The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Gunmen

  • Gunmen kill district head in Zamfara

    Gunmen have killed a district head in Zamfara State in the latest round of attacks by bandits in the state.

    Alhaji Ibrahim Madawaki, the District Head of Kucheri in Tsafe Local Government Area of the state, has been killed.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Muhammad Shehu, confirmed the killing in Gusau yesterday.

    He said some unidentified gunmen invaded Kucheri town at about 9:00 p.m. on Friday, killing him in front of his house.

    He said when the police visited the scene of the crime; they discovered that nothing was removed from his house.

    Police Commissioner Kenneth Ebrimson  has ordered investigation into the incident with a view to apprehending the perpetrators.

    Shehu asked  the public to report the activities of suspected hoodlums promptly, so as to enable the police to effectively tackle the security challenges facing the state.

    Scores of people have been killed in the state over the last few months mainly by people suspected to be cattle rustlers.

    About three weeks ago a frustrated Governor AbdulAziz Yari threatened to hands off his responsibility as chief security officer of the state on the strength of the inability of the security agencies to curb the spate of killings.

    President Muhammadu Buhari subsequently ordered security reinforcement in the state.

  • Gunmen kill seven policemen in Abuja

    …Investigation into the attack ongoing – Force Spokesman

     

    Unindentified gunmen have reportedly killed seven policemen in Galadimawa area in Abuja.

    The attackers were said to have opened fire on the policemen on Monday night when they were stopped by some of the personnel of the Force who were on a stop and search duty in the area.

    The attack also left many civilians injured including one policeman.

    Confirming the attack, the Force Spokesman, Ag. DCP Jimoh Moshood said an investigation has commenced.

    He said: “The attack on Police personnel and killing of seven policemen in Abuja on Monday is an indication that those who are calling for the disbandment or end to SARS are not doing the nation any good.

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    “These are policemen that were attacked and killed by armed robbers and other bandits.

    “When you now begin to call for end to SARS, this is a living witness that police personnel die in the process of protecting Nigerians and it is important that the SARS who are the fighting arm remain.

    “SARS is what the police is using to curb and reduce forms of robbery and criminality in the country.

    “Investigation has commenced fully into this incident and the perpetrators would be prosecuted.”

  • Gunmen abduct monarch’s wife in Ondo

    •Victim escapes from kidnappers’ den

    Gunmen have reportedly kidnapped the wife of Alauga of Auga in Akoko Northeast Local Government Area of Ondo State, Princess Olukemi Agunloye.

    Eyewitness said the incident happened between Auga and Ise-Akoko when the princess was on her way to her home town, Ugbe Akoko.

    Her husband, Oba Samuel Agunloye, said his wife and his driver were seized on Auga-Ise road.

    The abductors were said to have abandoned the vehicle on the road, prompting the passersby to contact the monarch.

    Oba Agunloye said when he called his wife’s mobile phone as well as the driver’s, they had been switched off.

    The chairman of Akoko North East Local Government Area, Rafiu Eniayewu, said residents had been asked to notify his office and the police area command if they notice that strange elements attempt to settle down in the area.

    He said the axis had recently become peaceful and safe for travellers due to police regular patrol of Isua-Ise Auga-Akunu road.

    The Police Area Commander Razak Rauf said he had dispatched his men to rescue the abducted Olori and the driver.

    It was learnt that the abductors had not contacted the family for ransom.

    Also, residents were surprised at the weekend about the escapade of another victim, Jacob Daramola, from kidnappers’ captivity.

    The 50-year-old a school head teacher was reportedly abducted at Orisunbare area of Ikun in Akoko Southwest Local Government Area, while returning from his wife’s shop around 9 p.m.

    Narrating his ordeal, Daramola said: “I did not know that three gunmen were trailing me. As I opened the door to my house, one of them followed me inside and pointed his gun at me. He then asked for my co-operation.

    “The other two men entered my house and covered their faces with masks. They put a chain in my hands and carried me over the fence to an unknown destination inside the bush.

    “When it was getting too cold, they covered me with their pullover and cap. Then, I noticed they had slept off. I tried to unchain myself as I managed to escape.”

    The teacher said this is the new method kidnappers have adopted.

    He urged the people to watch out in the night.

    The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) for Oba-Akoko, Kunle Fabuluje, a Superintendent of Police (SP), said Daramola brought the pullover, cap and chain the hoodlums used to tie him up in the bush to the station.

