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Ex-SUBEB chair among those kidnapped as bandits attack Niger communities

Published

5 months ago

September 30, 2025

Ex-SUBEB chair among those kidnapped as bandits attack Niger communities

The former Chairman of the Niger State Universal Basic Education Board, Alhaji Alhassan Bawa Niworo, has been kidnapped.

Niworo was reportedly kidnapped along several other travellers around 4pm on Monday, September 29, 2025.

Their attackers struck between Felegi and Ibi communities on Mokwa-New Bussa road in Borgu LGA.

Sources said the former Chairman of SUBEB along side other people including one Barrister Ahmad were on their way to Minna when the terrorists blocked the road and whiskered them into the nearby forest.

Several other abductees were said to be traders returning from New Bussa weekly market.

How villages Allegedly Shield Terrorists

Some of the kidnapped victims who regained freedom on Friday after payment of millions of naira ransom told Daily Trust that their captors were shielded by a few villages where they used as camps.

A victim said one of the villages was Telle village in Mashegu LGA. Other villages alleged to have been used as camps include Koloho, and Fanga.

Our Correspondent could not independently verify if the listed villages provide shield under duress.

But Daily Trust recalls that in May 2025, Security Operatives Arrest Village Head of Guiwa, Garba Mohammed and 13 Others from Telle and other Villages in Mashegu, Borgu, Rijau among other LGAs for Aiding Banditry in Niger State.

The village head, according to the spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command was arrested alongside 13 others following an intelligence report about their alleged involvement with bandits.

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Community leaders reportedly used his residence as a hideout, where bandits regularly met to plan their operations.

Abiodun said the arrests followed clearance operations targeting bandits’ and kidnappers’ hideouts in the Mashegu area on Thursday and Friday.

“On 22nd May, 2025, police operatives and vigilante members conducted clearance operations in some identified kidnappers’ hideouts in Mashegu LGA, such as Magaman-Daji forest and its environs, and in the process, most of the suspected kidnappers fled from the scene and others were believed to have escaped with gunshot injuries.

“On 23rd May, 2025 at about 9 a.m., in continuation of this operation, the team stormed Guiwa and Telle villages based on credible information received, and the Mai-Angwan of Guiwa village, Mall. Garba Mohammed, was arrested for screening and aiding banditry activities, using his house as a hideout with recovery of four motorcycles kept in his custody and ten cattle.

” Thirteen others were also arrested in different locations within Mashegu LGA for similar reasons. However, they are under interrogation and investigation is in progress to ascertain their roles and involvement in banditry activities in the area,” Abiodun explained.

Although the police spokesperson did not provide the names of the other suspects, sources identified other suspects as Alhaji Abdullahi Shehu of Wawa village, Borgu LGA; Umar Abubakar of Gwajibo; Musa Mohammed of Telle village; Mohammed Abubakar of Dukku, Rijau LGA; Molema Aliyu of Pallagi; Oro Abubakar of Arera; Shehu Alhaji Ardo of Adogon Mallam; Umar Abdullahi, Ibrahim Abubakar, Saidu Mohammed, and Babuga Abdullahi—all of Lumma; Mohamadu Bako of Gwajibo; and Babuga Saidu of Lumma.

In the latest attacks, Residents told Daily Trust that the Telle and neighbouring villages had become notorious for aiding and abetting attacks in the area.

“Recently, the Telle village gained attention due to a security operations where authorities arrested the village head of a neighboring village, Guiwa, and 13 other individuals for allegedly aiding and abetting armed bandits.

“So, Telle village is situated in the Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State. The village has been affected by banditry activities, with residents experiencing attacks, theft of livestock, and abductions, one of the sources said.

Many Farmers Flee as attacks persist

Residents of farming communities in Mariga, Magama, Kontagora, Mashegu, Borgu and Rijau LGAs in the Niger North Senatorial District of Niger State have continued to flee their homes for the past five days due to renewed attacks on their communities and constant movement of bandits in the area for the past five days.

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In the wee hours on Tuesday, residents told our Correspondent that bandits numbering over 200 invaded Ibeto, a community in Magama LGA, forcing the residents to flee.

In a video shared by one of the residents, women and children walked through dark paths with torchlights to escape in the wee hours on Tuesday.

“Yesterday night (Monday), they crossed to communities including Dogon-Daji, Ugulu, Maira, Atabo and Ibeto. They also invaded Lioji village before crossing to Maira, Ugulu, Atabo and Ibeto. At Atabo, many residents were kidnapped when they couldn’t get cattle to rustle “, he said.

