Education

FG Says Schools in 14 States, FCT Risk Attacks from Bandits

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Against the backdrop of the resurgence of the mass abduction of pupils, the Federal Government has said schools in 14 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, are at risk of attacks by bandits and insurgents.

The National Coordinator of Financing Safe Schools in Nigeria, Hajia Halima Iliya, confirmed on Sunday, that the data of at-risk schools had been collected for intervention.

Iliya declined to identify the states, but the Commander of the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre, Nigeria Security, and Civil Defence Corps, Hammed Abodunrin, said they included Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Benue, Yobe, Katsina, FCT, Kebbi, Sokoto, Plateau, Zamfara and three others.

No fewer than 465 pupils, teachers, and women abducted in the past week are still in the custody of their captors.

Fifteen pupils of an Islamiya school in Sokoto State were kidnapped in the early hours of Saturday, less than 72 hours after 287 schoolchildren and teachers were abducted from the LEA primary school and the Government Secondary School both at Kuriga, in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

However, 28 of them were on Sunday reported to have escaped 259 in captivity.

A few days before the Kaduna incident, 200 female Internally Displaced Persons were taken away by terrorists in Borno State.

The women were kidnapped in Ngala, the headquarters of Gambarou Ngala in Borno state while fetching firewood in the bush.

On Sunday, there were reports that nine of them had regained freedom remaining 191 in captivity.

Penultimate Thursday, bandits abducted an undisclosed number of people in the Gonin-Gora community in the same Chikun LGA of Kaduna, prompting residents to barricade the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway in protest.

As a response to the April 2014 abduction of the Chibok school girls, the Safe Schools Initiative was launched by the United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education, Gordon Brown, alongside the Nigerian Global Business Coalition for Education and private sector leaders at the World Economic Forum Africa.

Safe schools

The initiative entails a combination of school-based interventions, community interventions to protect schools, and special measures for at-risk populations.

The Federal Government inaugurated the Safe Schools Fund with a $10m contribution and another $10m pledge from the private sector.

In further support for the programme, the Federal Government budgeted N15bn for the SSI in the 2023 fiscal year.

Speaking on the programme in an interview with one of our correspondents on Sunday, Iliya explained that the implementation of the SSI had started in several states.

Responding to questions on what was being done to fortify schools against bandit attacks, she said, “The project has taken off. We commenced implementation in 2023 with the flag off of the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre, which we intend to replicate at state and local government levels.

“The states have selected most at-risk schools in each senatorial zone for the implementation of National Plan on Financing Safe Schools Programme (2023-2026).’’

In response to the development, the coordinator explained that state governors had expressed plans to provide funding for the SSI for the protection of pupils and teachers in the identified locations.

She added, “Some states have made provision for the Safe Schools Programme in their 2024 budget in line with the National Plan. We intend to engage the states to guide them through the implementation.

“We’ve communicated to all the states; letters have been written for inclusion of Safe Schools in their budget and for them to select the most at-risk schools. More than 11 states have responded. The budget from states is for them to work on physical infrastructure such as fencing state schools and put other control measures.’’

Iliya further disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Education and the NSCDC had conducted some training for their men, adding that the Nigeria Police had trained senior officers, including all divisional police officers across the country on Safe Schools.

According to her, the security forces have commissioned equipment that would be deployed to various state commands for the operations.

“Data of at-risk schools from 14 states, including the FCT have so far been collected for intervention. The Defence headquarters and DSS (Department of Security Services) are expected to mainstream Safe Schools through capacity building of their officers. N15b was provided and released as takeoff in 2023; utilisation is still ongoing,’’ she stated.

The Commander of the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre, NSCDC, Abodunrin, said the four-year project was being implemented simultaneously in all the states but in phases, adding that it began with the sensitisation and training of security personnel late last year.

He condemned the latest abductions of school pupils, noting that the attackers operated in locations with poor telecommunication service.

Abodunrin said, “The attacks are unfortunate. What the attackers do is to look for soft targets. They now go to villages where they feel they can quickly operate before help can come. They also target when communication networks are bad. The cases in Ekiti and Kaduna are examples where community members could not quickly call for help. There is also the need to raise more awareness in the communities.

“There is a need for more cooperation. Schools are to register on www.nssrcc.gov.ng detailing their addresses and at least a phone number. Registration is free. Any registered school will automatically be on a database with their coordinates for easy accessibility.

“There are patrols. Global standards do not allow security operatives to be in schools for various reasons. Those who want to target them may kill or injure students and other members of the school communities in the process. There will be more patrols.’’

The commander also said that since security requires personal attention, students and teachers would be given training on personal safety and protection.

