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Bandits Kill 10, Abduct Village Head, Others In Katsina, Niger States

Published

4 years ago

February 9, 2022

Bandits have killed 10 people and abducted many others in separate attacks between Sunday and Tuesday in Katsina and Niger states.

Police in Katsina said that bandits in their numbers stormed Guga Village of Bakori Local Government Area of the State and reportedly killed eight people and abducted many others including the village head, Dan Alhaji Umar.

The police spokesman, SP Gambo Isah, said the bandits invaded the village around 10pm and killed four people and abducted four others.

He added that on their way out of the village at an area called Unguwar Galadima, members of the local vigilante group engaged the bandits where four of the vigilantes lost their lives and four others sustained injuries, raising the fatality figure to eight.

However, reports from the affected community indicated that the casualty figure could be higher. One of the sons of the village head was said to be among the people killed.

A source from the area said the attackers burnt down shops in the village while many residents were still missing.

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The source added that among the abductees was a family of a politician contesting for local government chairman seat under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In a related incident, the police spokesman said gunmen also raided Yar’aikau Village in Musawa Local Government where they abducted one person and rustled animals.

He, however, said the police engaged the bandits in a gun battle and rescued the abducted persons and the animals after killing one of the assailants.

Two killed, dozens abducted in Niger

In Niger State, at least two persons have been reportedly killed and several others kidnapped as bandits invaded communities in Mariga, Magama and Wushishi local government areas.

The communities attacked were Mosabo, Zoma, Atabo, Cheji, Akare, as well as Gulbin-Boka and Kwimo.

The attacks on the communities reportedly took place between Sunday and Monday.

A resident of Atabo, Alhaji Noma Atabo, said Mosabo, Zoma and Atabo, about 3km West of Kontagora, and Gulbin-Boka and Kwimo, 5km North of Kontagora had suffered a series of unreported attacks as the communities served as the cattle route that the bandits passed through regularly.

He said, “Anytime they pass through their regular route, they would attack communities. In the last attack between Sunday afternoon and Monday morning, they moved from the Bangi axis to our communities.

“They killed two persons, kidnapped two others in Gulbin-Boka and Kwimo while several others have been displaced. Some people are currently in Kontagora while some people have been hiding in mountains around our communities.

“We need security. We have been denied our means of livelihood. We are farmers; we can’t go to farm; our markets have been disrupted with a series of attacks. Government should find a way out of this problem that we are facing.”

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Another source, Yahaya Suleiman, said the terrain of the communities made quick security interventions impossible, calling for a permanent security presence in the area.

“It is rare for them not to attack marketers every Wednesday. The Bangi axis has been very risky for a long time now.” He said.

In a related development, gunmen invaded Cheji and Akare communities in Wushishi Local Government Area Tuesday morning where they rustled cows and abducted an unspecified number of villagers.

Sources said the bandits blocked Zungeru-Tegina Road for hours uninterrupted, robbing travellers of cash and other valuables.

A source, Sadauki Abubakar, who said he was caught in the operation, told our correspondent that the bandits “didn’t kidnap anybody” but collected money and other valuables from travelers before setting them free.

When contacted, the Niger State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the attacks on Cheji and Akare and the blockage of Zungeru-Tegina Road.

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He said, “On 08/02/2022 at about 0200hrs, suspected armed bandits attacked Akare and Cheji villages via Zungeru in Wushishi LGA.”

He said the command had dispatched a team of policemen led by the deputy commissioner of police in charge of operations to the area for an on-the-spot assessment.

“Meanwhile, normalcy has been restored and there is a free flow of traffic on the road,” he added.

Daily Trust

Related Topics:Bandits Featured Katsina kill Niger village head

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NDLEA Smashes Drug Networks, Arrests Nonagenarian, Doctor in Nationwide Raids

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April 12, 2026

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NDLEA Smashes Drug Networks, Arrests Nonagenarian, Doctor in Nationwide Raids

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 93-year-old man, a 69-year-old medical doctor, and several other suspects in a series of coordinated nationwide operations targeting drug trafficking networks across Nigeria.

The agency said the arrests were made during intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling both local and international narcotics syndicates involved in the movement and distribution of cocaine, cannabis, and controlled pharmaceutical substances through land, air, and road routes.

In Abia State, NDLEA operatives arrested a 93-year-old suspect, identified as Pa Friday Chigbu, at his residence in Osisioma Local Government Area on April 7, 2026. A search of the premises reportedly led to the recovery of 7.7 kilograms of skunk, a strong strain of cannabis. The agency said the suspect allegedly admitted involvement in the illicit drug trade, claiming he had transitioned into drug dealing after years of menial work.

