The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Gunmen

  • Gunmen kill businessman in Ebonyi

    Gunmen kill businessman in Ebonyi

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    Gunmen on Wednesday shot a businessman to death in Amasiri, Afikpo North local government area of Ebonyi State.

    The hoodlums numbering four had robbed a warehouse in the neighborhood before proceeding to the shop of the businessman to shoot him.

    The businessman was rushed to the hospital where he was confirmed dead.

    An eyewitness, Amadi Clement said the hoodlums shot sporadically to scare people away before they proceeded with their robbery operation.

    “When Afikpo Divisional Police command was contacted, a team of policemen stormed the area but the robbers had shot someone and robbed the warehouse before the arrival of the policemen”, he added.

    Spokesman of the Police, ASP George Okafor confirmed the incident.

    He debunked reports that the hoodlums robbed a warehouse and other shops.

    The spokesman, however, claimed that a team of policemen from the area command and safer highway repelled the robbery attack on some shops in the area.

    He said one person was shot by the hoodlums and that the victim died on the way to hospital.

    The robbers, he said, took to their heels on sighting the police.

  • Gunmen abduct Dickson’s sister in Bayelsa

    Gunmen abduct Dickson’s sister in Bayelsa

    Unidentified gunmen Saturday abducted Nancy Keme Dickson, the younger sister to the Bayelsa State’s Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson.

    Nancy, 26, who was said to be the last child of the Dicksons was kidnapped at her shop located in Okaka Road, Yenagoa, the state capital.

    It was gathered that the gunmen who reportedly drove in an ash Lexus Jeep, trailed their target to her shop and whisked her away to an unknown place at about 2:50pm.

    It was unclear how the assailants managed to abduct their victim in a broad daylight in a city guarded at strategic points by patrol vehicles of the state’s security outfit, Operation Door Akpo.

    Investigations revealed that shortly after the incident the police mounted stop and search operations on vehicles at different parts of the city.

    Most residents claimed that the incident was politically motivated.

    Dickson, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing a fierce reelection battle in the ongoing governorship poll in the state.

    Though the governor leads with over 33,000 votes, the rerun poll in Southern Ijaw and about 112 other polling units, which had been fixed for January 9, 2016, makes the contest competitive and tight.

    Bayelsa has been under the throes of kidnapping with persons close to governorship candidates abducted.

    The cousin to the Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), chief Timipre Sylva; the centenarian mother of his running mate, Chief Wilberforce Igiri and the wife of an APC chieftain and former acting Governor, Nestor Binabo, were among persons abducted before the poll.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Asinim But swat, confirmed the abduction of Nancy.

    He said: “On the 19 December, 2015, at about 1450hrs, four unknown gunmen in an ash coloured Lexus Jeep, trailed one Nancy Keme Dickinson, 26 yrs, to her shop at Okaka road, Yenagoa, and abducted her and her sales girl to an unknown destination.

    ” The Command immediately embarked on a Stop and Search/Cordon Operations in a bid to rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators. Efforts have been intensified to arrest the abductors. Investigation is ongoing.”

  • Gunmen abduct Dickson’s sister in Bayelsa

    Gunmen abduct Dickson’s sister in Bayelsa

    Unidentified gunmen yesterday abducted Nancy Keme Dickson, the younger sister to Bayelsa State’s governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson.

    Nancy, 26, who was said to be the last child of the Dicksons was kidnapped at her shop located in Okaka Road, Yenagoa, the state capital.

    It was gathered that the gunmen who reportedly drove in an ash Lexus Jeep, trailed their target to her shop and whisked her away to an unknown place at about 2:50pm.

    It was unclear how the assailants managed to abduct their victim in broad daylight in a city guarded at strategic points by patrol vehicles of the state’s security outfit, Operation Door Akpo.

    Investigations revealed that shortly after the incident the police mounted stop and search operations on vehicles at different parts of the city.

    Most residents claimed that the incident was politically motivated.

    Dickson, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing a fierce reelection battle in the ongoing governorship poll in the state.

    Though the governor leads with over 33,000 votes, the rerun poll in Southern Ijaw and about 112 other polling units, which had been fixed for January 9, 2016, makes the contest competitive and tight.

    Bayelsa has been under the throes of kidnapping with persons close to governorship candidates abducted.  Among these are a cousin to the Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Timipre Sylva; the centenarian mother of his running mate, Chief Wilberforce Igiri and the wife of an APC chieftain and former acting Governor, Nestor Binabo, were among persons abducted before the poll.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Asinim But swat, confirmed the abduction of Nancy.

    He said: “On the 19 December, 2015, at about 1450hrs, four unknown gunmen in an ash coloured Lexus Jeep, trailed one Nancy Keme Dickinson, 26 yrs, to her shop at Okaka road, Yenagoa, and abducted her and her sales girl to an unknown destination.

    “The command immediately embarked on a Stop and Search/Cordon Operations in a bid to rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators. Efforts have been intensified to arrest the abductors. Investigation is ongoing.”

  • Gunmen kill 22, injure scores in Plateau

    Gunmen kill 22, injure scores in Plateau

    •Lalong decries attack

    Twenty-two persons were killed by gunmen, who attacked two villages in Plateau State on Sunday night.

