Security

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

Armed bandits on Sunday attacked a religious gathering in Kusa Town, Musawa Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The attackers, armed with AK-47 rifles, stormed the Maulud procession, firing indiscriminately at attendees. 

The Katsina State Police Command confirmed that seven people lost their lives and 16 others sustained gunshot injuries during the attack.

A swift response from law enforcement agents led to the repelling of the attackers.

In the wake of the assault, injured victims were rushed to nearby hospitals for medical treatment. 

Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, visited the affected community to express his condolences and assure residents of the government’s commitment to restoring peace.

The governor’s visit was met with gratitude by the villagers, who appreciated his support during this difficult time. 

As investigations continue, the community mourns the loss of their loved ones, noting the need for increased security measures to prevent future tragedies.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Cross River State Police Command rescued a former staff member of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from her abductors at her residence in Calabar on Saturday.

The daring rescue operation was confirmed by Irene Ugbo, the spokesperson for the command, who praised the gallantry of the officers involved. 

Ugbo disclosed that the rescue operation led to the arrest of three suspects, who were apprehended by the command’s Anti Cultism and Kidnapping Squad (ACKS), led by SP Chukwuma Ogini.

The team sprang into action following a distress call reporting the abduction at Mathias Oje Avenue in Calabar Municipality.

The operation was further assisted by the courageous efforts of the Njangachang youths in the locality, who played a pivotal role in apprehending the suspects. 

During the operation, the police recovered two vehicles believed to have been used in the abduction. The suspects were found in possession of arms, ammunition, and charms, indicating their criminal intent. 

Irene Ugbo commended the bravery of the officers and the local youths, emphasizing the commitment of Commissioner Gyogon Grimah to eradicate crimes and criminal activities in the state.

She reiterated the commissioner’s resolve to make Cross River State an inhospitable environment for kidnappers and criminals. “We want to make it clear that no kidnapper or criminal will find the state a safe haven for their nefarious activities. This is the directive of the Commissioner, as mandated by the Inspector General of Police,” stated Ugbo, as quoted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). 

The successful rescue operation stands as a testament to the dedication and efficiency of the Cross River State Police Command in ensuring the safety and security of its residents.

 By Sabiu Abdullahi 

Troops from the Nigerian Army, operating under ‘Operation Whirl Punch,’ have successfully neutralized seven terrorists in Kampanin Doka Village, Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The operation, conducted in response to ongoing attacks on the local community, resulted in the elimination of four bandits on November 1, 2023. 

According to Lt. Col. Musa Yahaya, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations Officer, Nigerian Army, Kaduna, the troops, in collaboration with 1 Division Nigerian Army, swiftly responded to reports of bandit attacks in Kampanin Doka village.

The operation led to the recovery of weapons, including one AK 47 rifle, one AK 47 magazine, one machete, a mobile phone, and fourteen motorcycles previously used by the criminals. 

In a related incident on November 2, 2023, farmers in the western part of Sabon Sara village faced a bandit attack while harvesting their crops.

The quick response from the Nigerian Army troops, supported by the courageous actions of four farmers, resulted in the neutralization of one bandit.

The attackers, with gunshot wounds, fled the scene, leaving behind two AK 47 rifles. During the encounter, one of the farmers, Mallam Abdulrahman Aliyu, sustained minor injuries and was promptly evacuated to a nearby military hospital for medical attention.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police, successfully rescued two National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) members who were kidnapped by bandits in Yargoje community, Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, confirmed this heroic rescue mission in a statement released on Friday in Abuja. 

The abduction took place while the NYSC members were traveling from Edo to Katsina State.

The swift and courageous efforts of the security forces, particularly the 17 Brigade Nigerian Army and the police, led to the safe return of the hostages on Thursday. 

Brig.-Gen. Nwachukwu emphasized that the rescued corps members have received essential medical care and support to ensure their physical and emotional well-being.

Currently, they are under the protective custody of the Nigerian Police in Kankara, where they are being provided with necessary assistance. 

He further stated, “The Nigerian Army continues to solicit the cooperation and support of the public in providing timely and relevant information to enhance troops’ proactive operational engagement of criminal elements.”

