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Bandits impose levies on Sokoto communities, issue ultimatum for payment
Bandits operating in the eastern part of Sokoto State have imposed levies on the locals to pay before next Friday or risk attack, Daily Trust can report.
A resident of the area revealed that locals are also barred from their farms by the bandits pending payment of the prescribed levies.
Daily Trust reliably gathered that some of the communities had settled the bandits while others were working hard to raise the money.
It was gathered that the bandits considered the population of each community in determining the amounts they would pay.
“Some are asked to pay N400,000, some N700,000 while some even pay less than that and is left for the community to decide how the money will be raised.
“In some communities, heads of households are asked to pay N2,000 each and young men that are not married pay N1,000 each,” another source said.
Findings revealed that Attalawa, Danmaliki, Adamawa, Dukkuma, Sardauna and Dangari villages were asked to pay N400,000 each.
However, residents of Kwatsal village billed N4million were said to have already paid N2million out of the money to the bandits.
“All the villages were given up to Friday to pay the money or risk attack. People are paying because they have no other option,” one of the sources added.
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A member representing Sabon Birni North Constituency, Aminu Almustapha Gobir, who confirmed the development, said there had been no attack in Sabon Birni in recent times because the locals were complying with the directive of the bandits.
“The people prefer to pay and live in peace in their communities than to rely on security agencies or go on exile,” he said.
A former Chairman of Sabon Birni Local Government Area, Idris Muhammad, however, faulted the payment of levies to bandits, saying doing so would not guarantee people’s safety.
“We have different groups of bandits in the area, if you pay a levy to this group how sure are you the other group will not attack you?”
“The same scenario unfolded in Gatawa and Tarah, which were attacked and several of their people abducted by different groups of bandits. Their relatives had to pay ransom to those different groups before their release.
“This is what will continue to happen, if one group places a levy on you and you pay, another group will come to either attack you or demand for levy again and you must pay them or face the consequences,” he said.
Several calls placed to the spokesman for the police in Sokoto, ASP Sanusi Abubakar, and the Commissioner for Security and Carriers Matters, Colonel Garba Moyi (retd), were not answered.
They also did not respond to text messages sent to them.
Notorious bandit, Damina, dozens dead
A notorious bandit and cattle rustling kingpin based in Kuyambana Forest in Dansadau Emirate of Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, identified as Damina, has been killed by another bandits’ leader, Dogo Gide, in gang violence, Daily Trust gathered.
Damina and Gide’s gangs spent days battling each other after four of Gide’s men were waylaid and killed by Damina two weeks ago.
Angered by the attack, which he viewed as unprovoked, Gide arranged his men and went for a reprisal campaign against Damina.
The trip, Daily Trust gathered, led to the delay in releasing hostages abducted from Federal Government College, Birnin Yauri, held by Gide.
During the first reprisal encounter, at least 14 men from Damina’s gang were killed while additional four fighters loyal to Gide also lost their lives.
Damina reportedly died from severe injuries he sustained during the clash at a spot near Chilin and Fammaje, two farming communities that had been under his control.
The slain bandit was responsible for the series of deadly raids, kidnappings, cattle rustling and imposition of levies in several communities in Dansadau.
Damina had in July attacked Tungar Baushe and Randa villages, where several people were killed and over 100 residents, mostly women and children, abducted.
Gide had in 2017 killed another cattle rustling kingpin, Buharin Daji, in a gang war near Madada, a community located 15km west of Dansadau town.
“Damina drew the ire of Dogo Gide after he imposed what he called “harvest levies” on Chillin, Fammaje and one other village.
“He demanded that the residents must mobilise and raise N6million for them to get his nod to harvest their farm produce.
“Apart from this, Damina had, a few weeks back, invaded Babbar Doka, killed two people including a woman who he burnt alive when he set her room ablaze.
“The residents of the village had to flee and take refuge in Dansadau. The community is under Dogo Gide’s control and the residents there are always feeling protected under him.
“When the levy collectors were going to deliver the money to Damina at an agreed spot, they were intercepted by Gide’s boys. The Gide’s boys asked them to lead them to where they believed Damina and his boys were hibernating.
“When they led them to Damina’s abode a heavy gunfight broke out immediately with Damina fleeing to a nearby community called Farin Ruwa where he was said to be receiving medical attention following the injuries he sustained from the gunfight.
