The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Kaduna-Abuja highway

  • Bandits block Kaduna-Abuja highway again, hundreds of motorists unaccounted for

    Kidnappers on Monday afternoon blocked the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway forcing several motorists to abandon their vehicles and head for nearby bushes to avoid being abducted.

    The development has left many motorists and passengers unaccounted for just as their belongings were carted away by the kidnappers.

    A Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who narrowly escaped the attack by the kidnappers reports that the incident happened a few kilometres to Katari village in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna state at about 3.30pm.

    NAN also reports that hundreds of motorists traveling from Kaduna to Abuja as well as those going the other way found themselves stranded for more than 40 minutes as both lanes of the expressway were blocked by cars hastily abandoned by their owners.

    Read also: Kaduna is peaceful, safe, DIG assures

    NA Correspondent gathered that the bandits left the scene of the incident and moved into the bush with some of their victims before the arrival of some security men, who later cleared the road for the motorists to continue on their journeys.

    Commenting on the incident, owner of the popular Shagalinku Restaurant in Abuja, Alhaji Umar Shagalinku, lauded the prompt intervention of the security personnel.

    He, however, called on relevant security authorities to use modern technology including helicopters to track kidnappers.

    “I have been hearing about this robbery and kidnapping along Kaduna – Abuja road but today I witnessed – this is terrible and ungodly.

    “I sincerely pray that authorities concerned will do something about these criminals so that motorists will feel safe while plying this important road,” he said.

    NAN reliably gathered the same bandits operated on the same highway Sunday (April 28). (NAN)

  • NAF conducts surveillance in Kaduna/Abuja highway

    The Nigerian Air Force ( NAF ) on Wednesday said it has intensified its aerial surveillance and patrol on flashpoints within Kaduna and Abuja highway to frustrate the activities of kidnappers and armed robbers.

    Its spokesman, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola said in a statement that the patrol was a follow up to the exercise “Show of Force” conducted by the NAF in February to send warnings to the criminals that the military is ready for them.

    Air Commodore Daramola said :”In continuation of efforts to enhance security in Kaduna State and its environs, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), working with other security agencies, has intensified aerial surveillance over identified hotspots and flashpoints in the State while sustaining its air patrol along the Abuja-Kaduna Highway.

    “Some of the areas covered in the surveillance missions include Gonin Gora, Kajuru, Kujama, Kasuwar Maganin and surrounding settlements.

    “The air patrols, on the other hand, are focused on portions of Abuja-Kaduna Highway, which had hitherto been susceptible to the activities of armed robbers and kidnappers.

    “It may be recalled that the NAF conducted a “Show of Force” Exercise in Katari village, one of the identified criminal hotspots along the Abuja-Kaduna Highway, on 9 February 2019.

    ” The exercise, which combined aerial and ground operations by NAF Special Forces (SF) and Regiment personnel, sent a stern warning signal to criminal elements, that the NAF and other security agencies are ready to engage them both from the air and on ground to frustrate their nefarious activities.

    “The NAF will sustain its aerial surveillance, coupled with armed vehicular patrols, along the Highway, Rail Line and other areas in the State to ensure security of citizens as well as safe travels for law-abiding commuters.”

  • Soldiers kill 10 kidnappers, bandits in Kaduna 

    The troops of 1 Division Nigerian Army on Operation WHIRL PUNCH have killed six suspected kidnappers and four armed bandits in Birnin-Gwari area and Kaduna-Abuja highway.

    The army in a statement issued by the Deputy Director Army Public Relations 1 Division Nigerian Army, Colonel Muhammad Dole said a kidnap kingpin has also been arrested by the troops.

    Read Also:Police arrest 23 suspected kidnappers in Nasarawa

    According to the army, “The troops on Operation WHIRL PUNCH under 1 Division Nigerian Army are steadily making substantial progress in their efforts to rid the society of bandits and kidnappers in Birnin Gwari general area along Kaduna – Abuja road.

    “During the recent clearance operations and routine patrols, they raided suspected kidnappers’ hideouts at Kidandan, along Dogon Dawa road, Unguwan Bilya, Sofa and Unguwan Nakuli on Monday 10th September 2018. During the encounter with the bandits, six suspected kidnappers were neutralized.

    “Likewise in conjunction with the local vigilante’ groups, some identified escape routes used by bandits and kidnappers along Kuriga and Gayam general area as well as Maganda, Chiki de Parlour and Farin Ruwa, all located in Chikun LGA in Kaduna State were blocked and many were ambushed.

