The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Gunmen

  • Gunmen kill two priests, 14 worshippers at mass

    Youths protest in Makurdi

    Buhari: we’ll hunt down killers

    Akume condemns killings

    it was another bloody day in Benue State yesterday.

    Gunmen, suspected to be herdsmen, killed two Catholic priests and 14 others in two attacks.

    In the first attack, they invaded St Ignatius Quasi Parish, Ukpor Mbalon, Gwer Local Government Area, at dawn during a mass, shooting dead the priests and 11 parishioners.

    They killed three other people later.

    Police Commisioner Fatai Owoseni said the gunmen “attacked worshippers around 5 a.m. during morning Mass”. “Other victims were killed during a burial ceremony later in the day.”

    He described the attacks as “unfortunate” and vowed to fish out the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

    Owoseni said that preliminary investigation revealed that the herdsmen had stayed around the area for sometime before carrying out the attacks. The commissioner said more policemen had been deployed in the area to forestall further attacks.

    The attackers sacked the village, setting ablaze 35 houses.

    The Catholic Diocese of Makurdi gave the names of its slain priests as Rev. Fathers Joseph Gor and Felix Tyolaha of St Ignatius Quasi Parish, Ukpor.

    A statement by its Director of Communications, Rev. Fr. Moses Iorapuu, said that the attacks were perpetrated by herdsmen who stormed Mbalom and killed the two priests during the morning mass.

    The diocese expressed regrets at what it described as the nonchalant attitude of the security agencies in containing the killings.

    It said the herdsmen burnt down houses, destroyed crops and killed people.

    The church urged the authorities to stop the killings in the Benue valley.

    Iorapuu said the Diocese had been providing food and relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) since the beginning of the violence in the state and wondered why it could be a target of attacks.

    “The attacks on the priests are attacks on everything that we ever stood for and believed in,” he added.

    Rev. Fr. Mbachie and Igyor who were at the Benue State Police Command headquarters after conveying the priests’ bodies to the mortuary, said the attackers escaped unchallenged and there was no security man to confront them. Worshippers fled the scene for their dear lives.

    It was learnt that when youthsin Makurdi, the state capital, saw the body of one of the slain priests being brought to St Theresa’s Hospital Mortuary without its head, they got angry and took to the streets in protest.

    The protest forced traders to shut down the popular Wurukum market. Banks and other business premises were hurriedly shut. Parents withdrew their children from schools.

    The popular Katsina Ala Street, Igyor Chia Ayu Road and Makurdi – Gboko was deserted as residents trekked many kilometres to their destinations.

    Fr. Iyorapuu wondered why despite the heavy presence of the Police ,the Navy, Army and Air Force in Makurdi and Benue State, the killings had continued unabated  sine the beginning of the year.

    Governor Samuel Ortom has cut short his vacation in China. He is on his way back home.

    There were killings also last week in Logo, Guma, Makurdi and Naka by suspected Fulani militia.

    Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Terver Akase said the governor would return to Makurdi “any moment from now because of the security challenge.

    Former Governor George Akume condemned the killings. In a statement, the senator said:  ”Today, April 24, 2018, I received the tragic news of the brutal killing of two Reverend Fathers, Joseph Gor and Felix Tyolaha, VC, Mr. John Ibor – Catechist and over 17 lay faithful of St. Ignatius Quasi Parish, Ukpo, Mbalom in Gwer Local Government Area of Benue State. The victims were in the Church for the morning mass when they were attacked and killed by rampaging herdsmen.

    “This treacherous and inhuman action is unprecedented, unprovoked and highly condemnable in any civilised society. However, we seek solace in the fact that they died in the Lord and shall live with the Lord. May their blood usher in a new era of peace, love, tranquillity and progress in Benue State.

    “On behalf of my family and the good people of the Benue North-West Senatorial District, I wish to express my sincere condolences to the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi and families of the victims of the latest acts of banditry and brazen criminality in our society. I also sympathize with those who have suffered varying degrees of injury as a result of the mayhem and pray for their quick recovery.

    “I also use this opportunity to call on Federal Government to urgently help bring a decisive end to the cycle of violence, destruction and killings in Benue State by ensuring that the perpetrators are apprehended and brought to justice.

