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Tag: bandits

  • Bandits attack mosque, kill Imam, worshipper, kidnap others

    Bandits attack mosque, kill Imam, worshipper, kidnap others

    Bandits on Tuesday attacked a mosque at Sabon Layi, Kakangi Ward in Birnin-Gwari local government area of Kaduna State killing the Imam and another worshipper.

    Other worshippers were injured during the attack at the Ga Allah Babba area of the Sabon Layi community.

    But Kaduna Police Command was yet to react to the incident as of the time of this report.

    However, a source said the Imam of the mosque, Malam Mamuda and one Kabiru were killed when the hoodlums opened fire on the worshippers while Bilya Mairabo and Ashiru Mairabo were injured.

    Chairman of Birnin-Gwari Vanguard for Security and Good Governance, Ibrahim Abubakar Maigwari in a statement, explained that “almost on a daily basis, terrorists are on patrol across the entire Birnin-Gwari local government area, killing and abducting innocent citizens.

    “The situation is more worrisome on the Birnin-Gwari-Kaduna highway and has become a nightmare for travellers.”

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    Also confirming the incident, Chairman of Birnin-Gwari Emirate Progressive Union (BEPU), Ishaq Usman Kasai, said, two people were killed, three injured while some others were abducted.

    According to Kasai: “The incident happened around 5:30am today while people were praying in congregation. They opened fire at the worshippers and the killed the Imam and one other person. Three people were also injured, while some others were abducted.

    “The bandits came from Kamuku Forest in military uniform enroute towards Tegina axis of Niger State.”

  • Troops kill notorious bandits’ leader in Bauchi

    Troops kill notorious bandits’ leader in Bauchi

    The Nigerian Army troops of the 33 Brigade have neutralized the leader of one of the notorious gangs of bandits /kidnappers terrorizing residents of Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State, simply identified as Ya’u.

    The armed bandit was killed in an ambush laid against him and his group at an identified crossing point in Bura, Ningi on Friday.

    Nation reports that Ya’u is said to be the leader of a  notorious gang using heavy weapons to terrorize residents of Burra and adjoining communities by kidnapping them for ransom in some extreme cases, killing them if demands for ransom payment cannot be met.

    Village sources in Burra revealed that the Soldiers were able to neutralize Ya’u late on Thursday as he and his group made a way back to their hideout after an operation.

    The bandits had earlier kidnapped the traditional ruler of a village called Kwajale, Sumaila LGA in  Kano State the same day.

    The bandit’s death was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations.

    According to the statement, the troops while acting on actionable Intelligence laid in wait for the bandits and unleashed fire on them.

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    The troops killed one, while others fled with gunshot wounds leaving traces of blood, just as the troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, 14 live rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition, a mobile phone, and a fetish amulet from the bandit.

    The statement further revealed that In another operation the same day, troops responding to a report by a motorist, of a stolen Toyota Corolla car with registration number ABJ 343 KL, nabbed a gang of 3 Carjackers along the Bauchi – Jos Highway.

    “On receipt of the report, the vigilant troops quickly mounted a snap checkpoint on the highway and successfully intercepted the criminals,” it said.

    According to the statement, while attempting to escape upon sighting the troops, the criminal scratched the stolen vehicle, just as the troops swiftly apprehended the criminals and have since handed the suspects and the stolen vehicle over to the Nigeria Police Force for further action.

  • Four killed, five arrested in Zaria bandits attack – Police

    Four killed, five arrested in Zaria bandits attack – Police

    Kaduna state police command has confirmed that four people were killed in the Friday night attack at Ungwan Dankali, Zaria Local Government Area.

    The Nation had reported based on local sources accounts, that five persons were killed during the attack.

    The police, however, said that, its men in collaboration with other security forces, have rescued five kidnapped victims and arrested one suspected to be among the bandits responsible for the attack.

    The state commissioner of police, Musa Yusuf Garba, who commiserated with the families of those that lost their lives during the incident, said on the receipt of the distress call, the Divisional Police Officer Dan magaji Division and the Area Commander Zaria Area Command, mobilized their personnel immediately to the location where 6 persons were found critically injured.

    According to the CP, the injured persons were immediately evacuated to the Muslim Clinic Hospital Zaria where the doctors on duty confirmed four of the victims’ dead, while the remaining victims were immediately admitted at the said Hospital.

