The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Gunmen

  • JUST IN: Gunmen kill two police officers, two others in Imo

    JUST IN: Gunmen kill two police officers, two others in Imo

    Gunmen on Monday struck at Ohii junction on the Owerri – Orlu Road in Imo State killing no fewer than four persons.

    Sources said that two of the victims were reportedly policemen said on duty in the area when the hoodlums attacked.

    A source from the area told our correspondent that the gunmen in a Corolla SUV car opened fire at the junction and killed the victims while dispossessing some POS operators around the scene of some cash.

    According to the source, the policemen were said to be on duty in the area before their untimely death.

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    Our correspondent saw a video clip circulating on various social media platforms, which showed the lifeless bodies of the victims covered in their blood.

    The gunmen were also said to have robbed a POS operator at Amawire – Orji on the Owerri – Okigwe Road.

    Another were also said to have  stormed Christiana junction at Egbu Road and robbed POS operators.

    Imo Police spokesman Henry Okoye did not respond to the call and text messages when contacted.

  • Gunmen allegedly abduct Oyo tipper, lorry, quarry PMS chair Akintola

    Gunmen allegedly abduct Oyo tipper, lorry, quarry PMS chair Akintola

    The Chairman of Oyo State Tipper, Lorry And Quarry Park Management System, Alhaji Akeem Akintola, popularly known as Kuso, has been reportedly kidnapped by gunmen. 

    It was gathered that the abduction occurred in the early hours of Saturday around Ajiboye area, Omi Apata, Ibadan, the Oyo state capital city.

    According to a source, the attackers stormed the residence of Alhaji Akintola (Kuso) and abducted him to a yet-to-be-known destination. 

    Multiple sources have confirmed the incident, including a family member and associates who preferred not to be mentioned. 

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    The source stated:”The gunmen arrived in the early this morning and attacked him without any resistance before whisking him away.” 

    Friends, associates and lovers of the victim have appealed to the public on any information about his whereabouts to reach out to the dedicated number: 08034345760 or the nearest police station.

    It was also gathered that the matter has been reported at the Omi-Adio Police Station shortly after the incident. 

    However, efforts to confirm the incident from Oyo Police spokesman, Adewale Osifeso, has not yielded any result as of the time of filing this report.

  • JUST IN: Gunmen reportedly abduct man in Abuja

    JUST IN: Gunmen reportedly abduct man in Abuja

    Suspected gunmen have abducted one Abdullahi Sabo, a resident of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) who was driving home with his wife on Friday, January 19.

    The gunmen intercepted his vehicle at Sabon- Lugbe, Airport Road in the nation’s capital.

    The victim was driving in his Ash color Lexus Jeep with registration number ABC 769 TP when the unfortunate incident occurred.

    It was gathered that he had left the city centre and was heading home when the attackers inside an unmarked Golf car opened fire and deflated the tires of the jeep.

    This incident is coming less than 48 hours after gunmen invaded the Army Estate in Kurudu, in Abuja, and abducted some residents.

    Also, at town hall meetings in Bwari and Gwagwalada Area Councils, Minister of FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike, had assured residents of their safety, saying adequate security measures had been put in place.

    He also announced the arrest of some bandits and their informants.

    Read Also: Gunmen attack vigilante office, kill female operative in Ebonyi

    One of the victim’s neighbours, Daramola Joseph, who confirmed Sabo’s abduction said: “They shot the tires, forcing the vehicle to stop, but before they could get close to the jeep, the man’s wife had escaped. However, they went away with the husband.

    “The man with his wife were returning from the city center and heading towards the access road to Kedo Estate when the gunmen struck.”

     All efforts to get the reaction of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josphine Adeh on Saturday were futile as all calls and text messages put across to her were not responded to.  

  • Gunmen attack vigilante office, kill female operative in Ebonyi

    Gunmen attack vigilante office, kill female operative in Ebonyi

    A female vigilante operative in Ebonyi state, Onwe Blessing Onana, was killed on Tuesday, January 17, when gunmen attacked the office of a local security outfit.

    It was gathered that another guard sustained injuries in the attack on the Office of Ngboejeogu Central Security at Ngbo Court in Ohaukwu local government area of Ebonyi state.

    The chairman of Ohaukwu local government area, Odono Onwe confirmed the attacks.

    He said that the attack claimed the life of a security personnel, left one injured, some properties, and a motorcycle carted away by the hoodlums.

