Bandits

By Uzair Adam

Reports coming from northwest Nigeria have shown that bandits attacked the Moriki community in Zamfara State on Wednesday night, abducting over 10 residents and demanding a ransom of N50 million.

The attack has further intensified the sense of insecurity in the area.The Zamfara State Police Command, through its spokesperson ASP Yazid Abubakar, confirmed the incident.

He stated that the Commissioner of Police has ordered immediate action to rescue the victims.

A resident of Moriki community shared with the BBC Hausa Service on Thursday that the bandits have been a constant threat to the community.

He revealed that they previously abducted other residents and claimed their cows were killed by a local commander.

During this latest attack, the bandits reportedly went from house to house, capturing people and setting a deadline for the ransom payment.

According to the resident, this isn’t the first time the bandits have attacked the community for ransom.

He recounted a recent incident where they extorted N20 million from the community, allowing locals access to their farms in return. “The community remains in a state of insecurity,” he said.

By Uzair Adam

A member of the Hunters Association of Nigeria (HAN), Aliyu Yahaya, was brutally killed by bandits in Magamar-Jibia town, Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The attackers set fire to his home, burning his body inside, and abducted his wife, son, and three neighbors during the raid, which took place on Tuesday, August 13, 2024.

The incident has sparked widespread outrage in the community, with residents calling on the government to take immediate action to address the increasing insecurity in the area.

The Police Public Relations Officer for Katsina State, ASP Abubakar Sadiq, confirmed the incident and stated that an investigation is underway to apprehend the culprits and rescue the kidnapped victims.

Community leaders, including Alhaji Sani Salisu, have expressed frustration over the lack of security in the region and are urging the authorities to increase security presence to prevent such tragic events in the future.

Residents are also appealing for swift action to ensure the safe return of the kidnapped individuals and to help alleviate the trauma faced by their families and the community.

By Uzair Adam Imam

On Thursday night, a group of bandits stormed the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTEC) in Osara, Okene, Kogi State, kidnapping several students as they prepared for upcoming exams.

An eyewitness reported that the bandits arrived at the university around 9:00 p.m., entering through the bush and infiltrating three lecture halls where students were studying.

They fired shots into the air, causing panic and trapping students inside.

Despite efforts by local security guards and gate personnel to confront the attackers, some students were abducted before the bandits could be repelled.

Fortunately, their intervention limited the bandits’ access to only the first three lecture halls.

The targeted students were getting ready for their first semester exams scheduled to begin on Monday, May 13, adding to the shock and distress of the incident.

One student, who wished to remain anonymous, described hiding in the bush with classmates for over an hour until the area quieted down enough for them to cautiously emerge.

While confirming the incident, CUSTEC Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abdulraman Asipita, declined to provide further details on the number of students abducted, stating that the university is actively managing the situation.

Efforts to contact Kogi’s Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bethrand Onuoha, and Retired Cdre Jerry Omodara, the State Security Adviser, were unsuccessful, as their phones went unanswered.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Plateau State Government revealed on Monday that bandits operating in the Wase Local Government Area have handed over a significant number of AK47 rifles to the state authorities.

During a press briefing in Jos, the state capital, the Special Adviser to Governor Caleb Mutfwang on Security and Commander Operation Rainbow, Brigadier General Gakji Shippi, made this disclosure.

Shippi explained that the surrender of weapons followed extensive negotiations between the government and the bandits, showcasing a willingness to pursue peace through disarmament.

He clarified that the bandits didn’t directly surrender the firearms out of fear but through an intermediary involved in the negotiations.

He further mentioned that alongside the AK47 rifles, various other categories of weapons were also surrendered by the bandits, illustrating their commitment to the peace process.

Shippi emphasized that these efforts aim to encourage more bandits to voluntarily surrender their weapons, with ongoing steps to recover additional firearms from other groups.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Suspected bandits have unleashed terror in Katsina State, kidnapping at least 28 individuals, including men, women, and children from Zamfarawar Madogara in the Batsari Local Government Area.