“Equipment and platforms are also being developed to facilitate easy communication even without a network. They will be trained on this too. Capacity of various communities are being built in the areas of personal security and information management for effective preventive and response efforts,’’ he disclosed.

On the states that have been identified to be at risk of attacks, Abodunrin said, “Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Benue, Yobe, Katsina, FCT, Kebbi, Sokoto, the Plateau, Zamfara.

“These are the states where the state governments have submitted the list of vulnerable schools to Safe School Financing and some of them have already donated Response centres to NSCDC for coordination.

“Some commit to including Safe School in their budgets for the centre to commence operations. Note that all states’ commissioners for finance were addressed by Safe School Finance for cooperation. You may still seek further clarification from Finance (ministry).’’

On the states that have been identified to be at risk of attacks, Abodunrin said, “Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Benue, Yobe, Katsina, FCT, Kebbi, Sokoto, the Plateau, Zamfara.

“These are the states where the state governments have submitted the list of vulnerable schools to Safe School Financing and some of them have already donated Response centres to NSCDC for coordination.

“Some commit to including Safe School in their budgets for the centre to commence operations. Note that all states’ commissioners for finance were addressed by Safe School Finance for cooperation. You may still seek further clarification from Finance (ministry).’’

Continuing, he noted, “Those selected (states) are where concentration is. What the centre is doing in conjunction with NSCDC is to be proactive by making the sensitisation and community engagement national.

“All states of the federation now have Safe School Desk Officers/Coordinators. These attackers would look for soft targets that they think the government is not considering at present.’’

Meanwhile, the state commands of the NSCDC in Gombe, Kano, Osun, Taraba and other states said they were involved in the SSI implementation.

The Gombe State Commandant, Muhammad Bello, noted that his officers were ensuring that no school child was abducted in its safe school project.

He said, “We are ready to face the problem even though we are dwelling in a serious challenge in the area of logistics, and transportation but I will not allow it to impede securing schools and our children. We are doing our best, shortage of mobility will never impede safeguarding children.’’

In a statement, the spokesperson for Osun NSCDC, Kehinde Adeleke, said the Safe School Programme was operational in the state but identified mobility challenges in covering all local government areas in the state.

The Taraba State Commissioner for Education, Dr Augustina Godwin, on Sunday, said the state government had beefed up security around schools, especially in areas prone to banditry attacks since November last year.

In a telephone interview with our correspondent in Jalingo, Godwin said the state government had embarked on the building of perimeter fencing of most schools in the state as a first layer of security.

Godwin said, “We have credible intelligence regarding the plans by bandits to carry out massive school children abduction in the state, and so, the sad incident in Kaduna did not come to us as a surprise.

“The government has engaged personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, and the state security outfit- Taraba Marshall to provide security in our schools.

“We have also formed the Safe School Security Committee as requested by Unicef. We have also identified schools with serious security needs based on their location and we have fortified such schools with more security.

“Just last week, I embarked on supervision of schools to see the level of security presence in our schools and I was impressed with what I saw on the ground.

“For the schools that are yet to get security personnel, we have provided dedicated phone numbers for school principals and teachers to call in case of any incident,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Presidency has described the recent cases of kidnapping across the country as efforts by ‘’sub-regional geopolitical forces conspiring to undermine the government of President Bola Tinubu.’’

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Ajuri Ngelale, affirmed this when he spoke on TVC’s Politics on Sunday monitored by The PUNCH.

On the programme titled ‘Counting the Cost of Presidents Tinubu’s Reforms,’ Ngelale revealed that the Federal Government was already receiving support from the United States government for the release of students kidnapped in Kaduna.

“I will say this: across the north, we understand that some of the sub-regional geopolitical forces that are currently at play are actively conspiring against the stability of Nigeria,” said the President’s spokesman.

Ngelale assured Nigerians that the Federal Government was on top of the situation and had received support from the US government to secure the release of the school children and address the regional forces at play.

“We understand that and we are not sleeping. We are responding to it and we’re doing it in a concerted way, with our neighbours.

“And it is worth noting that the United States Government has also pledged its assistance to ensure that there is a full return of all of the schoolchildren who were kidnapped recently in Kaduna.

“But the point is we are going to continue to intensify our collaboration not just within the region, but internationally to make sure that some of the regional actors that are conspiring against our nation are brought to justice and ultimately silenced in the future,” he explained.

The Presidential spokesman lamented that with increased security in major communities in the South-East and South-West, the government was working to extend coverage to vulnerable far-flung settlements in the north.

“First of all, the President has been very clear that this is an administration of no excuses. If you look at other parts of the countries that were in flames before he took office, such as the South-East and parts of the South-West for example, you will know the level of work that has gone into securing our nation.

