metro

Suspected bandits order residents to vacate estate in Minna

Published

2 weeks ago

September 4, 2024

Shawulu Dan-Mammam,Commissioner of Police, Niger State

Suspected bandits order residents to vacate estate in Minna

Residents of M.I Wushishi Estate in Minna, the capital of Niger State, are living in fear after suspected bandits, believed to be illegal miners, issued an ultimatum demanding that they vacate the estate or face death.

The threats follow a recent attack on the estate during which the bandits vandalized cars and shattered windows of several houses.

A resident, speaking on condition of anonymity on Monday, disclosed that the attack occurred while most of the male residents were away at work.

The incident took place after some residents had reported the activities of the illegal miners to the local police station.

“Hoodlums we suspect are miners in the neighborhood have asked all the residents of M.I Wushishi Housing Estate in Minna, the Niger State Capital, to vacate their homes or get killed,” the resident said. “These guys invaded the community in broad daylight, breaking window glasses. Several cars were also damaged.”

The resident further explained that the attack seemed to be a retaliatory response after the illegal miners were reported to the authorities. “These guys told us that they were coming for us, and they came. They came after most men had gone to work. Many top civil servants, including directors and permanent secretaries, live in the estate.

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I know of many people who have moved out of the estate this evening for fear of the attacks,” the resident added.

He also lamented the growing insecurity in the state, noting, “Nowhere is safe in the state. If bandits and terrorists are not chasing people from their homes, it is hoodlums and miners. Where is the government for the sake of Allah?”

When contacted on Tuesday, the Niger State Police Command spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident but assured that the situation had been brought under control. He detailed the police response to the distress call, stating, “On 02/09/2024 at about 1400hrs, a distress call was received that suspected illegal miners, miscreants/thugs engaged in a fight and were attacking houses at M.I Wushishi Estate, Minna.”

Abiodun further reported that the police patrol teams, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Maitumbi, responded promptly and dispersed the miscreants.

Unfortunately, one person, whose identity is yet to be confirmed, was killed by the hoodlums during the confrontation. The deceased was taken to the general hospital morgue.

“Normalcy has been restored, and an investigation is ongoing to arrest the assailants. Patrol teams have been positioned in the area to prevent a recurrence,” Abiodun concluded.

The attack underscores the growing insecurity in Niger State, where residents continue to grapple with threats from various criminal elements.

Suspected bandits order residents to vacate estate in Minna

metro

Kidnappers kill hotel owner, manager, guest after collecting N25m ransom

Published

6 hours ago

September 16, 2024

Trends Admin

Shawulu Dan-Mammam,Commissioner of Police, Niger State

Kidnappers kill hotel owner, manager, guest after collecting N25m ransom

In a tragic turn of events, kidnappers who abducted a hotel owner, his manager, and a guest in Gauraka community, Tafa Local Government Area, Niger State, have executed their captives despite receiving a ransom of N25 million.

The incident, which occurred early on August 17, 2024, has also claimed the lives of two local vigilantes, Abubakar Muhammad and Ibrahim Garba, who were killed while delivering the ransom.

According to reports from City & Crime, the bodies of the victims were found in the Dogon-Daji Forest, a border area between Kaduna, Niger State, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). They were subsequently transported to an air force base near the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

Hussaini Abubakar, the commander of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) in Tafa, confirmed that the remains of the vigilantes were buried on Saturday following military clearance.

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Additionally, a man previously abducted from the community about a month ago was rescued with gunshot wounds and is receiving treatment at an army medical facility in Abuja.

The abduction began around 1 am when the kidnappers raided the hotel, forcibly taking all the lodgers. Witnesses reported that the bandits fired shots while leaving, drawing attention to the crime. Despite the presence of a security hunter nearby, the individual fled upon seeing the attackers.

Community residents have expressed growing frustration over the escalating attacks, noting that the bandits frequently operate in nearby forests and along major roads, including the Ijah-Koro and Ijah-Gwari roads leading to Bwari town in the FCT.

Gauraka has experienced at least five kidnapping incidents in the past four months, underscoring the urgent need for increased security measures in the area.

Kidnappers kill hotel owner, manager, guest after collecting N25m ransom

metro

Five Chinese arrested in Akwa Ibom for illegal mining

Published

6 hours ago

September 16, 2024

Trends Admin

Five Chinese arrested in Akwa Ibom for illegal mining

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested five Chinese nationals suspected of illegal mining activities in Ndito-Eka-Iba village, located in Ibieno Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.

The EFCC announced the arrests on Sunday, stating that its Special Task Force on Illegal Mining, operating in Uyo, carried out the operation based on credible intelligence regarding illicit mining activities conducted by foreign companies in Eket and Ibieno LGAs.

This development underscores the ongoing efforts of the EFCC to clamp down on illegal mining and protect Nigeria’s natural resources from exploitation by foreign entities.

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The agency’s vigilance in addressing illegal operations continues to support the country’s broader fight against environmental degradation and economic sabotage.

“The five arrested Chinese suspects are Zhon Qinping, apprehended on 10 September, and Li Yi, Xie Bin, Chen Mou Zhou, and Chen Zeng, arrested on 29 August.

“They were arrested at an illegal mining site, where a mineral suspected to be ilmenite, a titanium-iron oxide mineral, was being extracted.

“The suspects will face charges in court once investigations are concluded,” EFCC said.

Five Chinese arrested in Akwa Ibom for illegal mining

(NAN)

metro

Katsina community corps arrests suspect supplying hard drugs to bandits

Published

6 hours ago

September 16, 2024

Trends Admin

Umar Shehu

Katsina community corps arrests suspect supplying hard drugs to bandits

The Katsina Community Watch Corps (CWC) has apprehended Umar Shehu on allegations of supplying illegal injections and drugs to bandits involved in kidnappings in Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The arrest was reported by Bakatsine, a security expert and Conflict and Crisis Journalist in the Northwest region, via a post on X.

Accompanying the post was a video showing a significant quantity of syringes and Umar Shehu’s confession to his involvement in the illegal activities.

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“GOOD NEWS: The Katsina Community Watch Corp (CWC) in Ɗandume Local Government Area has successfully apprehended a man named Umar Shehu, who was involved in trafficking illegal injections and drugs to supply to bandits engaged in kidnappings in Sabuwa LGA all in Katsina State,” the post reads.

“The security team gathered crucial information from Umar and others, but only Umar’s information appeared in the video while others were not recorded for security reasons, according to an insider.”