    Odono noted that several times, security men in the local government area have been battered, humiliated, abused, and murdered gruesomely by some unidentified gunmen.

    He said the attacks have continued to demoralize the frantic efforts of the vigilantes in safeguarding the localities.

    He stated: “Sorrowfully, we mourn and console the families of the departed security personnel that lost her life in active duty, the one that is injured, operatives of Ngboejeogu Central Security, Ngboejeogu Clan, and entire Ohaukwu.”

    He noted that effort had been put in place by security operatives to ensure that the culprits of the heinous crime were apprehended and brought to justice.

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    He added: “Our resolve to achieve peace in Ohaukwu Local Government can never be undermined by anybody, we urge our people to be vigilant in their environment and report any illegal movement to the nearest police station. Ohaukwu is the land of God and such calamity shall never befall us again. Amen.”

    Reacting, the Amalgamated Ngboejeogu Youth condemned the armed attack, describing it as barbaric and unfortunate.

    The Youths in a statement signed by the publicity secretary of the group, Mr George Umeh said that the killing was coming about three weeks to the first year anniversary of the murder of one Elom Chinonso (a.k.a Oscar).

    The group noted that the current situation in Ngbo where there is a total lack of vigilantes or security checkpoints in the entire 10 autonomous communities was also highly condemnable.

    It stated: “The Amalgamated Ngboejeogu Youth will work closely with government authorities, the Ngbo Leaders Council and all concerned persons to ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous crime are made to face the law.”

    The group called on the state government and the hierarchy of the Nigeria Police Force to hasten efforts on the resuscitation of the Police Area Command in Ngbo and the establishment of an effective community policing structure in the entire Ngbo land.

  • JUST IN: Gunmen assassinate Ogun chief

    JUST IN: Gunmen assassinate Ogun chief

    Popular traditional chief in Ogun state, Adeyinka Folarin, the Baasegun of the Itunsokun village in the state, has been shot dead by unidentified gunmen.

    He was shot at his Sagamu residence around 8:00 p.m. on Monday, January 9, by the gunmen suspected to be cultists. 

    The tragic incident was confirmed by two traditional rulers seeking acknowledgment.

    One of the traditional rulers said: “The information is correct but I don’t have much information about the incident. We heard that the chief who is a popular traditional chief and member of the Akarigbo in-council was killed last night. He is popularly called Baasegun, we however can’t say these are the people who did these terrible acts. We leave the police and other security agencies to do their job.”

    Read Also: Gunmen invade Abuja community

    According to a Sagamu local government employee who preferred anonymity, the incident also forced the LG employees to quickly end their workday to save their lives. 

    The source said: “Already, tension is very high in the town as I speak to you, workers are already moving out of the local government secretariat to avoid being caught in any form of crisis. Many are saying the man was killed by cultists but no one could really confirm this, the information is still scanty now.”

    However, the spokeswoman for the Ogun state Police Command, SP Omolola, is yet to confirm the incident. 

  • Gunmen invade Abuja community

    Gunmen invade Abuja community

    • •Kidnap 10

    Residents of Sagwari Estate in Dutse axis of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja were thrown into confusion when gunmen on Sunday invaded the area and kidnapped 10 persons.

    According to eyewitnesses, the kidnappers dressed like herders and stormed the estate about 7:30 pm.

    Findings showed that eight people were kidnapped from the estate, while two workers were abducted at a nearby hotel.

    One of the victims, who sent a distress message to the estate’s WhatsApp group, said his family was in danger before he stopped responding to messages a few minutes later.

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    Security operatives, according to another resident, have been mobilised and are working with the estate security guards to search the hills behind the estate.

    A security operative, who was beaten up and tied by the kidnappers, has been rescued.

    FCT police spokesperson SP Josephine Adeh could not be reached for comments.

    Calls made to her phone did not go through, while she did not reply to the messages sent to her phone.

    However, a call placed to the police emergency call centre showed that the command was aware of the incident, and the closest DPO had been informed to mobilise men to the scene.

  • Gunmen kidnap 10 in Abuja community

    Gunmen kidnap 10 in Abuja community

    Residents of Sagwari Estate in Dutse axis of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja were thrown into confusion when gunmen on Sunday, January 7, invaded the area and kidnapped 10. 

    According to eyewitnesses, the kidnappers dressed like herders stormed the estate in the evening at about 7:30 pm.