This call reaffirms the importance of community collaboration in the ongoing efforts to maintain security and safety in the region. 

The successful rescue of the kidnapped NYSC members stands as a testament to the dedication and effectiveness of Nigeria’s security forces, highlighting their unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety of citizens, including those serving the nation through initiatives like the NYSC program.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

Amed bandits stormed a mosque during early morning prayers on Tuesday, taking the lives of the mosque’s imam and a worshipper identified as Kabir. 

The attack took place at Sabon Layi, Kakangi ward, in the Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State. 

Two other worshippers, Bilya Mairabo and Ashiru Mairabo, sustained serious injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment at the Jibrin Maigwari General Hospital, Birnin-Gwari. 

The tragedy was said to have unfolded at approximately 5 a.m. Zubair AbduRrauf, the Danmasanin of Birnin-Gwari, expressed the community’s anguish, highlighting the escalating violence perpetrated by bandits in the region. 

AbduRrauf emphasized that the Birnin-Gwari communities faced daily threats, especially farmers, and the situation had become dire along the Birnin-Gwari-Kaduna highway, making it perilous for travelers and commuters. 

“We are in a precarious situation in Birnin-Gwari,” AbduRrauf stated. “The bandits’ attack is on a daily basis. Security personnel are really trying their best to see that the attacks are being curtailed, but we need a change of strategy from them.” 

Despite the gravity of the situation, there has been no official confirmation or statement from the state government or the state police command at the time of this report. 

The residents, gripped by fear and mourning, are calling for urgent and effective security measures to curb the rising menace of banditry that has plagued their community. 

When reached for comment, the state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan, promised to provide further information, indicating the gravity and urgency of the situation that has befallen the Birnin-Gwari community.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Armed bandits stormed Bagega, a peaceful mining village in Zamfara State, on Tuesday, leaving at least three people dead and 51 others, including the district head, kidnapped. 

Eyewitnesses reported that the assailants arrived in the village and opened fire indiscriminately, resulting in the tragic loss of three innocent lives.

The bandits then abducted the district head and dozens of other villagers before fleeing the scene. 

Despite attempts to contact the police for official statements, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Yazid Abubakar, remained unreachable. 

The community is left in shock and fear as the search for the missing villagers and the district head intensifies.

Authorities are urged to take swift action to ensure the safe return of the kidnapped individuals and bring the perpetrators to justice.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Kaduna State Police Command arrested 10 suspected kidnappers between September and October 3, 2023.

Acting on credible intelligence, the police recovered three AK47 rifles, three fabricated 10-round revolvers, 448 rounds of live ammunition, and a cache of 15 rounds. A vehicle linked to the suspects was also seized. 

The suspects are currently being interrogated and will face legal consequences after investigations.

Police Commissioner Musa Garba commended the officers for their dedication and warned criminals to steer clear of the state.

This operation underscores the police force’s commitment to ensuring safety and security in Kaduna State.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

Northern leaders and stakeholders in the north have warned the Federal Government and Zamfara state government to stop playing politics with the lives of the people of the region concerning the alleged Federal Government’s secret negotiation with bandits. 

They expressed outrage that the Federal Government could be negotiating with bandits, which never worked in the past, and cautioned the government against such a move. 

They argued that by engaging in talks with bandits, the government was indirectly legitimising their criminal activities and creating a dangerous cycle of appeasement. 

They added that the move was sending a troubling message that crime and violence can be rewarded rather than punished. 

Recall that Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara has blamed the Federal Government for allegedly negotiating with bandits secretly without involving the state government. 

He also accused the Federal Government of sabotaging the ongoing fight against banditry in the state by negotiating with bandits behind the state government. 

His spokesman, Sulaiman Idris, in a statement he issued to journalists, said the governor said a delegation allegedly sent by some agencies of the Federal Government had been holding talks with bandit groups in Zamfara without the consent of the State Government. 

The governor said, “We have facts and evidence on what had transpired between these agents of the Federal Government and the bandits during the negotiations in several places across Zamfara.” 