“Two days later, Gide’s boys got information on where Damina was recuperating and followed him there. They killed him and dismembered his remains. The killing of Damina by Gide sparked jubilation across the highly traumatised communities,” the source said.
Security and state government officials could not be reached for comment at the time of filing this report.
The Commissioner for Security and Home Affairs, DIG Ibrahim MammanTsafe (retd), did not answer multiple calls by our reporter.
The spokesman for the police in the state, SP Muhammad Shehu, was also not going.
Gide’s war against other bandits
Meanwhile, Daily Trust gathered that Gide has vowed to tackle all warlords operating in the forests around Niger and Zamfara State, threatening to bring an end to their “reign of terror”.
A source who said he had recently spoken to the bandits’ leader said Gide was eager to conclude talks and release remaining hostages in his possession to concentrate on his new mission.
Credible sources told our correspondent that Gide, who is believed to have ties with Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), was not happy with the way Damina and other kingpins were attacking communities, kidnapping and displacing residents.
The bandits’ warlord had in previous communication denied being a thief or bandit, despite maintaining a large gang of armed men.
The senator who represented Zamfara Central between 1999 and 2007, Saidu Muhammad Dansadau, who confirmed Damina’s murder by Gide said Gide was also hunting for Ali Kachalla, who was infamous for downing a Nigerian Air Force jet in July.
“Dogo Gide is also hunting for another kidnapping kingpin called Ali Kachalla and the rivalry between the armed groups is a good omen for residents,” Dansadau said.
Daily Post
metro
Niger Mosque Abductions: Terrorists Execute 30 of 500 Captive Muslim Worshippers
Niger Mosque Abductions: Terrorists Execute 30 of 500 Captive Muslim Worshippers
MINNA, NIGERIA – The mass abduction of worshippers from mosques in Niger State has escalated dramatically, with armed terrorists reportedly executing some of the hundreds of captives seized during Friday prayers. The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, travelled to Niger State on Saturday to assess the security situation and ordered reinforced rescue operations.
The attacks occurred on Friday, 21 August 2026, at approximately 2pm. Police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun confirmed that armed men simultaneously attacked mosques in four communities – Dekara, Kpenya, Sabon-Gida and Gidan-Zana – in the Borgu Local Government Area, while Muslims were observing Friday prayers. Witnesses described scenes of chaos. A Dekara resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the terrorists surrounded the mosque shortly after prayers began. “As soon as the imam said ‘Assalamualaikum’, the bandits surrounded the mosque and took people away.” Local residents estimate that more than 60 people were abducted from Dekara Central Mosque alone. In Gbezhin community, no fewer than 100 people remained unaccounted for as of Sunday evening. The terrorists later released a video claiming to hold approximately 500 captives, including women and children, with the sound of children crying audible in the footage.
On Saturday, the terrorists issued a warning to surrounding communities, ordering residents to vacate their homes within 30 minutes and threatening: “We will kill anyone we meet when we return.” Those threats appear to have been carried out. A Dekara resident told Daily Trust: “We received information that some of the abducted worshippers have been killed, but we do not know the exact number. Soldiers and vigilantes have moved to recover the bodies, but all routes accessible to security personnel have been planted with improvised explosive devices.” The Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), through its chairman, Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, confirmed that approximately 30 worshippers who attempted to flee were shot dead by the gunmen. This figure corresponds with reporting by NPO Reports.
The continuing violence and execution threats have triggered mass displacement. Resident Usman Musa told journalists that more than 200 residents from Gbezin had fled to neighbouring Benin Republic for safety. Another resident added that approximately 230 residents from Gidan-Zana and Sabon-Gida were taking refuge in Gawungi, inside Benin, while others had fled to Kwara State to stay with relatives.
Among those abducted are several prominent community figures. According to Ismaila Yahaya, the 90-year-old village head of Ka’ada was among those taken. He is the biological father of the District Head of Dekara and had only recently been released from a previous kidnapping. The violence in Borgu Emirate has not been confined to the mosque attacks. The Niger State Government confirmed that Alhaji Ahmed Yusuf, the village head of Galla, was killed by armed men at his residence. Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago expressed condolences, describing the killing as evidence of the bandits’ “extreme arrogance”.
