Deplorable State of Road, Network Shutdown & Withdrawal of Female Soldiers Responsible for Resurgence of Abductions along Kaduna-Abuja Express Way: Commuters Lament

By Steven Kefas, Kaduna

Road users along the dreaded Abuja-Kaduna highway have blamed the deplorable state of the road and the network shutdown embarked upon by the Kaduna state government for the resurgence of mass abductions and killings on the road.

Middle Belt Times reporter on Monday spoke with some road users in Kaduna and Abuja on the matter.

Mallam Salihu Giwa (not real name), a commercial driver who plies the road on a daily basis said the network shutdown in Kaduna state is making the activities of armed bandits easier at the detriment of innocent civilians.

Giwa said that while the citizens who are at the receiving end of both the network shutdown and the bandits attacks, the bandits still find ways to coordinate attacks and also reach out to families for ransom negotiations.

“Before now whenever their is an ongoing operations, we phone to inform our colleagues of the development.

“For instance, if am driving and notice danger, I will call my colleagues, they too will call others and before you know it, people are saved but today that is no longer possible due to the absence of network in the state.

“Let me tell you, in the past we have experienced this kidnapping along this road but the first driver to encounter them might make phone calls and before you know the information circulate and help from the security will come.

“They said they shutdown network to stop banditry but as you can see banditry has only gotten worse with the shutdown. The bandits still launch attacks, kidnap people and still make phone calls negotiating for ransoms.” Giwa lamented.

Another commercial driver, Idoko Francis told MBT that the recent waves of abduction along the Abuja-Kaduna express way seems very coordinated and scary.

He said in times past, you hardly hear of an attack today and another tomorrow.

“Monday’s attacks got many of us surprised because it opened our eyes to a new dimension of kidnapping along the Abuja-Kaduna highway.

“For them to attack on Sunday and did same on Monday, it shows that they are now more daring and coordinated.

“Before, whenever they attack, they don’t come back to attack again immediately because they know that security will be on the road patrolling but this time around they damned every consequences and went back to kidnap more people the next day.” Francis said.

Removal of Female Soldiers from the road

The withdrawal of the gallant female soldiers from the Abuja-Kaduna express way has also continued to generate reactions among road users who said the soldiers were committed and dedicated to their jobs while on the road.

Recall that, in late January, 2021 the Kaduna state government received 300 gallant female soldiers to mount 24 hours surveillance on the Abuja-Kaduna express way.

This reporter while traveling on the road on Monday observed that the female soldiers have all been withdrawn and efforts were made to speak to road users about the development.

A road user who gave his name as Mathias said that the withdrawal of the female soldiers was shocking to road users because there was no reason for such withdrawal considering the importance of their presence on the road.

“Why did they remove the female soldiers in the first place if they don’t have sinister motives?

“Those female soldiers were very dedicated, they were always on this road providing security, they were fearless and provided an intimidating presence on the road.

“Throughout their stay on this road, I never heard of any kidnapping operations because they were up and doing.

“Who ordered their removal and why ? These are questions Nigerians should be asking the government.” Mathias said.

Citizens Plead for Network Restoration

Residents living in Kaduna state are pleading with the state government to reconsider her decision to shutdown telecommunications network in some parts of the state, saying that the shutdown has made life more difficult for them.

Some residents of Chikun local government area who spoke to MBT reporter said they have been living in total darkness since the network shutdown. They also lamented that since the shutdown has failed to achieve it purpose, it will be unfair to sustain the shutdown.

A resident of Gidan Bussa who spoke to this reporter on condition of anonymity said that the network shutdown has achieved nothing in the area and therefore should be restored.

“Since they shutdown this network, life has been hell for us here, we can no longer communicate with friends and relatives in other places, we can not call for help during emergencies.

“Since the network shutdown has obviously failed to achieve any meaningful result, the government should restore network back. He said.

This reporter spoke to a resident of Gonin Gora who compared the shutdown of telecommunication networks which is affecting their community to life during the pre GSM era in Nigeria.

She said, most businesses are shutdown due to unavailability of network in the community.

“We are just here, we can’t make calls, we can’t do transactions on the POS yet we don’t have any bank in Gonin Gora.

