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Banditry: Tension in North as groups plan shutdown of states

Published

5 years ago

December 17, 2021

*Recruit special forces to fight bandits, Tambuwal tells FG

*Plans to deboard schools in Sokoto

Following the escalating insecurity in North west states, Sokoto State chapter of the Coalition of Northern Groups, CNG, has given the Federal Government three months within which to resolve the security situation in the zone or face mass action.

Criminal activities, ranging from banditry, kidnapping to armed robbery, had escalated in the north west, resulting in the killing of hundreds of people.

The ultimatum came even as North-West Governors’ Forum said in its meeting on Wednesday that to have a banditry-free society, all stakeholders must show commitment at fighting the menace, and stop playing the blame game.

This is even as Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal asked the Federal Government to recruit special forces to fight bandits in their enclaves in the forest.

Recruit special forces — Tambuwal

He also disclosed plans to deboard all schools in the state until the security situation was resolved.

Rising from a one-day stakeholders meeting in Sokoto yesterday, the coalition in a communique issued at the end of the meeting, said it had mobilised youths in states in north west to ground activities in the zone until government dealt with the problem of banditry and other violent crimes.Coordinator of CNG in the state, Isah Jabbi Usman, also blamed the activities of the outlawed volunteer vigilantes groups, known as Yan Sakai for the escalation of violence in most parts of the north western states.

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He lamented the escalating insecurity, particularly in Sokoto and called for immediate action to address the situations once and for all.

The group faulted both the federal and state governments for not acting promptly to tame the situation at its initial stage.

‘’We hereby place the authorities on notice that if the killings and abductions are not significantly or totally controlled within the next three months, mass action would be called that will not prelude occupying all towns in all the frontline states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja,’’ Usman said.Similarly, the North-Western Governor’s Forum challenged stakeholders in the zone to show commitment to the efforts to wipe out banditry in the north west.

Chairman of the Forum, Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State, who threw the challenge when he led a delegation of the Forum on a condolence visit to Senator Aliyu Wamakko (APC-Sokoto) in Abuja yesterday over the burning of over 40 persons in a bus by bandits in Sokoto last week said: “We were in Sokoto State earlier to sympathise with the government and immediate families of those who were brutally killed in the name of banditry.

“The issue of banditry in north western part of the country is not beyond us. We know the problem and the solutions are something we as a people are capable of providing.

“This will be, provided that all of us take responsibility and stop the blame game. Banditry, especially our own in the north western part of the country, can easily be dealt with, if all hands are put on deck.

“This is because it has no religious coloration, no ethnic coloration, it is not ideological. It is simply pure criminality.’’

While acknowledging that the Nigerian Police had limitations in fighting insecurity, Masari said security agencies required technologies to effectively tackle the challenge.

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“We in the north western governor’s forum together with the governors of Plateau, Nasarawa and Niger are working with the Federal Government to come up with strategies and solutions,’’ he said.

Tambuwal on deboarding schools

Meanwhile, Governor Tambuwal said the state government was looking into the possibility of deboarding all boarding secondary schools in the state, pending when the security situation improved.

Tambuwal, who disclosed this in a media chat with journalists said the decision to deboard the schools was a result of constant and continued attacks by bandits and other criminal groups terrorising the state.“This situation calls for specialised approach with a holistic support from community groups, religious leaders and other individuals to tackle.”

On his part, Masari expressed his condolences to Sokoto state on the recent attacks by bandits, noting that measures are being put in place to address the situation.

“Bandits behave worse than animals in view of the atrocities they perpetrate; people need to protect themselves.

“Police and other security personnel are inadequate, so we shall not wait for those barbaric bandits to maim and kill people at random,” he said.

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“We shall confront them and deal with them the way they are supposed to be dealt with. It is no longer a blame game, rather we shall shun political differences to support authorities on containing the situation.

”The governor also said the state government was looking into the possibility of deboarding all boarding secondary schools in the state, pending when the security situation improved.

Tambuwal, who disclosed this in a media chart with practising journalists in the state, said the decision to deboard the schools was a result of constant and continued attacks by bandits and other criminal groups terrorising the state.

He said the launching of operation Hadarin Daji by the Nigeria Armed forces had made Sokoto State vulnerable to attacks by fleeing bandits from Zamfara State, adding that the state had made available all needed assistance to the security agencies in the state, with a view to containing the activities of criminal gangs.

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Related Topics:banditry Featured North Shutdown tension

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Zamfara Attack: Bandits Kill Governor Dauda Lawal’s Aide While Observing Fajr Prayer

Published

3 hours ago

November 15, 2026

Trends Admin

Zamfara Attack: Bandits Kill Governor Dauda Lawal’s Aide While Observing Fajr Prayer

KAURA NAMODA, Zamfara State — Armed bandits have reportedly killed Nasiru Sani Kaura, a Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, during an early morning attack on Kaura Namoda town.

The incident, which occurred around the Lowcost Mosque area of the town, reportedly happened while residents were preparing for the Subhi (Fajr) prayer.

According to local sources, the attackers, who were heavily armed, stormed the community in the early hours of the morning, throwing residents into panic.

Kaura, who also reportedly held a position within the local community, was said to have been observing the dawn prayer when the assailants struck.

Details surrounding the circumstances of his death remain unclear, including whether he was specifically targeted by the attackers or killed during the assault.

His killing has triggered concern among residents and political associates, particularly given his position as an aide to Governor Lawal.

