The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Gunmen

  • Gunmen hit Adamawa police station, prison

    …Kill 20

    At least 20 persons were reportedly killed on Friday when unknown gunmen hit Maiha, Adamawa State.

    The Divisional Police Station, the prison, the Customs area office and the presidential lodge located in the area were completely razed

    Several inmates were also set free by the gunmen.

    The gunmen, according to eyewitnesses, stormed the town at about 3am with heavy artillery.

    They said the gunmen overran the police station, carted away arms and ammunition, then proceeded to the prisons where the inmates were reportedly set free.

    The Police public Relation Officer, Mohammed Ibrahim (DSP), who confirmed the incident, said the police were in Maiha to assess the situation.

     

  • Gunmen kill four in Plateau

    Gunmen kill four in Plateau

    The peace enjoyed by the indigenes and residents of Plateau State during and after the Christmas was disrupted yesterday when gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen sneaked into Bachit village in Riyom Local Government and killed three people, leaving others injured.

    Information received also showed that a retired soldier living in Rim village in the local government was also killed in his home on Christmas day by people suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.

    The men, said to be more than 10, arrived Bachit village in the early hours of yesterday and forcefully entered a house, shooting a man and his wife at close range in their sleep.

    When trying to escape, a man, who was said to have seen them leaving, was also killed. As they left the village, they shot at random, during which stray bullets hit some people and others were attacked with machetes. Some of the injured are currently receiving treatment at the Vom Christian Hospital.

    A lawmaker representing Riyom Constituency, Mr. Daniel Dem, said the mode of the killings was not different from the previous ones, adding that those behind the act were the same people that have been attacking the local government.

    He appealed for calm and enjoined the people to be more vigilant, adding that they should not only rely on the security men posted to the area to guarantee their safety.

    Police spokesman Abuh Emmanuel could not be reached for confirmation, but information gathered indicated that the incident is being investigated to arrest the culprits.

  • Gunmen kill 12 in ’Xmas Eve attacks on churches

    Gunmen kill 12 in ’Xmas Eve attacks on churches

    -It’s bestial, says Oritsejafor

    -Pope laments ‘savage acts of terrorism’ in Nigeria

    Twelve people, including a pastor and a deacon, were killed in attacks by gunmen on churches on Christmas Eve in Yobe and Borno states.

    Gunmen also attacked a local government official in Kano yesterday. He escaped with some injuries but his driver died.

    The attack on the Yobe church during a Christmas Eve service, led to the killing of the pastor and five worshippers. The church was also set on fire.

    Worshippers were attacked at the First Baptist Church in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. A deacon and five church members were killed.

    The incidents dented the massive security cordon woven around the country to prevent killings during the celebration. Besides, it brought back the sad memory of the Christmas Day bombings in Madala, Niger State, last year, in which many died.

    Pope Benedict XVI decried attacks on churches in Nigeria in his homily at the St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican, yesterday.

    “A group of gunmen came into the village at midnight and went straight to the church… they opened fire on them, killing the pastor and five worshippers. They then set fire to the church,” said Usman Mansir, resident of Firi village, near Potiskum, the economic capital of Yobe State.

    Police spokesman in Yobe Adamu Salihu, yesterday confirmed the attack on Firi Village.

    He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that unknown gunmen had attacked the village early Tuesday.

    He said there was no bomb explosion but gun attack with some casualties.

    “We have received report on the attack but there are no details yet.

    “There may be casualties but no accurate figure yet; we are still awaiting the details from our men in Potiskum Division,” he said.

    There were reports that the COCIN Church in the village was also burnt down by the assailants, but this could not be confirmed.

    Spokesman of the The Joint Task Force in Yobe Lt. Lazarus Eli said: “Five persons lost their lives and four others sustained injuries during the attack. One suspect was arrested in connection with the attack”.

    Damaturu the state capital remained calm without any tension.

    Normal church services were held in the metropolis with intensive security check carried out on cars and worshippers.

    Most of the clergy men at their Christmas sermons preached the love and joy of the birth of Christ to come upon the country.

    Rev. Fr. Allen of the St. mary’s Catholic Church Damaturu prayed for peace to return to the country.

    He urged Nigerians to forgive one another and allow the love of Christ to envelop the nation.