    “Let me urge our people to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities to constituted authorities, be law abiding and avoid taking the law into their hands. Security is our collective responsibility and the people are hereby called upon to support the government and work hand in hand with the security agencies to make it an attainable reality.

    “May the souls of the faithful departed through the Mercy God rest in peace.”

     

    Buhari: we’ll hunt down killers

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday described as “vile and satanic” the killing of worshippers and two priests at a Catholic church in Ukpor-Mbalom community in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Femi Adesina, the President said: “I extend my sincere condolences to the government and people of Benue State, the Mbalom community, and especially the Bishop, priests and members of the St Ignatius’ Catholic Church, whose premises was the unfortunate venue of the heinous killings by gunmen.

    “This latest assault on innocent persons is particularly despicable. Violating a place of worship, killing priests and worshippers is not only vile, evil and satanic, it is clearly calculated to stoke up religious conflict and plunge our communities into endless bloodletting,” the President said.

    Stressing that the country will not bow to the machinations of evildoers, President Buhari vowed that the assailants would be hunted down and made to pay for the sacrilege committed.

  • Gunmen abduct expatriate, kill policeman in Kano

    Unknown gunmen on Monday killed a policeman and abducted an engineer with Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company Limited in Kano.

    Eyewitnesses said the incident occurred at 7:45 a.m. on Monday morning in the Kano metropolis.

    He said the gunmen who came in a black VW Golf first shot at the police escort, who was in the car guarding the expatriate.

    After killing the policeman, the gunmen kidnapped the expatriate engineer who is supervising the road construction work in on Ring Road in the Kano metropolis,” the eyewitness said.

    A security man, guarding the construction company equipment, Abubakar Sani Muhammad, told The Nation that the incident occurred when they were about commencing the day’s activities.

    “The three gunmen started shooting sporadically immediately they arrived the area and shot the mobile policeman attached to the abducted engineer. A stray bullet hit a truck driver in the area,” Muhammad said.

    The Spokesman of the Kano State Police Command, Magaji Musa Majia, confirmed the incident in a statement on Monday afternoon.

    He said: “The Kano State Police Command is displeased to inform the general public of an ugly incident which occurred today, Monday 16th April, 2018 at about 0745hrs along Sabon Titi Madobi Road, Kano, where an armed gang of five men in a motor vehicle ambushed and opened fire on a motor vehicle conveying the staff of Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company going to a construction site.”

    “The attackers killed one police sergeant attached to Special Protection Unit (SPU) on Escort duty and abducted Mr. Michael Cremza, a German national working with the company.

    The state Police Commissioner, Rabiu Yusuf, has since deployed powerful team of operatives and detectives to cordon the axis with a view to arresting the culprits and rescue the victim.”

     

     

  • Gunmen kill Syrian businessman, abduct son in Kano

    Gunmen have killed a Syrian businessman, Ahmed Abu Areeda in Kano State, it was learnt yesterday. His son, Muhammad Ahmed, was kidnapped.

    Eyewitnesses said Areeda was killed on Tuesday when he went to the Red Cross office on Hospital road to pick his car. He went with two of his sons.

    “He closed his shop about 8 pm and went to pick his car at the Red Cross office compound. But unfortunately, the gunmen were waiting for him in a green Peugeot with tinted glass.

    “Some of them followed him into the compound, shot him and abducted one of his sons.”

    The second son was said to have ran to the shop to inform their neighbours.

    Police spokesman Magaji Musa Majia, who confirmed the incident, said: “It was a case of suspected kidnappers, who came to abduct a boy and in the process killed his father.”

    Majia said no arrest had been made, adding that the whereabouts of the abducted boy is still unknown.

    He added that investigation has begun.

  • Gunmen kill another Pastor in Edo

    Senior Pastor of the Christ Chosen Church of God, Oranmiyan branch, Pastor Benson Iyobosa Isibor, has been killed by yet to be identified gunmen.

    This is coming one week after one Pastor Pius Eromosele was abducted and killed by suspected herdsmen at his farm.

    Late Pastor Isibor was killed on Monday evening at about 7pm while he was returning from work.

    He was shot dead at his residence at Oramiyan Street in Egor local government area.