“Where we still have some challenges is in the North-Central in the North-West and to a lesser extent in the Northeast. There’s still a lot of work to be done along the Kaduna axis. Remember the time when you could not travel by road on the Abuja-Kaduna highway? Now, you’re able to do that.

“Now the problem is when you have these far-flung communities, we do have these hit-and-run incidences of not just violence and killings, but kidnappings and hostage-taking,” Ngelale explained.

He toed the line of the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, proposing capital punishment for kidnappers, saying, “I think that there’s going to have to be some sort of robust legislative reform that makes it clear to every citizen of our country that if you kidnap anybody, you will be killed by the justice system.

“There will be a death penalty attached to it. I don’t see how this can be solved if we don’t do this and see to its implementation.”

Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Security

FG Denies Negotiating with Bandits

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The federal government said yesterday it didn’t mandate anyone to negotiate with bandits on its behalf.

Recall that the governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, had in a statement by his spokesman, Sulaiman Bala Idris, alleged on Monday that some federal agencies were secretly negotiating with bandits terrorising the State without his knowledge.

The statement had read: ”Governor Dauda Lawal wishes to call on the federal government to clarify and investigate the actions of some unscrupulous elements sabotaging the ongoing fight against banditry in Zamfara.

”The Zamfara State government has received reports of how some federal government delegation met with different bandit groups in Birnin Magaji, Maradun, Munhaye, Ajjah, Bawo and Bagega.

”We urge the federal government to take swift action by terminating the ongoing negotiations with the bandits in Zamfara, as it undermines progress so far.”

But the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, and his minister of State counterpart, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, debunked the governor’s claim/allegation.

”The said allegation is false and misleading as the ministry has not mandated anybody or group to negotiate on behalf of federal government,” he said.

On the kidnap of Zamfara female varsity students by bandits last weekend, the ministers reassured the people of Zamfara and Nigerians of the progress being made for the quick return of the abducted female students and others of Federal University, Gusau.

The duo expressed confidence that the joint security task forces were working discreetly round the clock to get the students rescued.

While condemning the act, the senior minister, Badaru, said that federal government was doing everything possible to secure their release.

He extended his heartfelt sympathy to the parents, the academic community, and the entire citizenry of Zamfara State for the tragic abduction.

The minister also called on the nation’s dedicated security forces to intensify efforts and deploy every available resources to secure the safe return of the abducted students.

He said all hands must be on deck in securing the release of the abducted students.

“As part of President Bola Ahmed Tinibu’s eight point agenda of strengthening national security for peace and prosperity, I condemn and vow to secure the release of the abducted students,” Badaru said.

While also assuring the citizens of the State, the junior minister, Matawalle said air and ground components of the military had already been massively deployed within the State, as every measure would be taken to protect the lives and property of all Nigerians.

He explained that President Tinubu had given marching order to the military and other security agencies to ensure the release of those abducted.

He said the order of the President had started yielding result, as 13 of the abducted students and three others regained their freedom on Monday 25, 2023, adding that the feat was achieved through the professional efforts of the military

Matawalle, however, condoled with families of the girls and others abducted, saying “I share in your pain and strongly condemn this reprehensible act carried out by suspected bandits.”

Vanguard/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

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Crime

Bandits who killed NSCDC officers must pay the price- Buhari

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President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed anguish over the ambush and killing of 7 personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, by bandits in Kaduna State, while on official duty.

In a statement, the President describes the loss of the NSCDC personnel as a terrible event and salutes the courage of the men who gave their lives to the nation.

“The NSCDC personnel who braved all challenges to guard our nation and its people had made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

“My thoughts are with the bereaved families and their compatriots in the service. May Almighty God grant them and the entire service the fortitude to bear the loss.”

The President directs the Armed Forces to seek the bandits who inflicted the casualty and make them pay the price.

Abdullah Bello

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Crime

Seven more Abducted Kaduna Train Passengers Freed

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Bandits released another seven hostages kidnapped at the Abuja-Kaduna train Station four months ago.

The seven victims were released on Wednesday a few days after five other victims were freed by the terrorists.

Gunmen had on March 28 blown up the rail track, killing some and abducting scores of passengers.

A statement by a member of the negotiating team, Tukur Mamu says Islamic scholar, Sheik Ahmad Gumi secured the release of four children, their parents, and a sixty-year-old woman on Wednesday.

The statement reads “It was learnt that the health condition of two of the teenage children has deteriorated since the flogging that affected their helpless father.

“The father of the four kids is a staff of the National Assembly Commission. There was no intervention from the Commission or NASS on his behalf since the travails began.

Also released is a 60-year-old woman, Aisha Hassan who was said to have a life-threatening health challenge that deteriorated recently.

