metro
Bandits invade Zamfara communities, abduct Imam, women, children, scores more
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:
- I decide my future, Osimhen tells Napoli on Galatasaray stay
- Kaduna Govt offers N100,000, smartphones to released minors
- Reality star Soma’s ex-girlfriend says he’s a bully
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:
- Stopping fuel importation will create monopoly, sustain fuel crisis – Marketers
- Tens of thousands of fighters ready to battle Israel says Hezbollah
- Electricity: DisCos increase prices of prepaid meters by 28.03%
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
metro
Man Arrested for Allegedly Killing Beer Parlour Customer Over N25,000 Debt
Man Arrested for Allegedly Killing Beer Parlour Customer Over N25,000 Debt
Police in Ogun State have arrested a man for allegedly killing a customer at a beer parlour following a dispute over a ₦25,000 debt, in a case that has sparked concern over rising violence linked to minor financial disagreements.
According to police reports, the suspect allegedly confronted the victim over the unpaid money at a local beer parlour, where an argument broke out. The situation quickly escalated into a violent altercation, during which the suspect is accused of attacking the victim.
Witnesses said the victim sustained serious injuries during the confrontation and later died, prompting immediate intervention by law enforcement authorities. The suspect was subsequently apprehended and is currently in police custody.
READ ALSO:
- Trump Claims US Sent Weapons to Iranian Protesters but They Were Diverted
- Trump threatens ‘hell’ for Iran over Hormuz Strait as deadline approaches
- Jigawa Arrests Seven Teachers for Cheating During Competency Test
The police command in Ogun State confirmed the arrest, stating that investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident. Authorities also indicated that the suspect would be charged to court upon completion of the investigation.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about conflict resolution and the dangers of escalating disputes over relatively small sums of money. Community members have called for increased awareness and restraint in handling personal disagreements.
Security experts stress the importance of peaceful dispute resolution mechanisms, warning that avoidable violence continues to claim lives across communities.
Man Arrested for Allegedly Killing Beer Parlour Customer Over N25,000 Debt
metro
MURIC Backs Egba Imams’ Call for Inclusive Leadership in Ogun 2027 Governorship Race
MURIC Backs Egba Imams’ Call for Inclusive Leadership in Ogun 2027 Governorship Race
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Ogun State Chapter, has commended the Egba Muslim clerics under the umbrella of Raabitotul Aimmata Wal-Ulamaa of Nigeria for what it described as a courageous and principled stance against the perceived political marginalisation of Muslims in the state.
In a statement issued on Monday by the State Chairman, Ustaadh Tajudeen Jimoh Alao, and made public by the State Secretary, Ambassador Olaleye Rasheed Damilare, the group praised the intervention of the Egba Chief Imams, noting that their position represents “a historic awakening and a moral compass for justice, equity, and inclusive governance.”
MURIC aligned itself with the communiqué released by the Egba Imams led by the Grand Chief Imam of Egbaland, Sheikh Saadallah Bamigbola, which raised concerns over what it described as an imbalance in political leadership in Ogun State since its creation.
The Islamic advocacy group noted that for over five decades, Muslims in the state, despite their population and contributions, have largely been excluded from occupying the highest executive office.
According to the statement, “this reality calls not for division, but for deliberate correction anchored on fairness, justice, and mutual respect.”
MURIC therefore threw its weight behind calls for equity in the 2027 governorship election, urging political parties to consider competent Muslim candidates across party lines. It also advocated for a peaceful and inclusive political structure that reflects the state’s diversity.
The group further applauded the decision of the Egba Imams to embark on grassroots mobilisation and civic sensitisation, describing it as a vital democratic process aimed at ensuring fairness and justice.
MURIC paid tribute to prominent Islamic scholars in Egbaland, including Sheikh Bamigbola and other chief imams across the region, for their commitment to truth and refusal to compromise their values.
It stressed that the advocacy for balanced representation should not be misconstrued as a call for religious conflict, but rather a genuine appeal for justice, unity, and inclusiveness among all religious and ethnic groups in Ogun State.
“As Ogun State approaches another electoral cycle, all stakeholders must rise above bias and embrace fairness as the foundation for sustainable peace and development,” the statement added.
The development comes amid growing political conversations ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Ogun State, with increasing calls from various groups for broader representation in leadership.
MURIC Backs Egba Imams’ Call for Inclusive Leadership in Ogun 2027 Governorship Race
metro
Nigerian Army Neutralises 65 Bandits in Major Zamfara Offensive
Nigerian Army Neutralises 65 Bandits in Major Zamfara Offensive
The Nigerian Army has announced the killing of no fewer than 65 armed bandits during a major military operation in Zamfara State, as security forces intensify efforts to curb persistent violence in the country’s troubled northwest.
According to military authorities, the operation targeted several bandit enclaves in remote parts of the state, long considered safe havens for criminal groups responsible for kidnappings, cattle rustling, and deadly attacks on rural communities. The offensive, carried out by ground troops with support from aerial surveillance, was described as one of the most decisive strikes against bandit networks in recent months.
A statement from the Army indicated that the troops engaged the criminals in a fierce gun battle, overpowering them and inflicting heavy casualties. The military said the operation forms part of ongoing coordinated campaigns aimed at dismantling bandit strongholds and restoring peace to affected areas.
Security analysts say the northwest region of Nigeria has, in recent years, witnessed a surge in armed violence driven by loosely organised criminal gangs commonly referred to as bandits. Unlike insurgent groups with ideological motives, these gangs are primarily motivated by profit, often targeting villages, schools, and highways for ransom operations.
Residents in parts of Zamfara State have repeatedly borne the brunt of such attacks, with many communities displaced and livelihoods disrupted. The latest military success is expected to bring some relief, although concerns remain about the ability of security forces to sustain long-term stability in the region.
The Nigerian military has in recent months stepped up offensives across the northwest, combining intelligence-led operations with aerial bombardments of suspected hideouts. Officials maintain that these efforts are yielding positive results, pointing to increased neutralisation of criminal elements and the rescue of kidnapped victims in separate operations.
However, experts caution that while military action is crucial, a lasting solution will require a broader approach, including improved policing, community engagement, and addressing underlying socio-economic challenges that fuel insecurity.
The Army reaffirmed its commitment to continuing operations until all criminal groups are dismantled, urging residents to support security agencies with timely and credible information.
Nigerian Army Neutralises 65 Bandits in Major Zamfara Offensive
-
metro3 days agoPastor Found Dead in Guest House After Night Out With Married Female Church Member
-
Health3 days agoMen Encouraged to Ejaculate More to Reduce Prostate Cancer Risk
-
Politics2 days agoAdeleke’s Aide Anisu Resigns, Defects to APC
-
Politics3 days agoWike: PDP Not Financially Ready for 2027 Presidential Election
-
International2 days agoNetanyahu Condemns ‘Christian Persecution’ in Nigeria in Easter Message
-
Entertainment3 days agoNollywood Actress Laide Bakare Sets Strict Dating Rules: No Men in Her Home
-
Education3 days agoJAMB Debunks 2026 UTME Postponement Rumour, Issues Fraud Warning
-
metro3 days agoAutopsy Confirms Destiny Boy Died from Toxic Substances


