Tag Archives: Bandits

Metro

ISWAP kidnap security officials as bandits kill 15 worshippers

No fewer than seven security men have been abducted by the Islamic State of the West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists group while bandits killed 15 worshippers in Zamfara state.

The abduction reportedly happened earlier today in North Eastern Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State.

The kidnapped security men comprised one policeman, four members of the Civilian Joint Task Force(CJTF) and three hunters. They were abducted after they were overpowered by the terrorists who invaded their location in large number.

Police sources informed a security analysis publication focused on the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, the security men were attacked at the Rural Urban Migration Site (RUGA). It is a place situated at Pompom Baliya village, about 5 kilometers to Gubio.

ISWAP have been responsible for numerous atrocities across the country like kidnappings, killings, among others

Witnesses said the terrorists left the scene of the abduction in one Hilux patrol vehicle. They were said to have moved toward the Gadai village in Nganzai Local Government area of the state.

… Bandits kill 15 in Zamfara

In another development, suspected bandits have reportedly killed at least 15 worshippers at a mosque in Zamfara state. The mosque is located at Ruwan Jema town in Bukkuyun Local Government Area of the state.

ALSO READ: Mushin: Another building collapses in Lagos State (Photos)

According to Zagazola Makama, the bandits attacked the mosque during the Jumat prayers on Friday.

The bandits were said to have opened fire on the worshippers after storming the town on motorcycles. Many worshippers were said to have sustained varying degrees of injuries during the attack.

ISWAP terrorists as well as bandits have attacked churches and mosques severally over the years, killing innocent citizens

“The terrorists, who rode on motorcycles invaded the mosque and opened fire on worshippers, leading to the death of 15 persons on the spot, while many other victims sustained various degrees of injuries,” the publication quoted a source.

This is not the first time insurgents will attack worshipper during prayers in Mosques in Zamfara.

On 2 September, gunmen invaded a mosque in Zugu community in Zamfara state, and took away many worshippers. The gunmen, who disguised as worshippers, attacked the central mosque in Zugu town, Bukkuyum LGA.

Abdulkareem Bilyaminu, a resident, also reportedly claimed that the deputy chief imam was among those abducted by the gunmen.

The ISWAP terrorists’ kidnap of security officials and bandits’ killing of worshippers are some of growing security concerns in Nigeria.

Metro

11,536 Nigerian schools shut in two years under Buhari – UNICEF

The United Nations Children’s agency,
UNICEF, says that a total of 11,536 schools in Nigeria have been shut down in two years under President Muhammadu Buhari due to the activities of bandits and terrorists, especially in the northern region.

The agency made the disclosure on Thursday while commemorating the 8th anniversary of the abduction of 276 students at Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok, in Borno State,

It called on the Federal Government to make schools safe for Nigerian children as well as providing a secure learning environment for every child in Nigeria, especially for girls, so as to increase girls’ enrolment, retention, and completion of education.

In a statement to mark the Chibok abduction, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Peter Hawkins, urged the government to do everything possible to return out of school children back to schools by creating safe environments that are conducive for learning.

“Today marks eight years since the first known attack on a learning institution in Nigeria on 14 April 2014, in which 276 students at Government Girls Secondary School Chibok in north-east Nigeria were abducted by a non-state armed group,” Hawkins said.

“Since then, a spate of attacks on schools and abductions of students – sometimes resulting in their deaths – has become recurrent in the last two years, especially in the north-west and north-central regions of Nigeria.

“Unsafe schools, occasioned by attacks on schools and abduction of students, are reprehensible, a brutal violation of the rights of the victims to education, and totally unacceptable.

“Their occurrences cut short the futures and dreams of the affected students and the invisible harm school attacks inflict on the victims’ mental health is incalculable and irredeemable.

“Girls have particularly been targeted, exacerbating the figures of out-of-school children in Nigeria, 60 percent of whom are girls.

“It is a trajectory which must be halted, and every hand in Nigeria must be on deck to ensure that learning in Nigeria is not a dangerous enterprise for any child, particularly for girls.

“In Nigeria, a total of 11,536 schools were closed since December 2020 due to abductions and security issues.

“These school closures have impacted the education of approximately 1.3 million children in the 2020/21 academic year.

“This interruption of their learning contributes to gaps in children’s knowledge and skills and may lead to the loss of approximately 3.4 billion USD in these children’s lifetime earnings,” Hawkins added.