    In a statement by ASP Mansur Hassan, 2/ic PPRO, he said: “Thereafter, the joint response teams consisting of the Police, Military and Civilian JTF went in pursuit of the Bandits, due to the superior fire power of the Security forces, the hoodlums were forced to abandon five (5) kidnapped victims namely:(1) Halima Musa ‘F’ 27 years, (2) Rukaiya Salisu ‘F’ 25 years, (3) Ummi Sadisu ‘F’, (4) Yusuf Musa ‘M’ 8 months, and (5) Aisha Rabiu ‘F’ 2 years.

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    “The victims were immediately rescued and conveyed to the above mentioned Hospital. “Meanwhile, one of the suspects Mansir Umar ‘M’ of After Rail Unguwar Dankali was immediately arrested in possession of several military woodland camouflage wears and is strongly suspected to be one of the gunmen who attacked the said community.” 

    According to ASP Hassan, preliminary investigation has since commenced and the suspect is cooperating with the Police while concerted effort is being intensified toward the arresting the remaining fleeing bandits. 

    “The Commissioner of Police Kaduna Command, CP Musa Yusuf Garba, while commiserating with the family members of the deceased and further Colling on members of the public to volunteer in assisting the Police with any relevant information that will lead to the arresting of the remaining fleeing bandits.”

  • Bandits kill five, abduct housewives others in Zaria

    Bandits kill five, abduct housewives others in Zaria

    • Police arrest 10 suspected kidnappers in Kaduna
    • Enough of killings in Zaria, others – Abbas

    Bandits on Friday night killed five residents of Zaria, Kaduna State and abducted six others in an attack.

    The incident occurred between 10pm and 11pm when the bandits stormed Unguwar Dangali, under Danmagaji area of the city, to abduct innocent residents.

    The police in Kaduna, the state capital, said it arrested 10 suspected kidnappers between September and Oct. 3, 2023.

    The Acting Public Relations Officer of the state’s police command, ASP Mansur Hassan, disclosed this at a news conference in Kaduna yesterday.

    A resident of Zaria said among those abducted from the city by bandits were housewives, adding that the deceased ones were at a joint discussing when the bandits opened fire on them.

     “I can confirm five dead while the six that sustained gunshot injuries are in critical conditions. The women kidnapped were also whisked away,” he said.

     He described the situation as “very terrible”, saying the security agencies arrived after the attackers had left the scene.

    Neither the state government nor the Police Command had issued a statement regarding the incident at press time.

    When contacted to confirm the development, the second in command to the command’s PPRO, Mansur Hassan, was also not reachable.

    Hassan had disclosed that operatives of the command responsible for arresting suspected kidnappers in the state capital recovered three AK47 rifles, three fabricated 10 rounds revolver, 448 rounds of 7.62 X 39mm live ammunition, another cache of 15 rounds of 7.62 X 39mm live ammunition, and a vehicle with registration number Ebonyi HKW 578 AA.

    He said: “It is pertinent to note that we often have interface with you in an effort to showcasing our successes in the fight against robbery, banditry, kidnapping and other sundry crimes.

    “The accomplishments are not devoid of the assurances of our definite commitment to our statutory duty, thus we seek for a robust police-public partnership in the continuous fight against criminal elements as the task of securing the communities is everybody’s duty.

    “The Command is not unmindful of the security challenges bedeviling the state, amongst which are banditry, kidnapping, robbery and farmers/herders skirmishes, among others.

    Read Also: Gunmen kidnap pharmacist in Plateau

    “However, remarkable efforts were not spared in addressing the untoward situation which culminates in the relative peace currently being experienced by the law abiding citizens in the state.”

    The calm security atmosphere in the state, he noted, is a product of strategic and tactical deployment of human and material resources as well as the purposeful synergy within the security architecture.

    The suspects, he said, were being interrogated and would be charged to court on completion of investigations.

    The spokesman quoted the Commissioner of Police, Mr Musa Garba, as commanding officers and men of the Command for their gallantry and dedication to duty.

    The CP warned criminals to stay clear of the state, reiterating the commitment of the police to protecting lives and property.

    Enough of killings in Zaria, other parts of Nigeria – Speaker Abbas

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, condemned in strong terms the attack by suspected bandits on Anguwar Dankali community, which claimed four lives and left five other people injured.

    In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, the Speaker said “enough is enough” on the killings in Zaria and other parts of the country.

    Abbas charged security agencies to “descend on the killers.”

