NSCDC arrests 42 bandits masquerading as miners across Zamfara, Kogi, Niger states – Newstrends
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NSCDC arrests 42 bandits masquerading as miners across Zamfara, Kogi, Niger states

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1 year ago

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Federal Capital Territory (FCT), NSCDC Commandant, Olusola Odumosu

NSCDC arrests 42 bandits masquerading as miners across Zamfara, Kogi, Niger states

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, has apprehended 42 suspected bandits and terrorists masquerading as miners.

This was revealed on Wednesday by FCT NSCDC Commandant, Olusola Odumosu, during a press briefing at the command’s headquarters in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.

Odumosu stated that the operation was conducted on Monday, February 12, 2024, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army’s 176 Guards Battalion at Tsaumi Village in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State.

According to him, the suspected bandits were found with sharp objects like daggers, knives and cutlasses. He noted that preliminary investigations by the Corps revealed that the apprehended individuals were likely fleeing military operations in Zamfara State.

The commandant said that despite the bandits claiming to be miners, they failed to provide evidence of their purported mining activities. He noted that the suspects confessed to having sponsors, prompting further ongoing investigations.

“I am happy to announce to you today that the charge is paying off. Acting on credible intelligence and in collaboration with the 176 Guards Battalion of the Nigerian Army, 42 suspected bandits and terrorists operating under the cover of being miners of solid minerals have been arrested. The arrest took place on Monday, 11th February, 2024 at about 0600hrs.

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“The suspects were intercepted at the forest of Tsaumi Village bothering Lambata in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State.

“Preliminary investigation by the Corps revealed that they may not be miners as they presented but rather suspected bandits fleeing the on-going onslaught of the military operation in Zamfara State through the forest zone of Niger State into the FCT through Gwagwalada Area Council enroute Pai Village of Kwali Area Council.

“In the course of interrogation, they were unable to disclose the mining site and company name they alleged to be working for.

“Further investigation revealed that this group of young men have been operating within Zamfara, Kogi and Niger States. At the time they were intercepted, they had no evidence to show they were going on mining activities which suggest they have a sinister agenda.

“They have also confessed to having sponsors, however investigation in that regard is still on going and you will be intimated when it is concluded.

“The suspects have been cooperating with the corps by giving useful information that will help determine their level of involvement in banditry and kidnapping activities in the FCT. When investigations are concluded and their level of involvement in crime is determined, necessary further actions will be taken.”

In a separate operation, the command in collaboration with the Department of State Security Services (DSS) led the arrest of one Bartholomew Anthony, a 27-year old from Kaduna State.

Anthony was apprehended in the Mabushi axis of the FCT with incriminating exhibits, including pieces of armored cables, a hacksaw, a jack knife, a Techno Bolton handset, and ₦20,000 in cash.

Odumosu further disclosed that Anthony’s statement uncovered three of his accomplices – Hakilu Muhammed, Abdulrahaman Abbas, and Samila Promise – all members of a syndicate invovled in the vandalisation and theft of armoured cables in the FCT.

He stated that the arrested suspects, linked to a vigilante group, will soon face court proceedings.

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“In the same vein our operational synergy with the men of Department of state security services led to the arrest of one Bartholomew Anthony, a male, 27yeaars old from kaura Local government area of Kaduna State. He was arrested at the mabushi axis of the FCT.
The said Bartholomew Anthony was arrested with the following exhibits… Pieces of Armoured cables, 1 hacksaw, 1 Jack knife, 1 Techno Bolton handset and Twenty (₦20,000) Thousand Naira cash.

“The suspect made useful statement that lead our operatives to arrest three of his other accomplices: Hakilu Muhammed ”M” 25 yers old from shango LGA Niger state, Abdulrahaman Abbas “M” 30 Yers old from Unguwan sarki Piako LGA, Niger state, Samila Promise “M” 20 YERS OLD from karim limido, Pitiko LGA, Taraba state all four arrested suspects belong to a syndicate that specialize in vandalization and theft of armoured cables in the FCT.

“The suspects through our discreet investigators, belong to a vigilante group and hence use their purported membership of the security outfit to commit heinous acts. We have profiled them and their statements obtained, they will soon be arraigned in court for justice to prevail,” the Commandant said.

Odumosu assured residents of the FCT that relentless efforts will be made to eradicate criminal elements within the territory and encouraged the public to report any suspicious individuals, while emphasizing the collective responsibility for maintaining security in the region.

He said, “I want to assure the residence of the FCT that we will not rest on our oars until we rid the FCT of all criminal elements that want to make the FCT unsafe for habitation. I want to also appeal to the general public to report all suspicious persons, as security is everyone’s business.”

Recall that the Commandant had summoned Heads of Intelligence teams, Area Commanders and all Divisional Officers to a meeting in order to review strategies over the current trends in the security situation in(FCT).

During the meeting, he charged the officers and men of the NSCDC to step up their game against criminal elements within the territory using intelligence gathering.