Metro

Catholic Priest abducted in Kaduna, cook killed

A priest with the Kafanchan Diocese of the Catholic Church in Kaduna State, Rev. Father Joseph Shekari, has been kidnapped by gunmen on Monday, while his cook, was killed in the process.

The state police spokesman, DSP Mohammed Jalige, who confirmed the incident, said Father Shekari was abducted from his residence at Ikulu Fari in Chawai village of Kapur Local Government Area of the state in the early hours of the day.

The police said the priest had returned to his residence after conducting a thanksgiving service at a nearby parish on Sunday night, and was preparing to go back to his parish on Monday morning when the gunmen struck.

“The priest, identified as Rev. Father Joseph Shekari, was kidnapped from his residence in the early hours of Monday.

Also Read: Rise up and defend yourselves – CNG tells Northerners

“The gunmen also killed the Reverend Father’s cook who is a secondary school student, before taking the priest away to an unknown destination.

“The gunmen also carted away an undisclosed amount of money from the priest’s house during the attack.

“The State Police Commissioner has dispatched a crack squad of anti-kidnapping team to go after the abductors and rescue the priest,” Jalige said.

The Kafanchan diocese, in a statement, confirmed the abduction of the Catholic priest and the killing of his cook.

In the issued by the Chancellor of the Diocese, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Okolo, said Shekari was kidnapped from his residence, while soliciting prayers from everyone, saying the Church would do everything legally possible to secure the quick and safe release of the priest.

“May Jesus crucified on the cross, listen to our prayers and hasten the unconditional release of His priest and all others kidnapped,” he prayed.

Meanwhile, latest reports have been confirmed that the abductors of Father Shekari have demanded for a ransom of N60 million for his release.

Politics

Rise up and defend yourselves – CNG tells Northerners

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), has called on residents of states like Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina and Niger States, to consider defending themselves following a spate of renewed killings that saw over 500 people killed in one month.

The CNG, made up of 55 northern groups, while lamenting the surge of violence and killings in the North, said it was saddening that 500 persons were killed by terrorists and bandits in the states within four weeks and various governments and security agencies have failed to protect the people.

A statement issued on Monday by National Coordinator of CNG, Balarabe Rufa’i, said the situation in some parts of the North had reached an alarming state that the people must take steps to defend themselves from attacks which were becoming a pattern.

Also Read: At last, court designate bandits as terrorists

“The Coalition of Northern Groups has reviewed the resurgence of violent attacks across some Northern states in the recent days with deep concern.

“We are deeply disturbed by the despicable and irrepressible decimation and elimination of our people; the destruction of their livelihood; raping and exploitation of our women and extorting our poverty-stricken villages and towns by terrorists.

“In the last few days, armed bandits/terrorists across four northern states of Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina and Niger, have killed scores of helpless and defenceless citizens in addition to multiple kidnappings and other forms of exploitations

“The stories are condemnably demoralising as over 500 innocent, defenceless and impoverished northerners were killed systematically in the last four weeks.

“In view of the above happenings, the CNG observed that: governments at all levels, particularly the Federal Government, has surrendered their rights and privileges to the bandits/terrorists as the bandits/terrorists operate parallel governments in villages and communities in Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina and Niger States, where they impose taxes and levies on the villages and kill people at will.

“The CNG, therefore, advocates concerted and strategic efforts to create an independent-community based security outfit that can be funded through community efforts, donations from wealthy individuals, friends and associates of the North among others to take the war against this imminent existential threat to the hideouts of the hardened criminals,” part of the statement said.

Metro

Woman who supplies ammunitions to bandits arrested

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A 30-year-old woman, Fatima Lawali, who supplies ammunitions to bandits operating in forests in Zamfara State has been arrested by the State Police Command.

Lawali, according to the state Police Commissioner, CP Ayuba Elkanah, while parading the suspect on Friday, said she was arrested while trying to smuggle 991 ammunitions into the camp of a notorious bandit leader who has been on security agents wanted list.

CP Elkanah, who paraded the suspect at the Command headquarters is Gusau, said she was nabbed on her way from Sokoto to deliver the weapons to the bandit leader known as Ado Alero, in a forest in the state when she was arrested.

