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Bandits strike in Southern Kaduna, abduct women, children

Published

1 year ago

February 17, 2025

Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Mr Audu Ali

Bandits strike in Southern Kaduna, abduct women, children

Senator Sunday Marshall Katung, representing Kaduna South Senatorial District, has raised concerns over the recent wave of violence in Southern Kaduna, where bandits abducted 22 locals, mostly women and children.

In response to the escalating insecurity, the senator has urged the Kaduna State Government and the military to collaborate in establishing a Forward Operation Base (FOB) in the troubled region to enhance security and prevent further attacks.

In a statement, Katung expressed deep sadness over the attacks, which targeted the Kugauta community of Kusheka, Kumana Chiefdom, and the Kitanda community of Geshere, also in Kumana Chiefdom, within the Kauru Local Government Area.

According to him, “This heinous criminality against our innocent people, especially in communities of Kauru, Kachia, Zangon Kataf, Kaura and Sanga Local Government Areas in Kaduna State has brought immense pains, untold hardship and shaken the well-being of our people.

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“Only recently, these bandits reportedly abducted 22 locals, mostly Women and Children, in separate attacks in the Kugauta community of Kusheka, Kumana Chiefdom, and Kitanda community of Geshere, Kumana Chiefdom in Kauru Local Government Area.

“This renewed affront on the peace loving people of Southern Kaduna stands condemned in its entirety. These atrocities against our people must not continue unchecked. And it must stop now.

“I am fully aware of the provisions of Section 14(2) (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 which declares that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government. In this regard, I have since prioritized the safety and security of every citizen.”

To achieve this, he said, he would be collaborating with the Kaduna State Government and the Chief of Defence Staff to ensure the establishment of a Forward Operation Base (FOB) in Kauru local government and other communities to confront the assailants.

He then promised to continue to do whatever is necessary “to secure the lives of our people” and appealed to the people to partner with the security agencies to provide relevant information that would lead to the arrest of these criminal elements and their informants.

Bandits strike in Southern Kaduna, abduct women, children

Related Topics:abduct women Bandits Kaduna

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JUST IN: Nigerian Army redeploys 18 generals in nationwide shake-up (Full list)

Published

3 minutes ago

June 27, 2026

Trends Admin

Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu

JUST IN: Nigerian Army redeploys 18 generals in nationwide shake-up (Full list)

The Nigerian Army has announced a major redeployment of 18 senior generals to strategic operational, command, training and administrative positions as part of efforts to strengthen leadership, enhance operational effectiveness and improve the country’s response to evolving security threats.

The postings, approved by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, were disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele.

According to the Army, the redeployment affects General Officers Commanding (GOCs), commanders of operational formations, heads of military training institutions and principal staff officers at Army Headquarters, and is aimed at reinvigorating leadership across critical commands.

“The postings are part of the Nigerian Army’s deliberate efforts to strengthen command structures, enhance operational efficiency and reposition the service for greater effectiveness in addressing contemporary and emerging security challenges,” the statement said.

Among the key appointments, Major General WM Dangana was named General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander of Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, succeeding Major General EF Oyinlola.

Similarly, Major General EI Okoro was appointed General Officer Commanding 6 Division Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander of Joint Task Force South-South Operation DELTA SAFE, taking over from Major General EE Emeka.

The Army also redeployed Major General JR Lar as Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, while Brigadier General OM Oyekola was appointed Acting Military Secretary (Army). Brigadier General I Waziri retained his position as Chief of Staff to the Chief of Army Staff.

Other operational appointments include Brigadier General IB Buhari as Commander, Headquarters 63 Brigade, and Brigadier General K Rabiu as Commander, Headquarters 31 Artillery Brigade.

As part of efforts to strengthen emerging military capabilities, Major General SA Emmanuel was appointed Commander, Nigerian Army Space Command, while Major General O Adegbe was posted to Defence Headquarters as Director of Intelligence and Security.

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The redeployment also affected key military training institutions across the country.

Under the new postings, Major General KE Chigbu becomes Deputy Commandant, National Defence College, Major General SD Makolo takes over as Commandant, Nigerian Army Armour School, while Major General SO Adejimi was appointed Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport.

Also, Major General FS Etim will serve as Chief of Training at Headquarters, Training and Doctrine Command Nigerian Army (TRADOC NA), while Brigadier General U Ahmad assumes office as Commandant, Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.

Beyond operational and training commands, the Army also made fresh appointments into strategic defence-related organisations.

Major General KO Ukandu was named Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Post Housing Development Limited (PHDL), while Major General AI Allison was appointed Managing Director of Defence Properties Limited.

Lieutenant General Shaibu charged the newly posted senior officers to justify the confidence reposed in them by demonstrating exemplary leadership, professionalism, discipline, innovation and commitment in their new assignments.

He also urged them to sustain the momentum in ongoing military operations against terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other emerging security threats confronting the country.

