Metro

BREAKING: 27 Women, 4 Boys Kidnapped In Southern Kaduna

Published

2 years ago

October 16, 2023

The women’s wing of Southern Kaduna Peoples Union ( SOKAPU) has said that no fewer than 27 women and 4 boys were kidnapped by bandits in Southern Kaduna and appealed to the authorities to come to their rescue.

Mrs Jemutu Katarma, SOKAPU National Women Coordinator, in a statement on Monday, that hundreds of villages in Southern Kaduna have been sacked and some taken over by bandits, while many people have been rendered homeless.

“May I use this opportunity to warmly greet the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, His Excellency, Sen. Uba Sani and his deputy, our dear sister, Dr. Sabuwa Hadiza Balarabe and express our goodwill to them on behalf of the entire women of Southern Kaduna.

“After closely observing the policies, words and actions of Gov. Uba Sani since he came to power in May 2023, we have good reasons to believe that he has come to restore hope, confidence and unity to the state. We also see him working with the Federal Government in helping to solve the serious challenge on the security of lives and property of citizens of Kaduna state.

“It is based on this belief that we are encouraged to use this medium to send him an SoS message on very disturbing security matters, part which he inherited, and to plead for his urgent intervention.As you may all be aware by now, Southern Kaduna is made up of the 8 Local Government Areas of Kaduna South Senatorial Zone, plus Lere LGA in Kaduna North Senatorial Zone including Kajuru and Chikun LGAs in Kaduna Central Senatorial Zone,” she stated.

The Southern Kaduna women explained that out of these 12 LGAs of Southern Kaduna only about three have not suffered violence and crimes from armed groups, especially bandits and armed herdsmen, as thousands have been killed, houses burnt and hundreds have been kidnapped.

“Hundreds of our villages have been sacked and some taken over by bandits. Even the immediate past government of the state has been reporting these atrocities to the press every quarter each year.Our people, especially women and children in their thousands are rendered as IDPs. It is usually women and children that suffer the most during such displacements.

“May I state that it is true that the past government did not show much compassion or interest in assisting us on these evils that have happened to our people. We did not get a good deal at all..Out of the 12 LGAs of Southern Kaduna, Kachia, Kajuru and Chikun are, in our belief, the worst that suffer in the hands of kidnappers. And women and children are their main targets.

“Of particular note, we want to bring to the attention of His Excellency, Gov Uba Sani about a terrible development that happened to his citizens on 2nd October, 2023 in Kachuwe, close to Sarkin Pawa in Niger State. After their villages suffered several invasions from bandits in Chikun, they decided to move to Kachuwe which they thought was safer to start life all over again by farming.

“Unfortunately, armed bandits stormed the village on 2nd October, 2021 and killed 13 male adults and a young girl.Among those killed is a grandfather (1) Baba Barda Kariya.The names of the rest are: (2) Ali Nariya, (3) Zakariya Nariya (4) Markus Nariya, (5) John Nariya and (6) Haruna Nariya.Others are: (7) Iko Ali, (8) Vincent Ali, (9) Amos Zakariya, (10) Habila Zakariya, (11) Smalis Markus, (12) Timothy John (13) Victor Markus and (14) Godiya Markus, the only female killed.

“After committing the crime, they looted the village of foodstuffs and animals.

They then burnt down the village.They spared the lives of the old women and sick old men. Then they took away the following females and boys. Grace Ali 25 yrs, Kauna Ali. 22 yrs,. Murna Ali 18 yrs,Tera Ali 3 yrs, Rahila Shagari 18yrs,Sunday Zakaria 17yrs, Leonard Zakaria 10 yrs,Lucy Zakaria 11yrs., Blessing Zakaria 13yrs, Charles Haruna 10yrs,Tina Amos 27yrs, Desire Amos 7yr,Success Amos 3 and Yemi Benjamin 27yrs.

“Let me sadly inform you, that Kauna Ali became very sick in the hands of the bandit last year. With no medical care, she died. We got the sad news from one of the kidnapped girls via a phone call from the bandits’ phone. No one knows where the corpse is as at today.

“It is also important to note that Yemi Benjamin was heavy with her first pregnancy because she was newly married.

“After they were kidnapped, the bandits made demands for a ransom.But they later refused to take the ransom. A month later, after Yemi Benjamin gave birth in the bush. They gave her the phone to call and inform her in-laws that she had a baby girl.

“Also note that a 3 and 10-year-old boys were among those that were kidnapped and still with the bandits.It is now 12 months since it was heard from them. And it is 2 years on the 2nd October 2023 that they have been in the hands of their abductors.It is a very horrible experience for the relations of these captives to live day and night not knowing the fate of their love ones.

“Again, on Saturday 7th October, 2023, in Chikuri village, in Chikun LGA, bandit entered Maikudi farms where villagers were working on portions of the farm that they rented from the owner. Bandits attacked the farm and kidnapped 14 women and a boy. Among the women is 54-year-old Mrs Lydia Dogara and her 20-year-old daughter, Linda Dogara.

“Therefore, we can confirm that at least 27 women and girls and 4 boys who are citizens of Kaduna state from Chikun LGA are in the hands of kidnappers, with one already dead.They are however just some other victims that maybe also be suffering the same fate in the state.

“We are therefore passionately calling on Kaduna State government under the able leadership of Sen. Uba Sani to explore the excellent working relationship he enjoys with the Chief of Defense Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa and other security chiefs do all it will take to return these women and children home. Or at least furnish us with information about their fate,” the statement added.

