The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Gunmen

  • Two mobile policemen killed, rifles taken by gunmen in Delta

    There was palpable tension all through Friday and Saturday around Usiefurun Road area of Orhuwhorun town, Udu council area of Delta state, following the killing of two mobile policemen by unknown gunmen.
    The mobile policemen, who were on guard duty in the area, were murdered by suspected criminals, who took their riffles away and left several residents of the area with various degrees of gunshot injuries.
    However, residents of the area started fleeing their home on Friday after reportedly being threatened by colleagues of the fallen policemen while demanding that the perpetrators be found and handed over to police authorities or they would visit their anger on whoever they lay their hands on.
    One of the residents of the area, who spoke under conditions of anonymity, said he and his family, just like most other residents of the area, deserted their home since Friday and had been taking refuge in separate abodes.
    “My wife and the children are with my in-laws since yesterday (Friday), while I have since been in my cousin’s place in town (Warri). Our landlord also left with his family. He said so long as they don’t burn his house, he will return when everything has returned to normal.
    “People are running away because that later that evening when other policemen came they were very angry and were threatening that they would start killing people if the community failed to produce the killers and the rifles. They also went to the palace of the traditional ruler and asked him to produce the rifles”, the community source said.
    Meanwhile, when reached, the spokesman of the Delta state police command, DSP Andrew Aniamaka, said the command was already on the trail of the perpetrators, adding that there would be no rest until the killers are brought to justice.
    “We are on the trail of the criminals who carried this act out and shall not rest until we bring them to justice.
    “There’s no way any police personnel will threaten the people because without the people, there can’t the a police force; we only exist because there’s a people. I must plead, though, that people with credible information about how these criminals can be arrested should volunteer such information. You and I know that those who collected those rifles did not take them for nothing, they definitely want to use them to further do harm to innocent people,” he said.

  • Gunmen kidnap Plateau traditional ruler

    Gunmen have kidnapped the paramount ruler of Dorok Chiefdom, the Longdorok, His Royal Highness David Isah Dongbam.

    Plateau State Police Command said the monarch was abducted about 10pm on Monday.

    A statement by spokesman Terna Tyopev said: “On November 19, about 2200hrs, the Plateau State Police Command received information that gunmen stormed the palace of the Longdorock, HRH David Isah Dongbam, the second-class chief of Dorock Kingdom in Shandam Local Government Area of Plateau State and kidnapped him, taking him to an unknown place.

    “After receiving the information, the command formed a search team, which is working hard to rescue the monarch.”

    Read also: UNDP sensitises Plateau youths against violent extremism

    Although the police did not give details of how he was abducted, The Nation learnt that the traditional ruler was kidnapped from his palace at gunpoint.

    It was gathered that the monarch, in his late 70s, had ruled the chiefdom for about 30 years. He was said to have assumed the throne after retiring from the state civil service as a permanent secretary. He was the general manager of the state Water Board before becoming a traditional ruler.

    The Chairman of Shendam Local Government, Alex Naantuam, expressed shock about the incident.

    He appealed to security agencies to rescue the traditional ruler.

  • Gunmen kill policeman in Delta

    •Rifles, pistol stolen

    Gunmen have killed a police officer during a shooting at a police checkpoint in Asaba, Delta State.

    The Nation gathered that the policemen were on stop and search duty.

    It was learnt that the gunmen stole two rifles and a pistol belonging to the policemen.

    The Nation gathered that other policemen sustained injuries.

    An eyewitness said there were sporadic shootings during the attack.

    Police Commissioner Mustafa Muhammadu confirmed the attack.

    He said: “The incident occurred between 7pm and 8 pm. A policeman died during the attack. The gunmen carted away two rifles and a pistol. We are investigating the attack. I assure you that we will get to the root of the matter.”

     

  • Femi Adebayo recounts ordeals with gunmen

    NOLLYWOOD actor and Special Adviser to Governor of Kwara State, Femi Adebayo, took to his Instagram page during the week to share a horrible experience he had with two gunmen in Lagos.

    He said two heavily armed men approached his vehicle but he was let unhurt.

    “I thank God for His protection over me and mine. I Know my Job comes with its risk. Working as an actor and politician requires my regular movement,” he wrote.

