The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Gunmen

  • Gunmen sack Benue community

    Gunmen sack Benue community

    There was pandemonium yesterday, as gunmen attacked Tyotyu in Tarka Local Government of Benue State, burning houses and stealing property.

    Tyotyu is the home of leader of All Progressives Congress (APC) Senator, George Akume.

    According to the ruler of Tongov Ward, Mbakor, Chief Toryila Bo, the attack happened about 3.30am. They were  asleep when his subjects heard gun shots.

    “As they peeped to see what was happening,  over 20 youths took over the highway.’’

    He said ‘’while some burnt houses, others stole household items, animals, etc. They also burnt Tyotyu market,” he added.

    Chief Bo said the police claimed it was raining and could not come to their rescue. But this was not true.

    The monarch, who noted that this was the third attack on them since the 2015 general election, accused their neighbours, Ihyarev (a group among the Tiv) and Uvir, Baa village, for the sustained attacks.

    Youth leader Justice Anzembe called on Governor Samuel Ortom to order back those sacked from Uvir because nobody can sack people from a land that belongs to the government.

    Anzembe said when the Ihyarev sacked the Kparev, nothing happened. So, they decided to sack another town.

    As at yesterday, residents were packing their belongings to safety.

    Police spokesperson could not be reached for comments.

  • Gunmen kidnap 3 Lagos landlords

    Gunmen kidnap 3 Lagos landlords

    •We stayed underwater for an hour, says escapee

    Hooded gunmen, clad in military camouflages, yesterday morning invaded Channels Avenue,  Isheri, Lagos State and abducted eight persons.

    The victims, who are landlords at Oshorun Heritage Estate, had gone beside Lekki Gardens Estate with four others for their routine exercise.

    Lekki Gardens Estate is situated at the extreme of the long avenue, sharing a common boundary with the Warewa and Wawa creeks in Ogun State.

    It was gathered that about five minutes after they got to the exercise venue and were about spreading their mats, armed men, numbering about eight, surrounded them, shooting sporadically.

    While Kennedy Ucheagwu; Dr. Omololu Bello and Mr. Esang were whisked away by the kidnappers, Pius Ojoromi, Engr. Gbenga Babayemi, Banjo Obisanya and Coach Ola, it was gathered, fled upon sighting the hooded men.

    Ola was yet to be seen at the time of filing this report, causing residents to panic that something bad might have happened to him.

    They said the bushes the victims ran into were snake and crocodile- infested.

    The escapees, it was gathered, ran through the estate, scaling a high rise fence into a river where they stayed for about an hour.

    It was observed the mats, which the trainers usually used, were still inside the makeshift structures while their towels were on the table by the roadside.

    According to some workers at a nearby construction site, over 20 expended AK47 ammunition were picked and handed over to the police.

    One of the workers, Adamu, who conducted our correspondent round the neighbourhood, stated that several window glasses and buildings were pierced by stray bullets.

    He said: “Those kidnappers stayed inside that bush. This is the second time in three months they have come out to kidnap people.

    “The first time they came, they took a man inside his house. But this morning, we noticed that two men stood at the end of road by the bush there.

    “When it was around 7am, we started hearing gunshots. Over 59 shots were fired.

    “The men wore masks and army camouflages. They just came to that place where landlords used to do exercise every Friday morning and kidnapped three.

    “As they were shooting, everyone ran away. I heard that they first caught one Mallam but they later left him that he does not have money before they went after those landlords.

    “It looks like they had information the landlords used to exercise there. It was one woman, I heard she is the wife of one of the landlords, who was coming behind that called their estate people and informed them.”

    When our correspondent visited the area around 11:30am, the only police presence was a Rapid Response Squad (RRS) armoured tank by the pedestrian bridge on the expressway.

    Although residents confirmed policemen numbering about 40 were there in the morning, they stated the operatives left after three of the landlords who escaped came out of their hiding.

    Reliving the ordeal, one of the escapees, Babayemi, said the first thing that came to his mind was to flee.

    He added he just kept running until he landed inside the water.

    Babayemi explained: “We got to the exercise ground around 7:30am and about five minutes later, eight gunmen came from nowhere.

    “They were shooting nonstop. It is as though they were waiting for us. As they approached us, the three of us ran. I really don’t know much of what transpired there.

    “Myself and two others were just running. We ran into the bush and continued until we met a fence.

    “We scaled the fence and landed in the stream there. We lied down inside the stream for about one hour and refused to come out until we were sure there was police presence.

