Mass exodus hits Birnin-Gwari, as terrorists battle over Damari - Newstrends
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Mass exodus hits Birnin-Gwari, as terrorists battle over Damari

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4 years ago

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Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai
Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai

THE epicentre of terrorism in Kaduna State, Birnin Gwari, is beginning to witness mass exodus following intensified attempts by warring factions to seize control of the territory. It will be recalled that after  the Ansaru terrorists, a faction of Boko Haram, annexed the area and instituted a kind of local authority, the locals had some relief going by report that the heavily armed breakaway group provided security to the people and prevented local bandits from attacking Damari and  neighnoring villages.

For some time, there seemed to have been close ties between the breakaway Ansaru members and the original inhabitants who were allowed to work on their farms and even had their disputes settled by the Ansaru terrorists.

The group had successfully indoctrinated and recruited  followers in the eastern part of Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area from such communities like Old Kuyello, Kazage, Kutemeshe, Kwasa-Kwasa, Gobirawa and Farin Ruwa. As a sign of their success in the affected areas, villagers could be seen with Ansaru uniforms going to the mosques, preaching and sharing pamphlets containing their ideology to congregations.

Many villagers who had since lost hope in the ability of government to protect them against bandits began to develop  interest in joining the Ansaru so that they could live freely and do their businesses without fear in their communities.

The Ansaru members continued to preach and administer Sharia justice system to the  locals but while requiring them to acquire arms to defend themselves against enemies as well as fight government in order to establish what they referred to as a ‘pure Islamic state’.

However, on Monday July 25, 2022 around 6:00pm, a large number motorcycles-mounted bandits, wielding sophisticated weapons, invaded Damari, killing three persons, namely: Hashimu Dan-Daura, Nazifi Adamu and Alhaji Dangude. It was reported that the bandits operated in the area  unchallenged for about an hour.

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Not done with their mission, the militants returned the following day, July 26, 2022 around 6:00pm and freely looted available shops in the town, and on their way back to the forests, kidnapped 13 persons at Hayin-Gada in the same Damari community. The attacks came after Ansaru members who were considered to be defending the locals left the area for about four days.

This happened barely two weeks after the Ansaru members had confronted bandits when they attacked the town on July 13, 2022 and burned a private hospital, two vehicles and one shop. Many were reportedly killed in the confrontation.

The infighting between the two rival factions of terrorists has sent shockwaves to the inhabitants of Birnin-Gwari, who have been at the receiving end of their atrocities since the area fell into their hands with little or no definite action from the security agencies to expel them out of the area. It is has become the most dreaded part of Kaduna State with daily killings, kidnap of innocent persons passing through the area and other inhuman activities.

As a result, the Birnin-Gwari Emirate Progressives Union, BEPU, has expressed concern over the seeming inability of government to put an end to the destruction of lives and property in the area by bandits and terrorists. The apparent neglect and inaction by government, have left the natives with no choice than to relocate from the theatre of war and seek for safer locations to pitch their tents in order to save their lives.

“Today, the people of Damari are fleeing en masse following incessant attacks by terrorists that besiege the farming community  on “vengeance mission” over Ansaru who have since relocated from the area, a native of Birnin-Gwari, Malam Ishaq Kasai said.

“In the past few days because of the precarious situation and the high level of insecurity in the area, women and children were seen trekking for safety. About 20 vehicles were seen moving out with escapees due to the activities of bandits, killing and abducting people in Damari and neighbouring villages.

“On Thursday 28th July, 2022, the bandits passed through the same Damari town shooting  sporadically; and came back to the town in the early hours of  Friday, a market day, snatched motorcycles, seized money from traders, rustled cattle and kidnapped many locals.

“This is coming after Ansaru members who were considered “protecting” the community against armed bandits have relocated to other areas,” Ishaq said.  “It is against the recent daily recurrent attacks by armed bandits vis-a-vis reliable information available to the locals on bandits planning serious attacks against the community that they are deserting the  town en masse for safety.