“The names of the six family members that were released are Abubakar Idris Garba who is the father of the four kids, his wife Maryama Abubakar Bobbo, and their eldest son, Ibrahim Abubakar Garba who is 10 years old.

Others include Fatima Abubakar Garba 7 years, Imran Abubakar Garba 5 years old and youngest Zainab Abubakar Garba who is one and half years.

The husband, Abubakar is the son of Major Gen Idris Garba (rtd), a former Military Administrator of Kano and Benue states during the administration of former Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida.

FRCN/ Adamu Yusuf

Security

FG Considering Ban on Motorcycles, Mining over Terrorist Attacks

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The National Security Council on Thursday, revealed that it was considering a nationwide ban on motocycles and mining to cut off the sources of funds for terrorists.

The Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, flanked by his Interior and Police Affairs counterparts, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Mohammed Dingyadi, respectively, briefed State House correspondents at the end of the meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said that the meeting was focused on the logistics used by the terrorists.

Malami said the logistics used by the terrorists include motorcycles used for movement, collection of ransom and mining, which provides them the money to fund their arms supply.

The AGF said the federal government is now looking at ways to inhibit their actions by blocking the sources already identified.

Malami noted that terrorists have moved from the conventional ways of funding their activities to mining and ransom taking making it necessary for the government to act.

The AGF stated: “The issues deliberated border on one, the logistics being used by the terrorists, Boko Haram and bandits among others in the act of executing their unfortunate act of terrorism and terrorising the country.

“It was extensively deliberated upon as to what needs to be done for the purpose of ensuring that their means of logistics are indeed adequately considered and necessary steps are taken in degrading their capacity to move around.

“So, discussions were carried out, deliberations made and sizeable resolutions in that direction were equally developed.

“The government would looked into that possibility with particular regard to restriction on use and distribution of motorcycles which is the most conventional logistical means being deployed by terrorists.

“Again, issues of funding of the terrorism and the terrorism acts were discussed and deliberated upon and considered. As you rightly know, recently the government under the leadership of President Buhari had indeed, passed, assented to certain bills inclusive of the money laundering, prevention and prohibition act among others.

“With the passage of that law, and assented to, the conventional means of terrorists funding and financing was substantially and drastically addressed and that led to forensic analysis of and identification of certain personalities that were in one way or the other connected with terrorism funding and financing.

“But then, new innovations were brought into it, into the terrorists funding and financing inclusive of the use of mineral resources – the mining for example among others. And indeed, ransom, which conventionally has been taken by the terrorists, and then, the need arises to now look into those frontiers that are being considered by the terrorists for the purpose of addressing them accordingly.

“A resolution was equally developed on the need to address frontally, attack and ensure at the end of the day that other considerations being put in place by terrorists in terms of funding their activities are equally addressed.

“And with that in mind, the government is looking at what measures to take in terms of addressing, bridging and blocking associated sources of funding including payment for ransom and indeed, the mining activities and the possibility or otherwise of suspending for the time being, mining activities, are being considered as well, by the government.

“Again other than logistics and funding, mining, other considerations were equally put in place on table for consideration by council with particular regard to the unfortunate incident of the (Kuje) Correctional Service attack and equally, there were anticipated resolutions arising from the consequences associated with dereliction of duty.

“Issues associated with logistics of terrorists and bandits, issues associated with blockage of the source of funding, issues associated with the likely possible suspension of mining activities if indeed, it is a nexus and connection is indeed established and the issues associated with consequences for dereliction of duty if indeed, it is established arising from the report expected and anticipated relating to the Kuje correctional incident.”

Also speaking, the Minister of Interior, affirmed that substantial efforts went into gathering of intelligence before the recent attack on Kuje Correctional Center but regretted that there was the absence of will to act on it.

Aregbesola, who said the preliminary investigation on the attack had been submitted to the President, assured that all those who are found to have shrieked their responsibilities at the end of the ongoing investigation, would be punished.

He said: “We are on to find all those whose action or inaction led to that unfortunate incidents and by then, those who have shrieked their responsibilities will have to face the consequences of their actions.

“On intelligence, of course, we have different levels of intelligence. There is internal intelligence service, there is external intelligence service. Sufficient effort, I must say this with all sense of responsibility, sufficient effort and intelligence were made but unfortunately, for those of you that accompanied me when I visited the place, you heard that I said it very clearly that we had some problem with the will.”

He lamented that despite their presence on ground during the attack on the facility, security agencies did not fully do what was expected, saying: “I have to say that we noticed they were not fully conformed.

“So, incapacity in terms of will, that’s what we mean by whoever was responsible for the failure of defence and security and the breach of that institution’s facility will face the consequence.”

