Lifestyle

Nine bandits die in Kaduna rival groups’ clash

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Nine suspected bandits died on Wednesday during a clash between two rival groups in Giwa local government area of Kaduna State.

The state’s Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Kaduna, said credible human intelligence networks informed the state government of the development.

He added that the report was confirmed by security agencies.

The commissioner said: “Intelligence sources had reported that a notorious bandit known as ‘Godon Mota’ stormed Garke village last Wednesday with his gang and clashed with a rival bandit group, leading to the killing of nine members.

The cause of the fratricidal face-off is yet unclear, but was said to revolve around a disagreement over sharing of accumulated ransoms, during which one of the groups felt cheated.

He said the state’s Acting Governor, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, urged security agencies to sustain pressure against bandits and other criminals in the state.

“Investigations and security patrols are ongoing,” Aruwan said

Politics

Bandits are targeting my son – Governor El-Rufai

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Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, has revealed why he withdrew his 7-year-old son, Abubakar Al-Sadiq El-Rufai, from Kaduna Capital school, one year after he enrolled him in one of northern Nigeria’s oldest public schools to make public education attractive in the state.

In an interview with BBC Pidgin, El-Rufai said his son had been targeted by bandits because of the governor’s public stand against the payment of ransom to bandits.

El-Rufai revealed that it was the first time he was addressing the issue but added that his daughter, Nesrin had also been enrolled in the school when she turned six.

He said even though there was no threat to Nesrin, both children had been removed from the school on the advice of security agencies so as not to jeopardize the safety of other children.

My son and my daughter are registered in the school because his sister became six and we had to register her.

“But we have had to temporarily withdraw them for the security of the school because we got intercepts from at least two groups that are planning to attack the school to kidnap my son.

I don’t think they will succeed because there will be enough security there to prevent it but other children may be placed in danger.

“We have no idea what weapons they will come with. I have taken a stand against paying bandits and at least three groups of bandits have been intercepted planning to go to Kaduna Capital school and kidnap my son and ‘see if they catch my son, I go say I no go pay ransom?’” the governor said

He assured that his decision was purely based on the safety of other children in the school, adding that he had enrolled his son in the school to prove to the people of Kaduna State that he had enough confidence in the public-school system and stressed that he intends to keep the promise.

El-Rufai, who has come under fire by residents who accused him of enrolling his son in public school for political gain, said his action was not a political statement.

We believe in leading by example, we believe in whatever policy we propose that will affect people negatively, we start imposing it on us.

“It is my intention that my children will be in public school as long as I am governor here.

Of course, when I finish my term, I will move out. I intend to leave Kaduna when I finish. I am not going to stay here. I may explore other options of putting them in other schools,” he said.

He said Abubakar misses the school, adding that; “he keeps asking, ‘Baba, when will I go back to school, I miss my friends, I miss my teachers’ I told him not yet, you can’t tell a seven-year-old you are likely to be kidnapped.”

Politics

Bandits attack convoy of Kano state governor, Ganduje

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There was a gun duel between security operatives attached to Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje’s convoy and some heavily armed bandits along Shema in Katsina State.

Although sources say Ganduje was not in the convoy, it came under attack by bandits around Shema on their way back to Kano from Zamfara State on Tuesday.

Governor Ganduje was in Zamfara State to attend the formal defection of Governor Bello Matawale of Zamfara into the All Progressives Congress (APC).

However, after the occasion, he joined Jigawa State Governor, Muhammadu Abubakar Badaru, back to Kano.

Kano State Commissioner for Information Muhammad Garba confirmed the development.

In the ensuing gun duel, three police officers were said to have sustained minor bullet injuries, while the convoy ambulance was riddled with bullets.

Politics

Video: Defend yourselves against bandits – Katsina Governor tells Nigerians

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Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari has urged residents of the state to stand firm, fight and defend themselves from the intimidation of bandits in their communities.

He said it is ridiculous that citizens are not defending themselves against bandit attacks.

The Governor made the comment on Friday while speaking at the Katsina police headquarters, where he inaugurated the Katsina Joint Security Operations and Communication Control Centre meant to assist security agencies operating in the state.

According to Masari, Katsina residents cannot simply rely on security agencies to solve the problem of insecurity.

Security is our responsibility, why are we surrendering our responsibility to some people? I cannot see how more committed a police officer or military officer can be more than anyone of you.

“Why should I sit in my village and be only making telephone calls without doing nothing?

“Every bandit, every criminal has an address, has a location, and they are human beings like us. The only difference is that they have taken arms against us; does it mean we have nothing to take against them?