The latest redeployment comes as the Nigerian Army intensifies operations across the North-East, North-West, North-Central and South-South theatres, where troops are engaged in counter-insurgency, anti-banditry, anti-kidnapping and anti-oil theft operations.

Military authorities said the periodic redeployment of senior officers is a routine exercise designed to inject fresh ideas into operational commands, strengthen leadership at all levels and improve coordination among formations and units in line with the Army’s transformation agenda.

Full list of major appointments

Major General WM Dangana – GOC 3 Division Nigerian Army/Commander, Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE
Major General EI Okoro – GOC 6 Division Nigerian Army/Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force South-South Operation DELTA SAFE
Major General JR Lar – Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison
Brigadier General OM Oyekola – Acting Military Secretary (Army)
Brigadier General I Waziri – Chief of Staff to the Chief of Army Staff
Brigadier General IB Buhari – Commander, Headquarters 63 Brigade
Brigadier General K Rabiu – Commander, Headquarters 31 Artillery Brigade
Major General SA Emmanuel – Commander, Nigerian Army Space Command
Major General O Adegbe – Director of Intelligence and Security, Defence Headquarters
Major General KE Chigbu – Deputy Commandant, National Defence College
Major General SD Makolo – Commandant, Nigerian Army Armour School
Major General SO Adejimi – Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport
Major General FS Etim – Chief of Training, Headquarters TRADOC NA
Brigadier General U Ahmad – Commandant, Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria
Major General KO Ukandu – Managing Director/CEO, Post Housing Development Limited
Major General AI Allison – Managing Director, Defence Properties Limited

JUST IN: Nigerian Army redeploys 18 generals in nationwide shake-up (Full list)

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“I’ve Been a Thief” – Charly Boy Confesses to White-Collar Crime, Drug Abuse in Youth

Published

12 minutes ago

June 27, 2026

Trends Admin

Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy

“I’ve Been a Thief” – Charly Boy Confesses to White-Collar Crime, Drug Abuse in Youth

Veteran entertainer and activist Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, has made startling revelations about his troubled past, admitting that he engaged in white-collar crime, shoplifting, drug abuse and committed several “foolish mistakes” in his youth, sharing these confessions during an interview on Arise Prime Time where he discussed his forthcoming memoir, 999, which he describes as a brutally honest account of his journey from rebellion to redemption. The outspoken media personality, who will turn 76 in June, said he deliberately chose to tell his life story without filtering out embarrassing or controversial moments, insisting that the book reflects his journey of mistakes, survival and transformation.

Speaking candidly about his past, Charly Boy did not hold back, saying, “I’ve made mistakes in my life. I’ve been a thief. I’ve done very risky things. I’ve done very stupid things, very foolish things. In fact, I have no business being here with you tonight, but I guess there’s a purpose for my life.” Explaining further, the entertainer disclosed that while living in the United States in his twenties, he became involved in various criminal activities before eventually turning his life around, stating, “I was doing white-collar crime when I was in America. I was about 25 years old. I was doing a lot of stupid stuff. That’s why I say I’ve been there.” In previous interviews, Charly Boy provided more details about his troubled youth, admitting to being involved in “all manners of crime including shop-lifting, marrying multiple women, substance and drug abuse,” and noted that he discovered early the dangers of drugs because he realised what drugs had done to other people.

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Charly Boy described 999 as “a terrible kind of book,” explaining that readers should expect an unfiltered memoir that exposes both his failures and triumphs, saying, “I don’t leave anything out. The only few things I left out were because I genuinely couldn’t remember them. Otherwise, everything is there.” According to him, the title 999 symbolises a new chapter in his life rather than the rebellious image many Nigerians have associated with him for decades, adding, “I’ve been smart, I’ve been stupid, I’ve been foolish. Old things have passed away. This is a new beginning for me. All I want now is peace and tranquillity.” The memoir, which comes nine years after his first book My Private Part, is divided into seven parts and covers his heritage, childhood memories, his time in America, his “gangsta life,” his return to Nigeria, his activism, relationships, and his philosophy on life, with former President Olusegun Obasanjo writing the foreword and tributes by Bishop Hassan Kukah and Dele Famoroti. The book is set to be launched on July 31, 2026, at the Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos, with Charly Boy saying “999” is “wider, it’s more, it is blunter,” with many stories not included in his previous work.

Charly Boy also reflected on how his past experiences shaped the person he has become today, revealing that his purpose now lies in helping others, particularly men facing health challenges, and spoke extensively about surviving prostate cancer, saying the experience inspired him to support other Nigerian men facing similar health challenges. “I wanted to free a lot of men because we’ve been brainwashed into believing men don’t cry and shouldn’t talk about what they’re going through,” he explained, adding, “After my surgery, I spent almost two years speaking with complete strangers who called me for advice. They trusted me enough to tell me very intimate things.” Through the Charly Boy Foundation, he has launched a nationwide prostate cancer screening campaign to educate men about risks, encourage regular screening, and promote early treatment, with the foundation running mobile screening outreaches in rural communities and partnering with labs to bring testing closer to the grassroots, with over 500 men already benefiting from free prostate tests funded by the foundation.

