The Nation Newspaper

Tag: soldiers

  • Soldiers invade community over colleague’s death

    •Police join military to fish out killers

    There is panic in Ogotun-Ekiti, a community in Ekiti Southwest Local Government of Ekiti State, following the killing of a soldier.

    The killing of the soldier by gunmen suspected to be robbers on Wednesday caused invasion of the community by soldiers.

    Residents claimed that the soldiers, who stormed Ogotun from the Army base in Akure, the Ondo State capital, now patrol their community in 12 Toyota Hilux vans.

    While many residents have left the town, others who are afraid of going out, stay indoors.

    A community leader, Mr. Paul Awopetu, who confirmed the development to The Nation yesterday, said a resident was killed by suspected robbers at Olori Oko farmstead in Ogotun.

    He said one person, who escaped from the robbery scene, reported the incident to soldiers manning a checkpoint between Ogotun and neighbouring Igbara Odo.

    Awopetu added: “Two soldiers followed the person who escaped from the farmstead, but the robbers killed one of the soldiers.

    “As I am talking to you, soldiers are patrolling Ogotun in 12 Hilux vehicles.

    “The soldiers are combing the bush, forest and surrounding farmsteads in search of the robbers, who killed their colleague.”

    Police spokesman Caleb Ikechukwu, who confirmed the incident, described those who killed the soldier as “unknown gunmen.”

    Ikechukwu said the police have joined the military in search of those who killed the soldier.

    He said: “I have been duly informed about the soldier killed by unidentified gunmen.

    “Intensive search is going on, but I cannot ascertain the number of soldiers. If you kill a soldier, you should expect the military to go into action.

    “We have deployed our men to join in the search for the culprits.”

  • Soldiers kill wife of Benue militia chief, 11 others

    •Military resettles 145, 000 IDPs in three states

    Soldiers keeping the peace in Benue, Taraba and Nassarawa States have killed the wife of wanted Benue State militia chief, Terwase Akwaza (Gana), and 11 of his men during assaults on the group’s hideouts, the authorities said yesterday.

    The Commander, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), Major-General Adeyemi Yekini told reporters in Makurdi, Benue State, yesterday that the assaults took place in Sai, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.

    He gave the name of Gana’s wife that was killed as Queen.

    Yekini said that following the heavy casualties suffered by the militia group at Sai, it went on a revenge mission last Thursday, attacking a mobile police station in Zaki-Biam.

    “The policemen on ground gave stiff resistance to the attackers while OPWS troops from four nearby locations as well as the 72 Battalion troops from Katsina-Ala were immediately mobilised to the location, thereby forcing the militia men to disperse into surrounding bushes,” the commander said.

    He said some troops that have just been deployed to Zaki Biam metropolis to reassure the local populace of their safety also conducted a fighting patrol to Agena, Ayati and Sai in the hope to locate a soldier who was missing during the Sai attack.

    “Unfortunately, we couldn’t locate the missing soldier as the camp was empty. Our troops destroyed the camp before returning back to base around 1800 hours yesterday (Friday). We will continue to search for Gana until he and his men are brought to justice.”

    He also announced that the military operation had facilitated the return of 145,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their homes in the three states: Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa.

    He said more IDPs would return home in the weeks ahead, saying “some kinetic activities of the OPWS are beginning to yield fruitful results as community leaders are being engaged in resolving conflicts within their communities.”

    Forty-five assault weapons, 1,285 rounds of ammunition and 24 AK47 magazines were recovered from bandits, including armed herdsmen by the soldiers, he said.

    He added that 74 suspects had been arrested since the OPWS began operation about six months ago.

     

  • Border crises: soldiers move in on motorbikes

    Neither words nor police presence have stemmed the blood-flow nor stopped the destruction in feuding border communities across the country. But now, there is a new idea: drafting soldiers on motorcycles into difficult-reach border towns where conflicts are intractable.

    Neighbouring communities on both sides of the Ebonyi and Cross River border have frequently been at loggerheads, resulting in deaths and extensive destruction of property.

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen Tukur Buratai has commissioned  the first set of combat motorcycles to help troops deployed for internal security duties at warring border communities in both states to effectively access all the nooks and cranny of the troubled areas with the aim of containing the clashes.

