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BREAKING: Bandits attack military base in Niger State

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

At least two soldiers sustained injury when terrorists attacked a military base in Tegina, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.

One of the bandits was reportedly killed in the gun duel with soldiers during the attack that happened on Monday.

Sources said the terrorists were crossing to Mashegu and Wushishi Local Government Areas when they launched the attack.

Chairman, Rafi Local Government Council, Alhaji Ayuba Usman Katako, who confirmed the incident, said the injured soldiers were responding to treatment at IBB Specialist Hospital, Minna.

He called for prayers and support from communities through useful information to enable the security agencies fight the attackers.

Niger is one of the worst-hit states by attacks from non-state actors.

Two months ago, two officers and four soldiers were killed in an ambush in the Shiroro Local Government Area of the state.

The troops were ambushed while on a fighting patrol to Karaga Village in the Shiroro.

The Niger State Deputy Governor, representative of the COAS, GOC and other senior officers had visited two wounded soldiers who received medical attention at the Military Hospital and subsequently paid condolence visit to the families of the deceased.

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‘Bandits killed my elder brother who had 3 wives, 27 children’ Katsina State Governor, Radda reveals

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State said his saddest moment was any time he received news of bandits’ attacks in the state.

Radda, who stated this on Wednesday in Katsina at a press briefing for his one year in office, also revealed that his elder brother was killed by bandits.

“My saddest moment is when I receive calls that people were killed, houses burnt and women raped by bandits in a particular village. The only way to appreciate that is to put yourself in their shoes, and you will feel it. I have developed that feeling and it remained with me because my senior brother was killed by bandits. He left behind three wives and 27 children,” he said.

The governor noted that when his administration came on board, 22 out of the 34 local governments were severely affected by insecurity.

According to him, after the state government inaugurated the community security watch corps, the problem was drastically reduced.

He said that due to the intense pressure being mounted on the criminals, they have now resorted to attacking residents of hard-to-reach areas at night, making it difficult for the security operatives to respond easily.

The governor advocated the creation of state police in the country, saying: “Before I became governor, I was a critic of the state police. It is now that I see the importance of that.”

Radda further said that bad eggs in society are affecting the ongoing efforts in the fight against insecurity in the state.

“There was a village head who was arrested for collecting N700,000 to allow bandits to attack the village and kill over 30 people,” he said.

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BREAKING: Bandits in military uniform storm Abuja, kidnapped 20 in fresh attack

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Gunmen in military uniform numbering about 50 have raided Dawaki community in Abuja, and abducted at least 20 people, Daily Trust reports.

Witnesses said it was yet another daring onslaught by the attackers, who they variously described as bandits, armed robbers, terrorists, among other names.

Dawaki, a heavily populated neighbourhood, where thousands of workers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) live, is located opposite the Gwarinpa Estate, the biggest organised single settlement in Nigeria, located along the Abuja-Kubwa Expressway.

It was learnt that the invaders, armed with different categories of weapons, stormed Dawaki around 7.30 pm on Sunday, and operated up till around 8.30 pm.

The incident took place not long after kidnappers assaulted Shagari Quarters in Dei-Dei, which is about five kilometres away on the same Abuja-Kubwa Express way, and abducted the family of a Customs officer.

A resident of Dawaki, Hosea Christopher, said the bandits abducted 17 residents from three houses and on the street along Fulani Junction.

He, however, said five of the abductees escaped while being taken towards a mountain in the outskirt of the area.

He said while the bandits were heading to a forest around the Usuma Dam, they were confronted by DSS operatives.

“They immediately opened fire on the security men but there was corresponding response. Despite the fierce offensive by the DSS operatives, the bandits were able to escape,” he said.

Other sources said more than 20 people were abducted.

Abel James, a resident who escaped abduction, said, the attackers “Wore uniforms and had face masks.”

According to him, “But I doubted their genuineness when they started shooting sporadically. As they moved towards the community, I headed into a house under construction and climbed upstairs from where I kept looking at their operation, with gunshots as they were leaving towards the hill.

“We later learnt that two of the gunmen were captured by the security men that included DSS and soldiers who joined them later around the Usuma Dam, where the fire exchange took place.”

A community leader in the area said most of the parked vehicles around Fulani Junction were hit by bullets.

The FCT Commissioner of Police (CP), Benneth Igweh, confirmed the incident on Monday.

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BREAKING: Bandits demand N40 trillion, 150 bikes to release 16 Kaduna residents

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Bandits in Kaduna are demanding the sum of N40 trillion and other items as ransom to release the 16 residents abducted from the Gonin Gora area of the state.

According to a community leader, John Yusuf, the bandits contacted family members of the victims and also demanded 11 Hilux vans and 150 motorcycles.

