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Sani Bello: Niger Has Recorded 50 Attacks, Lost 220 Lives In January Alone

Published

4 years ago

January 19, 2022

Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State

Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State has said not less than 165 civilians, 25 security personnel, and 30 local vigilantes were killed within 17 days this year.

The governor announced the figures after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday.

He said his state recorded 50 attacks and loss of lives between January 1 and January 17, while not less than 300 communities were also invaded by bandits within the same period, while 200 persons, including three Chinese nationals, were abducted.

He, however, expressed optimism that the state would witness remarkable improvement in security.

The President had, on Sunday, asked the military to respond “robustly” to the cases of killings and kidnappings in Niger State and to give effect to the strategic objectives through the use of force.

The governor said: “This afternoon, I came to visit Mr President to give him an update on the security situation in Niger State with regard to banditry activities, kidnapping, and cattle rustling among others.

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“We had a very fruitful discussion. We were able to review some of the invasions in the state. Unfortunately, I cannot tell you all. In the last few days, there have been a lot of activities in Niger State. Hopefully, in the next two weeks, we will see some relief with regard to banditry.

“I also gave an highlight on some of the challenges. Of course, our size is a disadvantage, almost nine million hectares. We lost some forests.

“In January this year alone, we suffered not less than 50 reported attacks and loss of lives, between 1st and 17th January. Within the same period, not less than 300 communities have been invaded by bandits. The number of people kidnapped is 200, including three Chinese nationals. We also lost some security personnel. Their number is 25. Unfortunately, we lost about 165 civilians and 30 local vigilantes. So, it’s a very dire situation that we have been battling since the beginning of this year.

“But with the kind of zeal I have seen from our security agencies and all services. I’m very optimistic that the situation will be addressed. And hopefully, we should get a very peaceful state within the shortest possible time.

“But there is still a lot of work to do. We share borders with Kaduna, Zamfara, and Kebbi States. And these bandits have the habit of hibernating between forests, moving from Zamfara to Kebbi, and Kebbi to Niger. They take advantage of the cattle routes which they already know. They move on motorcycles. And most the areas and communities they attack have no access roads. So, you cannot drive there. So, our response time is slow.

“But going forward, there will be new strategies which I earlier mentioned. It will help us. But I can’t disclose some of those strategies. But basically, the States of Kaduna, Niger, Kebbi would have to work together to address the situation.

“What I realize is that they have been taking us on a merry-go-round. When we deal with them in Niger, they move to Kaduna. When Kaduna deals with them, they move to Katsina. They have been hibernating in the forest. Some of these operations need to be handled simultaneously so that we get the result.

“We are not happy and we are sad with the developments in these states. We are doing whatever we can, using kinetic and non kinetic efforts to see that we address the present situation.”

Daily Trust

Related Topics:attacks Featured January Niger Recorded Sani Bello

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Pastor Found Dead in Guest House After Night Out With Married Female Church Member

Published

5 hours ago

April 4, 2026

Trends Admin

Pastor Found Dead in Guest House After Night Out With Married Female Church Member

Reverend Michael Kofi Appiah, the founder of Light of Faith Ministry, was tragically found dead in a guest house in Takoradi, Ghana, following a night out with a female church member. The incident has sparked widespread concern and prompted an ongoing police investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

According to reports, Reverend Appiah and the woman checked into the guest house around 10:00 p.m., where they reportedly ordered food and drinks. Staff became alarmed later in the night after hearing unusual calls for help, only to discover the pastor unresponsive in his room. Authorities and medical personnel were promptly notified, and the pastor was confirmed dead at the scene.

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The exact cause of death remains unclear, and an autopsy has been scheduled to determine the circumstances. Police are currently gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses, while urging the public to avoid speculation as investigations continue.

The pastor’s sudden death has shocked church members and the wider community, prompting an outpouring of condolences on social media. Many have expressed grief over the loss of a preacher who had a significant impact in Takoradi and beyond.

Authorities have assured that a thorough and transparent investigation will be conducted to ascertain what led to the tragedy, including examining any possible foul play. Meanwhile, the pastor’s remains have been transferred to the morgue pending the outcome of official inquiries.

This incident comes amid rising concern over safety and accountability in public and private spaces, highlighting the need for careful monitoring and investigation whenever such sudden deaths occur.