    “Today, Just at the U-Turn coming from CMD Magodo Around 7up, heading towards Ojota, my vehicle was accosted by men in a Toyota Corolla. They crossed my vehicle at the U-Turn. 2 men alighted from the vehicle bearing ak47s.

    “They tried to force the doors open. They kept hitting my car with the butt of their gun. In the process, they broke the door handle and left dents on different parts of my vehicle. All these happened in full view of other vehicles and other individuals passing by. In the short time, this happened, no one came to help. The guys were obviously not policemen; they didn’t wear any insigna of the force.

    “They wore plain clothes and had extra guts to perform this act during the day at about 12 noon. Their assumption will have been that I was in the vehicle but my driver was the only one enroute to my location. With swiftness, he was able to maneuver and speed off. I thank God for keeping him. We are all still shocked at this but grateful to God that no life was lost in the process.

  • Gunmen kill father, abduct daughter

    Gunmen yesterday killed Alhaji Nasiru Maimasara before kidnapping his daughter at Gachi quarters in Kankia Local Government of Katsina State.

    Sources told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the incident occurred about 2am.

    “When the gunmen invaded the area, they started shooting sporadically, while moving to the victims’ home at Gachi quarters,” the source told NAN, pleading anonymity.

    “The hoodlums shot the victim when he attempted to run, and went away with his daughter.

    Read also: Suspected gunmen abduct varsity lecturer

    “The victim was later taken to Kankia General Hospital where he was confirmed dead,” the source said.

    Maimasara has been buried, while the house was filled with sympathisers when a NAN correspondent arrived there at noon.

    Mr. Gambo Isa, spokesman for the police command, who confirmed the incident, described it as unfortunate.

    He said the command was making efforts to apprehend the criminals.

    “We have deployed personnel from the State Investigation Bureau (SIB) and Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) to arrest the culprits,” Isa told NAN.

  • Gunmen kidnap seaman in Delta

    Abductors of a seaman, Kola Omoniyi, have demanded N4 million ransom.

    The Nation learnt that Omoniyi was abducted by gunmen on the Sapele-Warri Expressway in Delta State on October 29.

    Omoniyi, who was said to be attending a course at the Navy College of Engineering, Sapele, was reportedly on his way to Warri, driving his Toyota Picnic car, when the armed men kidnapped him.

    It could not be ascertained last night the naval unit Omoniyi worked with, as those who ought to give information about his status were evasive.

    Read also: Gunmen in military uniform attack Taraba communities

    While officers contacted at the NNS Delta in Warri refused to answer reporters’ questions, saying the incident had nothing to do with the base, the person reached at Sapele naval base could not volunteer information.

    At press time, men of the Delta State Police Command were still searching for the victim.

    Spokesman for the naval college, Sub. Lt. L. Gotodok, said he was not in a position to speak on the issue.

    He directed our reporter to the institution’s director of Administrations.

    Police spokesman Andrew Aniamaka confirmed that Omoniyi K.D. was abducted on Monday.

    He said efforts were on to rescue him.

  • Gunmen shoot Ekiti lawmaker

    A member of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Mr. Michael Adedeji, is now battling for life after being shot in the head by unknown gunmen yesterday. Adedeji was waylaid in the early hours of the daywhile traveling along Ikere-Akure Road by the gunmen who opened fire as he made an attempt to escape from the scene. The lawmaker who represents Ekiti Southwest Constituency 2 was rushed to the Accident and Emergency Unit of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) for intensive care. He was later referred to Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti (FETHI) where is he is expected to undergo neurosurgery in a bid to save his life. When our reporter visited EKSUTH to confirm Adedeji’s admission at the Accident and Emergency Unit, a staff member said: “He hasbeen transferred to Ido Ekiti.

    The bullets hit him in the head and he would have to undergo neurosurgery as soon as possible”. The Ekiti Assembly Deputy Speaker, Mr. Segun Adewumi, described the attack on Adedeji as unfortunate. Adewumi in a telephone chat said his colleague hadbeen taken to FETHI, where he would have access to CT scanning of his head. Adewumi said: “When he was accosted on the way, the lawmaker wanted to flee the scene by putting his car on reverse gear but these evil men opened fire on his vehicle and the bullets hit him on the head. “He was immediately taken to hospital in Ado Ekiti where he received emergency treatment.” Police spokesman, Mr. Caleb Ikechukwu, said the incident had not been brought to his notice. Ikechukwu said: “We have not been officially briefed but when we have the information, we shall act appropriately.”

