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Police neutralise over 50 bandits in Taraba

Published

5 months ago

December 1, 2023

Police neutralise over 50 bandits in Taraba

No fewer than 50 suspected bandits terrorising communities across the Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State in what is a breakthrough in the fight against banditry.

While the feat was achieved on Tuesday in the North-East state, the spokesman of the Taraba State Police Command Abdullahi Usman told Channels Television on Thursday that the bandits were killed by police operatives in collaboration with other security agencies.

He said the coordinated operation followed an outcry by locals which led to the ambush and killing of the bandits.

“Taraba State Police Command received information that some unknown gunmen suspected to be kidnappers in their hundreds invaded Tonti village under Maihula District Bali LGA Taraba State. The bandits invaded the village around 5:30hrs during the time that the Muslim faithful were saying their morning prayers, and started shooting sporadically,” he told Channels Television.

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“On receipt of information, the Commissioner of Police Taraba State Police Command Joseph Eribo ordered the deployment of a tactical team from Bali Division to the area in collaboration with the Army, vigilantes, and hunters. On arriving at the village, the bandits engaged the joint team in a gun duel.

“In the process, many of the bandits were subdued and neutralised due to the firing power of the operatives and others escaped with various degrees of injuries as a result of gunshots. Investigation revealed that over fifty of the bandits were neutralised.”

According to him, there is a manhunt in the area to arrest the fleeing bandits.

However, 12 locals were shot to death by the bandits before the arrival of the security personnel, the police spokesman added.

Already, police authorities in the state have deployed a special strike force to the area for robust patrol mainly to stem the tide of banditry in and around the place.

Taraba is among several states in northern and central Nigeria where bandit gangs operate, raiding villages, killing and abducting residents as well as burning and looting homes.

The criminals have been notorious for mass kidnappings of students from schools in recent years. Hundreds of thousands of people have also been displaced in rural areas in the northern and central parts of Nigeria, where bandit militias raid villages to loot and kidnap scores of residents to hold them for ransom in forest hideouts.

Police neutralise over 50 bandits in Taraba

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Gunmen attack Cross River community, five killed, women raped

Published

3 hours ago

May 12, 2024

Trends Admin

Irene Ugbo, Cross River State Police Public Relations Officer

Gunmen attack Cross River community, five killed, women raped

Gunmen have attacked Mbiaong Ukwa Community in Odukpani LGA of Cross River State, unleashing unspeakable terror and violence on its inhabitants.

At least five elderly persons were killed and houses destroyed when the armed men who reportedly donned military fatigues attacked the enclave

The armed invaders were said to have come from the distant Isu community in Ihechiowa Local Government Area of Abia State.

According to locals privy to the incident, the intruders kidnapped a number of young men who resisted them.

A community leader of Ukwa Ibom-Efik Eburutu, Chief Okon Odiong Ekpenyong Esu confirmed the attack to newsmen.

He said yesterday’s invasion was not the first time, disclosing that the invaders often come to mine the limestone in their community and to grab their land.

In a statement he signed a statement released to journalists in Calabar on Sunday, Esu many people, especially children and the aged, have been killed by the assailants

“Several of our people have been killed. So many are from Mbiabong. Mostly, the aged and children who could not run have been killed, while others have been kidnapped.

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“The continuous aggression, wanton destruction of properties and killing of Mbiabong Ukwa people by the Isu Community in Abia State with the help of men in Military Uniform over the years, is one that has gone on without checks and help also seems not to be coming from anywhere to the helpless Mbiabong Ukwa people.

“They are strongly supported by the wealthy Isu leaders and other persons from Abia State in order to take over the rich limestone embedded in Mbiabong land by God.

“We don’t have a known common boundary with the Isu Community like the invaders, Isu would want people to believe. The constant killing and invasion of the Mbiabong Ukwa community to destroy properties is disguised in communal land conflict. It is a deliberate territorial land grabbing orchestrated by certain rich and wealthy people in Abia State and targeted at the limestone and other mineral resources in Mbiabong Ukwa land.

