BREAKING: Kaduna Government Announces Plans To Shut Telecommunication Services Over Banditry

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has asked residents to prepare for a shutdown of telecommunication services.

According to Daily Trust, the governor stated this in a chat with some radio stations, saying the security agents are prepared to launch an offensive on bandits taking refuge in some parts of the state.

El-Rufai said the shutdown would not cover the entire state, adding that only the local government areas bordering the troubled Zamfara and Katsina states where military onslaught is ongoing will be affected.

“We have been advised by the Military and other security agencies to shut down telecommunication services in certain LGAs but we are waiting for the security agencies to tell us which specific areas and when.

“But I want the people of Kaduna State to know that if they give us the go-ahead tomorrow [Wednesday], we will shut down tomorrow.”

El-Rufai, who spoke in Hausa, said due to the shutdown of telecommunication services in Zamfara and Katsina, some bandits crossed over to neighbouring local government areas in Kaduna to make phone calls and demand ransoms.

“There is no doubt that bandits and other criminals rely on telecommunication to communicate with their informants as well as with relatives of kidnapped victims so as to demand ransom,” he said.

The governor said he had already written to the federal government on the shutdown which he said had been approved by President Muhammadu Buhari.

“I will not mention the LGAs to be affected but the local governments that are constantly being tormented by bandits know themselves,” he said adding that: “As soon as we get the nod from security agents, then the people of Kaduna State should know that we will shutdown telecommunication to give security agents the maximum cooperation to carry out operations in those areas.”

Most affected by banditry in Kaduna State are the Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Chikun, Igabi, Kajuru and Kachia local government areas. 

El-Rufai also said the state government had established a task force that will go round the hinterlands to monitor compliance on some of the security measures adopted by the state to ensure that fuel stations and markets are closed to further strangulate bandits in the forest.

While advising residents on the need to identify and report informants or accomplices of bandits, El-Rufai said: “Anyone who comes to buy between 20 to 100 loaves of bread, sell it to him but also notify security agents.

“Or when someone comes with about 20 phones and wants to charge them, let them charge them, but also notify security agents.”

(Dailytrust/Saharareporters)

JUST IN: Terrorist Herdsmen Kill Four in Plateau

No fewer than four Rigwe people in Bassa LGA of Plateau State have been confirmed killed by suspected Fulani terrorists on Tuesday night, 28th September, 2021. According to the Irigwe Development Association (IDA).

Davidson Malison, the National Publicity Secretary of the IDA confirmed the attack to Middle Belt Times via telephone

“At around 6:50pm Nigerian time, three persons on a motorcycle were ambushed along Twin Hill Road, Jebbu Miango, in Miango District of Rigwe Chiefdom, Bassa LGA of Plateau State. Two were killed instantly and one sustained gunshot injuries.

The three were on their way from Jebbu Miango to Miango community when the Fulani Terrorists laid ambush and attacked them. Their motorcycle was also burnt to ashes by the terrorists.” Malison said

In a seperate attack same Tuesday evening, two persons were killed while working on their farm at Nzhwerenvi community in Jebbu Miango.

The names of the victims were given as follows;

1. 45 year-old Bitrus Bulus
2. 35 year- old Yakubu Chohu
3. 33 year-old Friday Gani Kyeri
4. 19 year-old Kyeri Gani.

27 year old Musa Wah sustained injury during the attack.

Communities in Miango have come under repeated Fulani jihadists attack with over 70 people reported killed and over 300 houses and farm lands destroyed in July 2021.

Bandits kill two, kidnap 18 women, seven babies

Armed bandits have killed two villagers, kidnapped 18 women and seven babies in Katsina, the police command in the state says.

The attack occurred at Kitibawa in Dutsinma LGA.

“The fact of the case was that on September 15, 2021, bandits in their numbers on foot, shooting sporadically with AK-47 rifles, attacked Kitibawa village in Dutsinma LGA. The bandits killed two villagers, set some shops ablaze, and kidnapped 18 women with their seven babies,” said Gambo Isah, the command’s spokesperson, in a statement issued on Tuesday.

