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

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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
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Adeleke presents staff of office to new Owa-Obokun amid protest

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December 29, 2024

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Oba Adesuyi Haastrup

Adeleke presents staff of office to new Owa-Obokun amid protest

ILESA — Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Sunday presented the staff of office to Oba Adesuyi Haastrup as the 41st Owa-Obokun of Ijesaland in a ceremony marked by mixed reactions.

Oba Haastrup’s selection follows the passing of the 40th Owa-Obokun, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, in September, after which the mourning period and succession process commenced. Last Friday, Prince Haastrup of the Bilaro Olu-Odo ruling house was elected by the Ijesa kingmakers and subsequently approved as the new monarch despite an existing court injunction restraining stakeholders from proceeding with the selection process.

At the installation ceremony, Governor Adeleke urged the new monarch to foster unity among Ijesa people and leverage his experience and connections for the development of Ijesaland and Osun State.

“Kabiyesi, now that the time of competition is over and you have become the father of all, I urge you to rally all citizens of Ijesaland for the development of the area and the State at large,” Adeleke said.

He emphasized the importance of collective efforts, stating, “There is much work to be done, and the Government alone cannot bear the responsibility. I call on all Ijesa sons and daughters to prioritise the development of our fatherland. Our administration is intensifying developmental efforts across the state, including Ijesaland.”

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The selection and installation of Oba Haastrup were met with opposition from two royal families, Ofokutu and Fajemisin, within the Bilaro Olu-Odo ruling house.

In a statement signed by Prince Adetoyese Adegbohungbe, Secretary of the Ofokutu royal family, the process was described as a desecration of Ijesa traditions.

“We have witnessed not just compromise but the desecration of the noble tradition of the Ijesa, with the blatant disregard for the most sacred tradition, which is the selection of the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland,” the statement read.

The family expressed shock at the selection, citing a pending court case, and accused stakeholders of undermining due process.

The Fajemisin family also condemned the process, describing it as flawed and unlawful. In a statement by Olufemi Fajemisin, the family rejected Oba Haastrup’s selection and demanded a transparent process that respects Ijesa customs.

“We categorically reject the purported elected Owa and demand a transparent, lawful process that honours our customs and traditions,” the statement said.

Both families have vowed to pursue legal action, dissociating themselves from the new monarch and alleging imposition in violation of tradition. They pledged to defend the rights of the Ijesa people and restore the integrity of their heritage.

As the controversy unfolds, the installation has spotlighted the delicate balance between tradition, legality, and governance in the selection of traditional rulers in Nigeria.

 

Adeleke presents staff of office to new Owa-Obokun amid protest

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Paris-bound businessman excretes 74 wraps of heroin, cocaine at Abuja airport

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December 29, 2024

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Paris-bound businessman excretes 74 wraps of heroin, cocaine at Abuja airport

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), have arrested a 48-year-old businessman, Orizu Ifeanyi Arthur for ingesting 74 wraps of heroin and cocaine.

Mr Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesman, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Babafemi said that Orizu was intercepted while attempting to board an Air France flight 844 from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, (NAIA) Abuja to Paris, France.

He said that the suspect was arrested at the boarding gate of the Abuja airport on Sunday, Dec. 22 during the outward clearance of passengers on Air France.

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“When he was pulled aside for a body scan, he turned down the request claiming his medical condition won’t allow him.

“He was thereafter taken into custody for excretion observation during which he excreted a total of 74 wraps of the Class A drugs over a period of seven days.

“In his statement, Orizu claimed he owns a shop at Balogun market, Lagos Island where he sells school and travel bags, adding that he was promised 3,000 Euros upon successful delivery of the consignment in Paris.

“He left his base in Lagos for the Abuja airport to connect his Air France flight to Paris, hoping to escape detection,” he said.

Paris-bound businessman excretes 74 wraps of heroin, cocaine at Abuja airport

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Police rescue 13 kidnap victims, arrest five suspected robbers

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December 29, 2024

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Police rescue 13 kidnap victims, arrest five suspected robbers

Police Rescue 13 Kidnap Victims in Lagos and Kwara

In the past week, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) successfully rescued 13 individuals who had been abducted and held for ransom in Lagos and Kwara states.

The operation underscored the police’s commitment to combating kidnapping, armed robbery, and other criminal activities nationwide.

A statement issued on Sunday by the Force Public Relation Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said: “In a determined effort to sustain the fight against  kidnapping, armed robbery, and other forms of criminality across the country, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have further intensified and reinvigorated their strategies, resulting in the successful rescue of numerous victims and the apprehension of several suspects.

“Over the past week, coordinated operations were conducted in various states, including Lagos and Kwara States, leading to  the rescue of 13 individuals who had earlier been kidnapped and held for ransom, and the arrest of several armed robbery suspects.

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“On the 27th of December 2024, Police operatives attached to the Kwara State Command mobilized and stormed a den of kidnappers in the Idofin-Igbana area of the state, after receiving a distress call of the abduction of 13 persons. The operatives encountered resistance from the kidnappers but successfully overpowered the kidnappers, causing them to flee the scene with various degrees of injuries and leading to the successful rescue of the 13 kidnapped victims.

“Similarly, on the 28th of December 2024, following a report of a public disturbance at Pinnacle Depot, Lekki, Police operatives attached to the Lagos State Command visited the scene and accosted two individuals identified as Lawan Mustapha ‘m’ 38 years, and Aina Daniel ‘m’ 38 years. A thorough search was carried out, resulting in the recovery of one double-barrel rifle, 90 live cartridges, and five model rifles.

“The suspects are currently in custody for further investigation and possible  prosecution. Furthermore, on the same day, at about 12:45 PM, Police operatives of the Lagos State Command arrested 3 suspected armed robbers at GRA Ikeja. A subsequent search led to the recovery of 1 locally made pistol, 4 live cartridges, and 2 cutlasses. These suspects are likewise in custody and will face prosecution upon the conclusion of the investigations”.

He said the Inspector-General of Police, (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, has reiterated the Force’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens.

Egbetokun said the Force will continue its operations, leveraging all available resources to eradicate these heinous crimes from our society.

He said the Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in its mission to create a safer environment for all Nigerians.

Police rescue 13 kidnap victims, arrest five suspected robbers

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