343 Killed, 830 Kidnapped In 3 Months – Kaduna Govt

The Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, on Wednesday, said 343 people were killed, while 830 people were kidnapped between July and September 2021, in the state.

Speaking during the presentation of the third quarterly security report of the Kaduna State Government at the Kashim Ibrahim Government House, Aruwan said within the period under review, 193 deaths were recorded in the Southern Kaduna senatorial district. This, he said, was caused by violent attacks and reprisals, adding that130 deaths were recorded in Kaduna Central Senatorial District, 20 deaths in the Northern Senatorial District.

He further said 830 people were kidnapped within the period under review, adding, out of the number of those kidnapped, 732 were kidnapped from Kaduna Central, while 51 persons were kidnapped in Southern Kaduna Senatorial District and 47 persons were kidnapped in the Northern Senatorial District.

He said 210 people were injured by banditry, violent attacks, reprisals and communal clashes, adding, 122 people were injured in Kaduna Central Senatorial District. Aruwan further added that 67 people sustained injuries in Southern Kaduna, 21 persons were injured in the Northern senatorial district. He said 1,018 animals were rustled in the state in the third quarter; 780 stolen from the Kaduna Central Senatorial District.

According to him, the state government received 77 reports relating to the destruction of farm crops notably in Birnin Gwari, Igabi, Giwa, Kachia, Kaura, Kauru and Zangon Kataf, adding such destruction usually resulted in violence in the front line local government arrears. He said that banditry and kidnapping are striving due to the flow of money which encourages them in the business. The commissioner lamented the current insecurity challenge is a major threat to the looming food crisis, education and health.

“Primary, secondary and tertiary institutions remain under threat from bandits. Teaching and learning activities in frontline areas have been severely hampered. While hospitals and other health facilities in frontline locations are equally under grave threat from armed bandits,” he further said.

(Newsdirect)

Nigerian soldiers flee as bandits unleash horror on Sokoto community, killing 150 civilians

No fewer than 150 people were killed in bandits attack on Goronyo township in Sokoto State after Nigerian soldiers abandoned their equipment and fled the area, Peoples Gazette has learnt.

Last Sunday, the bandits stormed the town in Goronyo Local Government Area of the state on over 100 motorcycles and opened fire on residents in the attack that lasted for hours.

The state governor initially said over 30 people were killed, but later confirmed 43 dead.

“The number of people that died in Goronyo; I did say it was above 30. I was not categorical about the figure,” he was quoted in a statement by his media adviser, Muhammad Bello.

“We just finished a meeting with some stakeholders and I have confirmed that we lost 43 people, unfortunately to that incident. May God Almighty have mercy on their souls,” Governor Aminu Tambuwal later said.

However, sources told The Gazette that the assailants killed over 150 persons after soldiers who were on Shinaka-Sokoto Road abandoned their trucks and fled the area.

“The bandits came in on motorcycles that were more than 100. The soldiers who were on Shinaka-Sokoto Road abandoned their trucks and equipment and fled.

“This gave the bandits free passage and they spent many hours killing and looting people,” Adamu Ibrahim, a resident of the town, told The Gazette on Wednesday morning.

Mr Ibrahim said the attack lasted hours following the disappearance of security personnel, and with no help of rescue due to telecommunications services shut down in the area.

“There was no communication or security so the bandits had many hours to carry out their evil killing and they also carried people’s properties with them when they left,” he said,

“We counted more than 150 bodies because they were arranged in rows and some rows had 10 bodies while some had 15 or 25 bodies. We counted more than 150 bodies,” he added.

“Some of us who escaped the killings came to Sokoto to complain that there were more than 150 people who lost their lives but the government was giving different statements saying 30 or 40 people were killed. They later said 43 but still very far from the people killed.”

Another resident, Muhammad Makintami also told The Gazette more than 150 people were killed. 

“We met witnesses who ran to Sokoto from the affected local government and they gave a clear account of dead bodies,” Mr Makintami said, adding that “They were in their hundreds and at least 150.”