“Presently, there is no presence of security agents in the town. It is against this disturbing situation that we are calling on the authorities to, as a matter of urgency, mobilize security personnel to the community in order to arrest the situation,” Ishaq Usman Kasai said.

It will be recalled that between January and July 2022, many communities in Birnin Gwari Local Government  have come under attacks by bandits. A number of cases was reported by the media, but  the villagers said there are many more unreported ones.

The bandits pick villages at random, as there appears to be no pointer as to what informs their choice. Both thickly and sparsely populated communities have been attacked, some were looted, while for some, nothing was taken. Some have had their houses burnt, while some were spared.

The casualty rate in all these  has  been alarming, as within this year alone, no less than 200 locals have been killed, shot or stabbed to death.  The Emir of Birnin Gwari, Malam Zubairu Jibril Mai Gwari II also  believes the number of attacks and casualty rate are higher than the ones the public is aware of, saying that over 30 communities in his emirate have come under attack in the past one year, while many of his subjects were killed.

In June 2022, a Divisional Police Officer who was newly posted to Birnin Gwari was kidnapped on his way to report at his duty post. Till date, nothing was heard about him.

Concerned individuals and groups now fear the growth of the interaction and movement of terrorists into the porous and vulnerable area. They fear that it has ramifications for the growth of Al-Qaeda in West Africa because it could lead to Al-Qaeda uniting its Sahelian and Nigerian jihad theatres.

Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area, they suspect, is being considered by internationally connected terrorists as their new operational base after being technically dislodged from the North-East.

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Gumi Says Islamophobia Is Influencing South-West Politics, Rejects Involvement in “Dirty Local Politics”

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21 hours ago

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June 9, 2026

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Gumi Says Islamophobia Is Influencing South-West Politics, Rejects Involvement in “Dirty Local Politics”

Gumi Says Islamophobia Is Influencing South-West Politics, Rejects Involvement in “Dirty Local Politics”

Prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has asserted that an irrational fear of Muslims and Islam is driving politics in the South-West geopolitical zone of the country. He also asked to be left out of “dirty local politics” in the region, after his visit to Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, generated controversy. The cleric made his stance known in a Facebook post on Tuesday amid reports that the abductors of 46 schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire local government area of Oyo State on May 15 had demanded the implementation of Sharia law in the state as one of the conditions to release the captives.

But in a video shared on Monday by her captors, one of the victims vehemently debunked the Sharia implementation report. Speaking from captivity, Mrs Rachael Folawe Alamu, the principal of one of the affected schools, explained that the armed gunmen made no demand for Sharia nor ransom payment of N1 billion as reported in some quarters. She added that they only demanded the release of their comrades being held by Nigerian authorities. “Today makes it the 24th day that we have been in captivity, and it seems some people are making our problem more complicated,” Mrs Alamu said in the video. “We were shown some print media where it was stated that the people that abducted us requested the release of some people. They requested some billion naira. I want to make some clarification.”

A prominent Islamic group, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) , also debunked the purported Sharia demand in a Monday press release. Reacting to MURIC’s statement, Gumi said, “I quite understand now how Islamophobia is shaping politics in SW and why I was unnecessarily dragged into their dirty local politics. I was in Ibadan not by the invitation of any SW Muslim individual or group but as a representative of the Coalition of Northern Muslim Ulama. Can anybody stop me from going anywhere in Nigeria? It’s strange how some people think! I believe the whole saga is tele-guided by both foreign and local interests to promote a narrative and polarise the country.”

Beyond debunking the Sharia demand claim, MURIC has called on South-West governors to immediately empower local security networks, including Amotekun and the O’dua Peoples Congress (OPC) , to address the alarming rate of kidnapping in the region. Concerned by the May 15 abduction of 39 students and seven teachers, as well as the subsequent kidnapping of a sister of Chief Adebayo Adelabu along with her twin boys in Ibadan, MURIC advised South-West governments to prepare vigilante groups as first responders. “Groups like the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) and Iru Ekun should be empowered to halt the advance of bandits,” the group stated.

