‘We’re beggars in Ibadan because bandits, terrorists killed our husbands in the North’ - Newstrends
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‘We’re beggars in Ibadan because bandits, terrorists killed our husbands in the North’

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5 years ago

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AISHA Ibrahim is a young woman but she appears to have the weight of the world sitting on her shoulders. She had great plans for her life but fate had something else in store for her.

She is one of several women from the Northern part of the country who are taking an exhausting walk through life in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. They had been forced to embark on unexpected journeys southwards after being dealt cruel fates by Boko Haram terrorists back in their home states. This writer caught up with some of these women. Some of them shared their pathetic stories.

For Aisha, the nightmare which has now become her life started on a dark night in Makasara in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, a place she, her husband, father and siblings had thought would provide a safe haven for them. They had relocated to Kaduna State to escape the ceaseless strife which was making life difficult for them in Katsina State.

One day, marauders came, brandishing weapons and shooting into the air. They were unprepared for the midnight invasion of their village. The invaders left in their trail, blood and sorrow.

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Houses were set ablaze, farmlands were destroyed, cattle were rustled and many villagers were killed. Among the dead were Aisha’s father and husband, Ibrahim. The village became desolate; life became difficult for the survivors, having been stripped of their livelihoods. The invaders had rustled their cattle and laid waste their farmlands. At 35, Aisha, the first of the five children of her parents, had to find a means of survival and thus began her journey to Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

In pursuit of a better life, Aisha had left her once-peaceful home alongside several other women. She boarded a truck to a destination unknown.
“It was just God that brought me here. When I left, I had no idea where I was going to. I met other women like me at the park and I joined them and here I am today,” she said.

Prior to her journey to the South West, Aisha was happily married. “I was living with my husband in Makasara in Kaduna State when bandits killed him. God had not blessed us with a child. I had to leave. I came in company with other women. I don’t have an idea how my siblings are doing. I don’t know whether they have found a way around life or if they are dead,” she told Saturday Tribune.

For Rukkaya Bello, her once peaceful nomadic life was cut short in Borno State when Boko Haram fighters invaded their settlement in Doron Baga in Baga Local Government Area of the state about three years ago. The havoc done by the terrorists had left her widowed and homeless. “I came here about a year ago. It was a year last month since I came to Ibadan,” she said.

Rukkaya narrated her ordeal and how she found her way to Ibadan. “I don’t have any children anymore. Boko Haram killed all my seven children and my husband. They rustled our cattle and abducted my daughters-in-law. I have no one left; it is just me and God. I didn’t have female children; my kids were all boys but Boko haram shot and killed them all. I was all alone and lonely, so I came here. God brought me here. After they killed our husbands and male children, they left a lot of women in the bush. We couldn’t stay in the bush without our cattle so we had to move to town.

“We were moving around with our cattle when the gunmen followed us into the bush. They killed all the men and the boys. The Boko Haram men offered them bombs and guns to attack people in another town but they refused. The Boko Haram then killed them because they would not join their cause.

“If they had accepted to be part of them, they could have been alive today but I would rather my sons are dead than living as Boko Haram terrorists. After killing our husbands and children, they said we, the mothers, could go. We headed in different directions but God brought me here. We take all that has happened as the will of God,” Rukkaya said.

Aisha and Rukkaya are among several women with similar stories begging on a bridge in the Ojoo area of Ibadan under harsh and unhealthy conditions. These women, together with their children, survive mainly on alms and food given to them by people of goodwill. “God usually sends Yoruba people to give us food, money and clothes,” Aisha said.

As a way of preserving some of the cooked food they get, these women spread the leftovers on the bridge to allow them dry after they have had enough to eat. They told Saturday Tribune that they re-cook the dry foods at home. “We understand the value of food, so in order to avoid any waste, we dry the foods here then we wash and re-cook them when we get home.”

The question of menstrual hygiene is far from routine for these women. According to Aisha, they use rags for sanitary towel. They lack other essentials to maintain a good hygiene.

“We don’t find joy in sitting by the roadside but we don’t know what else to do. If we stay at home, who will provide for us? We could not even have chosen to stay back in the North because the gunmen continued to lay siege to our homes both during the day and at night,” Indatu Abdullahi another of them said.