The attack has also renewed concerns over persistent insecurity in Zamfara State, where armed groups have continued to threaten communities through killings, abductions and raids.

The killing comes amid continuing security challenges across Zamfara and other states in Nigeria’s North-West, where armed bandit groups have carried out attacks on rural communities, highways and residential areas.

Despite ongoing security operations and government assurances, residents in several communities continue to face threats from armed groups.

Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration has repeatedly expressed its determination to tackle insecurity in the state, maintaining that his government would not encourage ransom payments or compromise with criminal groups.

However, the reported killing of the governor’s aide has further drawn attention to the security situation and the vulnerability of residents, including community leaders and government officials.

The killing of Nasiru Sani Kaura has reportedly thrown parts of Kaura Namoda into mourning, with residents expressing concern over the circumstances surrounding the attack.

The incident has also heightened fears among residents, particularly those living around the affected neighbourhood, who are worried about the possibility of further attacks.

As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had yet to issue an official statement detailing the incident, the total number of casualties or any arrests connected to the attack.

The circumstances surrounding the killing and the identities of those responsible have also not been independently established.

Meanwhile, residents and associates of the deceased are mourning his death as calls grow for stronger security measures to protect communities across Zamfara State.

Zamfara Attack: Bandits Kill Governor Dauda Lawal’s Aide While Observing Fajr Prayer

metro

VIDEO: NDLEA Discovers Gun Factory in Kaduna, Arrests 45-Year-Old Owner

Published

7 hours ago

November 15, 2026

Trends Admin

VIDEO: NDLEA Discovers Gun Factory in Kaduna, Arrests 45-Year-Old Owner

KADUNA — Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have uncovered an illegal firearms manufacturing factory in Kaduna State and arrested its alleged owner during an intelligence-led raid.

The operation, which took place in Sabon Garin Kangin area of the state on Monday, November 9, 2026, led to the recovery of locally manufactured firearms and materials used in producing weapons.

The NDLEA disclosed the development on Sunday through its Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, in a security update shared on his X account.

Babafemi identified the arrested factory owner as Sagiru Musa, 45.

According to the agency, operatives discovered the facility during a raid targeting criminal activities in the area.

Items recovered from the suspected gun factory included 17 locally manufactured Dane guns, two pistols, 25 Dane gun barrels and other materials used for firearms production.

The agency said the discovery exposed an illegal weapons manufacturing operation and resulted in the arrest of the person allegedly responsible for running the facility.

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In his update, Babafemi stated that the operation uncovered finished firearms alongside materials intended for the production of additional weapons.

He said the discovery further reinforced concerns about the connection between substance abuse, drug trafficking and other forms of criminal activity.

“This reinforces the already established fact that there’s a nexus between substance abuse, drug trafficking and other forms of crime,” Babafemi said.

The Kaduna operation was among several enforcement activities carried out by NDLEA commands across the country.

In another operation along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway, NDLEA operatives reportedly intercepted a 31-year-old woman, identified as Tabara Dauda, on Friday, November 13, recovering 196 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition and N675,000 in cash.

The agency also reported other drug-related arrests and seizures as part of its nationwide operations.

The arrest of the suspected gun factory owner comes amid continuing security concerns over the circulation of illegal firearms and their potential use by criminal groups.

The NDLEA has yet to provide further details about the suspect’s alleged customers, the duration of the factory’s operation or whether additional arrests are expected.

The suspect is presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of law.

https://x.com/MobilePunch/status/2121872742454530403/video/1

VIDEO: NDLEA Discovers Gun Factory in Kaduna, Arrests 45-Year-Old Owner

metro

Bandits Kill Two Abducted Victims After Collecting ₦6m Ransom in Niger State

Published

11 hours ago

November 15, 2026

Trends Admin

Woman Arrested Over Alleged Poisoning Of Co-Wife’s Children In Niger, One Dies

Bandits Kill Two Abducted Victims After Collecting ₦6m Ransom in Niger State

KONTAGORA, Niger State — In another disturbing incident highlighting the worsening insecurity in parts of northern Nigeria, suspected bandits have reportedly killed two kidnapped residents despite collecting a ₦6 million ransom from their families.

The victims, identified as Anas and Sallama, popularly known as Babawo, were reportedly killed along Maidubu Road in Yamma Ward, Kontagora Local Government Area of Niger State.

The tragic development came after their families allegedly paid the kidnappers ₦6 million in an effort to secure their release.

The two victims were among eight residents abducted during a bandit attack in the area. Although some of the kidnapped persons were subsequently released, Anas and Sallama reportedly did not survive their ordeal.

Security expert Bakatsine disclosed the incident in a post on his official X account on Saturday, November 14, 2026.

According to the security analyst, the families of the victims had made efforts to negotiate with the kidnappers and secure the freedom of their loved ones.

However, despite the reported ransom payment, the armed men allegedly went ahead to kill the two captives.

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The incident has once again raised serious concerns over the activities of armed groups operating in Niger State and the growing dangers faced by residents in vulnerable communities.

The killing also underscores the helplessness of families caught in the grip of kidnapping gangs, who are often forced to raise huge sums of money in desperate attempts to rescue abducted relatives.

The fact that the victims were reportedly killed despite the payment of ransom further highlights the brutality of the perpetrators and the uncertainty surrounding ransom negotiations with criminal gangs.

As of the time of filing this report, there was no further official information on the circumstances surrounding the killings or whether security agencies had launched an operation to track down the perpetrators.

The Niger State Police Command had also not issued an official statement on the incident in the report that disclosed the killings.