Kogi State Residents Live In Fear As Gunmen Abduct Two Chiefs, Kill Others

Residents of communities in Kabba town and Lokoja, the Kogi State capital are now living in fear following renewed abductions of persons by yet-to-be-identified gunmen in their areas, PM News reports.

On Friday, multiple abductions were reported in Kabba, the headquarters of the Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, and Lokoja, the state capital.

In the ancient town of Kabba where there have been series of kidnappings in the last month, the rampaging gunmen killed a man, and abducted four others including two chieftaincy title holders.

Some gunmen also abducted two persons along Zone 8 to Crusher Road of Lokoja, the state capital.

In Kabba, the kidnappers were said to have first attacked the Headmaster of Otu Egunbe primary school around Ayedun and whisked him away.

The headmaster was said to be on his way to Egbeda community for a programme before he was abducted.

The gunmen then proceeded to Kakun -Kabba where they killed one Chief Raphael Tolufashe Asa and abducted his daughter.

The gunmen who reportedly stormed the village around 8.30am also abducted one Chief Obamakun Maji, and a Fulani man whose name was yet to be ascertained.

The gunmen have made contact with families of the victims and demanded for N30million ransom as a collective fee to set the abductees free, it was learnt.

The Kogi Police Command Police Public Relation Officer, DSP William Aya who confirmed the incident, said security personnel had been mobilised to secure release of the victims.

The series of abduction is the fourth in Kogi West as the area witnessed breakdown of law and order in the past five weeks.

First, was the attack on Kabba Prison in which five people were killed and about 200 inmates were set free.

Not long after, three poultry farmers were abducted in some communities in Kabba.

Also, there was the attack on ECWA church during Sunday service in the area.

One member of the church was killed while three others were abducted during the attack.

Chief Julius Oshadumo, a retired civil servant who was one of the abductees later died in a gun battle between kidnappers and vigilante officials who were on a rescue mission.

The worsening insecurity has forced residents and travellers around to now live in fear.

[Saharareporters]

19 Traders Gunned Down As Bandits Invade Sokoto Market

At least 19 traders were killed by bandits who raided a weekly market at Unguwan Lalle in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State on Friday.

The attack also left several others injured, majority of whom are currently receiving treatment at the General Hospital, Sabon Birni.

Daily Trust could not ascertain whether the attack was a reprisal as there have been tension since Yan Sakai, an outlawed vigilance group killed 11 men at Mamande’s weekly market on Thursday.

Unguwan Lalle, a community located along Goronyo-Sabon Birni road, has suffered a series of bandits attacks in recent months.

Five soldiers who were on a rescue mission in the area were ambushed and killed by bandits few months ago.

A resident told Daily Trust that, Friday’s attack happened during the market hours.

Daily Trust learnt that Unguwan Lalle market is among the popular markets in the eastern part of Sokoto state and is being patronised by traders from different parts of the state and from Zamfara, Kebbi and neighbouring Niger Republic.

However, the identities of the victims were not ascertained yet, but another source told our reporter that two biological brothers who trade in hide and skin were among those killed.

“The two brothers came to the market from the city. We just buried them at Tudun Wada cemetery in Sokoto South local government area,” our source said.

Daily Trust learnt that the attackers stormed the market shortly after all the traders had returned from the Juma’at congregational prayers.

“They came around 3pm, surrounded the market and started shooting sporadically.”

“I counted about 19 bodies and many were still unaccounted for,” it said

Sabon Birni under siege- Lawmaker

Confirming the attack, member representing Sabon Birni North, Aminu Almustapha Gobir, said the whole Sabon Birni was in a mourning state over the attack.

“Sabon Birni is under siege, this is what I have been telling you people and the government is not happy about it,” he said

Gobir, who witnessed the burial of the two brothers, noted that traders from different places were killed by the attackers.

However, the state government has blamed the traders for the attack because all rural markets in the eastern part of the state were banned as part of measures to curtail banditry.

The Commissioner for Carriers and Security Matters, Colonel Garba Moyi (rtd), stated this in an interview with our reporter.

“The state government has suspended markets in some parts of the state experiencing Banditry because these are where bandits are getting their goods.

“But some communities are not complying with this temporary measure despite the fact that it was for their own good,” he said

He said there was a task force comprising security agents, local government chairmen and representatives of district heads in each of the affected local government area.