Pastor Found Dead in Guest House After Night Out With Married Female Church Member

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Nasarawa Communal Violence: 11 Killed, 52 Houses Burnt in Reprisal Attack

Published

5 hours ago

April 4, 2026

Trends Admin

Nasarawa State Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed

Nasarawa Communal Violence: 11 Killed, 52 Houses Burnt in Reprisal Attack

Nasarawa State — At least 11 people have been killed and 52 houses burnt in a reprisal attack by suspected hoodlums in Akyawa and Udege Kasa communities of Nasarawa Local Government Area. The attack, which occurred on Friday, was reportedly in retaliation for the alleged killing of two kinsmen, highlighting ongoing communal tensions in central Nigeria.

The Nasarawa State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement by SP Ramhan Nansel, the state police spokesperson. He said the hoodlums went on a destructive rampage, killing residents and setting their homes ablaze. “In the course of the attack, 11 people were killed, while about 52 houses were burnt in the two communities,” Nansel stated.

CP Shetima Mohammed, the state Commissioner of Police, led a team to the affected areas to assess the destruction and reassure residents. He expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and property and commiserated with the victims’ families, pledging the police command’s commitment to ensuring justice.

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To contain the situation, the CP ordered an intensive manhunt for the perpetrators, directing tactical teams and investigative units to promptly identify, arrest, and prosecute the hoodlums responsible. Security personnel were reinforced in the affected communities to prevent further escalation.

Police efforts are being conducted in collaboration with the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to provide adequate protection and restore lasting peace. During a stakeholders’ meeting, the CP urged residents to remain calm, law-abiding, and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could aid ongoing investigations.

Authorities say that normalcy has largely been restored, but residents remain on edge as they begin the process of rebuilding their homes and livelihoods. Analysts warn that communal disputes over land, livestock, and alleged killings continue to fuel cycles of retaliation in Nasarawa and other parts of the Middle Belt.

This latest reprisal attack underscores the urgent need for improved security measures, early warning systems, and community engagement to prevent similar tragedies in the region.

Nasarawa Communal Violence: 11 Killed, 52 Houses Burnt in Reprisal Attack

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Final-Year UNIJOS Student Discovered Dead Following Attack Near Campus

Published

5 hours ago

April 4, 2026

Trends Admin

Adeyemo Oluwafemi Temitope

Final-Year UNIJOS Student Discovered Dead Following Attack Near Campus

Jos, Plateau State — The remains of Adeyemo Oluwafemi Temitope, a 500‑level quantity surveying student of the University of Jos (UNIJOS), have been confirmed dead, three days after he was reported missing amid escalating insecurity in Jos. The tragic news was first shared by his close friend, Meshak Gimba, a 400‑level psychology student, via social media on Friday.

Gimba explained that he had initially posted Temitope’s photograph online to help locate him but later received a call directing him to the University of Jos Teaching Hospital, where the body was discovered. According to hospital officials, Temitope was allegedly attacked by unknown assailants at Bauchi Junction, near the UNIJOS hostels, while returning from the market.

UNIJOS authorities, including the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Tanko Ishaya, and the university’s Chief Security Officer, Agama Solomon, confirmed the incident. Solomon said the university management verified the body at the hospital and contacted the family to commence arrangements for a joint burial.

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Temitope’s death comes amid a spike in violence in Jos, particularly following a bandit attack in Angwan Rukuba on March 29, which claimed at least 28 lives and injured several others. The Plateau State Government subsequently imposed a 48-hour curfew on parts of Jos North Local Government Area, though fresh tension continued to rise in the city.

In response to the growing insecurity, UNIJOS ordered all students to evacuate hostels immediately and suspended scheduled examinations until after the Easter break. The university also coordinated with security agencies to ensure student safety and liaised with state governments to assist in relocating students, especially those from neighbouring states.

State authorities, including the Kogi and Benue governments, assisted in evacuating their students from UNIJOS to protect them from potential attacks. Security agencies in Plateau intensified patrols and intelligence operations around university campuses and high-risk areas to prevent further incidents.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) also provided relief materials, including food and medical supplies, to support victims and displaced residents affected by the recent attacks. Community leaders and student associations have called for enhanced security measures to ensure the safety of students and restore normalcy in the Plateau State capital.

The tragic killing of Adeyemo Temitope underscores the urgent need for stronger protection of academic institutions and civilian areas in Jos as residents continue to face threats from bandits and armed assailants.