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Also, the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO) , Oyo State Chapter, condemned the reported Sharia demand as “deceptive and contrary to Islamic teachings.” The council’s Oyo State Coordinator, Dawood Afolabi, stated that “terrorism, kidnapping, murder, and the intimidation of innocent people are grave sins in Islam and stand in direct opposition to the objectives and values of Sharia Law.” “The perpetrators of these heinous acts have no religious, moral, or legal authority to speak on behalf of Islam or Nigerian Muslims,” Afolabi added. “Those who abduct innocent students and teachers and seek to negotiate with human lives in the name of Sharia are enemies of the very law they claim to advocate.”

Similarly, the Muslim Community of Oyo State declared that terrorists do not represent Islamic values and cannot speak for Muslims to justify their nefarious actions, emphasising that legitimate Sharia advocates for justice, peace, and the protection of human life.

Gumi’s visit to Ibadan was not his first engagement in the South-West. In November 2025, he spoke at the Southwest Muslims Ulama Summit at the University of Ibadan, where he defended his frequent visits to bandits and terrorists. He disclosed that his engagements with armed groups are not done in secrecy, insisting that he always moves with security operatives and government representatives. “When I go, I go with the police. I don’t go alone. I go with the government. It’s not a one-man machine. I carry everybody along,” Gumi said at the summit. The Kaduna-based cleric has consistently argued that the root causes of insecurity are lack of education and unemployment, and that dialogue, rehabilitation, and amnesty for repentant bandits represent the most effective solution after nearly two decades of failed military operations.

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In recent months, Gumi has faced intense criticism, with some accusing him of supporting banditry. In May 2026, he threatened legal action against anyone circulating false claims against him, stating unequivocally that any video clip, written statement, or message suggesting support for banditry does not emanate from him. “I hereby state unequivocally that any video clip, written statement, or message attributed to me — whether directly or by innuendo — suggesting support for, justification of, protection of, or advocacy for banditry in Nigeria or anywhere else does not emanate from me,” Gumi said in a statement shared on his Facebook page. He attributed the alleged misrepresentation to “ethnic-interest groups, individuals driven by prejudice, and some sectional internet content creators who use sensational and outrageous headlines to attract viewership at the expense of human suffering and sacrifice.”

The Defence Headquarters has previously explained why the military does not respond to Gumi’s comments. In December 2025, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, stated that it is not the role of the Armed Forces to respond to every public statement and that relevant agencies are responsible for addressing such concerns. “Every agency has its functions. It is not for the Armed Forces to focus on what some people in society do not agree with in our activities,” Onoja said. “Ours is to focus on our kinetic operations and, as much as possible, conduct non-kinetic operations when necessary.”

Nigerian media commentators have also weighed in on the controversy surrounding the alleged Sharia demand. An opinion piece published in Nigerian Tribune warned against spreading unverified claims, noting that the four-point demand list circulating on social media — which included the Sharia implementation demand — had “no firm evidentiary foundation.” “The Sharia claim is the most suspicious part of the whole thing,” the piece argued. “Where will the Sharia be implemented? In the classrooms from which the children were abducted? In the Old Oyo National Park where the homicidal, blood-stained criminals are believed to be hiding? The absurdity should detain us before outrage overtakes our capacity for critical thought.” The commentator further warned that the rumour was being used to suggest that Yoruba Muslims are somehow complicit in the crimes of bandits. “It bears stressing that Yoruba Muslims are not responsible for the abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo State. Muslim communities in Yorubaland are not accessories to banditry merely because a rumor says kidnappers demanded Sharia.”

Gumi’s accusation that Islamophobia is shaping politics in the South-West adds another layer to ongoing discourse about religious tensions in Nigeria’s geopolitical zones. The South-West, historically known for relative religious harmony between its Christian and Muslim populations, has seen increased political rhetoric around religious identity in recent years. The cleric’s claim that “both foreign and local interests” are promoting narratives to polarise the country suggests a belief that the controversy surrounding his Ibadan visit was manufactured rather than organic. As Nigeria approaches future election cycles, such accusations of religious bias in political maneuvering are likely to intensify.