Speaking further, Charly Boy said advancing age has changed his outlook on life, replacing confrontation with personal growth and service to humanity, stating, “Before, I was always asking, ‘Where is the trouble? Let’s go there.’ Right now, I know how to shut off stress. I’m a sleep professor. I exercise, I watch what I eat, the company I keep and even what I watch on television because I don’t want anything disturbing my spirit.” On the state of the nation, Charly Boy maintained that despite growing frustration among Nigerians, he remains optimistic about the country’s future, saying, “No matter how dark the tunnel is, I still believe the salvation of this country lies in the hands of young people.” Reflecting on his strained relationship with his late father, former Supreme Court Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, Charly Boy said he rebelled because he wanted to build an identity outside his father’s shadow, noting that his life has been marked by defiance, mistakes, reinvention and survival, and adding that his new memoir is not an attempt to present himself as perfect but to show the full weight of his journey.

“I’ve Been a Thief” – Charly Boy Confesses to White-Collar Crime, Drug Abuse in Youth

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Gunmen Kill Miyetti Allah Chairman, Associate After Peace Talks in Otukpo

Published

49 minutes ago

June 27, 2026

Trends Admin

Gunmen Kill Benue Miyetti Allah Chairman, Associate After Peace Talks in Otukpo

Gunmen Kill Miyetti Allah Chairman, Associate After Peace Talks in Otukpo

The Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Benue State, Ardo Risku Muhammad, has been killed alongside his associate, Yakubu Isah, in an attack by suspected gunmen in Otukpo Local Government Area, with the killings heightening tension in parts of Otukpo and neighbouring Ohinmini Local Government Area. It was learnt that Muhammad had earlier on Friday participated in a peace meeting involving Fulani leaders and members of the Ayunne community, convened by the Divisional Police Officer of Ohinmini Local Government Area as part of efforts to address security concerns following a recent crisis where several people were killed. The attack occurred at about 2:00 p.m. on Friday around the Okudu community in Otukpo LGA, with sources indicating that the MACBAN chairman and his companion were travelling home after the meeting when gunmen ambushed their vehicle and shot them dead.

Muhammad’s eldest son, Idris Muhammad, confirmed the incident during a telephone interview with journalists on Friday night, saying his father was ambushed and killed while returning from the peace meeting, and further disclosed that the family had recovered the bodies and taken them to Oyangede for burial. “They killed my father, the Ardo, and his associate, Yakubu Isah, after around 2pm while on their way from the peace meeting called by the DPO in Ohimini. We have recovered their bodies and took them to Oyangede for burial,” Idris said.

The Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the incident, describing the security situation in the area as tense following the attack and stating, “It is true that the state chairman of MACBAN was killed within Otukpo LGA this afternoon. The killing has raised tension in the community and environs,” while appealing to residents to remain calm and assuring them that security agencies were on top of the situation. Providing further details, the Chairman of Ohinmini Local Government Area, Adole Gabriel, said the deceased had attended the peace meeting organised by the Divisional Police Officer before the attack occurred, explaining that there had been a crisis in Ayunne community where some people were killed some time ago, and the DPO of Ohinmini convened a peace meeting with the Fulani herders and the community. “I was told that the meeting was fruitful and, at the end of the meeting, the man (MACBAN chairman) left. Unfortunately, I learnt that some gunmen ambushed his vehicle at Okudu community in Otukpo LGA and killed him with one other person,” Gabriel said.

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The Benue State Police Command also acknowledged the incident, with its spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, confirming that police had received reports of the killings and that an investigation had commenced. Edet assured the public that the command would work to identify those responsible for the attack and bring them to justice, while urging residents to remain peaceful and cooperate with investigators.

The national leadership of MACBAN has condemned the killing, describing it as a “dastardly and deeply disturbing act,” with its National President, Baba Othman-Ngelzarma, stating in a statement issued on Friday that the circumstances surrounding Muhammad’s death raised serious concerns about possible premeditation. MACBAN said it was particularly troubling that a community leader who attended a meeting aimed at promoting peace could become a victim shortly afterwards, and also expressed concern over reports that one of the deceased’s children, a lawyer, was allegedly attacked in a village about a week earlier. “The killing of community leaders and peace advocates threatens efforts towards reconciliation, dialogue and peaceful coexistence among communities. Those who seek to destabilise society through violence must not be allowed to succeed,” the statement added. The association commiserated with the family of the deceased, the leadership and members of MACBAN in Benue State, and pledged its continued commitment to promoting peace and collaboration with security agencies to address security challenges across the country.

Communities in Otukpo and neighbouring Ohinmini have witnessed repeated attacks in recent times, with authorities frequently attributing many of the incidents to suspected armed herders.