Briefing newsmen during the parade of the suspect, the Police boss said:

“On 25th October, 2021, at about 0930hrs, Police Tactical Operatives of the Command in collaboration with FIB/STS led by DSP Hussaini Gimba on Tactical Operations in the state, arrested one Fatima Lawali, F, a native of K/Namoda LGA of Zamfara State,” the police commissioner said.

Also Read: At last, court designate bandits as terrorists

“Fatima specialised in supplying arms and ammunition to Bandits in Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kaduna, Katsina, and Niger states.

“The suspect was arrested at Gada Biyu area, under Bungudu LGA with nine hundred and ninety-one (991) rounds of AK-47 live ammunition conveying from Dabagi Village in Sokoto State to be delivered to a notorious bandits’ kingpin called Ado Alero who has been terrorising Zamfara and neighbouring states.”

CP Elkanah noted that the Police Tactical Operatives carried out tactical operations at different bandit enclaves in the state following interrogations of the woman and other suspects arrested.

“The operations led to a serious gun battle with the bandits where unspecified numbers of bandits were fatally injured while others escaped with possible gunshot wounds,” he added.

Leading Stories

Sheikh Gumi insists on amnesty for bandits

Controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has kicked against any attempt at labelling Northern bandits as terrorists.

Instead, he wants them to be granted a blanket amnesty just like it was done for Niger Delta militants when they were agitating for some years ago.

Sheikh Gumi made the renewed amnesty call for bandits during the enrolment of a third batch of students into the free orphans’ healthcare and education support programme organised by the Kawo Islamic Foundation in Kaduna on Monday.

Also Read: Sheikh Gumi wants amnesty for bandits

He insisted that granting amnesty to the bandits was the solution to stopping the bloodshed in the northern region and other criminal activities they engage in.

Sheikh Gumi added that labelling the bandits whom he described as “naive criminals” as terrorists, will further compound “a very simple problem.”

“If there is anything that can stop the shedding of blood, it is better just like what happened with the Niger Delta militants, they were shedding blood and vandalising pipelines.

“But where they were ready to drop their weapons with an amnesty that will take care of them, I think the same thing can apply to herdsmen,” Gumi said.

“We have met them and they are ready to put down their arms, but when they put down their arms, if you do not educate them and provide them with funds to take care of them, they will go back to the same old ways.

“Still, we call for amnesty and stopping all hostilities because we know how we can deal with it peacefully,” Sheikh Gumi added.

Kicking against the labelling of bandits as terrorists, Gumi said such a move will compound a simple problem as they are mere ignorant criminals who needs reorientation.

“Labelling them as terrorists will compound a very simple problem; they are simply naïve criminals and when you label them as terrorists like Boko Haram and ISWAP, they may join forces with them which will give an impetus to real terrorism.

“To deal with naïve and uneducated criminals, it will be detrimental to us to label them terrorists; we should fight them when fighting is useful, but dialogue is the ultimate solution.”

Leading Stories, Politics

Sheikh Gumi wants amnesty for bandits

Respected Islamic scholar and cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has renewed his constant calls for the Federal Government to grant amnesty to bandits.

Sheikh Gumi is of the belief that doing so will ensure eradication of terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, different kinds of criminality especially in the Northern parts of Nigeria.

Sheikh Ahmad Gumi in a meeting with bandits

According to Sheikh Gumi, the war against banditry will be fruitless unless the Federal Government grants them amnesty as it did to the Niger Delta militants.

Also Read: Nigerian Defence Academy Attack and Observations

The cleric disclosed this in a post on his Facebook page entitled: ‘Zamfara: The Flaring Of Crisis.’

Sheikh Gumi warned that military action against armed herders would worsen the insecurity situation rather than solve it.

Sheikh Gumi wants amnesty for bandits

“By 2015, banditry has replaced cattle raring that is becoming nearly impossible. Drugs were introduced into the herdsmen that are known to be illiterates or semi-illiterates.

“The reaction of the town local vigilantes (a natural reaction to any communal aggression in self-defence) pitched the herdsman against the local rural helmets and villages.

They even go into towns to the forests where they are lynch and maimed when whenever they enter markets.

“Therefore, everybody became an enemy and a target. Fulanis and other tribes, Muslims and non-Muslims were equally kidnapped for a ransom most of which goes to buying weapons.”

“Profiling of Fulani herdsmen became another motivative factor of more resistance and more kidnappings which has now led to their metamorphosis into the monster the nation is facing today.”