    Finding revealed that eight people were kidnapped from the estate, while two members of staff were abducted from a nearby hotel(name withheld).

    One of the victims who sent a distress message to the estate’s WhatsApp group had said his family was in danger before he stopped responding to messages few minutes later.

    Security operatives, according to another resident, have already been mobilised and are working with the estate security guards to search the hills behind the estate.

    Read Also: Gunmen abduct council chair, godfather in Nasarawa

    A security operative who was beaten and tied by the kidnappers has also been rescued.

    FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, could not be reached for comments. 

    Repeated calls made to her phone did not go through while she did not reply to messages sent to her phone. 

    However, a call placed on the Police emergency call centre, revealed that the command was aware of the incident, and the closest DPO had been informed to mobilise men to the scene.

    Residents of the area uphill now are still in shock over the incident as they beg for protection.

  • Gunmen abduct council chair, godfather in Nasarawa

    Gunmen abduct council chair, godfather in Nasarawa

    Gunmen have kidnapped the Executive Chairman of Akwanga Local Government in Nasarawa State, Safiyanu Isa Andaha.

    Our correspondent gathered that the council chairman was abducted with his political godfather, Alhaji Adamu Umar Custom, at Bingo village in Akwanga in the evening of January 1, 2024.

    The two political leaders of Akwanga Local Government were driving in a car without a driver and a security guard attached to them. The gunmen were said to have appeared from the bush and kidnapped the victims to an unknown destination.

    Confirming the incident, Special Adviser to Nasarawa State Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Haruna Kassimu, said the two politicians were abducted about 8:30pm on January 1.

    He said security agencies responded swiftly by chasing the gunmen, who fled with the council chairman to an unknown destination.

    Police spokesperson DSP Ramhan Nansel said the police in collaboration with other security agencies were on the trail of the kidnappers to ensure the release of the council chairman and his political godfather.

    He said Police Commissioner Umar Nadada had mobilised personnel to pursue the hoodlums and ensure the release of the chairman.

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    Speaking exclusively to our correspondent, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Dr Kassim Mohammad Kassim, who equally hails from Akwanga Local Government, condemned the act, noting that taking human being for money should be resisted by the youth.

    He said no religion allowed youths to trade human being for money, and prayed for the safety of the council chairman.

    He called on security agencies to ensure that the council chairman was released unhurt.

    An unconfirmed report from a close aide to one of the abductees said the abduction was not unconnected with the local government elections coming up later this year, adding that it was “politically-motivated.”

    Andaha became the chairman of the council after the death of Emmanuel Joseph Laweh, who was originally elected as the council chairman alongside Andaha as his deputy. But Laweh died suddenly three months after their inauguration.

    Andaha, who has been the council chairman for over two years, is planning to seek another tenure in August.

  • JUST IN: Two policemen die as gunmen attack PDP leader, Chris Uba’s convoy in Anambra

    JUST IN: Two policemen die as gunmen attack PDP leader, Chris Uba’s convoy in Anambra

    The convoy of a leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chris Uba was Thursday night in Uga, Aguata local government area of Anambra state attacked by gunmen.

    Though he escaped in his bullet proof vehicle, two policemen were gunned down by the hoodlums.

    The Nation further gathered that another politician who escaped by whiskers was the Labour Party’s governorship hopeful and former PDP governorship candidate in 2019 in the state, Valentine Ozigbo

    According to a source, the vehicles in Uba’s convoy were riddled with bullets.

    The source said: “We witnessed what happened. Chris Uba’s convoy ran into the men who were stationed at UGA junction, leading to a shoot out.

    “Uba was able to escape because he was riding in a bullet proof vehicle, but the policemen were not so lucky as they were killed.

    Read Also: Gunmen kill 96 persons, raze 221 houses in Plateau Black Christmas eve – Police

    “Val Ozigbo was coming back from Owerri with members of his family when he suddenly saw a convoy driving ferociously toward his own convoy, and attempting to edge him off the road. He quickly told his driver’s to clear off the road let the other convoy pass by.

    “Shortly after they overtook Ozigbo, they ran into the gunmen at UGA junction who started shooting, and killed two police men. Ozigbo who parked while the incident was happening, later learnt that the convoy that was attacked was that of Uba.”