“We will find out why they are not enforcing this order in their respective areas,” he said

Reacting to the Commissioner’s assertion, Gobir noted that, the executive order by the state government would not make any impact unless there was a serious military operation in the area.

[DAILYTRUST]

Chiwetalu Agu: HURIWA Accuses Military, DSS of Ethnic Profiling

Prominent pro-democracy and Not-for-profit organisation- HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) has called out the Nigerian Army and the Department of State Services (DSS) for exhibiting overwhelming tendencies of ethnic profiling targeting members of the South East of Nigeria’s  Igbo speaking Ethnicity following the arrest by soldiers and eventual illegal handover to the Department of State Services of the popular Igbo Nollywoods Actor Mr Chinwetalu Agu over his choice of clothes with the flag of the defunct Biafran Republic. 
The Rights group said the military and the DSS have clearly shown their inclinations towards Ethnic profiling because on more than one occasion the Kaduna based Islamic Cleric Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi was seen holding nocturnal meetings with the Fulani terrorists who kidnapped many school children and held them hostage for months in the forests but despite the obvious evidence that the said Ahmad Gumi made many television and newspaper appearances and granted extensive interviews including the one that he accused the military of helping to weaponise terrorists in the North-West,  there was never any attempt on the part of the DSS or Army to invite him or arrest him for these treasonous acts of fraternizing and colluding allegedly with Fulani Terrorists. 
lHURIWA further affirmed that: “Also the Zaria based Islamic Cleric Salihu Zaria threatened to kill Christians over the Jos killing of Fulani travellers by Unknown gunmen but the DSS and the Army looked the other way and never made attempt to arrest these two Moslem preachers who made inciting comments which may have instigated the massacre of some Christian Military officers in a suspicious military helicopter crash whilst flying from Minna after Sheikh Gumi was quoted as claiming that only Christian military operatives are decimating and crushing Islamic terrorists in the North and then the Nigerian Defence Academy was invaded shortly after Sheikh Salihu Zaria made the threat against Christians and the invaders killed a Christian soldier and kidnapped a Plateau born Christian soldier of the rank of Major who was detained for several weeks before being rescued but the Igbo Actor Chiwetalu Agu wore just a clothe with the flag of the defunct Biafra Republic which is not unlawful but the Army tortured him and thereafter handed him over to the DSS and the DSS is now saying that justice would be done and we ask, which justice? This is pure ethnic profiling and vendetta which is unconstitutional.  We demand the immediate release of Mr Chinwetalu Agu by the DSS or they charge him to court so the World will see how low the Country Nigeria has degenerated in the practice of apartheid policies by the current administration that releases and reintegrate boko haram Islamic terrorists”.

Already, HURIWA has protested the dehumanization of Chiwetalu Agu by the Army in a letter of protest submitted to the Chief of Army staff Lieutenant General Yahaya Faruk on Friday in which the Rights group stated as follows: “We bring you our message of goodwill.
This is to register our strong protest over the physical torture, maltreatment and denial of RIGHTS TO DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON that was unleashed on the popular Nigerian Actor Sir Chiwetalu Agu by the Nigeria Army troop in Onitsha, Anambra State, South East of Nigeria.
 
We write this petition to particularly disagree with the statement publicly made by the spokesman of the Defence headquarters to the effect that the said Nollywood Actor was dehumanized because he allegedly advertises for the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) for putting on a clothe that has the flag of the defunct Biafra Republic.
Sir, the Nigeria Army is an institution created by law and the Army is not above the law. It is unacceptable that the Army General who spoke for the Defence headquarters has given the impression that physical, psychological torture of alleged offender (assuming without conceding that putting on one’s choice of clothes is now an offence) is permissible under the Army’s rules of engagement. 
Sir in 2017, Nigeria passed a law against torture. Nigerian constitution in chapter 4 is against torture.The Army tortured Chiwetalu Agu and these infractions must never be swept under the carpets so the Army is not accused of tolerating impunity.
We pray you to deploy an internal resolution mechanism to provide relief and redress to the victim of Army brutality Chiwetalu Agu.
As a Civil Rights body, we know that the Army is not a body that is created to torture citizens even if they are in conflict with the law. Moreover, what choice of clothe someone wears is not an item of the law. The colours of the defunct Biafra is not illegal just as wearing Arab clothes in Nigeria is not an offence.
We await your rapid action so the impression that some persons are bigger than the law is wiped away.
You would recall that the Kaduna based Islamic cleric Sheikh Gumi openly campaigns for those the government classified as bandits and even met them in the forests, but the Army has not called him in for questioning.
Why does the Nigerian Army believe that wearing one’s choice of clothes with certain colouration is against the law but it is not an offence for Gumi to consistently champion the cause of armed bandits?”
The letter of protest was endorsed by the National Coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko.   