“We should also know that because of their educational status and lack of an effective unified leadership they have faced untold hardship at the hands of authorities where they were extorted and stereotyped.

“It has been imprinted in the psyche of nomadic pastoralists that the authorities and their town dwellers are ‘evil people’ that should be resisted because they have no place to secure justice for their cases no matter how innocent they may be.

“With their acquisition of weapons, they realized how easy it became to be masters of their abode the forest, where no authority can venture into.

“This has emboldened them to further attack people for more ransoms to sustain their newfound reality.

Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has renewed calls for amnesty for bandits

“Now with the prodding of the government to take more military actions of an already ugly situation whereby they were left to amass weapons.

“This is what the UN is all about. i.e., roundtable resolution of conflicts. What we are seeing is more than just criminals and criminality, yes it may have started as such but like any conflict, it is dynamic.”

“The danger we face now is ideological demagogues changing the narrative. They are trying hard to infiltrate the herdsmen.

“And we know their objectives. They want to destroy all modern governments by fighting the military and now in the recent cajoling of local populations, they have tormented before to join them in the struggle.”

“Let us face the reality, these herdsmen are going nowhere, and they are already in battle gear, and we know our military very well, so before things get messy, we need cold brains to handle this delicate situation.

“Military actions in the past have worsen the situation stimulating herdsmen resistance. Any more action will push them closer to religious fanaticism.

“It gives them protection from discrediting them as thieves and also reinforce their mobilization of gullible young unemployed youth as we saw with BH.”

“I have met many of the bandit leaders to see a way out of this gridlock. I have talked to the political class and security agents.

Leading Stories, Politics

Extra Year of NYSC Could Curb Security Crisis

Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State has suggested that members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) should undergo military training on how to handle guns for self-defence.

He made this statement on Wednesday night in reference to the rising cases of insecurity in the country.

In the interview with Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’, Ishaku also said that the duration of the scheme should increase from one to two years. This is to allow robust training for the graduates. Likewise, he mentioned that citizens should be permitted to carry arms and defend themselves against attackers.

Governor Darius Ishaku (Image: The PUNCH)

In his words,

“When the security can’t protect you, then something in the alternative must come in. We must be practical. Train people, give them practical induction, let them know what to do.

“The NYSC I will say should be two years. One year for compulsory military training and the other year for the social work that they are doing now. So that anybody who graduates as an NYSC person can know how to handle the gun, can know how to defend himself just like it is done in Israel, Lebanon and other places. ”

Darius Ishaku on 07 July 2021

A few weeks ago, the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brig. Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim made a similar statement and it caused an uproar among the youth.

The NYSC headquarters insists that Ibrahim’s words were misinterpreted. And they wasted no time in clarifying their stance via Facebook.

NYSC HQ issues rebuttal amidst claims that DG’s words were misinterpreted

On the sponsoring of banditry

The governor believes that the bandits and terrorists causing mayhem in the North-East are sponsored.

He continued, “There are sponsors. These are brand new AK-47s. How would a local man buy such an expensive weapon? It is in a video all over the place where someone confesses that the guns are given to them. And they are trained on how to use them. It is the work of the security agents to get to the root of this.”

NYSC members on parade (Image: Facebook/Kebbi State Government)

“If they can go out of this country and capture somebody who is declaring independence, why is it impossible for them to defend our people who are being killed in the farms?” Ishaku asked.

However, he said that he is optimistic that the insecurity situation in the country can be conquered. More so, this will only be possible when the political class and security agents are firm and ready to curb the menace.

Many disagree with the opinion of the governor. Some of the reasons centre around the fact that many southerners are deployed to the north for service. This puts the lives of the NYSC members at risk.

Governor Ishaku says, “You must engage your citizens to be proactive. When you cannot provide security, you must allow the people to protect themselves. “

With the suggestion of military training for corps members, it is evident that the end to Nigeria’s security crisis is nowhere in sight. Hence, the country’s leaders must put in extra efforts to equip the country’s security departments. This will help to foster law and order in the country.

Leading Stories, Politics

Northern Leaders: Hypocrisy Amid Killings

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Bandits and rogue herdsmen kidnapping, killing and dispossessing citizens of their properties is something that has become a daily occurence and the biggest security hoodoo in Nigeria’s history. One that the Buhari administration has failed to tackle for reasons most people believe is shrouded in tribalism.