When contacted for comments on the incident, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Army, Onyema Nwachukwu denied the casualty figure, saying, “I wonder from what source this false information is emanating.”

He added, “The COAS has visited troops in their locations and deployments, where he addressed the troops and made assessments of ongoing anti-banditry operations. Please discountenance this rumour.”

The attack came days after some youths in Goronyo town took to the streets to protest against insecurity, which has forced many to flee the town.

In September, the state government shut down telecommunications services across Gada, Goronyo, Gudu, Ilela, Isa, Kebbe, Sabon Birn, among other local government areas to curtail increasing levels of insecurity across the state.

The same month, it capped the maximum amount of petroleum product motorists and tricycle operators can buy per time at N5,000 and N500 respectively. 

(Gazette)

Hired Pro-Buhari Protesters Stage Procession Against #EndSARS Memorial Protest In Abuja

Pro-Buhari protesters have staged a counter-protest at the Unity Fountain, Abuja against the #EndSARS memorial protest. 

SaharaReporters observed that the protesters, reportedly paid by the government who are less than 15 arrived at the venue with placards; one of which reads, “EndSARS was an insurrection against the state”.

The leader of the protest said they had gathered against the #EndSARS protest because no one had died at the Lekki toll gate. 

He said, “We have come here because we found out that some miscreants hiding behind #EndSARS have planned to come here to hold #EndSARS memorial. We are here to set the records straight. If there was a massacre, where are the bodies?

“We are here to put those lies to rest. There was no massacre anywhere in Nigeria. If there was a massacre; let an incontrovertible evidence be produced. We are here to stop those that want to destablilise our country. We will resist them, fight them because we are patriots that believe in the Nigerian project. We will not allow elements sponsored by foreign interests. We have no other country than Nigeria.”

(Saharareporters)

BREAKING: #EndSARSMemorial: Police arrest protesters at Lekki tollgate

Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested two protesters at the Lekki tollgate where the #EndSARS Memorial Protest is scheduled to hold in the state today.

One of those arrested claimed to be a journalist while the other was seen carrying a placard.

The police had reportedly warned that anyone seen at the tollgate without an ID card will be arrested.

The arrested journalist told newsmen that he works with LegitTV and that his phone, driver’s license and other documents were taken away from him.

Speaking from a Lagos State Task Force van where he was kept by the police, the journalist who identified himself as Abisola stated that he lost his ID card in transit.

About 30 police trucks and armed personnel are currently at the tollgate to enforce a ban on protests issued by the police command.

A car procession in honour of those believed to have lost their lives at the tollgate when soldiers dispersed #EndSARS protesters on October 20, 2020, is scheduled to hold at the tollgate today.

What #EndSARS protests were about

The #EndSARS protests which were held in October 2020 were against the activities of the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad, a unit of the Nigeria Police Force which was accused of police brutality.

The epicentre of the protests was the Lekki tollgate in Lagos where many youths gathered day and night to air their grievances against police brutality and bad governance.

They were dispersed from the location by gun-wielding soldiers on October 20, 2020, an action which some quarters believe led to the loss of lives.

This was followed by the destruction of private and public properties by hoodlums in Lagos, an incident that informed the latest warning issued by the police in the state.

(Punch)

Army operations have helped to return farming activities in Kebbi – Gov. Bagudu

Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi says the anti-banditry operations of the Nigerian Army have increasingly enabled farmers in the state access to their farms without threats.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement, said the governor made the observation when he received the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya in Birnin-Kebbi on Tuesday.

Bagudu said the farmers in Danko Wassagu in the southern part of the state had returned to their farming occupation, urging army to sustain the operations and bring about lasting peace in the state and Nigeria.

He commended the Nigerian Army for providing aid to civil authority at a critical period when non-state actors who were engendering insecurity in the society were being shielded by unpatriotic citizens.

Bagudu urged the army to continue to synergise with other security agencies and stakeholders to rid the north-western part of the country of banditry.

He pledged the state government’s commitment to collaborating with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to tackle insecurity in the state.