The police officer added, “On receipt of the report, Area Commander Dutsinma, ACP Aminu Umar, led a team of policemen to the area, blocked the bandits, and engaged them in a gun duel.”

According to him, the bandits fled during the shootout with gunshot wounds.

“In the course of profiling the scene, two women were rescued, and 60 sheep, 34 cows, and one donkey were recovered,” he revealed.

The police said they later arrested two suspected bandits, two informants and also rescued 10 kidnap victims.

“On September 20, 2021, the command succeeded in arresting a 30-year-old man from Sabon Garin Faguwa, Dutsinma local government area (LGA), who was residing in the forest,” the police explained. “He is a notorious bandit commander under the command of Sani Muhidinge, who has been on the wanted list of the police. And also, we arrested another notorious bandit, a 22-year-old man of Mai Gezoji, Tashar Mai Alewa, Danmusa LGA.”

Mr Isah added that the command also arrested a 45-year-old man from Tashar Mai-Alewa, Danmusa LGA, suspected to be an informer and supplier to bandits.

The police revealed that another man, aged 34, of the same address, a health worker suspected of offering medical treatment to bandits, was arrested.

“The suspects confessed to the commission of the offence, and investigation is still ongoing,” the police statement noted.

(NAN/Gazette)

Criminals Have Informants Among Security Operatives – NSCDC Boss

The Commandant-General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr Ahmed Audi, has said some security services personnel serve as informants to criminals.

The CG stated this at the stakeholders’ summit on the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure at the NAF Conference Centre in Abuja, on Tuesday.

“You will agree with me that the nefarious activities of these criminal elements are being strengthened not only by informants within security formations but equally those within the society; hence the need to engage our traditional rulers, religious, community, political and youth leaders in the process of finding a solution to this menace.” he said.

Audi noted that the rise in crimes constituted a threat to critical national assets and infrastructure, citing Kaduna, Zamfara, Katsina, Borno and other states of the north as examples.

He also emphasised on the need for security agencies to re-strategise for better protection of the national assets from the assault by criminal elements.

The CG, who expressed concern over a statement by the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, that the federal government spends N60 billion annually on the repair and maintenance of vandalised oil pipelines across the country, emphasised on the need to re-strategise for better protection of national assets from the assault of criminal elements.

The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, said that government in investing heavily to provide basic infrastructures in the country.

He said schools and educational institutions are classified as critical national assets and infrastructure to focus more effort on for a safer and more secured teaching and learning environment.

“The federal government, various states and local governments are currently massively investing in the development and construction of various infrastructure that would support employment generation, poverty reduction and the comfort and wellbeing of the Nigerian people,” he said.

(Dailytrust)

Fulani Herdsmen Are Planning To Kill Us All—Tiv Traditional Rulers In Benue Raise The Alarm

Traditional rulers from 14 local government areas in Benue State have alleged that there are plans by Fulani herdsmen to eliminate people across three states. 

The traditional rulers, who represent the Tiv people in the state, alleged that the plan is to kill all their people in Benue, Taraba, and Nasarawa states. 

They made the allegation on Tuesday when they paid a visit to the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom. 

According to the spokesperson for the group, Chief Daniel Abomtse, Tiv people are constantly being driven away from their homes and farmlands by Fulani herdsmen. 

He, however, alleged that the murderous actions are carried out with the support of the “authorities in those states”. 

They, therefore, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure the safe return of displaced Tiv people and the land that had been taken from them. 

Ortom described the treatment of “some parts of the country” by the Buhari-led government as “uncalled for”.

According to the governor, over 1.5 million persons are at the internally displaced persons’ camps, leading to a food crisis in the state. 

(Saharareporters)

Bandits Invade Emir Of Kagara’s Palace

Bandits invaded the palace of Alhaji Ahmadu Attahiru, the Emir of Kagara in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, on Tuesday.

Details of the attack are still sketchy but a palace source told Daily Trust that the monarch was absent when the gunmen struck.