NSCDC arrests 42 bandits masquerading as miners across Zamfara, Kogi, Niger states

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Ex-LG chair challenges El-Rufai’s claims on council funds

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14 hours ago

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March 23, 2025

By

Former Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasiru Ahmad El-Rufai

Ex-LG chair challenges El-Rufai’s claims on council funds

Former Secretary of the Association of Local Governments Of Nigeria (ALGON), Kaduna State chapter, Alhaji Kabiru Jarimi, has refuted ex-Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s claim that he never interfered with Area Councils’ funds during his tenure.

Jarimi, who served under El-Rufai’s administration, described the claim as misleading, stating that funds were routinely deducted from councils’ allocations under various guises by the previous government.

The ex-ALGON State Secretary, who is also the former Chairman of Kaduna South local government, disclosed this in an interview over the weekend.

“I was shocked by El Rufai’s comment because local government funds were deducted without our approval. Most of the deductions targeted Southern Kaduna LGAs.

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“We never got our full allocations under El-Rufai. His government kept introducing policies to deduct funds unnecessarily. I even considered resigning. At times, we had no funds for overhead costs after paying salaries,” he recalled.

Jarimi, who said that El-Rufai justified the deductions as necessary to settle workers’ salaries, further noted that the state government also employed various means to withdraw additional funds.

The former Council Chairman cited the creation of the Kaduna Capital Territory Authority, Zaria Metropolitan Authority and Kafanchan Municipal Authority as a means of shortchanging local governments.

“Salaries were shared 60–40 between the capital territories and LGs around them. In Kaduna South, deductions were made in the name of sanitation, forcing us to remit funds to the Kaduna Capital Territory Authority (KCTA) every month,” he stated.

The former Chairman further alleged that the funds of local governments outside the capital territories were also deducted without explanation, citing deductions for security and ‘riot damage.’

Ex-LG chair challenges El-Rufai’s claims on council funds

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Gunmen abduct Catholic priest in Anambra

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14 hours ago

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March 23, 2025

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Gunmen abduct Catholic priest in Anambra

A Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Stephen Echezona of St. Patrick Church, Ichida, has been reportedly abducted by gunmen in Anambra State.

According to a report by security analyst and counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, the incident occurred around 6:00 p.m. on Saturday when four armed men, operating in a white Lexus 330 SUV with an unknown registration number, intercepted the cleric and whisked him away along with his Toyota Highlander SUV.

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A joint team of security operatives and local vigilantes (AVG) were said to have responded swiftly to the attack, pursuing the assailants and engaging them in a gun duel at a road intersection between Oraeri and Akwaeze villages.

Though the criminals managed to escape, their Lexus SUV sustained significant damage, including a shattered rear windshield.

The Anambra Police Command is yet to release a statement on the abduction of the priest.

 

Gunmen abduct Catholic priest in Anambra

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Adeleke University didn’t suspend Muslims for praying – MSSN

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14 hours ago

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March 23, 2025

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Adeleke University didn’t suspend Muslims for praying – MSSN

The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Adeleke University Branch, Ede, Osun State, has described as “fake news” a statement credited to MURIC which alleged the suspension of a Muslim student of the university over Friday prayers.

The association, in a statement signed by its Ameer, Imran Adigun AbdulHakeem, on Sunday, said MURIC’s reports circulated on social media were a misrepresentation of happenings within the university, saying “our faith is respected by the management.”

In another letter, the association apologised to the director and facilitator of the university, Chief (Mrs) Dupe Adeleke-Sanni, whom the association credited with providing a conducive atmosphere for Muslim students to practise their faith.

The letter reads: “On behalf of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Adeleke University Chapter, [I] write to address the ongoing misinformation circulating on social media and other platforms regarding the suspension of Muslim Students for praying on Campus.

“On the 14th of March, 2025, we were temporarily suspended from observing our Night Ramadan Prayers (Taraweeh) and Jummat prayers on campus on the orders of the Director of Security Service (DSS).

“However, on the 18th of March, we met with Dr. Mrs. Modupe Adeleke regarding these challenges.

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“She provided us with a place where we could observe Ramadan, Jummat prayers, and the five daily prayers which we accepted. As a result, the suspension has been lifted, and we have resumed prayers at the new location provided by the university on the orders of Dr Modupe Adeleke.

“At no time have Muslim Students been forced to change their beliefs. While challenges may arise in any diverse academic institution, the university management has always been open to dialogue, and we have continued to receive support in practicing our faith.

“Adeleke University has provided a peaceful and respectful environment for all faiths, and we continue to practice our religion freely.

“We urge the public to disregard the misinformation that may have been spread regarding this matter as they do not reflect the reality of our experiences,” the letter to the university management noted.

The letter of apology to Chief (Mrs) Dupe Adeleke-Sanni reads: “As-salamu alaykum (peace be upon you). On behalf of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Adeleke University Chapter, I apologize for any distress caused by the false social media reports.

“We assure you that we had no hand in spreading the misinformation. We are deeply grateful for your unwavering support, guidance, and kindness towards us.

“Your commitment to our well-being and academic success is invaluable, and we appreciate everything you’ve done for us. May Allah (SWT) reward you abundantly for your good deeds. Jazakumullah khairan (may Allah reward you with goodness).

“Thank you for being an exceptional Mother and mentor. We are blessed to have you,” the letter added.

 

Adeleke University didn’t suspend Muslims for praying – MSSN

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