Tag: Niger State

  • NAF Confirms Helicopter Crash In Niger State

    NAF Confirms Helicopter Crash In Niger State

    A Nigerian Air Force MI-171 Helicopter on a casualty evacuation mission crashed on Monday near Chukuba Village in Niger State.

    NAF spokesman, Edward Gabkwet, confirmed the accident in a statement.

    The accident happened at about 1pm and the number of persons onboard or their state were unknown as of press time.

    “The aircraft had departed Zungeru Primary School enroute Kaduna but was later discovered to have crashed near Chukuba Village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

    “Efforts are currently ongoing to rescue the crew and passengers on board the helicopter, while preliminary investigations have commenced to determine the probable cause of the crash,” the statement added.

    On February 22, 2021, seven NAF personnel on their way from Abuja to Minna, the Niger State capital, died when their plane crashed after takeoff from the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja.

  • Bandits burn Catholic priest to death in Niger State

    Bandits burn Catholic priest to death in Niger State

    The parish priest of St. Peters and Paul Catholic Church in Kafin-koro in Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger State, Rev Father Isaac Achi, has been burnt to death by armed bandits.

    It was gathered that the bandits who invaded his residence at 3 am on Sunday, January 15, 2023, also injured his colleague identified as Father Collins.

    The terrorists were said to have attempted to gain entrance into the catholic parish house and in the course of having difficulty in gaining entrance set the parish house ablaze, and waited until it burnt to ashes with him in it.

    Father Collins was shot on the shoulder while trying to escape from the scene.

    Spokesperson of the Niger Police Command, DSP Abiodun Wasiu, who confirmed the incident, said effort is ongoing to apprehend the assailants.

    “On 15/01/2023 at about 0300hrs, armed bandits invaded the Parish residence of one Rev. Father Isaac Achi of St. Peters and Paul Catholic Church, along Daza road, Kafin-Koro, Paikoro LGA,” the statement read.

    “Unfortunately, the bandits reportedly attempted to gain entrance into the residence, but seemed difficult and set the house ablaze, while the said Rev. Father was burnt dead.

    “A colleague of the Rev. Father identified as Father Collins was equally shot in the shoulder while trying to escape from the scene. Police tactical teams attached to Kafin-Koro Div were immediately drafted to the scene, but the hoodlums had escaped before the arrival of the teams

    “The lifeless body of Father Isaac was recovered while Father Collins was rushed to the hospital for treatment.

    “The Commissioner of Police, Niger State Command CP Ogundele Ayodeji had dispatched a reinforcement team to the area and effort is ongoing to apprehend the assailants as investigation into the unfortunate attack has commenced.”

  • 2023: Mammoth Crowd As Tinubu’s Campaign Train Hits Niger State

    2023: Mammoth Crowd As Tinubu’s Campaign Train Hits Niger State

    Huge crowd on Wednesday welcomed the APC’s presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to Minna, Niger State on Wednesday for a mega rally in the area.

    Tinubu was in Kaduna on Tuesday where the state stood still for him. The Ahmadu Bello Stadium used for the rally was filled to capacity.
    The APC’s presidential candidate stormed Minna on Tuesday night in readiness for the rally and he met with party leaders in the area as he stepped up his campaign for 2023.

    There was gridlock on Wednesday morning as all roads led to the Trade Fair Complex where the mega rally will take place.

    At about 10am, the venue of the rally was filled to capacity as massive mobilisation was carried out in all councils in the state.

    “I have been here since 7 o’clock receiving supporters from the 25 Local Government Areas,” Alhaji Nma Kolo, Special Adviser on Political Affairs to Gov Bello said.

  • Court Dismisses Suit Against Niger PDP Guber Candidate

    Court Dismisses Suit Against Niger PDP Guber Candidate

    A Federal high court sitting in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has dismissed a suit filed by Hon. Sani Idris Kutigi who lost the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Gubernatorial Primaries of Niger State, for lacking in ’cause of action’.

    Kutigi filed the suit seeking the disqualification of Hon. Isah Liman Kantigi, the Niger PDP guber flagbearer, at a Federal court 4, Abuja.

    The Presiding Judge, Hon. Justice Zaynab Mohammed held that Idris Kutigi has no ’cause of action’ and so therefore the case is “Dismissed”.

  • Over 200 Bandits Killed In Four Days In Niger State – Commissioner

    Over 200 Bandits Killed In Four Days In Niger State – Commissioner

    Niger State Government has said that over 200 armed bandits were killed in a gun battle between members of the Joint Security Taskforce and bandits in the last four days in the state.