The Minister also assured that the federal government was taking necessary measures to stop the inflow of arms ans ammunition used by terrorists.

He said that the government was strengthening the nation’s land borders to prevent smuggling of light weapons and importation of contraband goods.

He added: “As of today, we are strengthening our borders to prevent any importation of arms and dangerous materials that can threaten the integrity of the nations and security of our people.

“This is not limited to Immigration alone, all security forces are at alert at various levels. Do not take your mind off the fact that we have a vast territory and that whatever is happening within Nigeria must be put in the context of what’s happening in the region.

“The federal government is not unaware of the need to strengthen the border forces to prevent aggression, or importation of contrabands, particularly arms and ammunition.”

Vanguard/Simeon Ugbodovon

Security

Police Arrest Female Gun Peddler, Neutralize 4 Bandits

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Four suspected bandits have been killed by police operatives of the Special Tactical Squad Force Headquarters, Abuja (STS) in conjunction with Operation Yaki of the Kaduna State Command.

A woman, who allegedly supplied firearms and ammunition to the criminals, was also arrested by the operatives.

Kaduna State Police Command’s spokesman, Muhammad Jalige, said: “On June 15, 2022, at about 0650hrs while on the trail of suspected armed bandits, the operatives intercepted their target along Saminaka–Jos expressway in a Sharon vehicle, blue in colour, driven by one James Dawi 31yrs old of Vom town, Jos South LGA, Plateau State.

“The suspected bandits on sensing an unavoidable danger posed in their way to deliver some dangerous weapons to their cohorts engaged the operatives, firing sporadically. However, the operatives with tactical precision were able to terminally injure four suspects.

“The injured suspects were evacuated to Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital Kaduna where they were pronounced dead by a medical doctor.

“The encounter lasted about 30 minutes as the firepower of the Police forced them to retreat into the forest with bullet wounds.

“When a search was conducted in the vehicle and around the vicinity, the following exhibits were recovered: one AK-49 rifle loaded with six rounds of live ammunition, AK-47 rifle, one empty magazine, 134 rounds of different calibre of live ammunition and operational motor vehicle.

“The operation led to the arrest of a female accomplice, who during investigation, confessed to supplying arms and ammunition to bandits within Kaduna State.”

Vanguard/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

Crime

Bandits Abduct Cleric, 2 others in Oyo

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SUSPECTED armed bandits have abducted Bishop of Anglican Diocese, Jebba, Kwara State, Rt. Rev. Aderogba, alongside his wife and driver on Oyo/Ogbomoso expressway, on Sunday. The victims were said to be on their way to Jebba from Yewa in Ogun state when the incident happened.

When contacted, the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the abduction.

The investigation, however, revealed that the abductors forced their vehicle to stop in motion before they were forced to enter another stationed vehicle.

It was further learnt that they were yet to establish a link with the relations of their abductees.

Confirming the incident, the Police image maker said the command had launched a manhunt for the suspected kidnappers

He said: “On Sunday 12/06/2022 at about 2100HRS, One Rev. Adekunle Adeluwa reported to the Command through an incident report at Atiba Divisional Police Headquarters, Oyo town that at about 2030HRS, One Bishop Rt. Rev Aderogba of Jebba Diocese, Kwara State in the Company of his Wife and driver were abducted.

“Preliminary investigations reveal that the victim’s vehicle developed what seemed a mechanical fault while traveling from Yewa, Ogun State to Jebba, Kwara State en route isolated area along New Oyo/Ogbomoso Expressway.

“The Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations of the Command is in charge of the rescue operation that has commenced since 2100HRS of Sunday 12/06/2022.

“All the tactical teams of the Command Anti-Kidnapping squad, Ambush Squad, Puff Adder, Police Mobile Force, PMF, Counter Terrorism Unit, CTU, and Conventional Police personnel along with local hunters and vigilantes are all involved in the rescue operations.

“Meanwhile, the discreet investigation led by the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, is simultaneously been vigorously embarked upon to ensure that the victims are rescued unhurt.

“While enjoining members of the public to report any suspicion to the nearest Police Division or formation, credible and timely information, the general public is assured of their safety as they go about their lawful activities.” The PPRO Osifeso assured.

Vanguard/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

News

Kaduna train attack: Bandits release a victim

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Bandits, who attacked the Abuja- Kaduna train, have reportedly released one of their victims — a pregnant woman.

The bandits had, on March 28, attacked the train in the Kateri-Rijana area of Kaduna after bombing the rail tracks.

Following the incident, the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, confirmed 21 people as missing.

According to report, the woman was released on compassionate grounds.

