metro

Bandits invade Zamfara communities, abduct Imam, women, children, scores more

Published

2 years ago

November 7, 2024

23 Farmers Killed as Bandits Launch Deadly Attack on Zamfara Community

Zamfara State Commissioner of Police Muhammad Dalijan

Bandits invade Zamfara communities, abduct Imam, women, children, scores more

Bandits on Wednesday abducted over 50 persons at Wanke and Gurusu villages of Gusau and Gummi Local Government Areas of Zamfara State.

Locals said the victims were abducted in Wanke and environs while working on their farms; and three others, along the Anka-Gurusu road in Anka Local Government Area of the state.

A resident of Kwalfada, a village neighbouring Wanke, said the kidnapped victims were abducted from their respective farms.

And in Niger State, at least 10 farmers from Wayam and Belu-Belu villages in Rafi Local Government Area were killed by bandits.

Residents said six of the victims were beheaded and the attackers went away with their heads.

How the Zamfara attack occurred

Speaking on the incident in Zamfara, a local said: “The victims were working on their farms when suddenly the bandits appeared on motorbikes and abducted them at gunpoint. They asked them to get on the motorbikes and they were taken away.

“Any attempt by the kidnapped persons to escape will cost them their lives because the bandits are now very angry with the people. They are angry because they are being killed by soldiers almost on a daily basis.

“We also learnt that the bandits have placed levies on various villages. For instance, the bandits’ leader that succeeded Kachalla Halilu Sububu, Kachalla Mati, has placed N50 million levy on Kawaye village and the residents have only two weeks to pay the amount or have their village sacked.

“Also, a bandit leader Dan Yusuf, younger brother to another renowned bandits’ leader, Ado Alleiro has placed a levy of over N100 million which he shared among different villages across the western part of Tsafe Local Government Area”, the source said.

The source added: “Residents of Kucheri village are to pay N20 million, Kwalfada, N7 million, Magazawa, N7 million, Barebari, N7 million, Bilbis, N20 million, Danjibga, N20m million, Keita, N20 million and Kunchin Kalgo, N20 million.

“The issue of levy is an annual thing in this part of the state. During every harvest period, the bandits place levies on villagers because they know they have either sold their farm produce or kept it in the silos. In other words, they know that the locals have money or something which they can sell off to pay the levies”, the source added.

READ ALSO:

Speaking to the BBC Hausa Service, a villager who confirmed the incident said: “We are living in agony, not knowing what has happened to our loved ones. No one has contacted us with any information about their condition.

“At least 50 people were abducted, including an imam. This is the second time gunmen have taken the imam—he was previously abducted alongside his associates, but was later released. Of the 50 victims, only seven are men; the others are women and children”, the resident said.

‘Attackers unrelenting’

Also, a resident of Kucheri village in Tsafe Local Government, Muhammad Musa, told Daily Trust that though a bandits’ leader, Dan Yusuf, lost some of his men due to the recent onslaughts by the military, he is still terrorising the people.

Musa said: “We heard that Dan Yusuf is now scouting for boys to recruit into banditry. He recently went to Yanwarin Daji village and demanded for some boys and when the residents declined his request, he threatened to kill all the aged people among them. As a result, the villagers offered him five young boys which he took along with him.

“On Tuesday, Dan Yusuf attacked an Armoured Personnel Carrier of the Nigerian Army in Kunchin Kalgo village. Fortunately, none of the soldiers inside was injured or killed,” he said.

A resident of Gummi town, Malam Usman Yusuf, said three bandits stopped a commercial bus conveying passengers to Gusau from Gummi and abducted the passengers on board.

“However, while moving into the bush, five abductees ran away, but the bandits went away with three persons,” Yusuf said.

When contacted, the Zamfara State Police Commissioner, CP Muhammad Shehu Dalijan, said he had travelled out of the state for an official assignment, hence could not comment on the issue. He referred our correspondent to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Yazid Abubakar, who did not respond to several calls put across to him.

Hide original message

The state’s Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Amb. Bala Muhammad Mairiga, confirmed the abduction in Wanke village, but said: “I cannot ascertain the number of people abducted because we have not received any official report from the security agencies or traditional institution.

“On the issue of levy, sincerely speaking, we have not received any complaint from the affected villages. Nevertheless, we will investigate the matter and see what we can do about it. Zamfara State government will not fold its arms and allow the bandits to extort people.

“Governor Dauda Lawal-led administration is doing its best to tackle banditry and will continue to do everything possible within its power to end the menace,” he said.

Niger attack

In the Niger incident, which occurred at about 4am yesterday, Daily Trust gathered that aside the farmers who were killed, many persons were kidnapped just as some others sustained bullet wounds and were being treated at a clinic in Kagara, the headquarters of Rafi Local Government Area.

READ ALSO:

It was also gathered that the incident occurred when the residents were preparing for the early morning prayers.