DSS Arrests Nollywood Actor, Chiwetalu Agu After His Release by Army

Nollywood actor, Chiwetalu Agu, who was arrested by the Nigerian Army over his support and canvassing for the Indigenous People of Biafra, has been picked up and quizzed by the Department of State Services, hours after he was released by the military.

A Nigerian writer, Chiagozie Fred Nwonwu, who writes under the pen name Mazi Nwonwu, confirmed that Agu was not yet a free man.

According to Nwonwu, Agu is presently in custody of the DSS.

“Chiwetalu Agu is still not free. He is with DSS now. Colleagues say they are looking for a top lawyer to bail him,” Nwonwu wrote on his known Facebook page on Friday.

Recall that there were widespread reports on Friday that Agu had been released by the Nigerian Army, following his arrest on Thursday, for wearing the Biafran regalia.

Agu was arrested in Onitsha, Anambra State, on Thursday.

The army had come out to say it arrested Agu for soliciting support for the separatist group, IPOB.

“Dressed in a very well known attire of the proscribed group, Chiwetalu Agu was picked up for questioning while inciting members of the public to join the proscribed group. Though he attempted puting up some resistance when troops made effort to take him into custody, he was not assaulted or subjected to brutalisation.

“While the NA recognises the inalienable rights of the citizenry to freedom of movement and expression as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it is apparently a violation for any individual or group to incite the public to cause mayhem or break down of law and order.

“It is therefore pertinent to state that while exercising such freedoms, it must be done within the confines of the law, bearing in mind the imperative for peace, and national security,” the army had said in a statement.

The military had on Friday released Agu before he was reportedly picked up by the DSS for questioning.

[Saharareporters]

Bandits Hold On To 27 Sokoto Residents Despite Receiving Ransom From Monarch

Buzu, second in command to the notorious banditry kingpin, Bello Turji, has reportedly refused to release 27 people he kidnapped in Gatawa area of Sokoto State, despite collecting ransoms for their release.

The gunmen had recently attacked Gatawa town in the Sabon Birni Local Government Area, where residents said over 20 persons were killed and 27 persons kidnapped.

The bandits also sent one of the victims with a handwritten letter to the district head of Burkusuuma, Sarkin Rafi, asking for N20 million for the release of the victims.

According to Premium Times, the relations of the victims revealed that the bandits asked families and friends to collate the money and pay through the village head of Katsallen Kade.

The source, whose sister is kidnapped, said, “Buzu, taking decisions on Turji’s behalf, said the money should be paid through the village head. But we pleaded and negotiated with the monarch, who is afraid of going against the bandits, from N20million to N2million.”

He said the bandits were eventually given N2.2million but Buzu had refused to release the victims.

Another source from Sabon Birni, who also asked not to be named due to safety concerns, confirmed that the money was taken to the bandits but none of the victims have been released.

“The victims are being held in Suruddubu, which is all under Buzu’s territory. What I heard is that when the N2.2million was given to Buzu, he insisted that the whole N20million must be paid, and in addition to jerry cans of fuel. It is becoming scary because the issue is just like a movie premiere,” the source said.

The police spokesperson in the state, Sanusi Abubakar, did not respond to calls and SMS sent to him on the issue.

[Saharareporters]

Buhari Budgets N24.5billion For Presidency Office Building, Travels, Meals In 2022

President Muhammadu Buhari is proposing to spend N24,534,666,371 for the construction and provision of office building, local and foreign travels, meals and refreshments.

This was contained in the 2022 appropriation bill he presented to the joint session of the National Assembly on Thursday.

According to details contained in the appropriation bill, the President will spend about N2,309,066,788 on general travel and transport with code 220201 while N301,138,860 will be spent on foodstuff and catering supply.

There is an additional N30,652,500 to be spent on refreshments and meals while the provision/construction of office building takes the lion share of N21,974,763,310.

In the 2021 budget, Muhammadu Buhari had sought approval of N17.3billion to run the State House, Nigeria’s seat of power.