The woman, clad in a black Abaya and with a face mask on, called on the federal government to negotiate with the bandits and secure the release of the other abductees.

She said the victims are not being maltreatment and that the bandits are feeding them “well”.

“I call on the government to have mercy on these people the way they have mercy on us,” the woman said in Hausa,” she said in a viral video.

The government should consider the plight of people in captivity and listen to their demands. Government should negotiate with them peacefully and accede to their demands.

“So that those still with them can be released the way I was peacefully released and reunited with my family and loved ones.

“Government should help negotiate peacefully with them.”

The pregnant woman is the third abductee to be released by the bandits.

Alwan Hassan, acting-managing director of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), was the first to be released.

The bandits had said he was freed because of “his old age”.

Sadique, son of Ango Abdullahi, convener of the Northern Elders Forum, NEF , was also released, as another pregnant woman delivered a baby in the kidnappers’ den.

Cable/Taiwo Akinola

Crime

Bandits demand N20m, Threaten to Kill More Victims

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Residents of the Angwan Bulus community in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State are in great fear, following threats by bandits to kill some of those kidnapped recently because of the failure of their relatives to pay the ransom demanded.

There has been so much fear, due to the killing of three out of the 26 kidnapped victims by bandits on Monday night, as they
threatened to kill more of the hostages, especially women, if the N20m ransom they demanded was not paid.

Confirming this, the Chief of Angwan Bulus community, Gideon Goni, told newsmen that, the bandits informed the community to go and pick up the corpses of those they killed.

According to the monarch, the bandits killed the victims around the Dutse community, along the Kaduna-Abuja expressway.

“The one that was released was based on health grounds. He has a liver disease.”
The monarch recalled that the bandits on March 31, 2022, invaded the community, killed two residents and abducted 26 persons.

Culled/Taiwo Akinola

Crime

Military Nabs Security Personnel Suspected of Acting as Ransom Couriers

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Nigerian troops have intercepted a ‘huge’ amount of ransom for the freedom of some captives in the custody of armed bandits in Kaduna State.

It was gathered that some of the couriers of the ransom payment are suspected to be security personnel.

The troops in the intelligence-driven military operations also rescued kidnapped victims including some women and children.

The operations, simultaneously undertaken by ground troops of the Nigerian Army, as well as special forces of the Nigerian Air forces, NAF, resulted in the elimination of some bandit terrorists.

An intelligence operative told newsmen that troops of 271 NAF Detachment in Birnin Gwari, and troops of the Nigerian Army FOB in Gwaska, rescued dozens of kidnapped victims during the coordinated operations.

The operative said: “The sum of N60,000,000 in cash, petroleum products and sophisticated weapons, were recovered during the operations.

“Other items recovered by the troops from the suspects include vehicles, AK-47 rifles, magazines, various kinds of ammunition and mobile phones.

“Meanwhile, we will refer the case of the arrested couriers who mostly have identifications with security agencies to the Department of State Service (DSS) and Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) for further investigation.”

Nofiu Busari

Security

Breaking: FG Finally Declares Bandits as Terrorists

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The Federal Government has formally declared bandit groups operating in the country as terrorists.

It read in part, “Notice is hereby given that by the Order of the Federal High Court Abuja, in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1370/2021 dated 25th November 2021 as per the schedule to this Notice, the activities of Yan Bindiga Group, Yan Ta’adda Group and other similar groups in Nigeria are declared to be terrorism and illegal in any part of Nigeria, especially in the North West and North-Central Regions of Nigeria and are proscribed, pursuant to sections 1 and 2 of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2011.

“Consequently the general public is hereby warned that any person or group of persons participating in any manner whatsoever in any form of activities involving or concerning the prosecution of the collective intentions or otherwise of the groups referred to in paragraph 1 of this Notice will be violating the provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2011 and liable to prosecution.”

Federal High Court in Abuja had declared bandits as terrorists following an ex parte motion the Federal Government filed before it through the Ministry of Justice.

The declaration titled ‘Terrorism (Prevention) Proscription Order Notice, 2021 is contained in Volume 108 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette.

FRCN Abuja

Security

Kidnapped UniAbuja Staff Released

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The three senior staff of the University of Abuja and their children who were abducted on Tuesday by suspected bandits from the Giri Quarters of the University have been rescued, and in a stable condition.

The victims were rescued following the operations of the combined security forces including the Police, DSS, Military, and University of Abuja Safety Officers.

A statement by the Head, Information and University Relations of the University, Dr. Habib Yakoob says though the abductors earlier demanded payment of three hundred million (N300, 000,000) naira ransom, the staff were rescued without any payment.

According to the statement, the University management expresses gratitude to God Almighty; the joint forces, including military, DSS, University of Abuja safety officers for the unconditional release of our staff.  