“Do we mean we should vacate all our villages, all our farms, all our houses, and surrender them to bandits, and wait for police officer Emeka all the way from Enugu to come to Katsina and rescue me? This is ridiculous. Why?

“I think part of what this Katsina initiative needs to do is to go round all these local governments, let us talk to the people, defend yourselves,” he said.

Watch video:

Politics

MURIC wants ‘no mercy’ for bandits

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The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has stated that no excuse should be made for the actions of bandits and kidnappers in the country.

According to the group, “Banditry has become a hydra-headed monster threatening to swallow up the social order. It must therefore be met with every necessary force to nip its threat in the bud.”

This was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the MURIC Director, Ishaq Akintola.
The statement also criticised governors, saying they have neglected their responsibilities which had led to the increase in insecurity and banditry across the country.

MURIC calls on all bandits to surrender to the state governments wherever they are operating. There can be no talks or any form of negotiation with bandits before surrendering. State governments should monitor the situation thereafter for a period no less than twelve months. The authorities can only start considering how to engage them in some productive ventures if no violent attack is reported within the period,” Akintola said.

The governors must ensure that they spend their security vote on equipping their states’ security outfits in such a way that they can adequately and sufficiently meet the current security challenges, he also noted.

The statement reads, “Nothing can extenuate the crimes committed by bandits. We should not look for excuses for them. Rather we should educate the Nigerian public on the position of the Shariah regarding banditry.

“We should also let the bandits know the gravity of their crimes and the ‘kabiirah’ status of their sins,” he said.

Banditry is categorised as ‘hiraabah’ in Islam. ‘Hiraabah’ is a technical term in Shariah that means waging unprovoked war against the people. The Glorious Qur’an even ranked it as waging war against Allah and His messenger (i.e. Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him).

“It says, ‘The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger by spreading evil and committing atrocities in the land is either execution or crucifixion or cutting off their hands and legs from opposite sides or sending them into exile. That is their disgrace in this world and a heavy punishment awaits them in the Hereafter (Qur’an 5:33).

“Thus we see that the Qur’an does not treat banditry with kid gloves. Note should be taken of the promise of ‘heavy punishment’ for bandits even after death. It is for this reason that we are calling on all Islamic scholars in the country to boldly rise to the task and interpret the Shariah in a befitting manner”.

Lifestyle

Bandits invade barracks in Kaduna, steal cows owned by army officers

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Gunmen suspected to be bandits have invaded the military barracks of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna State, and carted away a herd of cattle in the early hours of Thursday.

The incident happened around 2:00 am as the gunmen arrived at the barracks and started shooting sporadically in the air to cause panic in the Army community.

Though the exact number of the cattle stolen could not be determined, an eyewitness told SaharaReporters on Thursday evening that the cows would not be less than a hundred in number based on previous experience.

According to the source who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, the cattle were owned by Army officers.

He, therefore, expressed shock that the barracks could be so porous for bandits to attack without any form of resistance.

The source told SaharaReporters the first time it happened was last year and that about 400 cows were taken away by the bandits in what he described as a bloodless attack on the barracks.

Around 2:00 am on Thursday, gunmen invaded where cattle are kept at Jaji barracks in Kaduna here. Those cattle are owned by some military officers. So, they are kept at the Mammy market, inside the barracks at Jaji here. I cannot tell you the number of cows taken by these bandits but before the operation, they were shooting sporadically in the air.

“Even the people outside the barracks heard the gunshots. And this was not the first time. The first time it happened was last year. That one happened close to the Firing Range. They went there and took away all the cattle. About 400 cows were taken away. Some of them (cows) managed to come back to their ranch,” the source said.

When asked if the bandits came with a truck or any vehicle to convey the cattle, the eyewitness said they did not drive any truck.

He said they took the cattle away on foot.

He also lamented that both the military personnel and civilians living in the barracks and the areas surrounding the military base are no longer safe.

“They didn’t come with any vehicle. They would just come on foot and push the cattle away. This is telling us that one day, even, the Army officers in the barracks can be kidnapped. And the barracks are one of the most strategic barracks in the country.

“In the barracks there, there are houses that even foreign Army officers that are taking courses live in. The Jaji barracks are among the largest in the country and if this kind of thing is happening there, that means we are not safe anymore.

There was a time even military officers from African and Asian countries came for courses there. Majors and Captains do come there from different countries. Every graduation, you will notice that about 17 African countries participate. It means that even foreign officers can be abducted. And if this happens, it is a slap on the face of the country.