Bala Tukur, a resident in the area told our correspondent that the residents of Wayam, Belu-Belu, Madaka and adjoining communities have fled to Kagara town.

“At Wayam village near Madaka under Kagara town, they killed 10 people and injured many. The way they kill us now is scary. Everybody has fled. As I speak with you, many people have not been able to harvest up to 50 per cent of their crops, including maize that has been due for harvest and is now becoming hard.

“Recently, residents of Kukoki were asked to pay N1.5 million to be allowed to harvest their crops. They paid, but the bandits came back to attack them four days ago”, he said.

Last Friday, Daily Trust gathered that bandits invaded the ancient town of Zungeru, Wushishi LGA, moving from house to house including a hotel, kidnapping the occupants.

One of the residents said the invasion of Zungeru happened around 12am on Saturday during which a staff of Sino-Hydro, Saidu Yakubu aka Abacha and his wife were kidnapped.

“Since last week, bandits have been carrying out attacks continuously along the Zungeru-Tegina-Kontagora road. Our security operatives have been battling with them. They killed eight of our vigilantes, but I learnt that security operatives were able to block them somewhere around Pandogari and since that is the only route through which they could escape, they went into hiding around the rocky area”, he said.

The state’s Commissioner for Homeland Security, Brigadier General Bello Abdullahi Mohammed (rtd) said the state government is aware of the attacks.

He said: “The Niger State government is aware of the situation. All the security stakeholders have been mobilised to address the issue”.

The spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, also confirmed the incident, saying that it was a suspected reprisal attack due to onslaughts by security operatives.

“It was a suspected reprisal attack, probably due to the response of the joint security tactical team which led to the rescue of about 23 abducted victims within Rafi LGA.

“However, the joint security teams are still very much on ground, patrol is being intensified to rescue the abducted victims”, he said.

Bandits invade Zamfara communities, abduct Imam, women, children, scores more

DAILY TRUST

Up Next

22 people dead as Adamawa-Taraba mining pit collapses

Don't Miss

EndBadGovernance: Borno minors still in detention, defence lawyer cries out

metro

Trump Denies Offering Iran Sanctions Relief, Release of Frozen Funds

Published

4 hours ago

September 29, 2026

Trends Admin

President Donald Trump winks as the members of the media depart the Oval Office of the White House as Essar Capital Director Prashant Ruia, from left, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, John Jovanovic, chairman of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa., and Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, look on, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump Denies Offering Iran Sanctions Relief, Release of Frozen Funds

US President Donald Trump has denied reports that he offered Iran sanctions relief and access to frozen funds in exchange for concrete concessions on Tehran’s nuclear programme.

Trump rejected the reports on Monday, describing them as false after Axios reported, citing unnamed US officials, that his administration was willing to provide sanctions relief and release Iranian funds as part of a potential deal.

“This is untrue. I offered them NOTHING,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

CNN separately reported, also citing an unidentified US official, that Trump was prepared to offer similar concessions if Iran demonstrated concrete progress on the nuclear issue.

The conflicting reports emerged as US and Iranian officials engaged separately with mediators in a renewed diplomatic effort aimed at ending the seven-month conflict between Washington and Tehran.

READ ALSO:

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said Tehran is prepared to negotiate over its nuclear programme and other issues but would not accept what he described as pressure or coercion.

Iran maintains that it is not seeking nuclear weapons and insists it has the right to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has also said that diplomacy remains the route to resolving the conflict, while Tehran has linked any reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to the fulfilment of conditions under discussion with mediators.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a major issue in the negotiations because it is a crucial route for global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Disruptions linked to the conflict have contributed to higher energy prices and increased concerns about global supplies.

Trump had rejected an earlier Iranian proposal concerning the reopening of the waterway, while Araghchi said Tehran was awaiting a formal response through mediators.

The latest disagreement over the reported sanctions offer adds uncertainty to the diplomatic efforts, with Washington and Tehran yet to announce a final agreement on the nuclear programme or the broader conflict.

Trump Denies Offering Iran Sanctions Relief, Release of Frozen Funds

metro

Federal Workers Back N500 Petrol Demand, Threaten Three-Day Warning Strike

Published

4 hours ago

September 29, 2026

Trends Admin

Federal Workers Back N500 Petrol Demand, Threaten Three-Day Warning Strike

Federal workers have backed the demand by organised labour for a reduction in the pump price of petrol to N500 per litre, warning that they will join a proposed three-day warning strike if the Federal Government fails to address their concerns.

The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) announced its position in a communiqué issued on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, after an online general meeting of federal workers held on Sunday.

The workers said they unanimously supported the call by the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) for the Federal Government to reduce the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, to N500 per litre.

The JNPSNC had given the Federal Government until September 30, 2026, to respond to its demands, which include a reduction in petrol prices, an immediate wage award and a review of salaries and allowances across the public service.