    Witnesses said the gunmen lurked around the area until the pastor returned from work when they attacked him.

    The late Pastor was said to have been accosted by the gunmen as he was about to enter his house and they inquired if he was Pastor Isibor.

    It was learnt that Pastor Isibor answered in the affirmative before he was shot three times.

    Attempt by the gunmen to made away with the late Pastor’s jeep failed as the car rammed into the perimeter fencing of the building.

    When our reporter visited the residence, scores of sympathizers and church members were seen weeping.

    Eldest daughter of the deceased, Mrs. Rosemary Abu, described her late father as her best friend who could confide in her.

    Mrs. Rosemary said she was also returning from work when she heard three gunshots without knowing it was her father that was killed.

    She said, “The incident happened before 7pm. I was climbing the stairs when I heard the first gunshot. I saw people running for safety.

    “I later heard two other gunshots. It armed robbers were in the area. It was my brother that came and told me that my father was on the ground.

    “We met him dead. After they killed him, they took his car but they hit the fence and ran away.

    “My father was posted to this branch in 2014. Last two years, he said he received a text message from some persons that they want to kidnap him.he reported the matter to the police.

    “The killers were waiting for my father. It was not a case of kidnapping. I want these killers to die the way my father was killed.

    State Commissioner of Police, Babatunde Kokumo, confirmed the killings and said it was a case murder.

    Kokumo assured that the police will fish out the killers.

    Read Also: One killed as gunmen invade Edo community

  • Gunmen kill 14 in Jos, Nasarawa villages

    Gunmen killed eight persons yesterday night in a drinking joint at Nding in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

    James Danjuma, who escaped the attack, said there were 20 people at the bar.

    He said: “I escaped because I just stepped aside to answer a phone call. Suddenly, I heard gun shots and I ran as fast as I could from the scene. I only returned 10 minutes after the gunmen left and met the bodies of my friends.”

    Police spokesman Tyopev Terna said five persons died instantly while two of those rushed to hospital died before daybreak.

    Terna added that investigation has begun.

    At the village, relatives were preparing to bury the victims.

    Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen at the weekend killed about six persons in Jimin Nyaku, Aloshi Chiefdom, and Guidan Ayua in Keana Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

    The Nation gathered that the incident occurred about 6 pm on Saturday evening.

    A father and his son were murdered at Jimin Nyaku while four were killed at Gidan Ayua on Sunday.

    Terwase Adagher, who escaped, said the gunmen, on a reprisal, appeared from a nearby bush and opened fire on the victims.

    He said: “We were sitting in the compound at Gidan Ayua yesterday (Sunday) about 7pm when some herdsmen, armed with sophisticated weapons, appeared from a nearby bush and started shooting sporadically. I escaped by God’s grace but four of my relations died.”

    President of Tiv Youth Organisation in Nasarawa State Peter Ahemba, who confirmed the incident, said the bodies had been deposited at the mortuary of the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia.

    He was, however, worried about persistent attacks on Tiv community, and urged security agencies to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators.

    Ahemba regretted that the Tiv community lost over 87 members in similar attacks, including property, worth billions of naira, because of the anti-open grazing law enacted by Benue State  Governor Samuel Orton.

    According to him, the Tiv people in Nasarawa State have no hand in its initiation and implementation.

    He said: “Those killing our people because of a law in Benue State are unfair. We are citizens of Nasarawa State, so why kill us because of what we know nothing about?

    “In the latest attack yesterday, some leaders of the herdsmen claimed it was a reprisal for the death of a Fulani in Yelwata, Benue State. If that is true, why should the herdsmen attack innocent Tiv villagers of Nasarawa State?

    “I appreciate the efforts of the Nasarawa State government, security agencies, the traditional council and other stakeholders towards restoring peace. I, however, appeal for more of such efforts because the desired result has not been achieved.”

    But police spokesman Idirissu Kenndy said only three persons died.

    He said: “The command got the information that only three persons died in the attack.”

    Kenndy said no arrest has been made, adding that investigation is ongoing.

  • One killed as gunmen invade Edo community

    The invasion of Obagie N’ evbuosa in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government by armed men has led to the death of Sunday Uduafemeh.

