The Nation Newspaper

Tag: bandits

  • Boozy bandits

    Boozy bandits

    The challenge of insecurity in parts of this country is showing up in different shades – some, bizarre. In Taraba State, bandits were reported to have extorted beer drink as levies from farmers in Ardo-Kola council area before they were allowed to harvest their crops. The bandits fixed levies to be imposed proportionate to the size of the farmland, and accepted that the levy be settled with booze.

    Farming communities where the levy was imposed by the bandits in the local government area include Baka, Kasakuru, Majowere, Digun, Nyapori, Buzi, Dare, and Sakala. A report by Daily Trust newspaper cited a senior civil servant in Jalingo saying he was compelled to buy beer worth over N200,000 before being allowed to harvest his benniseed farm. The official disclosed that the levy imposed by the bandits ranged from N20,000 to N200,000 depending on the size of the farm, adding: “I paid with beer worth N200,000 before getting access to my farm.”

    Read Also: Troops kill 14 bandits, rescue kidnap victims in Kaduna, Niger

    A resident of the council area was reported saying farmers had become used to paying levy to the bandits before harvest. “Some people abandon their farms if they are levied too much and project that they can’t recover the amount after harvest,” the resident explained. Another source said the bandits were working with local informants who tipped them off on people coming to harvest their farms. “Most of the farmers that farm in Baka, Kwando and other areas reside in Jalingo and whenever they come to work on their farms, the informants alert the bandits, who quickly come down from the mountains to surround the innocent farmers,” the source revealed, adding that the bandits moved freely in groups with their arms at daytime and nighttime.

    Another instance of the transactional mode of bandits was what happened with the traditional ruler of Nkalagu Obukpa community in Nsukka council area of Enugu State, Igwe James Agbogo, who was kidnapped on December 21st and set free on Christmas day after the bandits collected victuals, apparently for celebration, along with the ransom money. Agbogo was getting set for his coronation on December 28th after emerging Igwe-elect when the abductors struck. The Nation newspaper cited a community source saying: “The funny thing about his kidnap is that the guys demanded N6million and insisted that a bag of rice, a carton of wine and other food ingredients must accompany the ransom or they would kill him.” The Igwe’s family reportedly delivered those items demanded to the kidnappers before they let him off.

    The sense one gets from cases like these is that bandits are getting more comfortable in their skin perpetrating their evil. Security services are making heroic efforts, but will have to do more in neutralising them.

  • ASP, three others die in police/suspected bandits’ crossfire in Taraba

    ASP, three others die in police/suspected bandits’ crossfire in Taraba

    An Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Aminu Nuhu, and three bandits late on Tuesday lost their lives in an exchange of gunfire when men of the Taraba State Police Command and suspected bandits clashed on the hills of Yorro and Mararaba Kunini in Yorro and Lau local governments.

    Police spokesman Usman Abdullahi, who confirmed this to reporters, said the security team invaded the kidnappers’ den to rescue the 23 persons that were kidnapped in the early hours of Tuesday.

    A monarch and 20 others were in the early hours of Tuesday kidnapped at Pupule community of Yorro Council.

    Read Also: Two arrested for alleged manufacturing of fake drinks in Lagos

    “During the encounter, we lost one of our officers, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, one star. Three of the bandits were killed and four were arrested, while others escaped,” Abdullahi said.

    Also an operative, who was part of the operation, said on sighting the policemen, the bandits opened fire on them and the policemen replied.

    He said: “At the end of the encounter, which lasted over 30 minutes, three of the bandits were shot dead, while others escaped with gunshot injuries.

    “Unfortunately, one of our vibrant officers, Aminu Nuhu, lost his life during the gun duel.”

    Governor Agbu Kefas has expressed sadness over the death of the police officer, promising that “his death will not be in vain.”

  • Bandits abduct new couple, Imam, wife, children in Kaduna

    Bandits abduct new couple, Imam, wife, children in Kaduna

    Bandits suspected to be kidnappers on Tuesday night attacked Dan-Honu II community in New Millennium City, Chikun Local Government of Kaduna State, kidnapping eight persons.

    Among those abducted were a new couple who got married last Saturday, Imam of the community Mosque, his wife and three children, including a 10-month old baby.

    The bandits, who stormed the community around 8:50pm numbering about 10, with AK47 rifles and other dangerous weapons, were said to be clad in black clothes, with one of them masked.

    A community member, Mohammed, who narrowly escaped the abduction, told our correspondent that the bandits started by picking the Imam and his family, who they met outside the community Juma’at Mosque, before proceeding to a-four-flat compound where they kidnapped the new couple.

    Mohammed said: “I was inside my own apartment when the bandits stormed our compound. At first, when they started banging the new couple’s door, because they went to their apartment straight, I thought they were security people who came to arrest my neighbours.

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    “They started banging his door and shouting ‘Dan Iska ba za ka fito ba?’, meaning ‘idiot, will you not come out? That was when I realised that they were kidnappers. So, when they could not force the door open, they broke his window and broke the burglary proof.

    “On gaining entrance into the apartment, the bandits tried to open the door, but they could not open it. So, they brought the couple out through the broken window. They injured the husband and blood was dripping out of his body.

