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Bandits kill 2, abduct 60 in Zamfara in revenge for kingpins’ killings

Published

2 weeks ago

April 9, 2025

Zamfara State Commissioner of Police Muhammad Dalijan

Bandits kill 2, abduct 60 in Zamfara in revenge for kingpins’ killings

Bandits have launched a series of attacks on several communities in Tsafe LGA of Zamfara State, killing two people and abducting over 60 others in what appears to be retaliation for the recent killing of some of their warlords by security operatives.

Among the slain warlords was Kachalla Yellow (aka Dan Isuhu), who was killed about two weeks ago during a failed ambush on members of the Zamfara State Community Protection Guards deployed to Keta.

He was reportedly killed alongside his nephew-Adamu Aliero’s biological son. Aliero is Yellow’s elder brother and a known warlord.

“He and his gang planned to ambush the guards but were met by a well-armed security team. A fierce gun battle followed, during which Yellow and several gang members were killed,” a resident said.

Another unnamed bandit leader was also reportedly killed around the same time in the area.

Since these incidents, attacks by bandits believed to be loyal to the notorious kingpin, Adamu Aliero, have escalated across Tsafe LGA.

The most recent attack occurred on Sunday in Gidan Arne village, where three residents were shot by bandits. Two died on the spot, while the third is receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

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Residents confirmed that about 40 women were abducted during the assault, and several homes were set ablaze.

On the same day, another attack was launched on the Keta community. One person was killed, 11 vehicles were torched, and numerous shops were looted by the assailants.

A community leader from Tsafe, who asked not to be named, confirmed the attacks and revealed that additional coordinated assaults were carried out days earlier in Yan Doton Daji and Unguwan Chida villages.

He said 21 people were abducted-11 in Yan Doton Daji and 10 in Unguwan Chida, near Kucheri town.

“Tsafe is a soft target for bandits because of the thick forests in the area. These forests serve as hideout for some of the notorious kingpins, particularly Adamu Aliero and Dogo Gide,” he said.

Zamfara remains one of the epicentres of banditry in the North West region. Rural communities across the state have endured relentless, brutal attacks, leading to the killing and abduction of countless innocent villagers.

In many areas, bandits have imposed levies on residents before allowing them to harvest their crops.

Those who are unable or unwilling to pay often face violent reprisals, including attacks and the destruction of their means of livelihood.

Last month, six operatives of the Zamfara State Community Protection Guards, popularly known as Askarawa, along with four local vigilantes, were killed in an ambush by bandits.

The attack occurred shortly after a successful joint security operation led by the Nigerian Army in Sunke Forest, which resulted in the neutralisation of several bandits and the recovery of weapons.

In a separate incident in October 2024, nine Askarawa operatives were also ambushed and killed by bandits at a checkpoint on the outskirts of Tsafe town.

Shortly after, the Director General of the community guards, retired General Lawal B. Muhammad, was shot along the Funtua-Tsafe road but survived the attack.

In a separate incident in February 2024, scores of worshippers were abducted during an attack on a mosque in the area.

Bandits kill 2, abduct 60 in Zamfara in revenge for kingpins’ killings

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Police recover bodies of father, son after mysterious death

Published

6 hours ago

April 26, 2025

Trends Admin

Police recover bodies of father, son after mysterious death

Authorities in Ebonyi State have recovered the remains of a man and his son who were found dead under unclear circumstances in the Ebebe Junction area of Abakaliki.

State Police Command spokesperson, SP Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the evacuation to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday.

Ukandu said the deceased, identified as Mr. Light Nwodor and his son Miracle, were found lifeless, prompting swift action by officers in the area.

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“When I was called by an individual about the incident, I quickly called the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the area,” he said.”They swung into action and the dead bodies have been evacuated.“The police have launched investigation into the matter.”The command will definitely inform the general public on completion of investigation.“Right now, nobody knows what caused their deaths,” he added.

He also noted that no updates had been received from the DPO regarding any arrests linked to the case.

Initial unconfirmed reports circulating online suggested that the deaths may have resulted from eating food prepared by a woman who is allegedly now at large.

Police recover bodies of father, son after mysterious death

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Many missing, one killed in Ebonyi community clash

Published

7 hours ago

April 26, 2025

Trends Admin

Ebonyi State Police Spokesperson, DSP Joshua Ukandu

Many missing, one killed in Ebonyi community clash

One person has been shot dead, two injured and many people missing in Ndiagu Amagu, Ikwo in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State following a leadership tussle. The deceased, Nwoyika Ugbaloke and Thomas Ngaragu were reportedly attacked by some gunmen, but Ugbaloke couldn’t survive the attack.

Many people are said to be missing in the attack.

It was gathered that trouble started when a faction in the community imposed N40, 000 level on all the adults in Nduche Umuomara in the community, which did not go down well with another faction in the area.

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It was also gathered that the faction that imposed the N40,000 levy on the adults was also selling lands belonging to the faction that opposed the levy.

A son of the deceased, Nwoyika Kingsley Emeka, lamented the killing of his father and called for arrest of his killers. He said the killers were moving freely in the community, sealing people’s farmlands with palm fronds and warning them never to set their feet on the farms until the fines were paid.

He alleged that the perpetrators were being protected by some highly placed persons in the community.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu said he had not received any report on the incident.

Many missing, one killed in Ebonyi community clash

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EFCC declares four persons wanted over CBEX scam

Published

8 hours ago

April 26, 2025

Trends Admin

EFCC declares four persons wanted over CBEX scam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared eight suspects wanted in connection with the alleged loss of approximately N1.3trillion to Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX).

Apart from two of the suspects based in Ibadan, the rest six were said to be from Idimu-Egbeda Road in Lagos.

But the EFCC has held on to two suspects it earlier arrested.

According to a notice by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Dele Oyewale, all the suspects are wanted for “fraud allegedly perpetrated on an online trading platform called Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX).”

The first set of suspects, who are Nigerians, include, Oloyede, Emmanuel Uko, Adefowora Oluwanishola and Adefowora Abiodun Olaonipekun.

The foreigners are Johnson Okiroh Otieno, Israel Mbaluka, Joseph Michiro Kabera and Serah Michiro.

The Adefoworas and Michiros are suspected to be couples.

The statement described the second set of suspects as “foreign accomplices wanted by the EFCC. “

The statement added: “The public is hereby notified that the persons whose photographs appear above are suspected foreign accomplices wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for fraud allegedly perpetrated on an online trading platform called Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX).

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“Anybody with useful information as to their whereabouts should please contact the Commission in its Ibadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, llorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt or Abuja offices or through 08093322644; its e-mail address: info@efcc.gov.ng or the nearest Police Station and other security agencies.”

Asked about those two earlier arrested, a source in EFCC said: “They are still in custody. “

The Director-General of the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr Emomotimi Agama has said CBEX is unregistered with it.

He said the commission cannot be of help to the victims.

He said: “There is nothing the commission can do”.

“We are worried that this went on for long without anyone drawing our attention to it. That is why we are doing more enlightenment and asking people to come forward to report this for early detection.”

SEC said preliminary investigations revealed that CBEX, which also operates under the corporate identity of ST Technologies International Ltd, Smart Treasure/Super Technology, had held itself out as a digital asset-trading platform, offering high returns to investors in Nigeria.

It said: “The Commission hereby clarifies that neither CBEX nor its affiliates were granted registration by the Commission at any time to operate as a Digital Assets Exchange, solicit investments from the public or perform any other function within the Nigerian capital market.”