Politics

We have what it takes to crush terrorists, bandits, CDS, Irabor boasts

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The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor, on Thursday, March 11, revealed that the armed forces had the requisite manpower and firepower to ensure the complete elimination of terrorism and banditry in the country.

He also dismissed insinuations of lack of synergy among the ranks of the troops.

Irabor, during a visit with other service chiefs to the 2 Division Headquarters of the Nigerian Army in Ibadan said the visit was to demonstrate leadership by example.

The armed forces of today demands that each of the services work together given that the threat that we face required partnership and collaboration. The misconceived ideas or opinions in the town by those who are uninformed to the effect that the armed forces are working in disparity group are not true.

“What we have been doing today is to let you know that disparity does not exist, we have come today to be an encouragement team to work together and let you know the directive of the president,” he stated.

According to Irabor, President Buhari had directed them to ensure they restore peace and security to the country within a few weeks in conjunction with other security agencies.

He lauded the officers for what they have been doing so far and charged them not to rest on their oars.

He also urged them to ensure that they overcome the security challenges facing the country within the shortest time possible.

The CDS assured the officers that much is being done on their welfare while charging them to be disciplined in order to end terrorism.

Politics

Niger govt dares bandits, vows to buy arms for vigilante groups in fight against insecurity

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The Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello has pledged to procure arms for vigilante groups in order to tackle the menace of terrorism and insecurity.

Bello made this assertion during an address at Kasuwan Garba in the Mariga Local Government Area of the state with over 200 members of the vigilante in the area.

The Governor said the security volunteer groups would be armed to confront “these enemies of the people across the state.”

The visit was part of his morale booster for the vigilante groups across the state.

Attacks by bandits occasioned by killings and kidnappings are now a recurring decimal in the region, with the abductions of students adding a new dimension to the fragile security situation.

Some bandits in Niger and other states in the North West have called for the disbanding of the vigilante groups, saying that was the only condition for them to lay down their arms and embrace peace.

Towards this end, Governor Bello declared that all vigilante groups in the state would be provided with automatic pump-action guns to enable them take the fight to the bandits wherever they were hiding.

The governor said there was no amount of threat from the bandits that would force the government to disband the vigilante groups in the state.

“We are not going to disband the vigilante as a result of the threat from the bandits.

“Even when banditry activities in the state are stopped, the vigilante will still be there to provide security in the local government areas,” he said.

Politics

Bandits reportedly invade FAAN quarters, kidnap nine in Kaduna

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The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) quarters in Kaduna, was reportedly attacked in the early hours of Saturday by unknown gunmen.

It was learnt that the bandits breached the security of the quarters through the perimeter fence and broke into homes of various aviation industry personnel at about 12:30am.

Those kidnapped included a family of six and three others.

It was also gathered that the military personnel around the area engaged the bandits in a gun battle, as the bandits made away with their victims.

As at the timing of filing this report, the Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Jalige, was unavailable to confirm the incident.

Politics

Matawalle vows to arrest politicians sponsoring bandits, terrorists

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Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, has vowed that he would arrest politicians and prominent people who are sponsoring bandits and terrorists in the state.

Matawalle added that he was waiting for the kidnapped students of the Government Girls’ Secondary School, Jangebe in Talata Mafara local government area of the state, to be returned safely before he plays his hand and arrest any politician who enters the state with the intention of using thugs to ferment trouble.

The governor took this stance on Tuesday when the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), Kayode Fayemi, led a delegation of some members on a solidarity visit at the Government House in Gusau, the state capital.

According to Bello, “there is nobody that can claim to be above the law of the land,” and insisted that the battle line has been drawn between his administration and enemies of the state.

“These power drunk politicians cannot stay in Abuja, Kaduna or anywhere in Nigeria and be instigating crisis and be sponsoring terrorism in the state, killing thousands of innocent citizens of the state for their selfish interest,” Bello warned.

“Nobody is a sacred cow or untouchable. I am in charge of the affairs of Zamfara State and I am challenging any of the politicians to dare me and see the consequences.

“I maintain that there are many prominent personalities who are solidly behind banditry in the state and very soon, their sins would soon find them out.”

Entertainment

Comedian Okey Bakassi slams clerics, governors for vindicating bandits

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Popular Nigerian comedian, Okey Bakassi has called out state governors and religious clerics for supporting and vindicating the actions of bandits.