The source said the attack took place around Maghrib prayers.

The Emir reportedly left Kagara for a programme in Minna, the state capital, on Monday.

Daily Trust learnt that the mobile network Service in Kagara was disconnected on Friday.

“I cannot give you the details now. The people who called this evening are no longer reachable again. The network in Kagara has been disconnected since Friday.”

“I believe even those who called went to bush to access network But it is true that the palace of Emir of Kagara was attacked,” a Minna-based indigene of Kagara told Daily Trust.

When contacted, the Niger State Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, promised to get details and revert.

The Emir ascended the throne after the death of Alhaji Salihu Tanko, his predecessor.

Tanko died in Minna after a protracted illness in March.

Kagara became very popular among some Nigerians following the abduction of some students in the emirate.

(Dailytrust)

Fighter Jet Bombs Fishermen In Borno

At least 20 fishermen were killed accidentally in a Nigerian military strike on a jihadist camp in northeast Nigeria, two security sources and locals told AFP.

A Nigerian fighter jet early on Sunday bombarded Kwatar Daban Masara in Lake Chad, which straddles Nigeria and neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon, the sources said.

The area is a bastion for the IS-affiliated Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

The reports of casualties came less than two weeks after officials say another airstrike on a village killed nine civilians in Nigeria’s northeast where the military is battling a 12-year Islamist insurgency.

ISWAP recently lifted a ban on fishermen in its territory, allowing them to move in and fish in the freshwater lake for a fee. That led to an influx of fisherman who had abandoned the area.

“Any fisherman that goes to that area does so at his own risk because it is an enemy territory and there is no way of differentiating them from the terrorists,” one local intelligence source said.

“From the information we have been receiving the death toll is much higher than 20.”

Local fisherman Labo Sani told AFP by telephone that the jet strike hit Kwatar Daban Masara at around 6 am (0500 GMT), killing around 20 fishermen.

Kwatar Daban Masara which is on the shores of the lake is the “gateway to ISWAP’s camps on several islands” and a supply route for the jihadists, said Sani from nearby Daban Masara.

Another fisherman, Sallau Arzika, said the fighter jet struck the village “killing many of our people who are there for fishing”.

“The initial death toll was around 20, but the figure has been increasing with the deaths of many of the injured,” Arzika said.

News of the incident was slow the emerge due to limited telecommunications in the region.

A Nigerian air force spokesman did not immediately respond to a message seeking confirmation or comment.

The intelligence source who works with anti-jihadist militia in the region said the strike was based on “credible information” of a gathering of ISWAP fighters in the village since Wednesday.

He said aerial surveillance and reports from other sources revealed terrorists were amassing in Kwatar Daban Masara and it was obvious they were planning an attack, the source said.

‘Preemptive strike’

According to another security source, the village was subjected to surveillance in the past 10 days after scores of men suspected to be foreign fighters arrived in several vehicles and were ferried to camps inside the lake.

“It was a preemptive strike to destroy whatever plans the terrorists were making,” said the security source.

“You don’t expect an innocent civilian to be at that location and whoever is found is certainly part of the terrorists,” he said.

On September 16 a Nigerian airstrike on a village in nearby Yobe state killed at least nine civilian residents, according to officials.

The Nigerian air force said at the time its fighter jet was pursuing a group of jihadists in the area and it was investigating the incident.

Since 2009, Nigeria’s armed forces have battled a grinding jihadist insurrection in the northeast that has killed more than 40,000 people and displaced nearly two million from their homes.

The conflict spilled into neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon, prompting a regional military coalition to end the violence.

In January 2017 at least 112 people were killed when a fighter jet struck a camp housing 40,000 people displaced by violence in Rann near the border with Cameroon.

The Nigerian military blamed “lack of appropriate marking of the area” for the bombardment in a report it issued six months later.

In July 2019 at least 13 civilians were killed when a Nigerian fighter jet hit Gajiganna village, 50 kilometres from Borno state capital Maiduguri, as it targeted fleeing jihadists after they attacked a nearby base.

