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Tag: Bandits

  • BREAKING: The clearance to use super Tucano against Bandits have been obtained – Attorney General of Federation, Malami

    BREAKING: The clearance to use super Tucano against Bandits have been obtained – Attorney General of Federation, Malami

    The Nigerian government revealed on Tuesday that it had obtained clearance to deploy the Super Tucano jets purchased from the United States against the marauding bandits ravaging the country, particularly in the North-West and North-Central states.

    The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, revealed this, adding that the gazette of the clearance was ongoing.

    Last year, the Federal Government took delivery of the fighter jets after many months of delay.

    However, the US at the time had not given a blank cheque to Nigeria on the use of the fighter jets.
    The US floated a monthly schedule to monitor the deployment of the jets, the battlegrounds and the purpose of the deployment. Some US officers have been coming to Nigeria to evaluate the use of the jets in line with the terms of sale.

    But Malami during an interview on Good Morning Nigeria, a breakfast show on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) on Tuesday, said the Federal Government secured the clearance after assuring America that it would be used according to international best practices.
    He said the gazette of the usage of the Super Tucano Jets was in progress.
    Malami said, “We are also confronted with banditry in the North-West and that is why we acquired Military hardware against terrorists and bandits. They are causing major threats to the lives of Nigerians. The military hardware will be used against them.

    ”The gazetting of the Super Tucano is in progress. The clearance to use the Super Tucano has also been obtained.

  • Wike Condemns Bandits’ Attack In Sokoto

    Wike Condemns Bandits’ Attack In Sokoto

    Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has condemned bandits attack in Sokoto State and commiserated with the government and the Sultan over the unwarranted killing of innocent citizens by bandits.

    The governor, who condemned the recent spate of killings in Sokoto, said the government and people of Rivers State consider the dastardly activities of marauding bandits as barbaric.

    Governor Wike stated this when he and the Sokoto State governor, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, paid a courtesy call on His eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, Sultan of Sokoto in his palace in Sokoto over the weekend.

    The Rivers State Governor expressed dismay over the wanton killing of innocent citizens by bandits in Sokoto and other parts of the country.

    “We have had a long-standing relationship and so the people of Rivers State have told me to commiserate with you and people of Sokoto State. I’m sorry for what happened and we believe God will give the families that have lost their loved ones the courage, give them the strength to bear this unnecessary loss of lives.”

    The governor, who was accompanied by a delegation of Rivers’ elders, also thanked the Sultan for the role he has been playing to ensure the stability of the country.

    “You’ve been trying to stabilise all the religious groups, all the ethnic groups, to understand we have no other country than our country call Nigeria. You have always spoken out irrespective of whether he touches on Moslems, whether it touches on Christians, on whether it touches on those who don’t have religion.

    “You’ve always spoken out and you have admonished government where necessary in terms of insecurity, in terms of other crisis, in terms of poverty. You have always spoken out and to advise government on the best way to try and see that things get better for the citizens of the country.”

    The governor also noted that it takes somebody who has passion and undying love for the country to play the kind of role the Sultan has been playing to ensure stability and unity of the nation.

    “This character in you is rare. If all leaders can exhibit this kind of trait, then we will have future, then we can know that our country is going somewhere. You’re exhibiting the character that is expected of leadership.

    “You have had sleepless nights talking to Christians, talking to Moslems, talking to the North, talking to the South, talking to everybody to see ourselves as one Nigeria.”

    Governor Wike urged the Sultan not to relent to speak for the oppressed, the less privileged, the poor and rich Nigerians.

    In his response, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, Sultan of Sokoto, thanked Governor Wike and the Rivers’ delegation for the brotherly visit.

    The Sultan blamed lack of love for the prevalence of killings, confusion and acrimonious relationship among Nigerians.

    “If there is love, all the acrimonious we hear, all the confusion all over the place, the killings won’t have taken place. People kill without any motive. Blood-thirsty people kill anyhow because there is no love, and there is no godliness.”

