel and escort officers to unnecessary risk.

    “As we speak now, investigation is on, but I cannot tell you how much cash the bullion van was carrying before the attack. What I can assure is that the command will put necessary measures in place to bring whoever is involved directly or indirectly to justice.”

    Another eyewitness said, “It was like a scene in one of those foreign movies where the actors engage in gun battle. The hoodlums came in with about three cars and intercepted the bullion van at the junction. They started shooting and innocent people took to their heels to avoid being victims of stray bullets.

    Continuing, “Even vehicles on the expressway were making detour as a result of the attack. The officers attached to the van responded but I think the hoodlums had superior fire arms because the officers soon disappeared, giving the bandits an unfettered access to the cash stocked in the bullion van.”

    Aniamaka also confirmed that no life was lost and no injury was sustained during the shootout.

  • Robbers burgle Air Peace office in Ondo

    Robbers burgle Air Peace office in Ondo

    Suspected armed bandits have reportedly burgled the office of the Air Peace Airline at the domestic airport in Akure, the Ondo state capital.

    The Airline establishment began commercial operation between Lagos and Akure about three months ago.

    The robbers, sources said on Sunday night, acted on information and made away with the money vault containing millions of naira.

    They were said to have also stolen some personal items that belonged to the staff of the Airline.

    Numbering four, the hoodlums were said to have entered into the Airport on Owo-Akure road through a bush path and went straight to break into the Air Peace office.

    It was learnt that the robbery was reported at the Oba-Ile Police Station in Akure North local government area.

    An employee of the Airline who spoke in confidence to reporters Wednesday said that some staff of the local airline resumed on Monday to discover the theft.

    He said the stolen money which was concealed inside the big vault was the proceed of tickets sold between Friday and Sunday last week.

  • Robbers attack bullion Van in Ondo

    Robbers attack bullion Van in Ondo

    Armed Bandits reportedly attacked a bullion van on Akure-Ondo Expressway at Ireje village in Ondo East Local Government Area of Ondo State.

    Eye witness said the robbers; numbering 10 were inside two vehicles when they opened fire at the bullion van at about 1pm.

    The bullion van was said to have belonged to one of the new generation commercial banks and loaded with an undisclosed huge sum of money.

    Sources however said the operation was not successful as the robbers were unable to break into the bullion van to escape with the money.

    A villager who spoke in confidence said the suspected robbers attacked the bullion van which was on its way to Ondo town from Akure, the state capital.

    According to her, at about 1pm, they just heard sporadic gunshots and everybody began to run for safety.

    She said after the operation, the robbers ran into the bush while some injured policemen also ran into the bush.

    The Public Relations Officer of the Ondo State Police, Femi Joseph said the robbers were not allowed to carry the money inside the bullion van away.

    He however said no policeman was killed in the attack but confirmed that some of them were injured.

     

  • Vigilante group arrests three armed bandits

    Vigilante group arrests three armed bandits

    Three armed bandits were at the weekend arrested by the anti-robbery squad of the Lagos State Command of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN).

    According to a release from Lagos command of VGN signed by its PRO, Remi Aderibigbe, the culprits, Kingsley, Michael and Odor and their accomplices, were nabbed in their hideout, at Number 39, Anjorin Street, Egbeda Lagos, following a tip-off for alleged theft of some mechanized equipment and household utensils belonging to an Abuja based business woman.

    “The three member gang of armed robbers who are currently under special interrogation at the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police, Abuja, disposed-off their loots and relocated to Lagos, couple of months ago.”

    The release disclosed further that another crime was recorded in Ipaja Ayobo area of Lagos where three militants were apprehended during an operation led by the VGN Anti-Robbery Squad, Assistant Commander, Santoz Omerudu.

    One of the terrorists, identified as David is now cooling his heels off at Ipaja Ayobo headquarters of the Divisional Police Station for further interrogation.

    “In another development, two women who are professional hair stylists have were arrested by the vigilante members in Ejinrin area of Epe, Lagos, for an act of terrorism.

    “This followed an intelligent report that the women are the food vendors to some militant groups who have been terrorising the residents of Ejinrin and Epe.

    “According to VGN Assistant Commander in Epe Division, Aseshina Mabayomije, the suspects have since been released to the Agbowa Divisional Headquarters of the Nigeria Police.”

    Speaking with The Nation on the development,  Lagos State Commander of the VGN, Otunba James Udoma called on residents in Lagos to always promote community policing by providing pertinent information to the security operatives, as part of efforts, to nib criminal activities in different areas in the bud.

    He maintains that coupled with persistent aerial surveillance and serial anti-robbery operations by the vigilante members; particularly in different rural areas in Lagos and its environs, activities are now beefed-up by his men in marine areas such as Epe, Ikorodu, Lagos Island and Badagry, as part of efforts to chase away the sea pirates in those areas