“Those who sell recharge cards to survive also can no longer sell because no one buys recharge cards when there is no network to use their phones.

“The whole thing is troubling for us, it is like living in the pre GSM era and to make matters worse, the bandits are still operating, some of our relatives that were abducted from Emmanuel Baptist church in October are still with the bandits.” She said.

Recall thst on Sunday, armed bandits launched a broad daylight operation along the Abuja-Kaduna express way, killing a former APC governorship aspirant in Zamfara state before abducting dozens.

On Monday, a similar operation took place around Gidan Bussa along the same road leading to the abduction of many travellers.

Improved Security Presence

This reporter, on Tuesday 23, November observed improved security presence on the Abuja-Kaduna express way.

An armoured vehicle belonging to the Nigerian army and dozens of soldiers riding on motorcycles were seen patroling along the road, giving road user some confidence to travel.

The police and Civil defense operatives in their numbers were also sighted patroling the express way. This is coming after the Kaduna state commissioner of Police announce the deployment of more personnel and armoured vehicles to the road.

Speaking during a visit to the scene of Sunday’s attack, Commissioner of Police, Mudashiru Abdullahi ordered the deployment of additional four armoured vehicles and more troops to the the Abuja-Kaduna highway.

Terrorists Kill Two Rigwe People in Plateau

Terrorists suspected to be Fulani herdsmen militias on Tuesday 23, November killed two people in Ancha village of Miango District, Rigwe Chiefdom, Bassa local government area of Plateau State, North Central Nigeria.

The deceased persons were ambushed and killed while working on their farmland, a spokesman for the Irigwe development association says.

Davidson Malison, spokesman of the Irigwe development association confirmed the attack to Middle Belt Times.

He said the latest killings is a confirmation that Irigwe land is still not safe for the people to go about their legitimate productive activities.

He also said that the divisional police officer (DPO) of Bassa was on his way coming to the scene of the attack.

The name names of those killed are as follows;
1. Daniel James-32 years old
2. Zakwe Deba-35 years old

“The entire Rigwe nation is saddened by this unfortunate development and call for more proactive measures by security personnel and Government in ending this bloodletting in the land.

“These atrocities being committed by Fulani militia have had a gross negative effects on our people and it must be stopped.” Malison said

BREAKING: Scores Feared Abducted as Terrorists Attack Abuja-Kaduna Road for the second time in 24 hours

By Steven Kefas, Abuja

Terrorists on Monday 22, November abducted some yet to be ascertained number of road users along the dreaded Abuja-Kaduna express way.

This abduction is coming barely 24 hours after a prominent Zamfara politician was killed while many commuters were abducted along the Kateri axis of the road.

The terrorists in their numbers blocked the Sabon Atilibu (Near Gidan Bussa) axis of the road at about 5pm Nigerian time and began shooting sporadically, forcing motorists and road users to abandon their vehicles and scamper for safety

Middle Belt Times reporter who was en-route to Abuja from Kaduna witnessed the incident firsthand and reported that many travelers were abducted from two vehicles; an 18 seater bus and a saloon car.

On the spot of the abduction, the reporter observed dozens of heavily armed security men comprising of the military, the police and the civil defence were seen standing instead of engaging the terrorists.

The reporter counted over 70 vehicles parked on both lanes of the road leading to a blockade.

At about 5:15pm, the terrorists retreated into the forests with the abductees as the security men on ground watched in awe.

Traffic was eventually restored afterwards as commuters struggle to leave the area.

A commercial driver who spoke to MBT reporter on condition of anonymity blamed the recent waves of abduction along the road on the deplorable state of the road and the network shutdown embarked upon by the Kaduna state government.

“The bad state of the road is actually aiding the activities of the bandits.

“They usually go to bad spots along the road because they know that road users must apply brakes on such spots to avoid damaging their vehicles.” He said

He also said that the shutdown of telecommunication networks in parts the state which affected the Abuja-Kaduna express way, makes it impossible for road users encountering danger to call to inform other road users or the security.

“Before now, whenever there is such operations, our colleagues who may have gone ahead of us usually call to inform us to be careful or call the security for help but now everybody is on his own.” He lamented.