    The Sultan assured that he will continue to build bridges and cement relationships between the peoples of Sokoto and Rivers States.

    “Whatever we have done, it is what our forefathers and religion ordered us to do, and we will do more to strengthen our relationship so that we can have a peaceful society.

    “So that we can have a country that we can be proud of and say yes, this is the Nigeria that we dream of. Not the Nigeria that we hear sad news of killing innocent people, unnecessary shedding of blood.”

    He commended Governor Wike for his consistent visit to him, particularly during the festive period, and for supporting the government and people of Sokoto State.

    The Sultan further appreciated Governor Wike for his unprecedented developmental strides in Rivers State.

    Governor Wike was accompanied by the Rivers State Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Desmond Akawor, Senator Olaka Nwaogu, Senator Lee Maeba, Mr Ledum Mitee and Director-General, Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement, Mr. Igonibo Thompson.

  • Police Neutralise 38 Bandits, Arrest 999 Criminal Suspects In Katsina

    Police Neutralise 38 Bandits, Arrest 999 Criminal Suspects In Katsina

    At least 38 bandits have been neutralized and nine hundred and ninety-nine suspects arrested by the police in Katsina State in connection with six hundred and eight (608) reported crimes.

    In a report for the year, outgoing State Commissioner of Police, CP Sanusi Buba, announced that out of the number of those arrested, eight hundred and seventy-four (874) are undergoing prosecution in various competent courts of law in the state.

    Speaking through the command’s spokesman, SP Gambo Isah, the commissioner said the year under review saw a significant reduction in crime rate when compared with what was obtainable last year.

    According to him, courtesy of the ongoing onslaught against banditry, cattle rustling, kidnapping, rape, and other related crimes in the state, better security has been availed to the people of Katsina.

    He explained that one hundred and fifty-seven (157) suspected armed robbers were arrested and one hundred and forty-five (145) suspects were charged to court while twelve (12) suspects remain under investigation.

    Similarly, sixty-five (65) suspected kidnappers were also arrested and sixty-three (63) suspects have been charged to court while two (2) suspects are still being investigated.

    He further enunciated that two hundred and forty-four (244) suspected cattle rustlers were arrested out of which two hundred and thirty (230) of them have been charged to court while fourteen (14) suspects are under investigation.

    The commissioner added that in the course of the campaign, thirty-eight (38) bandits were neutralised in various gun battles, one thousand two hundred and forty-three (1,243) domestic animals were recovered, sixty-three (63) victims were rescued in four (4) reported cases of human trafficking while five (5) police officers paid the supreme price.

    The commissioner through the spokesman paid tribute to the gallant officers of the command who died in the line of duty, as well as those who sustained various degrees of injuries.

    He announced that several arms and ammunition were recovered which include four (4) GPMG, 44 AK 47 riffles, 1 LAR rifle, 1 G3 rifle, 20 locally made guns, 689 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition used in AK 47 rifles.

    The commissioner further appreciated the effort and support of the State Governor, Aminu Masari, and the two emirates in the state, as well as the entire officers and men of the state police command, towards protecting the lives and property of people in the state.

  • District Head, Two Sons Killed As Bandits Attack Zamfara Community

    District Head, Two Sons Killed As Bandits Attack Zamfara Community

    Bandits have killed three persons during an attack on Gada community in Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

    During the invasion of the community very early on Wednesday, the armed men killed the District Head of Gada, Umaru Bawan-Allah, and his two sons.

    The Commissioner for Information in Zamfara, Ibrahim Dosara, confirmed the attack hours after the incident.

    He stated that apart from the killings, the bandits also razed down the house of the district head of the community

    “The security agencies, including the Nigerian Air Force are currently on the trail of the bandits,” Dosara stated.

    An indigene of the community, who witnessed the attack revealed that the assailants invaded the area in the early hours and unleashed mayhem on the residents.

