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Bandits suffer heavy casualties in Niger community gun battle

Published

10 months ago

June 3, 2025

Bandits suffer heavy casualties in Niger community gun battle

No fewer than 32 bandits were on Monday evening killed in Kuchi community in Munya local government area of the Niger state in what the villagers said was the biggest successes recorded by the joint security taskforce in the ongoing war against bandits in the state.

The bandits who invaded the community at about 4;15pm on Monday in about 40 motorcycles were ambushed in a nearby bush about five kilometers to Kuchi town by the joint security taskforce code named “special hunters’ that are providing security within Munya and parts of shiroro local government areas of the state.

According to reliable source close to the community, after about three hours of gun battle which lasted till 7;45pm, only ten out of the 40 motorcycles were able to escape and with bullets injuries.

It was gathered that three members of the security taskforce however lost their lives and their bodies have been deposited at a government facilities in Minna, the state capital.

Our source stated further that the bodies of the bandits were left in the bush, even as he disclosed that motorcycles and undisclosed number of weapons used by the bandits were recovered from the battle ground.

It was further gathered that the joint security taskforce over powered the bandits due to the reinforcement from its camp in Galkogo midway into the battle which described as “real war”.

“The special hunters put up a brilliant fight against the bandits unlike last week when they (members of the taskforce) abandoned its camp due to the large of bandits that invaded them. Their effort is highly commendable.

“Although they lost three of their members due to excessive bleeding from gunshot injuries, I can tell you that the battle was a huge success. They took the fight to the bandits unlike before when the bandits will just invade them unaware”, our said.

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It could be recalled that the bandits on Wednesday last week raided three communities in the same Munya local government area and unleashed terror on the people, dispossessed them of their valuables including cash worth over N20 million.

Shops were looted across the three communities of Zagzaga, Chibani and Kuchi and about 250 cattle were stolen by the gunmen who operated freely without any resistance. One person was killed and three young boys were abducted to help them escort the stolen cows.

Two of the boys were said to have later escaped when the bandits had stopped midway into the journey to share the stolen cows among themselves. He has since reunited with his family in Zagzaga community.

Meanwhile in another development, the communities that were raided by bandits last week have debunked claims by the military that scores of bandits were neutralized during the attack, saying that no single bullet was fired at the bandits whom they said had a field day.

Some of the villagers who narrated how the bandits operated on Wednesday last week, acknowledged that the military actually past through Sarkin pawa reroute from the Kaduna state with about 16 Armored Personnel Carriers (APC) on that Wednesday, they never engaged the bandits.

“They (Army) came through Mangoro village from Kaduna state on the day with about 16 vehicles and they even stopped at Mangoro and called the head of the special hunters, popularly referred to as Pastor and interacted with him in their camp at Mangoro before proceeding to Sarkin pawa and they didn’t even stop at Sarkin pawa.

“They continue their journey towards Minna, in fact on their way, the learnt that the bandits were in Chibani town and they stopped and started blowing siren and later they proceeded. Even the bandits were in the bush in Chibani when the Army passed through the town and the villagers saw them (bandits) but were afraid to raised alarm.

“It was from Chibani that they (bandits) proceeded to Kuchi community where they burnt down the camp of the special hunters on that Wednesday. They (special hunters) even abandoned their camp that day because the bandits were many in numbers”, our source added.

The communities said it was surprising to hear that scores of the bandits were neutralized when the Army and the DSS engaged the bandits in a gun battle, adding that “honestly the communities were not aware of any battle between the Army and the bandits on the Wednesday.

“But yesterday we all saw how the special hunters battled the bandits to a standstill. We saw their efforts and it is highly commendable, the reinforcement from Galkogo really helps them against the bandits”, our source added.

It could be recalled that the Army in statement in Abuja said that a joint operation by the Department of State Services (DSS) and the military in Niger State resulted in the dislodgment of scores of heavily armed bandits believed to be loyal to terrorist kingpins, Dogo Gide and Leyi.