    Recall that last year, another top politician in the state, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah’s convoy was equally attacked at Enugwu-Ukwu, Njikoka local government area, where four of his security men and two staff were killed by gunmen

    When The Nation called Chris Uba’s phone, it rang out unpicked

    However, following serial attacks that happened on Thursday in Aguata, the local government of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, police authorities said they had launched a man hunt for the assailants

    This was revealed in a statement in Awka Friday by the police public relations officer DSP Tochukwu Ikenga and made available to reporters

    He said: “Anambra state Police Command has launched an intensive manhunt for armed insurgents who infiltrated from a neighbouring State and killed two Police Personnel on 28th December 2023 at about 18.30 hours (6.30 p.m.)

    “The gang which disguised in military fatigue and seemed to be on a kidnap mission were jolted on seeing two armed Police officers approaching their direction. 

    “They opened fire on the officers who had moved ahead of the convoy they were escorting to decongest traffic gridlock. Other personnel returned fire, careful not to hit many motorists who were in traffic, forcing the bandits to flee.

    “Police-led mobile Forward Operating Base which had been on intensive patrol of the entire area throughout Christmas celebrations promptly responded to the scene.

    “It recovered a Lexus SUV the gang operated with and defused an improvised explosive device found in the vehicle. It also recovered an AK-47 RIFLE belonging to one of the slain personnel.

    “The Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye who had declared the weekend and Christmas holidays as special working days for all Officers and men in the Command commended all personnel for their tireless and courageous effort in securing the people of Anambra State.

    “He urged them not to be demoralized by the supreme price paid by their colleagues from Enugu State Command but to draw inspiration from their bravery in confronting the criminal gang.

    “He condoled with the families of the deceased officers and Enugu State Police Command and vowed that the personnel will not die in vain.

    “He has urged all officers and men of Anambra State Police Command to redouble their efforts and remain vigilant. He assured that technology would be employed to track down the criminals.”

  • JUST IN: Gunmen kill 19-year-old man, injure two in Plateau

    JUST IN: Gunmen kill 19-year-old man, injure two in Plateau

    Suspected gunmen have reportedly killed a 19 year-old Jude Nicodemus while two others sustained severe injury  at Gana Ropp village in Barkin Ladi Local local government area of Plateau state.

    It was gathered that the incident happened on the night of Wednesday, December 20.

    The Nation reports that this is one of the recent renewed attacks and killings in Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Bokkos and Mangu by the marauders, who were said to have vowed to create unconducive atmosphere for the people in the forthcoming Christmas and New year. 

    The Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM) under the leadership of Solomon Dalyop Mwantiri, has condemned the recent killings in some parts of the state. 

    The group urged all security forces, especially Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) led by Maj. Gen. AE Abdulsallam, to intensify efforts in addressing the resurgence of terrorism. 

    The association also called for the removal of terrorist elements reportedly situated in the hills of Were in Ropp, Barkin Ladi LGA, and various parts of Plateau.

    Meanwhile, the BYM’s publicity secretary, Rwang Tengwong, who confirmed the incident to The Nation last night, commended the rapid response of Sector 4 Commander, Col. US Abdulsallam, for his swift action that forestalled further casualties in the general area. 

    The BYM sympathised with families that lost their beloved ones in recent unprovocative attacks and appealed to members of the public to be more vigilant before, during and after the festive season.

    The BYM equally appealed for calmness, and called on thebfederal, the state and the local governments and other relevant bodies to come to the aids (hospital bills) of the deceased’s family and those injured so as to ameliorate the unwarranted plights they have been plunged into by the inhuman act and ensure restorative justice is served.

    The spokesman of Operation Safe Haven, (OPSH), in-charge of maintaining peace in Plateau, and part of Kaduna States, Capt. James Oya, confirmed the incident to The Nation this morning on phone.

    Read Also: Gunmen abduct High Court Judge, driver, kill orderly in A’Ibom

    Oya said: “I confirmed the incident, it happened, what happened is that the issue would have been a disaster.

    “The assailants that came opened fire on those making preparation and also celebrating and doing Christmas Carol at that moment one person was killed.”

    He added that by the quick intervention of the troops, the assailants could not continue their mission, saying that one person lost his life and two other persons were injured.

    He added that the injured ones have been taken to the hospital for treatment.

    However, Oya said three days ago, some bandits and kidnappers were arrested at that axis. 

    He stated: “As I speak, the Commander informed me that the troops are conducting an aggressive raid in that area at the moment, and to make sure that the perpetrators are brought to book.”