He said residents of Ibeto fled their homes in the night before bandits eventually took over the community.

Sporadic gunshots were reportedly heard when they invaded Ibeto but fleeing residents could not establish if there were casualties.

Another source said, “They entered Magama this morning (Tuesday) before proceeding to Yangale where they kidnapped four people. They were in groups. We are currently in the Bush with children and women. Please help us with prayers. We need help”.

Also on Saturday afternoon, bandits numbering over a hundred reportedly invaded Talle, a village in the Kulho ward of Mashegu LGA of Niger State.

The fleeing residents told Daily Trust that the attackers arrived at the village around 2pm on Monday, and ordered all shop owners in the community to close their businesses.

One of the residents said the bandits also blocked all access routes into the village, preventing entry and exit except few others who took risk and escaped.

Daily Trust also gathered that residents of Ragada and adjoining communities in Mariga LGA have fled their homes since Sunday following the movement of bandits in the area.

On of the residents told Daily Trust they slept on mountains despite rainfall and watch bandits cooking food in their homes.

On Saturday afternoon, dozens of travellers were also reportedly kidnapped along Kontagora -Rijau road.

The Permanent Secretary, Niger State Ministry for Homeland security did not pick calls or reply text messages sent to his phone over the development.

But the police spokesperson confirmed the attack on Ibbi-New Bussa road but was silent on other attacks.

He said one of the policemen on patrol was injured and a patrol vehicle was damaged while repelling the attackers.

According to him, “On 29th Sept., 2025 at about 11.30am, suspected armed men attacked the Police nipping point along Ibbi-Bussa road, the Police tactical team engaged and repelled the hoodlums, and in the process, the Police patrol vehicle was damaged with gunshots, while one of the Policemen sustained gunshot injury and he was taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment”.

Ex-SUBEB chair among those kidnapped as bandits attack Niger communities

Related Topics:Bandits Ex-SUBEB chair Kidnapped Niger

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El-Rufai to Appear Before EFCC After Alleged Airport Arrest Attempt

Published

9 hours ago

February 12, 2026

Trends Admin

Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai

El-Rufai to Appear Before EFCC After Alleged Airport Arrest Attempt

Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, is scheduled to appear before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026, following what his legal team described as an attempted arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

El-Rufai’s counsel, Ubong Esop Akpan, disclosed this while reacting to Thursday’s incident involving security operatives. According to him, the former governor was approached shortly after arriving in Abuja aboard Egypt Air flight MS 877 from Cairo, where he had reportedly travelled for medical treatment and rest.

Akpan described the development as a “flagrant violation of constitutional rights, executive overreach, and deliberate disregard for the rule of law.” He explained that the EFCC invitation was delivered to El-Rufai’s residence while he was already outside Nigeria, making immediate compliance “illogical and impractical.” According to the lawyer, it was unreasonable to expect instantaneous attendance from someone who was abroad at the time the invitation was issued.

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The legal team said it had formally communicated with the EFCC since December 2025, assuring the Commission that El-Rufai would comply upon his return. He added that the EFCC was explicitly notified that the former governor would voluntarily appear at the Commission’s office by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, specifying both the date and time. Resorting to an attempted arrest despite that commitment, he argued, amounted to arbitrary conduct and procedural abuse.

Akpan further alleged that El-Rufai’s passport was seized during the encounter and demanded its immediate return, along with a formal apology. He maintained that there was no lawful basis for the attempted arrest or what he termed mistreatment, stressing that El-Rufai had publicly affirmed his willingness to face any legitimate investigation.

As of the time of filing this report, the EFCC has not issued an official statement regarding the airport incident or the exact nature of the allegations under investigation. However, sources indicate that the former governor’s invitation may be linked to ongoing investigations into alleged financial transactions and administrative decisions during his tenure in Kaduna State.

The development has generated significant political interest, given El-Rufai’s influence in national politics and his outspoken role in governance debates. His scheduled appearance before the anti-corruption agency on Monday is expected to shed more light on the allegations and determine the next steps in the matter.