Metro

Police Foil Robbery, Recover Weapons In Enugu

Published

7 hours ago

August 9, 2025

Editor

The Enugu Police command has foiled a robbery attempt, neutralised one suspect, and recovered firearms, ammunition, and other exhibits from the crime scene.

The Command’s spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, confirmed in a statement on Friday that the incident happened around 4:10 a.m. on Aug. 6 in Enugu.

Ndukwe stated that a distress call alerted the Independence Layout Police Division to a robbery in progress at Premier Layout, Enugu.

Responding swiftly, the Divisional Police Officer mobilised police operatives and members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group to the scene.

On sighting the operatives, the gang opened fire. The team returned fire, killing one suspect. Others escaped. The dead suspect’s identity is unknown.

A search of the area and the suspect’s body yielded a cut-to-size locally made single-barrel gun and one live cartridge.

Also recovered were a locally fabricated Beretta pistol, one live round of ammunition, and a Nokia torch-button phone belonging to the suspect.

Other items included two iPhones belonging to victims, a red-and-black torchlight, a small red bag, and ₦9,000 in ₦1,000 notes.

Ndukwe added that further investigations on Friday led to the recovery of a pump-action gun with four live cartridges.

The weapon was found abandoned near the scene and is believed to have been left by fleeing gang members.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, praised the operatives’ bravery and professionalism during the operation.

He reaffirmed the command’s determination to tackle violent crime and maintain public safety across Enugu State.

He urged residents to stay alert and share credible information to support proactive policing efforts in their communities.

Residents should report incidents to the nearest station, call 08032003702 or 08086671202, or contact the Command Centre via 112.

Metro

Courts Jail Six For Fraud, Order ₦2.8m Restitution To Victims

Published

7 hours ago

August 9, 2025

Editor

Justices H.H. Kereng and Abdulhamid Yakubu of the Gombe State High Courts 2 and 3, sitting in Gombe, have convicted and sentenced six men to various jail terms for fraud.

The convicts, Maigari Abba, Joseph Samuel Bulus, Kasheaure Joseph, Emmanuel Dilibe, Livite Ibrahim, and Awolowo Martins, were jailed on Wednesday, after being arraigned on separate one-count charges bordering on breach of trust, cheating, and impersonation by the Gombe Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

This is contained in a statement by the EFCC on Friday, noting the convicts’ arrest followed intelligence on their activities, after which they were apprehended and prosecuted.

One of the charges against Bulus reads,”That you, Joseph Samuel Bulus, sometimes between 2024 and 2025, at Gombe, Gombe State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, dishonestly impersonate one Peter Elis, by pretending to be a former Kings Guard in the UK, creating and operating fake Facebook and TikTok accounts and luring unsuspecting individuals to deliver money to you (mostly via gift cards) and in the process gained to your advantage the sum of $1,500 (One thousand Five Hundred Dollars) and thereby committed an offence contrary to 321 and punishable under Section 324 of the Penal Code Law.”

Upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges, prompting prosecution counsel S.E. Okemini and A.B. Kware to urge the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. Defence counsel, however, pleaded for leniency.

Justice Kereng sentenced Abba to six months in prison or a fine of ₦60,000, while Martins bagged six months or a fine of ₦50,000.

Justice Yakubu handed Bulus, Joseph, Dilibe, and Ibrahim 24 months’ imprisonment each, with an option of ₦50,000 fine.

The courts also ruled that the ₦2.8 million recovered during investigation, being proceeds of crime, should be used to restitute the victims.

It was stated that One laptop and five mobile phones seized at arrest were forfeited to the Federal Government.
(PUNCH)

Metro

Bandits Kill Pastor, Two Others In Fresh Plateau Attack

Published

9 hours ago

August 8, 2025

Editor

Bandits have again struck Suwa and Ding’ak villages in the Mushere chiefdom of Bokkos Local Government Area, Plateau State, and killed three persons, including a pastor.

It was learnt that the attack occurred between 1pm and 2pm on Friday, resulting in the deaths of three individuals.

The Chairman of Community Peace Observers in Bokkos, Kefas Mallai, confirmed the killings to The PUNCH in Jos on Friday night.

Mallai identified the victims as Pastor Gideon Katings of COCIN Suwa, Sunday Ringkang, and Meshach Bukata.

He added that one Michael Kamshak and several others sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment at Cottage Hospital, Bokkos.

Mallai also confirmed that hundreds of residents had been displaced due to the attack.

Mallai said, “Between 1:00 hours and 2:00 today, Friday, 8th August 2025, Suwa and Ding’ak villages in Mushere chiefdom of Bokkos LGA were attacked by terrorists leading to the untimely death of three including Pst Gideon Katings of COCIN Suwa, Sunday Ringkang, and Meshach Bukata; while Michael Kamshak and others were injured and currently receiving treatment at Cottage Hospital Bokkos.

“Several residents in their hundreds have been displaced.”

Spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, was not readily available when contacted by our correspondent, as his phone indicated that it was switched off.

The killings on Friday is the latest in a series of violent attacks experienced in Bokkos and surrounding areas.

In recent times, the council area has faced heightened insecurity, with more than 20 villagers killed in separate attacks in the last month and properties destroyed.

The chairman of Bokkos LGA, Amalau Samuel Amalau, had called on security agencies to take decisive action against these militias, citing the need to protect innocent lives and prevent further displacement.

The state governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has equally condemned the attacks, describing them as “genocide” and “a coordinated attempt at land grabbing.”

The governor has vowed to work with security agencies to bring perpetrators to justice and ensure the safety of residents.