Metro

Bandits Kill Many, Kidnap 34 Women, Girls In Zamfara ― Report

Published

4 years ago

December 27, 2021

Bandits have kidnapped over 34 women while dozen of others were killed in multiple attacks in some villages in Gusau local government of Zamfara State.

A BBC Hausa report said the bandits attacked Geba and Gidan Kaura villages as well as some communities within the Gusau Local Government Area.

A source told BBC that when the bandits invaded their communities, “they kidnapped some women and girls, while dozens of others were killed.”

According to the source, “the bandits kidnapped ten women in Kaura, also at Bayauri they kidnapped nine women. They also entered a village called Gana and kidnapped seven before proceeding to Duma and kidnapped another seven women. These happened before Sunday morning.”

According to the reports, properties were destroyed and many villages have been deserted, forcing the villagers to relocate to Gusau, the state capital.

A local said they’ve now run away to Damba community inside the state capital.

“We have women, children, and the pregnant ones, there is no food. If you see where they sleep in this cold as if there is no government,” a local residing in Damba community alleged.

Commissioner of Information in Zamfara State, Ibrahim Dosara, while confirming the attacks, however, affirmed that only Geba town was attacked.

He explained that shortly after the bandits’ attack, security agents went to rescue the situation.

“There are soldiers working in that zone, they went to Geba. They met three people injured. The soldiers dispersed the bandits.”

The commissioner said it was not true that the villages that were attacked were not visited by security agents on a rescue mission.

The attacks in Zamfara came at a time the authorities announced that security agents have arrested some bandits that were seeking medical treatment after their hideout was dislodged.

Metro

Gunmen Abduct Chief Imam In Edo, Demand N30m Ransom

Published

5 hours ago

July 13, 2025

Editor

The Chief Imam of Uromi, Sheikh Murtadho Muhammad, has reportedly been abducted by unknown gunmen.

Muhammad, who is also the
President of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Edo-Delta Chapter, was said to have been kidnapped at the Angle 90 Area of Uromi, in Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State, around 2 p.m. on Thursday

Eyewitness accounts revealed that Muhammad had stepped out to buy food for his family near his residence shortly after observing one of the daily prayers when he was forcefully taken away.

Alhaji Abdulazeez Igbinidu, Chairman of the Edo State chapter of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), while confirming the incident on Sunday to newsmen, condemned the act and called for the immediate release of the Islamic leader.

“I am hearing that they are asking for a very large amount of money, and we don’t have such.

“Even if you have it, if you pay, you are encouraging them,” he said.

The chairman urged the Edo State government to intensify efforts to protect ordinary citizens.

“They are the ones with the apparatus for security. So they should do everything possible to ensure the Imam is released unconditionally and unharmed.

“Government should also make every effort to ensure that citizens can sleep with their two eyes closed and move freely without fear of kidnapping or assassination,” he added.

A family source disclosed that the suspected kidnappers have contacted the family and are demanding a ransom of N30 million.

The incident has sparked widespread concern among the Muslim community in the state, considering the victim’s dual role as a revered religious leader and youth development advocate.

Contacted, the Edo State Police Command confirmed the report, saying: “It was reported to us on 10/7/2025. Efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim and track down the culprits.”

Metro

NDLEA Intercepts Drugs In Factory-fitted Lipsticks At Lagos Airport

Published

14 hours ago

July 13, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted a shipment of illicit substances concealed in factory-fitted female lipsticks at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

The discovery, which marks the second of such in less than a week, was announced by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, via a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday.

“Ladies beware! It does appear like female lipstick is becoming attractive as an instrument for concealment and trafficking now,” Babafemi warned.

“With yet another consignment of factory-fitted female lipsticks stuffed with illicit substances intercepted at MMIA barely a week after NDLEA officers uncovered a similar cargo at a courier company in Lagos.”

He urged Nigerians, particularly women, to be cautious when purchasing or accepting cosmetic products, especially from unfamiliar or suspicious online sources.

The NDLEA has yet to reveal the identity of the suspect(s) behind the latest smuggling attempt, but investigations are said to be ongoing.

Metro

50-year-old Bandit, Two Informants Arrested

Published

14 hours ago

July 13, 2025

Editor

The Zamfara State Police Command has announced the arrest of eight suspected criminals, including a 50-year-old bandit and two informants, as part of ongoing operations to dislodge criminal elements across the state.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Yazid Abubakar, the command’s Public Relations Officer, disclosed these successes during a press briefing at the command’s headquarters in Gusau.

Abubakar stated that the arrested individuals include Ibrahim Mohammed, a 50-year-old suspected bandit from Maru Local Government Area of the state, two bandit informants, a gun runner, and five other suspects.

He credited the arrests to credible intelligence received from members of the public.

Items recovered during the operations include assorted rifles, a stolen ATM card, leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, and a Toyota Corolla vehicle, among other items.

The arrests are part of the Zamfara State Police Command’s sustained efforts to combat banditry and other criminal activities plaguing the state.