These women come out to beg under the sun and in the rain to ensure survival for themselves and their children. For some of them, they still shoulder the responsibilities of their children and relatives back home.

For Zainab Aliyu, she still caters for her mother and her 11 children after her husband was killed by bandits five years ago in Funtua, Katsina State.

“Two of the children are taking care of my mother who has been bedridden as a result of the injury she sustained during the attack in which my husband was murdered. Three are with my in-laws and I have the remaining six with me. So, the little money we get from begging, I send it home for them to feed as well,” Zainab said.

As harrowing as their stories are, the women expressed the hope that one day, things would get better; the government would be more responsive and they would return home and be reunited with their families.
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VIDEO: Thousands march across South Africa as anti-immigration groups push June 30 deadline

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14 hours ago

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June 30, 2026

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Thousands march across South Africa as anti-immigration groups push June 30 deadline

VIDEO: Thousands march across South Africa as anti-immigration groups push June 30 deadline

Thousands of people marched in several South African cities on Tuesday as anti-immigration groups sought to enforce a self-imposed June 30 deadline for undocumented foreign nationals to leave the country, prompting heightened security and renewed debate over immigration, border control and public safety.

Videos shared on social media, including footage published by AfricaFactsZone, showed large crowds of demonstrators marching through major streets carrying South African flags and placards while calling for stricter enforcement of the country’s immigration laws.

The demonstrations, organised by anti-immigration movements including Operation Dudula and March and March, are among the largest migration-related protests witnessed in South Africa since the widespread xenophobic violence that erupted in 2008.

Protest organisers argue that undocumented migration has contributed to unemployment, crime and increased pressure on public services. However, researchers and human rights organisations have repeatedly cautioned that there is no conclusive evidence linking immigrants as a group to rising crime or unemployment, urging policymakers and the public to rely on verified data rather than generalisations.

A heavy police presence was deployed across key protest locations, including Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town, with public order officers, armoured vehicles and helicopters monitoring the demonstrations to prevent violence and protect lives and property.

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Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia said law enforcement agencies were fully prepared to maintain order, warning that anyone involved in violence, intimidation or criminal activities during the protests would face prosecution.

Authorities also disclosed that scores of people have been arrested in recent months over incidents linked to anti-immigration demonstrations and acts of vigilantism.

Leaders of the protest groups said they planned to submit petitions to government officials demanding stronger border controls, faster deportation of undocumented migrants and stricter enforcement of existing immigration laws.

The protests followed weeks of tension that reportedly prompted thousands of foreign nationals from countries including Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique and Nigeria to either leave South Africa voluntarily or seek assistance from their diplomatic missions amid fears of violence.

Several foreign-owned businesses also reportedly closed temporarily in some communities as a precaution ahead of the demonstrations.

The latest wave of protests comes after a series of anti-immigration demonstrations in recent months, during which several people were killed in isolated incidents in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, further raising concerns about the potential for xenophobic violence.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged public concerns over undocumented migration but reiterated that immigration enforcement remains the responsibility of the state.

He condemned violence, intimidation and vigilantism, urging South Africans to allow law enforcement agencies to carry out their constitutional duties without interference.

South African authorities have also clarified that the June 30 deadline was not issued by the government but by citizen-led anti-immigration groups.

Officials previously dismissed widely circulated social media messages claiming that the government had ordered all undocumented migrants to leave the country by June 30, describing the claims as false and misleading.

Earlier this month, the South African government announced additional measures to strengthen immigration management, including stricter enforcement of the Immigration Act, enhanced border security, improved digital immigration systems and closer cooperation with neighbouring African countries to address irregular migration.

The demonstrations have once again placed South Africa’s immigration policy at the centre of national debate, with analysts calling for balanced solutions that protect national security, uphold the rule of law and respect the rights and dignity of all people regardless of their nationality or immigration status.

VIDEO: Thousands march across South Africa as anti-immigration groups push June 30 deadline

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Katsina Police Arrest Housewife for Allegedly Slitting Husband’s Throat, Foil Bandit Attack in Dandume

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17 hours ago

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June 30, 2026

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Katsina Police Arrest Housewife for Allegedly Slitting Husband's Throat, Foil Bandit Attack in Dandume

Katsina Police Arrest Housewife for Allegedly Slitting Husband’s Throat, Foil Bandit Attack in Dandume

  • A 23-year-old housewife is in police custody for allegedly attempting to kill her husband while he slept, as security operatives also repelled a bandit attack in Dandume, recovering motorcycles and a machete.

