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After killing Emir, bandits abduct 150 people in Sokoto community
After killing Emir, bandits abduct 150 people in Sokoto community
Bandits have abducted over 150 persons and rustled over 1,000 cattle in some villages in Gobir Emirate of Sokoto State, Daily Trust can report.
The incident happened few days after the death in kidnappers’ den, of the Emir of Gobir, Alhaji Isa Muhammad Bawa, who was also the District Head of Gatawa.
The monarch was, on July 29, kidnapped alongside his son and six others on the Sokoto-Sabon Birni Road.
In a viral video, the deceased, whose hands and legs were tied, was seen appealing to the Sokoto State government, the Sultanate Council, his relatives and friends to help pay the ransom demanded by the kidnappers.
The district head had said that the bandits set a deadline for the payment of the ransom, failure of which they would kill him.
Hundreds of youths in the area ultimately staged protests after the killing of the district head, forcing the state government to impose a curfew on Sabon Birni.
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Confirming the latest abductions, Professor Bello Bada of the Department of English, Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, said it was unfortunate that bandits had returned to their dastardly operations in the area just a few days after the death of the district head.
He said: “The most painful thing about it is that some important people in the area could access the telephone numbers of the bandits and could even have conversations with them. Why? It means the bandits are known.
“People in the area go for negotiation with bandits; it means they know where they are. Why do bandits go to markets freely and sell their cows in the area ?
“Why is it that in the area about 1,000 cows were carted away by bandits? Do the cows have wings to fly? What about our intelligence? How did the bandits pass through villages and towns without being noticed?
“They are taking the rustled cattle into the bush while at the same time, residents of some communities within the district are inside the same bush mining for gold. No, something is wrong. We should tell ourselves the truth. We have to sit down and address this problem for the future of our children”, the professor said.
A member of the Sokoto State House of Assembly representing Sabon Birni (North), Aminu Boza, said a total of 151 people were abducted between Tsamaye and Sabon Birni.
“A day after the death of Sarkin Gobir, the bandits attacked Tsamaye village again, killing some people and abducting unspecified others.
They also attacked Yanfaruna village and abducted 22 people and they went to the next village and abducted 11 people.
“So, a total of 192 people have been abducted and they are still in captivity.
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“Besides the abduction of people, we have lost over 20,000 hectares of land to the bandits. They stopped our people from cultivating the land for several years now. Over 92 per cent of our wealth has been wasted by these bandits,” he said.
Boza alleged that there were no security personnel in most of the banditry-prone areas in Sabon Birni, which include Kwanar Maharba, Turtsawa, Unguwar Lalle, Tagirke and Kwanar Tambazawa.
He said: “Kwanar Maharba is the most dangerous spot among all the spots I have mentioned. Banditry operation is taking place in this particular spot almost daily. Some of our people had to change their route through Niger Republic whenever they are going to Sokoto because it is safer. We don’t have a single security checkpoint along that road.
“The locations of most of the bandits’ leaders are known. Bello Turji, for instance, is residing in Fakai and from Fakai to Shinkafi is a distance of less than three kilometers. Halilu is residing in Tsububu village and Jummo Baki in Gangara village.
“Three days ago, I met the Sokoto State deputy governor and together we are making efforts for the deployment of an additional 1,200 soldiers to Sokoto State and Sabon Birni will get additional security personnel in the next one week”, the lawmaker said.
He said the deployment of military personnel to the areas would reduce banditry significantly.
The lawmaker appealed to the federal government to listen to the plight of the residents of Sabon Birni.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Sokoto State Command, SP Ahmad Rufa’i, said police had not received a report on such abductions, but promised to find out from Sabon Birni Divisional Office.
After killing Emir, bandits abduct 150 people in Sokoto community
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Police Debunk Viral Terror Attack Video in Abuja, Arrest Suspect
Police Debunk Viral Terror Attack Video in Abuja, Arrest Suspect
The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed a viral video circulating on social media claiming an ongoing terror attack in Abuja, describing the content as false, misleading, and deliberately designed to incite panic within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In a statement issued on Friday by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, the police said there is no record of any such attack in Abuja, stressing that the claims in the video are completely fabricated and malicious.
The Force explained that preliminary investigations showed the video was constructed using unrelated footage sourced from online platforms and edited to create a false impression of insecurity in the nation’s capital.
According to the police, the aim of the content was to spread fear, disrupt public order, and undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s security system.
The statement emphasized that the circulation of such material amounts to misinformation and fake news in Nigeria, which can trigger unnecessary panic and threaten public safety.
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The police also confirmed the arrest of a suspect identified as Pam Joseph in connection with the creation and distribution of the viral video.
Authorities said the arrest followed credible intelligence and digital forensic analysis that traced the origin and spread of the false content to the suspect.
The suspect is currently in police custody and will be charged to court upon completion of investigations.
The Nigeria Police Force reiterated that while citizens have the right to freedom of expression, such rights do not extend to the deliberate spread of false information capable of endangering public peace and national security.
It urged members of the public to verify security-related information before sharing and to rely only on official communication channels for accurate updates.
The Force further warned that individuals or groups involved in spreading false security alerts online will be tracked and prosecuted under relevant cybercrime laws.
Police authorities assured residents that Abuja remains calm and under tight security surveillance, with routine patrols and intelligence operations ongoing across the city.
They added that the security agencies are fully committed to maintaining law and order and preventing any attempt to create fear or confusion through digital platforms.