Ripples reported earlier that some governors recently supported the calls for negotiation with bandits in order to end kidnappings in their States.

Also, recall that popular Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, had said the bandits were peaceful people and victims of circumstances who were forced into criminality.

The Islamic Cleric had called for a more lenient approach to the bandits’ activities, adding that attacking them brings out the ‘monster’ in them.

Speaking on the development, Bakassi on his Instagram page wondered why no one is settling Nigerian youths who are struggling to survive.

According to the veteran comedian, rewarding insurgents, bandits and those who go into crime in Nigeria has now become the order of the day, while other Nigerians struggling do not have any support.

Bakassi stated;

“I want to call your attention to this disturbing trend in Nigeria.

Service chiefs retired, but recently the National Assembly confirmed them as ambassadors.

“The same service chiefs who could not provide security.

“Also let me bring to your attention that recently some clerics and governors have been justifying what bandits are doing. Some are saying they should be settled and accepted into the society.

“My question is when you settle all insurgents, who is taking care of Nigerians who have refused to go into crime but are struggling .

COVID-19 has been here for a year, but no one is talking about how entertainers, Nigerian youths who have chosen not to do violence or crime would survive.

“If you Google how much an AK 47 cost, let’s say we all decide to purchase AK 47 and take youths into one forest and begin to kidnap innocent people suddenly the government who is busy can now shake your hands and defend why you should be settled by the government because you have gone through a lot.

“Suddenly the pastors and congregation will be praying for peace, security agencies will start negotiating ransom.

We must help ourselves in Nigeria.”

World News

Bandits in military uniform strike again in Niger, kidnap women, children.

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Some gunmen believed to be bandits have struck again in Niger State.
The bandits were said to have abducted women and children in Gurmana village in the State.
Disclosing this, former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani alleged that the bandits who wore military uniform struck at about 4 p.m.


In a tweet, the former lawmaker claimed that some of the residents who tried to escape drowned in River Kaduna.

“Bandits in Military uniform attacked Gurmana, a village in Niger State around 4pm yesterday. They abducted mostly women and children.
“Some who tried to escape drowned in the River Kaduna. I spoke to one of the survivors, a teacher, now seeking refuge in Kuta, Niger State. A tragedy, a day,” he tweeted.
This is coming barely a week after bandits had abducted some students from Government Science College in Kagara.

Politics

‘Don’t leave fight against bandits, others to military alone,’ Minister charges Nigerians

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The Minister of Defence, Major Gen. Bashir Magashi (retd), on Wednesday, challenged Nigerians not to leave the fight against insecurity to the military alone.

The minister, who stated this during the screening of the new service chiefs at the House of Representatives, said it is the responsibility of every Nigerian to be alert and ensure safety when necessary.

He, however, assured that the Federal Government would adopt the same tactics used rescuing the abducted students of Government Science Technical College, Kankara, Katsina State, to rescue the 27 students abducted from a college in Niger State.

He said the service chiefs would swing into action immediately they are through with their screening and track down the kidnappers with a view to rescuing the children.

Magashi said: ” “Well, security is not the responsibility of the military alone. It is the responsibility of everybody to be alert and ensure safety when necessary. We shouldn’t be cowards. Sometimes the bandits come with about three rounds of ammunition and when they fire shots everybody will run. In our younger days, we stand to fight any form of aggression.

Why should people run away from minor, minor aggressions? We should stand and face them. If these people know that the people have the competence and capability to defend themselves, they will run away.

“On the abducted students, we have demonstrated our ability to take on the challenge. We have done it in Katsina; when children were kidnapped, within two days, we got them back. Hopefully, this time, we will do the same thing to get these captives back. We are planning.

We have not got feedback on the activities going on in Niger State. But I am sure that before the end of the day, we will be given a full brief on what is going on in Niger State.

“Nigerians have been asking the government to allow them to carry arms. It is an issue currently even in the developed country. They are still debating on whether to continue to allow people to bear arms or stop. But I don’t advise Nigerians to bear firearms for internal use.”

Politics

Senate condemns negotiation with bandits, calls for total ban on open grazing

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The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday frowned at state governors in the North-West negotiating with bandits, insisting that such negotiation is fuelling banditry in the country.