    The state Commissioner for Local Government Chieftaincy Affairs and Internal Security, Mr. Emmanuel Umar, made this known while briefing newsmen in Minna.

    Umar revealed that the leaders of the four groups that the Joint State Security Taskforce engaged in the crossfire include Ali Kawajo, Bello Janbros, Kachalla Halilu, and Bello Turji.

    According to him, sixty motorcycles were recovered, uncertain numbers of cattle were also returned to their owners. He noted that the bandits were killed in the Kundu axis of Rafi and the Babanlaba axis of Mariga local governments and other parts of the state between Sunday and Wednesday.

    The commissioner hinted that two security personnel lost their lives in the fight against the bandits but appreciated the gallant efforts of the Joint State Security Taskforce.

  • Banditry: Niger Has Recorded 50 Attacks, Lost 220 Lives In January Alone – Sani Bello

    Banditry: Niger Has Recorded 50 Attacks, Lost 220 Lives In January Alone – Sani Bello

    Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State has said not less than 165 civilians, 25 security personnel, and 30 local vigilantes were killed within 17 days this year.

    The governor announced the figures after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday.

    He said his state recorded 50 attacks and loss of lives between January 1 and January 17, while not less than 300 communities were also invaded by bandits within the same period, while 200 persons, including three Chinese nationals, were abducted.

    He, however, expressed optimism that the state would witness remarkable improvement in security.

    The President had, on Sunday, asked the military to respond “robustly” to the cases of killings and kidnappings in Niger State and to give effect to the strategic objectives through the use of force.

    The governor said: “This afternoon, I came to visit Mr President to give him an update on the security situation in Niger State with regard to banditry activities, kidnapping, and cattle rustling among others.

    “We had a very fruitful discussion. We were able to review some of the invasions in the state. Unfortunately, I cannot tell you all. In the last few days, there have been a lot of activities in Niger State. Hopefully, in the next two weeks, we will see some relief with regard to banditry.

    “I also gave an highlight on some of the challenges. Of course, our size is a disadvantage, almost nine million hectares. We lost some forests.

    “In January this year alone, we suffered not less than 50 reported attacks and loss of lives, between 1st and 17th January. Within the same period, not less than 300 communities have been invaded by bandits. The number of people kidnapped is 200, including three Chinese nationals. We also lost some security personnel. Their number is 25. Unfortunately, we lost about 165 civilians and 30 local vigilantes. So, it’s a very dire situation that we have been battling since the beginning of this year.

    “But with the kind of zeal I have seen from our security agencies and all services. I’m very optimistic that the situation will be addressed. And hopefully, we should get a very peaceful state within the shortest possible time.

    “But there is still a lot of work to do. We share borders with Kaduna, Zamfara, and Kebbi States. And these bandits have the habit of hibernating between forests, moving from Zamfara to Kebbi, and Kebbi to Niger. They take advantage of the cattle routes which they already know. They move on motorcycles. And most the areas and communities they attack have no access roads. So, you cannot drive there. So, our response time is slow.

    “But going forward, there will be new strategies which I earlier mentioned. It will help us. But I can’t disclose some of those strategies. But basically, the States of Kaduna, Niger, Kebbi would have to work together to address the situation.

    “What I realize is that they have been taking us on a merry-go-round. When we deal with them in Niger, they move to Kaduna. When Kaduna deals with them, they move to Katsina. They have been hibernating in the forest. Some of these operations need to be handled simultaneously so that we get the result.

    “We are not happy and we are sad with the developments in these states. We are doing whatever we can, using kinetic and non kinetic efforts to see that we address the present situation.”

  • Insecurity: Schools Shut Down In Niger Over Planned Banditry Attacks

    Insecurity: Schools Shut Down In Niger Over Planned Banditry Attacks

    The Chairman, Wushishi Local Government Area of Niger State, Danjuma Suleiman Nalango, has ordered the closure of all public and private primary, secondary and tertiary schools in the local government area over a planned banditry attack on schools to abduct school children in Zungeru and neighbouring communities.

    The Council Chairman told our correspondent via telephone that there was an intelligence report by the security agencies that armed bandits in their numbers were planning to strike in the day at Niger State Polytechnic and Government Girls Day Secondary School, both located in the outskirt of Zungeru town.

    He said the measure was to avoid a repeat of what happened in Tegina where Islamiyyh pupils were abducted.

    “The decision to close the schools was as a result of banditry activities in the local government.

    “The security agencies brought to my notice and even that of the governor that they have intercepted communication on a plan to abduct school children in my local government.

    “And the communication they intercepted particularly pointed to Zungeru as the area of the planned attack.