    Describing the latest attack as one too many, Speaker Abbas commiserated with the families of the victims as well as the people and government of Kaduna State.

    The Speaker noted with concern the spate of attacks and killing of innocent Nigerians by bandits.

    He recalled, with pain, how some of his constituents were similarly killed in an attack earlier in August.

    The Speaker lamented reported killings not only in Zaria but also in other parts of the country, insisting that the lives and property of Nigerians must be protected and safeguarded as provided in the country’s constitution.

    He said the security agencies should go after the suspects, apprehend them and bring them to book. He further charged them with preventing the loss of more lives and property across the country.

  • Bandits kill five, abduct housewives, others in Zaria

    Bandits kill five, abduct housewives, others in Zaria

    Bandits on Friday night killed five residents of Zaria and  abducted six other residents in an  attack.

    Neither the State Government nor the Police Command has issued a statement on the incident as of press time.

    When contacted to confirm the development, the Police Command’s PPRO 2iC, Masur Hassan was also unreachable.

    The incidents happened around 11pm when the bandits stormed the Unguwar Dangali, under Danmagaji area of the city to abduct innocent residents.

    Read Also: ‘Allegation of secret talks with bandits not true’

    A resident said among those abducted   were housewives. He said those killed were at a joint discussing when the bandits opened fire on them.

    “I can confirm five dead, while the six that sustained gunshot injuries are in critical condition, and the women kidnapped were also whisked away,” he said.

    He described the situation as very terrible, saying the security agencies arrived after the attackers left the scene.

  • ‘Allegation of secret talks with bandits not true’

    ‘Allegation of secret talks with bandits not true’

    All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and former Chair of Prosecution of Armed Banditry Related Offences in Zamfara, Dr. Sani Shinkafi, has said the Federal Government is not in a secret talk with bandits

     Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, had alleged the Federal Government was holding talks with bandits. 

     This, however, was dismissed by Minister of Information, Alhaji Mohammed Idris.

    Read Also: Bandits kill six, injure four others in fresh Southern Kaduna attack

     Shinkafi said it is outrageous the governor will play politics with such sensitive issue.

     “The responsibility of government is to serve the people, provide security and deliver dividends of democracy…’’, not fuelling such unhelpful  statements.

    The APC chieftain added  it is unfortunate the governor, who ought to be the chief security officer and work in synergy with security agencies and stakeholders to restore security and order, will want to frustrate attempts to bring peace to Zamfara State.

  • Bandits kill six, injure four others in fresh Southern Kaduna attack

    Bandits kill six, injure four others in fresh Southern Kaduna attack

    No fewer than six people have been killed and four others injured after bandits attacked Takanai community in Zangon Kataf Local Government of Kaduna State.

    The police authorities in Kaduna State are yet to confirm the incident, but the President of Atyap Community Development Association, Sam Achi, told Channels Television that the attack occurred on Tuesday night a few metres away from a military checkpoint and close to Ungwan Juju, the village of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa.

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    He said the bandits invaded the community at about 7pm and immediately opened fire on two houses, during which they killed six people and injured four others.

    Achi further said that the bandits operated for over an hour and left before the arrival of troops that were stationed close to the community.

    The Atyap president, however, called on the government and security agencies to step up efforts in addressing the protracted security challenges in Southern Kaduna.

  • Six feared killed as bandits storm Southern Kaduna village

    Six feared killed as bandits storm Southern Kaduna village

    Six people were feared dead when bandits attacked Takanai community of Atyap Chiefdom in Zango Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    Kaduna State Police Command’s spokesman, could not be reached for confirmation but Acting Secretary to the District Head of the affected community, Samson Markus, confirmed the incident to journalists.

    According to Markus, the bandits attacked the community on Tuesday night and killed the people.

    He said: “We were going about our normal businesses when we heard gunshots, we thought it was the military at first but before the military came they killed six persons, including 2 children.

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    “The arrival of the military was what scared them and they took to their heels and left the community. It is unfortunate that this kind of sad incident continues to happen in our villages when we thought normalcy had returned.

    “We appealed to the government and the military to redouble their efforts and declare war against these terrorists who invaded villages and killed innocent people.

    “About five days ago, a neighboring community in Kaura was attacked by the bandits where a mother was killed and her children kidnapped.”