    According to him, the armed men abducted many others from the community, in addition to killing the district head of Gada and his two sons.

    Gada community is about seven kilometres from Bungudu town, the headquarters of the local government.

    The incident occurred about three months after the Emir of Bungudu, Hassan Attahiru, was abducted by bandits along the Kaduna-Abuja Highway.

    Attahiru who was kidnapped in September spent 32 days in the custody of his abductors before he was released.

    Channels Television had also reported the attack by bandits on some communities in Gusau LGA during which three persons were killed on Sunday.

    An unspecified number of villagers, mostly women, were said to have been kidnapped during the assault on Geba, Tsakuwa, Gidan Kada, and Gidan Kaura, among other villages.

    The bandits, who were said to have invaded the communities on motorcycles, moved from village to village, looting shops and houses for food items.

    They reportedly operated for several hours within the villages without the intervention of security operatives who were not around during the attacks.

  • Tambuwal to FG: Recruit special forces to fight Bandits

    Tambuwal to FG: Recruit special forces to fight Bandits

    Aminu Tambuwal, governor of Sokoto, has asked the federal government to recruit special forces to fight bandits in their enclaves in the forest.

    According to NAN, Tambuwal spoke on Wednesday when he received a delegation of the North-west Governors’ Forum led by Aminu Masari, governor of Katsina.

    The delegation was in Sokoto to commiserate with the state over the security challenges — including the recent attack on a bus which led to killing of 23 travellers.

    Tambuwal said the special forces will complement the efforts of security personnel in tackling banditry.

    “Bandits have no religious, ideological or ethnicity inclinations; they are notorious criminals terrorising law-abiding citizens,’’ the governor said.

    “The recruited persons shall serve as special forces equipped with right skills and modern firearms to confront bandits since the locals know the terrains.

    “After the special mission, the recruited persons could be re-engaged as forest guards to prevent new security challenges.

    “In Sokoto state, we outlawed the self-styled vanguards referred at ‘Yansakai’ whose activities of extra-judicious killings led to reprisals and escalation of the situation.”

    The governor said the situation in the country requires everyone involved in tackling the menace irrespective of political persuasion.

    “All hands must be on deck to check banditry and to support President Buhari at all levels to contain the situation,” he said.

    “This situation calls for specialised approach with a holistic support from community groups, religious leaders and other individuals to tackle.”

    On his part, Masari expressed his condolences to Sokoto state on the recent attacks by bandits, noting that measures are being put in place to address the situation.

    “Bandits behave worse than animals in view of the atrocities they perpetrate; people need to protect themselves,” he said.

    “Police and other security personnel are inadequate, so we shall not wait for those barbaric bandits to maim and kill people at random.

    “We shall confront them and deal with them the way they are supposed to be dealt with. It is no longer a blame game, rather we shall shun political differences to support authorities on containing the situation.”

  • Bandits Kill Kaduna Lawmaker, Abduct Travellers On Kaduna-Zaria Highway

    Bandits Kill Kaduna Lawmaker, Abduct Travellers On Kaduna-Zaria Highway

    Bandits have killed a member of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Rilwanu Gadagau, along the Kaduna-Zaria Highway.

    Gadagau, who represented Giwa Constituency of the state, was the Chairman of the Committee on Local Government and Rural Development in the Assembly.

    He was reported to have been killed on Monday night by bandits who attacked travellers along the road. The body of the lawmaker was later discovered on Wednesday morning.

    Although police authorities in Kaduna have yet to react to the incident, a relative of the late lawmaker confirm the killing to Channels Television.

    He revealed that Gadagau’s body was found near Mawai, a village just about 13 kilometres from the Kaduna State capital.

    Another traveller, one Sani Dogara was also reportedly killed by the bandits. He was said to be among over 30 travellers abducted by the bandits who laid a siege on the road.