The statement claimed that the operation began on Tuesday when the terrorists stormed Chibani village, Munya Local Government area of the state, and that the bandits reportedly killed one Ayuba Isah and left two other persons, a policeman and one Alhaji Shuaibu, with gunshot wounds.

According to the Army, on Wednesday, bandits said to be numbering over 200, brandishing sophisticated weapons, stormed a security base in Kuchi, a town in Munya local government area, and that the fierce battle that ensued let to the neutralizing of scores of the bandits, with many others fleeing with various degree of injuries.

According to the Army, the fierce gun battle that ensued led to the neutralising of scores of the bandits, with many others fleeing with various degree of injuries.

The statement further added that re-enforcement from Galadima Kogo to Kuchi as a major factor that helped weaken the bandits.

Bandits suffer heavy casualties in Niger community gun battle

Related Topics:Bandits casualties Featured gun battle

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Foreign Intelligence Operations Behind Recent Nigeria Killings – Gumi

Published

8 hours ago

April 1, 2026

Trends Admin

Prominent Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi

Foreign Intelligence Operations Behind Recent Nigeria Killings – Gumi

Prominent Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi has raised alarms over the pattern of recent killings in Nigeria, suggesting that the violence may be linked to clandestine foreign intelligence operations, rather than purely domestic issues.

Gumi made the allegation in a Facebook post on Tuesday, just two days after the Palm Sunday attack on Gari Ya Waye community in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North, Plateau State, which left more than 20 residents dead and several others injured. He condemned the shedding of innocent blood, stressing that the attacks “have nothing to do with religion”.

“The pattern suggests a clandestine foreign intelligence operation. Many unscrupulous Nigerians are willing to serve as foot soldiers for these mercenaries,” Gumi wrote. He cited previous violent incidents, including the March 16, 2026, coordinated bomb blasts in Maiduguri, which killed at least 23 people and injured over 100, and the Palm Sunday killings in Jos, highlighting the complexity and coordination of these attacks.

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Gumi warned against reliance on foreign involvement in Nigeria’s security architecture, urging the government to seek support only from benign superpowers for satellite intelligence and military equipment while strengthening domestic security capabilities. He emphasized the need for Nigeria to develop self-sufficient strategies that respect the country’s sovereignty and human lives.

The cleric prayed for the quick recovery of the injured and comfort for families who lost loved ones. He also warned that external interference in Nigeria’s security affairs could exacerbate tensions, especially in conflict-prone regions such as the Middle Belt and North East.

While Gumi’s claims have sparked discussion, security agencies have not verified any foreign intelligence involvement, and some officials continue to attribute the attacks to domestic armed groups and criminal networks. Nevertheless, his statement has reignited debate over the role of external actors in Nigeria’s security challenges and the need for innovative, homegrown solutions.

Foreign Intelligence Operations Behind Recent Nigeria Killings – Gumi

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EFCC Pushes for Sule Lamido Retrial Before Former Judge

Published

8 hours ago

April 1, 2026

Trends Admin

Former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido

EFCC Pushes for Sule Lamido Retrial Before Former Judge

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reiterated its demand for the retrial of former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, insisting that the case be concluded by the original trial judge, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu.

At the resumed proceedings before Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, EFCC counsel, Chile Okoroma (SAN), informed the court that the commission had formally written to the Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho, seeking a fiat to enable Justice Ojukwu—now serving in the Calabar division—to return and conclude the long-running trial.

Okoroma explained that the request was in compliance with the directive of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which had earlier ordered a retrial of the defendants. He emphasised that the prosecution had already made substantial progress in the case, having called at least 17 witnesses, and argued that justice would be best served if the same judge continues the matter.

According to him, the EFCC is currently awaiting an official response from the Chief Judge regarding the request.

Counsel to the defendants, Joe Agi (SAN), did not oppose the application for adjournment, paving the way for the court to defer proceedings.

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Justice Lifu subsequently adjourned the case to April 30, 2026, for re-arraignment or further proceedings, stating that the decision was made in the interest of justice.

