Metro

Many Feared Killed As Rival Bandit Groups Clash In Zamfara

Published

1 year ago

February 25, 2024

Scores of bandits have been reportedly killed as a result of a heavy fight between two rival groups around Hayin Alhaji to Munhaye forest of the Tsafe Local Government Area in Zamfara State.

A local, Mohammed Sanda told The PUNCH on Sunday that the two bandit groups engaged in a supremacy fight last Saturday where scores lost their lives.

According to Sanda, a group of bandits from neighbouring Katsina State invaded some communities in Zamfara State intending to kidnap the residents.

But the powerful and notorious bandits’ kingpin Ado Alero who is an indigene of the area intervened and refused to allow the rival bandits group to kidnap the villagers.

Sanda maintained that the two rival groups engaged in a gun battle which resulted in the death of several bandits from both sides.

He stressed that the people of the area were currently trouping to the battleground to see the dead bodies of the neutralised bandits.

He also added that there were over 20 motorcycles abandoned by the bandits at the place where the fight took place

He said, “Some bandits who came from Katsina State invaded some communities between Tafkin Kazai and Munhaye village around five o’clock pm last Saturday evening trying to abduct the residents of the area”.

“While they were in the area, another group of bandits led by Ado Alero came to the place in a bid to protect the residents”.

“The two bandit groups exchanged hot words and finally began to shoot at each other, while the residents ran helter-skelter for their dear lives.

“As we were running, the bandits’ leader Ado Alero told us not to panic and asked us to remain where we were.

“The two groups fought for several hours where many of them were killed and when we returned to the area early morning of today Sunday, we saw many corpses and several motorcycles.

“As I am speaking to you at the moment, many people are trouping to this place to see the corpses and the abandoned motorcycles,” Sanda added.

Sanda also explained that the communities were looking into the possibility of giving a mass burial for the dead bodies of the bandits because of the absence of security personnel.

“We may dig a big grave and bury the dead bodies before they decompose.”

Contacted for comment, the spokesperson for the state police command ASP Yazid Abubakar said he was not aware of this development.

He said, “I am not aware of this, but it is a very important development. God is answering our prayers in the fight against banditry.”

PUNCH

Related Topics:#Boko Haram Bandits Zamfara

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Metro

Edo Police Arrest Doctor Over Woman’s Death During Caesarean Section

Published

10 hours ago

August 22, 2025

Editor

The Edo State Police Command has said that it arrested a medical doctor following the death of a woman during an operation at a private hospital in Uromi, the administrative headquarters of Esan North-East Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, while confirming the arrest said that detectives were investigating the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death.

“I can confirm the arrest of the doctor, and the command’s detectives are also investigating the matter.”

Police identified the doctor as Festus Ogheghele of Dickson Medical Centre, Uromi.

He was said to have performed a Caesarean section on the deceased, Susan Omoye-Okporan, 36, on August 2, 2025.

It was gathered that the woman reportedly developed complications and died shortly after the procedure, though her baby survived.

Her bereaved family members accused the doctor of gross professional negligence, which prompted a police investigation.

A family source said that the doctor may have been careless while performing the surgery, noting that they were ready to pursue the case to the highest level.

“I am sure the doctor was careless. Performing a cesarean section is one of the easiest surgical operations due to advancement in technology. The family is ready to pursue the case to the highest level,” the source added.

Findings at the command headquarters in Benin revealed that operatives of the Homicide Section, State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), took over the case from Uromi police over two weeks ago.

It was further learnt that an autopsy had been conducted, and the result is awaiting interpretation by police medical experts to determine the next line of action.

Metro

NDLEA Arrests 65 Suspects In Abia, 7 Prosecuted, Convicted

Published

11 hours ago

August 22, 2025

Editor

The new Abia State Commandant of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Joseph Owoputi has disclosed that sixty five suspects were arrested by the Command between June and August 2025 with about 82 kilo gram of substances seized from them.

Owoputi who said his Command secured seven convictions within the period under review, disclosed twelve of the arrested suspects are currently being prosecuted.

He stated this on Wednesday, when he led a team of officials from his Command visit Abia State Governor, Alex Otti.

The new NDLEA Commandant also said thirty eight other individuals are undergoing counselling and rehabilitation in the Command’s facility.

Owoputi assured the Abia Governor that he would consolidate on the achievements recorded by his predecessor and solicited the assistance of the state government in providing them with operational vehicles for more efficient performance.

He further thanked the Abia Governor for the support he extended to the immediate past NDLEA Commandant in Abia, which he said, assisted the agency in the fight against drugs abuse and illicit drug transactions.

Responding to the new Abia NDLEA boss’ appeal, Governor Alex Otti approved two new Hilux vans for the agency and directed that NDLEA’S abandoned vehicles should be retrieved and fixed by the Abia State government.

Otti who called for tougher legislation against drug abuse and illicit drug dealers in Nigeria, lamented that drug abuse is destroying many young persons, including students.

Metro

Village Youths Capture Bandit During Midnight Attack In Benue

Published

15 hours ago

August 22, 2025

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be bandits launched an attack on Bigwa village in Mbayenge, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, in the early hours of Tuesday, August 19, 2025.

Witnesses said the attackers invaded the community around 2 a.m., but were resisted by local youths who mobilized to defend the village.

During the confrontation, one of the bandits was overpowered and captured, while others fled with injuries.

Several youths were also said to have sustained injuries in the clash.

The captured suspect has since been handed over to security agencies for investigation.

Community members praised the courage of the youths in standing up to the attackers, but appealed to government and security forces to step up protection in the area to prevent further assaults.