CRIME
Bandits on Rampage, Kill Pastor, Abduct 19 in Niger Communities.
From Dan Amasingha, Minna
The spate if killing and kidnapping by Bandits in Niger state has shown no sign of abating soon as a pastor was killed and least nineteen persons have been kidnapped by gunmen in Ogu and Tegina communities in Rafi local government area of Niger State.
The latest community to come under the unrelenting attack of bandit , Daily Asset gathered is Ogu a settlement close to Wayam about two kilometres away from Kagar town, the headquarters of Rafi local government.
Details about the latest attack were sketchy but, a senior official in Rafi Local Government Chairman who craved for anonymity confirmed the incident to our correspondent via telephone.
A source from the area who refused to be named for fear of reprisal by the rampaging bandits also said a clergy man was killed by the bandits.
Narrating their ordeal an eye witness, Kamal Mamman Wayam from Ogu community,explained that the attackers stormed Ogu on Sunday morning and they started shooting into the air.
According to Wayam, “The gunmen in their large number arrived Ogu on motorcycles. “Before we knew what was happening, they started shooting into the air. They ransacked people’s houses, and whatever valuable they could lay their hands on, they carted away. They also abducted six persons from Ogu. Four of the persons abducted were members of the same family , while the other two were visitors to the community.”
The attack on Tegina was said to have happened at the early hours of Monday, the 14th of December around 12:30AM.
A resident of the community, Sani Gamachindo confirmed the development to our correspondent adding that “the gunmen entered the room of my daughter early this morning but she hid herself under the bed, while her husband went up the ceiling.
“When the gunmen entered their room, they spent like 30 minutes and ate almost all the food in the kitchen. Thank God, they were not abducted. But, 13 persons were kidnapped,” Gamachindo explained.
The latest attacks in Rafi local government came barely four days after gunmen abducted a youth leader of the All Progressives Congress Congress(APC), the District Head of Gunna and two children of two health workers in Garin Gabbas and Yakila communities in the same local government Area.
Last week Friday, the bandits had also blocked the major road between Zungeru and Tegina for hours, shooting sporadically and causing gridlock.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer to the Niger State Police Command, ASP Wasiu Abiodun said he would get back to our reporter on the matter, but was yet to do so as at the time of filing the report.
Meanwhile, a Pastor with the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), has been killed by gunmen in Chukuba, Shiroro Local Government Area of the state.
The clergyman identified as Pastor Jeremiah Ibrahim, was serving with ECWA Gospel Kubwa, Kuta in Shiroro LGA.
According to a senior official in ECWA Goodnews Church Minna, who pleaded anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, Pastor Ibrahim had gone to check his farm in Chukuba and decided to visit a colleague who was the Resident Pastor of Chukuba, when he was attacked and killed.
“It’s quite unfortunate, because the assassination of Pastor Jeremiah Ibrahim is coming barely two weeks after six of our missionaries alongside wife to one of them were abducted,” he added.
He said, the deceased had been buried.
CRIME
Police Detain 2 Suspects, Recover 25 Stolen Phones in Borno
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)
CRIME
Niger Police Command Arrests Three Suspects over Assault on Council Boss
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.
CRIME
Chief Imam’s Sallah Ram Stolen in Jos
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.