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

Imo Police To Arraign Five Men For Alleged Brutalisation Of Married Woman

Published

9 hours ago

November 17, 2025

Editor

Imo State Police Command has concluded arrangements for the arraignment of five men who brutalised a woman, Mrs. Ndudiamaka Agu, in Emekuku, Owerri North Local Government Area of the state.

A viral video, which has been circulating for more than a week, shows how the men allegedly manhandled the woman, including lifting and throwing her heavily against a building wall, leading to public outcry.

The men were said to have approached Agu unexpectedly in her marital home and attacked her because she was suspected of cooperating with some policemen during their visit to carry out an investigation in the community.

In a statement issued on Monday evening, the spokesperson for the command, Henry Okoye, regretted that one of the men had run away, stating that the police were in pursuit of him to arrest him.

The statement disclosed that the Commissioner of Police (CP), Aboki Danjuma, had assured that justice would be served in the matter.

Okoye, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said: “The Imo State Police Command wishes to provide an update on the investigation ordered by the Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, into the viral video showing Mrs. Agu Ndididamaka being assaulted in Emekuku, Owerri North LGA. In furtherance of the CP’s directive for swift action, operatives of the X-Squad Unit have arrested five suspects linked to the barbaric assault.”

The arrested suspects are Onyekachi Njoku, 40 years ‘m’; Chiazor Osuji, 45 years ‘m’; Chukwuma Iwuala, 46 years ‘m’; Eugene Njoku, ‘m’; Njoku Emmanuel, 35 years ‘m’ all of Uboegbelu in Emekuku in Owerri North LGA.”

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) disclosed, “All five suspects have made confessional statements admitting their roles in the attack.”

“Meanwhile, the sixth suspect, identified as Onyedikachi Njoku, is still at large, and operatives are intensifying efforts to apprehend him.”

On the extent reached to take the suspects to the court, he explained: “The Commissioner of Police condemns the assault in its entirety and reaffirms that intimidation of citizens who lawfully cooperate with the Police will not be tolerated. The arrested suspects will be arraigned in court soon with the appropriate criminal charges.”

The Guardian recalled that soon after the men assaulted Agu, many Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) took up the matter, escalating that the suspects must be apprehended, arraigned, and justice served.

Metro

Customs Intercepts Lion Cub, Monkeys At Seme Border, Arrests Suspects

Published

9 hours ago

November 17, 2025

Editor

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Seme Area Command has intercepted one lion cub and two patas monkeys being transported in a vehicle to the Benin Republic during a stop-and-search operation along the Badagry–Seme Expressway.

According to a statement by Public Relations Officer of the command, Isah Sulaiman, the consignments of endangered wildlife were discovered on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at about 0219hrs, after operatives stopped a blue Mazda vehicle with registration number MUS 743 HA at Gbaji.

The command stated that upon inspection, the operatives discovered one lion cub and two patas monkeys being transported in the vehicle in clear violation of national and international wildlife protection laws.

The Customs Area Controller of the command, Wale Adenuga, said two individuals, identified as Mr. Mathew Kofi, a Beninese national, and Mr. Nasiru Usman Gwandu, a Nigerian, claimed ownership of the wildlife, admitting they had purchased the animals in Kano and were heading to the Benin Republic.

Adenuga said the two suspects were unable to provide legitimate documentation for transporting the animals and have been taken into custody for further investigation to ascertain the level of their involvement in wildlife trafficking.

The command stated that the interception underscores Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to protecting its biodiversity and its broader efforts to combat illegal wildlife trafficking under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the country’s (1).

“In line with Nigeria’s status as a signatory to CITES and consistent with global standards for wildlife protection, the endangered species were immediately confiscated and brought to the command for documentation,” the command stated.

According to the command, the animals were subsequently handed over to the Greenfingers Wildlife Initiative on the same day for proper care, safety, and expert handling.

Adenuga, however, reaffirmed the command’s determination to enforce all laws relating to wildlife protection, environmental conservation and border security.

The CAC pledged the command’s continued collaboration with relevant agencies to stem illegal trade and smuggling of endangered species and protect the country’s biodiversity.

In other news, the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone C of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over 151 wraps of Cannabis Sativa (Indian hemp) and 15 wraps of Canadian Loud, intercepted during routine patrols, to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Owerri, Imo State, for further investigation and action.

In a statement, the Customs Area Controller of the unit, Bishir Balogun, said the Cannabis Sativa, weighing 77,500 grammes, and the Canadian Loud, weighing 8,600 grammes, were seized after operatives detected the concealed substances during patrol.

Metro

Drug Barons Abandon Sienna Buses With 1,455kg Of Cannabis In Edo, Flee

Published

11 hours ago

November 17, 2025

Editor

A drug trafficking cartel has reportedly abandoned two Sienna buses conveying one thousand four hundred and fifty-five kilograms (1,455 kg) of cannabis along the Okhokho-ISI community route in the Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State.

They were forced to abandon the Sienna buses and flee after a hot chase by the operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Edo State Command.

Mitchell Ofoyeju, Edo State Commander of the NDLEA disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin on Monday.

“A team of dedicated officers intercepted two Toyota Sienna buses suspected of transporting a substantial quantity of narcotics along the Okhokho-ISI community route in the Uhunmwode Local Government Area,” the statement said.

According to him, “both buses were said to have commenced their journey at Okpuje, a community that is notorious for cannabis cultivation and trafficking.

“The first vehicle seized, a light blue Toyota Sienna with registration number EPE 545 EV, was found to be carrying an impressive 666 kilograms of dried weeds suspected to be cannabis sativa.

“Following this, a dark ash Toyota Sienna bearing registration number ABC 142 CD was also intercepted, containing 789 kilograms of the same illicit substance.”

He, however, said “no suspects were apprehended during the operation, as the individuals responsible deserted the vehicles and made a hasty escape, leaving the substantial drug exhibits behind.”

Mitchell, who issued a stern warning to drug traffickers operating in the region, said “the NDLEA is actively pursuing leads and conducting thorough investigations aimed at bringing these traffickers to justice.”

He added, “The ongoing investigations signify our relentless approach towards eradicating drug trafficking in Edo State.

“Those who think they can evade the law and exploit our communities through illicit drug trade should think again.

“We are prepared and committed to enforcing the law with unprecedented measures against harmful substances and their distributors.”

The Commander further reassured the public that the NDLEA remains vigilant in its patrols and operational capacity, emphasising the collaboration with local communities to ensure safety and a drug abuse-free society.

He encouraged citizens to report any suspicious activities related to drug trafficking, ensuring that they play an integral role in the fight against drugs in Edo State.