The lawmakers also called on the Federal Government to direct states on the implementation of the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP), which is aimed at establishing ranches and eliminating open grazing.

The senators made the submissions on Wednesday while debating a motion brought by the Deputy Senate Leader, Ajayi Boroffice, on the growing insecurity in all parts of the country.

While calling for the operation of ranches as provided for in the NLTP, the Senate said the plan would prevent farmer-herder conflicts and activate highly productive livestock sector in Nigeria.

The lawmakers further lamented the invasion of the country by armed herdsmen from foreign countries, urging the Federal Government to adequately equip the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Nigerian Customs Service to police and monitor the borders.

Contributing to the debate, the senators berated the governors negotiating with bandits, while also insisting that seeking amnesty for the repentant bandits would spell doom for the country.

The senators stated this while reacting to Senator Sahabi Yau from Zamfara State, who had said in his submission, that he supported his governor for negotiating with bandits.

He said: “ I support my governor for seeking amnesty for repentant bandits. The Zamfara governor is by so doing, protecting the lives of his people.”

However, the Senator representing Kaduna Central, Uba Sani, drew the attention of his colleagues to the constant attacks of the state by bandits expecting Governor Nasir el-Rufai to also negotiate with them.

According to him, the refusal of the governor to negotiate with the criminals when neighbouring states were already doing so, was the cause of constant killings in the state, in recent times.

Sani said: “The bandits have been attacking our communities on a daily basis.

“We have been able to liaise with Nigerian forces, they expressed a lot of frustration on the way neighbouring states have been managing the crisis.

“Our position is that some neighbouring states in recent times have been negotiating with the criminals, which on a daily basis kill our own people, destroy our communities, murder our children.

Unfortunately, whenever the Air Force wants to attack them through bombardment, they move on to neighbouring states, some state governors will sit down with them, winning and dinning with them.

“I don’t know why we are compensating the bandits. We must work together as a team if we want to succeed on this issue of security because as far as I’m concerned, you cannot compensate criminals.

“As far as we are concerned these people are criminals, we have to be very careful because we cannot politicise the issue of insecurity.

“A lot people are grandstanding, the issue of insecurity is not politics and we must be careful.

In his own submission, Senator Chukwuka Utazi said: “Governors that are negotiating with criminals and bandits are setting a dangerous precedent. We have to look at it seriously and advise them against it.”

Supporting the call for total ban on open grazing, Senator Tolu Odebiyi noted that the ban would prevent incessant clashes between farmers and herdsmen.

He said: “I completely support a total ban on open grazing and its replacement with ranching system which is a modern practice all over the World.

We have a national crisis on our hands. It is a national crisis that has been devoid of leadership politically and morally.

“We must see it the way it is. Between May 2017 and May 2020, there have been 624 attacks, 2,239 killed, 393 wounded, 253 kidnapped, 16 raped and 752 homes destroyed.

“That is an analysis done by a research firm in Brussels on what is happening in this country.

“I have listened and for us to be saying that they (bandits/herders) are not Nigerians, that is an indictment on our leadership.

That people are coming into this country and they are maiming our people, killing our people, they are raping our people and these are the same security people that we are now going to promote to be ambassadors of this country.

“It is an indictment and it is not acceptable. I represent a community that borders some countries, I went there over the weekend and the whole place has been destroyed by all these herdsmen.

People’s earnings, people’s lives have been ruined. It is upsetting and we must rise. This country is on a precipice of a civil war.”

While rounding off the debate, Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, said: “The Senate urges the Federal Government to direct the state governments, to implement the National Livestock Transformation Plan which is a modern scheme designed to eliminate trans-humans movement in order to prevent farmer-herder conflicts and activate highly productive livestock sector in Nigeria.”

He also called on politicians against ethnicising the spate of insecurity in the country, warning that doing so was capable of inciting widespread bloodshed among the various ethnic groups in Nigeria.

Speaking further, Lawan emphasised the need for more funding to the military to enable it tackle the spate of widespread insecurity in several states across the geo-political zones, as a result of the growing activities of Boko Haram, bandits and kidnappers.

He said: “There’s no better investment today in Nigerian by government, than making more resources available to our security agencies because security is the major thing that government can do to change the lives of the people for the better.

