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Zamfara Massacre: 143 Buried As Search For More Bodies Continues

Published

4 years ago

January 8, 2022

At least 143 bodies have so far been recovered and buried in the wake of brutal attacks on Wednesday and Thursday on several communities in Anka and Bukuyyum local government areas of Zamfara State, Daily Trust gathered.

Recall that migrating terrorists loyal to terror kingpin, Bello Turji, who were displaced by fighter jets of the Nigerian Air Force from their enclaves in Fakai forest in Shinkafi Local Government Area, were moving southwards of Zamfara when they descended on the locals, killing many.

Residents told our correspondent yesterday that more corpses were being recovered from bushes as some of the people were caught unawares on their farmlands.

Our correspondent reports that the remains of some of the victims were decapitated or burnt beyond recognition.

A resident identified as Babangida said, “One of the pathetic stories about the carnage is that women and children were not spared. As blazes ripped through residential houses, children and women were not allowed to escape because the terrorists stood outside, waiting for anyone coming out.

“The charred bodies of the victims were later recovered and buried. Those who had managed to escape are taking shelter in some considerably safer communities. It was really very calamitous.

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“The communities that were assaulted are more than 10. This is because the armed men were moving from one community to another on motorbikes. Although they have withdrawn, they are not far from the raided villages,” he said.

A retired soldier told Daily Trust that over 250 people had been killed by the attackers.

“About 2,000 cattle and other domestic animals were rustled while dozens of residential houses and food stores were burnt to ashes. Even if the situation stabilises, the residents would be left without food to eat,” another source said.

Daily Trust had reported on Friday that five communities of Kurfa Danya, Kurfa Magaji Rafin Gero, Tungar Isa and Barayar Zaki in Bukkuyum and Anka local government areas were under attack.

The terrorists took over 48 hours killing the locals and burning their houses and farmlands.

A fighter jet dispatched to the area on a rescue mission could not achieve a lot because after sensing danger, the terrorists melted into the civilian population.

Another source said the terrorists used the people as human shields, making it difficult for the fighter jet to bomb them. “It was at night that they disappeared because it was practically impossible for the fighter jet to attack them,” he said.

The state government and security forces had not officially spoken about the attacks at the time of going to press.

Sources said the armed criminals were spotted setting tents in Gando forest in Bukkuyum Local Government Area in the southern part of the state.

Daily Trust

Related Topics:Featured massacre Zamfara

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Kanu Expels Ex-IPOB Leader, Nine Others Over Alleged Misconduct

Published

13 minutes ago

June 21, 2026

Trends Admin

Kanu Expels Ex-IPOB Leader, Nine Others Over Alleged Misconduct

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has announced the indefinite expulsion of former senior official Chika Edoziem and nine other members of the dissolved third administration of the movement’s Directorate of State (DOS), accusing them of violating the organisation’s code of conduct and undermining its leadership.

The decision, contained in a statement dated June 21, 2026, comes just days after the Edoziem-led faction announced Kanu’s purported suspension as IPOB leader over what it described as “unguarded utterances” and allegations of misconduct. IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, had earlier dismissed the suspension as unconstitutional, insisting that the third Directorate of State had already been dissolved and no longer possessed the authority to take decisions on behalf of the movement. (The Eagle Online)

In the latest development, Kanu, who is serving a life sentence on terrorism-related charges, announced the indefinite expulsion of Edoziem, Tony Nzurumike, Austin Agbanyim, Chukwudi Oforma, Isaiah Ubah, Collins Chinedu, Chinasa Nworu, Fidelis Ejiogu, Chidinma Nworu (also known as Juliet Edward Filatro), and Keke Uda.

According to the statement, the affected individuals “are hereby expelled from IPOB indefinitely” and “no longer represent, speak for, or act in any capacity on behalf of the Indigenous People of Biafra.”

Kanu explained that he appointed the third administration of the Directorate of State from detention in March 2017, giving it an initial six-month tenure that expired on September 16, 2017, but allowed members to continue serving at his discretion.

He maintained that while the dissolution of the administration was an administrative decision, the latest expulsions were disciplinary actions prompted by what he described as repeated violations of the IPOB Code of Conduct.

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“The Indigenous People of Biafra is governed by its Code of Conduct, which remains the supreme governing instrument of the movement. Every officer, coordinator, representative and member is bound by its provisions without exception,” the statement said.

Kanu further asserted that the power to appoint, suspend, remove or expel officers of the movement resides exclusively in the office of the Supreme Leader.

The expelled officials were accused of abandoning him during his detention by allegedly failing to provide adequate legal representation, welfare and medical support. They were also accused of ignoring his directive for pro-Biafra groups, including AVID, Rising Sun and Ambassadors for Self-Determination, to raise funds for his medical treatment while he was in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

Other allegations levelled against the former officials include undermining his legal team, attacking his lawyers, making allegations against members of his family, spreading what he described as false narratives about the circumstances surrounding his continued prosecution after the Court of Appeal judgment of October 13, 2022, and repeatedly disregarding his directives.

The statement also accused the expelled members of claiming that President Bola Tinubu would only facilitate his release if he abandoned the Biafra agitation, circulating what it described as fabricated claims that two African countries advised them to abandon him, removing officers he had appointed without authorisation, altering the IPOB oath of office and engaging in activities allegedly aimed at weakening the organisation.