“The Saturday 11th of May, 2024 destruction of Mbiabong Ukwa by Isu Community which also saw the killing of Mr Ediong Ediong Essien and his wife, Madam Ekpitu Ediong Essien, another young boy Asuquo Ndem and many others kidnapped was made very possible because Mbiabong Ukwa in particular and the entire Ukwa Eburutu Community, in general, do not have motorable roads that people can use faster mobility to run, and no electricity for the people to charge their phones and call for help.”

According to the statement, “The masterminds of the invasion of our community are interested in the rich mineral resources of Ukwa Eburutu land. The attacks and killings have become unbearable.

“We call for help from both the Federal and Cross River State governments to avoid our total elimination by our neighbouring Igbo communities.”

According to him, the Isu people would come to Mbiabong Ukwa with arms to fish in their ponds and farm in their lands at intervals without their consent

Gunmen attack Cross River community, five killed, women raped

metro

Catholic Bishop condemns commercialization of Churches

Published

3 hours ago

May 12, 2024

Trends Admin

Bishop Mamza

Catholic Bishop condemns commercialization of Churches

During a special Mass in Yola, Bishop Mamza, also the immediate Adamawa State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), lamented the growing trend of churches being established solely for commercial gain. He highlighted the pervasive desire among individuals to become general overseers and acquire private jets, attributing it to the rampant establishment of profit-driven churches.

In a candid revelation, Bishop Mamza recounted a personal encounter where a general overseer solicited him to purchase their church due to financial struggles, emphasizing the prevalent focus on material wealth rather than spiritual nourishment.

The Bishop’s remarks were made during a Mass held at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Bekaji, Yola, to commemorate this year’s World Communications Sunday of the Catholic Church. Addressing the theme of the day, ‘Artificial Intelligence and the Wisdom of the Heart Towards a Fully Human Communication,’ Bishop Mamza emphasized the irreplaceable value of human empathy and passion in communication, asserting that artificial intelligence cannot replicate the depth of human connection.

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While acknowledging the opportunities presented by communication platforms, Bishop Mamza cautioned against the dehumanizing effects of technology, urging for a balanced approach that prioritizes genuine human interaction. He emphasized the importance of maintaining empathy and compassion in communication, essential elements that artificial intelligence cannot replicate.

In conclusion, Bishop Mamza called for a renewed focus on strengthening human communication, rooted in empathy and compassion, amidst the rapid advancement of technology. He urged individuals to prioritize authentic connections and relationships, emphasizing the intrinsic value of human touch and empathy in fostering meaningful interactions.

Catholic Bishop condemns commercialization of Churches

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Man given pig kidney transplant dies

Published

3 hours ago

May 12, 2024

Trends Admin

Rick Slayman

Man given pig kidney transplant dies

The recipient of the world’s first pig kidney transplant, Rick Slayman, has sadly passed away nearly two months after undergoing the groundbreaking procedure.

Massachusetts General Hospital made history in March by performing the transplant, implanting a genetically modified pig kidney into Slayman, a 62-year-old individual grappling with end-stage kidney disease.

While hailed as a significant achievement in xenotransplantation—a field exploring organ transplantation between different species—Slayman’s death was confirmed to be unrelated to the transplant, according to the hospital.

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In a statement released by his family, they expressed profound sadness at Rick’s sudden passing but found solace in his inspirational legacy.

Acknowledging the tireless efforts of the medical team, the family praised their dedication, which granted them seven precious weeks with Rick. They reflected on the cherished memories created during this time, forever in their hearts.

The pig kidney used in the transplant underwent genetic modifications to enhance compatibility with humans, including removing harmful pig genes and incorporating specific human genes. Additionally, porcine endogenous retroviruses were deactivated to eliminate potential human infection risks.

While mourning Slayman’s loss, Massachusetts General Hospital reiterated that his passing was not attributed to the transplant. They honoured Rick as a symbol of hope for countless transplant patients worldwide, expressing gratitude for his unwavering trust and contributions to advancing the field of xenotransplantation.