Security operatives brutalise Lagos residents for video recording at checkpoint - Newstrends
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Security operatives brutalise Lagos residents for video recording at checkpoint

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Security operatives brutalise Lagos residents for video recording at checkpoint

Two residents, Taofeek Olatunbosun and Rafiu Abdelmalik, were brutalized by security operatives from the Nigerian Customs Service and soldiers at a checkpoint along the Badagry-Seme Expressway on Sunday, December 1, 2024, after they were caught recording a video.

The officers suspected the victims of being informants supplying journalists with information about smuggling activities on the road. Olatunbosun and Abdelmalik, both transporters, were attempting to update their customers about their location when they were accosted.

In an interview with Vanguard, Olatunbosun explained, “We were on our way to Apa when we stopped at a fuel station to refuel. My customer kept asking for my exact location, so I asked my assistant to record a video of our surroundings to send to him. Suddenly, someone approached my assistant and tried to grab his phone. This attracted the attention of security operatives at the checkpoint. They accused us of recording videos for journalists exposing smuggling activities.”

The officers took them to a nearby location, where they contacted their team leader, Officer Adamu Zakari, a soldier. “When he arrived, he recognized me and mentioned knowing my brother, threatening to kill him the next time he saw him. Despite recognizing me, he still didn’t believe our story. He then asked why the officers hadn’t killed us and dumped our bodies in the water,” Olatunbosun recounted. That was when the brutal beating began.

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Rafiu Abdelmalik, the second victim, added, “I was just following my boss’s instructions. One of the smugglers working with the security operatives slapped me and tried to seize my phone. They dragged us to a secluded area near the checkpoint, where the officers tortured us, demanding we reveal which journalists we were planning to send the video to.”

The victims were eventually rescued by residents who witnessed the severity of the beating and alerted the police. “If the residents hadn’t called the police, they would have killed us,” Abdelmalik said. It was later discovered that the same officers had previously warned journalists in Badagry not to report on smuggling activities.

This incident follows an investigative report by journalist Fisayo Soyombo, which exposed the alleged involvement of the Nigerian Customs Service in smuggling operations along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway. Soyombo’s video showed Customs patrol vans at checkpoints allowing smugglers to pass freely, with goods such as rice, chicken, and turkey being transported, and suspicions of illicit drugs or weapons being smuggled as well.

When contacted by Vanguard, Abdullahi Hossein, Public Relations Officer for the Seme Border Customs, stated, “The officers involved will be withdrawn from the checkpoint immediately. What they did does not reflect the values of our organization, and we take full responsibility for their actions.” Regarding the military personnel’s involvement, Hossein added, “Due to the volatile nature of some patrols, we have military personnel attached to us. I’m not sure if military officers were involved in this incident, but we take responsibility and urge the victims to reach out to us.”

 

Security operatives brutalise Lagos residents for video recording at checkpoint

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Kwara Governor Mourns 5 Forest Guards Killed in Nuku Bandit Attack

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Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq

Kwara Governor Mourns 5 Forest Guards Killed in Nuku Bandit Attack

The Kwara State Government has condemned the killing of five forest guards in a deadly bandit attack in Kwara State, as Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq expressed grief over the tragic incident and unveiled fresh measures to strengthen security.

The हमला occurred in Nuku community, Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, where suspected bandits reportedly launched a coordinated midnight raid on a security outpost around 3:00 a.m., killing five forest guards on duty.

In a statement issued through his Special Adviser on Media, Bashir Adigun, the governor described the slain guards as brave patriots who died defending their communities.

“I received the news with a heavy heart. These men paid the ultimate price while confronting armed assailants. Nothing can truly compensate for their sacrifice,” AbdulRazaq said.

According to local sources, the attackers arrived in large numbers, overwhelmed the guards, and set fire to motorcycles and patrol vehicles at the outpost, leaving critical security assets destroyed.

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The latest bandit attack in Kaiama LGA has heightened fear among residents, especially as it comes barely two months after similar deadly raids on Woro and neighbouring Nuku communities.

Security experts say the increasing frequency of such attacks signals a worrying spread of banditry in North Central Nigeria, with forested areas serving as operational bases for armed groups.

Governor AbdulRazaq commended security agencies for their ongoing efforts but urged them to intensify operations to curb the growing threat.

To tackle the situation, he announced the formation of a Kwara State Security Strategy Committee, comprising retired senior military and security officers tasked with strengthening intelligence gathering and coordinating security responses.

The committee is chaired by retired Major General G.A. Wahab, with members including Major General Yemi Abidoye, Major General Abubakar Ndalolo, Rear Admiral Aliyu Lawal, Air Commodore A.S.A. Buhari, Assistant Inspector-General of Police Aderemi Opadokun, and Lieutenant Colonel W.A. Lawal. Shuaib Abdulganiyu will serve as secretary.

The governor said the committee would immediately begin deliberations on practical strategies to address insecurity, particularly in rural and vulnerable communities.

He also assured that the state government would support the families of the deceased guards and work closely with federal security agencies to prevent further attacks.