“I don’t know if the military authorities are doing anything to see how they can tackle the issue. What I want you to know is that even the immediate areas surrounding the barracks are being attacked daily, and nothing is done. Outside the cantonment, barely a kilometre away is not safe,” he said.

Entertainment

I make N400k monthly supplying bread to bandits and was able to marry my dream woman – Baker

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A bread factory owner, Hassan Magaji, has narrated how he made N400,000 a month supplying bread to bandits operating in Zaria, Kaduna State.

Hassan is part of a syndicate arrested by operatives of the FIB Intelligence Response Team (FIB-IRT), for allegedly supplying drugs, bread and other food items to the bandits.

The suspect admitted to making about N150,000 weekly from supplying bread to the bandits, but said his income from the venture rose sharply at a point to N70,000 a day at the time some university students were abducted in Kaduna.

Hassan who is a native of Galadimawa village, said he was finally able to marry a woman he deeply loved and had enough money to take care of his two wives and three children.

He said “I started the bakery business in 2018. I started with about N21,000 and now make about N400,000 a month. The boom in my business began when I started supplying bread to bandits.

”I normally stay close to the part of the forest where they are camped. It was during one of such movement in 2019 that I met Mohammed and three others, who told me that they would like to be buying in larger quantities.

”They started with N20,000 worth of bread and gradually increased it to N50,000 a day. After removing the cost of the ingredients, I make as much as N150,000 in a week. We had a meeting point close to their hideout in the forest, but I was not allowed to enter the bush.

It was my workers that were arrested by the police while they were on their way to delivering bread, and they brought them to my factory. During that period (when university students in Kaduna were kidnapped), I supplied up to N70,000 worth of bread every day till recently when it dropped to about N50,000.”

Hassan, added that there was not much he had done with the money other than marrying a woman “I had always loved. And I was able to save money to take care of my two wives.”

Politics

Nigerian governors act like bandits – Mike Ozekhome

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Human rights lawyer and activist, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), has said that Nigerian governors run their states in a manner that can be likened to banditry.

Ozekhome stated this at the Ladi Adebutu Good Governance Symposium in Abeokuta, Ogun state on Thursday.

“Governors like bandits always waylay council allocations from Abuja,” he said.

He accused the governors of impoverishing rural dwellers, adding that they are responsible for the underdevelopment at the grassroots.

According to the fiery lawyer, Nigeria operates under a “suffocative system” due to the 1999 Constitution, which he branded a “false document from the pit of hell,” demanding a replacement of the constitution.

Ozekhome also said that Nigeria as a nation could be divided if those in authority did nothing to change the current situation.

He said; “I agree that Nigeria should stay together as one country, but, please, if we must be together as one country, we must re-negotiate the terms. It must be under agreed terms. That is where a constituent of people’s assembly comes up.

The National Assembly members are afraid; they want to amend. Can you amend a bad document? Even if you give it one million amendments, it cannot solve our problems.

Rather, let them (National Assembly) use section 4 of the constitution, which says, ‘The National Assembly shall have powers to make laws for the peace, order and good government in Nigeria and any part thereof.’ Do you have peace, order, and good government in Nigeria today?

“So, they can therefore make a law using section 4, promulgating constituents of the people. That same law provides a referendum. The National Assembly is saying it cannot give a new constitution. It can facilitate and midwife under section 4.”

Lifestyle

Police arrest 13-year-old boy for killing bandits in Katsina

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The Katsina police command have arrested a 13-year-old boy for killing two men suspected to be bandits in the state.

The police said the suspect, Abdulkarim Mati, was once an errand boy to a bandits’ leader, Ardo Nashaware, who resides in Birnin Magaji forest, Zamfara State.

According to reports, he fled the forest where he allegedly committed the act.

Spokesman for the Katsina police command, Gambo Isah, who confirmed the incident on Saturday, said officers recently arrested Mati from where he ran to after his escape from the forest.

Isah said the suspect confessed that he was taken away from his parents under the guise that he would assist in rearing cows for his masters, adding that instead, he was taught how to operate AK-47 rifles and serve as a guard for kidnap victims.

“The boy, who demonstrated skills in handling AK-47, also confessed to have been bullied by some elderly bandits, who provoked him, and as a result, picked an AK-47 rifle and shot dead two of the elderly bandits,” the Police spokesman said.

Politics

Bandits’ attack a trial from Allah – Kebbi Governor

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Kebbi state governor, Atiku Bagudu, has condoled the people of Gaya community in Danko Wasagu Local Government Area over the recent attack by bandits.

