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Tag: Gunmen

Gunmen sack military barrack in Bayelsa

•Four soldiers, one policeman killed in night operation
•Arms, ammunition, gunboat seized

Fear about the return of militancy in the Niger Delta yesterday enveloped Bayelsa State following a daring attack by unknown gunmen on a military base at Ogbolomabiri in Nembe Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

The gunmen suspected to be militants overran and sacked the Joint Task Force (JTF)/Operation Pulo Shield base, killing four soldiers and a mobile policeman.

They struck in four speed boats loaded.

The task force is charged with the responsibility of keeping the peace in the state which was notorious for kidnapping, piracy and illegal bunkering.

Oil bunkering has long been a major cost to Nigeria’s treasury, which depends on oil for around 70 percent of its earnings.

Another mobile policeman went missing after the incident which occurred at 11:30pm on Friday.

The gunmen were said to have invaded the base in a coordinated land and water operation.

Sources said they ransacked the base and took their time to cart away all the rifles and ammunition of the security operatives.

An army gunboat was also said to have been taken away by them.

A source who described the incident as horrific said the security operatives were overwhelmed by the number and sophisticated weapons of the attackers.

The source said the gunmen operated for over 30 minutes shooting unceasingly.

He said: “It was a shooting spree. Though the security operatives were caught unawares, there was little or nothing they could do because of the number of the gunmen and the kind of arms they came with.

“Some of the gunmen engaged the military base from the waterways while others were shooting from land. The security operatives tried unsuccessfully to stop them. They paid with their lives. Some few fortunate ones escaped”, he said.

He added: “It was obvious that they came for the arms and ammunition of the soldiers. They carted away all the arms and rifles and fled with a military gunboat.

“We don’t know the motive behind the stealing of arms in this area. Could it be because of the forthcoming election or could it be a plan to start a fresh round of militancy in the region?”

A top security source who also spoke in confidence described the attack as planned, coordinated and executed with the evil intention of stealing and stockpiling arms.

He said the action of the gunmen caused panic in Nembe communities.

The bodies of the murdered security operatives were recovered and deposited at the mortuary of the Nembe General Hospital.

Continuing, the source said:”there is a serious problem in the Niger Delta region. We have been raising the alarm of functional and active militant camps operating in the region despite the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).

“The most disturbing one is this trend of attacking security operatives and stealing their arms. They have been doing this. The one they did in Cross River State was also massive. They are stockpiling arms.”

Defence spokesman Colonel Rabe Abubakar blamed the attack on “suspected oil bunkerers”.

He said: “The Joint Task Force Operation PULO SHIELD has moved into action to arrest and apprehend the perpetrators of this unpatriotic and callous attacks.

“The military will deal decisively with anybody or group involved in this and similar acts of attacks or sabotage on the nation’s economy.”

He advised the general public in the affected community to go about their normal business activities, and solicited their cooperation by given timely information to the military or any other security agencies to avert future re-occurrence of the ‘ugly incidence’.

The Defence Headquarters also reiterated its commitment to ensuring the protection of lives and property of innocent citizens nationwide.

Speaking separately on the development, JTF’s Coordinator, Joint Campaign Media Centre (JMCC), Lt. Col. Isa Ado, said : “We are working on getting the real details. The JTF is on the move to apprehend the hoodlums. We won’t relent on our efforts of fighting criminality in the region.”

The Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), Mr. Butswat Asinim, said details at the disposal of the police suggested that four soldiers and a policeman were killed in the attack.

He said: “On the 7 August, 2015, at about 11:30pm, four speedboats loaded with unknown gunmen, suspected to be sea pirates attacked the Joint Task Force (JTF) Base, at Nembe Water front, in Nembe LGA, killing four soldiers and one policeman.

“The gunmen carted away two HP Guns and other arms from the Base. A combined team of the JTF, Marine Police and the Navy are combing the creeks to recover the arms and arrest the culprits”.

A combined military and police team was searching local creeks to find the attackers last night.