“Our sincere condolences go to the families and communities of the forest guards. They will forever remain our heroes,” he added.

Authorities have reportedly deployed additional security personnel to the affected area, while investigations are ongoing to track down those responsible for the killings.

The incident underscores growing concerns over insecurity in Kwara State, as residents continue to call for stronger protection and proactive security measures.

Kwara Governor Mourns 5 Forest Guards Killed in Nuku Bandit Attack

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Amnesty International Condemns Killing of 24 in Kebbi Bandit Attack

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Amnesty International Condemns Killing of 24 in Kebbi Bandit Attack

Amnesty International Condemns Killing of 24 in Kebbi Bandit Attack

Amnesty International has condemned the killing of at least 24 people following a brutal bandit attack in Kebbi State, describing the घटना as a serious failure of security and a violation of fundamental human rights.

The attack occurred in Debe community, located in Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi State, on the evening of Easter Sunday, when armed bandits reportedly invaded the village and unleashed violence on residents.

According to survivors, the attackers carried out indiscriminate killings, targeting anyone in sight without regard for religion or identity. Victims included Muslims, Christians, and followers of traditional beliefs, highlighting the random and devastating nature of the assault.

Residents said the gunmen moved from house to house, killing and burning properties in what has been described as one of the deadliest recent attacks in the area.

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Beyond the loss of lives, several homes were razed during the হাম, leaving many families homeless. A Catholic church—an outstation of Sacred Heart Parish in Shafa—was completely destroyed, while at least 14 shops belonging to local traders were set ablaze, wiping out goods and livelihoods.

The violence has triggered a humanitarian crisis, with many residents displaced and forced to flee to neighbouring communities. Victims are currently in urgent need of food, shelter, and medical assistance, as local resources remain overstretched.

In its statement, Amnesty International called on Nigerian authorities to launch a prompt, thorough, and impartial investigation into the killings and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

The organisation also urged the government to improve security in Kebbi State and other vulnerable parts of northwestern Nigeria, where banditry continues to pose a major threat to civilian lives.

Security concerns in the region have persisted despite ongoing military operations, with communities frequently reporting delayed response times and insufficient protection during attacks.

The incident further underscores the growing insecurity crisis in Nigeria’s northwest, where repeated bandit attacks have led to loss of lives, displacement, and destruction of property.

Amnesty International Condemns Killing of 24 in Kebbi Bandit Attack

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Man Admits Stabbing Wife 22 Times in Front of Four Children

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Ndata Bobb died in hospital after emergency services were called to a disturbance in Edinburgh's Restalrig Avenue
Ndata Bobb died in hospital after emergency services were called to a disturbance in Edinburgh's Restalrig Avenue

Man Admits Stabbing Wife 22 Times in Front of Four Children

A 56-year-old man, Momodou Bobb, is facing a mandatory life sentence after admitting to the brutal killing of his wife, Ndata Bobb, in a shocking domestic violence case that took place while their four children were inside the home.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard that the attack occurred at the family’s home in Restalrig, Restalrig, Edinburgh, where the victim suffered at least 22 stab wounds to multiple parts of her body, including the face, neck, chest, back, arms, and abdomen.

Prosecutors told the court that Bobb initially claimed the incident happened during a struggle in which he was holding a knife that “slipped,” but he later admitted murdering his wife during a violent confrontation on 27 and 28 August last year.

The court was told that emergency services were alerted after a 999 call reported a “fight” between the couple. When police arrived, Bobb opened the door wearing only boxer shorts and was covered in blood. Officers also found two blood-stained knives in the kitchen.

Despite rapid medical intervention, including attempts by paramedics to resuscitate the victim at the scene, she was later pronounced dead at hospital. A post-mortem examination confirmed that the cause of death was a deep stab wound to the neck that severed a major vein.

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Witness testimony presented in court described hearing the victim screaming for help, reportedly shouting “leave me alone” before collapsing inside the living room.

The court also heard that Bobb sustained injuries to his hand during the incident and was treated in hospital under police supervision. During treatment, he reportedly told officers that the knife had “slipped” during a fight.

Lady Haldane, presiding over the case, described the victim as a “much-loved mother” and noted the devastating impact her death has had on her family, including her four children—three of whom she shared with the accused and one from a previous relationship.

She further confirmed that under UK law, murder carries a mandatory life sentence, with the court set to determine the minimum term Bobb must serve before being eligible to apply for parole.

The judge noted that the victim, originally from The Gambia, had a large extended family and was deeply loved by those who knew her, adding that the “tragedy of her loss is immense.”

Court proceedings revealed that the couple had moved to the UK in the 1990s and later settled in Scotland, with the victim obtaining tenancy of the Edinburgh property in late 2023.

Sentence has been deferred pending the preparation of background and sentencing reports.

Authorities have described the case as a deeply disturbing example of domestic violence, highlighting ongoing concerns about the need for stronger prevention and intervention measures to protect vulnerable families.

Man Admits Stabbing Wife 22 Times in Front of Four Children

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