CRIME
Niger Vigilante Group Threatens to Suspend Operations
From Dan Amasingha, Minna
The community vigilante corps recruited by Niger state government to compliment security agencies to combat arms banditry have threatened to withdraw their services due to neglect by the state and local governments authorities.
The protest by the vigilante group in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger state is coming on the heels of the killing of six members by arms bandit in the area.
“We can’t be risking our lives for a government that does not appreciate our sacrifice but is lukewarm and non -challant towards our plight,”the group said.
The Vigilante members were protesting the killing of six of their members including the grand Commander, Dan Asabe Mariga and several others by bandits in an exchange of fire at Rafi Local Government Area.
The deputy Chairman of the group Tanko Maiyaki announced their position to newsmen at the resident of their deceased Commander in Mariga.
The deputy chairman appreciated all the people that have been trooping to the house to condole them over the loss of the fighter.
Malam Tanko Maiyaki lamented that his members were using local weapons and dane guns, which most a times got hooked during battle with bandits, thereby exposing their lives to serious danger and risk.
According to him unless and until government rose to the challenge of providing them with modern and sophisticated weapons, which would match that of bandits they will no longer exposure themselves to danger such as the one that led to loss of their members.
Earlier one of the sons of the deceased Commander and who was also part of the encounter Sunusi Aliyu attributed his father’s death in the hands of bandits to negligence.
“Government is not fully concerned with welfare of vigilante members and their families despite sacrificing their lives to save humanity”.
Ideally, he said education of children of the deceased ought to have been taken care of by the state alongside Mariga and Rafi Local government where they got a distress call of bandits attack only to go there and unfortunately met their untimely death.
District head of Mariga, Alhaji Ilyasu Ibrahim described the death of vigilante members as painful and sad stressing that during their life time, they contributed immensely towards protecting lives and properties of people of Mariga and some neighbouring Local Government Areas from Bandits and kidnappers terrorising the area.
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.