Four gunmen killed as NSCDC operatives engage armed bandits in gun duel

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Katsina Command has killed four suspected terrorists in Dutsinma Local Government Area of the state.

The Public Relations Officer of the Command, SC Buhari Hamisu, confirmed this in a statement on Monday. He said two separate attacks were repelled.

According to him, operatives repelled an attack by suspected armed bandits who stormed the permanent site of the Federal University Dutsinma (FUDMA) on Feb. 21.

“The gallant men of NSCDC attached to the university successfully neutralised three criminals, including the notorious Ayuba Buzaru, who stormed the institution as their route,” he said.

The team also rescued three kidnapped victims and recovered some rustled goats, the NSCDC spokesman revealed.

He added that NSCDC personnel, in a joint operation with the police, repelled another attack on Sunday, Feb. 23, at the Federal Government Special Grains Reserve (Silo) in Darawa.

Hamisu stated, “The valiant operatives overpowered the criminals, neutralising one suspected armed bandit, while others fled with gunshot wounds.”

He confirmed that the body of the suspected criminal had been deposited at General Hospital Dutsinma.

“The armed bandits have been attempting to attack the Silo, which stores grains distributed to people in Katsina, Zamfara, and Sokoto,” he added.

The Corps personnel also dispersed another group of suspected armed bandits at Gago Village, near Isah Kaita College of Education in Dutsinma.

“The Command remains dedicated to promoting safety and security for the people of the state and Nigeria as a whole, while protecting Critical National Assets and Infrastructure,” he said. (NAN)

At Senior officers Conference, IGP orders CPs AIGs others to reduce crime rates by 50%

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has directed all commands of the Force to implement a comprehensive plan to reduce crime rates by 50 per cent in 2025.

He gave the directive at the 5th Edition of the Annual Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers in Abeokuta on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme is with the theme ‘Improving Nigeria’s Internal Security and Economic Prosperity Through Inclusive Policing.’

Over 1,000 senior police officers are attending the three-day conference, which runs from Feb. 24 to 26.

Egbetokun noted that the theme aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s security vision and reinforces the commitment to tackling insecurity.

“The theme highlights the President’s plan to build a professionally competent, intelligence-driven police force capable of addressing emerging threats proactively,” he said.

According to him, intensified operations and cooperation with the military and other security agencies are yielding significant results in the fight against organised crime.

Also speaking, Chairman, Niger Delta Development Commission, Mr Chiedu Ebie, urged the Federal Government to conduct periodic evaluations and vetting of police officers.

“A regular and comprehensive health check, including psychiatric assessments, must not be overlooked,” he said.

He also commended the police for their efforts to improve security in the country.

“However, Nigerians do not always appreciate the police force enough.

“As it stands, only 370,000 officers are responsible for the security of over 230 million people,” he stressed.

He promised that the commission would support the police in all capacities.

A senior police officer, speaking anonymously to NAN, said many commands are implementing the directive to reduce crime by 50 per cent.

“This is why the country is witnessing a higher rate of prosecutions in the courts,” he said. (NAN)

Tinubu decided not to make me Minister – El-Rufai reveals private discussion with the President

A former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam El-Rufai, has claimed that President Bola Tinubu did not want him in his cabinet.

According to him, the National Assembly did not reject him because of a security report from the Department of State Services, DSS.

Speaking on Arise TV on Monday night, El-Rufai said, “Forget what you read. The National Assembly did not reject me. President Bola Tinubu changed his mind about working with me.

“The security thing was a good excuse they used.

“Since then, has anyone released that report telling us the security issue?

“Look, I was minister 20 years ago. I don’t need to be in politics. I have a private life.

“Tinubu appealed to me and begged me. He threw me a challenge that no president has sorted out electricity problems. He said you and I can do it. it was the challenge that made me accept it.

“I had the opportunity to serve my country. The person that gave me took it back and that is not a problem.”