In another major breakthrough, NDLEA uncovered an international cocaine trafficking network involving an Ivorian national, Gohouri Michael, who was arrested at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport with 1.49 kilograms of cocaine. Investigators said he had moved through Lagos and Enugu before arriving in Kano, where he was preparing to travel to Milan, Italy, for drug delivery in exchange for payment.

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In Lagos, operatives intercepted a luxury bus along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway carrying 15 kilograms of Canadian Loud cannabis, concealed in compartments of the vehicle. Two suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure.

In a separate operation in Mushin, NDLEA officers intercepted a truck bound for Onitsha, Anambra State, and discovered 26,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup, leading to additional arrests.

The agency said these operations form part of its ongoing nationwide effort to combat drug trafficking, cannabis distribution, cocaine smuggling, and codeine abuse networks across Nigeria.

NDLEA reiterated its commitment to targeting offenders regardless of age, profession, or social status, stressing that both street-level dealers and high-level collaborators in drug cartels will be prosecuted under Nigeria’s anti-narcotics laws.

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17-Year-Old Student Allegedly Hacks Celebrity WhatsApp Accounts, Sells Explicit Content in School

Published

15 minutes ago

April 12, 2026

Trends Admin

Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Aina Adesola

17-Year-Old Student Allegedly Hacks Celebrity WhatsApp Accounts, Sells Explicit Content in School

The Delta State Police Command has given a detailed account of how a 17-year-old secondary school student allegedly hacked into WhatsApp accounts belonging to celebrities and used them to circulate explicit content and defraud unsuspecting victims.

The Divisional Police Officer of Ugborikoko Division in Uvwie Local Government Area, CSP Temi Agbede-Zuokumor, disclosed the incident during a security awareness programme held alongside Nigerian comedian Otaghware Onodjayeke, where she raised concerns about rising cybercrime among teenagers.

According to the police officer, the case was uncovered after a routine search of a student’s mobile phone during a school-related security check raised suspicion.

She explained that initial attempts by the student’s mother to deny ownership of the device were contradicted after forensic examination of the phone’s contents allegedly linked the device directly to the boy.

Investigators reportedly discovered over 80 foreign contacts, including multiple Australian numbers, alongside large volumes of explicit digital content stored on the phone.

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The DPO further alleged that the teenager not only stored and circulated explicit materials but also sold them to fellow students within the school environment, where he was reportedly referred to as “boss” by peers involved in the activity.

Police also claimed that the suspect had gained unauthorized access to several WhatsApp accounts of celebrities and high-profile individuals, which he allegedly used to send messages and solicit money from unsuspecting contacts.

The development has sparked renewed concern over the growing trend of cybercrime among Nigerian teenagers, particularly involving WhatsApp hacking, online fraud, and the distribution of restricted content within schools.

During the awareness session, comedian Otaghware Onodjayeke also shared a personal experience of being targeted by online impersonators, noting how he once received a fraudulent message from someone posing as billionaire Elon Musk, who requested airtime under false pretences.

Police authorities used the occasion to urge parents, guardians, and school administrators to intensify monitoring of students’ digital activities, warning that cyber-related crimes are becoming increasingly sophisticated and difficult to detect without proper oversight.

They stressed the need for cybersecurity awareness in schools, adding that early intervention is critical to preventing minors from becoming involved in criminal online activities.

The suspect is expected to face further interrogation as investigations continue into the extent of the alleged hacking and possible accomplices.

17-Year-Old Student Allegedly Hacks Celebrity WhatsApp Accounts, Sells Explicit Content in School

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VIDEO: Men in Uniform Storm Ughelli Church, Assault Pastor, Wife, Use Tear Gas

Published

34 minutes ago

April 12, 2026

Trends Admin

VIDEO: Men in Uniform Storm Ughelli Church, Assault Pastor, Wife, Use Tear Gas

A disturbing incident has emerged from Ughelli where men in uniform reportedly stormed an Assemblies of God Church during a service, assaulted the pastor and his wife, and allegedly sprayed tear gas on them.

Eyewitness accounts say the incident occurred while activities were ongoing in the church, throwing worshippers into panic as the armed operatives disrupted proceedings.

According to sources, the men—whose specific agency has not yet been officially confirmed—forcefully entered the church premises and began attacking the pastor and his wife, leaving them injured. Witnesses also claimed that tear gas was discharged at close range, affecting not just the couple but other congregants present.

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The motive behind the invasion remains unclear, though some reports suggest it may be linked to an ongoing dispute or enforcement action. However, authorities have yet to issue a detailed explanation regarding the operation.

The incident has sparked outrage within the community, with residents and religious groups condemning the use of force in a place of worship and calling for a thorough investigation.

As of now, there has been no official statement confirming arrests or disciplinary action against the officers involved, but pressure is mounting on security agencies to clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Men in uniform reportedly stormed an Assemblies of God Church during a service, assaulted the pastor and his wife, and allegedly sprayed tear gas on them

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