August 9, 2015
Gunmen abduct Odi compensation committee chairman

Odi community in Bayelsa State has been thrown into confusion following the abduction of Compensation Funds Disbursement Committee Chairman, Prof. Zibokere Daukiye, by unidentified gunmen.

The riverine community has been engulfed in crisis since 1999 when federal troops under President Olusegun Obasanjo bombarded it to avenge the gruesome murder of security operatives by youths during the militancy era.

The community was awarded N 37.6 billion by a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State but was later paid N15bn by the government after negotiation.

The N15bn compensation paid the community by the government after series of legal actions has also unsettled the people in the area following alleged diversion of a chunk of the money.

It was gathered that Daukiye, amidst controversies, was appointed by stakeholders in the community to manage disbursement of the compensation funds which had torn the people apart.

The unknown gunmen were said to have stormed the community on Friday.

It was gathered that they arrived the area on a speedboat through the community’s river.

The gunmen were said to have caused panic in the community by firing staccato of gunshots into the air to scare residents.

Residents were said to have fled to many direction for safety as the gunmen invaded the residence of Daukiye.

A source who spoke in confidence said: “They seized him and bundled him to the riverbank. They shot their way out of the community and disappeared in the creeks. It was a scary sight”.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Asinim Butswat, confirmed the incident in Yenagoa.

He said: “A manhunt has been launched by a combined team of Marine Police, anti-kidnapping unit and JTF to rescue the victim and arrest the abductors”.

July 19, 2015
Gunmen kill 15 in Rivers market shooting

Three gunmen have killed 15 persons and injured several others at a market in Agbonchia, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The gunmen, who rode motorcycles on Saturday night, shot indiscriminately at the people, especially youths at the motorcycles’ washing section of the busy market.

The incident caused a pandemonium in the area.

The residents ran to safety but the 15 were killed in the melee.

Witnesses told our reporter yesterday that the casualty figure was high because the people at the market thought the gunmen were there to wash their motorcycles.

The people were taken aback when they saw the gunmen shooting at close range.

It was gathered that after the shooting, the youthful gunmen escaped on their motorcycles.

Police spokesman Muhammad Kidaya Ahmad, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), confirmed the incident.

He said the command had arrested a suspect, adding that he was being interrogated.

The spokesman said investigation had begun into the incident.

Ahmad said five persons were killed in the shooting, adding that the police preliminary investigation showed that the incident was an attack by a cult group.

The police spokesman assured that the fleeing gunmen would be apprehended and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to other criminally-minded persons.

July 13, 2015
Gunmen kill 15, injure others in Rivers

Rampaging gunmen have killed no fewer than fifteen innocent persons and injured many people at the market in Agbonchia, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The three gunmen, who rode motorcycles, on Saturday evening, shot indiscriminately at the people, especially youths at the motorcycles’ washing section of the ever-busy market.
Many people scampered for safety, while the unfortunate ones either got killed instantly or were severely injured.
It was learnt from witnesses on Sunday by our reporter that the casualty figure was so high, because the people at the market thought the gunmen came to wash their motorcycles, until they started shooting at close range, leading to fatality.
Our reporter also gathered that after the shooting spree, the youthful gunmen quickly escaped on their motorcycles.
The Rivers police Spokesman, Muhammad Kidaya Ahmad, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), who confirmed the incident, stated that the command had arrested a suspect and currently undergoing interrogation, while investigation into the incident was ongoing.
Ahmad, however, claimed that five persons were killed in the shooting spree, stressing that police’s preliminary investigation revealed that the incident was an attack by a cult group.
The police’s spokesman assured that the fleeing gunmen would soon be apprehended and prosecuted, to serve as a deterrent to other criminally-minded persons.

July 12, 2015
Gunmen kill traditional ruler, 3 others

Gunmen suspected to be hired assassins on Friday night invaded Nkerefi community in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, killing the traditional ruler of Isienu Amofu, Igwe Peter Onuoha.

