Bandits abduct seven in fresh Abuja night raid despite new FCTA security measures – Newstrends
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Bandits abduct seven in fresh Abuja night raid despite new FCTA security measures

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Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police CP Miller Dantawaye

Bandits Abduct Seven in Fresh Abuja Night Raid Despite New FCTA Security Measures

Residents of the Federal Capital Territory were thrown into panic on Wednesday night as bandits staged yet another violent assault in the outskirts of Abuja, abducting six young girls and a 16-year-old boy from Gidan-Bijimi, a settlement in Kawu ward near the Bwari Area Council.

The incident occurred barely a week after a police officer was shot dead during a similar attack in the Guto area of Bwari, underscoring the escalating insecurity in Abuja and the growing audacity of armed groups operating along the volatile FCT–Kaduna corridor.

Kawu, which shares a boundary with Kaduna State, lies close to the notorious Gidan Dogo and Kweti forests, long identified as transit routes and hideouts for criminal gangs. Gidan-Bijimi itself borders Marke village, a zone that has witnessed a resurgence of attacks in recent months.

According to residents, the latest abduction unfolded around 9:47 pm when heavily armed gunmen stormed two homes, firing shots into the air before escaping with their captives. A local resident, Suleiman Shuaibu, confirmed that the abducted girls were aged between 17 and 23, adding that his cousin was among the victims.

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Shuaibu said members of the community’s vigilance group attempted to repel the attackers but were forced to retreat due to the criminals’ superior firepower. Many residents fled into nearby bushes, while others remained indoors until dawn. As of Thursday morning, there had been no communication from the kidnappers, and the police had yet to officially comment.

Last week, the FCT Police Command reported that about 30 gunmen invaded Guto, killing a police officer and kidnapping a resident and his family. Two of the attackers were reportedly neutralised.

The repeated assaults have intensified concerns over the deteriorating security situation in Bwari and neighbouring communities bordering Kaduna and Niger states — widely considered vulnerable entry points for armed groups inching closer to Abuja.

In response, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Wednesday announced new security measures following an expanded meeting of the FCT Security Council chaired by Minister Nyesom Wike. Briefing journalists, FCT Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye, said the government had fully activated Operation Sweep, a reorganised multi-agency operation designed to tackle emerging threats.

The operation has now been divided into four major sectors covering Gwagwalada, Bwari, and two expansive security corridors stretching across the city centre from Berger and Wuse to Karu, Mararaba, Karshi and Orozo. The minister has reportedly provided “adequate logistics” to support joint deployment of police, military, DSS, Civil Defence, FRSC, Immigration, Correctional Service and other security outfits.

Despite these reforms, Wednesday’s abduction highlights the persistent vulnerability of remote communities and the widening reach of criminal elements. Residents say they now live in constant fear, urging the government to take decisive action to rescue the victims and halt what many describe as a slide into daily terror.

Bandits abduct seven in fresh Abuja night raid despite new FCTA security measures

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Ex-CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele Denies Allegations of Financing Terrorism

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Godwin Emefiele

Ex-CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele Denies Allegations of Financing Terrorism

Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has strongly denied allegations linking him to terrorism financing in Nigeria, describing the claims as “mischievous and malicious.”

In a statement released on Saturday, December 6, 2025, Emefiele said the reports were “entirely fabricated, baseless, and a deliberate attempt to malign my name, mislead the public, and sow confusion for motives best known only to the publishers and their sponsors.”

He emphasized that the fight against terrorism is too important to be trivialized by irresponsible reporting, warning that Nigerians deserve accurate information rather than “reckless misinformation.”

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“Throughout my service to the nation and in my private life, at no time have I been involved in any activity remotely connected to terrorism, terrorist financing, or any action that threatens the peace and security of our nation,” Emefiele stated. He added that he has never been invited, questioned, or investigated regarding such allegations and has no connection to the individual cited in the media reports.

“There is no scintilla of truth in the allegation,” he said, urging the public to disregard the claims entirely and calling on media organizations to verify facts before publishing sensational stories.

Emefiele’s statement seeks to reaffirm his reputation and distances him from any activities undermining national security.

Ex-CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele Denies Allegations of Financing Terrorism

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Shettima Inaugurates Multi-Million Naira Juma’at Mosque in Gumel

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Shettima Inaugurates Multi-Million Naira Juma’at Mosque in Gumel

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Friday inaugurated the newly constructed multi-million-naira Juma’at Mosque located within the Emir of Gumel’s Palace in Jigawa State.

According to a statement by Zainab Rabo, Senior Special Assistant on Media Affairs to Governor Umar Namadi, the event drew high-level dignitaries, including top politicians, first-class emirs, captains of industry, and prominent Islamic scholars from across the country.

Rabo disclosed that the mosque was built by the Kashim Shettima Foundation, adding that Governor Umar A. Namadi and the Sultan of Sokoto graced the ceremony.

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During the occasion, the Vice President congratulated the Emir of Gumel, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Sani, on marking 45 years on the throne, describing the milestone as a blessing and testament to exemplary leadership.

Shettima also reaffirmed his commitment—through his foundation—to initiatives that would improve the lives of Nigerians.

The Vice President further commended Governor Namadi for his notable strides in modern agriculture, noting that Jigawa’s progress under his leadership had positioned the state competitively within Nigeria and beyond.

“Governor Namadi is equal to the task, looking at his two-year achievements and the way he transformed Jigawa in modern agriculture,” Shettima stated.

 

Shettima Inaugurates Multi-Million Naira Juma’at Mosque in Gumel

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Police Launch Special Enforcement Team to Enforce Tinubu’s Ban on VIP Escorts

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Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun

Police Launch Special Enforcement Team to Enforce Tinubu’s Ban on VIP Escorts

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has deployed a Special Enforcement Team in Lagos to enforce President Bola Tinubu’s directive ending the use of police officers as escorts and guards for Very Important Persons (VIPs).

The operation, according to a statement posted on the Force’s official X account on Saturday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, commenced at about 10:00 a.m. on December 6, 2025, across key locations in Lagos State.

Hundeyin confirmed that the team carried out compliance checks at major points, including the Lekki–Ikoyi Link Bridge, the Murtala Muhammed International Airport domestic terminal, and other strategic hotspots within the state.

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He disclosed that officers found “satisfactory and commendable” compliance with the presidential directive, with no incidents of unauthorised police escort and no arrests recorded.

“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, reiterates the Force’s commitment to the full implementation of the presidential directive,” the statement said. “The Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in redeploying its personnel to core policing duties aimed at enhancing general security, crime prevention, and the protection of lives and property nationwide.”

Hundeyin added that enforcement would continue across the country “without fear or favour,” urging Nigerians to support the push for a more professional and citizen-focused policing system.

President Tinubu had, on November 23, ordered the immediate withdrawal of police officers from VIP protection, directing that they be reassigned to frontline policing roles. According to the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, VIP protection will now be handled by armed operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The policy aims to free up police manpower for critical security operations, particularly in underserved communities, and enhance overall national security efficiency.

Police Launch Special Enforcement Team to Enforce Tinubu’s Ban on VIP Escorts

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