Bandits Kill 10, Abduct Village Head, Others In Katsina, Niger States – Newstrends
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Bandits Kill 10, Abduct Village Head, Others In Katsina, Niger States

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Bandits have killed 10 people and abducted many others in separate attacks between Sunday and Tuesday in Katsina and Niger states.

Police in Katsina said that bandits in their numbers stormed Guga Village of Bakori Local Government Area of the State and reportedly killed eight people and abducted many others including the village head, Dan Alhaji Umar.

The police spokesman, SP Gambo Isah, said the bandits invaded the village around 10pm and killed four people and abducted four others.

He added that on their way out of the village at an area called Unguwar Galadima, members of the local vigilante group engaged the bandits where four of the vigilantes lost their lives and four others sustained injuries, raising the fatality figure to eight.

However, reports from the affected community indicated that the casualty figure could be higher. One of the sons of the village head was said to be among the people killed.

A source from the area said the attackers burnt down shops in the village while many residents were still missing.

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The source added that among the abductees was a family of a politician contesting for local government chairman seat under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In a related incident, the police spokesman said gunmen also raided Yar’aikau Village in Musawa Local Government where they abducted one person and rustled animals. 

He, however, said the police engaged the bandits in a gun battle and rescued the abducted persons and the animals after killing one of the assailants.

Two killed, dozens abducted in Niger 

In Niger State, at least two persons have been reportedly killed and several others kidnapped as bandits invaded communities in Mariga, Magama and Wushishi local government areas.

The communities attacked were Mosabo, Zoma, Atabo, Cheji, Akare, as well as Gulbin-Boka and Kwimo.

The attacks on the communities reportedly took place between Sunday and Monday.

A resident of Atabo, Alhaji Noma Atabo, said Mosabo, Zoma and Atabo, about 3km West of Kontagora, and Gulbin-Boka and Kwimo, 5km North of Kontagora had suffered a series of unreported attacks as the communities served as the cattle route that the bandits passed through regularly.

He said, “Anytime they pass through their regular route, they would attack communities. In the last attack between Sunday afternoon and Monday morning, they moved from the Bangi axis to our communities.

“They killed two persons, kidnapped two others in Gulbin-Boka and Kwimo while several others have been displaced. Some people are currently in Kontagora while some people have been hiding in mountains around our communities.

“We need security. We have been denied our means of livelihood. We are farmers; we can’t go to farm; our markets have been disrupted with a series of attacks. Government should find a way out of this problem that we are facing.”

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Another source, Yahaya Suleiman, said the terrain of the communities made quick security interventions impossible, calling for a permanent security presence in the area.

“It is rare for them not to attack marketers every Wednesday. The Bangi axis has been very risky for a long time now.” He said.

In a related development, gunmen invaded Cheji and Akare communities in Wushishi Local Government Area Tuesday morning where they rustled cows and abducted an unspecified number of villagers.

Sources said the bandits blocked Zungeru-Tegina Road for hours uninterrupted, robbing travellers of cash and other valuables.

A source, Sadauki Abubakar, who said he was caught in the operation, told our correspondent that the bandits “didn’t kidnap anybody” but collected money and other valuables from travelers before setting them free.

When contacted, the Niger State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the attacks on Cheji and Akare and the blockage of Zungeru-Tegina Road.

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He said, “On 08/02/2022 at about 0200hrs, suspected armed bandits attacked Akare and Cheji villages via Zungeru in Wushishi LGA.”

He said the command had dispatched a team of policemen led by the deputy commissioner of police in charge of operations to the area for an on-the-spot assessment.

“Meanwhile, normalcy has been restored and there is a free flow of traffic on the road,” he added.

Daily Trust
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Suspected IPOB members kill two soldiers in Imo

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December 28, 2024

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Nigerian Military Troop

Suspected IPOB members kill two soldiers in Imo

The Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of two soldiers and the theft of their weapons by operatives of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the militant arm of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

IPOB is a separatist group advocating for the creation of the Republic of Biafra, citing longstanding grievances over the marginalization of Nigeria’s South-East region since the Biafra-Nigeria civil war.

In a statement released on Saturday, the Nigerian Army explained that the incident occurred in Osina, Ideator North Local Government Area of Imo State, when troops from the 34 Artillery Brigade, returning from a routine patrol, responded to an emergency call about an attack on Osina Community by IPOB/ESN forces.

The statement revealed that upon arrival, the troops engaged the “terrorists” with overwhelming firepower, resulting in casualties among the attackers. However, the Army did not provide specific numbers, only noting that the “dissidents” eventually withdrew in disarray.

“Unfortunately, two security agents had been killed in action and one other missing in action, with their weapons—a AK-47 rifle and a tear gas launcher—being seized by the terrorists,” the statement said.