    In Kano, some gunmen yesterday injured the Dawakin Tofa Local Government Council Interim management officer, Alhaji Ahmed Kambai Ismaila. They killed his driver.

    The incident, according to eyewitnesses, happened at about 9:30 am at Sallari quarters of Kano city. It was gathered that the gunmen, who trailed Ismaila, opened fire on him when they got close to his vehicle. The bullet missed the target but hit the driver, who died instantly.

    Kano police spokesman Majia Magaji said the area has been condoned off as investigation continues.

    The Pope lamented “savage acts of terrorism” that frequently target Christian churches in Nigeria during his traditional Christmas message.

    The pontiff prayed for “concord in Nigeria, where savage acts of terrorism continue to reap victims, particularly among Christians”.

    The Islamist extremist group Boko Haram (wester education is a sin) has often targeted churches in its bloody insurgency, as well as police and other symbols of the establishment.

    Violence linked to the insurgency is believed to have left about 3 000 people dead since 2009.

    Pope Benedict XVI called for peace around the world.

    The message was watched live by a worldwide audience and about 40,000 pilgrims who listened live to the 85-year-old Pontiff.

    He said: “May the Birth of Christ favour the return of peace in Mali and that of concord in Nigeria, where savage acts of terrorism continue to reap victims, particularly among Christians.

    “May the Redeemer bring help and comfort to the refugees from the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and grant peace to Kenya, where brutal attacks have struck the civilian population and places of worship.

    “May peace spring up in the Land where the Redeemer was born, and may he grant Israelis and Palestinians courage to end long years of conflict and division, and to embark resolutely on the path of negotiation.

    “In the countries of North Africa, which are experiencing a major transition in pursuit of a new future – and especially the beloved land of Egypt, blessed by the childhood of Jesus – may citizens work together to build societies founded on justice and respect for the freedom and dignity of every person.

    “May peace spring up on the vast continent of Asia. May the Child Jesus look graciously on the many peoples who dwell in those lands and, in a special way, upon all those who believe in him. May the King of Peace turn his gaze to the new leaders of the People’s Republic of China for the high task which awaits them. I express my hope that, in fulfilling this task, they will esteem the contribution of the religions, in respect for each, in such a way that they can help to build a fraternal society for the benefit of that noble People and of the whole world.

    “May the Child Jesus bless the great numbers of the faithful who celebrate him in Latin America. May he increase their human and Christian virtues, sustain all those forced to leave behind their families and their land, and confirm government leaders in their commitment to development and fighting crime,” he said.

    Pope Benedict XVI called for an “end to the bloodshed” in conflict-wracked Syria.

    “There is hope in the world … even at the most difficult times and in the most difficult situations,” he said, praying that “peace spring up for the people of Syria, deeply wounded and divided by a conflict which does not spare even the defenceless and reaps innocent victims.”

     

  • Gunmen kill two in Katsina

    Two people were killed on Wednesday night when some gunmen bombed a police station and kidnapped a Frenchman, Mr Francis Colump, in Rimi Local Government Area of Katsina State.

    A policeman was injured in the attack.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported yesterday that the incident occurred at 10pm on Wednesday.

    The dead are Rabe Dan’Unguwa (45), a security man at the home of Colump; and Abubakar Sale (25), a passerby.

    The abducted Frenchman reportedly works with S. A. Vergnet France, the firm handling the contract for the 10Megawatts wind mill power project in Rimi.

    An eyewitness yesterday in Rimi told NAN that the attacks on the police station and the home of Colump were carried out simultaneously by about 30 gunmen, who were said to be in two groups.

    The eyewitness said the attackers arrived in the town in three vehicles and began shooting.

    They were said to have set off the bomb, which damaged the police station.

    But there was no casualty in the attack on the police station.

    The mobile policeman was injured in the attack on the Frenchman’s home.

    It was gathered that as soon as they shot the trio, the gunmen entered the home and abducted the Frenchman.

    When the NAN correspondent visited the town, the residents, including the Caretaker Chairman of the council, Alhaji Nasiru Ala, were conducting the burial rites of the dead.

    Ala described the incident as “tragic”.

    He prayed God to expose those who carried out the attacks.

    Police Commissioner Abdullahi Magaji confirmed the incidents.

    He said the gunmen used a gas cylinder to bomb the police station.

    Magaji added: “Their purpose was to kidnap the expatriate, Mr Colump. But they attacked the police station to divert attention.”