    The villages are Kwata in Jos South Local Government and Hoss in Riyom Council.

    Both attacks were carried out simultaneously. Many people were injured.

    Among the victims were 15 women, four children and two men.

    A soldier serving in the ‘Operation Safe Haven’ was killed in a separate attack, according to the Media Officer, Capt. Ikedichi Iweha.

    Kwata residents alleged that the attackers were Fulani militias.

    The incidents occurred about five hours after soldiers of the ‘Operation Save Haven’ in Jos warned about an imminent attack in the city by the people bent on disrupting peace.

    Police spokesman Abu Emmanuel confirmed the attacks.

    He said: “The command has received reports of the attacks and the police commissioner has drafted men and officers to the scene.

    “We cannot confirm the casualty figure now. We have to rescue the victims first before we take record of casualties. We urge the public to be calm.”

    Governor Simon Lalong has described the attacks as a setback in peace-building.

    He spoke yesterday through his Director of Press, Mr. Samuel Nanle.

    Said he: “The peace and reconciliation process initiated by the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration has recorded success. The government assures citizens of their safety.”

    Lalong directed the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) and Vom Christian Hospital, where the victims are receiving attention, to treat them at government’s expense.

    He enjoined residents to be vigilant and report suspicious movements to security agencies.

  • Gunmen kill APC leader

    Gunmen kill APC leader

    There is panic ahead of tomorrow’s governorship election, following the killing of the Deputy Ward Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Diseye Dickson.

    It was learnt that Dickson was murdered on Wednesday by gunmen, who stormed his community at Odi in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government.

    They were clad in military uniform.

    The state leadership of the APC alleged that the gunmen, who killed its Odi Ward 1 deputy chairman, were Peoples Democratic Party’(PDP’s) thugs.

    Dickson was reportedly shot dead about 11pm.

    The Nation gathered that eight assailants invaded the community to kidnap Chief Watson Ogoriba, the elder brother to a former two-time member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Warman Ogoriba.

    But they failed, as their target escaped and contacted the police.

    The gunmen were said to have killed Dickson when leaving the community.

    A source from the community, who spoke in confidence, said: “It was a case of failed kidnap attempt and it could also be political. Everybody knows that Warman is the APC leader in the area and his opponents might have decided to abduct or even kill his brother to hurt him.

    “Why will they kill an APC chieftain? We want the police to investigate this matter.”

    The APC, through the Sylva/Igiri Campaign Organisation (SICO), claimed that the killing was carried out by suspected thugs hired by the PDP.

    SICO’s Director of Media and Publicity (SICO) Chief Nathan Egba said: “As at this morning, the body of Dickson was lying in a pool of blood where he was killed.

    “This is the second killing carried out by the PDP since the campaigns started.

    “A Ward Chairman of our party in Ekeremor Local Government, Mr. Andrew June, was killed with a machete. We condemn this act of desperation by the PDP to attack and intimidate our supporters.

    “This killing is wicked, unwarranted and provocative. APC and the campaign organisation have urged the police and other security agencies to step up their patrol, to prevent further attack. The killers must not be allowed to go unpunished.”

     

  • Gunmen kill four in Zamfara village attack

    The Zamfara State Police Command has confirmed the death of four persons in an attack by gunmen on Tangaran village in Anka Local Government Area on Tuesday night.

    Police spokesman Sanusi Amiru, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), confirmed the incident when he addressed reporters yesterday in Gusau.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the gunmen arrived at the village in the night while the residents were preparing to go to bed.

    They opened fire on those still outside and the four persons were killed.

    An eyewitness Kabiru Umar said an 11-year-old girl, who was selling bean cake (kosai), was among the dead.

    She was shot in the buttocks.

    Her distraught mother picked her remains from the scene.

    Umar said other residents quickly locked their doors while those outside scampered for safety as the indiscriminate shootings continued.

    The police spokesman said six other persons were injured and taken to Anka General Hospital with police assistance.

    He said the police recovered three bullet shells from the scene.

    Amiru assured that normalcy had returned to the area and the police were tracing the attackers.

    He expressed confidence that the police would track down the attackers.

     

     

  • Gunmen abduct KENPOLY Bursar

    Gunmen abduct KENPOLY Bursar

    Unknown gunmen on Monday night abducted the Bursar of Ken Saro Wiwa Polytechnic (KENPOLY) Bori, Mrs. Lilian Okorite Nkanbia-Davies.

    As at the time of this report her abductors were yet to contact the family and the polytechnic.

    The Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) KENPOLY chapter Comrade Ferry Barineka Gberegbe who condemned the abduction Tuesday said the gunmen trailed the Polytechnic Bursar from the school to Yeghe and Kpopie Junction in Gokana Local government of Rivers State where she was abducted.

    Comrade Gberegbe pleaded with the security agencies in the state to move into action to rescue the Bursar, adding that the Polytechnic would assist the security agency to ensure that Mrs. Nkanbia-Davies is freed.

    He called on the Rivers State Police Command to not only rescue the Bursar but to end the incessant kidnapping in the state.

