metro

Court Reopens Terrorism Case Against Suspected Bello Turji Associates

Published

1 week ago

December 22, 2025

Notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji

Court Reopens Terrorism Case Against Suspected Bello Turji Associates

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted an application by the Federal Government to reopen a terrorism charge against five suspects linked to notorious terrorist kingpin Bello Turji.

Justice Emeka Nwite granted the application after ruling on a motion on notice filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) seeking the re-listing of the charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2024, on the court’s cause list.

The judge held that the application, moved by AGF counsel, David Kaswe, was meritorious and accordingly granted it.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the charge was earlier struck out on July 8 after defence counsel made an oral application citing lack of diligent prosecution, following repeated absences of the lead prosecuting counsel.

The Federal Government had filed an 11-count terrorism charge against eight defendants, including Bello Turji, who remains at large.

The defendants named in the charge include Musa Muhammed Kamarawa, Abubakar Hashimu (a.k.a. Doctor), Bashir Abdullahi, Samuel Chinedu and Lucky Chukwuma, listed as the 1st to 5th defendants. Bello Turji, Aminu Muhammad and Sani Lawal, who are all at large, are listed as the 6th to 8th defendants.

READ ALSO:

The suspects were accused of providing material support to terrorist groups led by Bello Turji, Kachalla Halilu, Danbokolo and others, including the supply of illicit drugs, food items, military and police uniforms, building materials, and other logistics to terrorist camps in Zamfara, Sokoto and Kaduna States.

They were also alleged to have aided the procurement of a military gun truck from Libya, valued at about ₦28.5 million, for use in terrorist operations, an offence said to be contrary to the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013.

In another count, some of the defendants were accused of providing medical care, medication and shelter to treat gunshot wounds sustained by Bello Turji after an attack on Tungar Kolo village in Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State.

Four of the suspects, who were arraigned on December 23, 2024, pleaded not guilty, prompting the court to order their remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre. Their application for bail was later refused, while the prosecution was granted witness protection and opened its case with the testimony of a protected witness identified as “ABC.”

However, the trial stalled due to the absence of the lead prosecuting counsel on several adjourned dates, leading to the case being struck out on July 8.

In seeking the re-listing of the matter, Kaswe argued that under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, the prosecution was entitled to more adjournments and had not exhausted the time allowed by law. He described the matter as one involving national security and public safety, stressing that the prosecution was ready to proceed with all witnesses and exhibits.

The defence counsel for the 1st and 2nd defendants, A.M. Lukman, did not oppose the application but requested a ₦10 million cost against the prosecution, citing prolonged detention of the defendants. The request was declined by the court.

In his ruling, Justice Nwite held that the application was properly brought and unopposed, adding that the interest of justice required that the matter be heard on its merits.

“There is no order as to cost,” the judge ruled.

The case was adjourned until January 21, 2026, for continuation of hearing.

Court Reopens Terrorism Case Against Suspected Bello Turji Associates

Up Next

Yuletide travels: Luxury bus operators step up safety, fleet readiness nationwide

Don't Miss

Christmas, Boxing Day: FG Declares December 25, 26 Public Holidays

metro

Gunmen Attack Gebbe Community in Kebbi, Many Feared Dead

Published

15 hours ago

December 29, 2025

Trends Admin

Kebbi State Commissioner of Police, Bello Muhammad Sani

Gunmen Attack Gebbe Community in Kebbi, Many Feared Dead

Suspected gunmen have launched a deadly attack on Gebbe community in Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi State, leaving an undisclosed number of people feared dead and several others injured.

Eyewitnesses said the assailants struck suddenly, firing sporadic gunshots that threw the community into panic, forcing residents to flee to neighbouring villages and nearby bushes for safety.

Local sources disclosed that the exact number of casualties could not be immediately ascertained due to the scale of the attack and the displacement of residents. The incident has reportedly left the community, which has not experienced such violence in years, in a state of shock and trauma.

READ ALSO:

Confirming the incident, the Kebbi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, said police operatives have been deployed to the area to assess the situation.

“The police are currently on ground to determine the number of casualties and injured persons. An official statement will be issued as soon as investigations are concluded,” he said.

Some residents, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that security agencies have mobilised to restore calm in the area.

Meanwhile, community members have appealed to the Kebbi State Government and security agencies to provide urgent intervention, describing the attack as unprecedented in the history of Gebbe community.