He enjoined the people to take the carnage as an act of Allah.

A statement released by his spokesperson, Yahaya Sarki on Sunday, said the governor condoled with the people when he visited the affected community, and expressed regret at the attack.

Bagudu promised to take more pungent measures to further safeguard the lives and properties of the citizenry, assuring immediate restoration of peace and unity and revamping socio-economic activities, especially farming in the area.

He said, “It is really unfortunate that these obnoxious and deadly attacks occurred after the area had been quiet and peaceful.

“We should not allow this vicious cycle to continue and as such all hands must be on deck to provide a plausible solution to the problem.

“Security challenges are not peculiar to Nigeria as they occur everywhere. We must be fast and proactive for peace to return.”

The governor admonished the people to regard the tragic incident as an act of the Almighty Allah that can befall any mortal.

He said: “As mere mortals who believe in faith, both as Muslims and Christians, we should regard this sad development as a trial from the Almighty Allah.

“Also, we should note that passing blame will not solve the problem. What is required is mutual trust and respect for all.

“Certainly, more arms or ammunition will not solve the problem, but respect, support and fervent prayers will do.”

Bagudu again said that the state government had the powers to ban Yan Sakai, but it had not done so.

He, however, urged the vigilantes to collaborate with the security agencies, traditional rulers and the various communities to ensure the success of their activities.

While restating the need to offer immediate relief assistance and shelter to the internally displaced persons, Bagudu cautioned against spreading rumours and fake news.

He also said that the loss of lives was collective and called for more patience, prayers, vigilance and mutual assistance in order to shame the detractors.

Politics

Politicians are the ones giving guns to bandits – Seun Kuti alleges (Video)

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Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Seun Kuti, has alleged that Nigerian politicians are responsible for arming bandits with guns.

The youngest son of Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, made the allegation in a trending video.

Seun stated that if Nigerians want banditry to end, all politicians in the country should write down a’ list of people they have given guns to’ so that the weapons can be retrieved.

”Politicians are the ones giving bandits guns in Nigeria. Let’s not act like we don’t know. If we want to end this banditry, all politicians should write down a list of people they’ve given guns to so we can go and collect it back. These are political thugs,” he said.

Watch the video:

Politics

Bandits kill Emir of Kontagora’s son in Niger

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Son of the Emir of Kotangora, Alhaji Bashar Saidu Namaska, has been killed by bandits in Kontagora local government area of Niger State.

The incident reportedly occurred on Wednesday, May 19.

It was gathered that the bandits killed Bashar while working on his father’s farm on Masugu not far from Kontagora village along Zuru road.

Sources said he was gunned down alongside some other people in the farm, while an unspecified number of cows in the farm were rustled.

The bandits, were said to have further stopped vehicles plying the road, and collected phones, money as well as other valuables from commuters.

The story was confirmed by a top government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

“It is true that bandits invaded Kontagora town and shot several people and killed the Emir’s son, Alhaji Bashar. His death will be formally announced soon and he will buried immediately.

“He was rushed to the Hospital after he was shot but confirmed dead,” the official said.

Politics

Miyetti Allah asks herdsmen to leave southern states over ban on open grazing

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The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), has called on all Fulani herdsmen in the southern states of Nigeria to leave the region following a call by the governors to ban open grazing.

In a statement signed by Chairman of the Bauchi State chapter of MACBAN, Sadiq Ibrahim Ahmed, and made available to Ripples Nigeria on Sunday, the body urged herders operating in the south to urgently leave the region as “the governors of the 17 states that make up the region are bent on frustrating their business as well as turn the people against herders.”

The MACBAN letter to herders reads:

“This is a simple calculation. We are heading for secession. The rulers are no longer interested in the people. If some people are banned from open grazing, there is nothing more. Fulani people should move out from there. It is very simple.

Must we transport the cattle there? I have said it before. We have an option of breeding our cattle here (North). We are peace lovers. Let them come and buy from us. It is some people’s fault.

“The Southern governors can do that. There is no problem, let them do what they want. If the Northern governors feel like, they can ban open grazing. We don’t care.

“The President is there as a figurehead. He doesn’t know what he’s doing. He is not controlling anybody. In our country now, everyone does what he feels like. The country is already moving apart. Where is the central government, if some governors can meet and take decisions that are against the Constitution?

We also call on the President to step aside or for Nigerians to put heads together and elect a credible president in 2023, a leader with focus and competence. Nigeria should get a leader with a good example, who is ready to sacrifice his life for his subjects.”