    There has been a resurgence of boundary conflicts between Ukelle village in Cross River State and Izzi communities in Ebonyi which resulted in the disruption of economic and social activities as well as loss of life and property.

    The nature of the terrain especially during the rainy season has made it difficult for security agencies to effectively patrol the areas.

    To alleviate this problem and enhance operational effectiveness of troops in the areas, the COAS authorised the injection of combat motorbikes to enhance troops’ mobility and access to the difficult areas.

    In a brief ceremony at Ipollo-Ntagom Security Outpost, the bikes were handed over to the soldiers by the General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Major General Emmanuel Boman Kabuk who represented the COAS.

    The Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State Eric Kelechi Igwe represented Governor Dave Umahi, while the commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Honourable John Ulafor represented Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade.

    In their separate remarks at the event, both governors through their representatives, commended the COAS for the laudable initiative and commitment to ensuring lasting peace and security between the border areas of Cross River and Ebonyi states.

    “Never in the history of our states have we seen such zeal and uncommon commitment to ensuring peace and security in our states like what the COAS has done, this gesture is complimentary to the efforts of Cross River and Ebonyi states and we thank General Buratai for that,” Dr Kelechi Igwe stated.

    Others who graced the occasion include the Secretary to the State Government of Ebonyi State, Chairman, Izzi Local Government Area, traditional rulers and elders of the affected communities.

    Igbeagu community  in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State and their neighbouring Ukele, in Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State have been at war over boundary matters with over 20 persons killed and properties worth millions of naira destroyed.

    Governors Umahi and Ayade recently met in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, to find lasting solution to the lingering crisis after various peace meetings held to usher in peace to the troubled communities failed.

    Schools, hospitals, churches and markets have remained closed in the communities following the crisis while troops were deployed to the areas to prevent further breakdown of law and order.

    The motorcycles painted in Army colours with military plate numbers were procured by Buratai.

    Speaking while inaugurating the motorcycles at Ipolo,  the Chief of Army  saff, explained that the motorcycles would enable the military personnel get to the hintherlands to foil attacks and maintain peace

    He said the Nigerian Army has consistently intervened in the crisis,  but appealed to the warring communities to embrace peace since development can only take place in atmosphere of peace and tranquility.

    The Army Chief sounded a note of warning to the people of the area to be peaceful warning that the Military will not hesitate to deal decisively with anyone found to be disturbing the peace.

    Represented by the General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Kabuk, Gen Buratai alleged that troops posted to the two communities have been severally attacked in their peace keeping operations and warned against their further attacks.

    He said: “On several occasions, troops have been attacked by members of these two communities for coming to keep the peace amongst them. You are the people that the soldiers have come here to protect; there is no reason why the soldiers should become your enemies. The soldiers do not belong to Cross River or Ebonyi State, they belong to the Nigerian Army.

    “All they are here to do is to make sure that you live in peace. I want to urge you to see these soldiers and indeed other security agents within the communities as your brothers, as your friends. You should assist them so that they can achieve their missions among you and their mission is nothing other than keeping the peace.

    “I want to quickly say that our soldiers will decisively and professionally protect themselves when attacked or ambushed by anyone because we didn’t send any soldier to come here to sacrifice his own life, it is for peace to reign. So, I want to state very clearly that you help the soldiers to keep the peace.

    “I made it clear to my officers and soldiers the need for them to remain professional and responsive in the discharge of their constitutional role. It is the driving force for all of us in the Nigerian army in achieving our set objectives wherever we find ourselves,” he said.

    He disclosed that the military is currently on internal security operations in about 28 states in the country.

    “The Nigeria army is currently employed for internal security operations in about 28 states of the country. In the North-East of Nigeria, troops of the Nigerian Army are battling the Boko Haram terrorist in that region. In the North-West and in the Middle-Belt, we have the Herdsmen and the cattle rustling menace that is also happening in those zones of the country. In the South-East, we have our troops deployed for internal security duties to keep peace.

    “In Ebonyi and Cross River States, one of the challenges being faced by our troops is that of the communal clashes and the particular one that has brought us here is the conflict between the Izzi and the Ukele communities and this conflict dates back to April, 2005 and when this conflict came up, men of the Nigerian Army were deployed since that year to ensure that the communities live in peace.”

