metro
Panic grips Zamfara communities as gunmen demand over N1m levy
The banditry in Zamfara State has taken a more dangerous dimension as bandits have demanded over N1 million as levies from different communities in Zurmi, Kaura Namoda and Birnin-Magaji local government areas of the state.
Communities affected by this include Birnin Tsaba, Gabaken Mesa, Gabaken Dan-Maliki, Turawa, Askawa and Yanbuki.
Residents of these communities are said to now be at the mercy of the bandits who have virtually set up their own government in the affected areas.
A resident of one of the communities who preferred anonymity, said the people of Askawa had paid N5 million for 18 abducted persons and to also prevent further attacks on their community.
While noting that some communities were yet to raise the money before the December 11 deadline given by the gunmen, he said the situation had caused panic in the affected areas.
“Gabaken Mesa has paid N1 million, Gabaken Dan-Maliki, N1 million and Birnin Tsaba N1 million, just to mention but few,” the distraught resident said.
He explained that the Yanbuki community was told to pay N19 million but noted that after negotiation, it was reduced to N10 million.
On whether the community has informed security agencies, he said: “No one is going to police to report, knowing full well that nothing will be done but to tell them to pay the money.
“I personally went to the military on Friday evening in Kaura Namoda to report the incident; I almost ended up fighting with one of the soldiers. I can categorically tell you nothing has been done, till now.”
On his part, the Commissioner for Information in the state, Ibrahim Dosara, confirmed the development to Channels Television.
He said the state government was aware of the levy imposed on these communities but assured that the government was working with the security agencies to ensure the communities were secured.
“The government is working with the security agencies to make sure these communities are secured,” the commissioner said.
He did not, however, say how soon the communities would be rescued from the claws of the bandits, especially with regards to the bandits’ demands for N1 million levy.
VANGUARD
metro
Terrorists kill eight vigilantes in Kaduna community, two village heads
Terrorists kill eight vigilantes in Kaduna community, two village heads
No fewer than eight vigilante members and two others were killed by terrorists in Kakangi and Unguwan Matinja communities in Kaduna’s Birnin Gwari Local Government Area.
The local leaders of Kakangi and Kisaya villages in Kakangi Ward were also kidnapped.
A resident of the LG, Idris Khalid, who confirmed the event to our correspondent, claimed the gun-wielding men invaded the villages about early Thursday.
Bala Kamba, Abdurrahman Musa (Ubale), Kabiru Dan Dugui, Hambali Abu, Aliyu Abu, Nura Jika (Maleka), Mubarak Musa (Dan Wamba), and Ikra Hantsi were the eight vigilante members killed at Kakangi.
Khalid also revealed that the two victims in the Ungwan Matinja neighbourhood of Gayam Ward were Christopher Abubakar and Isah Gambo.
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He claimed the vigilantes were attacked while tracking down the kidnapped victims, who were abducted on their way to a funeral between Kakangi and Sabon Layi.
“The vigilantes engaged the terrorists, killing scores of them, but could not rescue the two traditional rulers and others.
“Normally, anytime there is a kidnapping incident, the vigilantes always trail the terrorists to rescue the victims.
“It’s unfortunate that in the process, eight gallant officers of the vigilantes who have been sacrificing to ensure the safety of our people were lost,” the resident said.
When contacted, the State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan, stated, “We are investigating the matter to determine the true story because the area where the incident occurred had a network problem.”
Terrorists kill eight vigilantes in Kaduna community, two village heads
metro
Repentant Boko Haram members burn NDLEA, Customs checkpoints in Borno
Repentant Boko Haram members burn NDLEA, Customs checkpoints in Borno
A group of suspected repentant Boko Haram insurgents, on Wednesday stormed the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigeria Customs Service checkpoints at Kasuwan Fara, a suburb of Maiduguri metropolis, chasing away the personnel on duty and setting ablaze all structures at the checkpoints.
The incident, according to security analyst and counter insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, followed a fierce encounter between the former Boko Haram combatants and the police at the Kasuwan Fara Divisional Police Office.
The suspected repentant insurgents, reportedly wearing military uniform, had pounced on the police office to forcefully set free their eight colleagues arrested at the suburb over criminal activities bordering on dealing in hard drugs.
The arrest was made on April 24 during a raid carried out by the police on the notorious spot at the criminals-ridden Kasuwan Fara.
“Due to the rise and persistence of criminal activities and sinister operations by drug peddlers comprising dismissed military personnel, repentant insurgents and other hoodlums, who assemble there to conduct nefarious activities, the area had since been earmarked for closure by Borno State Government.
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“The April 24 raid, where the eight suspected repentant insurgents were arrested and 426 bottles of spirits such as dry gin confiscated, was conducted to sanitize the area, pending the final closure.
“The arrested persons were detained at the Kasuwan Fara police division since the day of their arrest.
” Subsequently, at about 7:40 am of Thursday, May 2, a dozen of the suspected repentant insurgents in military uniform, stormed the Kasuwan Fara police station in an attempt to rescue their arrested fellows.
” The Divisional Police Officer alongside his men were able to repel the attack while the perpetrators fled.
” Consequently, the assailants, in an apparent transfer of aggression, reverted to attacking NDLEA and NCS personnel checkpoint along the Maiduguri-Gubio road Kasuwan Fara, where they burnt down the checkpoints alongside the sandbags heaped on the road and fled the scene, ” Zagazola Makama said.
Borno Police Command spokesman, ASP Kenneth Daso, who confirmed the incident, said investigations were ongoing to apprehend the attackers, adding that the arrested eight suspects have been handed over to relevant security quarters.
Repentant Boko Haram members burn NDLEA, Customs checkpoints in Borno
metro
Police identify officer who shot man dead at fuel station
Police identify officer who shot man dead at fuel station
The Police Command in Lagos State has identified the officer who allegedly shot a man dead at a filling station in the Obalende area of the state.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the development in a post he shared on his verified X handle@ben Hundeyin on Thursday.
He said that the officer had been identified.
“The person behind the shooting has been identified as a police officer serving at Special Protection Unit (SPU) Base 17, Lion Building, Lagos.
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“Investigation is still ongoing and further findings will be made available, ” he said.
According to Hundeyin, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Adegoke Fayoade is working with the family of the deceased to ensure that there is no miscarriage of justice.
It could be recalled that the deceased, Toheeb Eniasa, was shot dead by a policemam on Wednesday while struggled to buy fuel.
It was learnt that two officers drove into the station to purchase fuel but motorists asked them to join the queue.
In the process, an argument ensured which resulited into a fight and one of the officers shot Eniasa and ran away.
Police identify officer who shot man dead at fuel station
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Terrorists kill eight vigilantes in Kaduna community, two village heads
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