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Tag: Gunmen

  • Gunmen attack soldiers guarding pipeline in Rivers

    Gunmen attack soldiers guarding pipeline in Rivers

    Unidentified gunmen suspected to be cultists have attacked and injured soldiers guarding an oil company’s pipeline at Okporowo community in Orlukwor clan, Ahoada East Local Government Area, Rivers State.

    A source, speaking in confidence, revealed that the attack was carried out on Monday by an unnamed notorious gang leader on the watchlist of security agencies. Although no lives were lost, the attackers opened fire on the soldiers, injuring some of them.

    The source said: “It is suspected that a soldier sustained serious injuries but no reports of fatality yet. I just learnt that there is massive reinforcement from the military”.

    The Eze Igbu Orlukwor II, Eze Prince Ike Ehie JP, Eze Ehie II, confirmed the incident and strongly condemned the shooting of soldiers on legitimate duties by the miscreants at Okporowo Community.

    Eze Ehie said it was an affront and insult to constituted authorities for civilians under any guise to shoot at military officers on their constitutionally assigned responsibilities.

    Read Also: Security operatives kill 100 gunmen in Anambra-Police

    He called on the government to fish out the perpetrators and urged security agencies to exhibit utmost professionalism and avoid harassing innocent sons and daughters of Orlukwor Kingdom in their efforts to fish out the hoodlums.

    Describing Orlukwor as a peaceful and hospitable kingdom, the monarch promised that his kingdom would work in synergy with the security agencies to put an end to the illegal proliferation of arms amongst the youths.

    He warned that henceforth, every community paramount ruler should protect the public interest and avoid security breaches that would compromise the kingdom’s security or face dire consequences, including outright removal.

    Eze Ehie sympathized with the military high command, government and particularly the victims and wishes them quick recovery.

  • JUST IN: Gunmen kidnap former NYSC DG in Katsina

    JUST IN: Gunmen kidnap former NYSC DG in Katsina

    Bandits have reportedly abducted the former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga (retd.), in Tsiga village, Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State.

    Eyewitnesses reported that the attack occurred around 12:30am on Thursday when heavily armed assailants stormed the community, firing sporadically to instill fear among residents.

    Read Also: Two killed, many injured as gunmen invade Lagos community

    Tsiga was reportedly taken with several other villagers during the attack.

    At the time of reporting authorities were yet to provide an official statement on the incident.

    Details shortly…

  • Two die, many injured as gunmen invade Lagos community

    Two die, many injured as gunmen invade Lagos community

    Two people have been killed and many others injured after armed men invaded Ijegun Egba community in the Ori Ade Local Community Development Area(LCDA) of Lagos State.

    The gunmen were said to have attacked the community on Monday and Tuesday from a neighbouring riverine village over a dispute that began last Thursday.

    The deceased were identified as a sickler, Gbenga Areagbo, 40, and one Oladapo Olukoya.

    A short video seen by our Correspondent showed one of the victims lying lifeless on the ground with his head smashed and bloodied.

    It was gathered that the attackers carted away the body of Olukoya through the jetty to Ibasa, the nearby riverine village.

    Although the cause of the armed invasion was yet to be ascertained, sources said the gunmen started harassing and robbing locals last Thursday.

    The Nation reports that land grabbing, cultism, pipeline vandalism and illegal levies from miscreants were among triggers of violence in that part of the state.

    A native of Ijegun Egba, Kudus Fadiku, who confirmed the incident to reporters, alleged the gunmen were thugs from Ibasa.

    Read Also: NAICOM, World Bank collaborate to strengthen Nigeria’s insurance sector

    “They identified an indigene of our town, Wasiu Ademola, and they attacked him. He was seriously injured and they wanted to take him to Ibasa through the river when he lied to them that he is not from Ijegun Egba and that he is a policeman. That was when they released him.”

    Another resident, Kazeem, said the reported the case at Satellite Town Police Station that Thursday but were told by the police that the town was peaceful.

    “The armed men came again on Friday to Zone 2 area of the town and started harassing people. They were trying to identify members of our community. One of them, Sodiq, was the one pointing at people.

    “They took that advantage to rob and attack residents and passers by in the area, when they did  not see any of their targets,” he said.

    “The issues however escalated on Monday as the hoodlums, led by Evico, Teslim, Ligali and Jamiu, allegedly stormed the jetty and shot Oladapo Adekoya dead.