“Their repeated violations of the IPOB Code of Conduct and refusal to heed repeated warnings have necessitated this disciplinary action,” the statement added.

Kanu also warned that any individual, group or organisation that associates with or recognises the expelled members as IPOB representatives would be regarded as acting against the interests of the movement and the Biafra cause.

He directed members and supporters worldwide to recognise and support the fourth administration of the Directorate of State headed by Chris Nwaogu, insisting that IPOB “remains resolute, focused and united” under its current leadership.

The latest expulsions deepen an ongoing leadership dispute within IPOB, which intensified after the Edoziem-led Directorate of State announced Kanu’s purported suspension earlier in the week. The faction had argued that no individual possesses the authority to dissolve the Directorate of State, while the Kanu-backed leadership maintains that the body had already been dissolved before it issued the suspension notice. (The Eagle Online)

Kanu Expels Ex-IPOB Leader, Nine Others Over Alleged Misconduct

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Gunmen Kill Ex-OGTV Broadcaster, Security Guard in Abeokuta

Published

2 hours ago

June 21, 2026

Trends Admin

Late Ms Kitan Oyesiku and Ogun State Commissioner of Police Bode Ojajuni

Gunmen Kill Ex-OGTV Broadcaster, Security Guard in Abeokuta

Unknown gunmen, in the early hours of Sunday morning, invaded the residence of a former staff member of the Ogun State Television (OGTV), Ms Kitan Oyesiku, and murdered her in cold blood, alongside her security man. The ugly incident happened at Agodo community, in the Kobape area of Abeokuta, Ogun State. The motive behind the dastardly act was still unknown, as the development had left family members, neighbours and associates in shock and disbelief. Information had it that the lifeless bodies of the two victims were discovered after the hoodlums had carried out the nefarious act.

The late Oyesiku, popularly known as Aunty Kitan, was well known in media circles, having served with Ogun State Television (OGTV) before her retirement. She was widely regarded as a respected media professional who contributed significantly to the growth of broadcasting in Ogun State. News of her death has sparked grief among colleagues, friends, and residents of the state, with many describing her as a dedicated broadcaster who left a lasting impact on the industry.

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When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed the incident. He stated that official reaction from the State Police Command would be made available to newsmen as an investigation into the killings had commenced. Security agencies are expected to work towards identifying and apprehending those responsible for the attack. As of the time of filing this report, no official statement had been issued by the police, though efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice are reportedly underway.

Gunmen Kill Ex-OGTV Broadcaster, Security Guard in Abeokuta

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Lagos Declares War on Roadside Waste, Unveils ‘Waste Police’

Published

3 hours ago

June 21, 2026

Trends Admin

Lagos Declares War on Roadside Waste, Unveils ‘Waste Police’

The Lagos State Government has intensified efforts to tackle indiscriminate waste disposal across the metropolis, declaring zero tolerance for waste dumping on roads and announcing plans to establish a special “Waste Police” made up of transport union members to monitor compliance.

The move forms part of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s directive for the emergency evacuation of waste on Lagos roads and the broader drive to improve environmental sanitation across the state.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting held on Saturday at Alausa, the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, inaugurated a Special Task Force to monitor roads, bus stops, garages and lay-bys against illegal waste disposal.

He also charged members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria to serve as environmental watchdogs in their respective areas of operation.

Osiyemi described the meeting as a call for stronger collaboration between government agencies and transport unions in addressing environmental challenges.

“Our beautiful city is being challenged by indiscriminate refuse disposal and environmental abuse. We cannot fold our arms while people carry waste from their homes and dump it on roads, medians and public spaces. This is totally unacceptable,” he said.

The commissioner stressed that while the government would continue to enforce environmental laws, the support of transport unions remained crucial because of their extensive presence across the state.

He directed transport operators to ensure that parks and garages under their control are kept clean at all times and to discourage indiscriminate trading and improper waste disposal within their operational areas.

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Osiyemi further disclosed that the planned Waste Police would be constituted from members of NURTW and RTEAN across all local government areas to monitor motor parks and adjoining communities and prevent indiscriminate dumping of refuse.

He added that the Ministry of Transportation would commence enforcement activities to ensure proper maintenance of motor parks and garages as well as compliance with waste disposal regulations.

Also speaking, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Sam Egube, noted that road transport operators in many parts of the world partner with governments to protect and monitor transport infrastructure.

He urged stakeholders to support the campaign against improper waste disposal.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa, called on the transport unions to take full responsibility as partners in waste management by ensuring compliance at parks and garages across the state.

The Managing Director of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, commended the unions for supporting the reintroduced monthly environmental sanitation exercise and urged them to sustain the collaboration.

According to him, effective waste management requires collective responsibility, noting that LAWMA alone cannot address the challenge.

Gbadegesin revealed that LAWMA evacuates about 13,000 tonnes of waste daily across Lagos, while transport unions facilitate the movement of an estimated 22 million commuters every day.

He said the vast network of transport workers across the state would significantly enhance efforts to promote proper waste disposal practices, monitor public spaces and report environmental violations for prompt action.

The meeting was attended by directors from the Ministry of Transportation and LAWMA, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transportation and Logistics, Hon. Hassan Adekoya, representatives of LAWMA Enforcement, and leaders of NURTW and RTEAN.