Politics

Bandits now use walkie-talkie, we can’t trace them – National Space Agency

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The National Space Research and Development Agency (NSRDA) has said that inadequate satellite and other facilities affect the agency’s capability to trace bandits and other criminal elements operating in the country.

Director-General of NSRDA, Halilu Shaba disclosed this to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, after an interactive meeting with staff of the agency in Abuja.

Shaba said the bandits have become sophisticated in their operations and waves received by the agency from remote areas shows the bandits no longer use Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) phones, but walkie-talkie.

The Satellite is not static where the insurgency is taking place. That is why one satellite is not adequate. What Nigeria has there are some two satellites doing two different things.

We have a High-Resolution imaging satellite and Medium Resolution imaging satellite. The activities of the bandits could be when the satellite was away from Nigerian borders, so that is why we are advocating for more satellites for Nigeria,” he said.

Shaba, therefore, called for collaboration between the agency and security agencies in the country in the area of information sharing, especially when planning to launch attacks on the criminal elements.

Politics

Boko Haram kidnapped the Greenfield varsity students, not bandits – Sheikh Gumi

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Islamic cleric, Sheik Ahmad Gumi, says Boko Haram members are the ones behind the abduction of the students of Greenfield University, Kaduna state.

Bandits, had on April 18 stormed the school and abducted 22 students and a teacher. Five of the students have been killed by their abductors. The gunmen had threatened to kill the remaining 17 if their N100m ransom demand is not met.

However, Gumi, speaking in an interview with AIT on Tuesday, said Boko Haram members were behind the abduction.

When asked by the reporter if he indeed mentioned that Boko Haram were behind the abduction, Sheik Gumi said; ”Yes, really because when we tried to trace them and put some sense into them, the contact who is also a Normadic Fulani, they threatened him. They said if he insists on them they were going to catch him and he will have to pay ransom before he gets out.

And the leader is from Jalingo. He is from Adamawa. He is not the local fulani we have here. So this means that North-Eastern element is coming into this area and we have to move fast. We don’t have that luxury of time.

I have been trying to speak with government but nobody is really trying to listen to me or speak with me on this issue.

We are trying to pacify and remove this banditry and they are responding.”

Reacting to the decision of the Kaduna state government not to negotiate with bandits, the cleric said;

”Five souls were killed. Why? What amount of money is too big for us to save the lives of those five students, what amount of money? secondly, we can give them the money to get the boys out of danger then go after our money. Nobody is saying you shouldn’t find them..you can get the two back.

To say you will not negotiate with them and also not take action against them, I cannot understand that.”

Entertainment

Bandits kill five, injure one in fresh Kaduna attack

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Bandits have attacked Katarma village in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing five people and leaving one injured during the attack.

The Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, confirmed the attack in a statement on Sunday.

Although he didn’t state when the attack took place, he identified the deceased as Samson Danladi, Luka Gajere, Amos Ali, Titus Baba and Damali Musa and noted that the injured person was receiving treatment in a neighbouring state.

The commissioner also reported a clash between some youths in Atuku village, Jema’a LGA.

In another incident, troops under the auspices of Operation Safe Haven reported a clash between some youths in Atuku village, Jema’a LGA. During the clash, one Afiniki Thomas was attacked by two youths and sustained a deep gash to the forehead.

“One of the assailants, Sani Safiyanu was arrested for profiling and investigation. The injured victim was rushed to a hospital for treatment,” Aruwan said.

The commissioner also disclosed that troops of Operation Safe Haven while on patrol discovered the decomposing corpse of one Paul Simon, a resident of Yagbak village in Zangon Kataf LGA, who was reported missing on March 24, 2021.

Receiving the reports, Governor Nasir El-Rufai prayed for the repose of those slain, and sent condolences to their families, while wishing the injured a quick recovery, he said.

The Governor also tasked security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the clash in Atulu village in Jema’a local government area.

Politics

Kaduna govt vows never to negotiate with bandits

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The Kaduna State Government has refuted media reports that it had appointed intermediaries to negotiate with bandits, on its behalf.

Mr Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, made the clarification in a statement on Sunday, April 4, in Kaduna.

“The attention of the Kaduna State Government, under the leadership of Gov. Nasir El-Rufai, has been drawn to reports in the media that it has appointed representatives to interface with bandits on its behalf.

The State Government hereby, clarifies firmly that such intermediaries have never been appointed,” he said.