    He said investigation had begun into the incident, adding that the hoodlums would be arrested.

    Scores of sympathisers besieged Daramola’s house to rejoice with him for escaping from abductors’ captivity.

     

  • Gunmen kill 18 in Adamawa village raid

    Suspected herdsmen on Friday night killed 18 persons during an attack on Dowayan village in Demsa Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

    Many others were wounded during the raid, according to Channelstv.

    Several houses were also burnt and property destroyed.

    Residents said the herdsmen struck around 8 pm.

    Numan, Demsa and Girei Local Governments Areas in Adamawa State have previously been attacked by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen.

    Police Public Relations Officer in Adamawa State, Othman Abubakar, said he had no official information yet about the attack when contacted yesterday.

     

  • Tension as gunmen kill apc member in Ado-Ekiti

    •Party: Ekiti sliding into anarchy

    There is tension ahead of the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti State, following the murder of an All Progressives Congress (APC) member, William Ayegoro (a.k.a. Willy), in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday night.

    Eyewitnesses said Willy was shot in the head by gunmen riding on a motorcycle on Igbehin Street in Atikankan.

    He was rushed to the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), where doctors battled to save his life.

    Willy, who arrived at EKSUTH unconscious, after losing much blood, died early yesterday.

    Eyewitnesses recalled that two men on a motorcyle rode past Willy, but the rider suddenly applied the brakes and one of them shot him in the head several times.

    Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Mr. Caleb Ikechukwu said he had not been briefed on the incident.

    The Ekiti State chapter of the APC has condemned Willy’s murder by those it described as “suspected assassins” and expressed dismay that the state was gradually sliding into anarchy.

    APC spokesman Taiwo Olatunbosun, in a statement said: “It is sad that Ekiti State is sliding into murderous years of Governor Ayodele Fayose’s administration when political killings were the order of the day.”

    Olatunbosun regretted that the People Democratic Party (PDP) was taking the governorship election as a do-or-die matter, as three incidents had been reported in three days that threatened a peaceful poll.

    He said: “We note with sadness the sudden death in the Government House on Tuesday of a PDP member, Tope Onilearo, in circumstances over which the deceased’s family is now crying blue murder.

    “Early yesterday morning, Dr. Wole Oluyede’s hotel was invaded by gunmen issuing threats to the physician.

    “The assailants didn’t leave the hotel premises until they destroyed the billboard Oluyede donated to APC governorship candidate, Dr Kayode Fayemi, to be followed in the night by gun attack on Willy, who was confirmed dead at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti.

    “In totality, we condemn these incidents coming shortly after reports were rife that Governor Fayose had allegedly imported armed assailants to the state to attack the opposition.

    “We call on the security agencies to investigate these incidents to get to the root of the matter and bring the perpetrators to justice.

    “But we warn that our party will not be intimidated by all these violent attacks to cow our members. We say no to needless blood-letting that PDP is instigating in desperate bid to retain power.

    “Ekiti people in the last three years have been able to know who loves them between our candidate, Dr Kayode Fayemi, and Governor Ayodele Fayose, who is desperate to install Prof. Kolapo Olusola as governor to realise his continuity dream.

    “Ekiti people have made up their minds to vote against an oppressive system run by Fayose and there is no amount of intimidation that will distract APC from ensuring that Ekiti people have a peaceful election that will return our candidate as governor so that our people can return to the peace and security they enjoyed during Fayemi’s first term between 2010 and 2014.”

  • Gunmen abduct wife of Appeal Court judge

    Gunmen have adducted the wife of an Appeal court judge, Justice Tine Tur.

    Justice Tur is of Enugu Division of the Court of Appeal.

    His wife was reported adducted on Katsina Ala – Zakibiam road in Benue state.

    She was said to heading towards Zaki Biam when the incident occurred.

    The gunmen waylaid the vehicle she was driving in and drove away in their escape car to unknown destination.

    The incident shocked many people especially those close to the jurist described as a perfect gentleman.

    Benue State police command was yet to get information about the incident as at press time.

     

  • Gunmen abduct 23 travellers in Kaduna

    Bandits operating in Birnin-Gwari axis of Kaduna State on Friday kidnapped 23 travellers including a nursing mother.

    Five vehicles were raided by the marauders, according to a commercial driver, Mohamed Kebi, who escaped from the scene of the kidnapping.

    Kebi said: “At least five vehicles were intercepted by kidnappers along Birnin-Gwari-Kaduna road around 11.00am this morning.