Gunmen Attack Gebbe Community in Kebbi, Many Feared Dead

metro

Three Killed, NSCDC Outpost Burnt in Katsina Youths–Police Clash

Published

15 hours ago

December 29, 2025

Trends Admin

Katsina State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Katsina State Command, DSP Abubakar Aliyu

Three Killed, NSCDC Outpost Burnt in Katsina Youths–Police Clash

No fewer than three persons were killed and several others injured following violent clashes between youths and security operatives in Katsina metropolis, Katsina State.

The unrest reportedly began late on Friday, December 27, around 10:00 p.m., when police operatives raided suspected criminal hideouts in Sabuwar Unguwa Quarters in an attempt to arrest a suspected drug dealer identified as Uzairu, popularly known as Kuda.

According to the Katsina State Police Command, the suspect resisted arrest and raised an alarm that attracted suspected gang members, who attacked the officers in a bid to free him. During the ensuing struggle, a firearm was discharged, hitting Uzairu. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was later confirmed dead.

Tension escalated the following day during Uzairu’s funeral procession, as youths allegedly clashed again with security personnel at the graveyard. Two persons were reportedly hit by stray bullets during the confrontation.

READ ALSO:

Police authorities confirmed that one of the victims died on arrival at the hospital, while the second is currently receiving treatment.

Amid the violence, the youths allegedly set ablaze a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) outpost and attempted to burn a nearby police outpost before security reinforcements were deployed to the area.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Katsina State Command, DSP Abubakar Aliyu, said the clashes resulted in the death of two civilians, while another injured victim is responding to treatment.

DSP Aliyu explained that during the initial raid, the police team was attacked, an operational vehicle was damaged, and several officers sustained injuries. He added that one policeman was stabbed with a knife while suspects attempted to disarm him.

“During the struggle to secure the rifle, a shot was released, hitting and injuring the suspect, who later died in the hospital,” he said.

He further disclosed that on December 28, suspected miscreants hijacked the funeral procession, attacked security personnel, burned the NSCDC outpost, inflicted a deep machete wound on a policeman, and damaged a police patrol vehicle.

The police spokesperson said calm has been restored following the deployment of additional police and NSCDC personnel to the area.

DSP Aliyu added that the Commissioner of Police has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident and appealed to residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies.

Three Killed, NSCDC Outpost Burnt in Katsina Youths–Police Clash

metro

Two Killed, 16 Injured in Fuel Tanker Crash at Polo Roundabout in Jos

Published

15 hours ago

December 29, 2025

Trends Admin

Two Killed, 16 Injured in Fuel Tanker Crash at Polo Roundabout in Jos

At least two persons were killed and 16 others injured following a fuel tanker crash in Jos, the Plateau State capital, on Sunday evening.

The accident occurred near the Polo Field Club Roundabout, close to St. Louis College, when a laden fuel tanker reportedly lost its brakes shortly after the Plateau State Specialist Hospital Roundabout and rammed into several vehicles.

Confirming the incident on Monday, the Public Education Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Peter Longsan, said emergency responders swiftly arrived at the scene to prevent further casualties.

According to Longsan, 18 persons were involved in the crash. Two male adults died on the spot, while 16 injured victims were rushed to the Plateau State Specialist Hospital and Bingham University Teaching Hospital (BUTH) for medical treatment. The corpses of the deceased were deposited at BUTH.

He explained that the accident was reported to the FRSC at about 6:49pm on December 28, 2025, prompting immediate rescue operations by the FRSC in collaboration with other security and emergency agencies.

READ ALSO:

To avert a possible fire outbreak, the area was cordoned off and traffic diverted, while security agencies prevented looting. Fortunately, Longsan said there was no spillage of petroleum products, significantly reducing the risk of explosion.

Agencies involved in the operation included the FRSC, Nigeria Police, Nigerian Army, Federal Fire Service, NSCDC, Operation Rainbow, Nigerian Red Cross Society, Vehicle Inspection Officers, and the Vigilante Group of Nigeria.

Following the rescue operation, the petroleum product was safely transloaded, damaged vehicles were removed, and the road was fully cleared, restoring traffic flow by Monday morning.

Commending the coordinated response, FRSC Plateau Sector Commander, Olajide E. Mogaji, praised stakeholders and community members for their cooperation and reiterated that road safety is a shared responsibility.

He urged motorists to drive cautiously, especially during the festive season, and advised the public to report emergencies using the FRSC emergency number 122.