Your Network Shutdown Only Affects Civilians and Troops While the Terrorists Still Find a Way To Communicate: HURIWA Tells FG

Nigeria’s foremost Civil Society group, The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria-HURIWA has decried what it described as the Federal government’s deliberately hasty, panic move’ to shutdown telecommunications network in some Northwestern states of the country.

In a statement signed by it’s national coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, the Civil Rights crusader said it is unfair and unpatriotic for the Federal government to continue to approve telecommunications network shutdown for states in the troubled North-West region when it is obvious that the shutdown has so far not affected the terrorists and their nefarious activities but only further compound the suffering on Nigerians and make operations more difficult for our troops executing the war against terrorist elements in the region. 

The group said the minister of Telecommunications and digital economy Sheikh Ibrahim Pantami has by this grossly incompetent measure demonstrated that he is unaware of what the right steps are to contain the rising terrorists attacks in the North West affecting mostly Christians and Hausa people just as the dominant members if the terror groups unleashing the unprecedented violence are Fulani herdsmen sharing same Ethno-religious affiliation with the controversial minister who had been caught expressing solidarity with Al-Qaeda terrorists. The Rights group thinks what is going on in the North West is a genocide of Northern Christians and Indigenous native Hausas. 

HURIWA made references to a dailytrust publication of Tuesday September 14th which quoted a military source attributing the attack on a forward Operation base of troops fighting terrorists in the North-West to lack of communication between troops due to the network jam in the region. A dozen troops were eventually killed by the terrorists during the attack.

“While the jamming of GSM in Zamfara has gone a long way in taming the bandits, it also has a negative effect on troops because communication among them was also extremely restricted,” the source said.

“Most of the foot soldiers relied on normal phone networks instead of any of the specialised communication gadgets that should be deployed during operations such as the one going on in the North West.

“Only the top commanders have military radio or walkie-talkie, meaning those in the frontlines would only use their personal mobile phones which are no longer accessible.

“The bandits took advantage of this and attacked them at their forward operation base. As you can see, the attack was launched on Saturday but it only came to the fore days after,” he said. Another source said there was the need to deploy specialised communication gadgets for the troops.

“The ban on communication in Zamfara and parts of Katsina is not bad in its entirety but the military high command should have taken note of the adverse effect on troops.”

In the same publication, Dailytrust also reported how the terrorists operating in the North-West states now use thuraya satellite phones to bypass the ban on telecommunications network in the region. 

HURIWA also decried the increase in frequency of attacks and killings of innocent Nigerians in the North-West since the so called telecommunication network jam came to effect, questioning it’s sincerity of purpose. 

From various news paper publications, online and offline, over 300 Nigerians have been killed by terrorists across the Northwest since the telecommunications shut down began, hundreds have been abducted in the same vein.

This is an indication that the network shutdown has failed to achieve it’s purpose and therefore should be reviewed.

30 killed as bandits invade Sarkin Pawa community in Niger

Armed bandits have allegedly killed no fewer than 30 persons in Kachiwe village, Sarkin Pawa in Munya Local Government Area of Niger State.

DAILY POST gathered that the gunmen stormed the village and other neighbouring communities from their hideouts in the dreaded Barnin Gwari forest in Kaduna State on Tuesday.

When contacted, the Secretary to the Niger State Government, Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, confirmed the attack.

Although, he did not disclose the number of those that lost their lives, he, however, explained that the state government is not resting on its oars in its effort to rid the state of crime and criminality.

Matane appealed to people of the state to provide security agencies with credible information to enable them win in the fight against banditry, kidnapping and other criminalities facing the state.

Also, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Monday Bala Kuryas confirmed the incident.

Kuryas revealed that investigation has already started on the matter to enable the command track down the perpetrators of the criminal act.

The state Police boss stated, “A team of policemen has been despatched to the area to safeguard lives and property of people of Sarkin Pawa. Efforts are also on to track those involved in the criminal act.”

He said three people lost their lives in an attack earlier on Kagara Rafi Local Government Council of the state.

(DAILYPOST)

Bandits kill 20, abduct others in attack on ‘impenetrable’ Sokoto community

Bandits on Tuesday night killed at least 20 people and abducted several others in Gatawa, a village in Sabon Birni local government area of Sokoto State.

The agrarian community was considered to be one of the few secure villages in the eastern part of the state where bandits have been very active.

The deadly attack came barely 24 hours after another in Gangara, in the same local government area.

A local resident, Bashir Gobir, said his younger sister was among those kidnapped.

An anonymous source said the attack was one of the most horrendous.

“They came on motorcycles as usual and started shooting sporadically. They went from house to house checking for food and other things but they also killed 20 people during the attack,” he said.

Mr Gobir said he did not know how many people were killed in the attack.

“The terrorists raided Gatawa yesterday night. They stole almost everything of value in the village, killed many and abducted several others. My sister, Rahila Galadima, was one of the women taken away by the bandits,” Mr Gobir said.

When contacted, the police spokesperson in Sokoto, Sanusi Abubakar, said he was attending a meeting and promised to call back.

He, however, did not call back or respond to an SMS sent to him.

Speaking to PREMIUM TIMES in a telephone interview, a member representing Sabon Birni South at the Sokoto House of Assembly, Saidu Ibrahim, said the attacks have become unbearable.

“What is happening is very disheartening. I’ know many people who have been killed and wounded in this attack (Gangara one).”

(Premium Times)

Declare Bandits As Terrorists, Senate Tells Buhari

The Senate has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to declare bandits as terrorists.

It also advised the president to wage total war against the bandits, including bombing all their locations to annihilate and eliminate them.

The Red Chamber also asked Buhari to declare all the known leadership of the bandits wanted and track them wherever they are for arrest and prosecution.

The resolutions followed a motion by Senator Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir (Sokoto East) and eight others.Gobir noted that Sokoto East Senatorial District has now become a safe haven for bandits due to the current onslaught against them in Zamfara State.

He recalled the killing of 21 security personnel last Saturday in Dama and Gangara and yet to be ascertained number of civilians from the neighbouring villages by rampaging bandits.

The gruesome murder, the lawmaker said, portrayed the seriousness of the problem which he said requires concerted and urgent action by the declaration of total war on banditry.

He expressed worry that losing such a number of trained officers would further deplete the numerical strength of the security personnel in the country, thereby jeopardizing the security architecture of the country.

He also lamented that most of the bandits have now relocated to Sabon Birni and Isa local government areas due to the sustained military operations at the Zamfara axis.

The lawmaker said while the crackdown on the bandits was taking place in Zamfara State, no concrete measures have been taken in Sokoto State, leaving it totally exposed to the activities of the bandits.

According to him, the present military onslaught on the bandits is not well coordinated because it is only being orchestrated in Zamfara State instead of all the front line states ravaged by banditry. ,

‘The operation should be holistic instead of restrictive in order to produce effective and the desired results,” he said.

The Senate observed a minute of silence in honour of the fallen heroes and civilians who lost their lives in the unwholesome activities of the bandits.

The Red Chamber also directed the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, and other relevant federal government agencies to as a matter of urgency give all the necessary support to the victims of the menace of banditry in Sokoto and other parts of the country.

(Dailytrust)

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)