Metro

Banditry: We’re Under Siege, Kaduna Communities Natives Cry Out

Published

2 years ago

November 21, 2023

…say in Garun-Kurama, many kidnapped, killed, no help in sight

The prevailing rate of bandit attacks that are going unabated is causing sleepless nights to the members of communities in Lere and Kauru local government areas.

Recently, Garun-Kurama, Kahugu, Ungwan Kerau, and Mariri in the Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State have been under attacks of the bandits, kidnapping people indiscriminately for ransom.

A resident of Garun-Kurama, a suburb town of Saminaka who prefers to be anonymous for fear of being kidnapped, said recently the wife of All Progressives Congress (APC), Chairman of the Lere Local Government Area, was kidnapped and a whopping undisclosed amount of money was said to have been paid as ransom.

He said the APC chieftain, Mr. Jonathan Shekarau Ukissa, who is well known as Ba’are has been experiencing attacks by the men of the underworld in recent times.

According to him, some months ago, his eldest son was also kidnapped and spent days in the custody of the kidnappers until money was paid for his release.

He expressed worries that the kidnappers are more deadly as the younger brother to Kaduna State former deputy speaker and a lecturer with the Kaduna State University, Professor Matoh Dari Dogara was kidnapped and killed within a few hours.

He said last week, another person was kidnapped and still under their custody as ransom negotiation is still ongoing and his fate to come out alive is uncertain.

“I’m afraid they may kill the man because truly there is no one to help him with the ransom and the kidnappers have been threatening to kill him if nothing is done,” he said.

This medium also gathered that Damakasuwa and Bakin Kogi communities in Kauru LGA are also facing the myriad of attacks of kidnappers.

Another person who also prefers to be anonymous, said people in Damakasuwa are now more of refugees, leaving the town at dusk and coming in the wee hours over fear of being kidnapped.

He revealed that the kidnappers are using people within the communities as their informants to leak information about who has farmed well and started bringing farm produce home.

It would be recalled that Yadin Garun Kurama was where some Catholic priests were kidnapped and killed two years ago.

They expressed worries that the insecurity challenges in the areas are rampant, despite having the Commissioner of Environment, Hon Abubakar Buba who was Lere’s former council chairman and close to the government of Kaduna State.

“All complaints are falling on deaf ears, we don’t seem to have leaders with political will, all they care about is to amass wealth for personal gains.

“Our House of Representatives member, Engr Manir is doing nothing about it too.

“God will judge them, I’m suspecting a foul play of the government too. They are complacent about all the activities going around our communities.

“We are afraid and we are in a dilemma, You dare not bring back your farm produce home, you can be the next victim,” they lamented.

This is coming when the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu recently addressed stakeholders on issues of insecurity that the present government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doing everything possible to secure the country, despite inheriting many leadership liabilities.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Kadunà State Command, ASP Mansur Hassan said that their men are on ground dealing heavy blows on criminal elements and bandits.

“It is not true anywhere in Kaduna State is under siege. Our men are everywhere dealing with the bandits. If you check the papers today, you will see that over 30 bandits and kidnappers were arrested.

“We are doing our best, we solicit credible information from the general public to rid the state of criminals. If anyone has credible information, he should bring it to our notice,” he said.

Metro

PHOTOS: Borno Woman Recovers N23m Gold Buried During Boko Haram Escape

Published

9 hours ago

December 1, 2025

Editor

The Borno State Police Command has helped a woman residing in the Mallam Fatori area recover gold worth ₦23.6 million that she buried in sand while escaping a Boko Haram attack 15 years ago.

The unearthed gold
In a statement on Monday, the Public Relations Officer of the command, ASP Nahum Daso, said the state police commissioner, Naziru Abdulmajid, commended the Divisional Police Officer of Mallam Fatori and his team for their exemplary professionalism and integrity.

It read, “The Commissioner of Police, Borno State Police Command, CP Naziru Abdulmajid, PSC, commended the Divisional Police Officer of Mallam Fatori Division and his team for their exemplary professionalism and integrity in recovering valuable property belonging to a female resident of the community.

“The woman, who fled Mallam Fatori during a Boko Haram attack 15 years ago, recently returned and sought police assistance to retrieve items she had buried in the sand while escaping the incident,” he noted.