    The operation on the highway, according to sources, lasted more than two hours.

    Confirming the incident, the Speaker of the Assembly, Yusuf Zailani, described the death of the lawmaker as devastating.

    In a statement on Wednesday, he revealed that Gadagau died during the attack by bandits along the highway and his body was recovered two days later.

    “This is tragic and painful. We are in deep grief over this sad incident,” said Zailani who condoled with the lawmaker’s family and members of the Assembly over the incident.

    “Our prayers at this time, go to his immediate family. Honourable Gadagau was a young and dynamic lawmaker, who had a passion for his constituency, state and Nigeria. We will miss his vibrant contributions.”

    “Our hearts also go out to those kidnapped in the same operation, believing that they would be rescued by security operatives as soon as possible.”

  • Insecurity: Why Bandits started killing victims – Sheikh Gumi

    Insecurity: Why Bandits started killing victims – Sheikh Gumi

    Popular Islamic Scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has disclosed that something made bandits start killing their victims.

    Gumi said bandits were out to avenge the killing of their family members by the military through airstrikes.

    Speaking at a retreat on inclusive security organized by the Global Peace Foundation and Vision Africa in Abuja, the Kaduna-based Islamic scholar said that the bandits were victims seeking justice.

    He noted that it was important for the federal government to meet with bandits urgently before they become uncontrollable.

    Gumi said: “We all know that bandits initially don’t kill people. They only kidnap people to get money, but something has metamorphosed and turned them into a Frankenstein monster that kills people just for the pleasure of it.”

    Gumi, who is a known advocate for bandits, recently vowed to stop meeting with them.

    The Islamic scholar took the stance following the prescription of bandits by an Abuja Federal High Court.

  • Fear Grip Residents As Bandits Demand Over N1m Levy in Zamfara

    Fear Grip Residents As Bandits Demand Over N1m Levy in Zamfara

    Gunmen have demanded over N1 million as levies from different communities in the Zurmi, Kaura Namoda and Birnin-Magaji local government areas of Zamfara State.

    The communities are Birnin Tsaba, Gabaken Mesa, Gabaken Dan-Maliki, Turawa, Askawa and Yanbuki

    Speaking to Channels Television on Sunday, a resident, Aliyu Abdul said the people of Askawa have paid N5 million for 18 abducted persons and to prevent further attacks on their community.

    While noting that some communities are yet to raise the money before the December 11 deadline given by the gunmen, he said the situation has caused panic in the affected areas.

    “Gabaken Mesa has paid N1 million, Gabaken Dan-Maliki N1 million and Birnin Tsaba N1 million, just to mention but few,” Aliyu said.

    He explained that the Yanbuki community was told to pay N19 million but after negotiation, it was reduced to N10 million.

    When asked whether the community has informed security agencies, he said: “No one is going to police to report, knowing full well that nothing will be done but to tell them to pay the money.

    “I personally went to the military on Friday evening in Kaura Namoda to report the incident; I almost ended up fighting with one of the soldiers. I can categorically tell you nothing has been done, till now.”

    On his part, the Commissioner for Information in the state, Ibrahim Dosara, confirmed the development to Channels Television.

    He said the state government is aware of the levy imposed on these communities but assured that the government is working with the security agencies to ensure that the communities are secured.

    “The said government is working with the security agencies to make sure that these communities are secured,” the commissioner said.

  • Insecurity: COAS Warns Of Possible Increase In Activities Of Bandits, Terrorists By 2022

    Insecurity: COAS Warns Of Possible Increase In Activities Of Bandits, Terrorists By 2022

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya, has called on commanders of various theatres of operation to prepare for a possible increase in attacks by bandits and terrorists among other criminal elements disturbing the peace of the nation.

    He made the call on Friday in Abuja while addressing senior officers at the closing ceremony of the COAS Annual Conference 2021.