The incessant killings by bandits across Nigeria and most particularly in the northern states is linked to land grabs, and often involves the kidnapping of ordinary citizens for ransom.

The terror unleashed by these criminal gangs appears to no longer be something that affects only people from afar. But rather unfortunately it’s coming closer to home and getting more brutal by the day.

Bashar Saidu Namaska – The son of Emir of Kontagora in Niger State

The Killing of Alhaji Bashar Saidu Namaska

Every day in Nigeria, we hear of violent land grabs and kidnapping by bandits who seem to be carrying out their activities unchecked. However the killing of Bashar Saidu Namaska, who is the Sardauna of Kontagora and the heir apparent to the Kontagora Emirate throne is one too close to home.

We both attended the same University and graduated the same year from the great Usman Dan Fodio University Sokoto.

Bashar was killed on his father’s farm located at Masuga village on the Kontagora-Rijau road. His driver and some staff members also lost their lives as the bandits rampaged from one village to another. They killed innocent citizens and dispossessed them of their hard earned possessions.

The Hypocrisy of Northern Nigerian Leaders

The most appalling thing about the escalating insecurity situation in Nigeria is not just the inept handling by the Buhari government. It is the suffering and smiling approach of the Northern elites who seem to be avoiding criticising Buhari at all cost.

Many northern leaders were very vocal in their criticism of the Goodluck Jonathan administration, when Nigeria was much safer than it currently is. Ironically these same leaders appear to have suddenly retired and are no longer vocal. Which unfortunately smells of tribalism – the bane of the challenges we face as a country, and our greatest undoing.

Uniting Against Incompetence

Nigerians will continue to live with the fear of insecurity and uncertainty that can only further divide us. Unless northern leaders are willing to change their stance on blindly supporting politicians they perceive as one of their own. Especially when the person in question is incompetent.

It is about time we unite as a country against tribalism. We must also acknowledge the fact that Nigeria’s challenges can only be resolved when we get the best amongst us to lead and represent us regardless of their tribe or religion. Only then would we be able to reach and harness our potential as a country.

Read also:

Body of Bashar Saidu Namaska being laid to rest on Friday 21 May 2021

I pray that the soul of my friend Bashar Namaska rests in peace. And that his evil killers would be caught and prosecuted someday. In a Nigeria devoid of tribal sentiments, nepotism and corruption.

Leading Stories, Politics

The Art of Validating Criminality And Making It Attractive

Criminal activities of armed bandits operating in the northern part of Nigeria have now spread to other regions in the country. They commit atrocities that range from kidnapping and demanding a huge ransom, to killing victims when their demands are not met. Criminality is the order of the day.

Ahmad Gumi (Source: Sahara Reporters)

Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, has been in the news recently. Ironically, Gumi is not comfortable with the bandits being called criminals.

Ahmad Gumi: A voice for the bandits

Speaking on Arise TV on Thursday, February 25, Ahmad Gumi insists that the media is among the reasons the bandits have not ceased from their atrocities.

He says the media have been consistent in referring to the bandits as criminals. And that such reference only serves to discourage them from giving up their ammunition.

Gumi said;


‘’You are emphasizing on criminality. Even the press are criminals too because they are putting oil into fire. These people are listening to you. You should not address them as criminals if you want them to succumb.

You see, when we talk with them with nice words, they are ready to listen to us, put down their weapons. But when the language is about criminality, killing them, then this is what we will keep having.’’

Previously, Gumi had spoken on behalf of the bandits. He insisted that they have only killed a few people and most times it is mistakenly. Besides, the killing is not because of criminality; it is as a result of ethnic revenge.

Read Also: Insecurity heightens as Zabarmari mourns

On ways to reduce the attacks by the bandits, Gumi concluded that the bandits should be admonished and shown the fear of God. However, President Muhammadu Buhari stated that the bandits would be treated as criminals.

The role of security operatives

Criminality is defined as behaviour that is contrary to or forbidden by criminal law. And there is no wrong in calling an act what it is.

Kidnapping of innocent victims and demanding a ransom is an act of criminality that should be eschewed.

However, the continued success of their operations is giving these bandits the confidence to advance their operations.

Therefore it is important that security operatives step up their game in tracking these bandits and bringing them to book. While some leaders have suggested negotiation tactics, it remains necessary that criminals are treated within the scope of law and the Constitution.

This will serve as a deterrent to others who may want to embrace criminality as a platform to seek relevance.