    “Then, they made attempt to enter my own apartment too. They had broken the glass window, but as they were busy hitting the burglary proof to break into my apartment, one of the vigilantes in the community fired gunshot into the air. On hearing the gunshot, the bandits became uncomfortable. Then, they left our compound.”

    The Imam, Malam Suleiman and his neighbour, Malam Musa, who were picked  while they were relaxing with Arabian tea outside the mosque premises, escaped while they were being led out of the community into the bush.

    “The new bride, who was said to have gone through a surgery recently, was abandoned in the bush by the kidnappers when she could not cope with the pace of their trekking in the bush, While, the Imam’s wife was also released when her baby’s cry almost exposed the bandits to vigilance group members around Kakura area.

    “The bandits eventually succeeded in going away with the new groom identified as Ibrahim and two of the Imam’s children (15-year-old Abba and his younger brother). They were yet to establish contact with the family at press time.

    Soldiers and policemen attached to the Millennium Strike Force and Police Division were reported to have arrived the scene minutes after the bandits had led the captives into the bush.

    Police spokesman ASP Mansur Hassan asked our correspondent to call back later at press time, “as the police are still trying to establish the true account of the incident.”

  • Troops neutralise six bandits, recover AK-47 in Kaduna

    Troops neutralise six bandits, recover AK-47 in Kaduna

    Troops of the Nigerian Army have neutralised six bandits during extensive clearance patrols spanning Birnin Gwari and Giwa local government areas of Kaduna State.

    Operational feedback to the Kaduna State Government revealed that the troops began their advance along the Kaduna-Sabon Birni-Dogon Dawa Road, clearing Maidaro and Ngede Allah, before proceeding to Saulawa and Kidandan general areas.

    Overseeing Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan made this known in a statement on Friday.

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    He said, in the course of these operations, the forces made contact with bandits at Maidaro, Ngade Allah and Kidandan, adding that, the troops engaged swiftly, subduing the bandits at each point, killing six bandits

    According to him: “The troops exploited the areas and recovered two AK-47 rifles, four AK-47 magazines, 14 rounds of ammunition, along with 40 pairs of bandits’ uniforms. Nine motorcycles belonging to the bandits were captured.

    “Receiving the feedback, Governor Uba Sani expressed his satisfaction at the breakthrough achieved by the security forces, and commended the leadership of the GOC One Division and Force Commander of the Operation Whirl Punch, Major General VO Okoro.

    “The Governor lauded the troops for their fine efforts, as he urged them to sustain the tempo and focus of operations.

    “Citizens are urged to report suspicious persons or activities to the Security Operations Room for prompt action by security agencies. Any persons found secretly seeking medical attention for gunshot wounds around these locations must not be aided, but should equally be reported via the phone lines 09034000060 and 08170189999.”

  • Troops kill three bandits, recover weapons in Kaduna

    Troops kill three bandits, recover weapons in Kaduna

    Troops of 1 Division Nigerian Army and Operation Whirl Punch have neutralized three bandits and recovered dangerous weapons in a clearance operation around the general area of Maro-Chibiya forest in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State on 12 November 2023.

    A statement by the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations 1 Division Nigerian Army, Lt. Col. Musa Yahaya, said that acting on credible intelligence, the troops made contact with bandits and engaged them with a heavy volume of fire and neutralized one of the bandits forcing others to flee in disarray with gunshot wounds into the surrounding forest.

    According to him, the troops also captured one AK 47 rifle, one locally fabricated AK 47 rifle, quantity four of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition and one mobile phone.

    He said: “Similarly, on 10 November 2023, troops of the Division and operation Whirl Punch while on clearance operation at Kawara and Filin Jalo villages in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State made contact with bandits at Kawara forest.

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    “In the firefight that ensued, troops neutralized one bandit and recovered one AK 47 rifle loaded with quantity 30 of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, one motorcycle, and one techno phone while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

    “In the same vein, troops of the Division conducted clearance operation at Mai-Kulu-Gwanda, Rafin Gora, Funtua Badadi, and Kabawa villages all in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State. During the operation, troops neutralized one bandit and captured one Boafeng radio and a motorcycle.

    “The General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army and Force Commander Operation WHIRL PUNCH, Major General Valentine Okoro has applauded the troops for their gallantry and charged them to sustain the tempo until all bandits, terrorists, and criminal elements in the Division’s Area of Responsibility are completely annihilated.”

  • Army kills bandits, arrests others

    Army kills bandits, arrests others

    Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) on Operation HAKORIN DAMISA IV, in a coordinated operations from October 29 to November 5 killed suspected bandits and arrested 19 suspects in connection with kidnapping, criminal attacks, cattle rustling, armed robbery, farm destruction and theft. They recovered arms/ammunitions and illicit drugs.

    Read Also: Bandits kill another five in Katsina, kidnap five

    “On October 29, based on credible information, troops arrested two suspected drug dealers, Obinna Nwafor and Fatai Lawal at Kujiya Market, Bukuru in Jos South Local Government of Plateau State. During the arrest, troops recovered one locally fabricated rifle. The suspects are being profiled for further action. Similarly, on October 30, troops of Sector 7 OPSH arrested a suspected kidnapper, Bawa Ahmad, at Kamuru village in Zango Kataf Local Government of Kaduna State and recovered one locally fabricated rifle with cartridges in his possession.