Yusuf said the bandits attacked twice within a week abducting residents of the community.

“The bandits have contacted us. They are demanding N40 trillion, 11 Hilux vans and 150 motorcycles for the release of 16 people they are holding captive,” Yusuf told TheCable.

“Where are we going to get this kind of money? Even if we sell the entire community, we cannot raise N40 trillion. Even Nigeria as a country has never made a budget of N40 trillion.

“The abductions happened twice within four days interval. During the first attack, three people were kidnapped while in the second attack, 13 people were abducted bringing the total number of people being held captive to 16.”

He said the communities in Birnin Gwari are surrounded by bushes serving as hideouts for the bandits.

Yusuf noted that the establishment of a military base would tackle the criminal operations in the area.

“We are pleading with the government to come to our aid by establishing a military base behind our community where the bandits take advantage of the bushes to invade our community,” Yusuf said.

“From our community down to Birnin Gwari which is over 150 kilometres is a stretch of bush. We also have another stretch of bushes from Gonin Gora down to Niger state.

“So when the criminals have free access through the bushes to our community. We are pleading with the government to help us.

“The army are really trying, despite the fact that they are seriously overstretched. Whenever we make distressed calls they come.

“But the problem is that before they reach the community, the bandits would have done what they wanted and left.”

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BREAKING: Tension in Abuja as Bandits Kidnap Woman, Three Children

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

There is presently tension in Kubwa Extension 2 Relocation Estate in Abuja after bandits stormed the Zone 5 section on Sunday night, abducting a woman and her three children, including a six-month-old baby.

Leading reporters gathered that heavily armed men stormed the area between 8 pm and 9 pm, firing indiscriminately and sending residents fleeing for safety.

“This kidnapping has become a regular occurrence here every December,” lamented one resident, who wished to remain anonymous. “If you remember very well, last December, The Punch (Newspaper) reported a similar incident of abduction in the area, now this is another one, and it is worrisome.”

Another resident corroborated the claim, citing inadequate security as a major factor. “This kidnapping is due to a lack of adequate security in the area. Last night they kidnapped a whole family – a mother and her three children, including a six-month-old baby here at Zone 5, Kubwa Extension 2 Relocation estate,” they said.

The Federal Capital Territory Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, has acknowledged the incident and promised to provide further information as soon as possible.

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Nigerian Airforce Kill Terrorist Leader In Kastina

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Scores of terrorists, including one of the notorious commanders, Alhaji Abdulkareem Lawal, aka Abdulkareem Boss, have been killed in airstrikes coordinated by the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji, at the weekend.

The successful strikes were targeted at key terrorists’ enclaves and hideouts at Rugu Forest in Katsina State.

Boss, who has been on the radar of the Nigerian Military and other security agencies, was killed in the operation.

According to military sources, the deceased Boko Haram Commander was based in the Marina area of Safana Local Government Area and was responsible for several terrorist attacks, animal rustling and kidnappings.

A source said: “He was known to regularly invite terrorists’ groups from other areas and regions to join him in attacks on targets.

“Specifically, he was part of the terrorist group that carried out attacks that eventually led to the death of the Nigerian Police Area Commander of Dutsin ma on 5 July 2022.

“Reports filtering in have since confirmed that Abdulkareem Boss was neutralised in the precision strike alongside 27 of his foot soldiers.

“Reports have also revealed that air strikes conducted by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai at Degbawa near Mandara Mountain in Gwoza LGA of Borno State on the 3 August 2022 may have led to the death of a well-known terrorist Kingpin, Alhaji Modu, aka Bem Bem, and some of his fighters.

“It was revealed that Alhaji Modu, a key ISWAP Commander, had converged with others for a morning meeting on an intended attack before they were struck by an array of NAF assault aircraft.

“An assessment of the strike revealed that the entire location was levelled to the ground and sources have since revealed that no fewer than 20 terrorists were confirmed eliminated in the strike.

“Similar strikes were also conducted on terrorists’ hideouts around Abuja.

“Although Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance reports have since indicated that the terrorists fizzled out immediately after carrying out their nefarious acts, credible information have since revealed that threats within Abuja was being orchestrated by terrorists from their hideouts within Kaduna, Niger and Zamfara States.

In view of this, NAF aircraft under Operation Whirl Punch were dispatched to undertake intensive air interdiction operation to degrade/neutralise the terrorists within their identified hideouts in Giwa, Birnin Gwari, Kajuru and Chikun LGA in Kaduna State and Kusasu, Kwaki and Kukere LGA in Niger State.

“The operations were aimed at forestalling them from further planning to cause mayhem within Kaduna and Niger states as well as surroundings around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“So far, the identified locations hit by NAF aircraft include Jan Birni, Kusasu, Kauwuri, Kwaki, Ukambo Hill within the Kwiambana Forest as well as Alhaji Chorki Location.

