Metro

Bandits Abduct 22 In Kaduna Communities

Published

5 months ago

January 25, 2025

Bandits have reportedly abducted 22 locals in fresh separate attacks in the Kugauta community of Kusheka, Kumana Chiefdom, and Kitanda community of Geshere, Kumana Chiefdom in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

A student pastor and a resident, Emmanuel Johnson, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview with The PUNCH on Saturday.

He said the assailants invaded the two communities in separate attacks on Friday at about 10:30 pm, kidnapping 22 locals, mostly women and children.

He explained that 12 locals were kidnapped in the Kitanda community of Geshere, Kumana Chiefdom, while 10 locals were also whisked away in the Kugauta community of Kusheka, Kumana Chiefdom.

Johnson lamented that despite the escalating kidnapping by bandits and other criminal elements in their communities, only 3 policemen were manning their community and neighbouring villages.

He said their communities and surrounding villages have been consistently attacked, and villagers are being kidnapped daily.

“The police officers manning our communities cannot secure our Villages; the Government must show us that we’re Nigerians and we have equal rights to be protected by the Nigerian Government authorities.

“Most locals were forced to leave their villages as a result of the escalating kidnapping and killings of our loved ones.

“Over N60 million have been paid as ransom while many are still in the kidnappers’ custody,” Johnson disclosed.

“We’re facing an infrastructural deficit, in terms of roads network, hospitals and schools, adding we hardly can take our farm produce to the market because of the nature of the roads here”, he said.

According to him, the situation in their respective communities is worrisome, and the government must show some level of seriousness in handling the persistent insecurity problems in the areas.

“The army, NAF, and other sister security agencies must conduct offensive operations to flush these bandits terrorizing our communities out of those camps.

“These bandits have meted all kinds of hardship on our people, crippling our economy and plunging us into abject poverty,” he added.

He called on the government to establish police stations and army forward operating bases in strategic areas, stressing, that’ll help in addressing the escalating insecurity bedeviling our environments daily

Contacted, the Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, did not respond to calls and a text message sent to him by our correspondent as of the time of filing this report.

(PUNCH)

Metro

Police Arrests Three Masterminds Of Abuja Kidnappings

Published

15 hours ago

June 19, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command have arrested three notorious kidnap suspects linked to a spate of deadly abductions in Abuja and neighbouring states.

According to a statement signed by the Force PPRO, Abuja Command, SP Josephine Adeh, on Thursday, the suspects, 27 years old Ya’u Shittu from Kaduna State; 30 years old Sale Usman from Niger State; and 28 years old Ibrahim Abdullahi from Abuja, were captured during sting operations carried out between June 13 and 18, 2025, in Kaduna, Niger, and Nasarawa states by the Command’s elite Scorpion Squad.

The suspects, who have been on the Command’s wanted list, reportedly confessed to multiple kidnappings and murders, including the 2024 killing of a pastor in Mpape and the abduction of children in the same area where their father was shot dead. Police also tied them to the kidnapping of a woman for whom N10 million was paid in ransom, with each gang member pocketing N500,000.

Adeh said the breakthrough followed “credible digital reconstructive intelligence” and was led by ACP Victor O. Godfrey.

According to the police, Ibrahim Abdullahi, who also doubled as the gang’s arms supplier, led officers to a hideout in Bukuru, Nasarawa State on June 18. Upon arrival, the police team was met with gunfire from other gang members, prompting a shootout.

“Abdullahi attempted to flee but was shot and rearrested. Other gang members escaped and are currently being pursued,” the statement added.

Exhibits recovered from the scene included a long knife and various charms.

FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Ajao S. Adewale, commended the bravery of the Scorpion Squad and reassured residents of the Command’s commitment to public safety. He urged citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to security operatives.

“This is a major blow to violent crime in the FCT. We are determined to rid our communities of criminal elements,” he said.

The suspects remain in custody as investigations continue. Meanwhile, police have intensified efforts to track and arrest the fleeing members of the gang.
(PUNCH)

Metro

FG Closes Case In Alleged Terrorism Trial Against Nnamdi Kanu

Published

18 hours ago

June 19, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government, on Thursday, closed its case in the ongoing trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in the allegations bordering on terrorism and treason.

The FG’s lawyer, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, announced this after the 5th prosecution witness (PW-5), identified as EEE for security reasons, was led in evidence and cross-examined by Kanu’s lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu, before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Awomolo told the court that after calling five witnesses in the trial, the prosecution was satisfied that from the avalanche of evidence tendered, including the broadcast of activities of the leader of the IPOB, the government had sufficiently satisfied the need to close its case.

“I therefore close the case,” the senior lawyer said.

After the announcement, the lead defence counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi, informed the court that they would be opting for a no-case submission, which would be filed in due course.
(NAN)

Metro

NAF Air Strikes Destroy IED Factory, Terrorists’ Gun Trucks In Borno

Published

18 hours ago

June 19, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said on Thursday that its fighter aircraft operating under Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) has destroyed an IED factory and terrorist gun trucks and eliminated dozens of fighters in Kwaltiri, within the Tumbuktu Triangle, Borno State.

Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations, said, “The 18 June 2025 airstrike followed intelligence reports of terrorist activity in the area.

“Surveillance confirmed the presence of an IED-making site and vehicles, which were struck in precision passes by NAF aircraft.

“The operation is a major blow to terrorists’ fighting capabilities, as the successful strikes not only disrupted their command and control as well as logistics chains but also sent shockwaves through their ranks, significantly degrading their morale and operational momentum.

“It reinforces NAF’s resolve to degrade terrorist capabilities and enhance security in the North East.”