(AFP/Dailytrust)

JUST IN: Senator Laah Stops ‘Hasty’ Mass Burial of Madamai Victims

In a brave and swift move, the Senator representing Southern Kaduna Senatorial Zone of kaduna State in the National Assembly, Senator Danjuma La’ah has stopped the mass burial of the 36 people killed in Madamai and Abun communities in Mallagum in Kaura local government area of Kaduna state on Sunday 26th September 2021 insisting that they all deserve benefitting burial as human beings and not just thrown away like dogs.

To ensure this, the Senator immediately paid over a Million Naira for the purchase of caskets and preparation of the bodies for a proper burial. He also pleaded with the Kafanchan Catholic Diocese through the Catholic Priest of Mallagum, Rev Fr. Cosmos Magaji to fix a date and conduct mass for the final interments of all the victims.

Senator Laah also thanked the Chairman-elect of Kaura local government, Hon Siman and his team, who assisted in the exercise to evacuate those that were injured.

The Senator also made arrangements for those that were wounded during the massacre to be admitted in JUTH Jos for immediate medical attention, and promised to settle all medicals bills involved.

He conderm the wanton unprovoked killings of the people of Southern Kaduna and insist that it has to stop because his people would no longer fold their hands and be killed like chickens everyday.

The two terms Senator also prayed for the souls of the departed to find eternal rest with the Saints.

Names of Victims of the Latest Massacre in Southern Kaduna

33 names of victims killed in Madamai and Abun communities in Mallagum District in Kaura local government area of Kaduna state on Sunday have so far been obtained by Middle Belt Times.

The list made available to MBT by the Catholic Priest of ST. Thomas Quasi Parish, Mallagum, Rev. Fr Cosmos Michael Magaji contained 33 names believed to have so far been identified by the communities. The victims are made up of 9 females, 23 males and one minor (female)

Commenting on the list, Rev. Fr Magaji said the attack was well coordinated.

“They rounded some houses. It was a well coordinated attack.” He said.

The victims are as follows;

1. Mrs Lami Yakubu Adakai
2. Mrs Fkorenc Yakubu Adakai
3. Danlami Adakai
4. Samaila Adakai
5. Garba Simon
6. Patrick Bala
7. Kato Achigaba
8. Andrew Lekwot
9. Lawrence Andrew
10. Victor Joseph
11. Philemon Akant Habiba
12. Sofio Bala Bwachat
13. Siman Zamani
14. Danjuma Yusuf
15. Friday Bulus
16. Eunice Ibrahim
17. Stephen Nkom
18. Yusuf Zuwahu
19. Genesis Danjuma
20. Bulus Markus
21. Ezekiel Bobai
22. Talatu Ezekiel
23. Bonat Francis
24. ThankGod Hananiya
25. Raymond La’aki
26. Musa Yashim
27. Janet Duniya
28. Paul Akwok
29. Yohanna Gagarau
30. Lucy Kambai
31. Faith Bala
32. Esther Luka
33. Philip Kambai

Middle Belt Times had earlier reported that 36 people were killed when terrorist herdsmen invaded the two communities on Sunday evening.

Southern Kaduna Attack: Death Toll Rises To 36

Madamai and Abun communities in Malagun District inKaura local government area of Kaduna state have continued to count their losses following Sunday evening Fulani terrorist herdsmen attack that left many dead.

As at the time of filling this report, MBT gathered from community sources that the death toll has risen to 36.

A Catholic Priest serving in the community who craved anonymity told MBT that more bodies were recovered later on Monday afternoon bringing the total to 36.

“After we recovered 30 bodies on Monday morning, later in the day 6 more were found including one that was burnt beyond recognition.”

“We have evacuated all the bodies for embalming with the exception of the one that was burnt beyond recognition.

A date for the mass burial will be fixed and communicated to the public.” He said.

The Kaduna state government has issued a statement condemning the attack and promised to bring the perpetrators to book.