    “They shot him and also used cutlasses and axes on him before taking his corpse to Ibasa through the river,” said a resident.

    A community leader, Saeed Ayinde, while mourning Adeagbo, said: “I had gone to FCID, Alagbon for a matter, when I got the news of his killing.

    “He was sitting with one of his friends, Lateef Arowolo at Ade Oshodi junction, Ijegun Egba, when the hoodlums invaded the area with arms and ammunition.

    “They came in about three vehicles and motorcycles, brandishing guns and cutlasses. Lateef only narrowly escaped death but they attacked Gbenga, who could not run.

    “They asked if he was Lateef and when he told them that he was not ,they shot him at very close range and also used axes to cut him .

    “We have also reported at the Area E Police Command in FESTAC but till now, nobody has been arrested in connection with the killings and attacks.”

  • Gunmen kill Rivers stadium CSO, son

    Gunmen kill Rivers stadium CSO, son

    • How they killed my husband, son, by wife

    Unidentified gunmen have killed the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the Adokiye Amieseimeka Stadium, Richard Timothy, and  his 23-year-old son, Silas, at his home in Igwuruta-ali near Port Harcourt.

    Timothy’s widow, Grace, said about five gunmen dressed in black attire attacked her husband as they drove into their residence.

    Grace said her son, a new graduate of the University of Port Harcourt,  waiting for  the compulsory one year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) was also shot dead by the assailants.

    Grace said: “Around 9pm on 31th January, we went to get some things. As we were coming and about entering the house, we called my son to open the gate.

    Read Also: Gunmen abduct Ibadan agro-firm worker, demand n100m ransom

    “As he opened the gate we were about to enter, we saw people in black, fully armed entering with us in their car. They started shooting and immediately my husband opened the door, they shot him in the head, not once, not twice. They saw his son with him.

    “I was able to escape, but by the time I entered the house, I met my son who just graduated from UNIPORT ready to go for NYSC, his body on the floor. The police came then I took his body and deposited it at the morgue,”

    The woman said the gunmen later took her into a nearby bush after shooting her husband and her son dead and requested she give them money.

  • Gunmen kill stadium CSO, son in Rivers 

    Gunmen kill stadium CSO, son in Rivers 

    Gunmen have killed  the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the Adokiye Amieseimeka Stadium, Richard Timothy and  his 23-year-old son, identified simply  as Silas at his residence in Igwuruta-ali close to Port Harcourt.

     Timothy’s widow, Grace, said about five gunmen dressed in black attire attacked her husband as they drove into their residence.

    Grace said her son, a new graduate of the University of Port Harcourt,  waiting for  the compulsory one year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) was also shot dead  by the assailants.

    Grace said: “Around 9pm on 31th January, we went to get some things. As we were coming and about entering the house, we called my son to open the gate.

    “As he opened the gate we were about to enter, we saw people in black, fully armed entering with us in their car. They started shooting and immediately my husband opened the door, they shot him in the head, not once, not twice. They saw his son with him.

    “I was able to escape but by the time I entered the house, I met my son who just graduated from UNIPORT ready to go for NYSC, his corpse on the floor. The police came and took his corpse and deposited at the morgue,”

    The woman said the  gunmen later took her into a nearby bush after shooting her husband and her son dead and requested she gave them money.

    She said: “I was able to escape to the backyard. They came there, saw me and took me out of the compound towards the bush, like 50 meters from the house. At that time I knew there was no hope for me again.

    “Then I tried to find out from them what the problem was and who sent them. They said they didn’t come for me but my husband. They now asked me to bring money. I told them I don’t have any money.

    “Along the line they shot one of their members. So for them to be able to escape with the one with a gunshot, they left me and asked me to go back.” 

    Read Also: Gunmen abduct Ibadan agro-firm worker, demand n100m ransom

    She said her husband had hitherto received multiple threats from some individuals, who opposed his stance against the looting of properties at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium.

    She said: “The DPO (Divisional Police Officer) took me to the House and tried to find out a few things from me and said they will get back to me.

    “They have been threatening him. If they go to the Igwuruta Police Station, I think they will have many files of those that have been threatening him, those that have been stealing from that stadium.

    “If they (police) go there at least they will know where and how the case will look like. That will even help them because he has been going there to register all these threats in the police station because he didn’t want them to empty the Stadium.

    “I think on one or two occasions around June, July he arrested two people, one from the Stadium, the other from his yard. Nigerians should help me, I don’t want my husband to die in vain because he fought for the truth.”