At the moment, the University community is in wild jubilation as staff and students are congratulating and hugging themselves for this good news.

The management restates its commitment to providing adequate security to the University community and will continue to work with security operatives to prevent a repeat of that ugly incident.

The Chairperson, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the institutions’ branch, Dr Kasim Umar commended authorities for securing the release of their colleagues adding that security has been beefed up in the university.

Suspected bandits had on thursday, October 2, 2021 abducted 4 staff, and their children.

Reporting by Adejo Daniel; Editing by Adeniyi Bakare

Security

Armed men abduct 4 staff of the University of Abuja

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Armed men, suspected bandits have attacked the staff quarters of the University of Abuja in the early hours of today.

In an interview with our correspondent Daniel Adejo, the head of information and public relations of the University Dr Habib Yakoob said four staff and their children were abducted by the assailants.

He said the University’s Safety officers, in conjunction with security personnel, have been mobilised to secure the quarters. 

He noted that efforts are being made to ensure their safe return.

Daniel Adejo

Security

Troops Rescue Major Abducted By Bandits

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Following the directive of the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs for 1 Division Nigerian Army in conjunction with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and all security agencies to conduct decisive operations to rescue Major CL Datong who was abducted at Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA, Permanent Site on 24 August 2021 and find the perpetrators dead or alive.

The division in conjunction with the Air Task Force, Department of State Services and other security agencies, immediately swung into action by conducting operations in the Afaka general area to find and rescue the officer.

The operations were being conducted based on several leads received from various sources regarding the abductors and likely locations where the officer was being held.

The operations which have been sustained since the abduction of the officer proved quite successful and led to the destruction of several identified bandits’ camps in the Afaka-Birnin Gwari general area and neutralization of scores of bandits particularly, in the late hours of Friday 17 September, 2021, the troops arrived at a camp suspected to be the location where Major C. L. Datong was being held.

At the camp, the troops exchanged fire with the bandits for overwhelmed them. In the process, the gallant troops were able to rescue the abducted officer.

However, the officer sustained a minor injury but has been treated in a medical facility and handed over to NDA for further action.

The Division wishes to commend the efforts of the NAF, DSS, Nigerian Police and patriotic Nigerians for their invaluable support which contributed to the success of this operation.

Our operations will continue until we capture or neutralize the assailants that killed two (2) officers in the NDA on 24 August 2021.

Ezindu Idimah,

Colonel, Deputy Director Army Public Relations,

1 Division,Nigerian Army

Security

Tension as Osun Community Receives Threat of Attack

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Residents of Olofa Way, Ofatedo community in Egbedore Local Government Area, Osun State are living in palpable fear following a letter allegedly written by some suspected bandits threatening to kill all members of the community.

Radio Nigeria gathered that the threat was contained in a handwritten letter on three pieces of papers, dropped at strategic places in the community.

The authors of the letters are demanding a ransom of twenty million naira from the community to avoid the invasion.

The three letters which were written in English and Yoruba language sighted by our correspondent read:

“Kere o eyi ni lati so fun yin wipe Awa ole bo wa si gbogbo adugbo yin, kosi ile ti ani wo. Tabi ki e da ₦20 million si owe Chairman yin. Ti a bati de ki egbe fun wa”.

 “We are informing you that, we are coming to invade your community and we are visiting every household or contribute ₦20 million to your Community Chairman, when we come, you will hand it over to us,”.

The letters further read, “We will kill all the hunters that attempt to waylay us, we are coming fully armed and your security will be killed.” 

One of the residents, Mikael Lateef told Radio Nigeria that following the discovery of letters the residents had been living in panic, while some of them were considering relocation.

In an interview, the Field Commandant of Osun Amotekun Corps, Chief Amitolu Shittu, confirmed the incident, while reassuring the People that the security of the area had been fortified.

AKinola Adenitan

Crime

Police Parade 6 in Zamfara for Supplying Weapons to Bandits

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The Zamfara State Police Command has paraded six notorious people involved in various criminal activities ranging from banditry, armed robbery, supply of drugs, motorcycle snatching, and gun runner among others.

Parading the suspects before journalists at the command headquarters, the state Commissioner of Police, CP Abutu Yaro said the command would rid the state out any form of criminality.

He said the command arrested one Lawal Ibrahim at Biyabiki village Tsafe Local Government area of the state in possession of AK47 rifle and a magazine with 2 rounds of live ammunition adding that, one Murtala Yusuf from Funtua was also arrested with a stolen motorcycle and a sharp Iron.