Efforts to secure the release of the abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire local government area of Oyo State are ongoing, with security agencies maintaining that negotiations continue behind the scenes. As of Tuesday, no official update had been provided on the status of the victims.

Gumi Says Islamophobia Is Influencing South-West Politics, Rejects Involvement in “Dirty Local Politics”

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Nigerian Labour Leader Dies in Geneva During International Labour Conference

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22 hours ago

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June 9, 2026

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Nigerian Labour Leader Dies in Geneva During International Labour Conference
Domingo Adeleke

Nigerian Labour Leader Dies in Geneva During International Labour Conference

The Nigerian delegation to the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva and the country’s labour movement have been thrown into mourning following the death of Comrade Domingo Michael Adeleke, a prominent Nigerian labour leader and trade unionist.

Adeleke, who served as Chairman of the Lagos State Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) and was also a member of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU), reportedly died on Tuesday after a brief illness while attending the global labour gathering in Switzerland.

According to reports from the Nigerian delegation, Adeleke became ill during the conference and was immediately taken for medical attention in Geneva, where efforts to stabilise his condition proved unsuccessful.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) confirmed his passing, describing him as a committed and passionate advocate for workers’ rights, who dedicated his career to the promotion of decent work, fair wages, and improved labour conditions in Nigeria.

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In an official reaction, the NLC expressed deep sorrow over the loss, noting that Adeleke was part of the 2026 Nigerian Workers’ Delegation to the International Labour Conference at the time of his death. The Congress praised his long-standing commitment to labour activism and his consistent representation of workers’ interests at both state and national levels.

Labour officials further highlighted that Adeleke’s contributions extended beyond union leadership, as he played an active role in negotiations and engagements aimed at strengthening public service delivery and improving industrial relations across Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole.

His death has triggered widespread grief within Nigeria’s organised labour community, with tributes pouring in from colleagues, union leaders, and civil servants who described him as a principled and tireless advocate for social justice.

The NLC noted that Adeleke’s presence at the International Labour Conference reflected his lifelong dedication to advancing workers’ welfare on a global stage, adding that he remained actively engaged in discussions and advocacy efforts until his sudden illness.

Arrangements have reportedly begun for the repatriation of his remains to Nigeria, where further funeral plans will be announced by his family and labour organisations in consultation with the government and union leadership.

The labour movement has extended condolences to his family, the Lagos State workforce, and the wider union community, describing his death as a significant loss to Nigeria’s trade union history and public service advocacy.

Adeleke is remembered as a committed organiser whose work helped shape labour relations and strengthened the voice of workers in government negotiations.

Nigerian Labour Leader Dies in Geneva During International Labour Conference

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Married Woman Who Staged Own Abduction for N50m Ransom Found in Hotel With Lover

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23 hours ago

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June 9, 2026

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Married Woman Who Staged Own Abduction for N50m Ransom Found in Hotel With Lover

Married Woman Who Staged Own Abduction for N50m Ransom Found in Hotel With Lover

A married woman identified as Oluchi has been found in a hotel in Delta State after allegedly staging her own abduction and demanding a N50 million ransom from her family, in a dramatic case that has left relatives and friends reeling from shock and betrayal.

The incident began when family members reported to the police that Oluchi had been kidnapped in the Ikpoba Hill area of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State. Following the report, her children — including a daughter based in Canada — launched frantic efforts to secure her release, appealing to the public for financial assistance as the supposed kidnappers reportedly reduced the ransom demand from N50 million to N20 million.