Recall that, the Kaduna state government in October announced the shutdown of telecommunication networks in some parts of the state, citing an ongoing war against terrorists as reason for the the shutdown.

Several communities in Chikun and other parts of the state, especially Southern Kaduna have come under repeated attacks despite the ongoing military operations.

In October, 66 worshipers were abducted from a Baptist church in Kakau community in Chikun local government area of the state. Two out of the 66 were later killed by their captors while three were injured in captivity.

BREAKING: Mother, Wife Of Notorious Bandit Trapped As Air Force Bombs Militants In Sokoto

By

Abubakar Auwal

The wife and mother of Bokkolo, a notorious bandit, were reportedly trapped when fighter jets bombarded his residence in Sokoto State.

Nigerian fighter jets were said to have killed several bandits and their relatives.

A resident, who confirmed the bombardment of Bokkolo’s residence said, many of his lieutenants were killed in the house.

“But we are not sure whether he is among the dead, but his wife and mother were at home during the raid,” the source said.

The gunmen were dislodged in a sustained air raid, which commenced on Friday.

Some of them were said to have fled to Tsabre, Sarkin Darai and Tiɗibale which are between Goronyo and Unguwan Lalle in Sokoto, in the heat of the raid.

According to the locals, some of the bandits were seen with gunshot injuries in these three villages.

The raid was part of the joint operation, comprising Nigeria Army, Air Force, Police, DSS, among others.

A senior army officer confided in Daily Trust that the operation is being led by the General Officer Commanding 8 Division of the Nigerian Army, Sokoto.

According to him, hundreds of bandits were killed around Isa and Sabon Birni areas and the operation went as far as Nigerien border.

He added that all their hideouts and residences in the forests were bombarded.

Another source, told us that most of the areas bombarded were under the control of the notorious bandits’ leader, Turji, but there was no report on his death or that of any of his relatives at the time of filing this report.

We learnt that four vigilantes who were part of the operation lost their lives in the fight.

“The whole of that axis is now militarized. We have not witnessed an operation of this magnitude since the advent of banditry in Sokoto. And it is succeeding,” the resident said.

Also speaking, the member representing Sabon Birni North, Aminu Almustapha Gobir, corroborated that, the operation was the first of its kind in that area, adding that it is recording tremendous successes.

“Many bandits have been killed and some have fled with gunshot injuries,” he said.

Another resident said locals were aiding the operation by reporting movement of the fleeing bandits.

[Sun]

BREAKING:‘Many kidnapped’ as terrorists open fire on travelers along Abuja-Kaduna road

Terrorists have reportedly kidnapped an unspecified number of travelers along the dreaded Abuja-Kaduna expressway on Sunday 21st November, 2021

DAILY NIGERIAN gathered that dozens of terrorists, often referred to as bandits, opened fire sporadically on commuters around 4pm, forcing many drivers to lose control.

Sources told DAILY NIGERIAN that many passengers who attempted to run were fired at, while those who cooperated were shepherded into the bush.

A survivor who preferred not to be named told Daily Nigerian reporter that the incident occurred around Rijana area.

“The kidnappers took advantage of the damage on the road, which forced on and off-coming motorists to move slowly on a single lane,” he said.

Spokesman for the Kaduna State Police Command Mohammed Jalige did not respond to our reporter’s call.

Credit: Daily Nigerian

THE KADUNA TODAY OF MALLAM NASIRU ELRUFAI; A product of narcissism

By

Gideon Dauda

Before reading this opinion of mine, it is imperative we look at the elementary semantics of the word “NARCISSIST”.

NARCISSIST is a mental personality disorder characterized by a sense of grandiosity, the need for attention, admiration, and a lack of empathy. It often accompanies other psychiatric disorders and can be difficult to treat. Most often than not, this disorder needs the attention of a clinical psychologist or therapist to treat.

A careful study at the word NARCISSIST viz a viz its personality traits. Out of such traits advance, two are outstanding for me below;

1) Grandiosity: feeling superior to everyone and exaggerated sense of importance.

2) Lack of Empathy : lacking ability to care about the emotional, psychological feelings, needs or experiences of others.

At this point, the quitessential question to pose is?
Does this mental disorder explained abinitio classically describe a major personality in kaduna state?