The development comes amid growing concern over the spread of unverified security alerts in Nigeria, which authorities say can cause unnecessary tension and disrupt daily life.
Police Debunk Viral Terror Attack Video in Abuja, Arrest Suspect
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Gunmen Wipe Out Family of Eight in Fresh Plateau Attack
Gunmen Wipe Out Family of Eight in Fresh Plateau Attack
At least eight people have been killed in a fresh gunmen attack in Plateau State after armed attackers invaded Mbwelle village in Bokkos Local Government Area during a late-night raid.
The incident, which occurred on Thursday around 11pm in Plateau State, saw gunmen storm the community and open fire on residents, leaving several others injured and many still missing.
Victims were largely members of the same family, with the deceased identified as Elder Iliya Mangut Dakus, Mr Luck Titus Dakus, Mr Habila Istifanu Dakus, Mr Hassan Istifanus Dakus, Mrs Hassan Moses Dakus, Biggie Lucky Dakus, Sunday Gideon Dakus, and Mr Innocent Barnabas Makwin.
Confirming the attack, the Chairman of the Community Peace Observers in Bokkos LGA, Kefas Mallai, said the gunmen operated for hours without resistance.
“There was an attack last night at Mbwelle village. So far eight persons have been confirmed dead this morning,” he said.
Mallai added that the attackers moved freely during the operation, firing indiscriminately at residents and escaping before security forces arrived.
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He also alleged a delayed response from security operatives, claiming that residents were left vulnerable despite the proximity of security formations in the area.
According to him, “The attack lasted for several hours with no visible security presence to repel the attackers.”
The development has sparked anger among residents, with reports that some community members were considering protests over what they described as repeated failures to protect rural settlements.
Youth leader Christopher Luka also confirmed the killings, describing the incident as devastating and targeted.
“The gunmen came around 11pm and started shooting sporadically. They targeted one family mostly. Eight people are confirmed dead, some injured, others still missing,” he said.
Three additional victims were reported injured and are currently receiving treatment at undisclosed medical facilities.
As of the time of filing this report, efforts to reach the Nigeria Police Force spokesperson in Plateau State were unsuccessful, while military officials attached to the Joint Task Force said they would provide updates later.
The attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents in Plateau State’s Bokkos and surrounding LGAs, where rural communities have repeatedly come under assault by armed groups.
In recent weeks, neighbouring areas including Barkin Ladi, Riyom, and Jos South have also recorded deadly attacks, further heightening fears across the state.
Community groups have continued to accuse attackers of targeting farming settlements and rural roads, while calling for stronger security presence and improved surveillance across vulnerable corridors.
Security analysts warn that the recurring violence reflects a deepening insecurity crisis in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, where communities face frequent night raids, ambushes, and displacement.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing, while additional security deployments are expected in the affected area to prevent further escalation.
Gunmen Wipe Out Family of Eight in Fresh Plateau Attack
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Kwara Governor Mourns 5 Forest Guards Killed in Nuku Bandit Attack
Kwara Governor Mourns 5 Forest Guards Killed in Nuku Bandit Attack
The Kwara State Government has condemned the killing of five forest guards in a deadly bandit attack in Kwara State, as Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq expressed grief over the tragic incident and unveiled fresh measures to strengthen security.
The हमला occurred in Nuku community, Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, where suspected bandits reportedly launched a coordinated midnight raid on a security outpost around 3:00 a.m., killing five forest guards on duty.
In a statement issued through his Special Adviser on Media, Bashir Adigun, the governor described the slain guards as brave patriots who died defending their communities.
“I received the news with a heavy heart. These men paid the ultimate price while confronting armed assailants. Nothing can truly compensate for their sacrifice,” AbdulRazaq said.
According to local sources, the attackers arrived in large numbers, overwhelmed the guards, and set fire to motorcycles and patrol vehicles at the outpost, leaving critical security assets destroyed.
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The latest bandit attack in Kaiama LGA has heightened fear among residents, especially as it comes barely two months after similar deadly raids on Woro and neighbouring Nuku communities.
Security experts say the increasing frequency of such attacks signals a worrying spread of banditry in North Central Nigeria, with forested areas serving as operational bases for armed groups.
Governor AbdulRazaq commended security agencies for their ongoing efforts but urged them to intensify operations to curb the growing threat.
To tackle the situation, he announced the formation of a Kwara State Security Strategy Committee, comprising retired senior military and security officers tasked with strengthening intelligence gathering and coordinating security responses.
The committee is chaired by retired Major General G.A. Wahab, with members including Major General Yemi Abidoye, Major General Abubakar Ndalolo, Rear Admiral Aliyu Lawal, Air Commodore A.S.A. Buhari, Assistant Inspector-General of Police Aderemi Opadokun, and Lieutenant Colonel W.A. Lawal. Shuaib Abdulganiyu will serve as secretary.
The governor said the committee would immediately begin deliberations on practical strategies to address insecurity, particularly in rural and vulnerable communities.
He also assured that the state government would support the families of the deceased guards and work closely with federal security agencies to prevent further attacks.
“Our sincere condolences go to the families and communities of the forest guards. They will forever remain our heroes,” he added.
Authorities have reportedly deployed additional security personnel to the affected area, while investigations are ongoing to track down those responsible for the killings.
The incident underscores growing concerns over insecurity in Kwara State, as residents continue to call for stronger protection and proactive security measures.
Kwara Governor Mourns 5 Forest Guards Killed in Nuku Bandit Attack
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