    “As far as ASUP is concerned we join the Polytechnic community to condemn the unpatriotic and barbaric manner in which the Bursar of the institution was kidnapped. We are calling for unconditional release of the Bursar.”

  • Gunmen demand N30.2m to release abducted pastor

    Gunmen demand N30.2m to release abducted pastor

    Gunmen yesterday abducted Mr. Mark Christmas, a pastor of the New Anointing Chapel of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

    It was learnt that Christmas was kidnapped with two of his church members at his hometown in Biseingbene community, Ekeremor Local Government Area.

    His wife, Evelyn, said the pastor was lured to the community under the guise of an emergency meeting.

    She said the abductors, who seized her husband on October 18, posed as his kinsmen.

    Mrs Christmas said: “You know we reside in Yenagoa. On that fateful day, my husband was invited to Biseingbene for a meeting by the abductors.

    “When he got to the community, he found out that the invitation for a meeting was false and a devillish plan to kidnap him. My husband has spent over two weeks with  them.”

    It was gathered that the kidnappers had contacted the pastor’s family, demanding N30 million ransom to free him.

    They were said to have also requested N200,000 as the cost of their phone calls to the family.

    Mrs. Christmas said: “It is over two weeks and I have not heard from or seen my husband. But some of our relatives, who live in the village, told me they spoke with him.

    “I planned to contact the police but the family said I should not involve the police to avoid incurring the wrath of the kidnappers. The reason is that my husband might be killed by the hoodlums, if the police were involved. It is very painful; one’s husband snatched away for two weeks…”

    Police spokesman Asinim Butswat, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said the family had not reported the matter to the command.

    He said: “They have not reported the incident to us. But if they come to us, we are ready to mobilise.”

  • Two killed as gunmen attack Akwa Ibom fish market

    Two killed as gunmen attack Akwa Ibom fish market

    •Police: only one woman died

    Two women were reportedly killed last Saturday and scores injured when gunmen, suspected to be militants, attacked a fish market at Itu-Itam Modern Market, popularly called T-Junction, in Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

    Goods worth millions of naira were stolen in the attack.

    The Saturday attack was the second in the last three months.

    An eyewitness and motorcyclist, Mr. Moses Philips, told our correspondent that the militants, who wore military camouflage, arrived the market through a nearby river on two speedboats with machine guns and other weapons.

    He said the gunmen shot sporadically into the air to scare the residents.

    According to him, the hoodlums blocked the roads and other links to the T-Junction Market before looting the market.

    The eyewitness said most of those injured were not hit by stray bullets but while running for safety.

    He said one of the deceased was entering the market when a bullet hit her in the head.

    The eyewitness added that a bullet pierced the other woman’s thigh.

    She reportedly died on the way to hospital.

    Police spokesperson Cordelia Nwawe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), confirmed the attack but denied the number of casualties.

    She said an elderly woman was hit by a stray bullet, adding that she died in hospital.

    The spokesperson said the police command had plans to curtail militant attacks.

    She said the command also contacted other commands to block their waterways against militants’ infiltration into Akwa Ibom.

    Nwawe said: “No arrest has been made. When you say scores injured; that is not true. A stray bullet hit an elderly woman and she died in hospital. As soon as the incident happened, the police were quickly mobilised and repelled the attacks.

    “This is a warning to Nigerians that if you hear any attack by robbers, do not run; lie flat on the ground to avoid stray bullets.”

  • Gunmen abduct medical doctor in Bayelsa

    Gunmen abduct medical doctor in Bayelsa

    Insecurity in Bayelsa State ahead of the December 5 governorship election worsened Friday following the abduction of a medical doctor in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

    The doctor identified simply as Ekwueme was kidnapped a day after a similar fate befell Madam Ebifeghe Dikoro, 105 years old mother of Chief Wilberforce Igiri, the running mate to the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Chief Timipre Sylva.

    Ahead of the elections, the activities of criminals have increased in the state especially kidnappers who reportedly carry out their operations unhindered on daily basis.

    Many traditional rulers and women were said to have been kidnapped with the two main political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) trading blames.

    It was learnt that Ekwueme who works in a clinic in Korokorosei, the community of the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Kombowei Benson, was abducted in the community.

    He was reportedly kidnapped from his home at about 3am by unidentified gunmen who operated in speedboats.

    The assailants were said to have shot sporadically into the air before breaking into the apartment of their target.

    They were said to have bundled him into a speedboat and sped off to an unknown place.

    A security source who confirmed the development described the rate of kidnapping as worrisome and overwhelming.

    The source who pleaded anonymity regretted that all the security outfits in the state including the police were helpless over the development and called on the people to be vigilant.

    He said the crime rate would increase ahead of the election.

    It was also gathered that another medical doctor in Nembe Local Government Area recently received a threat from a gang of kidnappers.

    The kidnappers were said to have sent a bank account number to him directing him to deposit N200, 000 into the account or they would abduct him.

    An activist, Mr. Alagoa Morris, condemned the rising cases of kidnapping saying: “The security situation has gone beyond critical. It was better during militancy”.

    When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Asinim Butswat, promised to give further details.