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Zamfara Massacre: 143 Buried As Search For More Bodies Continues

Published

4 years ago

January 8, 2022

At least 143 bodies have so far been recovered and buried in the wake of brutal attacks on Wednesday and Thursday on several communities in Anka and Bukuyyum local government areas of Zamfara State, Daily Trust gathered.

Recall that migrating terrorists loyal to terror kingpin, Bello Turji, who were displaced by fighter jets of the Nigerian Air Force from their enclaves in Fakai forest in Shinkafi Local Government Area, were moving southwards of Zamfara when they descended on the locals, killing many.

Residents told our correspondent yesterday that more corpses were being recovered from bushes as some of the people were caught unawares on their farmlands.

Our correspondent reports that the remains of some of the victims were decapitated or burnt beyond recognition.

A resident identified as Babangida said, “One of the pathetic stories about the carnage is that women and children were not spared. As blazes ripped through residential houses, children and women were not allowed to escape because the terrorists stood outside, waiting for anyone coming out.

“The charred bodies of the victims were later recovered and buried. Those who had managed to escape are taking shelter in some considerably safer communities. It was really very calamitous.

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“The communities that were assaulted are more than 10. This is because the armed men were moving from one community to another on motorbikes. Although they have withdrawn, they are not far from the raided villages,” he said.

A retired soldier told Daily Trust that over 250 people had been killed by the attackers.

“About 2,000 cattle and other domestic animals were rustled while dozens of residential houses and food stores were burnt to ashes. Even if the situation stabilises, the residents would be left without food to eat,” another source said.

Daily Trust had reported on Friday that five communities of Kurfa Danya, Kurfa Magaji Rafin Gero, Tungar Isa and Barayar Zaki in Bukkuyum and Anka local government areas were under attack.

The terrorists took over 48 hours killing the locals and burning their houses and farmlands.

A fighter jet dispatched to the area on a rescue mission could not achieve a lot because after sensing danger, the terrorists melted into the civilian population.

Another source said the terrorists used the people as human shields, making it difficult for the fighter jet to bomb them. “It was at night that they disappeared because it was practically impossible for the fighter jet to attack them,” he said.

The state government and security forces had not officially spoken about the attacks at the time of going to press.

Sources said the armed criminals were spotted setting tents in Gando forest in Bukkuyum Local Government Area in the southern part of the state.

Daily Trust

Related Topics:Featured massacre Zamfara

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FCT: Pastor Kneels, Appeals to Wike Over Jabi Lake Recreation Land

Published

13 hours ago

May 4, 2026

Trends Admin

Senior Pastor of Family Worship Centre, Abuja, Sarah Omakwu

FCT: Pastor Kneels, Appeals to Wike Over Jabi Lake Recreation Land

The Senior Pastor of Family Worship Centre, Abuja, Sarah Omakwu, has appealed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to halt any plan to allocate the Jabi Lake recreation area for private development.

In a video shared on her Instagram page on Sunday, the cleric was seen kneeling on the pulpit as she made an emotional appeal, urging the minister to preserve the facility as a public space for residents of Abuja.

“I cannot fight the minister of the FCT. I cannot. But I go on my knees as a mother in this land that Jabi Lake Recreation Centre should not be given to anybody,” she said.

She explained that the Jabi Lake area serves multiple purposes for residents, including exercise, relaxation, trading activities, social gatherings, and recreational events. According to her, the space has become an important part of community life in the capital city.

“That is where people go for exercise. That is where people sell. That is where people meet and hobnob and get married. That is where young people go to. I beg you, Mr Minister, in the name of God, as a mother, not to sell that land to anybody,” she added.

Omakwu also referenced concerns about past urban developments in Abuja, noting that some public access areas had become restricted over time, including parts of government-controlled zones.

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Despite her appeal, she commended Wike for ongoing infrastructure projects in the Federal Capital Territory, particularly road construction and urban renewal efforts that she said have improved mobility within the city.

“I want to thank you for all the highways you have built around the city. You have made my journey to my home a whole lot easier,” she said, while still urging him to reconsider plans for the Jabi Lake site.

The appeal comes months after the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) entered into public-private partnership agreements to redevelop the Jabi Lake corridor into a modern recreational and tourism hub.

In February, the FCTA signed development deals with private firms including Suburban Broadband Limited and Akida Hills Limited, aimed at upgrading facilities around the lake to boost tourism, investment, and leisure activities in Abuja.