    “Similarly, another huge success was recorded when troops cleared Kidan Isa, Gidan Haruna Mobale and Kuduru, where Four bandits were neutralised and some escaped with gun shots.

    “The following items were recovered: An AK-47 rifle magazine, 16 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, one Dane Gun, a locally made Pistol, 2 mobile telephone handsets and arrested one kidnapper called Musa, who recently kidnapped Alhaji Ahmadu and two other persons from Kano. The suspect is currently being interrogated

    “The clearance Operation continued along Gwaska-Doka area, where troops encountered bandits, who fled from Dogon Dawa and Kamuku forests. During the pursuit, bandits abandoned four motorcycles and some valuable items which were subsequently recovered.

    “The operation WHIRL PUNCH will continue to exact enormous pressure on the criminals  hibernating in these suspected hideouts, until they are either completely cleared or abandoned the areas. The general public is requested to please continue to provide credible and timely information for the continuous successes of this operation,” The statement read.

  • Police parade 40 suspected kidnappers, others along Abuja-Kaduna highway

    Police parade 40 suspected kidnappers, others along Abuja-Kaduna highway

    The Nigeria Police on Thursday paraded another 40 suspected kidnappers and other criminals along Kaduna-Abuja highway.

    The Thursday’s parade brings to 72 the number of suspected kidnappers, armed robbers and others nabbed on the highway within this week.

    The suspects were arrested at various villages along the highway, where they have their operational bases and camps.

    Parading the suspects at Rijana village, Kachia local government area of Kaduna State along the highway, the Force Spokesman, CSP Jimoh Moshood attributed the arrest of the suspects to the launch of ‘Operation Absolute Sanity’ by the Inspector General of Police  (IGP) Ibrahim Idris.

    The force spokesman said the Commander of Operation Sanity and his personnel have not rested on their oars, as they arrested 40 suspects in addition the 32 paraded on Monday 31st July, 2017.

    CSP Jimoh disclosed that the police has been able to penetrate the kidnappers and locate their camps, even as he said some of their captives were rescued in the process.

    He said the police operatives have taken over the bushes on the highway and confirmed that efforts have intensified to arrest the sponsors of the group who are at large.

    According to him, “we have 40 suspects before us. These 40 suspects were arrested in the acts. They operate in different camps led by one, Ali Bello alias Tsonge. He is the Grand Commander of all the kidnappers you are seeing here. We also have Goma Shehu, alias Nama Gogo. Shehu is a notorious leader of kidnap for ransom gang that has been operating and terrorising passengers along Kaduna-Abuja highway way.

    “We also have another gang leader by name, Mohammed Mujua. Others include Danladi Hassan, Mohammed Abubakar, Egwu Ogiri, and Emmanuel Awobi among others”, he said.

    Items recovered from the suspects, include 3 double barrel guns, 2 single barrel guns, one assault rifle mounted with telescope, one locally made pistol revolver with 9.62 ammunition, pump action riffle, revolver, locally made 5MG, 30 live cartridges, assorted ammunitions, two magazines and assorted charms.

    Other are five laptops, three IPads, several mobile telephone handsets, jewelries, wristwatches and others.

    The force spokesman however assured those travelling on the highway of their safety and equally called on villagers and community leaders in crime prone areas to continue to collaborate with the police and other security agencies to rid criminals from their localities.

    Meanwhile, the suspects interviewed by the newsmen confessed to the crimes. While the gang armourer, Mohammed Mujua demonstrated how he services faulty rifles for the gangs.

     

  • Kidnappers release UniAbuja Deputy Registrar

    Kidnappers release UniAbuja Deputy Registrar

    Deputy Registrar (Institute of Education), University of Abuja, Dr. Nura Lawal, who was kidnapped on Thursday along Kaduna -Abuja highway, has regained his freedom.

    Dr. Lawal was released on Friday morning to his family by the kidnappers unharmed.

    Deputy Registrar (Information) and Spokesman of the university, Garba Waziri confirmed his release in a text message to our reporter in Abuja on Friday.

    Waziri did not confirm if any ransom was paid for the release of Dr. Lawal.

    The kidnappers had demanded for N10 million on Thursday.

    The text reads: “Uniabuja is pleased to announce that her staff Dr Nuruddeen lawal who was abducted along Abuja-Kaduna on wednesday afternoon has been released.

    “He was released early Friday and in good health.

