The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Gunmen

  • Gunmen kidnap clergyman, three others in Plateau

    Gunmen kidnap clergyman, three others in Plateau

    The Maigemu District of Jos East local government area of Plateau State was thrown into confusion on Wednesday, September 13, when gunmen in large numbers stormed the community and kidnapped a clergyman and three other persons.

    The Nation gathered that the gunmen precisely invaded the ECWA Church Nuku area in the district at about 5:40 a.m. and kidnapped a clergyman (name withheld) in his house. He was whisked away in the presence of his family.

    A leader of the community revealed that the gunmen, who operated unhindered for close to 40 minutes, also kidnapped three other people: Usman Umaru, Agwom Dauda, and a woman simply identified as Sarah.

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    The source further disclosed that the gunmen who released several gunshots into the air to scare the people, especially the vigilantes and hunters, from coming out for a rescue left with their captors in a car while others trailed behind on their motorcycles.

    It was gathered that the security men, vigilantes, and hunters were combing the hills within the vicinity with the aim of arresting the kidnappers and their accomplices terrorizing the local government area.

    A relative of the clergyman who spoke with the Nation on condition of anonymity said that the kidnappers have not gotten in touch with the family for ransom.

    When contacted, the spokesman of the Plateau State Command of the Nigerian Police Force, DSP Alfred Alabo, who confirmed the incident, said men of the command are on top of the situation to arrest the perpetrators of the dastardly act.

  • Gunmen kill  11 in Plateau

    Gunmen kill  11 in Plateau

    Gunmen yesterday killed 11 persons in an attack in Kulben community in Mangu Local Government of Plateau State.

     A community leader said armed men attacked Kulben in Kombun district.

     He added that the incident, which occurred about 10 pm on Sunday, left 10  killed, and others injured.

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     Reports said arrangement is on for burial of the victims

     Chairman of Mwaghavul Development Association at Kombun confirmed the incident.

     Police spokesman, DSP Alfred Alabo, told The Nation on phone, ‘’we are aware something happened on Sunday and the DPO has been working since 2:am. 

    ‘’We awaiting full report from the DPO at the headquarters.’’

  • JUST IN: Panic as gunmen invade Enugu community, kill three villagers

    JUST IN: Panic as gunmen invade Enugu community, kill three villagers

    Three villagers in Agbada Nenwe community in Aninri local government area of Enugu State, have been killed by masked gunmen, who invaded the community.

    The victims our correspondent learnt, include Mr Hillary Uche, a popular dealer on block and cement at Orie Agu, Emulemoke Agbada Road; one Kingsley, a machine parts dealer at signboard area of the village and another young man popularly known FM.

    The incident, which happened Saturday morning, September 9, it was learned, saw the gunmen locating the deceased in their houses and shops and killing them instantly.

    While Kingsley and FM were said to have been dragged out from their homes in Amagu Agbada Nenwe to the village square, where they were killed, Hilary was said to have been killed inside his own shop at Orie Agu.

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    It was further gathered that the hoodlums set a house ablaze after searching the house without seeing their target.

    The killings have since thrown the community into panic and mourning, as young men doing businesses in the village have started fleeing the place.

    One of the village sources: “My brother, some unknown gunmen entered my village and brought out Kingsley and FM and dragged them to the village square where they killed them.

    “Nobody knows who the people are. Some came in motorcycles while some our people said some of them came in a vehicle.

    “Everyone is afraid of even going out. There is panic everywhere. This kind of thing has never happen before here.

    “One of the persons they killed, Mr Hillary, was shot three times in his shop at Orie Agu Nenwe. All of those unknown gunmen wore masks, suggesting that they may have come from around us here”, the source said.

    The spokesman of the state police command, Daniel Ndukwe could not respond to the inquiries by our correspondent as of the time of filing this report.

  • Gunmen kill two, injure five in Rivers

    Gunmen kill two, injure five in Rivers

    Gunmen have killed two surveillance workers at the Bodo oil spill site in Gokana Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State, injuring five others.