El-Rufai to Appear Before EFCC After Alleged Airport Arrest Attempt

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Four Sentenced to Death for Murder of Ahoada DPO in Rivers

Published

9 hours ago

February 12, 2026

Trends Admin

Four Sentenced to Death for Murder of Ahoada DPO in Rivers

A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has sentenced four individuals to death by hanging for their involvement in the brutal killing of Superintendent of Police (SP) Bako Amgbashim, the former Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ahoada East Division. The verdict, delivered on Thursday, February 12, 2026, marks a major milestone in a high-profile case that captured national attention nearly three years ago.

Justice Sika Aprioku, presiding over the case, found Robinson Sonabari, a native doctor; Bright Okparawo; Precious Amaeze, popularly known as “Selina”; and Loveday Jack, also called “Ragged Excess,” guilty of conspiracy, murder, membership of a secret cult group, and robbery. The judge ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt and ordered that the four convicts be executed by hanging, the maximum penalty under Nigerian law.

Additionally, Samuel Nwadinma, the sixth defendant, was convicted of conspiracy and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment. One defendant was discharged and acquitted due to insufficient evidence, while five others — previously found guilty of cult group membership — were freed after the court noted they had already served the statutory term while in custody.

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The case arose from the murder of SP Bako Amgbashim on September 8, 2023, during a police operation in Odemude community, Ahoada East Local Government Area. The officer was ambushed and killed by suspected cultists, and his body was reportedly mutilated, sparking widespread outrage and prompting intensified security operations in the area.

During the trial, it emerged that Robinson Sonabari played a key role, allegedly preparing the charm used to execute the attack on the late DPO. Prosecutors presented eyewitness testimony, forensic evidence, and confessions, while the defense failed to disprove the charges, leading to the death sentences.

Speaking to journalists after the ruling, lead prosecution counsel Chigozie Amadi of the Rivers State Ministry of Justice described the judgment as a triumph of justice. He was joined by Celestine Dickson, representing the Nigeria Police, who condemned the rising attacks on law enforcement officers and stressed that the ruling would serve as a deterrent to criminal elements targeting security personnel.

Akasco Amgbashim, elder brother of the slain officer, expressed relief at the verdict, thanking the judiciary, the state government, and the police for pursuing justice. He emphasized that the ruling should remind all that no one has the right to unlawfully take another person’s life.

The four condemned convicts were among 72 individuals originally arraigned before the court by a joint prosecution team from the Department of Public Prosecutions and the Rivers State Police Command. During the trial, 61 defendants, including traditional ruler Eze Kelvin Anugwo and former Ahoada East Council Chairman Cassidy Ikegbidi, were discharged and acquitted due to lack of evidence, leaving 13 to face final judgment.

Thursday’s verdict brings closure to a case that began with the tragic murder of SP Amgbashim, reinforced by joint security operations that later led to the killing of a suspected cult leader, David Okparanwo (“2Baba”), believed to have orchestrated the attack. The judgment is seen as a strong statement that violent crimes against law enforcement officers will not go unpunished.

Four Sentenced to Death for Murder of Ahoada DPO in Rivers

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Nigerian Army Rescues Eight Kidnapped Wedding Guests in Kano

Published

10 hours ago

February 12, 2026

Trends Admin

Nigerian Army Rescues Eight Kidnapped Wedding Guests in Kano

Nigerian Army troops have successfully rescued eight of the ten people abducted during a wedding ceremony in Dabawa, Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State, security sources confirmed on Thursday, February 12, 2026. The operation highlights the military’s ongoing efforts to combat banditry and kidnappings in northern Nigeria.

According to a credible Army Headquarters source, a group of gunmen dressed in military camouflage stormed the wedding on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, and forcibly abducted several guests. The assailants reportedly fled toward neighboring Katsina State after the attack.

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Troops stationed at an ambush position along the Yankwada River line responded immediately after receiving a distress call, pursuing the kidnappers to Garu Village in Katsina. Contact with the fleeing gunmen was later lost along the Katsina–Gidan Mutum Daya road axis, but the operation led to the safe rescue of eight victims, who have now been reunited with their families.

Military authorities confirmed that efforts are ongoing to locate and rescue the remaining two victims still in captivity. Operations in the area continue to prevent further attacks and ensure the safety of local communities.

The rescue operation forms part of a broader counter-kidnapping strategy by the Nigerian military in Kano and neighboring states, aimed at protecting civilians and deterring banditry. Analysts say the swift response demonstrates the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations in combating organized kidnapping networks in northern Nigeria.

Residents have expressed relief and gratitude to the troops, urging continued vigilance and enhanced security measures at public events to prevent similar incidents in the future.