Amid the escalating crisis, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu visited Niger State on Saturday, 29 August, meeting with Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba at the Government House in Minna. He conveyed his condolences to the families of the victims and pledged that “the safe rescue of the kidnapped victims and bringing the perpetrators to justice remains the focus of current operations”. Disu has ordered the deployment of elite reinforcements to Niger State, including counter-terrorism units, tactical squads and the police air wing. Assistant Inspector-General of Police Victor Olaiya of Zone 7 has been dispatched to coordinate rescue efforts. Addressing officers at the Niger State Police Command, the Inspector-General said: “Nigerians are watching to see the police do what is right. I am not here for ceremony, but to bring a strong message of support to officers and soldiers working under difficult conditions.”
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) described the attacks as “heinous and barbaric”, calling on the Federal Government to “move beyond sporadic rescue operations” and establish a permanent, intelligence-driven and community-centred security architecture. The Christian Association of Nigeria’s Niger State chapter urged the government to provide adequate security at places of worship nationwide, stressing that “an attack on any place of worship is an attack on the sanctity of worship and a threat to the wider community”. Amnesty International also urged Nigerian authorities to secure the safe release of the abducted worshippers, noting that at least 1,100 people were abducted in the country between January and April 2026, with the actual figure likely to be far higher.
As of press time, the Niger State Government said it had not received any contact or demands from the kidnappers. Information Commissioner Obed Nuhu, speaking in a television interview, said the attacks were suspected to have been carried out by Lakurawa and Boko Haram elements, though the exact number of victims remained unverified.
Niger Mosque Abductions: Terrorists Execute 30 of 500 Captive Muslim Worshippers
metro
Kano Police Trace 12 Stolen Vehicles, Arrest 10 Suspects
Kano Police Trace 12 Stolen Vehicles, Arrest 10 Suspects
The Kano State Police Command has arrested 10 suspected members of an alleged interstate car theft syndicate and recovered 12 vehicles linked to the group.
Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Adamu Bakori disclosed this on Wednesday during a briefing at the Tarauni Area Command.
According to him, five suspects were first arrested in Adamawa on September 7, leading to the recovery of a Mercedes-Benz GLK 350. Further investigation resulted in the recovery of 10 additional vehicles from Kano and neighbouring states.
Five more suspects were arrested on September 12 at Kwankwasiyya City Quarters, Tarauni, where police allegedly recovered a stolen Toyota Hilux.
Bakori said preliminary findings showed that the suspects allegedly operated across Kano, Katsina, Bauchi, Gombe and other states. He said the group allegedly stole vehicles, hid them at different locations and moved them across state borders for resale.
The commissioner noted that 11 of the 12 recovered vehicles were unregistered, making it difficult to trace their owners.
He urged vehicle owners to register their vehicles and display valid number plates, while warning that unregistered vehicles could make criminal investigations more difficult.
Bakori said investigations were ongoing and efforts were underway to arrest other suspected members of the syndicate.
Kano Police Trace 12 Stolen Vehicles, Arrest 10 Suspects
metro
Osun Govt Vows to Prosecute Those Behind Recent Killings
Osun Govt Vows to Prosecute Those Behind Recent Killings
The Osun State Government has vowed to prosecute anyone found responsible for the recent killings and violent clashes across the state.
The government also denied allegations that it was protecting those suspected of killing Olalekan Oyeyemi amid a leadership dispute in the state chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).
Speaking on Wednesday, the Special Adviser to Governor Ademola Adeleke on Security Matters, Samuel Ojo, said the administration would allow security agencies to investigate the cases without interference.
Adeleke Summons Security Chiefs
Following the recent violence, Adeleke called an emergency security meeting attended by commanders from the police, DSS, Army, NDLEA, Immigration, Correctional Service, Civil Defence and Amotekun.
Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi represented the governor at the meeting.
Ojo said the security chiefs agreed to intensify efforts to stop further killings and restore peace across Osun.
He also dismissed claims that the government was shielding suspects in Oyeyemi’s murder, saying the police and DSS had been directed to thoroughly investigate the case.
Meanwhile, two NURTW leaders, Gbedegesin and Kareem Akeem, had alleged that Oyeyemi was killed because some union leaders opposed his proposed emergence as the next state chairman.
Transportation Commissioner Sesan Oyedele, however, denied that the government endorsed Oyeyemi for the position. He said the union leaders only informed him of their decision to choose the deceased.
About five people have reportedly been killed between August 24 and September 15 in Ikire, Ile-Ife and Osogbo in incidents linked to motor park disputes and alleged cult-related clashes.
Osun Govt Vows to Prosecute Those Behind Recent Killings
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