    “But about 30 minutes in the water. We started hearing siren from a distance. It was far and so, we still stayed in the water for some time.

    “It was about an hour when we decided to peep through the fence to know if they had gone.

    “When we peeped, we started hearing voices and some people told us that police were on ground. That was when we came out.

    He added: “Bullet did not touch any of us. We just sustained minor injuries like bruises and then one of us caught cold. We were seven in all.

    “But so far, only the three of us have come out. The other four have not been accounted for.”

  • Gunmen abduct three landlords in Lagos

    Gunmen abduct three landlords in Lagos

    Hooded gunmen in military camouflage on Saturday morning invaded Channels Avenue, Isheri, Lagos State and whisked away three people.

    The victims, who are landlords at Oshorun Heritage Estate, had gone beside Lekki Gardens Estate with four others for their routine exercise.

    The Nation gathered that Lekki Gardens Estate is situated at the extreme of the Long Avenue, sharing a common boundary with the Warewa and Wawa creeks in Ogun State.

    Our correspondent gathered that about five minutes after they got to the exercise venue and were about spreading their mats, armed men numbering about eight surrounded the landlords, shot sporadically into the air before whisking them (landlords) away.

    While Kennedy Ucheagwu, Dr. Omololu Bello and Mr. Esang were whisked away by the kidnappers, Pius Ojoromi, Engr. Gbenga Babayemi, Banjo Obisanya and Coach Ola, it was gathered, fled upon sighting the hooded men.

  • Gunmen kill vigilante team member in Rivers

    Gunmen kill vigilante team member in Rivers

    Unidentified gunmen yesterday killed a member of a vigilante group in Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.

    The victim, Nodi Nwachukwu Osam, according to a community source who spoke on condition of anonymity, was killed while on duty.

    He was said to have been killed by the yet-to-be-identified gunmen at about 1pm along Palace road, Omoku town.

    The 27-year old was until his death the Provost Marshall to the commander of the operating vigilante team in the area.

    The source told The Nation that the bandits opened fire at a tram of vigilante boys who were on patrol in the area.

    He disclosed that the vigilante team could not respond to the attack from the hoodlums, adding that they were not properly equipped to counter the superior force of the assailants.

    The source said, “The vigilante men were on patrol when cultists opened fire on them. They killed one of the vigilante members. His name is Nodi Nwachukwu Osam.

    “They killed him around Palace road. He was wearing the uniform of the vigilance team and also had his identity card when he died.”

    Condemning the attack, Commander of the vigilance team, Mr. Adah Nwachukwu, said the killing of one of his men was not enough to deter him from fighting crime in the area.

    Nwachukwu appealed to state government and good-spirited individuals to help provide security gadgets that would help it in fighting crime.

    He called on the government to equip the force with patrol vans and other logistics to enable them carry out their assignments with minimum stress.

    Nwachukwu explained that more than 20 members of his group have been killed by hoodlums in recent times.

    “The cultists have been attacking us since they know that we are determined to restore peace and sanity to this area. They have killed over 20 of my men. I am calling on the state government to help us. We want them to equip us so that we can face these boys that are terrorizing our communities”

  • Gunmen murder vigilante member in Rivers

    Gunmen murder vigilante member in Rivers

    Unidentified gunmen on Friday gunned down a member of a vigilante group in Omoku town, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.

    The vigilante member, Mr. Nodi Nwachukwu Osam, according to a community source who spoke on condition of anonymity was killed while on duty.

    The source said the victim was attacked and killed by the yet to be identified gunmen at about 1:00p.m along Palace Road, Omoku town.

    Osam, a 27-year old man was until his gruesome murder the Provost Marshall to the commander of the operating vigilante team in the area.

    The source told The Nation that the bandits opened fire at the vigilante boys who were on patrol in the area.

    He disclosed that the vigilante men could not respond to the attack from the hoodlums, adding that they were not equipped properly to counter the superior force of the assailants.

    The source said, “The vigilante men were on patrol when cultists opened fire on them. They killed one of the vigilante members. His name is Nodi Nwachukwu Osam. The other of his members escaped because the guns they had were not good enough to face the hoodlums.

    “They killed him around Palace road. He was dressed in the vigilante uniform and wearing his identity card when he died.”

    Condemning the attack, the vigilante Commander, Mr. Adah Nwachukwu, said the killing of one of his men restated his commitment in fighting crime in the area.

    Nwachukwu appealed to state government and good spirited individuals to help in providing security facilities to the group in order to face invaders.

    He begged that the government to equip the force with patrol van, and other logistics to enable them carry out operations at ease.