    The deceased were identified as Wisdom Pilla and Barioma Dutu, while the five others who sustained bullet wounds were Charles Saago, Tombari Akere, Lekaga Agbi, Oliver Nyimaage and Barinem Pigalo.

    The incident reportedly happened early hours of Saturday, a statement from the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), said.

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    Signed by MOSOP Secretary-General Alex Akori, it said the armed men stormed the area at midnight and opened fire on the youths who were providing security to the site, killing two on the spot.

    The spokesperson of the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Eringe-Koko had yet to respond to The Nation’s enquiries before press time.

  • Gunmen shoot man dead at Imo timber market

    Gunmen shoot man dead at Imo timber market

    Gunmen have shot dead an unidentified man believed to be a trader at Naze Timber Market in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State. 

    It was gathered the deceased who some people disclosed was a trader at the multi-billion naira timber market was shot dead on Monday. 

    A member of Owerri building material association, who pleaded not to be mentioned, said: “The Police were fingered for shooting  the trader this morning.”

    Read Also: Gunmen kidnap two funeral guests in Enugu community

    However Imo Police spokesman  Henry Okoye who confirmed the incident denied operatives were involved in the shooting. 

    ” Information I have gathered so far indicates it’s not the Police that shot him. 

    More so, the DPO in charge of the area has since been mobilized to the scene for on-the-spot analysis and discreet investigation. 

    “However, the Command is yet to receive official report from him. Once I receive it, I’ll relay accordingly,” he said. 

  • Gunmen kidnap two funeral guests 

    Gunmen kidnap two funeral guests 

    Armed men suspected to be kidnappers have abducted two persons on the Ehandiagu-Ehaulo road in Ehalumona, Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State.

    A source told our correspondent that the victims were kidnapped at Akwari village, Eha-Etiti autonomous community while on their way from a funeral in Ehandiagu.

    They were said to have been heading back to Ehaulo in the company of others when the gunmen struck at Akwari.

    A source said: “The incident happened when they arrived at Akwari where there are cashew trees and the road is so bad.

    Read Also: Gunmen kill police inspector in Rivers, steal gun, beret

    “It was at that point that the kidnappers emerged from the bush and began shooting at their vehicle.

    “The man who was driving (his own car) tried to resist them but they overpowered him and his brother and took them to the bush leaving only the women: His mother, wife and other women behind.”

    A member of Neighborhood Watch in the area confirmed the incident, saying that a team of the Nigeria Police Force, Neighborhood Watch and Forest Guards were combing the area in search of the hoodlums and the victims.

    “It is true. We have been combing the bush around here in search of them but till now nothing yet,” he said.

    The operative, who refused to be named, said the hoodlums had new AK-47 rifles.

    “According to the information we gathered from those they left, one of the kidnappers jumped from a cashew tree where he was hiding and started firing at the vehicle.

    “Others immediately emerged from the bush and began shooting as well, before forcing the two men into the bush leaving all the women behind,” he said.

    He stressed the need for the authorities to cut down the cashew trees and grasses along the roadside to forestall future occurrences.

    The police were yet to comment on the incident at the time of this report.

  • Gunmen kill police inspector in Rivers, steal gun, beret

    Gunmen kill police inspector in Rivers, steal gun, beret

    Unidentified gunmen have killed an inspector of police and stolen his rifle, and beret in Rivers state.

    The tragic incident reportedly occurred on Friday night close to a popular hotel in Oroworukwo-Olu Obasanjo, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said killers rode on a grey colour 2005 Toyota Corolla.

    They were said to have sighted the victim,.attacked him immediately, took his AK-47, his beret and fled to an unknown destination.

    The police public relations officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident and said the victim, who was serving in Bayelsa state, accompanied a VIP to Rivers state before the gunmen struck.

    Read Also: Gunmen kill two customs officers in Kebbi

    Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, who regretted the development said that investigation had commenced to unmask and arrest the killers.