Zamfara State Police Commissioner CP Abutu Yaro

Similarly, the command also arrested one Nnanna Uchenna and Aminu Mohammed residing in Shinkafi town, who are supplying hard drugs and injections to bandits in the bush through operating unlicensed pharmacy store.

The Commissioner of police further explained that, the pharmaceutical analysis indicated that the injections (pentazocine) is used as anesthesia for surgery and to treat moderate severe pain for adult and children who are at least twelve years.

Abutu Yaro also explained that, a gun runner was also arrested with one million seventy thousand naira meant for the purchase of AK47 rifles while Tsohon Dandela and Dogo Alo, who are collaborators, were now at large.

The command also arrested one Abubakar Mohammed of Falaila Quaters GRA Gusau, with a large quantity of dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp and other hard drugs mostly used by bandits and other criminal elements.

All the suspects are in police custody undergoing further interrogation and investigation before being charged to Court for prosecution.

Sani Haruna

Crime

Unknown Gunmen Kill Six at Wasimi, Osun

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Six people have been reportedly killed by unknown gunmen during an attack on Wasinmi village in Ayedire Local Government Area of Osun State.
Radio Nigeria gathered that the gunmen invaded the village in the early hours of Sunday and started shooting indiscriminately on the villagers. 
In an interview, Spokesperson of Osun State Police Command, Mrs Yemisi Opalola confirmed the attack and the killing of six people. 
Mrs Opalola said the Commissioner of Police, Mr Wale Olokode had visited the scene of the incident.
Meanwhile, the Osun State Government has condemned the killing, urging the police to unravel those behind the dastard muder.
The state Deputy Governor, Mr Benedict Alabi who led the government delegation to condone with the family said everything possible shall be done to bring the perpetrators to Justice.

Adenitan Akinola

Crime

Bandits Attack Government College In Niger, Kill One Student, Abduct Others

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At least one student is feared killed, and several others abducted after armed bandits attacked government college in Niger State.

The attack took place at the Government Science College Kagara in Rafi local government area of the state.

Some teachers and their family members residing within the College Staff quarters were also said to have been abducted by the gunmen.

According to channels, a government source who pleaded anonymity confirmed the attack.

The attackers were reportedly dressed in the school uniform in what looked like a premeditated attack and the dead student was identified as Benjamin Doma.

According to the source, the attackers were said to have stormed Government Science College Kagara at about 2:00 am on Wednesday and started shooting sporadically.

In the process, a student was killed while some others sustained gunshots. Some staff of the College and their families were also abducted from their homes during the attack.

The source could not, however, give the number of persons abducted and those injured as at the time of filing the report.

Confirming the attack, Senator Shehu Sani tweeted, “Early hours of this morning, Armed bandits stormed the Government Science College Kagara Niger State, my alma mata, and abducted some students and staff family members. I just spoke to the principal. This is the clip of one of my past visit to the School. Early hours of this morning, Armed bandits stormed the Government Science College Kagara Niger State, my alma mata, and abducted some students and staff family members. I just spoke to the principal. This is the clip of one of my past visit to the School.

Vanguard

Security

7 Bandits Surrender, Return Weapons in Zamfara

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In Zamfara state, seven bandits have willingly repented and surrendered fourteen AK47 rifles and ammunition to the state government.

The repentant bandits according to the state commissioner of security and home affairs Abubakar Muhammad Dauran migrated from neighboring states and settled in Zamfara for some years.

He explained that it is the outcome of the recent security meeting which reaffirmed the state government stand on peace dialogue that motivated the seven bandits to repent.

Receiving the repentant bandits at government house Gusau, the state governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle expressed optimism that peace dialogue will bring arm banditry to end in the state and urged people to accept repentant bandits and integrate them in the society.

The seven repentant bandits were made to swear with the holy Qur’an that they will not go back to their nefarious activities for ever.

Shehu Sani

Security

Police Rescue 84 from Bandits in Katsina

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Eighty-four victims of kidnap mostly Islamiyya school children have been rescued from bandits in Mahuta village of Dandume Local Government Area of Katsina state.

This followed a distress call received on Saturday at about 2200hrs, by the DPO Dandume, that some Islamiyya students of Hizburrahim Islamiyya, Mahuta village, numbering about eighty, were attacked while on their way back from Maulud occasion celebrated at Unguwan Alkasim village.

In a statement released on Sunday by the Police Spokesman, SP Gambo Isah, the students were accosted by bandits, who had already kidnapped four (4) persons and rustled twelve (12) cows from Danbaure village in Funtua LGA of the state, trying to escape into the forest.

On receipt of the report, he said, the DPO led Operations “Puff Adder,” Sharan Daji and Vigilante group to the area and engaged the bandits into a fierce gun duel.

Isah noted that team is still combing the area.

FRCN Abuja