    Many were injured.

    Sources said the gunmen stormed the community in different vehicles and started shooting sporadically.

    Residents were said to have fled to avoid being hit by stray bullet.

    It was gathered that the attacks followed a boundary dispute between Obagie N’ evbuosa and Amagba communities.

    The source alleged that the attackers were accompanied by some policemen.

    One of those injured, Mr. Favour  Sunday, who is receiving treatment at a private hospital, said he was shot in the presence of a policeman.

    Enogie (Duke) of Obagie N’ evbuosa, Stephen Usiemwanta Imadonmwanyi, alleged that the attackers were from a neighbouring community.

    The Enogie said he had reported threats of attacks on his domain to the secretary to state government, Department of State Services (DSS) and other relevant agencies

    The Okaghele of the community, Mr Festus Edegbe, said the boundary dispute was settled in favour of Obagie N’evbuosa by Oba Erediauwa in 2012.

    Commissioner of Police Johnson Kokumo said some people have been arrested in connection with the attack at Obagie N’evbuosa.

    Kokumo said investigation into the attack had commenced.

    He denied complicity by the police, saying “under my watch, no police officer will protect hoodlums to commit crime in Edo”.

    Sophisticated arms, ammunition and vehicles abandoned by the attackers were said to have been recovered by some soldiers, who responded to distress call by some villagers.

    Troops of 4 Brigade, under Operation Thunder Storm (OPTS), yesterday averted a communal clash between Amagba community in Oredo Local Government Area and Obagie Nevbosa in Ikpoba Okha Local Governnent Area, both in Edo.

    This was announced in a statement signed by Capt Mohammed Maidawa, assistant director, Army Public Relations, in Benin, yesterday.

    Maidawa said troops received a tip-off that occupants of a black Mercedes Benz, registered as Edo DED 176 03 ED, were in possession of firearms.

    He said acting on the information, the troops mobilised to the area. ‘’On sighting us, the militants opened fire and ran into the bush.

    According to Maidawa, the troops recovered one pump-action gun, 17 live cartridges, 63 empty cartridges and 35  expended 7.62 mm ( special) cartridges.

    He said suspects were arrested and items recovered were in the brigade’s custody.

  • Gunmen kill five, injure three in Plateau

    Gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen have killed five people and injured three others at Inding Village in the Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau.

    The Public Relations Officer of the Plateau State Command, ASP. Terna Tyopev, confirmed the development in an interview with our reporter in Jos on Monday.

    Tyopev said the gunmen carried out the killing late on April 8.

    “Gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen attacked and killed five people, injuring three others at Inding Village in the Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.

    “The attackers struck the village on Sunday at about 8 p.m.,’’ he said, noting that investigation had commenced to unravel those behind the killing.

    Plateau and other states in North Central Nigeria have been repeatedly attacked by herdsmen in recent times, in a bloody onslaught that has left many villages desolate.

    The attacks have forced thousands to stay away from their farms, raising fears that Nigeria may face food scarcity challenges in the near future, according to analysts.

    Benue, the hot-bed of the attacks is cited as Nigeria’s food basket.

    Invasions by the herdsmen have compounded problems in Africa’s most populous nation, which has been contending with savage attacks by the Boko Haram Islamic group for almost a decade.

    The terror group has killed thousands of people and displaced millions of others in Nigeria’s northeast since 2009.

    However, the Nigerian armed forces have repeatedly assured that the dreaded group has been technically defeated, although the group still packs deadly punches from time to time.

    (NAN)

  • Gunmen raid filling station in Makurdi

    Gunmen yesterday attacked Verhemba petrol station in Makurdi and made away with undisclosed amount of money.

    The gunmen, numbering no fewer than 10, stormed the petrol station located opposite a popular drinking joint called Officon on Makurdi – Otukpo at about 2 am and operated unchallenged till 5am.

    One of the station’s security guards, Kabiru, who sustained injuries, told our correspondent he was sleeping outside because of intense heat when the gunmen pounced on him, tied his hands and forced him into another room.

    Kabiru stated the gunmen broke into offices one after another just as they ransacked drawers and carted away valuables.

    He added they broke the steel safe and made away with undisclosed amounts of money.

