The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Gunmen

  • Gunmen kill eight in Rivers community

    Gunmen suspected to be cultists at the weekend allegedly killed eight persons in Ozochi community in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State.

    Police spokesman Ahmad Muhammad, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said the local government’s Caretaker Committee (CTC) chairman, Britain Okpara Ewor, as well as the lawmaker representing the area in the House of Assembly, Edison Ehie, separately confirmed the incident yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

    They said the hoodlums stormed the community on Saturday night, shooting sporadically and killing the eight persons, including the oldest man in the community.

    The gunmen reportedly set ablaze shops and other property during the attack.

    Ewor condemned the incident, describing those behind it as enemies of the local government and the state.

    He spoke on phone through his media aide, Monday Oyagiri.

    The council chairman warned troublemakers to steer clear of the local government.

    He added that anyone caught would face the wrath of the law.

    Ewor consoled with the families that lost loved ones in the incident.

    It was learnt that the local government will soon organise a peace and prayer summit for an end to cultism and killings.

    Ehie urged security operatives to investigate the killings and ensure that the culprits are apprehended and punished.

  • Gunmen strikes ex-Abia LG chairman’s residence

    Gunmen strikes ex-Abia LG chairman’s residence

    A yet-to-be identified gunmen has reportedly attacked a former Executive chairman of Aba North Local Government Area, Hon. James Ochunkwo in his residence at Ogbor Hill, on the outskirts of the commercial city of Abia State.

    The gunmen were also said to have made away with undisclosed amount of money, a Blue coloured Volkswagen Turas Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) with registration number Lagos State KTU 889 DF belonging to the ex-local government chairman and other valuables including a cheque book, National Identity Card, ATM card(s) etc.

    When contacted on his mobile phone, the former LG chair popularly known as Owo blow told our reporter that the incident happened at about 9pm on Tuesday while he was driving into his compound.

    According to him, the gunmen may have been waiting for him near his house before they could execute their act.

    Narrating the incident, he said “I just returned to my house at about 9pm after the day’s work and immediately I drove into the compound, I heard a gunshot behind me and one out of the two boys ordered that I should hand over my car key to them. I complied by giving them and they drove out with the car with my National ID Card, cheque book, my ATM card, money, some clothes that I just got back from the drycleaner.

    “None of my neighbours came out. It was after the incident that some people came in and started asking me what happened. The matter has been reported at the Azuka Police Station; the division covering the area the incident happened. But in the morning, when the news spread round our area, some boys came and told me that they saw four persons inside my car the previous night, but never suspected that they were armed robbers. From the route that they took, it was clear that they avoided army checkpoint that is about 10 poles from my house and police post that is some distance away from my compound.”

    He feared that the hoodlums may have escaped into neighbouring southeast or south-south states with the car to avoid being spotted by the police or other security agencies.

    The police Public Relations Officer, SP Ezekiel Onyeke Udeviotu said he was yet to be briefed over the incident and assured that the police were going to do everything within their powers to ensure that the car was tracked and recovered.

  • Gunmen abduct nurse in Edo

    Gunmen abduct nurse in Edo

    A 44-year-old woman, identified as Mrs. Rita Aiwelera, a nurse at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, has been abducted by unknown gunmen.

    Rita was snatched on Sunday at about 7:45 pm in the presence of her children at Ugbowo in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State.

    Eyewitnesses said she was forced into a Toyota Highlander car.

    Husband of the victim, Dan, said it was his daughter that informed him about the abduction shortly after he dropped them.

    According to him, “She came to my office to meet with me with the kids on Sunday. We all went out and, eventually, I dropped them at her office (and) they joined her car because she came with her own car; they were going home.

    “About 45 minutes later, I finished what I was doing and decided to go home. When I got to UNIBEN gate, my daughter called saying, ‘Mummy has been kidnapped.’ I was surprised.

    “So, I rushed down to the scene, about five minutes from where I was, and saw my children crying that they took their mother away.”