    The Spokesperson of the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko confirmed the incident saying investigation to ensure those behind the killings are apprehended and brought to book.

    Iringe-Koko, in a statement said  the police “received a distress call from late Timothy’s daughter about the attack and immediately dispatched its men who raced down and recovered three expended AK-47 ammunition.”

    She said Timothy and his son were rushed to the hospital but were confirmed dead by the doctor on duty, adding Commissioner of Police had deployed necessary intelligence to ensure the arrest of the fleeing suspects and make them face the law.

    The statement said: “The Rivers State Police Command is aware of a tragic incident which occurred on 31st, January, 2025,  at about 2340hrs in Rivers State, where one Timothy, ‘m’ a 59-year-old Chief Security Officer of Adokiye Amieseimeka  International Stadium,  Omagwa, Port Harcourt and his first son were brutally murdered by unknown gunmen. 

     “The Igwuruta Division of the Rivers State Police Command received a report from Omolara, Timothy’s daughter, stating that four unknown gunmen ambushed her father and son, shooting them severely on the head, resulting in their death.

    “The police swiftly responded to the scene, recovering three expended AK-47 ammunition. The victims were rushed to the hospital, but unfortunately, they succumbed to their injuries and were confirmed dead by the Doctor on duty.

     “The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, has directed the deployment of all necessary intelligence to apprehend the fleeing suspects and bring them to justice.

    “The Rivers State Police Command has been proactive in addressing crime in the state, it is working tirelessly to ensure that justice is served in this recent case.”

  • JUST IN: Gunmen kidnap seven travellers in Ondo

    JUST IN: Gunmen kidnap seven travellers in Ondo

    Suspected kidnappers have abducted seven travellers along the Owo-Ipele axis of the Owo-Benin highway in Ondo State.

    The attack occurred over the weekend, sparking concerns over rising insecurity in the area.

    Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, Funmilayo Odunlami, confirmed the incident, stating that officers have been deployed to rescue the victims.

    Read Also: Gunmen abduct Ibadan agro-firm worker, demand n100m ransom

    The abduction comes shortly after the killing of five farmers at Ajegunle Powerline in Akure North Local Government Area.

  • JUST IN: Gunmen attack Ebonyi community, kill residents

    JUST IN: Gunmen attack Ebonyi community, kill residents

    Suspected gunmen launched a deadly attack on Amegu Nkalagha community in Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State on Sunday morning, killing several residents and setting houses ablaze.

    The assault is believed to be a reprisal following the reported killing of cattle belonging to herdsmen in the area.

    Confirming the attack to The Nation, a community member, Prof. Ndubuisi Idenyi, said the assailants stormed the village in the early hours of Sunday, unleashing violence that left many dead and properties destroyed.

    “I don’t have the number of casualties right now. We are still tracking and bringing out the dead bodies especially those killed in the farms”

    Another source said a Pastor of a Pentecostal Church in the area was among those killed in the attack.

    Read Also: Improve security funding to boost security, former CDS tells FG

    The source who pleaded anonymity said the community members were not responsible for the killing of the cows. 

    “We did not kill their cows. The cows were killed by members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in the forest” , the source who pleaded anonymity said. 

    Chairperson of Isheilu Local government area, Ifeoma Peace Agwu confirmed the incident. 

    She said: “We are taking the victims bodies to the mortuary right now. I cannot talk much on it now. We will give more details later”, she said. 

    Police spokesperson, Joshua Ukandu, however said he was not aware of the incident. 

  • JUST IN: Scores feared dead as security outfit storms gunmen, kidnappers’ den

    JUST IN: Scores feared dead as security outfit storms gunmen, kidnappers’ den

    Anambra Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s security outfit, (Agunechemba) has stormed operational base of gunmen and kidnappers with scores feared dead.

    Some of the hoodlums fled with various degrees of injuries while many guns and other items have been recovered

    Since the inauguration of the the outfit in the mode of the then “Bakassi boys” during the late Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju’s era, no fewer than six camps of the hoodlums have been decimated.

    The operation took place at Enugu-Agidi in Njikoka local government area close around 1am on Thursday. 

    The “Udo Ga Achi and Agunechemba” troops invaded the area with other security outfits like the Police, DSS,Military among others

    The Nation gathered that it was based on intelligence report and one of the gunmen was arrested too

    The items recovered include two AK- 47 Riffles, 8 Pump Action guns,4 Locally made Pistols, 3 packets of Cartridges(101 Cartridges) 4 empty Magazines of AK-47 Riffles, 3 Cutlasses, one Baofeng Radio, one motorcycle and many charms

    Many have been killed in Anambra over insecurity with others kidnapped at random. 