Responding, the Minister of Information, in a statement by his spokesperson, Suleiman Haruna, on Tuesday night, however, denied negotiating with bandits. Also in the statement, the minister accused Governor Dauda Lawan of politicising security matters. 

In his reaction, one of the stakeholders and the spokesman of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba argued that these negotiations are weakening the rule of law and establishing a dangerous precedent for other criminal elements in the country. 

Muhammad-Baba expressed fear that this approach might inspire other groups to take up arms and engage in similar acts.

Describing the move as ‘weak,’ he urged the Federal Government to reconsider its stance on negotiating with bandits. 

He said, “How will you begin a negotiation in Zamfara state without involving the Zamfara state government? You and I know this is a serious aberration and should not be taken lightly.

There is no way you can come into my house without my knowledge, even if we are of the same father, and start doing this kind of thing is not good. 

Expressing his disappointment, the Executive Director, Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), Dr. Ibrahim Zikirullahi, called on the current administration, led by President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to restructure the military and ensure it regains its lost glory. 

According to him, “That singular act is a complete failure of the governance system in Nigeria because what it presents is that our security is no longer having the capability to deal with the insurgency and they are no longer trusted to do their work.  

“And it’s almost like Nigeria is going into the abyss.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

President Bola Tinubu has approved the procurement of 12 MD 530F Cayuse attack helicopters to enhance the service of the Nigerian Army. 

The announcement was made by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, during the inaugural Nigerian Army Aviation Seminar held on Tuesday in Abuja. 

The acquisition of these advanced attack helicopters marks a pivotal moment for the Nigerian military, as it heralds the operationalization of the Nigerian Army Aviation Unit. 

This specialised unit has been established with the primary goal of improving ground troops’ agility, responsiveness, and overall efficacy during various military operations. Lt.-Gen.

Lagbaja emphasised that the addition of these attack helicopters to the Nigerian Army’s arsenal would not only enhance its internal capabilities but also contribute significantly to the success of joint and coalition military operations.

He underlined the importance of this initiative in the broader context of military strategy. Explaining the role of the army aviation unit, Lt.-Gen.

Lagbaja noted that it is distinct from a nation’s dedicated air force but focuses primarily on helicopters and light-support fixed-wing aircraft.

This specialisation enables the unit to provide vital support to ground troops during tactical and operational engagements. 

Expressing his gratitude, Lt.-Gen. Lagbaja thanked President Tinubu for his unwavering support in realising the Nigerian Army’s aspiration to have a well-equipped aviation unit.

He drew attention to the experiences of other nations such as the United States, Pakistan, Colombia, Egypt, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda, all of which have successfully employed similar aviation units to enhance their military capabilities. 

This strategic move signifies a significant step forward for the Nigerian military and underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening national defense.

The procurement of these attack helicopters will undoubtedly play a crucial role in ensuring the security and stability of the nation while also aligning with international best practices in military operations.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Federal Government has officially refuted claims of negotiations with the Zamfara terrorists to secure the release of the abducted students from the Federal University, Gusau. 

This development was contained in a statement that was released by Mr. Hope Attari, the Acting Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Defence. 

Badaru categorically dismissed the allegations of negotiations with the terrorists as misleading and emphasised that President Bola Tinubu had issued clear directives to the military and other security agencies to ensure the safe return of the abducted students. 

“The Federal Government is working diligently around the clock to ensure that the girls and other abducted individuals return home safely,” stated Badaru. 

Reassuring the residents of Zamfara and all Nigerians, the Minister of Defence conveyed the significant progress being made towards the swift release of the female students and others from Federal University, Gusau.

He expressed confidence in the joint security task forces working discreetly to rescue the students. In addition to addressing the ongoing efforts, Badaru extended his regret to the families of the abducted individuals, condemning the incident as reprehensible.

He highlighted the initial success of President Tinubu’s directives, with 13 of the abducted students and three others regaining their freedom on Monday, attributing this achievement to the professional efforts of the military. 

The Federal Government remains committed to securing the release of all the remaining abducted students and individuals while continuing to uphold the safety and security of its citizens.