Niger: Residents flee community as troops withdraw after deadly ambush

The Nigerian military has dismantled their tents and withdrawn their services from communities in Niger State following deadly attacks by bandits and terrorists.

Two officers and four soldiers lost their lives last Friday in the Allawa community in Shiroro Local Government Area of the state during an ambush by the bandits which left over eight persons dead.

The PUNCH learnt that following the withdrawal of the soldiers on Thursday, hundreds of residents, including women, children, and the elderly have started vacating their ancestral homes and, trekking several kilometres to safety.

A resident, who is privy to the development, said that they were shocked to find the soldiers dismantling their tents ahead of withdrawing their services to the communities and called on the Niger State Government to quickly intervene to avert any attack by the bandits.

According to one of the residents who spoke to the media under the condition of anonymity, the withdrawal of the soldiers came two days after a military vehicle stepped on a landmine along the Allawa-Pandogari road, resulting in the casualty of an unspecified number of soldiers.

“We woke up on Thursday morning to find the soldiers dismantling their tents in readiness to leave the community. I don’t know if you are aware that on Tuesday, a military vehicle carrying some personnel on their way to Allawa stepped on an IED. There was a heavy casualty as many soldiers lost their lives while some were injured. The injured are in the hospital. The incident happened on Allawa-pandogari road,” the resident said.

READ ALSO:

• Place arms embargo on Nigeria, IPOB tells Italy
• BDCs blame peer-to-peer Binance, others for naira  fall
• MTN, Airtel, others set to increase call, data tarrif

It would be recalled that Tuesday’s incident occurred less than a week after the two officers, four soldiers, a vigilante, and a hunter lost their lives in an ambush at Roro when bandits ambushed them in Roro, Karaga, Rumace, and other farming communities.

Another resident, who gave his name as Yahuza Allawa, told the media that dozens of residents vacated their communities as early as 4 am trekking several kilometres heading towards Erena, Gwada, Kuta, or Zumba for safety.

Police arrest abductors of Taraba varsity student 

The Taraba State police command has confirmed the arrest of 28 suspects for various crimes, including the abduction of varsity students in the state.

State Police Commissioner CP. David Iloyanomon disclosed this during a press briefing in Jalingo on Thursday. He also revealed that the command is searching for the former Chairman of Takum Local Government Area, Mr. Shiban Tikari, in connection with the 2017 murder of a member of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Hosea Ibi. Tikari is currently on the run.

Two suspects in Ibi’s murder were sentenced to life imprisonment last month for their involvement in the kidnapping and subsequent murder of the legislator. All suspects confessed that Tikari was the one who ordered the kidnapping and murder, prompting the judge to request his arrest.

Iloyanomon disclosed that the command has also recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition, as well as a tricycle, charms, 102 cows, a motorcycle, and other items.

He said, “There is no doubt that the Police Command, leveraging the support and cooperation of security agencies in the state and the good people of Taraba State, have worked assiduously to fight head-on all forms of criminality with remarkable achievements. Some of them are presented below.”

READ ALSO:

• Elon Musk is $9.8 billion richer in 1 day, despite Tesla’s revenue decline
• BREAKING: Panic at Lagos airport after fire outbreak, flights diverted
• UK University offers £37k scholarships, flight allowances to Nigerians, others

The commissioner then proceeded to detail some of the arrests made, including:

• Abdulkarim Ibrahim: Arrested in Perogal Tunga village, Sardauna LGA, for terrorizing villages in the local government. He confessed to involvement in several kidnappings.
• Garba Yahaya and Abdullahi Usman Mohammed: Arrested in Gassol LGA for their involvement in a series of kidnappings and collecting ransom money.
• Laulo Alhaji Adamu: A notorious kidnapper arrested in Bamanda Village, Lau LGA, for terrorizing Jimlari and Marraraban Kunini villages. He has confessed to several kidnappings.

Other criminal suspects were arrested for various crimes, including culpable homicide, armed robbery, illegal possession of arms, cyber crimes, banditry, criminal conspiracy, theft, and cattle rustling.

Iloyanomon also highlighted an incident where officers of the command turned down a bribe of ₦8,000,000 while on patrol. The Inspector General of Police commended these officers for their professionalism and urged others to emulate them.

The commissioner concluded by thanking the Governor of Taraba State for his commitment to combating crime and supporting security agencies in ensuring peace and security in the state. He reaffirmed the Taraba State Police Command’s commitment to upholding law and order.

Police arrest abductors of Taraba varsity student

LAUTECH: Police officers accused of killing student arrested

The Oyo State Police Command said some officers involved in the alleged killing of a student, Damilola Iyanda, at a club in Ogbomoso, have been apprehended and detained.

According to a statement by the spokesman of the command, Adewale Osifeso stated that the officers involved in the shooting have been detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku.

The deceased was allegedly killed by a policeman identified as Inspector Rasheed Saheed, while two other people were also injured during the incident.

Osifeso noted that the commissioner of police in the state, Adebola Hamzat has ordered the Homicide Department of the State Criminal Investigation Department with the Deputy Commissioner of Police directly in charge of the investigations to take up the matter.

The statement reads: “The Oyo State Police Command wishes to clear the air about the unfortunate shooting incident that occurred on Monday 22/4/2024 at about 0130hrs around a popular Night Club along, “Under G” Area, Owode-Ogbomoso resulting in the demise of Iyanda Damilola, ‘m’.

READ ALSO:

• Judge absent in Fayose N6.9bn fraud case, matter adjourned to July 1 
• In fresh attack, bandits invade two Zamfara communities, kill three, abduct many
• Unite against Israel to better humanity, Fani-Kayode task Christians, Muslims

“Investigation report reveals that during the early hours of the same date and time, a distress call was received by Operatives of the Command’s Monitoring Unit stationed within Ogbomoso through the Director of a popular Night Club within the axis, requesting for immediate intervention and protection from rampaging suspected student cultists who were at the time harassing guests and destroying club property.