By Orkula Shaagee, Abuja and Dan Amasingha, Minna

Gunmen parading in Nigeria Military uniform, yesterday killed eight members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), who staged a peaceful rally to commemorate the annual Arbaeen trek at Gwarinpa district of the federal Capital Territory IFCT), Abuja.

The Abuja incident took place just as gunmen attacked, killed two and injured many at the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign in Anambra state.

In Niger state, armed bandits riding on 20 motorcycles  entered the palace of the Emir of Kagara in Niger state, shooting sporadically to scare villagers, and ransacked the market, forcing hundreds to flee into the bush.

DAILY ASSET learnt that the gunmen attacked the sect members near the tricycle park along Third Avenue, Gwarinpa at about 10:00 am when they were possessing.

Eyewitnesses told our correspondent that the armed men, who came in security patrol vans, stormed the area without prior notice to residents.

DAILY ASSET gathered that the suspected operatives also killed passers-by during the shoot-out.

One of the eyewitnesses said, “It was around 10:00 am we  heard gunshots along the road. The shooting lasted about 10 minutes. But after the shooting, the gunmen appeared to have succeeded in thoroughly dispersing the Arbaeen trekkers.

“I can’t say how many people were killed but the corpses we have counted were eight. What I can tell you is that up to eight people were killed in the incident. Some of the passers-by who had nothing to do with the Shi’ites may have also been involved.”

When contacted, the Secretary of IMN’s Academic Forum, Abdullahi Musa, confirmed the incident but could not provide casualty details.

Musa, in a telephone call with our correspondent, simply said, “The Arbaeen trek is an annual street demonstration by Shi’ites globally. Since the military authorities demolished our Centre in Zaria, we have been leading the religious trek from here (Abuja). It began on Monday. However, we had hoped to conclude the activities today (Tuesday).

“So, we assembled at the Galadima gate (Charly Boy bus stop) in Gwarinpa around 9:00am and staged our religious walk peacefully for about an hour. We neither made any demand on the government nor criticised anyone during the trek. It was purely a spiritual exercise for us.

“But as we were about to disperse, security operatives arrived at the scene and opened fire on our members, injuring many and killing some people. As for the casualty figures, I need to verify the numbers and get back to you, please.”

Earlier, the Shi’ites staged a similar street procession in Nyanya – Mararaba axis of the FCT.

The trek, which kicked off from Masaka and terminated in Mararaba, caused a major gridlock in the area.

Some members of the sect were seen with placards including portraits of the sons of their leader, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky who were killed during the ‘Zaria Massacre’ of December 2015.

Speaking to journalists after the trek, IMN’s Sheikh Sidi Sokoto, said: “Today, the general public has witnessed how the Arbaeen trek like those before ended without any attempt to curb the right of safe passage to other road users. No panic was created by our Arbaeen trek.

“Though we started with few people and confined ourselves to a particular place and recited some supplication, we thank Allah now; we trek in millions globally.

“This is the handwork of Allah, and not the trick or influence of anybody as no one forced us to trek, it is out of the free will and love for the family of the Prophet”.

Attack APC, APGA Campaigners in Anambra, Kill Two Injure Many

In Anambra state, gunmen killed two persons and injured many at  rally of All Progressives Congress(APC) and set ablaze a car belonging to a leader of Professor Chukwuma Soludo’s group.

While the attack on APC took place during the party’s rally at Uruagu, Nnewi, the attack on the leader of one of Soludo Support Groups, Dr. Nnelsonn Omenugha took place at Nnobi in Idemili South local government area of the state.

It was gathered that one APC member, whose identity could not be immediately ascertained was killed in the attack with scores wounded, while the attack on the APGA chieftain took place in his hometown, Nnobi.

Although the police were yet to react on the two incidents, the state publicity secretary, of APC, Mr. Okelo Madukaife confirmed the attack.

 “The attack led to the cold death of our committed party official and the hospitalisation of many others.