     

  • Soldiers to rebuild public infrastructure destroyed by bandits in Zamfara

    The Defence Headquarters says plans are underway to rebuild public structures in villages destroyed by bandits in Zamfara.

    The Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig. Gen. John Agim announced this in Gusau on Friday.

    Agim told journalists that projects to be executed would include sinking and rehabilitation of boreholes, renovation of schools and clinics in the affected areas.

    According to him, the military would also carry out medical outreaches to communities and organise town hall meetings to rebuild confidence and enhance security consciousness among residents.

    The acting director said the objective was to return the state to the path of social, political and economic development as to would attract investors.

    He stressed that the “Operation Sharan Daji” being carried out in the state had been successful, with the recovery of many arms, animals and victims from bandits that were neutralised.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that activities of bandits had in the past two years adversely affected many communities largely in Shinkafi, Zurmi, Maradun, Anka and Maru local government areas of the state.

    However, recent deployment of security forces had decimated bandits terrorising the area and restored relative calm to the affected areas.

  • Soldiers to rebuild public infrastructure destroyed by bandits in Zamfara

    The Defence Headquarters says plans are underway to rebuild public structures in villages destroyed by bandits in Zamfara.

    The Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig. Gen. John Agim announced this in Gusau on Friday.

    Agim told journalists that projects to be executed would include sinking and rehabilitation of boreholes, renovation of schools and clinics in the affected areas.

    According to him, the military would also carry out medical outreaches to communities and organise town hall meetings to rebuild confidence and enhance security consciousness among residents.

    The acting director said the objective was to return the state to the path of social, political and economic development as to would attract investors.

    He stressed that the “Operation Sharan Daji” being carried out in the state had been successful, with the recovery of many arms, animals and victims from bandits that were neutralised.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that activities of bandits had in the past two years adversely affected many communities largely in Shinkafi, Zurmi, Maradun, Anka and Maru local government areas of the state.

    However, recent deployment of security forces had decimated bandits terrorising the area and restored relative calm to the affected areas.(NAN)

  • Calm returns to Maiduguri Airport after protest by soldiers

    The Nigerian Army said calm has been restored at Maiduguri Airport seized for two hours on Sunday by riotous troops, that it described as ‘unscrupulous”.

    In a statement today, Colonel Onyema Nwachukwu, Deputy Director Public Relations, Operation Lafiya Dole Theatre Command said the protest by the few unscrupulous troops happened while the command was conducting a redeployment of soldiers at the Maiduguri Airport, following a directive to review troops’ deployment in Maiduguri metropolis, to reinvigorate the security architecture of the city.

    “The redeployment became expedient after a recent assessment of the security situation by the Theatre Command. Regrettably however, a few of the troops who had misunderstood the development and erroneously assumed it was going to negatively affect their rotation from the theatre of operation became agitated and reacted by firing into the air.

    “Calm has however been restored, as the Theatre Commander, Major General Abba Dikko has promptly taken charge of the situation after addressing and admonishing the troops~”, Nwachukwu said.

    “The Theatre Command undoubtedly considers this ugly incident quite regrettable and appropriate measures are being taken to forestall a recurrence”, he added.

    Our Reporter reports that the aggrieved soldiers claimed they had overstayed and were resisting redeployment to Marte, one of the towns liberated by the military several years ago from the control of Boko Haram terrorists.

    The protesters are part of the special force deployed to provide air defence and enhance security at the airport.

    The troops barricaded some section of the airport and fired shots in the air, causing pandemonium, as hundreds of pilgrims waiting to be airlifted to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj, scampered for safety..

    One of the protesting soldiers who spoke under condition of anonymity, said the planned deployment was against the directives by the Army Headquarters.

    “The army special forces deployed to the airport were not trained to engage in ground battle rather trained to provide air defence.

    “Our task is to provide air defence. Alas, special forces trained to fight ground battle are stationed in Maiduguri and we are deployed to go and die in Marte”.

    Another soldier lamented that the troops have overstayed in the Northeast fighting Boko Haram, despite the rotation order by the military authorities.

    He said many of them have spent over three years in the battle field.