Daso said that through diligent and coordinated efforts, the officers successfully recovered “22 cc of gold valued at approximately ₦20 million, as well as a gold bracelet with chain worth ₦3.6 million.”

He further stated that the Commissioner praised the officers for their honesty, dedication, and service, noting that their actions reflect the core values of the Nigeria Police Force and further strengthen public confidence in law enforcement.

“CP Naziru Abdulmajid reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, urging residents to continue supporting and cooperating with the police for enhanced security across the state,” Daso added.

Metro

Osun Monarch’s Burial Rites Turn Bloody

Published

10 hours ago

December 1, 2025

Editor

Controversies over the burial rites for the 30th Owa of Igbajo, Oba Adegboyega Famodun, turned bloody on Monday as people opposed to observance of passage rites for him clashed with those that wanted honour befitting a royal father for the deceased.

In the fracas that occurred inside Iloro Market in Igbajo, on Monday, one man identified simply as Ifa was injured, while two other people reportedly sustained bruises.

The state Governor, Ademola Adeleke, had on Monday imposed a 24-hour curfew on Igbajo, amid protest, over Famodun’s death.

According to The PUNCH, a statement signed by Prince Adekunle Famodun on behalf of the family said Famodun “passed away on Friday, November 28, 2025, after a brief illness,” at the age of 67.

“As you may recall, Oba Adegboyega Famodun was installed and presented with the staff of office on November 24, 2022, by the former Governor of Osun State, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola.

“Although his position was disputed by a white paper issued by Governor Ademola Adeleke, the Osun State High Court reinstated him on January 30, 2025,” the statement read partly.

Before his appointment and installation as monarch, Oba Famodun had served as the Osun State chairman of the All Progressives Congress.

The PUNCH also reported on March 12, 2024, that Osun State Government approved the appointment of Prince Ademola Makinde as the new Owa of Igbajo, replacing Famodun.

But violent clashes erupted in the town when those believed to be loyal to late Famodun demanded that Iloro Market be shut in his honour.

But those opposed to the move, reportedly resisted the attempt to force some traders that opened for business to close shop.

In some of the video footages of the protest shared by a Facebook user, Taiwo Olaore, on Monday, unrest was observed in a market place, with some people demanding that the traders that opened for business, should shut down, as a mark of respect for the deceased.

Also, in the video, some women in white attire, bearing leave, rebuked the traders that opened for business and asked them to immediately close, and mourn the late Famodun.

Speaking further on the crises, a resident of Igbajo, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment on the matter, said “they wanted to do burial rite for Oba Famodun but another set of people insisted that the late monarch was a prince and not a king.

“In order to perform the rite, the Iloro market must be shut for three market days.

It was in the process of closing the market that the group opposed to the move mobilised to the market and insisted that they must close it.

“Three people were injured during the clash that occurred at the market. One of them is known as Ifa. His pictures with blood stained clothes circulated on the social media. The market was later shut,” he said.

Asked if the burial rites were being observed despite the curfew imposed by the State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, he said “The burial rites are ongoing. Although people didn’t come out after the governor declared a curfew but those performing the rites carried on with their duties alongside supporters of the late monarch.”

He also said there was massive deployment of security personnel to the town to prevent breakdown of law and order.

Contacted for update on the security situation in Igbajo, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, said one person was injured in the fracas that occurred in the town early on Monday, noting that normalcy has returned to the community.

“Our personnel are on the ground, but as of this morning when I communicated, no arrest has been made. Igbajo community is now peaceful. One person got injured during the clash,” Ojelabi said.

Metro

Kwara Traditional Ruler Kidnapped On His Farm

Published

2 days ago

November 30, 2025

Editor

Gunmen have reportedly abducted a traditional ruler in Bayagan community in the Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Ojibara of Bayagan Oba Kamilu Salami, on Saturday.

It was gathered that the traditional ruler was kidnapped Saturday morning on his farm, while details of the incident were still sketchy.

Eyewitness disclosed that the attack happened suddenly and left the community in apprehension and confusion. Meanwhile, the incident had triggered fresh concerns over cases of insecurity across the country.

The Kwara State Police command was yet to confirm the incident as at when filing this report.