The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Gunmen

  • Zamfara hit again by gunmen, 15 killed

    Fifteen residents of Zamfara State have been killed in the latest raid by rampaging gunmen in the state.

    Hit this time is Zakuna village in Anka Local Government area, the police said yesterday.

    The mass murder came barely a week after the killing of 26 people in some communities in Gidangoga District of Maradun Local Government Area.

    The Public Relations Officer of the Zamfara State Police Command, DSP Muhammad Shehu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday that unknown gunmen attacked Zakuna in the early hours of Friday, killing residents.

    They also stole cows.

    According to him, a vigilance group known as Yansakai challenged the rustlers, forcing them to flee only for the bandits to reinforce and attack the village, killing 15 people.

    “On receiving the reports of the attack, the police mobilised to the village and discovered 15 bodies, majority of who were Yansakai.

    “The police have, however, deployed heavy security to the area to maintain peace and stability.

    “Bush combing and rigorous patrol are being carried out throughout the area by the police to avoid further loss of lives.” Shehu said that the Commissioner of Police, Mr Kenneth Ebrimson, had ordered discreet investigation on the latest incident to catch the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

    He pleaded with communities in the state not to relent in providing information to security operatives to end the deadly attacks.

    The state has seen repeated attacks in recent times that have left scores dead.

     

  • Gunmen kill two in Plateau

    Two persons – Geoffrey Jangwok and Sylvester Ishaya – were killed on Monday when gunmen attacked Kakuruk, Gashish District in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

    The attack occured about 9 pm and residents said the gunmen were Fulani militia.

    A community leader was attacked at the same spot last week, and although he escaped, his car and house were burnt.

    Police spokesman Tyopev Terna, who confirmed the attack, said he is not aware of any death.

    He said: “I know there was an attack last night (Monday) but I’ve not been told if anyone died.”

  • Gunmen kill market chief in Benue

    Suspected gunmen have killed the chief of Katsina Ala township market Godwin Gbagir in Katsina Ala local government area of Benue State.

    Police spokesman Moses Yamu, a Deputy Superintendent of  Police, confirmed the killing and said a manhunt has been launched for the perpetrators.

    An eyewitness and President of Sankera Development Association (SADA) Gboko branch, Hon. Teryila Asom, told our correspondent  the gunmen stormed the residence of the late Market chief at about 2 am on a motorcycle and shot him to death.

    Asom said the gunmen asked him if he was Godwin and he answered in the affirmative and they immediately open fire on him and escaped.

    Police spokesman said eight empty shells of AK- 47 ammunition were recovered from the scene.

    Katsina ala town is the headquarters of Benue north – east senatorial district and has been recording killings almost on daily basis since 2015 general election.

     

  • Gunmen attack helipad in Bayelsa

    Gunmen have attacked a helipad belonging to the Air Force in Igbogene, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

    The Nation learnt an airman at the security post was killed in the attack, which occurred on Sunday morning.

    The hoodlums, who reportedly scaled the helipad’s fence, were said to have stolen the victim’s rifle.

    The helicopter landing site at Igbogene is surrounded by overgrown vegetation and trees, a situation, sources said, made it an easy target for attack.

    The helipad is a preferred landing site for high-profile visitors to Bayelsa State, including security chiefs.

    A source, who described the attack as terrible and daring, said the gunmen, after scaling the fence, shot dead the airman.

    The source, who spoke in confidence, said the second guard was not in the helipad when the hoodlums struck.

    He said: “The helipad is surrounded by bush. So it was easy for the gunmen to attack it. When they came, they killed the airman at the security post and took his rifle. When the second airman heard the gunshot, he rushed to the scene and saw his colleague lying dead.”

    The source advised security operatives to be on the alert, as the general election was approaching.

    “Activities for the 2019 elections have started and hoodlums are looking for weapons. This is one of the ways they go about it. Security operatives should increase their alertness,” he said.

    The Airforce headquarters confirmed the attack, saying personnel on duty repelled it.

    Spokesman Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya said the incident occurred on Sunday morning.

    It said: “Although the Air Force personnel on duty repelled the attack, an airman paid the supreme sacrifice in the process.

    “The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has ordered investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident.”

  • Police rescue abducted driver on Ondo road

    Four days after he was abducted by suspected gunmen near Oba-Akoko along Owo-Ikare road in Ondo state, the abducted Lagos-bound commercial driver Tuesday regained his freedom from captivity.

    Sources said police men in Akoko axis led by the Area Commander, Razak Rauf reinforced to ensure the release of the Benue state commercial bus driver, Omale Idola

    He was kidnapped on Saturday between Ayegunle Oka and Oba- Akoko while he parked to urinate.