    “The kidnappers called Monday and asked for a ransom of N10 million. They called again at about 7am Tuesday‎, asking if I have got the money.

    “They said they only give me today (Tuesday). But I told them that I will not be able to raise N10 million. After much talking, I offered to borrow and give them N500, 000 but they hung up.

    “I reported to Ekiadolor police station and from there, it was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department.”

    Edo Police Public Relations Officer, Osifo Abiodun, confirmed the kidnapping and said investigation has commenced into the matter.

  • Two policemen killed in Kogi police station attack

    Two policemen killed in Kogi police station attack

    Two police constables were reportedly killed early Thursday morning as gunmen numbering about 12 invaded the Osara police station in Adavi Local Government Area, Kogi State.

    Accounts have it that the yet-to-be identified hoodlums invaded the police station around 2am, shooting indiscriminately and throwing the sleepy community into confusion.

    According to the account, the hoodlums on gaining entry into the station went straight into the armoury where they carted away arms and ammunition.

    They reportedly broke open the cells and released the detainees in custody.

    The two policemen who tried to resist were said to have been gunned down while two others that were critically injured are said to be responding to treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja.

    The hoodlums, who reportedly operated for over two hours unchallenged, were said to have set ablaze a vehicle parked at the station during the attack.

    A sources living close to the police station said the attack may not be unconnected with the arrest of some hoodlums on Monday who allegedly confessed to be working for an unnamed former LG chairman from the area.

    When contacted, the Kogi Police Command Public Relations Officer, Willy Aya, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), confirmed the incident, but said no life was lost.

    He however said that two injured cops were responding to treatment at the hospital.

     

  • Tension in Bayelsa as gunmen kill three soldiers

    Tension in Bayelsa as gunmen kill three soldiers

    Gunmen suspected to be militants have killed three soldiers of the Joint Force (JF), Operation Pulo Shield (OPS) in Bayelsa State.

    It was gathered that the gunmen overran a military outpost at Foropa, Southern Ijaw Local Government, and shot the soldiers.

    The suspected militants reportedly took away two AK-47, a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) and other ammunition at the Foropa checkpoint.

    A top security source said the militants struck at 1.30 am yesterday in a surprise attack, adding that the soldiers could have been sleeping when the incident occurred.

    He said: “It was a surprise attack. They opened fire, killing three of them and took away their arms.”

    The source said there had been planned attacks on security agents and formations by suspected militants.

    He said: “The militants attack security agents, ostensibly to steal arms. Criminally-minded youths are stockpiling arms. This calls for vigilance among security operatives.”

    It was gathered that residents of Foropa are fleeing  for fear of a military invasion and indiscriminate arrests.

    The JTF was said to have evacuated the bodies of the slain soldiers before dawn.

    Efforts to speak with the spokesman of the security outfit, Col. Isa Ado, were unsuccessful.

    There has been widespread violence in the region, following the presence of a new militant group, Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), which claimed responsibilities for attacks on major oil installations in the region.

    President Muhammadu Buhari ordered security chiefs to unmask those behind the militant group and stop the violence in the region.

    Also, the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Pulo Shield yesterday confirmed that three soldiers attached to its command were killed by suspected militants.

    The Coordinator of the Joint Media Campaign Centre (JMCC), Col. Isa Ado, said the soldiers were killed in a gun duel with those he described as sea pirates and renegade militants.

    He said: “At 100hours (1 a.m) of the day, sea pirates and renegade militants engaged our men at their location in Foropah community in a gun battle, which was a very intense situation.

    “Some of our men were injured while three were killed. There were also casualties on the attackers’ side, which I can confirm.”

    Asked if the military outfit was overwhelmed by the waves of attacks in the region, Ado said: “No, no. We can’t be. We are on top of the situation.

    “We are going to defeat them, like we did to Boko Haram terrorists. We shall continue to operate within our guidelines of operation to halt these hoodlums   in the creeks very soon. Let the public and oil companies rest assured.”