    She said: “At about 2030hrs information was received that one inspector ‘m’ attached to Department of Operations, Yenegoa Bayelsa State was fatally shot on the head while escorting his principal around Landmark Hotel at Oroworukwo-Olu Obasanjo Port Harcourt.

    “His rifle and beret were carted away. Patrol teams were immediately mobilized to the scene. Effort is ongoing to arrest the fleeing hoodlums and recover the rifle. Corpse of the victim has been deposited at Military Hospital Port Harcourt for autopsy. Further development will be communicated.”

  • Gunmen kill two customs officers in Kebbi

    Gunmen kill two customs officers in Kebbi

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at the weekend said it lost two personnel of the Kebbi Area Command to gunmen.

    This was contained in a statement from the service issued yesterday in Abuja.

    According to the statement, “On  Thursday, 24th August 2023, at about 0128hrs, a team of Kebbi Area Command officers and men of the Nigeria Customs, while on a stop-and-search operation based on credible information along Bunza – Dakingari – Koko Road, were engaged with heavy gunfire by suspected bandits in an ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle.”

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    The statement noted that in the melee that ensued, two personnel of the command, Alhaji Kabiru Shehu, an Inspector of Customs and Abdullahi Muhammad, a Customs Assistant II, paid the supreme price. The officers have since been laid to rest according to Islamic rites.

    While praying for the repose of the soul of the deceased’s, the NCS said the command has launched a manhunt for the suspects with the view to arrest and prosecute them.

    It added that the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Ben Oramalugo, commiserates with the families on the tragic incident and prays that God Almighty grants them the fortitude to bear the loss.

    The CAC also urged members of the public to volunteer information about movement of suspected smugglers and other criminals, assuring that such information will be treated with strict confidentiality.

  • Gunmen attack police station kill cop, injure another

    Gunmen attack police station kill cop, injure another

    • IGP petitioned as man in custody of Delta police goes missing

    A policeman attached to the Isiokolo (Otoro-Agbon) Divisional Police Headquarters in the Ethiope East LGA, has been shot dead by unknown gunmen.

    Another officer who sustained gunshot injuries was left in critical condition, The Nation has learnt.

    The Nation gathered that the cop was shot dead after the gunmen riding on a motorcycle shot indiscriminately at policemen

    on guard duty at the Isiokolo police station.

    The incident which occurred on Thursday caused apprehension in the community.

    The Nation gathered that two cops sustained injuries during the attack and were rushed to the hospital where one of the victims was pronounced dead.

    The second victim who was also critically injured was said to be responding to treatment as at the time of filing this report on Friday.

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    The attack, it was learnt, forced a crack team of policemen and sister security agencies to launch a raid on Isiokolo, Kokori and other surrounding towns in the area.

    It was learnt that some suspects were arrested in connection with the attack during the raid.

    Delta State Police Command spokesman, DSP Bright Edafe, confirmed the incident.

    He also confirmed the death of one of the victims.

    According to him, the other victim was receiving treatment at an undisclosed location while assuring that a manhunt had been launched to arrest the perpetrators of the attack.

    Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has been petitioned over the mysterious disappearance of one Angel-Owei Major from the custody of Ogbe-Ijoh Police Station located in the headquarters of Warri Southwest Council Area of Delta State.

    The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 5, Benin City, Delta Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) and Commissioner of Police, Wale Abass, were copied in the petition.

    A law firm, H. O. Uwarah & Associates, issued the petition dated July 26, 2023 and received at the Area Command, Burutu, on behalf of Nanakumoh and Tanga families of the victim.

    It accused the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the Ogbe-Ijoh Station, Royal Onwuma, of being responsible for the “missing/dead” victim.

    According to the statement, Major, a father and musician, recently had a mental disorder and was taken for treatment, but fled while undergoing healthcare.

    While family members searched for him, a report of the arrest of a friend to his (Major’s) cousin, after severe beatings by some unidentified Ogbe-Ijoh indigenes over alleged murder of their kinsman by Major, reached them (the family). The Ogbe-Ijoh indigenes were said to have laid a complaint of their murdered kinsman at the police station and had buried him prior to laying the complaint.