Aruwan said the position of the Kaduna Government remained the same and that the state would not negotiate with, or pay ransom to bandits, and “any person who claims to do so in any capacity, if found, will be prosecuted accordingly.

“Citizens are advised to report the details of any persons posing as official government negotiators to the Kaduna State Security Operations”, Aruwan said.

Politics, World News

Shoot-On-Sight Order is hindering the rescue Of abducted Kaduna Students, Says Gumi

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Renowned Islamic Scholar, Sheik Ahmad Gumi, has said the shoot-on-sight order of President Muhammdu Buhari is hindering the efforts to negotiate the release of the kidnapped students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Kaduna.

Earlier in the month, Buhari had asked security operatives to gun down those carrying arms illegally in the forests.

Speaking with Daily Trust on Thursday, the cleric said some of the bandits he met in the forest during his peace meetings have assisted in identifying the leader of the gang responsible for the abduction of the students.

Gumi said despite identifying the leader of the gang, he has been unable to reach out to him because of the shoot-on-sight order of the president.

The cleric added that during his previous tours to the bandits’ dens, he met with more than 80 percent of their leaders, saying if not for lack of encouragement from some government officials, he would have met all the leaders to persuade them to lay their arms for peace to reign.

“If we had encouragement, we would have met all the leaders. All those we met usually offered to support us to negotiate on our behalf, just like what happened in Niger State.

“Presently, our ability has reached the extent that we can identify who is involved in any criminal act. We have identified the leader of those who took the students but he has never attended any peace meeting with us.

“Those groups we met identified him but we could not reach out to him because of the security implication since the government gave shoot-on-sight order and then the government said no negotiation. So, I don’t want us to go into the bush and the government will think we are encouraging them.”

Asked what needs to be done to get the victims released, Gumi said, “What I think is for the government to just relax and allow us to follow these people to teach them how to behave, admonish them and then negotiate so that they stop this thing. We are doing this for ourselves not for the government or any political party.

“We don’t want politicians to mess up our land because they will come and go while we remain here, God willing. So we are not doing it for political reasons, we are doing it for ourselves so that we stop killing each other.”

On the stand of Governor Nasir El-Rufai against negotiating with bandits, Gumi said, “I cannot change the state government stand on negotiation and ransom payment. All I want from them is to allow us to continue discussion with the bandits.”

Effort to get Kaduna State Government reaction through the Commissioner Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, proved abortive as calls to his phone were unanswered.

Entertainment

Bandits terrorizing Nigerians have foreign sponsors – NSCDC

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The Commandant General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSDC), Ahmed Audi, said on Wednesday the bandits terrorizing Nigerians are backed by foreign elements.

Audi disclosed this at a training workshop for state commandants of the NSCDC held in Abuja.

The training is aimed at strengthening the corps capacity on effective leadership, civil-military relations, and conflict management.

The commandant general said the country is witnessing an asymmetric war that requires inter-agency collaboration among security agencies.

He said: “Following how events are unfolding in the country, we are experiencing a serious conflict that I think in the history of Nigeria, this is about the first conflict that will give us a serious problem and the conflict is called asymmetric war.

“We have had in the past had some semblance of this type of war but the proper manifestation of it is the one we are seeing now. Asymmetric war is a war that requires all hands to be on deck if we really want to deal with it and nip it in the bud.

“These guys are serious; these guys have international sponsors, so we need to come together.”

Audi implored security agencies to avoid rivalry and “service supremacy.”

Politics

No more amnesty for bandits, others in Benue – Gov Ortom

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The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, said on Saturday there would be no more amnesty for criminals in the state.

Ortom, who stated this during the burial of ex-governor Gabriel Suswam’s elder brother, Terkura Suswam at Anyinn, Logo local government area of the state, decried the conspiracy of silence among the people of the state on the state’s security challenges.

This, according to him, makes criminalities to continue unabated.

The older Suswam was murdered by unknown gunmen at his country home in Anyiin about two weeks ago.

The governor condemned in strong terms the criminality in Sankera, Logo, Ukum, and Katsina-Ala local government areas of the state, saying his government would no longer negotiate with any criminal in the state.

He reaffirmed his administration’s readiness to go after those who have taken into criminality in the state, particularly in Sankera axis.

Ortom said: “From intelligence report, some members of the community are supporting these criminals which make it difficult for security men.

“I want to assure youths in the state not only in Sankera that we are going to go after these criminals and by the grace of God we will get them.

“There is no more amnesty, no more negotiation with them (criminals) except they come back like the prodigal son and plead for forgiveness.”

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