The abduction occurred Thursday night, as armed bandits raided the village, according to a reliable source who disclosed the incident to journalists on Saturday.

Batsari, a frontline area, has endured years of banditry, adding to the region’s longstanding security challenges.

In a separate incident within Batsari LGA, suspected terrorists targeted Naduai village, where they kidnapped villagers and set portions of the area ablaze.

This further compounds the plight of residents already reeling from insecurity.Meanwhile, in Na-Alma village, Malumfashi Local Council, gunmen on motorcycles abducted at least 20 individuals, predominantly women, in an early morning attack earlier in the week.

Describing the harrowing ordeal, a resident who narrowly escaped abduction recounted how the assailants not only kidnapped women and children but also looted homes, taking valuable possessions.

Despite these distressing events, inquiries made to the Katsina State Police spokesperson, ASP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, regarding the incidents remained unanswered at the time of reporting, leaving the community anxiously awaiting updates on the situation.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

Dogo Gide, the notorious bandit leader responsible for spreading terror across the North, has met his end.

The demise of Dogo Gide marks the conclusion of his reign of terror that had plagued the region for an extended period. 

Dogo Gide succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained during a fierce confrontation with Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD) forces.

The encounter occurred amidst the rugged terrain of Madada Forest, located within the Maru local government area, on March 12, 2024. 

Despite sustaining severe injuries during the clash, Dogo Gide was reportedly transported clandestinely to a hospital in Mabera, Sokoto, Sokoto State.

However, his injuries proved fatal, leading to his demise. The demise of Dogo Gide, a fugitive wanted for a string of atrocious crimes in the region, was followed by his burial in Dandalla Village on March 24. 

Nevertheless, concerns have arisen regarding the circumstances surrounding Dogo Gide’s hospital admission.

It has come to light that a security official, now under detention, allegedly facilitated his access to medical care, raising apprehensions about potential collusion within the security apparatus. 

The successful elimination of Dogo Gide stands as a significant accomplishment for the Nigerian security forces.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

The Chairman of Faskari Local Government Area in Katsina State, Musa Faskari, has confirmed a tragic incident where two worshippers were killed during Ramadan prayers in the Mairua community of the council. 

Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa Service, as reported by Vanguard, Faskari disclosed that the attack occurred during Tarawih prayers on Saturday night.  

He recounted how the assailants barged into the home of Alhaji Lado Mairua during prayers, demanding his compliance.  

When Mairua refused, they fatally shot him. Additionally, a neighbor who arrived at the scene on a motorcycle was also killed after witnessing the incident and raising an alarm. 

Faskari sadly confirmed that the attack resulted in the abduction of Alhaji Lado Mairua’s wife and their 15-year-old daughter.  

This marks the second time Mairua’s wife has been kidnapped by bandits, highlighting the dire security situation in Faskari. 

Expressing deep concern over the escalating boldness of the bandits, Faskari recounted another incident earlier on Saturday where they attacked Malalai village, killing two individuals and abducting two women.  

Tragically, a soldier was also killed in Ruwan Godiya on the same day. Faskari urged the Federal Government to intervene urgently, stating that the state alone cannot effectively address the escalating security challenges.  

He stressed the necessity for security forces to launch decisive actions against the bandits, including invading their hideouts to neutralise their operations and ensure the safety of residents. 

The recurring attacks by bandits have plunged Faskari and its residents into a state of fear and insecurity, demanding immediate and robust measures to restore peace and stability to the area.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

There has been outrage over the abduction of over 280 pupils and teachers of Government Secondary School and LEA Primary School at Kuriga, Kaduna State, by bandits on Thursday. 

The bandits reportedly invaded the Kuriga area of the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Thursday, shooting at their victims before taking away at least 280 of the pupils and teachers from both schools.