    “We must take the fight to the adversary in order to neutralise and defeat them,” the army chief said in his charge to officers and soldiers fighting insecurity in various parts of the country.

    “Commanders are also urged to develop contingency plans to ensure our forces always retain the initiative in all our theatres of operation. In that vein, commanders must plan for the possible increase in scope and dimension of the activities of violent state actors in the coming year.”

    READ ALSO: Buhari Sends Security, Intelligence Heads To Sokoto, Katsina Over Worsening Attacks

    Yahaya noted that the conference was declared open on Monday by President Muhammadu Buhari who was represented by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Iraboh.

    He stated that in the course of the event, participants discussed salient issues affecting the performance of the army’s constitutional roles and the sustenance of professionalism.

    According to the army chief, participants also deliberated the various security issues plaguing the nation, including the activities of bandits, terrorists, and secessionists among others.

    As a result, he hinted that the focus of the army for the coming year would be on developing more capacities for improved performances across board.

    “Emphasis will be placed on both individual and unit training that will enhance teamwork and professionalism,” Yahaya disclosed. “In this regard, I urge commanders and commandants of the Nigerian Army apropos to ensure they conduct realistic training in their various institutions to ensure our officers and soldiers are equipped with the right skills and competencies to confront criminal elements in the various theatres of operation

    “Furthermore, commanders must ensure that their troops master the art of night operations and anti-ambush drills by engaging in effective night operations and anti-ambush drill training.”

  • Bandits Kill Pastor, Abduct Woman And Four Children In Kaduna

    Bandits Kill Pastor, Abduct Woman And Four Children In Kaduna

    Bandits have killed one Pastor Dauda Bature who was in charge of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) parish in the Narayi area of Chikun Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State.

    Bature, who was initially abducted by the armed men, was killed despite the payment of an unspecified amount of money to his captors as a ransom for his release.

    Although police authorities in Kaduna have yet to react to the killing, a top member of the church confirmed the death of the clergyman to Channels Television on Saturday.

    The source who does not want his identity disclosed explained that the bandits kidnapped Bature on November 8 while he was working on his farm.

    His farm is said to be situated at a location not far from the Rigasa Train Station on the outskirts of the Kaduna metropolis.

    According to the church member, the body of the pastor was found some days ago after his family had paid the ramson demanded by his abductors.

    READ ALSO: Army Chief Warns Of Possible Increase In Activities Of Bandits, Terrorists By 2022

    In a related development, bandits invaded Oil village in Chikun LGA where they forcefully took away a woman and her four children to an unknown location.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in Kaduna, Muhammed Jalige, who confirmed the incident in a statement, revealed that the assailants carried out simultaneous attacks on a residential area at Sabo GRA in the LGA.

    “In the early hours of 11th December 2021 at about 0105hrs, the Kaduna Police Command through Divisional Police Officer Sabon Tasha Division Kaduna acted on a distress call received from a good Samaritan to the fact that some suspected armed bandits numbering about 30 with some in military gears and bearing dangerous weapons, were making ferocious effort to break into a residential area at Sabo GRA in Chikun LGA of the State in an attempt to commit a heinous crime,” he said.

    On receiving the distress call, Jalige stated that operatives were immediately mobilised with the support of other security agents to the scene with a view to thwarting the bandits’ intention.

    He added that the criminals, on sensing the presence of security agents, started shooting indiscriminately while the operatives swiftly returned fire and succeeded in foiling the attempt.

    The command’s spokesman explained that the criminals, who were frustrated by the police and other security operatives, set the residence ablaze and fled into the bush.

    “Unfortunately, it was discovered that the bandits operated simultaneously with one at oil village in the same Sabo location where they kidnapped a woman and her four children to an unknown destination,” he said.

    According to Jalige, the police have launched investigations into the two incidents and effort is ongoing to rescue the abducted victims.

    He assured the residents that the police were doing everything possible to restore normalcy in the area and called for the support and cooperation of the people.