    The Divisional Police Officer in E Division Makurdi said investigations had commenced into the incident.

    It was also gathered another petrol station was attacked the same night.

     

  • Three killed as gunmen invade Cross River community

    Three people were feared killed and many injured in Odukpani Qua community in Odukpani local government area in Cross River State when gunmen suspected to be from a neighbouring community attacked them on Friday night, The Nation gathered yesterday.

    The surprise attack, which it was learnt was a reprisal, was connected with a traditional leadership tussle in the area.

    According to an eyewitness from Odukpani Qua community, the assailants came at about 10 pm in three buses that had Deeper Life Bible Church banner on them to divert attention as the church was holding an Easter convention in Odukpani at the time.

    The eyewitness said the invaders, who were many, came down from the buses and started shooting sporadically at people leading to three deaths and several injuries.

    He said the attack lasted for over an hour before they got in their bus and drove away.

    Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Irene Ugbo, however said she was yet to confirm the situation.

    “I will confirm and get back to you,” she said.

    However, she did not get back to our reporter at the time of filing this report.

     

  • Gunmen kill 15 herders in Zamfara

    •Six killed in Southern Kaduna

    Gunmen believed to be cattle thieves killed 15 herders in attacks on a Zanfara State village yesterday, the police said.

    “Armed bandits attacked Bawon-Daji village and killed 15 people,” Zamfara State police spokesman Muhammad Shehu was quoted as saying by French News Agency, AFP.

    His account was corroborated by Gado Anka, a local government official.

    Anka told AFP thet motorcycle-riding gunmen stormed the remote village in Anka district around 13:00  (1200GMT), shooting dead 12 residents before fleeing to a hideout in the bush.

    “They returned two hours later and attacked mourners during the funeral of the victims in the cemetery, killing three more and injuring several others,” he said.

    Rural communuties in the agrarian state are under siege from gangs who kill, loot and torching

    This has prompted villages to form vigilante groups – which in turn are often accused of extra-judicial killings of suspected cattle thieves, prompting deadly reprisals by the gangs.

    It was not clear if the latest killings were as a result of reprisals.

    In February, dozens of people were killed when gunmen opened fire on traders and villagers at Birane, in the Zurmi area of the state.

    In Southern Kaduna state, six persons were feared killed in separate attacks in Bakin Kogi, Kaninkon chiefdom, Jama’a local government area.

    The killings occurred the day after Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai had a peace meeting with Fulani leaders.

    The two attacks were reported to have occurred at between 10am and 11am yesterday and carried out by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen.

    A member of the security committee in the community, Auta Maurice, who confirmed the attacks in a telephone interview said, the gunmen, numbering about 10, were wearing military and mobile police uniforms.

    Maurice said three people were killed in the bush when they went to cut wood for the roofing of their houses while three others were killed at a local mining site on the hills.

    He said four people were injured and were taken to the hospital in Kafanchan.

    According to him, “The attacks occurred in the bush at different locations and at different time.”

    He said, “The first attack occurred at about 10am when some members of our community  went to the bush to cut wood for roofing their houses.

    ”All of a sudden, the herdsmen opened fire at them and three people were killed while others managed to escape.

    ”The second attack happened at about 11am at a local mining site. Three people were also killed there, while four others were injured”.

    He added that “The herdsmen were dressed in army camouflage and mobile police uniforms”.

    He also said that the distances between the village and the places where the attacks took place is about 5 and 6 kilometres and that by the time the soldiers deployed to the community for security got to the locations the bandits had disappeared.

    “We reported the case to the army soldiers maintaining security in the our community and we went to the bush with them, but the bandits had fled” he said.

    Kaduna State Police Command confirmed the two attacks on Bakin Kogi, Kanikon Chiefdom in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Thursday.

    The police also confirmed that six persons, including four males and two females were killed in the attacks, while four other persons sustained injuries.

    The State Police Public Relations Officer, Aliyu Mukhtar, an Assistant Superintendent of Police told our correspondent that the attack claimed six lives while four persons sustained injuries.

    “A combined team of the police and the military are currently on manhunt for the perpetrators.

    “We will not leave any stone unturned until the perpetrators are apprehended and brought to book.”