The secondary school had been relocated to the primary school due to insecurity in the council. 

Various organisations and authorities, including the Jama’atu Nasril Islam, Amnesty International, the Parent-Teacher Association of Nigeria, the Nigeria Union of Teachers, and the House of Representatives, have condemned the attack, calling on the government to rescue the victims immediately. 

This incident occurred barely 24 hours after insurgents abducted 200 internally displaced women in Borno State.

The women were kidnapped in Ngala, the headquarters of Gambarou Ngala in Borno State, while fetching firewood in the bush. 

Sani Abdullahi, a teacher at Government Secondary School Kuriga, narrated the attack, stating that about 280 pupils and teachers were taken by the hoodlums.

He recounted the chaos that ensued as the bandits surrounded the school premises, forcing them to flee into the bush. 

State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, led senior government officials and heads of security agencies to the scene of the attack, assuring the community that efforts were underway to rescue those abducted.

The governor stated that security operatives had swung into action to search for the kidnapped pupils. 

Efforts to identify those kidnapped are ongoing, with the head teacher of the school and some staff members among those abducted.

According to reports, a pupil identified as Ahmed, who sustained gunshot wounds during the attack, succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment at Birnin-Gwari General Hospital.

The community is reeling from the shock of the incident, with residents describing the bandits as wielding dangerous weapons and taking their victims into the forest.

By Uzair Adam Imam

In a joint operation, the Bauchi State Police Command and local hunters from Ahmed Ali Kwara have neutralized six suspected bandits terrorizing communities in Ningi LGA.

The operation was carried out in response to complaints from local residents about increased bandit activity in the area.

The police and local hunters are continuing to work together to keep the community safe and bring peace to the region.

The Commissioner of Police Auwal Musa Muhammad, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists in Ningi.

He said the operation was also a response to the brutal killing of eight people, including the traditional ruler of Kada and Gamji village in the LGA in July.

CP Muhammad explained that following the brutal killing of the eight people, the command raised a team of detectives in conjunction with the quasi-security outfits of Ahmed Ali Kwara.

He reported that a joint team of police officers and local hunters engaged suspected bandits in a gunfight on December 26 at 4:03 AM, resulting in the deaths of six of the suspected bandits.

CP Muhammad noted that two AK47 rifles, 55 live ammunition, four empty magazines, the sum of N4.5 million, one Golf 3 vehicle, seven new SIM cards, and six keypad phones were recovered from the bandits.

The commissioner further revealed that stolen items recovered from them included 11 Android phones, four keypad phones, 24 pieces of mobile batteries and 190 pieces of recharge cards.

He added that, “preliminary investigation revealed that the bandits, within two weeks, invaded four villages around Ningi, including Bukutumbe, Iyayi, Kayadda and Gamji, where they shot four people and killed one member of the vigilante at Bukutumbe.

“They proceeded to Kiyawa Local Government Area in Jigawa State where they kidnapped two wives of the Chairman Kiyawa LGA, Jigawa State,” He added.

The joint team is continuing its efforts to secure the community and apprehend any remaining suspects.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

An Islamic Organization, Ummah for Da’awa & Humanitarian Services, has called on the government to do justice to the victims of the airstrike by the Nigerian Army.

The group demanded thorough investigation into the matter and requested that the victims and the families of the deceased be compensated.

The group made their stance known while expressing their pain and sadness over the matter in a statement on Thursday.

The statement reads in part: “We call on the relevant authorities to exercise a deep investigation into the matter to know
the factors that caused the unfortunate
event and to take good actions against the forces that played a role.

“We also advise the government, both at the state and federal levels to pay ransom to the affected families to alleviate the pains and plights that accompanied the incident. We all know that lost lives cannot be returned but their families can be consoled.”

The airstrike dubbed as mistake by the Nigerian Army killed scores of Muslims observing Maulud in Tudun Biri Village, Kaduna State.