Officials had previously stated that the initiative is part of broader efforts to reposition the capital city as a destination for tourism, recreation, and economic development, while attracting private sector investment into underutilised public assets.

The Jabi Lake redevelopment plan has continued to generate public debate, with some residents supporting the project for its economic potential, while others insist the area should remain a fully public recreational space.

As discussions continue, the FCTA has not issued a new response specifically addressing the pastor’s appeal, but earlier statements suggest the project remains part of its urban renewal and economic expansion strategy for Abuja.

FCT: Pastor Kneels, Appeals to Wike Over Jabi Lake Recreation Land

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Reno Omokri: I Remain in PDP Despite Serving in Tinubu-Led APC Govt

Published

13 hours ago

May 4, 2026

Trends Admin

Ambassador-designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri

Reno Omokri: I Remain in PDP Despite Serving in Tinubu-Led APC Govt

Ambassador-designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri, has insisted that he remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) despite working with the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration of President Bola Tinubu.

In a Facebook post on Monday, Omokri reflected on his political journey, stating that he joined the PDP as far back as 1999 at the return of democracy and has remained in the party ever since.

“I became a member of the PDP at the age of 24 in 1999, and for the past twenty-seven years, I have NEVER changed parties,” he wrote.

He explained that his continued association with the PDP is based on ideological beliefs, including support for national unity, free trade, privatisation, and devolution of powers, which he said align with his political philosophy.

Omokri also stated that he has made significant financial contributions to the party over the years, adding that he has consistently supported decisions taken by what he described as the legitimate leadership of the PDP, including its decision to back President Bola Tinubu in the last election cycle.

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“When the court-sanctioned and legitimate leadership of my party decided to support President Bola Tinubu, I joined it and have given, and will continue to give, Asiwaju Tinubu my full and unequivocal support,” he said.

His comments come amid ongoing public debate about political loyalty and cross-party collaboration, particularly involving opposition figures who have taken roles or assignments under the current administration.

Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has remained active in public discourse, often commenting on governance, elections, and political ideology in Nigeria.

He urged Nigerian politicians to adopt ideology-based politics rather than shifting allegiance for personal or political convenience, stressing the importance of consistency in party affiliation.

“If you do not stand for something, you will fall for anything,” he added, calling for stronger ideological commitment within Nigeria’s political system.

The statement is likely to further fuel discussions on party loyalty, political realignment, and cross-party cooperation ahead of the 2027 general elections, as more politicians continue to navigate alliances across party lines.

Reno Omokri: I Remain in PDP Despite Serving in Tinubu-Led APC Govt

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UNICROSS Students Protest in Calabar Over Death of 3 Students, Driver

Published

14 hours ago

May 4, 2026

Trends Admin

UNICROSS Students Protest in Calabar Over Death of 3 Students, Driver

Tension erupted in Calabar on Monday as furious students of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) took to the streets to protest the death of three students and their driver following a fatal road crash allegedly worsened by negligence at the General Hospital Calabar.

The students marched from the university campus through Mary Slessor Avenue to the General Hospital, where they reportedly destroyed signboards and caused disruptions while accusing hospital staff of failing to provide prompt emergency treatment to the victims after the accident.

From the hospital, the protesters proceeded to the Governor’s Office, where the situation escalated into a confrontation with heavily armed policemen deployed to restore order. Eyewitnesses said security operatives fired teargas to disperse the crowd as tension rose across parts of the city.

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During the clash, several students were reportedly injured, while panic spread inside the hospital premises, forcing some medical personnel to temporarily abandon their duties out of fear of reprisal attacks.

The protest followed a tragic road crash over the weekend involving a vehicle conveying UNICROSS students returning from an official assignment in Akwa Ibom State. The accident claimed the lives of three students and their driver, throwing the university community into mourning.

Angry students accused the hospital of delay and negligence in handling the victims, insisting that quick medical intervention could have saved lives. They demanded accountability from both the hospital authorities and state government over what they described as a “preventable tragedy.”

Confirming the unrest, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, said security operatives were deployed immediately to contain the situation.

“I’ve been right on the scene from the onset, and so far so good; we’ve been able to put the situation under control,” he said.

Police later dispersed the protesters and restored order in the affected areas, although tension remained high around the university and government buildings for several hours.

The incident has sparked renewed public debate over emergency response failures, hospital preparedness, and road safety management in Cross River State, with calls for urgent reforms to prevent similar tragedies.

Authorities are expected to continue investigations into both the accident and the circumstances surrounding the alleged hospital delay.