The governor introduced some reconfigured operational vehicles constructed by the state government to the COAS.

He said the operational vehicles were reconfigured with the supervision of the Deputy Governor, retired Col. Samaila Dabai, to provide operational platforms for troops.

He assured the COAS that the vehicles would soon be handed over to the troops for deployment.

The COAS commended the state government and people of Kebbi for their support to Nigerian Army.

Yahaya added that renewed measures would be taken to address the security challenges affecting the state while calling on the government to sensitise the public to the danger of colluding with bandits to create panic within their communities.

He also noted that all hands must be on deck to resolutely deal with the prevailing security situation.

At the palace of the Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammadu Bashar, the COAS appealed to traditional leaders to guide the conduct of members of their communities against providing tacit support to bandits.

He added cooperating with troops would add value to the relentless effort of security operatives to restore law and order in the north west geopolitical zone of the country.

Responding, the emir commended the COAS for embarking on an operational tour of formations and units to give direction and guidance on how to overcome security challenges confronting the country.

Duringoperational visit to 1 Battalion in Birnin Kebbi, the COAS urged the troops to remain focused and professional in the conduct of every operation.

He assured them of adequate provision of more and modern equipment to enable them to carry out their mandate effectively…

(NAN)

JUST IN: Gunmen Open Fire At Traditional Rulers Meeting In Imo

No fewer than five traditional rulers have been reportedly killed during an attack by gunmen at Nnenasa community Headquarters of Njaba local government area of Imo State.

According to sources, the traditional rulers from the area numbering over 20 were in a meeting at the local government headquarters in the community when gunmen invaded the the place, interrupted the meeting with sporadic gunshots and killed at least five traditional rulers on the spot.

Those who sustained heavy gunshots injuries have been rushed to nearby hospital for treatment.

When contacted, the Imo state police public relations officer, Mike Abatam, said he was yet to get the full details of the incident.

More to follow . . .

[Channels TV]

Nigerian Soldiers Kill 50 Bandits in Kaduna Village

At least 50 bandits have been killed in Kaduna state on Tuesday. 

This was revealed by the Kaduna State Government. 

The government said the bandits were killed in Birnin Gwari, through the combined efforts of ground troops and air raids. 

Mr. Samuel Aruwan Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna State confirmed this, in a statement. 

“In an inspiring success for the security forces, over 50 bandits have been neutralized during a combined ground and air assault in the Saulawa-Farin Ruwa axis of Birnin Gwari LGA.”

The statement said the operational feedback to the Kaduna State Government from the Command of the Joint Operations, a Nigerian Air Force helicopter gunship provided close air support to ground troops advancing from the Dogon Dawa-Damari-Saulawa axis. 

It said following extensive scans, bandits were spotted on five motorcycles, about 4km east of Saulawa, waiting to ambush the ground forces. They were engaged vigorously by the helicopter gunship, and were wiped out. 

“After this, armed bandits on about 50 motorcycles were sighted fleeing towards Farin Ruwa, and were struck effectively by the gunship. Fleeing remnants were mopped up by ground forces,” it said

He added that a second helicopter gunship joined the operations, and many more fleeing bandits were neutralized by precise strikes, adding that, an assessment, revealed that more than 50 bandits were neutralized during the joint operation. 

Governor Nasir El-Rufai expressed his satisfaction at the operational feedback, and congratulated the ground troops and gunship crews on the rout. 

He urged them to sustain the momentum and bring even more bandits to their bitter end.

(Tori-Ng)

Zamfara bandits flooding into Sokoto to kill people: Gov. Tambuwal

Governor Aminu Tambuwal has lamented how Zamfara bandits are terrorising Sokoto residents.

The governor stated this when the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Farouk Yahaya, visited him on Monday in Sokoto.

Mr Tambuwal appealed for more efforts to contain the security challenges, confirming that a gang of bandits attacked communities in Goronyo local government area in the state and killed scores of people on Sunday.

He emphasised that more security presence and collective strategies were needed to contain the increasing security challenges bedevilling the state and nation at large.