“Our party regrets the invasion of our office and attack of members who were gathered for a meeting in Uruagu Ward 3, Nnewi by persons yet to be identified.

“We regret the loss and regard it as one violence too many in an Anambra State that ought to be the safest state in Nigeria if official claims were anything to go by.

“We speak for the mood in our dear state where similar attacks took place at Afor Nnobi Junction, on the same day killing men of the Vigilante in Alor, Idemili South in transit and call for a total halt.

“Our party commiserates with the family of the deceased who will be identified in the near future and assure that their loss is our loss and Anambra State loss, but that their son shall not die in vain.

“We acknowledge security in Anambra State as an area that requires serious intervention”, he said.

On the attack on Omenugha, who is a staunch campaigner of Prof Soludo for Governor, it was gathered that the attackers set his car ablaze, while he escaped for safety.

Kidnap Air Vice Marshall in Lagos, councillor in Akwa Ibom

A retired Air Vice Marshal Smith was kidnapped in Lagos.

He was kidnapped around 6pm on Monday at a site near Blenco Mall on Addo Road Ajah area of Lagos.

It was learned that the gunmen, who fired shot sporadically into the air, abducted AVM Smith while his driver was running errands.

According to eyewitness, heavy gunshot rented the air as the gunmen shot sporadically forcing people to scamper for safety, while operators Blenco shopping mall shut their entrance door.

In a distress voice note sent by his driver, Corporal Okdiji, he was heard saying, “they have kidnapped Air Vice Marshall Smith from the site where we are. Some gunmen wearing mask kidnapped him.

“They were shooting everywhere. I was fixing oga’s vehicle, when it happened. On my way back I saw them.

“They went on a boat through the water, I ran to the site I saw oga’s glass and where he struggled with them before they took him.

“The moved from Pump and sell at Blenco area in Ajah, en route towards Ikorodu area through the water.”

When contacted, the spokesperson Lagos State Police Command CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu said he would get back to the reporter later.

Meanwhile, the Police in Akwa Ibom state have confirmed the kidnap of Mr. Samuel Ben, Councillor representing Ward 6 Central in Eket Local Government Area.

Akwa Ibom Police Public Relations Officer, SP Odiko Macdon, confirmed the incident to newsmen in Eket.

He said the victim was kidnapped at the premises of his fuel station on Saturday, September 25 at about 8pm.

A Family member said he was taking stock of the day’s business when the gunmen struck.
 Ransack Niger Emir’s of Palace

Armed bandits riding on 20 motorcycles  entered the palace of the Emir of Kagara in Niger state, shooting sporadically to scare villagers, and ransacked the market, forcing hundreds to flee into the bush.

The development is coming on the heels of information that Telecommunications services have been shut down by the National Communication Commission in Rafi, Magama and Mariga Local Government Areas of the state.

Eye witness informed DAILY ASSET that the bandits had earlier stormed the market in the Kagara town and carted away food stuff, money and other valuable before storming the Emir’s palace around 6: pm yesterday.

It was gathered that, the armed bandits had stormed the palace shooting indiscriminately and ordering people to submit valuables, but it could not be ascertain as at the time of filing this report if some palace aides were abducted or not.

Sources informed DAILY ASST that the Emir of Kagara, Alhaji Ahmed Garba Gunna Attahiru ll, was not in the palace at the time of the attack as he was said to have been away from the palace attending the convocation of New Gate College in Miinna.

A  relation of the Emir and a prominent traditional title holder confirmed the development, stressing that, they couldn’t imagine  what would have happened if the Emir was in town and was abducted by the bandits.

Niger State Police Command Spokesman, ASP Waisiu Abiodun could not be reached for comments.

Kagara and environ has become the epi- centre of kidnapping and banditry in Niger state as over 48 Government Science College students were abducted early this year in February and over 138  Islamiya school students of Tegina less than 10 km from Kagara town, the headquarters of Rafi local government Area were also kidnapped and only regained their freedom in August after spending 88days in the camp of their abductors.