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Terrorists forcing us to work on their farms – Niger residents

Published

2 years ago

September 6, 2024

Terrorists forcing us to work on their farms – Niger residents

Residents from security-affected communities in Shiroro Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State have reported that terrorists and bandits are enslaving locals to work on their farms. According to reports, a leader of a terrorist group collected over 20 bags of soybeans from farms in Allawa and neighbouring communities this year.

At an emergency media conference in Minna, the Niger State capital, Saidu Salihu, Secretary of the Coalition of Shiroro Associations, a coalition of youth organisations in Shiroro LGA, called for the return of military forces to Allawa and surrounding areas to allow displaced residents to return to farming.

Salihu highlighted that various groups of terrorists and bandits have taken over the communities since the withdrawal of soldiers from Allawa three months ago. He urged the Niger State government to strengthen its collaboration with security agencies and to equip local vigilantes to protect the affected communities.

He also requested that both federal and state governments provide compensation to displaced persons who have lost homes, properties, and livelihoods due to the attacks following the military withdrawal.

Salihu mentioned that bandits have invited the affected communities for dialogue and negotiations to facilitate their return.

However, he claimed that both state and federal governments have been unresponsive to these reports.

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Abdullah Suleiman Erena added that insecurity in the eight political wards of the Lakpma axis is not limited to banditry but includes other terrorist groups such as Boko Haram, ISWAP, and Ansaru. He warned that these groups are creating a terrorist stronghold in the Lakpma axis, which could become increasingly difficult to contain if not addressed urgently.

Erena described the situation as a developing terrorist ecosystem rather than mere criminal activity, criticising both the press and government for underestimating the severity of the issue. He detailed how various terrorist groups operate in the area, including cattle rustling and forcing locals to farm and sell produce on their behalf.

He also noted that the Federal Capital Territory is at risk due to its proximity to Shiroro LGA, calling for immediate action to dislodge the terrorists and bandits from the region.

Sani Abubakar Yusuf Kokki lamented that the state government has not done enough to pressure the federal government regarding the alarming security situation, particularly in Shiroro LGA, where many farmers have been displaced.

“The state government needs to do more than just lament and apportion blame,” Yusuf Kokki said. “While we acknowledge that informants may be collaborating with terrorists and bandits, this should not justify abandoning the larger population to their fate.”

Babangida Kudodo, President of the Lakpma Youth Forum, reported that despite several reports to stakeholders and the state government about the terrorist and bandit activities, there have been no positive steps to address the issue. He alleged that some informants were arrested and later released, becoming threats to the communities that reported them. This has reportedly forced many residents to collaborate with the terrorists and bandits to secure their livelihoods.

Terrorists forcing us to work on their farms – Niger residents

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Death Sentence: Kogi Court Convicts 24-Year-Old of Killing Father

Published

2 hours ago

October 7, 2026

Trends Admin

Death Sentence: Kogi Court Convicts 24-Year-Old of Killing Father

A Kogi State High Court sitting in Lokoja has sentenced 24-year-old Dahiru Yusuf Abbah to death by hanging for the killing of his father, Dahiru Yusuf.

Justice M.M. Gwatana handed down the sentence after finding that the prosecution had proved the case of culpable homicide against Abbah beyond reasonable doubt.

The court heard that the incident occurred on October 5, 2024, in the Sarkin-Noma area of Lokoja, when Abbah allegedly attacked his father and inflicted stab wounds on his chest and back.

The victim was taken to hospital for treatment but died on October 9, 2024, from injuries sustained during the attack.

Abbah was subsequently arrested and arraigned on charges of culpable homicide and criminal conspiracy under Sections 221 and 97(1) of the Kogi State Penal Code, 2019, as amended.

During the trial, the prosecution called nine witnesses, including the deceased’s wife, Hajia Jumai Dahiru, and two of the defendant’s siblings.

Several exhibits were also presented before the court, including a blood-stained shirt, blood samples, a knife, a digital forensic report and a compact disc analysis.

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Although none of the prosecution witnesses testified that they directly saw Abbah stab his father, the court found that the circumstantial evidence presented by the prosecution was sufficient to establish his involvement in the killing.

Justice Gwatana said the evidence, including the defendant’s blood-stained clothing and testimonies from members of the deceased’s family, linked Abbah to the fatal attack.

The court also considered the defendant’s failure to call a witness in his defence, apart from an Islamic cleric whose testimony about an inheritance dispute was considered unrelated to the central issue before the court.

The judge said the case before the court was a matter of culpable homicide, not an inheritance dispute.