Also gunned down were a native identified as Daniel Ogbu alias Chocho and two others identified as a couple, Ejike Udeme Uzor and his wife, Evelyn Udeme Uzor.

Igwe Onuoha, the Eze Na Chi 1, was the Managing Director of Posdonal Nigeria Limited and Secretary of Nkanu East Traditional Rulers Council.

Apart from bullet wounds, the deceased persons had several machete cuts on their bodies.

Some other natives who were reportedly wounded by the gunmen are said to be receiving treatment at the Catholic Church-owned, Annunciation Specialists Hospital, Emene, Enugu.

It was gathered that the residents of the community were thrown into confusion when the noise of the sporadic shooting by the gunmen rented the air.

Those residing near the palace of the royal father were said to have fled their homes on hearing the sound of the guns but some unlucky ones were hit by the flying bullets.

At the end of the shooting, the fleeing natives returned only to discover that their traditional ruler, Igwe Onuoha, and one Chocho had been shot dead. The personal assistant to the royal father, identified as Vincent, was reportedly shot while fleeing the palace but he survived the attack.

Within the neighborhood, it was further gathered, a man and his wife said to be a nurse, were also found dead as a result of gunshot wounds they sustained.

The reason for the attack could not be immediately ascertained but sources said the royal father and some youths in the community had disagreed over a suspicious spiritual sacrifice he allegedly made in the community sometime last year.

Said the source: “Last year, Igwe and youths in the village had problem when they (youths) accused the monarch of retarding the progress of the community through fetish practices but the Igwe had reportedly told them that the sacrifice he did was purely for his protection and that of his family members and not on behalf of the entire community.

“Angered by the development, the youths were said to have forcefully uprooted the royal father’s signboard to express their disloyalty but the community leaders condemned the act and threatened to fish out and discipline the youths involved. Some of the culprits ran out of the community since then but it is not clear for now if the exiled youths are responsible for this bloodbath.”

The Enugu state police spokesman, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, confirmed the incident.

He said the corpse of the royal father had been deposited at the Eastern Nigeria Medical Centre, Enugu, while three other corpses were deposited at Agbani Health Centre in Nkanu West Local Government Area.

The police spokesman said operatives of the state police command “are already on the matter to unravel the circumstances surrounding their deaths but from available information there seems to be an internal wrangling among the people of the community.”

July 12, 2015
Gunmen kill 14 in Plateau village

Gunmen have killed 14 people in an attack on Sho village of Barkin Ladi local government of Plateau State, whose capital Jos witnessed suicide bombing on Sundaynight which killed 51 persons.

In the Monday night blast in Kano, one critically injured person has died. Another person taken to hospital injured, has been treated and discharged.

The gunmen stormed Sho village, Barkin Ladi LGA midnight and killed 14 residents.

The attack on Sho village was announced by the member representing Barkin Ladi constituency in the House of Assembly, Hon. Peter Gyendeng.

Gyendeng lamented that members of his constituency were been killed on a daily basis by gunmen. He called on the federal government to do everything possible to nip in the bud the activities of terrorists in the country.

Mark Lipdo, the founder of a Non-Governmental Organisation( NGO) also confirmed the killings.

He described the attack as inhuman which must be condemned

He said “all efforts at peace building are being impeded by the terror attacks.”

Kano State Police spokesman Musa Magaji Majiya, said Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Idris had visited the scene to ascertain the extent of damage.

According to him, as soon as the police conclude preliminary investigations, the public will be briefed of its feedings. No arrest has been made, he added.

July 8, 2015
Gunmen kills one, kidnap three women in Bayelsa

Kidnapping spree has continued unabated in coastal communities of Bayelsa State.

The Enewari community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area was the latest destination of gunmen whose activities created panic among the residents.

The bandits were said to have abducted three women and in the process killed a young man in the community.

The slain man was said to have incurred the wrath of the abductors when he tried to foil the devilish operation.