The Federal Workers Forum said its members were prepared to participate in the proposed three-day warning strike if the government failed to act.

The group also called for any reduction in petrol prices to be reflected in the prices of kerosene, diesel and cooking gas, arguing that high energy costs were contributing to the wider cost-of-living crisis.

READ ALSO:

The workers said the current price of petrol was placing additional pressure on households through higher transportation, food and other living costs.

They also backed labour’s demand for an immediate Wage Award, which they said should be converted into a reasonable Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) to provide continuing relief to workers.

The forum argued that workers’ incomes had been eroded by rising prices and called for urgent measures to restore their purchasing power.

Beyond the immediate wage relief, organised public-sector workers are seeking the commencement of negotiations for a new National Minimum Wage ahead of January 2027.

The JNPSNC has proposed a minimum monthly salary of N500,000 for an officer on Grade Level 01, Step 1 under the proposed 2027 salary structure.

The council also wants salaries and allowances across federal, state and local government services to be harmonised and periodically reviewed in line with inflation.

The Federal Workers Forum had previously called for an upward review of the current N70,000 minimum wage, saying rising food, fuel, transportation and housing costs had reduced its purchasing power.

The workers also criticised reliance on food palliatives as a response to the economic hardship, arguing that a reduction in petrol prices would have a wider impact because transportation and the cost of moving goods are closely linked to fuel costs.

The forum urged Nigerians to support organised labour’s campaign for lower petrol prices and said federal workers should mobilise for any industrial action approved by labour leadership.

The group further backed proposals for greater use of Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity, including making crude oil available to local refineries in naira and expanding national petroleum storage capacity.

It said such measures could strengthen energy security, create economic value and reduce the country’s exposure to fluctuations in international oil prices.

The latest position by federal workers adds pressure to an already tense labour-government relationship as the September 30 deadline approaches.

However, the workers’ statement does not mean that a nationwide strike has already commenced. Their commitment is to participate in the proposed three-day warning strike if the labour leadership calls the action and the government fails to address the outstanding demands.

The Federal Workers Forum also expressed hope that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would address the concerns in his forthcoming Independence Day broadcast.

The government’s response to the workers’ demands, particularly on petrol prices, wage relief and negotiations for a new minimum wage, is expected to determine the next steps by organised labour.

Federal Workers Back N500 Petrol Demand, Threaten Three-Day Warning Strike

metro

Hamzat Clarifies Lagos Traffic ‘Lifestyle’ Remark After Backlash

Published

5 hours ago

September 29, 2026

Trends Admin

Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat

Hamzat Clarifies Lagos Traffic ‘Lifestyle’ Remark After Backlash

Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat has clarified his controversial description of Lagos traffic as a “lifestyle”, saying the remark was taken out of context and was not intended as an endorsement of persistent gridlock.

Hamzat made the original comment while speaking at Podfest Naija 2026, where he discussed storytelling, the creative industry and how Lagos residents consume digital content during their daily journeys.

Using the experience of commuters on the Third Mainland Bridge as an example, Hamzat said traffic had become part of everyday life in Lagos. He also linked the long hours residents spend commuting to the growing consumption of podcasts, music, films and other digital content.

He specifically referred to journeys between Ojota and Obalende, suggesting that many Lagos residents listen to podcast episodes and consume other creative content while travelling through the city’s heavily congested roads.

The remarks generated criticism on social media, with some people interpreting the “lifestyle” description as an indication that the Lagos State Government considered traffic congestion a normal condition that residents should accept.

READ ALSO:

Hamzat subsequently addressed the controversy, explaining that he was speaking about the relationship between Lagos traffic and the creative industry, rather than discussing the causes of congestion, road design or suggesting that traffic should be regarded as desirable.

He also questioned how his remarks had been connected to separate criticisms of the state’s traffic situation.

Hamzat said he decided to clarify the remarks after seeing how excerpts from his speech were interpreted on social media.

The controversy has nevertheless renewed discussion about the impact of Lagos traffic congestion on commuters, businesses and productivity.

Lagos remains one of Nigeria’s busiest urban centres, with long commuting times forming part of the daily experience for many residents, particularly along major routes during peak periods.

The deputy governor’s remarks also highlighted the opportunities created by the city’s large and diverse audience for podcasters, filmmakers, musicians, writers and other content creators.

His argument was that the time residents spend travelling has contributed to increased consumption of creative content, creating opportunities for the industry to reach audiences during daily commutes.

The Lagos State Government has continued to promote investments in rail transportation, waterways, road construction, junction improvements and intelligent traffic management as part of efforts to improve mobility across the state.

The debate has therefore shifted beyond the wording of Hamzat’s “lifestyle” remark to broader questions about Lagos traffic, urban mobility and the challenges faced by residents who spend significant time commuting.