    The police chief said two civilians were killed while the injured policeman was receiving treatment at a hospital in Katsina.

    “One gun belonging to the hoodlums was recovered and we are going to pursue them,” he said.

  • Gunmen bomb police station in Katsina

    …Abduct Frenchman

    Gunmen have bombed a police station and kidnapped a Frenchman, Mr. Francis Colump in Rimi Local Government area of Katsina State.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that two people were killed and a mobile policeman injured in the attack, which occurred at about 10pm on Wednesday.

    Those who died are Rabe Dan’Unguwa (45), a security man at the residence of Colump, and one Abubakar Sale (25), a passer bye.

    The abducted Frenchman works with S. A. Vergnet France, the firm handling the contract for the 10 megawatt wind mill power project in Rimi.

    An eyewitness told NAN on Thursday in Rimi, that the attacks on the station and the residence of Colump were carried out simultaneously by about 30 gunmen, who divided themselves into two groups.

    According to him, the attackers arrived the town in three vehicles and began shooting before setting off the bomb which badly damaged the station but recorded no casualty.

    The mobile policeman was injured in the attack on the Frenchman’s residence.

    It was gathered that as soon as they shot the trio, the gunmen forced themselves into the residence and abducted the Frenchman.

    When the NAN correspondent visited the town, the residents including the Caretaker Chairman of the council, Alhaji Nasiru Ala were conducting the burial rites of the two persons killed in the attack.

    Ala, who described the incident as “tragic”, prayed God to expose those involved in the act.

    When contacted, the state Police Commissioner, Alhaji Abdullahi Magaji, confirmed the incident, saying that the gunmen used a gas cylinder to bomb the police station.

    “Their purpose was to kidnap the expatriate, Mr. Colump, but they attacked the police station to divert attention.”

    Magaji said two civilians were killed while the mobile policeman injured in the attack was receiving treatment at a hospital in Katsina.

     

  • Gunmen kidnap Koreans in Bayelsa

    Gunmen on Monday abducted four South Koreans working for Hyundai Fabrication Company.

    They were kidnapped on Okpoama Island, Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa state.

    Police spokesman Fidelis Odunna told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the gunmen stormed the company’s site by boat and abducted the Chinese workers.

    He said the police had deployed detectives to comb the creeks for possible clues, adding that “strategic security measures are being put in place to forestall a reoccurrence’’.

    Community sources told NAN that one of the four kidnapped men was the company’s Operations Manager, who was simply identified as Mr J.H. Kin.

    A source said the gunmen blindfolded their hostages and took them away in their speedboat.

    Another the source said the abduction was carried out in a “commando-like-manner’’, as many of the company employees who witnessed the incident were reportedly helplessly.

    Officials of the Joint Military Task force (JTF) and policemen have been deployed in the creeks to hunt down the kidnappers and secure the release of the expatriates.

    However, the whereabouts of the kidnapped men have not been ascertained. No group has claimed responsibility.

    The police said a Nigerian, Mr. Tekeyo Weni, initially kidnapped along with the Korean but dropped, is assisting investigators.

    Hyundai Fabrication Company fabricates metal materials used by the Brass Liquefied Natural Gas Company (BLNG).

    According to NAN investigations the local communities have been at loggerheads with the company over its failure to employ youths from the area.

    In a statement yesterday, The South Korean foreign ministry said the four employees from Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. were at the worksite in Bayelsa state to prepare for the construction of several factories when they were abducted.

    Ministry spokesman Cho Tai-young said the armed men initially took away the South Koreans and two Nigerian workers in a speed boat but one local Nigerian was later released.

    The kidnappers phoned Hyundai officials on yesterday morning and said the abductees were safe, the ministry said. The kidnappers said they would contact them again, the statement added.

     

  • Gunmen kidnap Chinese workers in Bayelsa

    Some gunmen on Monday abducted four Chinese nationals working for Hyundai Fabrication Company.

    The incident took place on Okpoama Island, Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

    Confirming the report, the Police Public Relations Officer in Bayelsa, Mr. Fidelis Odunna (DSP), told the News Agency of Nigeria that the gunmen stormed the company’s site by boat and abducted the Chinese workers.

    He, however, said the police command had since deployed detectives to comb the creeks for possible clues, adding that “strategic security measures are being put in place to forestall a reoccurrence.’’

