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Ex-SUBEB chair among those kidnapped as bandits attack Niger communities
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.
Ex-SUBEB chair among those kidnapped as bandits attack Niger communities
metro
Delta State Police Arrest Suspects in Killing of Retired Justice Ifeoma Okogwu
Delta State Police Arrest Suspects in Killing of Retired Justice Ifeoma Okogwu
The Delta State Police Command has made a significant breakthrough in the investigation into the murder of retired Justice Ifeoma Okogwu in Anambra State, arresting key suspects linked to the case.
Spokesperson SP Bright Edafe disclosed on Sunday that operatives of the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), acting on credible intelligence, apprehended 25-year-old security guard Godwin Mngumi on 6 December 2025. Mngumi allegedly murdered the retired judge, and authorities also recovered the deceased’s mobile phone from him.
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According to Edafe, Mngumi confessed to inviting a friend, Nnaji Obalum, and another accomplice — who remains at large — to the residence where the crime was committed. Obalum has since been arrested, while a manhunt continues for the third suspect.
The arrests mark a major step forward in the effort to bring all perpetrators of the high-profile murder to justice.
Delta State Police Arrest Suspects in Killing of Retired Justice Ifeoma Okogwu
metro
Delta State Police Recover Arms, Arraign 18 Suspects in Crackdown on Cultism, Violent Crimes
Delta State Police Recover Arms, Arraign 18 Suspects in Crackdown on Cultism, Violent Crimes
The Delta State Police Command, led by Commissioner of Police CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, has made significant strides in its ongoing campaign against cultism and violent crimes. Recent operations, including an intelligence-led arms recovery in Abraka and the arraignment of 18 suspects, highlight the command’s intensified enforcement efforts across the state.
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Spokesperson SP Bright Edafe said on Saturday that the CP-Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), under ASP Julius Robinson, executed a successful operation on December 6, 2025, targeting cult-related activities and the proliferation of illegal firearms. Acting on credible intelligence, officers conducted a coordinated search at No. 2 Umeghe Community, Abraka, the residence of Isiakpere Friday, 67.
The move underscores the Delta State Police’s commitment to restoring safety and security in communities affected by criminal and cult-related activities.
Delta State Police Recover Arms, Arraign 18 Suspects in Crackdown on Cultism, Violent Crimes
metro
Nigerian Army Suspends Retirements for Officers Amid Nationwide Security Emergency
Nigerian Army Suspends Retirements for Officers Amid Nationwide Security Emergency
The Nigerian Army has temporarily frozen both statutory and voluntary retirements for certain officers, including Generals, following the nationwide security emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu. The decision aims to bolster manpower as the country faces a surge in kidnappings and worsening insecurity.
The move comes after more than 600 abduction cases were reported in November 2025, including the kidnapping of over 300 students in Niger State, 38 worshippers in Kwara State, and 25 students in Kebbi State.
An internal circular dated December 3 and signed by Maj. Gen. E. I. Okoro on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff cited provisions in the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service Officers (HTACOS) 2024, allowing service extensions “in the interest of the service.” The memo explains that officers usually retire upon reaching age limits, completing 35 years of service, or failing promotion/conversion boards, but these rules can be overridden during national emergencies.
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The suspension affects officers who have:
- Failed promotion examinations three times
- Been passed over repeatedly at promotion boards
- Reached rank age limits
- Failed conversion boards thrice
- Completed 35 years of service
Officers granted extensions will remain in service but will not be eligible for further promotions, courses, secondments, or extra-regimental appointments. Those unwilling to continue can still proceed with standard exit procedures.
Commanders have been instructed to communicate the directive and manage morale across units, with the policy to be reviewed once national security conditions improve.
Nigerian Army Suspends Retirements for Officers Amid Nationwide Security Emergency
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