    Nwachukwu stated that over 20 of his boys had been killed by hoodlums terrorizing the LGA within the period.

    “The cultists have been attacking us since they know that we want to restore peace and sanity in this area. They have killed over 20 of by men. I am calling on the state government to provide help to us. We want them to equip us so that we can face these boys that are terrorizing our communities.”

    Meanwhile, the immediate passed Caretaker Chairman of ONELGA, Prince Isaac Umejuru has described the killing of the vigilante member as unwarranted attack.

    Umejuru lamented the resurfacing security challenges in Omoku, stressing that the perpetrators of the dastardly act would never go unpunished.

    At press time, the Public Relations Officer of Rivers State Police Command, Mr. Nnamdi Omoni said he was not aware.

    Omoni, who said he had not gotten report of the attack, promised to reach The Nation when fully briefed.

     

  • Gunmen attack Lebanese in Lagos

    Gunmen suspected to be robbers Wednesday attacked a Labenese man in Lagos, stealing an undisclosed sum of money from him.

    The armed men numbering about four, were said to have stormed the Adele Road in Apapa on motorcycles, trailing their victim who just left a commercial bank where he withdrew some money.

    They were said to have operated as though they had information on who to attack as the gunmen allegedly rode close to their victim and demanded that he release the money he got from the bank to them.

    According to an eyewitness, Adamu, they shot the victim on the leg and whisked away the money as well as his mobile phones.

    People were said to have scampered for safety at the sound of the gunshot, making it easy for the criminals to escape.

    Adamu who said it was one of the robbers on the passenger seat who pulled the trigger, added that onlookers contacted the Apapa Police Station after the robbers zoomed off.

    It was gathered that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Apapa, Rotimi Odutona, a Superintendent of Police  (SP) led some detectives to the scene and rushed the victim to the Lagoon Hospital, Apapa.

    Police spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent  (SP) could not be reached for comment at the time of filing this report.

  • Gunmen kill man in Kaduna

    Gunmen, on Saturday, in Kaduna State, killed Mohammed Rabiu, 27, who was said to have just returned from studying in Malaysia.

    Rabiu was shot in his car around 8.30 pm after he drove in from Abuja in company of his friend, Jafar Ibrahim Ali. The gunmen escaped.

    Ali, who survived the attack, said on arriving Kaduna, they went to see one of Rabiu’s friends in Lugard Hall, but were told he had gone out.

    They asked for his number. He said while waiting, three men alighted from a tricycle and demanded their phones.

    “We initially thought they were policemen because they were pointing guns at us but the next thing I heard was gunshot,” he said.

    Ali said the gunman that stood by Rabiu’s window fired his gun. He said he grabbed the end of the gun pointed at him, and diverted the barrel before a shot rang through.

    “The men kept firing as they opened the doors of the car, pushed us out and drove away.

    “These happened in less than two minutes. As I struggled with them, they kept firing but somehow the bullets from the locally-made guns missed me but they got my friend. It was when they left that we got a car from the house, which took him to the hospital. He was confirmed dead in about an hour,” he added.

    Investigation showed that the police have conducted preliminary findings and received some of the shells fired on the scene.

    Police spokesperson Aliyu Usman could not be reached for comments yesterday.

    Rabiu has since been buried in Kaduna according to Islamic rites.

  • Again, gunmen kill six in Kaduna village

    Again, gunmen kill six in Kaduna village

    •Police: we’re in control 

    gunmen have again attacked Godogodo in Jema’a Local Government of Kaduna State, killing six farmers.

    The community was attacked two weeks ago. Eleven persons were killed and two villages burnt. It was alleged that same people were behind both incidents.

    The villagers claimed the gunmen said their villages were now grazing reserves, and wanted them to vacate.

    A journalist, who was an early caller to the village, said: “Elders and relatives of the deceased gave their names as: Monday Hamza, 24, married with three children; Toma Masara 35, married with three children; Chaka (Waje) Rubutu, 26, married with four children; Linus (Golkofa) 20, married with two children; Julius (Golkofa) 19, married with a child; Boboo Okocha, 18, and Sambo (Golkofa) 17.

    Another elder said: “Godogodo is full of refugees because it is a bigger village, close to the expressway, with a better security. I can assure you there is no day someone is not killed by Fulani herdsmen around here.

    “After the attack, they would cut down crops or herd in their cattle to eat the growing crops. There will be hunger this year in these villages. What they are saying is that our villages are now cattle grazing reserves and they want everybody out.