    Community sources earlier told NAN that one of the four kidnapped men was the company’s Operations Manager, who was simply identified as Mr. J.H. Kin.

    A source also told NAN that the gunmen blindfolded their hostages and took them away in their speedboat.

    The source said the abduction was carried out in a “commando-like-manner’’, as many of the company staff who witnessed the incident watched helplessly.

    NAN also learnt that officials of the Joint Military Task force (JTF) and policemen have been deployed to the creeks to hunt down the kidnappers and secure the release of the expatriates.

     

  • Gunmen write to Auchi banks

    •’We’re scared‘

    There was tension yesterday in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government of Edo State as residents scampered for safety, following the rumour of attacks on some banks.

    It was gathered that operators of several financial institutions in the community closed shop unannounced.

    Sources said threat letters were sent to two banks, informing them of planned attacks on their facilities.

    Speaking in a telephone interview, the chairman of Bankers’ Forum in Auchi, Sanusi Bash, described the situation as worrisome.

    He called for more security personnel to be deployed in the city.

    Bash said: “They wrote a letter and dropped it at two banks, that they will come back before the end of the year, saying soldiers and police cannot withstand them.

    “We are scared and please let the government provide security. We are not attending to customers and we are scared as we now live in perpetual fear.

    “We will open to customers once we are guaranteed of proper security measures. We cannot risk our business and personnel.”

     

  • Gunmen raid Potiskum, kill DPO, set bank ablaze

    Gunmen raid Potiskum, kill DPO, set bank ablaze

    POTISKUM – the commercial nerve centre of Yobe State – was yesterday invaded by gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram members.

    The invaders engaged security operatives in a gun duel, killing a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and setting a bank branch ablaze.

    The Unity Bank Plc branch on NPN Road was set ablaze by the gunmen.

    Joint Task Force (JTF) spokesman Lt. Lazarus Eli confirmed the incident to reporters in Damaturu, the state capital, yesterday.

    There was no official statement on the loss suffered by the affected bank, but there were strong indications that the raiders stole unspecified amount of money from the vault before they set the bank on fire.

    The JTF spokesman said: “At about 2am, unknown gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram terrorists, attacked the Police Area Command, NPN Road, Potiskum. Men of JTF promptly reinforced the police to repel the attack.

    “The bodies of three of the suspected terrorists killed were recovered and 10 other bodies were suspected to have been carried away by the terrorists. The DPO died in the hospital as a result of gunshot injuries he sustained during the attack.

    “JTF assures residents of adequate security measures to safeguard lives and property and wishes to appeal for calm.”

     

  • Gunmen kill two teenagers in Kano

    Two teenagers were at the weekend shot dead in Kano by unknown gunmen.

    The incident, according to an eyewitness, occurred at about 7pm at Yankaba area of the ancient city on Thursday when unknown gunmen, riding on a motorbike, shot the two teenagers to death at close range and immediately escaped.

    In separate interviews with Solomon Agazie and Nwachukwu, both fathers of the slain teenagers, they expressed shock and disbelief over the killing of their innocent sons in cold blood.

    In tears, Mr Nwachukwu asked, “Who killed my son? What offence has he committed to be shot instantly to death without justice?”

    According to both parents, the late Daniel Nwachukwu (17) and Chukwuemeka Emmanuel Agazie (16) were both childhood friends who grew up within the same locality in Yankaba before they met their untimely death.

    On the fateful day, the late Daniel visited his friend, Chukwuebuka, and while he was seeing off Daniel just 200 metres away from his home, Chukwuebuka’s sister, who was in the bathroom, heard two gun shots, and rushed out to the scene, only to discover that her brother and friend had been shot to death.

    She hurriedly alerted both parents, who rushed to the scene. Moments later, operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) arrived the spot and with the consent of both parents carried the bodies of the teenagers to the Bompai Police Station where the incident was recorded and thereafter the bodies were taken to the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital mortuary for autopsy.

    Meanwhile, both pained parents of the late teenagers are challenging the state government to fish out the killers of their sons, insisting that they are both innocent, adding that one of the deceased, Daniel, recently secured admission to an institution in Imo State and was in the process of proceeding there before he met his death

    Contacted, the Police Command confirmed the incident and said that investigations have commenced to unravel those behind the crime.