     

  • Gunmen kill five Police officers in Rivers

    Gunmen kill five Police officers in Rivers

    Unknown gunmen early Monday killed five Police officers at Okogbie community in Ahoada West Local Government Area (LGA), of Rivers state.

    The victims Nasiru Halidu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), and four other rank and file were serving in Bayelsa state, under  30  Police Mobil Force(PMF), Yenagoa, the state Capital.

    The victims, who were reportedly ambushed and killed around 3am early Monday, around a military check point in the area,  were reportedly coming back from a special assignment in Yobe state.

    The River state Commissioner of Police (CP), Musa Kimo expressed sadness o the murder of the five officers, describing the killing as senseless.

    Kimo in a statement by the spokesman of the state Police Command, Ahmad, Muhammad, a DSP, vowed to finish out their killers and ensure they are prosecuted.

    He said, “We are deeply pained by the senseless and barbaric killing of our colleagues attached to 30 PMF Yenegoa, who were ambushed in the early hours of today at Okogbie enroute Yenegoa, Bayelsa state.

    “Today’s tragedy has again demonstrated the enormous calamities we face and witness in the course of doing our job. We put our lives on the line everyday to confront crime and violence in our communities.

    “We will stop at nothing to bring the perpetrators of this dastard act to justice.” He promised.

    They team from the special work, were said to be travelling in two vehicles, the first vehicle passed successfully but the second was waylaid and all the five occupants including the DSP and driver killed.

    Ahoada axis o the state has been a hot bed of violent crimes, killings and cultism in the past years.

     

  • Gunmen murders district head in Kaduna state 

    Gunmen on Sunday night killed Mr Bala Madaki, District Head of Fadan Karshi in Numana Chiefdom of Sanga Local Government Area, Kaduna state.

    Madaki was killed alongside his nephew, Emmanuel Tanko, 19, at his residence in Fadan Karshi.

    The Sanga Interim Management Committee Chairman, Mr Nuhu Audu, confirmed he killings and called for urgent investigation into their death.

    He said that the community was in need of more security presence in the wake of threat by unknown gunmen.

    Audu said the deceased contributed immensely to peace building in the area, adding that his death was a blow to the people.

    Also, the Etu Numana, Malam Gambo Makama, described the death of Madaki as a great loss to the entire Sanga community.

    Makama appealed to the people, especially the youths, not to take the law into their hands.

     

  • Gunmen kill 20 persons, 83 cows in Nasarawa

    Gunmen kill 20 persons, 83 cows in Nasarawa

    Gunmen at the weekend killed 83 cows at Adayi in Nasarawa Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

    At Loko, the monarch claimed that about 20 people have been killed by gunmen in the last few weeks.

    The killings were suspected to be reprisals by gunmen who crossed over from Benue State.

    Although security agencies have stepped up investigation, the Fulani leader of Adayi area of Loko, Mallam Bideri Ahmadu, alleged that suspected Agatu gunmen from Benue State might be behind the killings.

    The traditional ruler of Loko, Alhaji Abubakar Ahmed Sabo, alleged that Agatu youths might have perpetrated the act.

    The Fulani community leader, Mallam Bideri Ahmadu, who addressed reporters in Loko, alleged that Agatu youths crossed over from Benue State about 10:30am last Saturday.

    He said the suspects had wanted to “rustle the cows in their boats across River Benue, but the cattle went berserk because of sporadic shootings.”

    Ahmadu said:  “Upon realising they could not achieve their aim, the Agatu youth opened fire on the cows, killing 83. The injured ones are in the bush.”

    The Mai Loko, Alhaji Abubakar Ahmed Sabo, said in the last few weeks, over 20 men, women and children were killed during attacks on Fulani people by Agatu youths from Benue State.

    He said the Loko Development Area has only two police officers with no rifles and appealed for more security presence.

    Sabo urged the Fulani not to retaliate because the government was looking into the crisis.

    The Director of Personnel Management (DPM) of the development area, Danlami Umar, said the “fishing community has suffered a setback because the riverine area has been taken over by Agatu youths, who kill at will.