Your sound judgement is as good as mine!!!

Let’s proceed!

Kaduna state of today with all it’s scamillus beautiful projects and edifice all around has on the other side of the coin become the epicenter of agony and pain.
You can’t define hardship and poverty without making reference to the practical situation facing the people residence in the state.
Pundictic oratory would perhaps or rather describe the condition in the state as synonymous with that of 19th century famine of China.

A state were government takes stringent policy overnight without taking holistic cognizance of the social-economy implications of such decision. Obviously, the sycophants in his government doesn’t tell him the truth or he doesn’t listen to them, the two either suffices.

People resident in the state has been force to become Marathon foot champions resulting from total ban of cyclists and time-ban of commercial tricycle.

A friend told me how his aged and sick mother treked about 8 killometers, she was latter hospitalized. Haba Mallam Nasiru….making a policy that would/has significantly affected the transportation of people ought to have had an AFTERTHOUGHT looking at the consequencial implications.

Not talking about those who’s houses and business shops demolished without compensation. What of those who used their hard-earned money or gratituity to painstakingly build their houses? Where will they start from?

With all the moribund industries and state of coma SME’s leading to a skeletal economy activities in the state, the state is said to be the 6th highest in IGR INTERNAL GENERATED REVENUE.
I mean, this goes to show the predicated suffering of the people in the state. A state with little or no industrial or economic activities generating revenue more than an industrial-economic viable state like kano state, even economy experts can’t give a logical, valid and fair explanation to this revenue generation in kaduna except that it is taken from the masses in the state.

I can imagine the number of SME’s in the state that has fold-up, just imagine the number of agents of terminals (POS) that has losed their Businesses due to the shot-down of mobile statelite, I mean, this business alone had engage a good number of youths untill the shot-down of network. What of those doing motor cycle business? I wonder what magic those with such businesses with families have done to feed their dependant lately. The frank question to ask is? How many men with weak minds will absorb the pressure of not providing for their families without engaging in quasi crime?

Am dumbfounded but rather embarrassed that in kaduna state Nigeria communication is not use as a form of intelligence gathering.
Network and Spy satellites are valuable tools to track-down criminal activities in western clime, but, here in kaduna Nigeria, Network satellites Outage are seemingly use to truncate criminal element activities.

What a Counter-productive strategy!

I Akin this outdated and barbaric security strategy to taking one step forward and two step backwards with same footing by extention throwing the baby with the bath water.

Perhaps, if this security strategy would have completely address the insecurity in the state it would have been a different issue to discuss another day. Innocent and law abiding people of the state still get killed and kidnapped.
The Terrorist may be ahead to use satellite phones or other device since we are in 21st century to out-smart the primitive-intelligence put in place by Nasiru’s government to continue their nifarous activities.

As a crime expert, I make bold to say that the we can’t combat and win this war technologically and sociologically which seems to be the only viable tool that has stood the test of 21century practices in curbing criminal elements.

A government that has refuse to swallow and work with the bitter truth being told to them by state lovers but rather prefer sweet lies from their hungry worshippers. No wonder, they wouldn’t hesitate to keep behind-bars those who are not economical with the truth to them.

This is the kaduna of today.

U.S Encouraging Impunity, Lawlessness In Nigeria, Says Revd. Para-Mallam

Global Mission Leader and renowned peace advocate, Revd. Gideon Para-Mallam has accused the government of the United States of America (USA) of encouraging impunity and lawlessness which is perpetrated against the Nigerian people, by the current dispensation in the country.

The cleric, who was reacting to the recent removal of Nigeria from the list of countries of particular concern in the area of religious persecution, contended that the US government is comfortably adopting hypocritical policies anchored on what is referred to as softball diplomacy which is akin to playing the ostrich.

According to Para-Mallam, to have stooped so, the US has allowed herself to be blinded by the culture of denialism when it comes to religious persecution by the present government in Nigeria.

The cleric who is also the President/CEO of The Para-Mallam Peace Foundation, further slammed the US saying it seems there exists a disturbing strange relationship between the US Government with the Nigerian Government. “This relationship does not always favor the peace-loving people of Nigeria.

This re lationship as demonstrated by this policy of removing Nigeria from the CPC list will not serve in the interest of the Nigerian people in the long run but only US strategic interests.