‎The gunmen numbering six were said to have stormed the community on Tuesday in two speedboats.

The women were reportedly kidnapped in a community market amidst many gunshots.

Traders at the market were said to have abandoned their wares and ran to different directions for safety.

The deceased man, whose identity couldn’t be determined was said to have been gunned down when he attempted to raise the alarm to thwart the kidnap operation.

The kidnappers were said to have whisked their victims away on a speedboat to an unknown place.

A member representing Southern Ijaw Constituency III, Mr. Daniel Igali, confirmed the incident on the floor of the state House of Assembly while moving a motion under a matter of urgent public importance.

He described the invasion of Enewari community by the gunmen as a worrisome development.

He said the recent upsurge in kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state were creating fear adding that members of the state House of Assembly may not be safe to visit their constituencies.

The motion was supported by Gentle Emelah representing Yenagoa III; Mr. Ebiye Tarabina (Kolokuma/Opokuma II), Mr. Parkinson Mac-manuel, Yenagoa 1; Chief Mitema Obordor , Ogbia 1 and Bernard Kenebai, Sagbama II.

The House passed a resolution imploring the state Chief Judge to set up a special court to try cases of kidnapping and related offences.

July 3, 2015
Gunmen abduct ex-Bayelsa acting governor’s wife

Five gunmen in army uniform have kidnapped Mrs. Martha Binabo, the wife of former Bayelsa State Acting Governor Nestor Binabo.

She was snatched on Monday at her warehouse, located between Azikoro Village and Agbura.

Binabo, a former House of Assembly Speaker, was inaugurated acting governor in 2011, following a court judgment that sacked the Timipre Sylva administration.

The bandits were said to have stormed Mrs. Binabo’s warehouse at 11:30am.

The woman, a major distributor of Guinness products, was reportedly driven away to an unknown place in a Toyota vehicle.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said the hoodlums arrived the expansive warehouse when their target was plaiting her hair.

The source added: “Two of the gunmen alighted from the vehicle and accosted the woman. They told her that they were sent by the Commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF), code-named Operation Pulo Shield, to bring her to their headquarters.

“The woman’s workers did not raise any alarm as the bandits forced the woman into their vehicle and zoomed off. They fired no bullet before taking her away.”

There were insinuations that the kidnapping was politically motivated.

Binabo is among leading members of a group within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) opposing Governor Seriake Dickson’s second term in 2016.

His camp believes the kidnapping was carried out to intimidate and cow Binabo, who is said to be an obstacle to the governor in Bayelsa West Senatorial District.

A source in the camp, who spoke in confidence, said: “Ahead of the election, there is a group of gunmen dressed in army uniform, parading the state and kidnapping people. We don’t know who is behind the gang.

“We are aware that members of the have been trailing prominent members of this camp. We are appealing to the police and other security agencies to live up to their responsibilities.”

The Azikoro home of the Binabos was a beehive of activities yesterday.

Politicians have been trooping to the place to sympathise with the family.

Binabo, who confirmed the incident, urged the abductors to release his wife.

Also, police spokesman Asinim Butswat, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said the gunmen wore military camouflage.

The police spokesman said Mrs. Binabo, 48, was abducted on the premises of her business, Seleyibo Multi-Global Company Limited.

He identified the assailants’ vehicle as a Toyota Camry with chassis number JTDBE32K62010530 and an unidentified registration number.

Butswat said the abductors took their victim to Otuokpoti sand dump in Ogbia Local Government Area, set the car ablaze and ferried Mrs. Binabo on a speedboat to an unknown destination.

He said: “At 11:30 hours, five gunmen in military camouflage went to the premises of Seleyibo Multi-Global Company Limited at Agbura, in Yenagoa Local Government Area. They called the director of the company, Madam Martha Nestor Binabor, 48, outside the company’s gate for a talk.

“Consequently, they forced her into an ash-coloured Toyota Camry car with unknown registration number and chasis number JTDBE32K620105302. They drove to Otuokpoti Sand Dump in Ogbia Local Government Area.

