CRIME
Gunmen Abduct Six from Church in Niger, Expand to Niger South Communities
From Dan Amasingha, Minna.
Six worshipers in a Baptist Church in Girigori Village, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger state were on Sunday morning, abducted by gunmen, shortly after early morning church service.
Among those kidnapped according to a report from the area was a prominent woman leader in the community and a Sunday School teacher in the church.
Sources in the church informed our correspondent that the victims were abducted immediately after the Sunday morning service which reportedly ended around 8. 30am.
According to the source as a result of insecurity in the area the church leadership changed the period of the service from the traditional time of 10am to between 6am and 8am.
On Sunday, the service according to the source ended at the new time of 8am while those kidnapped stayed back to tidy up and close the church doors and windows.
It was while they were rendering these services that heavily armed bandits stormed the church on motorcycles and started shooting indiscriminately.
In the process the victims were kidnapped and taken to unknown destination.
The State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria CAN Niger State chapter Reverend Mathias Echioda when contacted confirmed the story .
Echioda appealed for prayers from faithful for the release of the victims saying the relevant authorities have been informed.
The State Police Command Public Relations Officer DSP Wasiu Abiodun could not be reached for confirmation of the story.
In a related development, thedare-devil terrorists pillaging Niger East and North senatorial districts carried out an attack on the relatively peaceful Niger South Senatorial District, killing one person, abducting scores of others and rustling many cattle.
The incident which is causing anxiety and concern occurred on Saturday around 4pm in Ebbo and Ndagbegi communities in Egbako Ward of Lavun Local Government Area.
Chairman of Lavun Local Government Area, Hon Ibrahim Limanko Pata commiserated with the victims of the attacks.
Condoling the people of the affected communities, Hon Pata said he shared in their pains and grief, reiterating that decisive actions would be taken by the government to guarantee the safety of lives of the inhabitants of the vulnerable communities.
While describing the attacks as insane and unacceptable, he said that a coordinated vigilance groups has been mobilized to the area.
In a statement signed by Alhaji Shema Kutigi, Pata’s Special Assistant on media and publicity, the chairman said the council will mobilise all human and material resources to curb the trend before it escalates.
DAILY ASSET recalls that, bandits have been having a field day in some local government areas of Niger State such as Shiroro, Munya, Rafi, Bosso, Paikoro in Niger East senatorial district while Kontagora, Mashegu, Mariga and Magama in Niger North senatorial district are also under constant attacks. The situation has remained relatively peaceful in the southern senatorial district untill this recent development.
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.
CRIME
AAUA Student Found Dead after church Vigil
A Student of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA), Modupe Ayandare, was found dead on Monday after attending a church vigil.
The death of Ayandare, who is of the Department of Agronomy, was made known by the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the institution.
“We express in strong terms our dissatisfaction and agony with respect to the death of one of our students, Miss Modupe Ayandare of the Department of Agronomy.
“According to report, the deceased was said to have committed suicide in the early hours of today at about 4:00am after she returned from a vigil in her church.
“The incident happened beside the church she attended, around Spotless Villa.
“The law enforcement agency has been informed already, and all hands are on deck to get to the root of the situation.
“Be assured that justice will be served and the law enforcement agency will undertake thorough investigation,” Mr Emmanuel Olaogbebikan, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the SUG, stated.
He asked anybody with useful information regarding the incident to give to the concerned authorities to come forward.
Also mourning the death of the student, the Nigerian Association of Agricultural Students (NAAS), AAUA Chapter, said the loss deeply affected the department.
Faith Igba, the PRO of the department, said the demise of Ayandare was a profound loss to the department.
Igba urged the members of the department to come together and be of help to one another, asking those going through challenges to seek help.
“During this difficult time, we urge everyone to come together in support of each other. The mental well-being of our members is of utmost importance, and we encourage anyone who may be struggling to seek help.
“Our faculty offers counselling services, and we are here to support you in any way we can.
“Please join me in extending our deepest condolences to Comrade Modupe’s family, friends and colleagues.
“Let us honour her memory by fostering a compassionate and supportive environment for all,” he said.
Speaking on the death of Ayandare, Victor Akinpelumi, the Public Relations Officer of the institution, said that the institution had confirmed the incident but was yet to know the cause of the death.
Akinpelumi, who sympathised with the family of the deceased, said that the institution would make an official statement known to the public as regards the death later.