“Such pandering in massaging the political ego of the Nigerian power elite suits the Nigerian government but hurts its people both in the short and long term,” Para-Mallam stressed. He stated that government should exist for its people as is the case even in the US.

His words: “It is so strange the US Government is encouraging in Nigeria what she won’t dare encourage in the US. With brutal killings going on with so much impunity in Nigeria, yet the US State department removed Nigeria’s name from the CPC Watch list.

“With so many Christian girls in Boko Haram’s captivity – Leah Sharibu with hundred others serving as slaves, forcibly converted, sexually abused yet Nigeria was removed from that list?

What about those innocent Christian girls particularly in Maguzawa dominated Christian communities in Northern Nigeria who have been forcibly kidnapped, converted, and married off as minors and underage, yet the US State Department sees nothing wrong with such?

“What about Nigeria’s inability to manage our diversity with the current government running what is mostly an exclusive instead of an inclusive government yet the US government sees nothing wrong with all these? “I stand for peacebuilding that is predicated on justice for all I will continue to advocate for peaceful resolution of our challenges in Nigeria but nurturing systemic structures of social injustice hurts us all.

Therefore, to me, removing Nigeria from the CPC list is a hypocritical and tacit way of encouraging the present impunity and lawlessness. I pray this will not result in more killings in Nigeria,” Oars-Mallam lamented.

The peace advocate further pointed out that it beats the imagination that with all that is going on in Nigeria regarding the persecution of Christians, Nigeria which became a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) lists as it affects religious freedoms,

in December 2020, could be so hastily removed in less than one year. He also noted that Nigeria was interestingly removed from the CPC list but Boko and ISWAP were named in the entities of particular concern list.

This, Para-Mallam further pointed out, clearly shows that the Department of State recognizes the significant challenge of religious freedom in Nigeria insisting that religious persecution in Nigeria has multifaceted dimensions yet Nigeria was not even in the Special Watch List (SWL).

He continued: “I wish to ask: What has changed in Nigeria? Have the mass kidnappings and mass killing of Christians stopped? Have the ongoing attacks which led thousands to become Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from several Christian communities stopped?

“No doubt Muslim communities have also come under attack by the Bandits but that, unfortunately, is a strange scenario of Muslims attacking and killing Muslims.

As a Peace Advocate and crusader for social justice, I am completely opposed to Muslims being killed also, just as I am opposed to the killing of Christians. Therefore, I have always wondered and asked myself, how does the killing of Muslims cancel the fact that Christians are being killed or suggest in any way that they are not being persecuted?”

“It is untrue and deceitful to make the world believe that Christians are not being persecuted in Nigeria. Many Christians in States such as Benue, Plateau, Yobe, Borno, Niger, and Southern Kaduna are systematically being uprooted from their ancestral homelands.

Should this be taking place in a country that is supposedly multi-religious, multiethnic, and multicultural?” Para-allam asked.

[New Telegraph]

BREAKING: Niger State Government Bans Sales of Motorcycles in the State

The Niger state government on Saturday 20th November, 2021 announced a ban on sales of motorcycles in the state following growing terrorists activities ravaging the state.

In a statement signed by the information officer, office of the Secretary to the State government (SSG), Lawal Tanko, the government said the step becomes necessary ‘following the incessant security challenges in some parts of the state’.

Following the incessant security challenges in some parts of Niger State and coupled with the demands of motorcycles as ransom by bandits and kidnappers, the State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has directed the immediate ban on the sales of motorcycles across the State.

A statement issued by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ahmed Ibrahim Matane revealed that the category of motorcycles affected by the ban includes any motorcycles (Bajaj, Boxer, Qiujeng, Honda ACE, Jingchen, etc) with engine capacity from 185 Cubic Centimetres ( cc) and above remained banned from selling to the public.

The SSG further explained that the State Government rolled out this additional measure which is aimed at eradicating the activities of criminals and the unleashing of mayhem by bandits and kidnappers on innocent citizens in the State.

He stated Government has condemned in strong terms the degree of carnage and pandemonium bandits and kidnappers are causing to some parts of the State and reiterated its continued determination to rid the State of any security threat.

