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Fear grips Benue community over bandits N20m tax demand

Published

5 months ago

June 26, 2024

Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), SP Catherine Anene

Fear grips Benue community over bandits N20m tax demand

Residents of Torough community in Ukum Local Government Area are grappling with fear and desperation as bandits have threatened an attack unless a tax of N20 million is paid within days.

The audacious demand has forced locals to sell their farm produce and livestock, with each household tasked with raising N500,000 to meet the bandits’ ultimatum.

Sources within the community, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution, revealed that the levy has been distributed among households, with the smallest amount being N50,000. “Some have started disposing of their farm produce and livestock to raise the levy, while others have contacted their relatives outside to avert the attack,” one source disclosed to Punch.

The gravity of the situation is such that even the village head is reluctant to report the threat to security forces, fearing further provocation of the local militias.

Victor Iorzaa, chairman of Ukum Local Government, confirmed the threat and identified the notorious militia leader known as Full Fire as the mastermind behind it. “He has been terrorizing the area for the past five years, working with Fulani herdsmen to attack our people,” Iorzaa said. He recounted a recent military assault on Full Fire’s house, illustrating the ongoing efforts to curb his influence.

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Iorzaa reported the extortion attempt to both the police and the state security council, highlighting the pervasive fear that grips the community. “The people of the area are living in fear; it’s the most troubled place in the local government,” he noted.

State Police Public Relations Officer SP Catherine Anene mentioned that such an incident had not been officially reported to the command. Meanwhile, Joseph Har, the Security Adviser to the Governor, dismissed the likelihood of bandits successfully collecting the tax, stating, “The criminals have been having a very tough time recently and can’t have the balls to wait and collect any tax.”

Har acknowledged the global trend of bandits imposing illegal levies but assured that the state government and security operatives are actively working to dismantle these criminal activities. “The criminals have been feeling the heat and most have fled their camps. We intend to sustain the momentum until we run them down or they surrender,” Har asserted, noting a recent reduction in bandit impunity.

Despite the government’s efforts, the threat remains imminent for the people of Torough, who continue to raise the demanded funds in a bid to avoid the feared attack.

Fear grips Benue community over bandits N20m tax demand

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Gunmen kill two soldiers in Abia checkpoint attack

Published

11 hours ago

November 13, 2024

Trends Admin

Gunmen kill two soldiers in Abia checkpoint attack

Early Wednesday morning, gunmen attacked an army checkpoint in Ekenobizi, a border community between Abia and Imo states, located in Umuopara, Umuahia South Local Government Area.

The assailants reportedly arrived around 6:18 a.m. in a white Lexus SUV (model 350/400) and launched an assault that resulted in the deaths of two soldiers.

A military source, who wished to remain anonymous, provided details of the incident but could not confirm the exact number of attackers involved.

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Confirming the incident in a press release on Wednesday, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Unuakhalu of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA said: “In the early hours of today, 13 November 2024, troops of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA, deployed at a checkpoint along the Umuahia – Owerri Road in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State, came under attack by the irredentist group Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network.

“During the attack, the gallant troops were able to repel the assault, forcing the attackers to retreat in disarray with gunshot wounds, abandoning one Sienna and one Lexus Jeep used in the attack. However, in the ensuing firefight, two soldiers paid the supreme price.”

The Joint Task Force appealed to residents of the South East, particularly those in Abia State, for credible information to help track down the fleeing attackers and combat criminal elements in the region.

The force reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property in line with global best practices and the rules of engagement.

Gunmen kill two soldiers in Abia checkpoint attack

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94 arrested as task force raids Lagos rail corridor squatters

Published

12 hours ago

November 13, 2024

Trends Admin

94 arrested as task force raids Lagos rail corridor squatters

At least 94 illegal occupants and squatters along the railway corridor from Pen Cinema to Fagba were arrested by the Lagos State Taskforce in an early morning sting operation on Wednesday.

During the raid, substances suspected to be hard drugs—such as Indian hemp, colorado, and other harmful drugs—were seized, along with various weapons.

It was gathered that those arrested attempted to resist the task force’s actions.

In a statement, Director of Public Affairs, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, confirmed that those arrested will face prosecution.

He added that the agency dismantled shanties and makeshift structures along the railway corridor, clearing a distance of some kilometers.

The Taskforce Chairman Adetayo Akerele explained that the eviction aimed to provide relief for residents around the Fagba, Agege, and Pen Cinema railway routes, following numerous complaints from the public about criminal activities in the area.

He noted that the squatting had violated environmental and sanitary regulations.

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Akerele also highlighted the health and safety risks posed by the presence of squatters along the rail corridor.

He warned the evicted individuals not to return and assured residents and train passengers that regular patrols and surveillance would be conducted to prevent the re-establishment of shanties in the area.

“The rail tracks are not meant for habitation or the sale of narcotics. Anyone caught converting this place into a den of criminals or an area of residence will face severe consequences according to the law,” Akerele was quoted as saying.

Speaking on the raid, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed that a locally fabricated short gun was recovered.

“94 suspects were arrested during the midnight operation; a locally fabricated short gun and several wraps of illicit substance suspected to be indian hemp, charm and a jack knife were recovered.

“The suspects will be charged to court accordingly,” Wahab stated in a post on X.

94 arrested as task force raids Lagos rail corridor squatters

metro

Okpebholo sacks all political appointees, Board executives in Edo

Published

12 hours ago

November 13, 2024

Trends Admin

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State

Okpebholo sacks all political appointees, Board executives in Edo

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has swept out all Board, Parastatal, and Agency appointees from his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki, in a decisive move to overhaul the state’s public service.

A statement released on Wednesday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, confirmed the immediate dismissal of all political appointees and Permanent Secretaries brought in from outside the state Civil Service.

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The statement reads:

“For the information of the general public, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Governor of Edo State, has approved the dissolution of Executives of all Boards, Agencies, and Parastatals in the Edo State Public Service with immediate effect.

“In addition, all Permanent Secretaries appointed from outside the State Public/Civil Service and all Political Appointees are hereby relieved of their appointments.”

Affected individuals have been directed to return all government property in their possession to the senior Public Officers in their respective Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.