Bandits abduct four family members, one other in Abuja quarters

In a distressing turn of events, bandits abducted five individuals from Shagari Quarters, Dei-Dei in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) early Sunday morning.

Vigilante sources in the community reported that the attackers arrived around noon and targeted the residence of a senior customs officer.

The armed assailants invaded the customs officer’s compound, abducting his wife, three of his children, and his younger brother.

“They spent more than two hours before proceeding to the neighbouring Dakwa community,” a vigilante source disclosed. The officer, previously stationed in Abuja, had been deployed to Lagos, but his family remained in the Dei-Dei compound.

The bandits subsequently released the officer’s wife, who was heavily pregnant, but retained custody of his children and younger brother. An attempted incursion into Dakwa town was thwarted by a fierce exchange of gunfire with local security forces, causing the bandits to retreat. Dr. Alhassan Musa Babachukuri, the Chief of Dakwa, confirmed the confrontation and highlighted the persistent threat posed by the bandits.

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Dr. Babachukuri expressed grave concern over the bandits’ established base behind Zuma Rock in Chachi community, near Dakwa in neighboring Niger State. This location provides access to forested areas around Bwari, enabling the bandits to conduct their operations. He urged the government to take decisive action against these criminal elements to prevent further escalation of their activities.

As of now, the FCT police command has not issued an official statement regarding the incident. Attempts to reach the command’s spokeswoman, SP Josephine Adeh, for comments have been unsuccessful.

This alarming incident underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures and swift government intervention to protect communities from the escalating threat of banditry in the region.

Bandits abduct four family members, one other in Abuja quarters

Assault on soldiers: Army shuts down Abuja plaza

Operatives of the Nigerian Army have shut down Banex Plaza, a shopping complex located in the Wuse 2 area of Abuja, following attacks on some soldiers over the weekend.

This was confirmed by a trader at the nearby Emab Plaza, Mr. Somto, who confirmed this to our correspondent via phone call on Monday.

“Yes, Banex is locked down. We are not affected by it, though. Some men of the Army are  here,” he said.

Another shop owner, who talked to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity, verified the development and stated that traders are still in talks with the Army.

Chronicle NG reports that the FCT Police Command deployed officers of the Intelligence Response Team to the area on Saturday after a conflict ensued between traders and some soldiers.

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A viral video seen by our journalist on X depicted a large number of traders overwhelming some soldiers during free-for-all combat at Banex.

The FCT Police Command, in a statement issued later on Saturday night by its spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, stated that the police had restored quiet in the affected area and that a buyer had gone with four soldiers to demand a refund after the acquired phone exhibited flaws, which the shop owner refused.

“This action resulted in a confrontation and squabble with the military personnel. This development led some irate mobs to attack the military personnel, which led to an uproar in the environs,”  the statement read.

Meanwhile, operatives of the Nigerian Army, in reprisal, reportedly stormed the plaza on Saturday evening, beating passersby and manning guards, while a circulating video also showed the soldiers punishing some individuals.

Assault on soldiers: Army shuts down Abuja plaza

Just in: Nnamdi Kanu protests as court rejects fresh bail request

A fresh application for bail by the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has been turned down.

A Federal High Court in Abuja, which dismissed the application on Monday also rejected another request by Kanu to be transferred from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) to Kuje prison.

Angered by the court ruling, Kanu began to shout from the dock, protesting that he would not stand trial before any court in Nigeria.

According to him, any attempt to put him on trial would amount to a breach of Nigeria’s Constitution and international laws.

Ruling on Monday, May 20, Justice Binta Nyako held that issues raised in both applications had earlier been decided by her.

Justice Nyako held that she found as a fact that Kanu jumped the bail earlier granted to him and escaped from the country.

The judge noted that those, who stood surety for Kanu when the earlier bail was granted, later applied to be discharged and were discharged because they could not locate Kanu and did not know his whereabouts.

She held that the only option opened to Kanu was for him to approach the Court of Appeal on the issues.

Justice Nyako rejected the argument by defence lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor that the Supreme Court held that the earlier bail granted him ought not to have been revoked.