    The petition also disclosed that following a manhunt to “harm and murder” relatives of Major by kinsmen of the “murdered victim”, the Nanakumoh and Tanga families sought the intervention of the traditional ruler of Ogbe-Ijoh kingdom.

    In a twist of events, another report revealed that Major was in custody of the police at Ogbe-Ijoh Station. The DPO confirmed this when approached by the family,  adding that he (Major) sustained a gunshot wound on a limb when brought in by unidentified persons.

    “Confirming this fact from the DPO directly, our clients requested and appealed to the DPO to move the victim (Mr. Major) to Warri General Hospital, which is just a stone throw distance from Ogbe-Ijoh for immediate medical attention by Police Doctors under the watch of his men which the aforesaid DPO conceded to.

    “After agreeing to the prayers of our clients to do so under the watch of his men, he asked our clients to come the next morning, the 17th of July, 2023 only for our clients to get there and learnt that he declined his promise.

    “According to our clients, they saw the victim (Mr. Major) whom the DPO claimed to be the suspect, wailing and dying due to the gunshot he received from his captors who are believed to be the agents of the DPO.

    “Our client informed us further that, the DPO compelled them (our clients) to and extorted the cash sum of about (N80,000) Eighty Thousand Naira which he claimed to be used for the first aid treatment for this dying man (Mr. Major) and transportation to transfer or convey the victim (Mr. Major) to the Police Headquarters at. Asaba.

    “However, the DPO deliberately and intentionally refused the treatment of the victim until Thursday the 20th of July, 2023 when our clients heard from a grapevine of the demise of our clients’ innocent dear son, husband, father, uncle and brother (Mr. Major). Our clients briefed us that in order to confirm the true position of Mr. Major from the aforesaid DPO in charge of the Ogbe-Ijoh Police Station in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, he was neither there nor here till date.

    “It is as a result of the above that we have the firm instruction of our clients to so petition your good office to bring Mr. Royal Onwuma, the Division Police Officer (DPO) at Ogbe Ijoh Police Station, to book together with any/all his culprits to account for the whereabouts of Mr. Major,” the petition read in part.

  • Gunmen abduct nursing mother, five others in Bauchi

    Gunmen abduct nursing mother, five others in Bauchi

    Suspected gunmen have reportedly abducted six persons in separate attacks in Bauchi state.

    It was gathered that the first attack occurred in Ningi local government area where four people were said to have been abducted in a fresh attack on some communities.

    Nation reports that Ningi LGA has been vulnerable to attacks in recent times due to its proximity to Lame-Burra Forest Reserve, a hideout for kidnappers.

    Among those abducted are a 20-year-old nursing mother and three males.

    Residents who spoke with our reporter in confidence said one of the attacks occurred on Saturday in Sanger settlement in Kwangoro village.

    It was learnt that one person was reportedly abducted in Kwangoro.

    Another resident said that gunmen invaded Billiri Gorore village in the Lumbu community and kidnapped two persons identified as Alhaji Chibi and Alhaji Siba.

    The gunmen reportedly attacked Yadagungume town on the same Saturday and abducted the 20-year-old nursing mother.

    Details are, however, still sketchy on whether the kidnappers have contacted family members of the captives to demand ransom.

    Similarly in the Gumau community of Toro local government area, two persons were reportedly kidnapped.

    The gunmen were said to have shot to scare residents before whisking the victims away in the wee hours of Saturday.

    Read Also: Gunmen abduct pastor’s wife, two others in Kwara

    The spokesman of the Bauch state police command, Ahmed Wakili, did not respond to messages and calls seeking confirmation of the incidents.

    Reacting to the development, the member Representing Toro Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Dabo Ismail Haruna condemned the recent abduction.

    He said the bandits have returned to terrorize communities through incessant kidnapping for ransom after a respite of time.

     Haruna called on the state governor, Bala Mohammed, and the federal government to urgently order the deployment of more Security agencies in the Toro and Ningi LGAs to fish out the criminals.