    “The Vice-chancellor Prof. Michael Adikwu has expressed the university’s appreciation to all those who stood by the university and the family during the ordeal.

    “The VC thanked God for making it possible for Dr. Lawal to leave the kidnappers den unharmed.”

  • Gunmen kidnap UNIABUJA’s Deputy Registrar

    Gunmen kidnap UNIABUJA’s Deputy Registrar

    …Demand N10m ransom

     

    Unknown gunmen on Thursday kidnapped the Deputy Registrar (Institute of Education), University of Abuja, Dr. Nura Lawal.

    Dr. Lawal was kidnapped along Kaduna- Abuja highway while returning from Katsina, his home state.

    He was kidnapped alongside his wife who later escaped from the custody of the kidnappers.

    Mrs. Lawal, who narrated her ordeal in the hands of the kidnappers to members of staff of the university, said their vehicle, a Prado jeep, was cornered off the road alongside several other vehicles that were headed to Abuja, after having being flagged down by the kidnappers near Katari, a village close to Kaduna.

    She said the kidnappers led them to a nearby bush where both their cars and belongings were taken from them at gunpoint.

    Mrs, Lawal, who said she managed to escape from the kidnappers, added that she has reported thee case to the local police station at Katari.

    She said the police told her that they were helpless about the matter.

    Mrs Lawal also confirmed that the kidnappers later made contact with her and demanded a ransom of N50m before they can release her husband.

    Meanwhile the University authorities while confirming the incident pleaded with security agencies and the Inspector General of Police to assist the institution in securing the release of Dr. Lawal.

    Deputy Registrar (information) and Spokesman of the university, Garba Waziri confirmed the kidnap of Dr. Lawal to our reporter on telephone.

    Waziri said the kidnappers has reduced the ransom to N10 million.

    He appealed to the police to facilitate the release of Dr. Lawal.

    “The kidnappers have reduced the ransom to N10 million from N50 million. The family ‎is still talking with them.

    “We appeal to the police to facilitate his release,” Mr. Waziri said.

    He added that Dr Lawal, whose promotion is due for confirmation by the university’s Governing Council  have made several contributions to the growth and development of the university especially in his position  as the Head of Administration of the  Institute of Education.

     

  • FRSC boss calls for synergy among agencies

    FRSC boss calls for synergy among agencies

    The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Mr Boboye Oyeyemi, has called for synergy among security agencies to enhance the safety of passengers on the nation’s roads.

    Oyeyemi made this known in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.

    He made the call when he inspected the newly established road safety facilities along the Kaduna-Abuja highway on Wednesday.

    The facilities were set up to address anticipated road traffic challenges following the temporary closure of the Abuja International Airport and diversion of air traffic to the Kaduna Airport.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Abuja Airport was closed on Wednesday to pave way for reconstruction of its runway scheduled to last for six weeks.

    According to him, during the period, flights will be diverted to neighboring Kaduna Airport from where passengers to or from Abuja will travel by rail or road, aviation authorities said.
    Oyeyemi said that the synergy among relevant agencies was critical to ensuring the security of lives on the nation’s highways.

    He expressed satisfaction with the level of preparedness of the corps to cope with the anticipated traffic upsurge on the route.

    Oyeyemi said with the level of sensitisation already given to the staff and the facilities deployed, he did not envisage any major challenges within the six weeks that the Abuja airport would remain closed.

    The corps marshal disclosed that the eight newly established outposts had brought the number of FRSC commands along the corridor to 21 with four ambulance points.

    He assured that the personnel who would work at the outposts had been appropriately deployed with relevant logistics, including patrol vehicles, towing trucks and ambulances.

    The corps marshal further stated that regular patrols would be intensified along the corridor, while mobile courts would be put in place to summarily try recalcitrant traffic offenders.

    Oyeyemi warned that lawlessness would not be tolerated in the area, he enjoined the staff to be highly civil and modest in handling their assignments.

    He urged the staff to work harder to prevent cases of overloading, lane indiscipline and route violation as well as speed violation which were rampart on the road.

    The corps marshal called on those operating the ambulance services to always remain at alert to respond promptly to distress calls from any part of the road.

    Oyeyemi commended the Federal Government for the provision of adequate facilities as evidenced by the rehabilitation of the road, urging the road users to make the best use of the facilities.

    He was accompanied by the Zonal Commanding Officer, Zone RS1 Headquarters Kaduna, Assistant Corps Marshal Bulus Darwang and some senior officers from the National Headquarters