The Katsina State Police Command has arrested a 23-year-old housewife, Sadiya Lawal, for allegedly attempting to murder her husband by slitting his throat while he was asleep in their home in Katsina metropolis. The incident has prompted a police investigation as the victim recovers from a deep neck wound in hospital. The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, disclosed the arrest in a statement on Monday, confirming that the command is investigating a case of attempted culpable homicide. According to the police, the victim, identified as Jamilu Ibrahim, reported the incident at the Central Market Police Division at about 9:00 a.m. on Monday, alleging that his wife attacked him with a knife around 5:30 a.m. while he was asleep.

Police investigations revealed that Ibrahim sustained a deep cut to the neck and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where he is currently responding positively to treatment. Officers visited the scene shortly after the report, arrested the suspect, and recovered the sharp knife believed to have been used in the attack as an exhibit. In a statement, the police spokesperson detailed the incident: “Today, June 29, 2026, at about 9:00 AM, one Jamilu Ibrahim, male, reported at the Central Market Division, Katsina, that on the same date at about 5:30 am, while he was asleep, his wife, one Sadiya Lawal, female, age 23, attacked him with a knife in an attempt to slit his throat. The victim sustained a deep cut injury to the neck.” The suspect remains in custody under investigation and will be charged to court upon completion of the investigation.

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Reacting to the domestic violence case, the state Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Umar Fage, cautioned residents against domestic violence and urged families to resolve disputes through peaceful and lawful means. The command reaffirmed its commitment to tackling violent crime within households and protecting all residents across the state.

In a separate operation, the Katsina State Police Command successfully foiled a bandit attack in Dandume Local Government Area, recovering two motorcycles and a machete after a gun battle with fleeing suspects. The attempted bandit attack occurred on June 28, 2026, when a distress call was received at the Dandume Police Division reporting that a large group of armed bandits riding motorcycles had been sighted along the Kadisau-Sheme Road in Dandume LGA. The Divisional Police Officer immediately mobilised operatives from the Violent Crimes Response Unit (VCRU) in collaboration with members of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps (KSCWC) to the area. The security team engaged the suspected bandits in a fierce gun duel. Due to superior firepower and tactics, the suspects were forced to retreat and flee the scene, abandoning two operational motorcycles and a machete, which were recovered as exhibits.

The Commissioner of Police commended the officers involved in repelling the bandits and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state. He also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to aid the police in combating crime and criminality. “This command remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents. We also urge members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information that will aid the police in combating crime and criminality,” CP Fage stated.

In May, the command successfully foiled separate kidnapping and cattle-rustling operations in Kankara and Malumfashi Local Government Areas of the state. The command also rescued 11 abducted passengers and recovered 25 stolen cows, demonstrating sustained efforts against all forms of crime and criminality in Katsina State.

Katsina Police Arrest Housewife for Allegedly Slitting Husband’s Throat, Foil Bandit Attack in Dandume

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Troops Overpower Fleeing Terrorists, Rescue 10 Abducted NECO Candidates in Borno

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17 hours ago

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June 30, 2026

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Troops Overpower Fleeing Terrorists, Rescue 10 Abducted NECO Candidates in Borno

Troops Overpower Fleeing Terrorists, Rescue 10 Abducted NECO Candidates in Borno

  • In a daring operation, Nigerian troops rescued 10 NECO candidates and teachers after ISWAP terrorists attacked a school in Borno, while a vice principal recounted how military airstrikes forced the insurgents to flee.

The Nigerian military has successfully rescued 10 students and teachers abducted by suspected ISWAP terrorists during an attack on Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State. The rescue operation, which involved a synchronised air and ground assault, forced the fleeing terrorists to abandon their captives after a fierce gun battle. The attack occurred around 9 a.m. on Monday while students were preparing to sit for their NECO Biology examination. The terrorists, who reportedly wore military and forest guard attire, passed through the community’s weekly market on motorcycles before storming the school and shooting sporadically. Tragically, one teacher was killed during the assault, while another sustained gunshot injuries.