    The father of the victim, Francis who is a retired police officer Francis Idola from Okpoga, Benue state was full of praises to the police for their expertise in handling the incident which aided safe release of his son.

    On the payment of N5m ransom which the kidnappers demanded as precondition to free Omale, his father refused to disclose the amount but admitted that the gunmen took some money.

    Confirming the release of the Driver, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Oba-Akoko, Olakunle Fabolude, a Superintendent of Police (SP) said he was rescued safely.

    Read Also: Pastor in police net for propagating hate speech

  • Gunmen attack Anglican bishop

    Gunmen, on Sunday, attacked the Anglican Bishop of Makurdi, Rev. N.N. Inyom, at Kera, near Gondozua Village, on Zaki-Biam Road.

    The incident occurred about 1:45 pm.

    Rev.  Inyom was with his wife, Becky, Chaplain Rev. Cletus Iorliam and two others.

    A statement by the Diocesan Communicator, Terna Umah, said nobody was hurt.

    But the bandits took away the car (a gold Lexus SUV RSH 668 AM ABUJA).

    The statement urged the people to give the police information leading to arrest, and recovery of the vehicle.

     

  • Gunmen attack Anglican Bishop

    Unknown gunmen on Sunday attacked the Anglican Bishop of Makurdi, Rt. Rev. N.N. Inyom at Kera after Gondozua Village along Zaki-Biam Road in Benue State.

    The Bishop was in company of his wife Mrs. Becky Inyom, the Bishop’s Chaplain, Rev. Cletus Iorliam and two others when the incidence occurred at about 1:45pm.

    A statement by the Diocesan Communicator Terna Umah said that though the Bishop, his wife and the other members were not hurt, the bandits took away his car.

    Members of the public were urged to give the Police useful information that will lead to the arrest and recovery of the vehicle which is a gold colored Lexus Jeep with number RSH 668 AM ABUJA.

  • Gunmen kill Dickson’s aide in Bayelsa

    An aide to Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson has been killed by gunmen believed to be assassins.

    Ebikimi Okoringa, who was recently inaugurated a Special Adviser to Dickson was shot dead at his hometown in Kolokuma-Opokuma Local Government Area of the state.

    The victim, a two-time councillor and former local government Acting Chairman was attacked and killed at about 10pm on Monday.

    A community source, who spoke in confidence, said the suspected assassins laid an ambush close to his house and shot him immediately he alighted from his car.

    “They waited for him in the cover of darkness. Immediately he alighted from his car and walked towards his door, they released the first bullet.

    “The bullet tore his hand but he started running to escape from the scene. The assailants chased him to a point where he fell down. At a close range to pump many bullets into his body”, he said.

    The source said the killers ensured their victim was dead before they left him and fled the area.

    Though the motive behind the dastardly act could not be ascertained, it was gathered that the incident jolted other cabinet members of the governor.

    Police spokesman Asinim Butswat could not be reached for his comments.

     

  • Gunmen kill two in Makurdi

    Gunmen last night killed two people in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

    The state has been at the centre of killings since the beginning of the year.

    The Tiv social – Cultural Organisation Mzough – U- Tiv raised the alarm on Saturday, on a plan to attack Makurdi.

    The killings occurred around 6pm at Welfare Quarters located on the Makurdi- Otukpo road.

    The attackers stormed the area from Mobile Barrack axis, it was learnt.

    The killings sent shock waves around the town as people were seen running helter skelter.

    The Police did not respond to request for comment as at press time.

  • Gunmen kill seven in another Benue church attack

    For the second time this week, gunmen yesterday struck in a Benue State church, killing people and injuring others. They also set many houses on fire.

    Although the number of those killed could not be verified last night, seven bodies had been recovered from the scene of horror – The African Church in Mbamondo, Ukember Agya in Logo Local Government Area.

    On Tuesday, gunmen struck at a Catholic Church in Gwer East Local Government where they killed two priests and 11 worshippers during a dawn mass.

    An eyewitness,James Iorlaha, who escaped the attack, said on telephone that the attackers  stormed the  settlement at about 12.22am,  shooting sporadically at those  who were asleep in the church and in nearby primary school buildings.

    Most of the victims are believed to be Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who took refuge at the church and primary school buildings having escaped from their community because of insecurity.

    “The marauders killed the people and sacked the entire village, They also proceeded to Zaki Biam/ Wukari road, mounted road blocks where they robbed motorcyclists, an eyewitness said.

    Logo Local Government Chairman Richard Nyajor confirmed the attack.

    He said: “The actual number of casualties may not be known yet but so far, we have recovered about seven bodies and we are still searching for more. These killers have taken over our entire area.

    “I want to use this medium to call on the Federal Government to intensify effort and bring these mindless killings to an ends.”

    Police spokesman Moses Yamu said he was yet to get the details of the attack.