    “Although yesterday (Saturday), I was told that the kingpin had been arrested. The communication was highly classified. But they intercepted that communication and even the time that they were going to strike.

    “So, it was duty-bound for us as representative of the people, we sat down myself in my capacity as the council chairman, the security agencies and we resolved that proactive measure should be taken before any damage is done.

    “We wouldn’t want what happened in Tegina to repeat itself. So, we closed down even private schools,” the council chairman said.

    He, however, noted that: “We know the inconveniences considering the importance of education, especially now that schools were about to write their promotion examinations. But having analysed that particular threat, we believed it was better for us to close the schools temporarily to allow security operatives to continue to conduct their operations because we don’t know when they will strike because they even said they will strike in the afternoon, about 300 of them will strike precisely at 4pm.

    “For bandits to tell you that they will strike in broad daylight, that tells you the magnitude and the number at which they will enter Zungeru and overwhelm everybody. So, we are trying to avoid what happened in Tegina.”

    Nalango said Zungeru in particular had been threatened by bandits in recent times.

    One of the incidents was the abduction of the Permanent Secretary, Niger State Ministry of Transport.

    While pointing out that “no school is safe in Zungeru, they can enter anywhere,” he said the schools would be reopened if the security situation in the area improves, and appeal to parents and school proprietors for understanding.

  • Insecurity: Niger Govt Bans Sale Of Motorcycles Across State

    Insecurity: Niger Govt Bans Sale Of Motorcycles Across State

    Niger State Governor, Abubakar Bello, has ordered the immediate ban on the sale of motorcycles across the state.

    This follows the incessant security challenges in parts of the state, in addition to the demands for motorcycles as ransom by bandits and kidnappers in recent times.

    The Secretary to the State Government, Ahmed Matane, announced the ban in a statement on Saturday in Minna, the state capital.

    He explained that the state government announced the additional measure to eradicate the activities of criminals and tackle bandits and kidnappers who have continued to attack innocent residents in the state.

    The government, Matane stated, has condemned in strong terms the degree of carnage and pandemonium bandits and kidnappers have caused in some parts of the state and reiterated its continued determination to rid the state of any security threat.

    “Government is aware of the inconveniences the measure would cause the people, but the decision was taken in the overall interest of the state and appeals to the dealers of motorcycles across the state to cooperate with the directive,” he said.

    The SSG also called on the people of the state to cooperate with the security agencies on the measures put in place to put an end to the activities of criminal elements, saying it was for the benefit of all and sundry.

    He said the government has also ordered security agencies in the state to ensure effective and strict compliance and enforcement of the ban.

    Similarly, Matane reaffirmed that the activities of commercial motorcycle riders, popularly known as okada or Kabu-Kabu in Niger, as well as the operation of illegal garages, remained banned in Minna metropolis and its environs.

    The ban comes after the state government restricted the movement of all motorcycles from 6pm to 6am – a directive that is still in force.

  • BREAKING: Bandits Attack Mosque, Kill 18 Worshippers In Niger

    BREAKING: Bandits Attack Mosque, Kill 18 Worshippers In Niger

    No fewer than 18 people were reportedly killed in the early hours of Monday as armed bandits invaded Maza-Kuka Community, Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State.

    Sources told our correspondent that armed men, in large numbers, stormed the community on motorcycles and went straight to the mosque while the victims were observing their early morning prayers and killed 18 people.

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    Sources, who spoke in confidence, said the attackers shot at the worshippers at closed range in the mosque, leading to the death of them while many others were also injured.

    “They came on motorcycles and went straight to the mosques and shot at worshippers,” One of the sources said.

    Reports gathered that no fewer than 13 people were also kidnapped.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in the Niger State command, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, could not be reached while a text message sent to him was not replied to at the time of filing this report

  • Bandits Abduct over 30 Travellers in Niger State

    Bandits Abduct over 30 Travellers in Niger State

    Over 30 passengers have been allegedly kidnapped by armed bandits at Garun-Gabas in Rafi Local Government Council of Niger State.

    It was gathered that the victims were abducted Wednesday afternoon along the Zungeru-Garin-Gabas highway on three separate vehicles.

    Reports learnt that they were traveling in an 18-seater bus and two other vehicles when they ran into the gunmen.

    Eyewitness account, the bandits blocked the road shooting sporadically into the air to scare villagers who scampered to various directions before whisking the passengers away to an unknown location..

    A resident of the area who did not want the name mentioned, said after kidnapping the travellers the bandits in large numbers ran into the Kundu forest in Rafi to rustle cattles.

    The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, when contacted, promised to get back, but is yet to do so as at the time of filing in this report.

    More to come…