“They set the Toyota Camry car ablaze, took the victim into a waiting speedboat and sped off to an unknown destination.

“The Marine Police, JTF and Anti-Kidnapping Unit have been alerted. A massive manhunt has been launched to rescue the victim and arrest the abductors. Investigation is ongoing.”

July 1, 2015
Gunmen kill two policemen in Bayelsa

Eight gunmen yesterday killed two policemen on the waterside of Onuegbum, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The bandits also abducted two Lebanese at a sand dredging site owned by a construction company, Pache.

The slain policemen were identified as a sergeant and a corporal.

The Lebanese were identified as Sarki Abi Chmouli and Ibrahim Abi Pherem.

It was learnt that the gunmen invaded the sand dump, close to the community, at 12.20pm.

They were said to have stormed the area in two speedboats.

The hoodlums caused panic when they fired repeatedly into the air, apparently to prevent possible resistance.

A source told our reporter that the two policemen fired back but could not withstand the firepower of the gunmen.

The source, who pleaded not to be named, said: “They took the policemen by surprise. The policemen fired back but they were outnumbered by the gunmen. The policemen tried their best. After killing the policemen, the gunmen seized the expatriates and escaped through the waterways.”

Police spokesman Asinim Butswat, an Assistant Superintendent (ASP), confirmed the incident.

He said the bodies of the slain policemen had been deposited at the morgue of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) for autopsy.

Butswat said: Unknown gunmen in two speedboats yesterday attacked Pache Nigeria Limited at Onuebum. They killed two policemen – a sergeant and a corporal.

“They also kidnapped two Lebanese – Ibrahim Adi Phrem and Sarkis Adi. The bodies of the two policemen have been deposited at the FMC.

“We were able to recover one rifle. We have launched a massive manhunt for the kidnappers and their victims. The marine police have been alerted and we have also alerted the Joint Task Force (JTF).

“We assure Bayelsans to go about their legitimate duties as the police are on top of the situation. We are committed to the protection of life and property in the state.”

June 25, 2015
Gunmen kill IYC chief’s aide

Four gunmen suspected to be assassins on Friday invaded the home of the National General Secretary of Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide, Emmanuel Bristol Alagbariya, in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, and killed one of his aides.

The gunmen scared the residents when they did not get their target.

The IYC secretary, who has been working on the upcoming Rivers State Ijaw Summit, in commemoration of the 58 years of the Henry Willinks minority commission and celebration of heroes for their contributions to the recognition of Niger Delta, was said to have convened a meeting of the summit’s organising committee at his home.

The committee’s members were waiting for him to join them when a bus, said to belong to him, drove into the compound. It was followed by the suspected assassins.

The gunmen were said to have laid siege outside Alagbariya’s compound.

They encircled the place, apparently thinking the IYC chief was in the bus.

But they soon discovered that their target was not around.

It was learnt that the gunmen went into the room where the committee members were waiting and ordered them to lie flat, when they did not find Alagbariya.

Out of frustration, one of the hoodlums shot and killed the IYC chief’s personal assistant.

Alagbariya has been a frontline youth leader campaigning for a better life for the Ijaw and Niger Delta youths.

The Rivers Ijaw Summit is expected to honour the late Chief Harold Dappa-Biriye, Major Jasper Isaac Adaka Boro, Dr. I. J. M. Fiberesima, Chief U. O. Ekeneokot and Chief P. J Warmate for their contributions to Niger Delta, Rivers State and Nigeria.

It is Alagbariya’s initiative to create awareness on how to address the predicament of youths of Rivers State.

Several people have expressed shock at the killers’ action.

Security has been tightened around the IYC chief.

The summit is expected to hold on June 26 at the prestigious Hotel Presidential’s Atlantic Hall.

Efforts to speak with police spokesman Muhammad Kidaya Ahmad, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), and Alagbariya, were unsuccessful last night.

June 22, 2015