    “Some troops of Operation Lafiya Dole were deployed and worked for over three years in the theatre and not rotated as against the directives by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai.

    “The command is directed to redeploy soldiers back to their bases after spending stipulated time in the theatre of operation.

    “We have spent over three years in the northeast and we should be transferred out of the northeast and not within”.

  • Stay away from politicians, GOC warns soldiers

    The out-going General Officer Commanding (GOC) the 82 Division of Nigerian Army, Enugu, Major General Adamu Abubakar, has warned officers and soldiers in the command to stay away from politicians. He stated that soldiers don’t have any business being in politics.

    Abubakar stated this while addressing officers and soldiers at the President Goodluck Jonathan’s Army Barracks, 14 Brigade Headquarters, Ohafia local government area of Abia State, during his farewell visit to the command.

    According to Abubakar, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Y. Buratai frowns at seeing or hearing that soldiers who are supposed to be apolitical would leave their primary responsibilities and duties to get involved in politics, stressing that the same politicians that they dine and wine with would eventually leave and abandon them when they (soldiers) get into troubles.

    “I must also warn you. The chief of army staff has always been talking about our soldiers being apolitical. You have no business being in politics. You have no business getting involved.

    “The election period will soon be around. Some of these people will come around you and tell you all manner of stories.

    “I will advice you not to listen to them, not to be close to them, not to be their friends because when the chips are down, you will be left alone with your family.”

    Abubakar while commending the 14 Brigade officers for their professionalism in the line of duty, especially during the “Egwueke II” in the Southeast and Abia State in particular also commended the level of discipline among the officers and soldiers of the Brigade within the 20months of his stay as the GOC of 82 Division of the Nigerian Army.

    “I must say that I am very satisfied with the level of discipline of all the officers and soldiers of 14 Brigade. We never had any case of the Brigade Commander referring any soldier or officer to the GOC for any offence and within the twenty months, no soldier of this brigade was sent to court marshal.

    “That may be what is on the ground now, I want to encourage you to continue to keep it up. There is no army that survives without discipline and the discipline had to start with you, and then extend to your family and to the generality of the barrack.

    “I want you to continue in the level that you are doing and even improve on it if you can. But if you cannot improve on it, then don’t go down, but remain where you are.”

    The 82 Div. GOC who is now posted to the Nigerian Army Resource Center as a participant also used the opportunity of his last visit to the brigade to encourage the soldiers to embrace family planning and to ensure that they train and educate their children, noting that days were gone when children raised in the barracks are seeing as rascals. This is even as he also encouraged them to attend courses as at when due.

    In his response, the Commanding Officer, 14 Brigade Ohafia, Major-General Abdul K. Ibrahim thanked the 82 Div. GOC for making out time to visit and the advice he gave to the soldiers, adding that he (Ibrahim) has learnt a lot under the tutelage of the GOC while he worked under him.

    He promised that soldiers and officers of the 14 Brigade would continue to apply the lessons and teachings of the GOC in their Areas of Operation (AO) and promised to maintain the standard and give the same support to the incoming GOC.

    High point of the visit was the inspection and commissioning of projects in the Brigade, some of which were named after him.

     

  • Soldiers, police repel insurgents’ attack

    The Nigerian Army and Police have repelled an attack by Boko-Haram insurgents who attempted to invade Jakana town in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno.

    Dozens of the insurgents armed with sophisticated weapons, stormed the town at about 5.30 pm.

    Jakana is about 40km from Maiduguri, the Borno capital.

    Brig-Gen Bulama Biu, GOC 7 Div, Maiduguri, who confirmed the incident, said the attack was promptly repelled.

    “Yes, there was an attack and we are on top of the situational; I will get back to you for details,” he told NAN in a telephone interview on Thursday.

    A policeman stationed in Jakana, who did not want his name mentioned, said the troops fought gallantly to repel the attackers.

    Malam AdamuKemdi, a resident of Jakana who fled the town, told NAN that the insurgents came with sophisticated weapons mounted on more than 15 vehicles.