So, we will continue to discuss and debate it here. This will not be the last, but the tone, the issue, the main theme should change. That maybe by the time we discuss this kind of thing here again, it should be that we have made a shift; that we have moved positively, that we are trying to only make it better.

World News

Bandits Kill Four People In Fresh Attacks On Kaduna Communities.

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SaharaReporters gathered that the bandits invaded the communities, killing four residents as the state governor, Nasir El-Rufai, sent condolences to the families of the slain indigenes.

At least four persons have been killed after bandits attacked communities in the Igabi and Kajuru local government areas of Kaduna State.

SaharaReporters gathered that the bandits invaded the communities, killing four residents as the state governor, Nasir El-Rufai, sent condolences to the families of the slain indigenes.

The casualties were confirmed in a report contained in the second Kaduna State government’s security update on Thursday, January 28, by security agencies.

The report stated that the bandits attacked Nasarawa Kalgo community on the outskirts of Jaji, a military base in Rigachikun district in the Igabi LGA.

According to the report issued and signed by Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security And Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan, the government confirmed that dozens of bandits stormed the villages and killed one resident, Harrisu Ibrahim.

The statement made available to our correspondent on Thursday evening stressed that “similarly, bandits attacked the Kujama area of Chikun LGA and were repelled by local vigilantes.

“However, as they retreated to their hideouts, the bandits attacked Janwuriya village in Kajuru LGA and killed two brothers; Nuhu Ishaya and Yakubu Ishaya.”

The government noted that in another incident, the bandits, according to the release, invaded Maraban Kajuru, also in Kajuru LGA and killed one resident, Samiru Na Ya’u.

The state governor, Nasir El-Rufai, expressed his displeasure with the situation and prayed for the repose of the souls of the slain residents, while sending his condolences to their families.

He also tasked security agencies to conduct diligent investigations into the incidents.

Entertainment

Armed bandits killed six in Kaduna

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Armed bandits have reportedly killed six persons in separate attacks on Chikun and Giwa local councils of Kaduna State, the state’s Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, yesterday, revealed in a statement.

He, however, said investigations were ongoing into the incidents, as vigorous patrols continued in areas invaded by the bandits.

Aruwan said security agencies reported that armed bandits attacked Maskoro community in Kakau Ward and Akunakwo in Gwagwada Ward, both of Chikun Local Council.  

He said four persons were killed in Maskoro and Akunakwo communities of Chikun Local Council, while in a separate incident, between Hayin Inji and Kidandan Town in Giwa Local Council, armed bandits also attacked and killed one Alhaji Yahuza Jinaidu in a bid to dispossess him of his motorcycle. 

He said: “Also in Giwa Local Council, at ‘Yan Rake, Galadimawa, bandits wielding sophisticated weapons opened fire, injuring nine persons listed as: Usama Mohammad, Buhari Rabiu, Buhari Rabe, Waazzamu Audu, Sani Hamisu, Dini Saleh, Mai Lado Mai Rake, Sabitu Isa and Kabiru Lado.
 
“One of these victims, Kabiru Lado, eventually died, as he was being rushed to the hospital. Others are receiving treatment, with some having been discharged. 

“Governor Nasir El-Rufai expressed deep sadness at these reports, and prayed for the repose of the souls of the slain, while sending his condolences to their families. He urged security agencies to ramp up responses to curb such attacks,”Aruwan quoted the governor. 

Politics, World News

Fulani Own All Nigerian Lands, No One Can Remove Us From Ondo – Miyetti Allah Leader, Bodejo.

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The National President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Abdullahi Bodejo, has declared that nobody has the power to remove Fulani herdsmen from Ondo State’s forests. 

Bodejo stated this in an interview with The Sun, noting that all lands in the country belong to the Fulani. 

He also said only Fulani herdsmen could tackle the bandits kidnapping and killing people across the country. 

The Fulani leader stated this just as the seven-day ultimatum the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, issued to herdsmen to leave forest reserves in the state expired today, Sunday. 

He said, “The Ondo State governor doesn’t have any right to give such ultimatum to our people. People, including Fulani voted for him to be the governor; so he should be the governor of everybody in the state.

“Fulani have been in the forests he is talking about even before he was born; they have been there for over 250 years. No matter how dangerous a forest may be, Fulani would go and settle there. 

