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.

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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.

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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.

#EndBadGovernance: Borno minors still in detention, defence lawyer cries out

Three minors in Borno State, detained for allegedly participating in the #EndBadGovernance protests, remain in custody despite a recent directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for their release.

While President Tinubu’s order, issued three days ago, led to the release of detained minors in Abuja, the minors in Borno remain held in a juvenile facility in Maiduguri. Barrister Yakubu Alhaji Adamu, their defense lawyer, confirmed they are still detained due to a court order.

Initially, the minors appeared before Justice Aisha Mohammed Ali at the State High Court 10 in Maiduguri, where they entered pleas of not guilty.

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The judge ordered their remand in the juvenile facility, scheduling the next hearing for November 18, 2024.

Kaduna Govt offers N100,000, smartphones to released minors

Thirty-nine minors from Kaduna State, previously detained by the federal government, were reunited with their families on Wednesday at a ceremony held at the “Children’s Homes” on Katuru Road in Kaduna. Each child received N100,000 and an Itel A18s smartphone to support their reintegration process.

Governor Uba Sani, represented by Dr. Abdulkadir Muazu Meyere, Secretary to the Kaduna State Government, assured the children of continued support from the state to aid their transition back into society.

He emphasized the administration’s dedication to helping these minors become responsible, law-abiding citizens through rehabilitation and empowerment initiatives.

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Meyere announced that the governor had instructed the collection of educational credentials from those who completed tertiary studies. The government plans to offer assistance such as start-up capital, skills training, and potential employment opportunities.

He noted that the government would monitor each child’s behaviour and provide further support based on their conduct.

For proper follow-up, contact information, including addresses, phone numbers, and next-of-kin details, was recorded for each minor to ensure ongoing support and guidance.

Kaduna Govt offers N100,000, smartphones to released minors