  • Terrorists, bandits’ days are numbered, says DHQ

    Terrorists, bandits’ days are numbered, says DHQ

    The Defence Headquarters says the days of terrorists, bandits and oil thieves are numbered unless they surrender.

    It said the troops would continue to deny them the ability to achieve their selfish objectives.

    The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, said this in a statement on Friday, November 3.

    Buba said troops’ operations have “substantially inflicted casualties on terrorist, insurgents and violent extremist through operations ranging from fighting patrols, ambushes, raids to air interdictions.”

    Giving the update on troops operations across the country in the past week, the defence spokesperson said troops killed 67 terrorists and arrested 190 others.

    Read Also: Ajaero: NLC, TUC list conditions to avoid nationwide strike Nov 8

    He said troops also arrested 57 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 47 kidnapped hostages.

    In the Niger Delta region, Buba said troops recovered 506,500 litres of stolen crude oil, 477,790 litres of illegally refined diseil and 51,000 litres of kerosen.

    According to the military high command troops on operations in the Niger Delta region also discovered and destroyed 106 dugout pits, 111 boats, 229 storage tanks, 290 cooking ovens, eight pumping machine, 10 outboard engine, two speedboats, one vessel and 96 illegal refining sites.

    Buba said aside the oil seizures that were made, troops also recovered 112 assorted weapons and 989 assorted ammunition.

    The breakdown of weapons seized from the criminals, according to defence spokesperson are one GT3 rifle, 42 AK47 rifles, 11 locally fabricated rifles, seven pump action guns, one locally made double barrel, pistols, three dane gun, two locally made pistols, 342 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo, 321 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 190 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm NATO, 34 rounds of 9mm ammo, 74 live cartridges.

    Others, according to Buba, are 166 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, empty shells, 27 magazines, 23 vehicles, 33 motorcycles, 31 mobile phones, five boafeng radios, four bicycles, cutlasses, axes, digital camera and the sum of N3,278,700.00.

  • Bandits kill one, abduct 25 in Southern Kaduna

    Bandits kill one, abduct 25 in Southern Kaduna

    Bandits have killed a farmer, injured two and abducted 25 others at Ungwan Baka of Agunu Ward in Kachia Local Government of Kaduna State.

    Although the Kaduna State Police Command was yet to react to the incident, reporters were told that the bandits invaded the community with guns and machetes in the early hours of yesterday while the indigenes were sleeping.

    Read Also: Tinubu sets up committee to consider gaps in police legal framework

    A survivor who craved anonymity, said: “Twenty-five people were kidnapped in Unguwan Baka of Agunu Ward in the early hours of today (yesterday).

    “Two people were injured and one person was killed.

    “We rushed those that were injured to hospital. We wish them quick recovery and those that were kidnapped we pray for their safe return. Please pray for us. This is the third attack on our community,” he said.

  • Bandits kill one, abduct 25 in Southern Kaduna

    Bandits kill one, abduct 25 in Southern Kaduna

    Bandits have killed a farmer, injured two and abducted 25 others at Ungwan Baka of Agunu Ward in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    Although Kaduna Police Command was yet to react to the incident, journalists were told that the bandits invaded the community with guns and machetes in the early hours of Tuesday while the locals were sleeping.

    Read Also: Tinubu sets up committee to consider gaps in police legal framework

    A survivor who craved for anonymity, said “25 people were kidnapped in Unguwan Baka of Agunu Ward in the early hours of today, Tuesday.

    “Two people were injured and one person was killed.”

    “We rushed those that were injured to the hospital,we wish them quick recovery and those that were kidnapped we pray for their safe return.Please pray for us.This is the third attack on our community.”

  • I won’t negotiate with bandits, says Radda

    I won’t negotiate with bandits, says Radda

    The Katsina state governor, Dikko Umar Radda, has said that his administration won’t in any way negotiate with bandits but rather he is determined to apply sufficient military force to compel the bandits to come to the negotiating table.

    The governor said this when he visited the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, in his office on Thursday, October 26.

    Rada said: “The last administration in the state what they did was to negotiate with the bandits, and the negotiation did not yield any result.

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    “We felt that we have to use both kinetic and Non-Kinetic approaches to address the issue. As it is now we can’t negotiate with the bandits at the point of their advantage. We want to negotiate with the bandits when they have received a lot of pressure so that they will now come out and say they are ready for negotiation. At that point, we will negotiate with them and resettle them back to society.”

    The governor said he had launched the Community Security Watch in the state to complement the efforts of the military and other security agencies in the ongoing battle against bandits.

    He said he has visited the Defence Headquarters to strengthen the existing relationship between the state and the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

    Rada commended the military for their role in ensuring security in the state and across the country.

    In his remarks, the Chief of Defence Staff thanked the governor for the initiative of the community security watch and called on other governors to emulate him in that aspect.

    He advised governors of states in the North West to come together on how to reduce the security challenges affecting the North West region.