The planned re-arraignment had earlier been stalled on March 13 due to the absence of Lamido and his co-defendants in court.

The development follows a major ruling by the Supreme Court of Nigeria on January 16, 2026, which ordered a fresh trial after overturning earlier decisions of the Court of Appeal.

A five-member panel of the apex court, in unanimous judgments, set aside the July 25, 2023 rulings of the appellate court, which had upheld a no-case submission by Lamido and others and struck out the 37-count charge on jurisdictional grounds.

In its lead judgment delivered by Justice Abubakar Umar, the Supreme Court reinstated the earlier decision of Justice Ojukwu, which dismissed the defendants’ no-case submission and directed them to enter their defence.

The EFCC’s case centres on allegations that Lamido, during his tenure as governor of Jigawa State between 2007 and 2015, abused his office and laundered funds obtained as kickbacks from contractors awarded state projects.

Other defendants in the case include his sons, Aminu and Mustapha Lamido, as well as Aminu Wada Abubakar and two companies—Bamaina Holdings Ltd and Speeds International Ltd.

Legal analysts note that the EFCC’s push for the original trial judge to continue the case is aimed at avoiding a fresh start (trial de novo), which could prolong the already protracted proceedings and require recalling witnesses.

The outcome of the Chief Judge’s decision on granting the fiat will determine whether the case proceeds seamlessly or restarts entirely before a new judge.

EFCC Pushes for Sule Lamido Retrial Before Former Judge

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Fresh Killings, Panic as Curfew Relaxation Backfires in Jos

Published

9 hours ago

April 1, 2026

Trends Admin

Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang

Fresh Killings, Panic as Curfew Relaxation Backfires in Jos

Heightened tension has returned to parts of Jos on Wednesday following the relaxation of the 48-hour curfew earlier imposed by the Plateau State Government after the deadly attack in Angwan Rukuba.

The curfew was initially enforced in Jos North Local Government Area after gunmen stormed Angwan Rukuba on Sunday, killing no fewer than 28 residents in one of the latest outbreaks of violence in the state.

In a bid to restore normalcy, the state government announced a partial relaxation of the restriction. The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Hon. Joyce Lohya Ramnap, disclosed that residents would now be allowed to move freely between 7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. daily, beginning Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

However, rather than easing tension, the development appears to have triggered fresh unrest.

Reports from multiple areas indicate that hoodlums and irate mobs took advantage of the relaxed curfew to unleash attacks on motorists, commuters, and passers-by, leading to widespread panic across the city.

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A particularly disturbing incident occurred along the road leading to the Permanent Site of the University of Jos, where a young man was reportedly hacked to death by suspected hoodlums.

Eyewitnesses also reported that several vehicles were vandalised, with windscreens smashed in areas including Terminus, Bauchi Road, and Gangare. Other flashpoints identified include Farin Gada, Tina Junction, Chobe, and parts of the University of Jos axis.

The renewed violence paralysed commercial activities in affected areas, forcing banks, shops, and other businesses to shut down abruptly amid fears of escalation.

“We are scared to open our shops. We don’t know what might happen,” said Joy Bature, a trader at Terminus Market, reflecting the anxiety gripping residents.

Many residents have expressed frustration that the curfew relaxation, which was intended to provide relief and allow people to attend to daily needs, instead created a security vacuum exploited by criminal elements.

Meanwhile, the University of Jos Alumni Association has raised alarm over the deteriorating security situation, warning that students and staff are increasingly at risk.

In a statement signed by its Global President, Gad Peter Shamaki, the association called on the state government and security agencies to urgently strengthen security deployment across all university campuses, student hostels, surrounding residential areas, and major access roads.

The group emphasised the need for proactive measures to prevent further loss of lives and ensure the safety of the academic community.

Security agencies have reportedly intensified patrols in some affected areas, while residents continue to call for a review of the curfew framework to prevent further breakdown of law and order.

As of the time of filing this report, the Plateau State Government had not announced any further adjustments to the curfew, despite mounting concerns from residents and stakeholders.