    “Last Saturday, these young men that were killed went out as a group to their farms. We were told that armed herdsmen attacked them on their farms, and a few escaped with bullet wounds. A search party on Sunday found them ridden with bullets and machetes’ cuts. They were dead.

    “The police have taken their bodies to Kafanchan mortuary.”

    Police spokesman Aliyu Usman confirmed the murder, saying arrests have been made.

    “Yes, it is true some people were killed in Godogodo on Saturday. There was tension in the place, but we have deployed our men in the affected areas and we are on top of the situation. We have made arrests, and the suspects are being investigated at our Kafanchan Division.

    “We advise residents to be cautious when they move; they should also report suspicious movements to the police,” he said.

     

  • Gunmen kill six in Kaduna village attack

    After an attack that saw 11 persons dead and two villages burnt down in Godogodo Chiefdom, Jema’a Local Government Area, LGA, in Southern part of Kaduna State, about two weeks ago, the same alleged gunmen on Saturday, again killed six farmers in Godogodo, village sources told our reporter.

    The villagers, who spoke with our reporter, claimed that the gunmen said that their villages have become cattle grazing reserves and wanted them to vacate immediately.

    Kaduna State Police Spokesman, ASP, Aliyu Usman, confirmed the murder of the six and revealed that arrests have been made, and that there was tension in the area, but that the police are fully in control of the situation.

    According to a journalist who was an early caller to the village, “elder from Godogodo and family of the deceased gave the names of the victims as:

    “Monday Hamza,  24,  married with 3 children;  Toma Masara 35, married and  3 children and  Chaka (Waje) Rubutu 26 years, married, 4 children.

    “They said that the body of Chaka was still missing.

    “The rest are: Linus (Golkofa) 20, married with two children; Julius (Golkofa) 19, married with a child ; Boboo Okocha 18years , single and Sambo (Golkofa) 17, single.”

    Another elder said: “Godogodo is full to the brim with refuges who have fled their villages seeking for safety here because it is bigger village, close by an expressway and has better security. I can assure you that there is no day that someone is not killed by Fulani men around here.

    “After that, the attack, they would cut down all the crops or herd in their cattle to eat the growing crops. There will be hunger this year in these villages.

    “What they are saying is our villages are now cattle grazing reserves and they want everybody out.

    “Last Saturday, these youngmen that were killed went out as a group to their farms with a few others. We were told that armed Fulani men had attacked them on their farms, and a few escaped, some with bullet wounds. A search party on Sunday found them ridden with bullets and machetes’ cuts and they were all dead.

    “The Police have taken their corpse to Kafanchan mortuary,” he said.

    Kaduna State Police Spokesmen, ASP Aliyu Usman, explained that, “Yes it is true that some people were killed in Godogodo on Saturday. There was tension in the place, but now we have deployed our men to all affected areas and we are on top of the situation. We have made some arrests and the suspects are being investigated at our Kafanchan Division.

    “We want to advise residents of these areas to be cautions of where they go to. They should also report all suspicious movement to the police,” he said.

     

  • Gunmen kill bank staff in Rivers

    Gunmen kill bank staff in Rivers

    A senior bank officer based in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, identified as Adewale Adesanya, has been killed by unidentified gunmen in Ahoada area of Rivers State.

    The victim said to be 39-year-old was reportedly killed on Saturday at 3pm by the gunmen who shot at him repeatedly until he died.

    Friends described Wale who hails from Ijebu Ode in Ogun State as a socialite, well known in Yenagoa.

    Wale, who was married with two children with his wife pregnant for the third, was said to be driving his car to Port Harcourt in the company of two others when the assailants swooped on him close to NNPC filling station after Okobe on the East-West road.

    Even when he lost control of the vehicle and skidded into the bush, the hoodlums who were determined to kill him, followed the vehicle and kept shooting at it.

    Persons in the vehicle with the victim identified as Haruna and Samson were said to be known by the family and friends of the deceased.

    The two men reportedly escaped into the bush when they noticed that the gunmen were still coming towards the car as the late banker tried to crawl out with his last strength.

    Samson who later arrived Yenagoa, said that one of the gunmen repeatedly told a member of the gang to “finish him up” and “offload him”,

    A team of policemen from the Ahoada-East Area Command were said to have arrived later at the scene of the incident to remove the corpse and the car.

    Sources who said they were jolted by the gunshots added that the assassins only took the mobile handset of the slain banker.

    It was gathered that the victim with 10 years banking experience, was an account officer to many of the ex-militants on the payroll of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).