Immediately upon receiving reports of the attack, the Theatre Command of Operation HADIN KAI launched a coordinated search-and-rescue mission. The military deployed both strike aircraft and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms to support ground troops mobilised to the area. According to Captain Muhammad Goni, Acting Military Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North East, the troops, guided by real-time intelligence from air platforms overhead, made contact with the fleeing terrorists around the Daggu area. This led to a fierce exchange of fire, during which troops outmanoeuvred the insurgents, inflicting casualties and recovering seven motorcycles used by the assailants to escape—significantly disrupting their retreat.

Paul Namaske, Vice Principal of the school, who was among those abducted, provided a harrowing firsthand account of the attack and subsequent rescue. In a video recording, Namaske stated that the attackers took two teachers and more than 20 students into the bush after overpowering the school. “Today, being June 29, the terrorists took us into the bush. When a military aircraft started hovering over us, the insurgents began to disperse. While this was happening, we heard gunshots from the soldiers, so they (the terrorists) began to run while we started escaping. In the process, the soldiers rescued us,” Namaske recounted. He estimated that approximately 20 students and two teachers were initially taken, though the exact number of abducted persons remains unclear.

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Regrettably, the operation came at a cost. The military confirmed that one soldier and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force made the supreme sacrifice during the intense firefight with the terrorists. The rescued victims, who were found unharmed, are currently receiving medical attention and psychosocial support. Borno State Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, confirmed that assessments are ongoing to determine the exact number of abducted individuals. “For now, seven of them have been rescued. We cannot confirm their gender yet. Assessment is still ongoing. We have sent a delegation to the community to assess the situation and build confidence in the minds of the residents,” Tar stated.

The Borno State Police Command emphasised that the rapid response of security troops prevented a larger-scale kidnapping operation. Police spokesperson ASP Nahum Daso confirmed that security forces, including the military, CJTF, and the area commander in Askira/Uba, are currently combing the surrounding forests to rescue remaining abductees and apprehend the attackers. “Security forces confronted them. The Commissioner of Police deployed the Area Commander in Askira Uba; they are currently combing the bush,” Daso said.

Samaila Kaigama, President of the Borno South Youth Alliance, confirmed the occurrence and revealed that the terrorists used military and forest guard uniforms during the operation. He also noted that one instructor was killed and another was shot during the attack. “They killed one teacher from Chibok. They shot another, but not dead yet. They also kidnapped some students and women selling on the school premises. The numbers are not yet out,” Kaigama stated.

The Borno State Government has dispatched a delegation to the town to investigate the situation and reassure residents. Commissioner Tar confirmed that the government is working closely with security agencies to ensure the safe return of all abducted persons and to prevent future attacks.

The attack marks the latest in a series of assaults on schools in the North-East region, an area frequently targeted by insurgent groups despite ongoing military operations. In May, terrorists abducted 42 pupils from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in the same local government area.

Amnesty International has condemned the attack, describing it as a grave assault on children’s right to education. The rights group warned that the abducted students face serious risks and noted that widespread fear of attacks has forced many schools across northern Nigeria to remain empty for years. “Schools should and must be places of safety, and no child should have to choose between their education and their life,” the organisation stated.

Security forces have intensified operations across the affected area while reinforcing security around vulnerable communities and schools to prevent similar attacks. Captain Goni assured residents that the military remains committed to protecting civilians and combating insurgency in the North-East. “The attack underscores the desperation of terrorist groups who, faced with sustained pressure from ongoing military operations, have resorted to attacking soft targets,” the military statement read.

Authorities have urged members of the public to remain watchful and submit credible intelligence to security services while dismissing unverified rumours. The Borno State Government has assured residents that efforts are ongoing to track down the perpetrators and ensure the safety of all citizens.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has commended the gallantry and swift response of troops of Operation HADIN KAI. In a statement, NANS described the rescue as “a remarkable operation demonstrating the dedication, bravery, and professionalism of our security forces in safeguarding the lives and aspirations of Nigerian students.”

Troops Overpower Fleeing Terrorists, Rescue 10 Abducted NECO Candidates in Borno

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