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The Army confirmed that the bodies of the fallen soldiers had been recovered, and the troops pursued the fleeing militants.

“Contact was again made with the criminal IPOB/ESN elements at Nkwachi Community, and in the firefight that ensued, one of the dissidents was neutralized while others, unable to withstand the troop’s firepower, retreated into the nearby forest. One AK-47 rifle with a fully loaded magazine was recovered, ” the statement said, adding that the troops continued their pursuit into Umalouma forest, where another intense exchange of fire took place.

“The dissidents eventually abandoned their weapons due to the troops’ superior firepower and scattered into the dense forest with severe gunshot wounds. An additional four AK-47 rifles, one Fabrique Nationale rifle, and two magazines were recovered,” the statement added.

The Army assured the public that operations would continue, with efforts to track down and eliminate the remaining criminals. “Further exploitation is ongoing as troops continue to track down the injured terrorists and flush them out of their hideouts and treatment locations,” the statement stated. “We urge all IPOB/ESN elements and other criminals hiding in the bushes to surrender to the nearest troops or face defeat, as the Brigade will ensure that the people of Imo celebrate the Yuletide season in peace, free from fear or intimidation.”

The Nigerian Army also called on the people of Imo State to continue providing timely intelligence to assist in the fight against criminal elements and help rid the state of lawlessness.

 

Suspected IPOB members kill two soldiers in Imo

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13 passengers burnt to death in Ondo auto crash

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12 hours ago

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December 28, 2024

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An accident scene File photo

13 passengers burnt to death in Ondo auto crash

The Federal Road Safety Corps, Ondo State Sector Command, says no fewer than 13 people were burnt to death along Ikare-Akoko/ Owo Road on Saturday in the state.

Dr Samuel Ibitoye, FRSC State Sector Commander made this known in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday in Akure.

“FRSC regrets to inform the public about a road traffic crash that occurred today 28 December, 2024 at Abule Panu before Ose Bridge, on Owo-Ikare highway, Ondo State.

“The fatal crash which occurred at about 10:14 AM claimed 13 lives of commuters in two buses.

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“A total of 14 people were involved, out of which 13 were burnt beyond recognition, while only one was rescued alive with serious injuries.

“Eyewitness account indicates that the bus coming from Ikare axis had a tyre burst which led to loss of control.

“This was resultant in a head-on collision with the bus loaded with fabric coming from Owo axis.

“Immediately after the collision, the two buses went up in flames. The men of FRSC, Police and Fire Service were swiftly at the crash scene for rescue,” he said.

The FRSC boss said that the injured victim was taken to Federal Medical Centre, Owo, while the deceased were deposited at the morgue of the same hospital.

He, therefore, advised drivers to exercise patience on the roads and passionately maintain their vehicles.

“Passengers are also encouraged to speak out against dangerous driving because road safety is a concern of all,” Ibitoye said.

13 passengers burnt to death in Ondo auto crash
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NDDC empowers Niger Delta young entrepreneurs with N30bn

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12 hours ago

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December 28, 2024

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NDDC empowers Niger Delta young entrepreneurs with N30bn

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has pledged to galvanise the Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) by releasing N30 billion counterpart fund for the development of young entrepreneurs.

The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku who disclosed this in Port Harcourt, restated the Commission’s commitment to empowering the people of the region through economic programmes. 

He highlighted the NDCCITMA’s role in training youths, supporting SMEs, and designing industry-friendly skill development programmes.

Ogbuku said the NDDC was supporting the NDCCITMA to drive economic growth and development in the Niger Delta region by providing financial support, training and networking opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs.

He said,  “We are providing N30 billion to fund projects and support businesses to ensure the sustainability of our youth development initiatives.

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“We will release the matching funds so the entrepreneurs can access them to boost their businesses. In our 2024 budget, we have provision for N30 billion which we are to use as matching funds for the chamber of commerce. We are working towards releasing this fund so that the chamber of commerce can start work in earnest.

“The Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce will strengthen young entrepreneurs in the region. It is no longer acceptable for our youths to be contented with receiving stipends while at home doing nothing.
Ogbuku remarked that the Commission was collaborating with the Bank of Industry, BOI, to ensure the success of NDDC’s youth development programmes.

“The current NDDC Board and Management choose to look at sustainable options in designing youth programmes. In the past, we did a lot in supporting entrepreneurs in the Niger Delta but these activities were not properly documented and backed with verifiable data.

“Our new strategy is to support genuine entrepreneurs rather than people who are just portfolio entrepreneurs because we know that the government alone cannot employ everybody. Many university graduates are coming out, and the government cannot employ all of them. However, we can empower them by creating an environment where they can engage other persons to expand their businesses.”

 

NDDC empowers Niger Delta young entrepreneurs with N30bn

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