    Police spokesman Ismaila Numan said the Nasarawa Division received a report of the killing of 83 cows by suspected hoodlums and investigation had started.

    A security source said: “There has been tension in the area since the killing of more than 300 people in Agatu area of Benue State by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

    “We are suspecting reprisals by Agatu youths who do not want Fulani herdsmen in their area again.

    “The crisis between the Fulani and the Agatu is posing a threat to life and property in the two states.

    “Nasarawa and Benue governments have to step into the incessant clashes between the Fulani and the Agatu.”

  • 5 shot as gunmen attack Deputy Gov

    5 shot as gunmen attack Deputy Gov

    DEPUTY Governor of Edo State Dr. Pius Odubu, yesterday escaped death by the whiskers when gunmen shot at him.

    The incident happened at the secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Auchi as the deputy governor was receiving a delegation.

    The attack took place a few minutes after Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Odubu left a party organised by Damian Lawani, representative of the Estako Central Constituency in the House of Assembly.

    The gunmen reportedly invaded the secretariat and opened fire on the deputy governor and others at the meeting.

    Five persons were said to have been critically injured, including the Guard Commander of the Deputy Governor’s Police team who covered his boss during the invasion.

    Six delegates and three security details attached to Odubu are said to be in critical conditions.

    They are receiving treatment at Faith Medical Centre in Auchi.

  • Gunmen invade Ibadan villages

    Gunmen invade Ibadan villages

    Five villages on the Ibadan-Iwo Road were yesterday invaded by gunmen who attacked residents and dispossessed them of their valuables.

    The 20 yet-to-be-apprehended gunmen exchanged fire with the police before escaping into the bush.

    Their first port of call was Ardis Farms, Lagun, a 200- hectare palm tree farm, where they shot a guard, Jimmy Aido, in the hand and thigh.

    Thereafter, they reportedly headed to Offa, Adeoye, Lapeta and Adedokun villages where they dispossessed villagers of their valuables.

    After the invasion, they “mounted” a road block during which they robbed some motorists.

    Narrating their ordeal, the farm supervisor, Olanipekun Ogunkolade, said the bandits invaded the farm at 9pm on Tuesday.

    He said they grabbed the first person on sight,  a woman, and forced her to lead them in.

    According to Ogunkolade, the woman led them to the rooms and called them out, saying some people wanted to buy some items.

    His words: “Wondering who could be around to buy goods at that odd hour, I left the food I was eating and came out.

    “As soon as I came out, they seized me. They ordered me to lie down, which I did.

    “At gun point, they asked us to bring out our money; we complied. After that, they asked us to bring out more money but we told them that was all we had. Then they broke into the rooms.

    “A guard, Jimmy Aido, spotted them from a distance and informed the Chief Security Officer (CSO), who was not on the premises at the time.

    “But they laid an ambush for him. On his return, they shot him in the hand and thigh.

    “His wife started screaming. Her voice attracted vigilance group members from Lagun village. They shot into the air to scare them away.

    “Policemen arrived at 3am and took Aido for treatment.”

    The farm supervisor said the robbers ate their food and asked for cigarettes.

    He added that they also asked for marijuana but that they told them that they did not smoke Indian hemp.

    Ogunkolade said they were masked but that it was obvious they were Fulani herdsmen.

    He added that some of  the bandits were armed with  AK 47 rifles.

    After the attack, the farm supervisor said the bandits resurfaced on the Ibadan-Iwo Road where they robbed motorists, until the police got there.

    Ogunkolade said they had a gun duel with the police but later fled into the bush.

    Asked if there had been clashes with the herdsmen in the past, he  said there was none.

    He said herdsmen usually brought their cattle to graze on the farm without conflict.

    On his bed at the General Hospital, Iwo, Osun State, Aido could not talk. He only managed to nod his head.

    The farm proprietor,  Dele Adigun said: “Their aim was to frighten us out of this place. But they won’t succeed.”

    He put his loss at N300,000, saying his workers stayed away yesterday out of fear.

    The farmer called on the government to strengthen security around farms and remote communities.