  • Turning the tables on bandits

    Turning the tables on bandits

    Age-old lore makes it known that when a  dog bites a man, it isn’t something strange or even worthy of interest. But when a man bites a dog, that’s news – something of interest and begging diligent interrogation. Likewise, it is the dog that wags the tail. When the tail wags the dog, elders’ intervention is called for, proverbially speaking.

    It was like the tail wagging the dog when residents of Birnin Magaji community in Zamfara State recently backlashed on bandits who have been terrorising and kidnapping their members, by kidnapping the bandits’ family members in retaliation. Reports said armed bandits had often invaded the farms of community members and kidnapped some of them for ransom. “The armed bandits invaded the farms and threatened the farmers before taking them away. These days, many people here cannot go to the farm; and even in our home, we are afraid they could come and abduct us for ransom,” a youth leader in the community was cited saying.

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    It was against this backdrop youths of the community recently pounced on some bandits’ wives in transit, including a pregnant woman, and abducted them in retaliation. The development was said to have compelled the leader of the bandits to negotiate with the community members for their wives’ release, while the community members in turn demanded freedom for their own members in the hold of the bandits. Amidst the negotiations, according to reports, the bandits threatened further violence if their wives were not handed back, but the community youths insisted on the release of their own members being held by the bandits. Subsequent reports said the community residents eventually released the women on an understanding that the bandits would reciprocate by letting go their own members they had kidnapped. But some days after, the bandits had not fulfilled their part of the bargain, and the community youths were threatening another shot at kidnap of the bandits’ family members.

    The Birnin Magaji incident showed that bandits too have a soft spot where they can be hit. Of course, kidnapping is an offence before Nigerian law even when done in retaliation. But we see, at least, that bandits are not untouchable spirits after all: they are vulnerable like everybody else, have people they live with and whose interests they would want to protect. If the backlash by Birnin Magaji residents make affected bandits to release kidnapped community members and have a rethink about further attacks in the community, much would have been achieved by those residents. When former Defence Minister Bashir Magashi and some ex-governors once asked terrorised Nigerians to take the battle to bandits, that could be what they mean.

  • Wike meets Abuja chiefs, donates 10 vehicles to traditional rulers

    Wike meets Abuja chiefs, donates 10 vehicles to traditional rulers

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike on Friday, September 15, handed over vehicles to ten 3rd Class Chiefs in Abuja as he promised improved welfare for traditional rulers.

    The 3rd Class Shiefs were from Gomani, Yaba, Bwari, Pai, Garki, Jiwa, Wako, Rubochi, Gwargwarda, and Zuba Chiefdoms.

    Wike explained while handing over the Nissan Semi SUV keys to the traditional rulers in Abuja that the gesture was part of government efforts to ease the mobility of the traditional leaders.

    He said the government has a responsibility to encourage traditional leaders by providing them with all the necessary logistics to enable them to do their work diligently and with ease.

    Wike said: “Part of that is mobility. I can’t see how traditional rulers will be boarding taxis or entering public transport. That is unacceptable.

    “President Bola Tinubu has directed that that should not be allowed to continue. Has asked that we do everything possible to make it convenient and easy for you to do your assignment.”

    He said that in line with the renewed agenda of President Tinubu, every stakeholder has a role to play, including traditional rulers, particularly in the area of security.

    He added: “You know your community better than anybody; you know the people within their community, so you will be able to identify those who look like strangers.

    “No agency will perform its function without the support of traditional rulers, and we believe that we must partner together to achieve the fight against insecurity.

    “So today we are going to hand over 10 vehicles to you to please help in supporting the government to fight insecurity in your domain. Be sure that we are going to work together.

    “If we don’t work together, we will not achieve results, because everybody is important in the fight against insecurity.”

    The minister also disclosed that President Tinubu has directed the FCTA to make traditional rulers very comfortable by augmenting the little allowances the area councils were providing to leaders.

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    He said: “We will soon meet with the Area Councils’ Chairmen and the traditional rulers so that we can work out strategies for the welfare package and what role you will play to assist the government in achieving its renewed agenda.

    “The new agender is that things must work. The Mandate Secretaries have been appointed and sworn in. I don’t want to hear any excuses from any department.

    “We are not here to give excuses; we know there are challenges before we came here. It is our duty to solve these challenges.”

    Responding, the chairman of the FCT council of traditional rulers, the Ona of Abaji, Alhaji Adamu Yunusa, thanked the minister for the support and pledged the support of traditional rulers to move FCT forward.