According to him, bandits flushed out Zamfara are fleeing to Sokoto and other states.

“From last night, yesterday evening till this morning, we were greeted with dastardly attacks in Goronyo local government, particularly Goronyo town, where scores lost their lives and still counting,” said the governor. “We are not sure of the figure, but about 30 persons died.”

Mr Tambuwal appealed for a synergy between the army and other security operatives in the state while requesting more troops and deployment of resources to the state.

He described the visit by the COAS as a homecoming, noting that his appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari as COAS had been widely greeted with cheers in Sokoto, being an indigene of the state.

“You have come at a very trying moment for the army and the Nigerian nation. We are faced and bedevilled by many security challenges in our own area here, particularly banditry, kidnapping and other associated crimes,” added Mr Tambuwal. “We shall continue to pray for your success, the army and its operatives in general, to ensure success over criminals.”

The governor pledged that his administration would continue to support the army and other security agencies toward achieving success.

(NAN)

#EndSARS: Micro entrepreneurs task FG on implementing youth engaging policies

The Association of Micro Entrepreneurs of Nigeria (AMEN) has urged government to swiftly implement its various policies aimed at massive job creation, youth empowerment and engagements and poverty alleviation.
Mr Saviour Iche, National President of the association, gave the advice during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos on the one year anniversary of the #EndSARS protests.

He stated that the protest was expected to bring changes, transformation, new agendas and innovative ideas, in view of the way government had handled previous issues that brought about the protest.

According to him, the call for change appears not to have been fully addressed, hence, the need for government to look into the various demands of the youth for improved national outcomes.

“The second tenure of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration promised the inclusion of more youths and we have seen that trying to come into play with the appointment of the current chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

“However, the government needs to do more in many other cabinet positions, so that the youths feel much included in the affairs of the country.

“This would also put them in the best position to carve out polices that would impact the young population and ensure their implementation as well.

“Government should try and look into the demands of the youths and step up efforts that would better the lots of the Nigerian economy and the lives of the ordinary citizens,” he said.

Iche advised against any protest during EndSARS anniversary, saying that the impacts would affect the masses more.

“There are people that if they did not go out in a day, they would not eat.

“The high cost of living will lead many people to suffering and the economy will be totally grounded,” he said.

The micro entrepreneur president urged intensified efforts at creating more friendly business environment by the provision of power, infrastructure and other social amenities to restore manufacturing performance.

He also advised the government to monitor the disbursement of its various intervention funds and palliatives aimed at supporting small businesses.

(NAN)

Soldiers killed terrorists attempting to invade troops’ operating base: Army

Troops of the Joint Task Force, North East Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have killed Boko Haram/Islamic States West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists, says the Nigerian Army.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said this in a statement on Monday in Ábuja.

Mr Nwachukwu said the troops deployed alongside the Cameroonian Defence Force had on Monday killed four terrorists at the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Wulgo in Borno.

He added the “vigilant troops successfully” foiled attempted infiltration of the terrorists into the camp while “on patrol to dominate their area of responsibility.”

According to him, the troops “swiftly responded with overwhelming fire and spontaneous” reinforcement from the battalion headquarters, forcing the terrorists to retreat.

“Troops immediately carried out a hot pursuit and exploitation after the encounter, along the terrorists’ route of withdrawal and neutralised three terrorists. The gallant troops also recovered three AK 47 rifles, six magazines and 50 rounds of 7.62mm special,” he said.

Mr Nwachukwu also stated that four other terrorists were killed the same day, around the 151 Battalion location, noting that they were burnt beyond recognition, “as their gun truck mounted with anti-aircraft guns ran over an improvised explosive device (IED).”

He also mentioned that the troops were currently conducting further exploitation to “clear any surviving terrorists.”

“The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, has commended the efforts of the troops. He charged them to remain aggressive and focused, as they dominate their areas of operational responsibility to ensure complete extermination of the terrorists and restoration of normalcy,” the army statement added. 

(NAN)