    Kemdi said he was suspecting they stormed the town in search of food items, as Thursday is the market day in Jakana. (NAN)

  • Middle Belt groups blasts Atiku over comment on ‘missing’ 23 soldiers

    The Middle Belt Conscience Guard, has descended furiously on former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, over his reaction to the report of alleged missing of 23 soldiers after an ambush by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State.

    There were reports on Monday that no fewer than 23 Nigerian soldiers went missing after Boko Haram insurgents ambushed a military convoy at Boboshe village in Bama local government area of Borno.

    Atiku, while reacting, expressed concerns over the whereabouts of the missing soldiers, while bemoaning the security situation of the country.

    The ex-Vice President, however, got more than he bargained for as the Middle Belt group said his comment was rather a mockery of the currentl government.

    Prince Raymond Enero, National Coordinator in a letter addressed to the ex-VP on behalf of the group, said it was very unpatriotic of a former leader to jump into conclusion without making necessary findings.

    Enero said Atiku’s recent outbursts about the nations show he’s out to distablize the peace and tranquility of the nation.

    The letter reads below.

    We had to reach you through this open epistle to express our displeasure over your recent treacherous and unpatriotic activities to the Federation of Nigeria, which we believe are counter-productive and capable of undermining peace and security in the country.

    This forum was stunned to the marrow to read your malicious, hazy and preposterous propaganda on the alleged missing and unaccounted 23 Nigerian soldiers, you claimed in a tweet disappeared when Boko Haram terrorists purportedly ambushed a military convoy at Boboshe village in Bama LGA of Borno State.

    Without any verifiable proof and basing your judgment from the proclivity of dissent serviced by a media report with anonymous attributions, you lent your voice to a fictitious story.

    There is no doubt that your tweet, expressing a phony concern on the alleged attack and missing soldiers sought to legitimize an incident which never occurred anywhere.

    This was after the Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Brig. Gen. Texas Chukwu denounced media reports alluding to alleged terrorists attack on a military convoy and missing soldiers, emphatically debunking that, “There was nothing like that. No ambush on soldiers.”

    This group was disheartened to know of your excitement about the triumph of terrorism against your people and the nation. And this has been your consistent posture since you declared interest in the 2019 Presidency of Nigeria, as reflected in your vehement and callous attempts to discredit the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari on security.

    It is quite unexpected from a supposed leader of your status, to engage in such plain subterfuge against your own country. It is more sad to consciously assist in the propagation of the triumph of terrorism and celebrating the enemies of the a country you once led and is still seeking its leadership.

    This forum recall a public statement credited to you in 2016 where you vaguely boasted that if you were the President of Nigeria, you would have ended Boko Haram terrorism in months. The current outing of disparaging the counter-insurgency war under the Buhari Presidency flows from your obsession with mendacity to diminish the leadership value of the present administration in the reckoning of Nigerians.

    Sir, may we make it plainly clear to you that you are part of the problems of Nigeria. We suspect your inordinate and satanic quest for the leadership of Nigeria, in conspiracy with debased souls of your ilk as responsible for the conflagrations in most parts of Nigeria. The agenda is to tarnish the image of the Buhari administration, while you market yourself as a better leader and the Nigeria’s best problem solver.

    Some weeks back in Borno state, Mr. President was embittered upon the realization that the spate of violence and killings in the country are secretly sponsored by politicians with tall political ambitions like you. And when you take to social media to promote insecurity in Nigeria and spur baseless anxieties in Nigerians, it is the height of expletive in the pursuit of a leadership dream.

    We have strong reasons to suspect, you must have been the major brain and financier of the prevailing wave of violent conflicts around the country, which the Presidency through the military and other security agencies have continued to subdue at every manifestation. But it appears, you are shamelessly bold in evil against Nigerians.

    Those close to you and your close confidants have accused you of stealthily sponsoring the terrorism-inclined sect, Independent Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to destabilize Nigeria.

    This was shocking enough and doubtful, until you came out of your shell recently when you took your presidential campaigns to Umuahia, Abia state, by showing wordy sympathy and support to the violent agitations’ of IPOB, which has been the group’s main operational weapon.

    As elder statesman, while you justified the cause, which has never been objected by any Nigerian anyway, it was quite insightful that you never spared a word to condemn their violent siege on the Southeast region. Perhaps, it is because they are operating in accordance with your dictates?