    “At least 23 people were kidnapped, including a nursing mother and one other kid. “The incident occurred at Kwanar-tsauni between Udawa and Labi.”

    He said though security along the Funtua road has improved lately, “we want the government to also provide maximum security to other routes that are haven of kidnappers.”

  • Prison Break: Two killed as gunmen attack Niger prison

    ….10 escapees rearrested

     

    Unknown gunmen on Sunday night attacked the Minna Medium Security Prison killing a Prison Warden and a motorcycle driver.

    The attack which occurred about 8pm lasted for more than one hour during a heavy downpour of rain.

    The Prison Warden identified as Shekarau was said to be reporting for night duty when the gunmen struck, he was killed along with the motorcycle driver who dropped him at the entrance of the prisons gate.

    A visit by The Nation to the prison showed the fresh blood stains in the spot where the deceased were killed.

    The Prisons Public Relations Officer (PRO), Rabiu Shuiabu disclosed that the gunmen attacked the prison and gained access after exchange of fire with prison armed men.

    He disclosed that 10 escapees have been rearrested but refused to give details of the number of prisoners who were in the prisons before the prison break or those at large.

    “The Prison authority in Minna is profiling the number of fleeing inmates to ascertain the escaped prisoners. However, normalcy has returned and security agencies are working together to ensure that fleeing inmates are recaptured.”

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    The Nation gathered that 16 prisoners returned on their own after the attack.

    Speaking to some community dwellers in Kafin -Tella B in Tunga area, it was learnt that the gunmen had arrived earlier before the attack as they told everyone to go into their houses.

    Mohammed Umar, one of the people living close to the prison said that the gunmen came at about 7.45pm and ordered everybody to go inside telling them that if they did not obey, they will not be blamed for any death.

    “They were divided into many groups and they came in a Hilux van, a Honda Civic and Golf. There may have been more but those were the ones I saw.

    “Immediately after we were ordered in, Shekarau came with a bike and they started with him. The shooting went on for more than one hour. We were very scared. Everywhere was shaking; it was difficult to identify the kind of gun they were using because it was of different sounds, some sounded like thunder.

    “It was if they were shooting outside my door. We all hid ourselves; nobody dared to come out even after the shooting stopped. ”

    Umar then disclosed that after the incident, some of the prisoners returned disclosing that they that the returnees explained that they had to run away in order for them not to be killed by the gunmen.

    The Niger state Governor and the Minister of Interior are expected to visit the prison.

     

  • Three killed by gunmen in Plateau attack

    Unknown gunmen on Friday night invaded Kura Falls community in Gashish District, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, killing three residents.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Mr. Terna Tyopev, who confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Jos said the attack occurred on Friday night and yesterday morning.

    “We received information this morning at about 7 a.m. that residents of Kura Falls were attacked at about 9:30 p.m. and the early hours of Saturday by unknown gunmen,” he said.

    “This resulted in the death of three persons identified as Dawala Bullet, 30; Fidelis Richard, 31; and Iliya Doro, 60.

    “We have mobilised to the area to ensure normalcy and quell any further attack and breach of the law,” Tyopev said.

    The PPRO said investigations were ongoing to track and arrest the perpetrators who must be made to face Justice.

     

  • Gunmen abduct wife of retired Agip employee

    Gunmen in military uniform have kidnapped Madam Walama Otikiri, a 60-year-old wife of a prominent chief and retired senior employee of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC).

    It was gathered that the woman was whisked away from her residence in Twon Brass, Brass Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

    It was learnt the incident, which occurred at the weekend between 10pm and 11pm threw the Sambo-Ama, Twon-Brass Community into confusion.

    The abductors were said to have shot sporadically into the air for 30 minutes to scare residents before whisking their target to an unknown place.

    Sources said the abduction came a few days after an in-law to a member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Israel Sunny-Goli, was released by his abductors.

    The gunmen were said to have gained access to the community on two speedboats.

    Confirming the development, Sunny-Goli, who represents Brass Constituency 1, condemned the abduction.

    He described the incident as malicious, senseless and called for her immediate release.

    He said: “Kidnapping has become the greatest monster bedeviling us as a people and it is now imperative that we sit together on a roundtable to discuss how best we can bring it into extinction.

    “As far as I know, kidnapping remains an alien tendency that must not be indulged in by any well-meaning individual regardless of the pecuniary benefits it may yield.”