“These locations have been attacked decisively and were struck in successive passes until they went into flames, some casualties who were spotted to be struggling to scamper for safety were effectively mopped up.

“The positive feedback received from ground troops deployed indicated that the terrorists have suffered heavy casualties and their logistics bases razed to the ground.

“The successes of the air strikes underscore NAF’s indefectible commitment to ridding the entire Northern region as well as the FCT of terrorism in collaboration with other security agencies and restoring peace and sanity.”

The successes came about a week after the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Service Chiefs assured Nigerians of change in strategy and momentum during the National Security Council (NSC) meeting headed by President Buhari.

As a fallout from the meeting, the Chief of Air Staff (CAS) directed the NAF operational and air component commanders to ‘show no mercy’ in decimating terrorists and insurgents in the country.

Giving details on the operation that took out there Commanders, a source said the successes were as a result of careful planning and coordination.

NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI), Commodore Edward Gabkwet, confirmed that Abdulkareem and his soldiers were taken out in an operation on Saturday night.

He said operations were ongoing and updates would be given at the appropriate time.

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Buhari Threatens Sanction On BBC For Banditry Documentary

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed says the government of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari will sanction the BBC for their documentary on banditry, accusing the platform of amplifying the voice of terrorists.

“Let me assure you, they will not get away with this naked glorification of terrorism and banditry in Nigeria,” Mr Mohammed said on Thursday in Abuja.

“When otherwise reputable platforms like BBC give their platform to terrorists, showing their faces as if they’re Nollywood stars, I want to assure them that they won’t get away with it, the appropriate sanctions will be meted.”

Mr Mohammed’s statement comes days after BBC Africa Eye published a documentary featuring interviews with bandit leaders. 

In the documentary, Abu Sani, a bandit kingpin said banditry “has become a business. Everyone wants money. That is why things are deteriorating, from the top to the bottom.”

Threats of sanctions against media platforms have become commonplace with the Buhari regime.

Before now, Mr Mohammed had threatened sanction against CNN for their documentary exposing how Nigerian soldiers opened live rounds on EndSARS protesters at Lekki Tollgate, Lagos. 

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Zamfara Governor Stops Traditional Leaders From Giving Out Titles

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The government of Zamfara State has banned traditional leaders in the state from giving out traditional titles without the approval of the government.

Matawalle in a statement by his Special Adviser on Public Enlightenment, Media and Communications, Zailani Bappa, said “All emirs, senior district heads and district heads in the state are hereby directed to officially seek permission from the state government before conferring traditional titles on anyone.

“The directive becomes necessary to check indiscriminate award and possible abuse of the traditional institution. Henceforth, no Emir, Senior District Head or District Head should appoint anybody into any traditional office without securing official permission and clearance from the state government.

“Compliance to this directive is now mandatory and failure will attract serious reprimand from the state government.”

Recall that LEADING REPORTERS had on Monday reported that the Emir of Yandoto Emirate, Alhaji Aliyu Marafa was suspended by the Governor Matawelle Bello after he conferred the title of ‘Sarkin Fulani’ on a notorious bandit leader.

Members of his bandit squad were in full attendance with their guns and motorbikes while the ceremony was ongoing

The event led to wide spread outrage from members of the public which led the governor to suspend the emir for his actions

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Kano State Government Bans Keke Napep Operations From 10pm

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The kano state Government has just banned keke napep, popularly known in Kano as ‘A Daidata Sahu’ from driving around in the state any later than 10pm.

In a statement issued and signed by the state Commissioner for Information, Muhammad Garba, the ban takes effect from Thursday, July 21, 2022 from 10pm – 6pm.

The decision, according to the statement, was reached at the end of a state security meeting.

The measure was part of ongoing efforts by the state government to ensure security of lives and property in the state.

To this end, the commissioner urged tricycle operators to comply and stop operating at the stipulated time, warning that security agents would strictly enforce the ban.

Hoodlums including terrorists and bandits have reportedly been using tricycles to perpetrate their nefarious activities in the state.

Kano state has now joined the list of states to place limit on the movement of tricycle riders. Other states include Lagos State, Kogi State and the FCT.

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Gunmen Attack Kuje Prison

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Suspected bandits on Tuesday night launched an attack on Kuje Correctional Center.

Few hours earlier, security reports had alerted the prison officials of possible attacks of the medium prison.

Sources told The Nation that the first explosion, a high capacity bomb, went off around 10.25pm.

It was followed by second and third blast and sporadic gunshots that left the residents scampering into safety.

A prison staff, who confirmed the attack in a chat with The Nation, explained that the attackers had come from the back of the prison yard.

He said the gunmen gained access to the prison yard and have taken control of the entire environment.

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