    Anambra police spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga could not be reached on mobile for confirmation of the latest development. 

    But one of the Senior Police Officers in Anambra confirmed the development.

    He said it was a joint operation led by the Police Command based on intelligence gathering

    “Anambra must be free again, the Governor has done much and he has given us the mandate to secure the state and that’s what we’re doing. Those criminals must bow,” the source said. 

  • Gunmen ‘abduct five’ in Abuja community attack

    Gunmen ‘abduct five’ in Abuja community attack

    • Police begin investigation

    Residents of Chikakore community in Kubwa in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were on Sunday attacked by gunmen who kidnapped five residents alongside a family.

    Sources told The Nation that about five armed men arrived at the Health Centre extension axis of Chikakore around 11pm.

    According to sources, the attackers targeted the homes of their victims, including Adesiyan Akinropo, a resident from the Southwest. The bandits kidnapped Akinropo, his wife, his son, and a visitor, as well as another neighbour.

    A woman, who had a deep wound on her head, was rushed to the hospital, where she is receiving treatment. 

    Read Also: JUST IN: Gunmen kill six in Benue community

    It was learnt that the police operatives from the Byzahin division arrived at the scene an hour and half after the incident, but did not meet the gunmen. 

    A resident, who pleaded anonymity, said: “The bandits have resumed attacks in Chikakore. We need a police division in this community. We have land and a five-bedroom apartment already built to accommodate the police but there is no deployment yet.

    “In the Sunday incident, the policemen came one and a half hours after the bandits had escaped with their victims”.

    The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Police Josphine Adeh, said a search and rescue aimed at securing the recovery of the abducted victims and apprehending the perpetrators had started.

  • JUST IN: Gunmen attack Abuja community, abduct five residents

    JUST IN: Gunmen attack Abuja community, abduct five residents

    Residents of Chikakore community in Kubwa within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja were thrown into confusion when gunmen stormed the community last Sunday evening and kidnapped five residents alongside a family.

    Sources told The Nation that about five armed men arrived at the Health Centre extension axis of Chikakore around 11pm.

    According to sources, the attackers targeted the homes of their victims, including Adesiyan Akinropo, a resident from the Southwestern part of Nigeria.

    The bandits kidnapped Akinropo, his wife, his son, and a visitor, as well as another neighbour, bringing the total number of abducted persons to five.

    Findings also revealed that the attack also left a woman severely injured, with a deep wound on her head inflicted by the attacker.

    She was rushed to the hospital, where she is presently receiving treatment.  

    It was learnt that the police operatives from the Byzahin division arrived at the scene an hour and half after the incident, but did not meet the gunmen.  

    A resident who pleaded anonymity said: “The bandits have resumed attacks in Chikakore. We need a police division here in this community. We have land and a five-bedroom apartment already built to accommodate the police but there is no deployment yet.

    “In the Sunday incident, the policemen came one and a half hours after the bandits had escaped with their victims”.

    Confirming the incident the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josphine Adeh said search and rescue operation aimed at securing the safe recovery of the abducted victims and apprehending the perpetrators of this criminal act has commenced.

    Adeh said: “On 27th January 2025, at about 1:00 A.M., the FCT Police Command received a distress call regarding a case of abduction and assault in the Chikakore community. FCT Police operatives were swiftly deployed to the scene.

    “Preliminary investigations revealed that seven unknown men, disguised as vigilante members and armed with machetes and sticks, attacked the residence of the victim. The suspects deceived him the Victim into opening his gate, after which they abducted him and three members of his family. A neighbor who attempted to intervene sustained injuries during the attack and was promptly rushed to Kubwa General Hospital for medical attention.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Gunmen kill six in Benue community

    “The FCT Police Command has commenced a comprehensive search and rescue operation aimed at securing the safe recovery of the abducted victims and apprehending the perpetrators of this criminal act”.

    The FCT Police Command called on residents of the Chikakore community and the general public to remain calm and vigilant.

    She said any useful information that could assist the investigation and rescue efforts should be promptly reported to the police.

    “The FCT Police Command can be reached via the emergency lines: 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653, and 08028940883. Residents can also report incidents through the Public Complaint Bureau (PCB) number: 09022222352”, Adeh added.