According to the SSG “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 appealed to the dealers of motorcycles across the State to cooperate with the directive”.

Ahmed Matane appealed to the people of the State to cooperate with the security agencies on the security measures being put in place to put an end to the activities of some criminal elements, as it is for the benefit of all and sundry.

The SSG disclosed that Government has also ordered security agencies in the State to ensure effective and strict compliance/enforcement of this directive.

In the same vein, the SSG has reaffirmed that the activities of commercial motorcycle riders popularly known as Okada or Kabu-kabu and operation of illegal garages remained banned in Minna metropolis and environs.

It would be recalled that the State Government had earlier restricted the movements of all motorcycles from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am and the restriction order is still enforced.

Boko Haram kidnap 22 girls in Rafi, Niger for marriage

Gunmen suspected to be members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect have allegedly kidnapped a total of 22 girls in Kurebe community in Rafi local government area of Niger State on Thursday.

It was learnt the gunmen stormed the community and whisked the girls between 14 and 17 years purportedly to marry them.

DAILY POST gathered that before the abduction, the suspected sect members had informed the community to withdraw the girls from school as they (gunmen) would be coming for them.

Confirming the incident, a source from the area who would not want the name to be mentioned on prints expressed shock over the development, ” they actually carried out their threat without any resistance or any security check”.

According to the source, the group leader simply known as Malam Sadiku has been freely preaching weird Islamic ideology for several months in the area, despite reporting the development to relevant authorities with no action taken.

It would be recalled that the Niger State governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, had earlier raised the alarm on several occasions that an Islamic group whose mode of operation is similar to Boko Haram had hoist its flag in Kaure a village close to Kurebe.

Similarly, armed bandits had purportedly abducted one Anthony, a Patent Medicine dealer around Maikunkrle, a suburb of Minna, Bosso local government area of the state.

An eyewitness said the bandits invaded the area and only ferried Anthony away from his house in an operation which lasted only 10 minutes about 9 pm in the area.

DAILY POST further learnt that the bandits entered through the thick forest of Kampala axis shooting randomly and scaring the people before taking their target away.

The abduction was the first incident reported around Minna, the Niger State capital.

These abductions are coming less than two days after armed bandits attacked a village in Munya Local Government Area, killing one person and kidnapping abou seventy others in the dead hours of the night.

However, the state Police Public Relations Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, could not be reached for confirmation.

[Dailypost]

BREAKING: Terrorists Invade Benue Community, Kill 7

Terrorists on Thursday 18 November, 2021killed seven people in a fresh attack on Tor Da community of Kastina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, North Central Nigeria.

Witnesses told our dailytrust that the incident which occurred at about 5pm on Thursday threw the community into a state of pandemonium when the terrorists invaded the community and began shooting sporadically at the residents.

The local government Chairman of Kastina-Ala, Me Alfred Atera, confirmed the attack to journalists in Makurdi of Friday, saying that some members of the Community Volunteer Guards were among the seven people killed.

Atera said, “Terrorists came to Tor Donga yesterday (Thursday) evening and killed seven persons.

“They killed Volunteer Guards members, injured two of them and then killed some other persons, too, on their way as they shot sporadically.

“Five injured persons are in the hospital now, including a Reverend Father from Mbatseer who was going to Tor Donga. They met him on the way, shot him dead and the other occupant of the car.

“The incident happened between 5pm and 5:30pm.

According to the volunteer guards, they (terrorists) are the remnant of Azonto army, as they saw one Santer who was driving the car.

“The Volunteer Guards blocked the road when they saw them, but they didn’t have anything to protect themselves so they ran away.

All the security agencies have been informed; the police, OPWS and security adviser.

“We are on top of it, doing our best to ensure that  we get them.”

The council chairman admitted that the incident caused panic among residents, saying, “We have never experienced this kind of thing for a long time now coming up, the residents are afraid.

We’re making sure that we assure them that the perpetrators will be brought to book.”

Meanwhile, Governor Samuel Ortom, also confirmed the killings, saying his government was cooperating with security agencies to track down the killer gang.

The governor said that four out of the seven people killed were members of the vigilante group.

Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Catherine Anene, said, “we have not received such report please.”

Credit: Dailytrust