    The Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Mr. Adeniran Alagbada, asked the Police to immediately investigate the attack on Adedeji. The Speaker condemned the attack, noting that Adedeji was an easy going individual and undeserving of such attack. Alagbada said lawmakers have been receiving threats from unnamed individuals since the recent change of leadership in the Assembly. An ally of former Governor Ayo Fayose and a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) member, Mr. Kola Oluwawole, was removed as Speaker and replaced with Alagbada, an All Progressives Congress (APC) member. The change was effected barely four days to the inauguration of new governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

    The Speaker reminded the Nigerian police and relevant agencies of its core duty to ensure security of lives and properties of all residents of the state and ensure that the culprits are fished out following due investigation. Alagbada prayed for Adedeji’s quick recovery and prayed that he would soon join his colleagues at the Assembly to perform his legislative duties. He added that the House would not be deterred by the incident and remains committed towards ensuring the growth of Ekiti constituents through adequate and appropriate representation and legislation.

  • Gunmen abduct two workers of Nasarawa Broadcasting Service

    Gunmen suspected to be kidnapers have reportedly abducted two workers of the Keffi outstation of the state-owned media organisation, the Nasarawa Broadcasting Service (NBS).

    It was learnt that the incident occurred at 10 p.m last Saturday when the victims closed from work.

    Police spokesman Idirissu John-Kennedy, a Superintendent of Police (SP), said the matter was reported at the Keffi Divisional Police headquarters.

    He said the two NBS workers – Mr. Jerry Jojo-Gana and Mr. Friday Uboh (aka Why Me) – were abducted and taken to an unknown destination.

    John-Kennedy said: “The matter was reported at Keffi Divisional Police headquarters that two workers of NBS Keffi were kidnapped at 10 p.m on October 20.”

    According to him, the police immediately started investigation on the incident to ensure that the victims were released.

    The spokesman urged the public to cooperate with the police to rescue the victims and bring their abductors to justice.

    He also urged the NBS and families of the victims to exercise patience, saying the police were working round the clock to free the men.

    John-Kennedy assure the residents that tight security measures had been put in place to ensure the safety of the people in the 13 local government areas and 18 local council development areas (LCDAs) in the state.

     

  • Gunmen allegedly kill pastors, female member

    Gunmen last weekend allegedly killed the pastors of a new generation church, the Winds of Glory, located at Ohokobe village in Umuahia North Local Government of Abia State.

    A female member was also allegedly murdered.

    Residents of Umuobia Housing Estate, Olokoro and members of the church mourned as the decomposing bodies of the pastors and the female member were evacuated from the pastor’s home in Umuobia, Olokoro.

    Last night, the police were yet to issue a statement on the incident.

    The deceased were identified as Pastor Blessed Kelechi, his assistant, Pastor Kalu Ikeagwu, and Ruth Andrew, the female member, who was the womAn leader.

    It was gathered the evacuation team was led by Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department, Patrick Edung.

    The Nation learnt the bodies were discovered when members, who were worried about their pastor, went to his home to find out what happened.

    They were shocked to find the bodies.

    A source alleged the gunmen stole the pastor’s belongings, including his car.

    The police have reportedly cordoned off the crime scene and have begun investigation.

     

  • Gunmen kidnap traditional ruler, wife in Kaduna

    Gunmen on Friday kidnapped the traditional ruler of Adara Chiefdom in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Mr. Maiwada Galadima, and his wife on Kaduna/Kachia road.

    Mr. Ibrahim Yakubu, a son in-law to the Chief, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the police orderly to the traditional ruler was killed in the process.

    He explained that the Chief and his wife were taken away while returning to Kachia from Kaduna.

    “The kidnappers stopped the Chief’s vehicle at a military check point at Idon and shot his police orderly,” Yakubu said.

    “Immediately, they took the Chief and his wife into the bush leaving behind two of his drivers, his daughter and a granddaughter.”

    Efforts to get police confirmation proved abortive as Mr Yakubu Sabo, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Kaduna Police Command was yet to pick telephone calls.