    It is obvious that after your plot to use IPOB to destabilize and threaten the security of Nigeria failed, your actions and utterances’ are suggestive that you are probably the sponsor of the armed militias perpetrating the killings in the Middle Belt region and other parts of the country, in the guise of “Fulani herdsmen.”

    And we believe it is in furtherance of your pursuit of the agenda of clouding the stamp of the positive mark President Buhari has earned in tackling insecurity threats in the country.

    And apparently, you are not satisfied that the desired impact of your evil plots on Nigeria have not been allowed to blossom . So, you have resorted to gratifying yourself with falsified exploits of Boko Haram terrorists, as indicated by your latest tweet on alleged attack on a military convoy in Borno state.

    Yet, this is what you know as untrue, inaccurate, imaginary, or fictive concoction; but peculiarly your cruel and sadistic disposition and antics in the pursuit of a presidential ambition.

    We want to put it to you that securing the leadership of any nation is not through subterfuge or crooked strategies. It is barbaric to inflict pains and misery on a people you scheme to govern, to divert attention from your odious leadership personality, which we all know is a liability, rather than an asset to Nigeria.

    It is obvious Nigerians are not prepared to make a detour into the dark days of a ravenous and corrupt leadership again. You parade the infamous record as the only Politically Exposed Person (PEP) at the time you held office as Vice President of Nigeria to be probed by a U.S. Senate’s Permanent sub-committee on Investigations, chaired by Senator Carl Levin for violating US financial laws.

    Senator Levin’s committee submitted its report on February 4, 2010, which indicted you of corrupt acts, including alleged money laundering activities and bribery in the Siemens scandal.

    The Senate report was explicit that you and your fourth wife Jennifer Douglas violated American laws as recipients of bribes for which you have been barred from entering the US. These past years, you have hedged an articulate response on your indictment by the US Senate for the alleged financial crimes.

    It is time for you to rescind from such evil against your country, because it’s doubtful whether Nigerians would allow someone with such moral baggage to lead them again. The US indictment hanging on your neck has not been exited, even if you have been cleared by courts in Nigeria. Former Delta state Governor, Mr. James Ibori was similarly freed of corruption charges by Nigerian courts, until courts in the United Kingdom found him guilty. And your case is likely to follow this pattern.

    We hasten to call on the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami to initiate and expeditiously commence the process of your extradition to the United States to face trial on charges of corruption leveled against you as contained in the US Senate report.

  • Soldiers bomb Benue community to fish out gang leaders

    Soldiers have laid siege on Gbishi town in Kastsina local government area of Benue to flush out criminal elements staging attacks within and around the town.

    The operation, it was gathered, followed attacks on the country home of the late Lt Gen. Victor Malu, Tse Malu Adoor, by gunmen last Monday.

    The gunmen attack occurred when the younger brother of the late Gen Malu, who is commander Nigeria Army Engineering Corps Major – General John Malu, visited home in Tse Malu.

    It took efforts of military guards attached to Major-General Malu before the attackers were repealed with superior fire powers.

    It was learnt that soldiers over ran Gbishi town yesterday in search of the hoodlums suspected to have carried out the attacks on Malu community.

    Gbishe town is the country home of wanted gang leader Terwase Akwaza, popularly known as Gana.

    It is believed criminal gang members loyal to Gana are behind most of the bloody attacks in Sankera axis.

    A source in Gbishi told our correspondent there was confusion in Gbishi town as heavily armed soldiers surrounded the town.

    Another source, who doesn’t want his name in print, said the soldiers have bombed a part of Gbishi town during exchange of gunfire with hoodlums in their hideouts.

    This couldn’t, however, be confirmed independently by our correspondent.

    Logo, Ukum and Katsina Ala Local Government areas, which made up Sankera geo -political zones known for massive yam production, had been held hostage by criminal gangs.

    Wife of Court of Appeal Judge Justice Tine Tur was recently kidnapped on Katsina Ala -Zakibiam road.

    Also, the mother of a legal practitioner Tor Wende, was kidnapped in the area.

    Killing of innocent people is a common feature in Zakibiam, Ugba and Katsina Ala towns.

    Most of the prominent residents of the area have relocated to other places for fear of their lives.