However, a police investigation into the alleged abduction led detectives to a completely different scene. A source familiar with the case disclosed that operatives traced the phone number of a male suspect to a hotel in Ubiaroko, Delta State, where they found Oluchi together with her alleged lover. “Police traced the number of the man to a hotel in Ubiaroko, Delta State. They met the man and the kidnapped woman inside a hotel,” the source told newsmen. “They called the husband, and he was happy. It was at the station that the police broke the news to him. The wife begged the husband not to tell her children what actually transpired.” Police authorities have since confirmed that four persons have been arrested in connection with the incident, and investigations are ongoing.

In a video that has since circulated widely online, Oluchi’s daughter, Anita, who resides in Canada, expressed shock and disappointment over her mother’s alleged involvement in the scheme. “My mum has been released. She is involved in this kidnapping case. I only did what I did to save my mother. The family is in shock. This is not right. This has shattered my family,” Anita said in the emotional video. She revealed that her father has underlying health issues, describing the situation as deeply unfortunate. “My reputation has been ruined. I am short of words. I am so mad. I have no hand in this. I never knew. I only wanted my mother back home. The law will take its course. I am sorry this is happening. I only did what any daughter would do.”

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Anita confirmed that no ransom was paid and that all funds raised during the search effort remain intact and will be refunded to donors. “We involved the police from the beginning. We now know it was not a real kidnapping. We were told my mother was involved and that she was in a relationship with the man. They had planned to collect the N20 million already raised,” she added.

The Harmony Ladies Club, a social organization to which Anita belongs, has distanced itself from the incident, expressing deep disappointment, shock, and embarrassment at the turn of events. In a statement circulated on its WhatsApp platform, the group recounted how members had rallied in good faith to support the family during what they believed was a genuine life-threatening crisis. “When news of her alleged abduction broke, the club acted swiftly in good faith. Out of sisterhood, love, and a sense of community responsibility, we rallied immediately. Our members provided extensive emotional, logistical, and financial support during what we believed was a life-threatening crisis, carrying the heavy burden of anxiety alongside her family,” the statement read. “It is with a profound sense of betrayal that we have now discovered, through investigations, that the entire kidnapping incident was staged by Mrs. Oluchi herself.”

Confirming the development, the spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command, CSP Eno Ikoedem, disclosed that four persons have been arrested in connection with the incident. “I can confirm the incident and also let you know that four people have been arrested in connection with it,” she stated. Police authorities said investigations are ongoing and that those found culpable will face prosecution in accordance with the law.

This incident is the latest in a worrying trend of staged kidnappings across Nigeria, where individuals orchestrate fake abductions to extort money from relatives and the public. Just days before this case came to light, the Ogun State Police Command uncovered a transnational criminal syndicate involved in coordinated fake abduction schemes. The operation led to the arrest of eight foreign nationals from Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Ivory Coast, and the Republic of Benin who were operating from a hideout in Adiyan Town, Agbado Area of Ogun State. In that case, a 23-year-old Mauritanian national had contacted his family abroad claiming he had been kidnapped in Nigeria and demanding ransom. The suspects reportedly confessed to orchestrating the staged kidnapping to defraud victims’ families.

Similarly, the Ogun State Police Command recently arrested a man identified as Johnson Elleh for producing and sharing a fabricated video suggesting kidnapping and bandit activity along the Owode-Idiroko corridor. Another suspect, Qawiyu Oloyede, was also arrested for posting a fake bandit attack on social media, admitting he fabricated the video to attract online followers. These cases highlight the growing sophistication of individuals exploiting the public’s fear of kidnapping for financial gain, as well as the increasing use of social media to amplify false narratives and solicit funds under false pretenses.

Under Nigerian law, staging a fake kidnapping and making false reports to the police constitutes a criminal offense. Individuals convicted of false kidnapping alarm can face significant prison terms, as the act is considered not only a fraud against family members but also a waste of law enforcement resources. Legal experts note that charges may include obtaining money under false pretenses, conspiracy to commit fraud, and making false reports to public authorities. The fact that four persons have already been arrested in connection with this case suggests that accomplices — including the alleged lover — may also face prosecution.

 

Married Woman Who Staged Own Abduction for N50m Ransom Found in Hotel With Lover

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