“After staying there for a long time and their cow dung has made the place fertile, people would begin to come there to farm and settle and after then, they begin to make claims that our cattle are destroying their farms.

“We are suing the governor and seeking an injunction restraining him and others from carrying out his threat. But even at that, nobody, no power can send the herdsmen out of Ondo State. 

“We are making consultations with our legal team. But before then, the governor and his people should stop embarrassing our people in the forests and all their businesses. No herdsman will obey the governor; the herdsmen will not step an inch out of Ondo forests; they are going nowhere.” 

The Miyetti Allah leader added that his group was also against the herdsmen kidnapping and robbing people while also operating from forests. 

“We are not in support of any form of criminality — armed robbery, kidnapping, gun running, etc. These crimes are the reasons why we have the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services, and even the Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps to nab perpetrators. And there are courts everywhere to try them and if found guilty, appropriate punishments should be meted out to them. 

Miyetti Allah Leader, Bodejo.

“I have just concluded a meeting with my fellow Fulani and we have found out that some people will adorn Fulani attire to carry out various crimes. 

“How can a Fulani man living in the forest kidnap and ask people to pay ransoms ranging from N5 million to N10 million? What will he be doing with that kind of money inside the forest? If you pay herdsmen N20 million, N10 million, N5 million in the forest, where will he carry the money to and what will he be doing with such money?” he added. 

Politics

Zamfara gov, Matawalle, denies giving support to bandits

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The Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle has denied rumours making the rounds that he donated some new Hilux vehicles to repentant Boko Haram bandits in the state.

Governor Matawalle denied the allegations on Thursday during an interaction with traditional rulers, religious leaders and security chiefs at the Government House in Gusau, the capital.

The governor who was furious at the allegations levelled against him also denied providing logistics to neither operating bandits nor the repentant ones domiciled in Zamfara State.

During the interactive session, Governor Matawalle also asked the 1 Brigade Commander of the Nigerian Army, Gusau, to mention if he ever made such donations.

“I am in receipt of report that l bought Hilux vans to repentant bandits which l never did. Brig. Gen. Bello, have l ever given any vehicle to even repentant bandits in the state as reported recently?” he quipped.

In his response, Gen, Bello said that soldiers in the state, including himself, were surprised when they saw the report.

“Matawalle never did that apart from the 200 operational vehicles given to the security agencies by the state government in 2020,” Gen, Bello said.

World News

Residents Who Fought Bandits Flee Zamfara Villages Over Fear Of Reprisal.

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The villages, namely Talli, Dutsin Gari, Mahuta and Munkuru, were deserted by the communities following an encounter between the bandits and the villagers which led to the killing of 15 people.

The residents of four villages in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State have fled to other places for fear of reprisal by bandits.

The villages, namely Talli, Dutsin Gari, Mahuta and Munkuru, were deserted by the communities following an encounter between the bandits and the villagers which led to the killing of 15 people.

The bandits, who were confronted by the four villages’ residents, could not succeed in abducting anybody due to the large number of people who turned out to defend themselves.

A resident of the area, Ibro Mamman, told The PUNCH that the bandits were currently hiding very close to the four villages waiting for the people to return to attack them.

He said, “The security situation is not favourable. As such, we will not go back until security agents are deployed to protect us.”


 

Politics, World News

Bandits Ambush Soldiers In Zamfara, Kill One, Injure Two.

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SaharaReporters gathered that eight villagers were also killed by the bandits who carted away cows and farm produce.

Bandits in their large numbers on Sunday ambushed operatives of the Nigerian Army at Janbako town in the Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State, killing a soldier and injuring two others.

A source said the soldiers were on their way to restore peace at Janboko after the gunmen invaded the community.

SaharaReporters gathered that eight villagers were also killed by the bandits who carted away cows and farm produce.

“Bandits on Sunday attacked my village, Janbako, in Maradun LGA around 3:00pm. They killed eight villagers. So, we informed Army operatives in Talata Mafara…but on their way to our village, they were ambushed by the bandits who killed one soldier and injured two others,” a source said.

Zamfara, like many other states across the North, has witnessed sporadic attacks by bandits and kidnappers that have claimed the lives of many.

