CRIME
Again, Bandits Kill 4 in Niger, Demand N700million Ransom for Kidnapped Workers
From Dan Amasingha Minna
The activities of arms banditry in Niger state took a different dimension on Sunday, when armed bandits attacked no fewer than four communities in Shiroro LGA of the state, killing five in the latest spree of killing.
Eye witness from the Shiroro ‘killing fields’ said the victims of the early morning attacks were a pastor with his church burnt down, a blind man and three other villagers.
DAILY ASSET also gathered that over 1,000 cattle were rustled from the four communities by the bandits who the people said numbered about 50 in unspecified number of motorcycles.
According to the reliable source at one of the communities, an unidentified helicopter was seen hovering around these communities throughout the three hours that the operation lasted.
“We even thought that the helicopter came to attack the bandits for us but it was only just moving round the communities until the bandits finished and left”, the source said.
A community leader who craved for anonymity said the communities that were overrun in this latest attacks are Nankuna, Nansa, Eburo and Lagodo, all in Erena District in Shiroro LGA.
“I am sure the cows they carried are over 1,000 because they packed all the cows in these four communities. They spent over three hours operating here, and the helicopter was just flying around”, he added.
To show their impunity when the bandits got to Nansa, a small settlement, the bandits were said to have burnt down the entire farm produce in the storages in an anger when they did not meet the people at home.
This followed a tip off on the community on the activities of the approaching marauding bandits on the villagers as they had earlier taken to their heels and ran into the bush before the bandits arrived.
According to the source, a blind man met his death in the hands of the gunmen when he was coming out of the bush after he had gone to toilet, while the Pastor was shot at a close range right in front of his church before his congregation could come.
“They killed the Pastor in front of the church in the morning before people could come to church. He was alone when they shot him in the head” the source explained.
Similarly, the kidnappers of the four construction workers with Tractia Nigerian Limited have demanded a whopping ransom of N700 million after the company said they could not afford the N1billion earlier demanded.
The construction company was still engaging the bandits in negotiations for the release of their employees kidnapped three days ago according to a company source in Minna.
However, it was also gathered that one of the victims had escaped from the captivity of the bandits on their way to their hide out in Kaduna state.
The man who was said to have reunited with his family, according to a source escaped in the process of crossing a shallow river when their motorcycles fell and it rolled down the valley with the bandits who were conveying him.
Some armed bandits had days ago, stormed the construction site at Erena, kidnapped an Assistant Chief Technical Officer and three other staff of the popular construction company and later demanded for a ransom of N1billion .
The Nigerian Police Command in Borno has apprehended two suspects and recovered 25 stolen mobile phones during a stop-and-search operation along Damboa Road, in Maiduguri.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, disclosed this in a statement in Maiduguri on Wednesday.
Daso explained that the suspects, identified as Ibrahim Abubako, and Ibrahim Mohammed, were intercepted by the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) on Dec.
10 while riding a tricycle.He said that during the search, the operatives uncovered various mobile phones reportedly stolen from individuals across communities and villages along the Borno -Adamawa State border.
He identified some of the communities as Mubi, Tashan Alade, Miringa, Kwaya Kusar, and Biu Local Government Area of the state.
The spokesman said that during interrogation, the suspects confessed to snatching the phones from their victims.
“The police have initiated efforts to return the recovered devices with their rightful owner.
“Also, the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” he said.
Daso reiterated the commitment of the Police Commissioner in the state, Yusufu Lawal, to maintain public safety during the Yuletide season. (NAN)
From Dan Amasingha, Minna
Days after the Chairman of Katcha local government area of Niger State, Danlami Abdullahi Saku was assaulted and seriously injured over his inability to settle a campaign loan he obtained, the State Police Command said three suspects were now in their custody over the incident.
Niger State Police Command Spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun in a release on Wednesday said On 16/06/2024 at about 1800hrs, information was received at Katcha Div that the Chairman Katcha LGA Hon.
Danlami Abdullahi Saku was attacked by some miscreants along Saku-Gadza village after the Sallah prayer at his village Saku, Katcha LGA.According to the Police Public Relations Officer, the attack was allegedly reported to be linked to a debt issue between the Chairman and one Yanda of the same area.
He noted that the Chairman sustained serious injury during the attack and he was taken to Gen. Hospital Bida, and later referred to another hospital for further treatment.
A preliminary investigation was conducted at Katcha Div and three suspects were later identified, apprehended and transferred to Bida Area Command.
The suspects arrested are; Alh. Abdullahi Kasimu 68yrs of Gadza village, Katcha, Alh. Baba Moh’d 30yrs of the same village and Ahmadu Moh’d 25yrs.
The suspects were transferred to SCID on June 21st for discreet investigation and prosecution.
“During interrogation, Kasimu narrated that he lent the victim over a million naira since August, 2023 and that several attempts to recover the money proved abortive.
“He further said that on June 16th, the victim promised to come and see him, and while he was on the way after the Sallah prayer, his son Ahmadu Moh’d, his in-law Alh. Baba Moh’d among others accosted the Chairman, had an altercation and inflicted serious injuries on the victims”
The State Police Command acknowledged that the victim was about to transfer the money to him at the point before being rushed to the hospital.
However, the suspects are under investigation in SCID, Minna. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend others at large, and they will be charged to court for prosecution immediately after investigations.
There was a drama as the sacrificial ram of the Chief Imam of the Mista Ali community in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, Imam Abdulkadir went missing on the eve of the Ed-el-Kabir.
Abdulkadir’s ram was reportedly stolen during a downpour in the area on the eve of the Ed-el-Kabir.
An Imam in the community, Haruna Yaqub, disclosed this during the sermon, shortly after the two Raka’at prayers.
Yaqub, who condemned the incident, described it as “insensitive”.
He added that the act showed that people lack fear for God.
The Imam said, “The Ram of our Chief Imam, which he purposely brought to sacrifice, has been stolen in the night.
We are really shocked by the incident. We were surprised to hear this story. This means that people are not God-fearing.“It is scary that people have gone to the extent of stealing ram meant for religious activity.”
Speaking further, he urged people to be God-fearing and not engage in either stealing or any act of criminality.
He stressed that everyone will account for their actions on earth and hereafter.
“It is high time people repented and took the path of Allah. It is not too late. People should stop committing bad things and act according to Allah’s commandments,” he urged.
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