Justice Gwatana convicted Abbah of culpable homicide but discharged him on the separate criminal conspiracy charge, ruling that the prosecution had not established that count to the required standard.

The court subsequently sentenced him to death by hanging for the killing of his father.

However, the judgment is not necessarily the end of the legal process. Defence lawyers Mohammed S. Inuwa and Mohammed S. Maihaja indicated that their client would appeal the conviction and sentence.

The defence reportedly challenged aspects of the evidence relied upon by the court in reaching its decision.

Meanwhile, Yusuf Bala, head of the deceased’s family, welcomed the judgment and said the family had been seeking justice for the victim.

The case could now proceed to the appellate courts if the defendant files the proposed appeal.

Death Sentence: Kogi Court Convicts 24-Year-Old of Killing Father

metro

Ondo High Chief Shot Dead During Colleague’s Burial, One Arrested

Published

3 hours ago

October 7, 2026

Trends Admin

Ondo High Chief Shot Dead During Colleague’s Burial, One Arrested

A traditional ruler in Ayeka, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, High Chief Akinwalere Akinola, has been shot dead during the burial rites of a fellow traditional ruler.

The incident occurred on Tuesday as traditional rulers, community leaders and other mourners gathered for the funeral ceremony.

Akinola was reportedly struck in the head by a bullet during the proceedings and died from his injuries.

The shooting triggered panic among mourners and disrupted the burial ceremony as people scrambled for safety.

The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unclear. Some accounts in the community have described it as an accidental discharge, but the police have not confirmed that explanation.

The Ondo State Police Command has, however, confirmed the death and announced the arrest of one suspect in connection with the incident.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said a thorough investigation had commenced.

“One suspect arrested. Meanwhile, thorough investigation has commenced,” Jimoh said.

The police have not publicly identified the suspect or disclosed the type of firearm involved.

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Investigators are expected to establish who was handling the weapon, how it was discharged and whether the shooting was accidental or deliberate.

A video reportedly showing part of the funeral gathering circulated online after the incident, although the full circumstances surrounding the footage and the shooting have not been independently established.

The death has thrown Ayeka community into mourning, coming at a ceremony intended to honour another traditional ruler who had died.

The incident has also renewed concerns about the presence and handling of firearms during public gatherings and traditional ceremonies.

For now, the police investigation remains ongoing, and no official conclusion has been reached on whether the shooting was accidental or intentional.

Ondo High Chief Shot Dead During Colleague’s Burial, One Arrested

metro

NSITF Exposes Fake Recruitment Scam, Warns Nigerians Against Fraudsters

Published

4 hours ago

October 7, 2026

Trends Admin

Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF)

NSITF Exposes Fake Recruitment Scam, Warns Nigerians Against Fraudsters

The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has warned Nigerians, particularly job seekers, against fake recruitment advertisements and forged appointment letters being circulated by fraudsters seeking to deceive members of the public.

The warning was contained in a public notice issued by the Fund and circulated to its Regional and Branch Managers through a memorandum dated October 5, 2026, signed by the Executive Director, Administration, Samaila Abdu.

NSITF said it is not currently recruiting for any position, describing employment advertisements circulating on social media, particularly Facebook, as fake.

The Fund said individuals and groups were falsely presenting themselves as representatives of NSITF and using purported employment opportunities to target unsuspecting members of the public.

It urged Nigerians to disregard such advertisements and not make payments to anyone in exchange for employment opportunities.

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NSITF stressed that it does not charge applicants any fee for employment and does not conduct recruitment through unofficial social media platforms or other unauthorised channels.

The Fund said genuine NSITF recruitment opportunities, whenever available, would be announced through its official communication channels.

“Stay alert, stay safe,” the Fund advised, urging anyone who encounters suspicious recruitment advertisements or requests to avoid responding and report them to the appropriate NSITF authorities.

The Fund has also directed all its Regional and Branch Managers to prominently display the warning at strategic locations within their offices.

The directive covers reception areas, main entrances and exits, notice boards, SERVICOM desks and other locations accessible to staff and members of the public.

NSITF said the notices should remain visible to help protect job seekers and other members of the public from fraudulent recruitment activities.

The Fund further urged Nigerians to verify recruitment claims through official NSITF channels before providing personal information, making payments or taking any other action.

The NSITF warning comes amid continued concerns over online recruitment scams in which fraudsters exploit job seekers by offering supposed government employment in exchange for money or personal information.

NSITF reiterated that legitimate employment opportunities would be communicated through its recognised channels and warned Nigerians to remain vigilant when responding to unsolicited job offers.

NSITF Exposes Fake Recruitment Scam, Warns Nigerians Against Fraudsters