For instance, last October, the police in Katsina and Zamfara states said 21 persons, including police officers and members of vigilante groups, were killed by bandits attacks in the states in one week.

The police in separate statements said the attacks occurred in Dandume and Maradun local government areas of Katsina and Zamfara respectively.

World News

Bandits kill babies, travelers along Kaduna Highway.

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Bandits attacking travelers along at the dreaded Birnin-Gwari-Kaduna Highway reportedly killed 3 babies alongside 6 other travelers. According to reports, the victims were on their way to a ceremony at Doka, Birnin-Gwari Local Government.Bandits reportedly kill babies, travelers along Kaduna Highway.

Also, a total of 11 people were kidnapped by the bandits on the same day at Dan Kungi village in the Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, PR Nigeria reports. This was contained in a statement by the chairman of the Birnin-Gwari Progressives Union, Mr Salisu Haruna, on Monday.

Birnin-Gwari-Kaduna Highway

The statement titled;

“Alarming rise of banditry and killings in Birnin Gwari general area,’ added that more than 40 persons were abducted by the bandits between December 20, 2020 and January 4, 2021, adding that “some of them (abductees), have been reported terribly ill.”

The statement read in part,
“The New Year 2021 has begun in sorrow and tears for the people of Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State. “On Sunday, 3rd January, 2021, bandits laid siege on innocent travellers at Zankoro, along dreaded Birnin-Gwari-Kaduna Highway, killing nine people (including three infants) that are on their way for a ceremony at Doka, Birnin-Gwari LGA”.
“Similarly, the bandits came out today, Monday, January 4, 2021 at the same Zankoro around 9am, shooting indiscriminately and abducting unspecified number of people and wounding six others that are now receiving treatment at Buruku”.

“In the last two weeks, bandits terrorising the people of Birnin Gwari, especially those travelling along Birnin Gwari-Funtua and Birnin Gwari-Kaduna highways have become intensely aggressive as they continue to kill and abduct innocent citizens unabated”.
“There are more than 40 abductees currently at the mercy of the bandits who were kidnapped between December 20, 2020 and Monday January 4, 2021; some of them have been reported terribly ill”.

‌“A total of nine innocent travellers were killed at Zankoro along Birnin Gwari-Kaduna highway on Sunday, January 3, 2021. A total of 11 people were kidnapped at Dan Kungi village on Sunday January 3, 2021″.
“BEPU, therefore, calls on the government to deploy immediate response squad to mount offensive operations along Birnin Gwari, Kaduna and Birnin Gwari-Funtua highways.”

Lifestyle

Military Rescues 26 Kidnapped Victims, Kills Bandits in N’west

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Troops of Operation Sahel Sanity, the anti-banditry operation of the Nigerian Army, has rescued 26 kidnapped victims and neutralized bandits in the North-west region of the country in its determination to eradicate banditry and other nefarious activities afflicting the zone.

The acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brig.General Benard Onyeuko, in a statement issued to journalists on Sunday at the Special Army Super Camp IV Faskari, Katsina State, said the captives were rescued in Katsina, Zamfara and Kebbi States after intensified military operations.

He said: “On October 6, 2020, troops deployed in Forward Operation Base Magami, while responding to a distress call rescued 23 kidnapped victims from fleeing bandits who abandoned the captives as the unrelenting troops were closing in on their hideout along Zauni-Jengebe road in Gusau LGA of Zamfara State.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were kidnapped while on transit to Magami Market from Gusau in a passenger bus. All the rescued victims were reunited with their families while efforts are intensified to track the criminal gang members.”

He added that the troops while on combined aggressive clearance operation to identified bandits’ enclaves at Dankar, Kandawa, Yau yau, Hayin Yau yau, Bugaje, Zandam, Kwari Mai Zurfi, Yar Gamji, Bukuru and Jibiyawa villages of Batsari and Jbia Local Government Areas of Katsina State, neutralised three bandits and left many others with varying degree of injuries.

According to him, the soldiers captured one AK-47 rifle loaded with 25 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and a dane gun belonging to the fleeing hoodlums during the encounter and destroyed eight bandits hideouts in the area.

Onyeuko reiterated that the anti-banditry troops acting on credible intelligence, also apprehended four suspected bandits, including their leader, Mujitafa Shehu at Kankara and Tudu villages of Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State.

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