About N3.4billion of the approved expenditure for 2021 was also allocated to feeding and travel expenses for the Offices of the President and the Vice President.

The former gets about N2.6billion, while the latter will gulp about N873million.

[Saharareporters]

Vigilante Group Kills Imam, 10 Others In Sokoto

Gunmen suspected to be members of the outlawed Yan Sakai, a vigilance group in Sokoto State, have killed 11 persons, including an Imam, at Mamande village in Gwadabawa local government of Sokoto State.

Our reporter gathered that the victims died on the spot while four persons who sustained gunshot injuries were taken to a hospital by the local government council for treatment.

The Imam who was identified as Malam Aliyu was said to be leading prayers in one of the daily prayer Mosques in Salame.

The incident happened at about 3:30pm on Thursday.

The victims were said to have come from different Fulani settlements around the area to purchase food and other items at the weekly Mamande market.

The Yan Sakai were said to have stormed the market from Goronyo Local Government Area, attacking the victims whom they accused of aiding banditry.

A relative of the Imam, Abdullahi Riskuwa, said his brother was killed unjustifiably because he never had any criminal record.

“He is sound in religion knowledge and had been leading prayers in one of our mosques in Salame town.”

“His only sin was that he belonged to the Fulani tribe.”

According to Riskuwa, Imam Aliyu only went to the market to buy goods when he was killed.

Among those killed at the market, he said, were children and the Yan Sakai went away with their animals.

He called on the government to investigate the matter with a view to bringing the perpetrators to book.

The state chairman of Miyeti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, could not be reached for comment as his telephone line was not reachable when our correspondent attempted to speak with him.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Gwadabawa local government, Aminu Aya, confirmed the attack, saying the Yan Sakai were not from Gwadabawa.

According to him, the deceased were deposited at the Morgue of Specialist Hospital, Sokoto, and some of their relatives went there to recover their corpses.

He however, said that, normalcy was restored in the area.

When contacted, the Public Relation Officer of Sokoto Police Command, ASP Sanusi Abubakar, said he had not briefed about the development but promised to get the details and call back.

However, he had not done so as at the time of filling this report.

Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal had prohibited the activities of Yan Sakai in the state.

[DAILYTRUST]

Bandits Release Five More Students Of Kaduna Baptist School

Five more students of Bethel Baptist School in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State have been released.

Rev Israel Adelani Akanji, President, Nigerian Baptist Convention, confirmed the release of the students on Friday night.

“Glory be to God. Five of our Bethel Baptist High School students and the Matron (Making 6) have just been released to us this evening, October 8.”

“We thank God and trust that the remaining four students will also be released. Thank you for your prayers and support,” he said in a statement.

The abductors, who went away with a total 121 students from their hostels, had demanded N500,000 as ransom of each of the students.

Ever since then, the bandits have been releasing the victims in batches.

The first batch of 28 were released on July 25, 2021 after their parents reportedly parted with undisclosed ransom.

Two of the students had earlier escaped while the bandits had released one on health ground.

The following day on July 26, three of the students also escaped from their captors.

Daily Trust had reported that the students escaped from the camp where they were kept on 19 July 2021.

An aunt to one of the students, who craved anonymity told Daily Trust then that the three teenagers had spent five days roaming inside the forest before they finally met a herdsman who directed them out of the forest.

It was also gathered that one of the escaped students who could recall his father’s phone number borrowed a phone to call home before his father went to pick them up.

Two other students had escaped from the camps before they were recovered by the police.

On 22 August, 15 more of the students were released by their captors.

On 27 August, 32 more of the students regained freedom.

Joseph Hayab, Chairman of the Kaduna State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), confirmed the victims’ release.

Hayab, who said the students have been reunited with their parents, did not go into details.

On Saturday 18 September, 10 of the abducted students were freed, after spending 75 days in captivity.

A senior official of the school said that the students were released after an undisclosed amount of money was paid to the bandits, before they were reunited with their parents and taken to the hospital for treatment.

On September 23 the police arrested three kingpins involved in the kidnap of the students.

The suspects, who dressed in military camouflage, were paraded by the Force Public Relations Officers, Frank Mba, at the headquarters of defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), in Abuja.

The suspects, Adamu Bello, Isiaku Lawal and Muazu Abubakar, told newsmen that 25 of them abducted the students.

They said they carried out the operation in desperate bid to get money.

[DAILYTRUST]