Ten residents killed, several others flee homes as gunmen invade communities

Published

2 years ago

December 11, 2022

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Ten residents killed, several others flee homes as gunmen invade communities

Terrorists stormed communities around the newly discovered oil field in the Alkaleri Local Government of Bauchi State, killing ten residents.

Local authorities told Premium Times that at least 10 people were killed, and residents are being kidnapped daily as others flee villages in the area in droves due to fear for their safety.

A councillor for Maimadi ward Sa’adu Jibrin in one of the terrorised communities said that the gunmen are carrying out attacks in the area unchallenged.

“The kidnapping for ransom is now rampant. In less than 20 days about 30 people were kidnapped, and the least ransom paid was N2 million. They killed at least ten people within a few weeks.

“The area is now blessed with oil which will attract more people for investment, but that can only happen if the place is secure. The gunmen went to the oil drilling site and kidnapped a household leader whose residence is less than a kilometre from where President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated the oil drilling. The kidnap happened after the president’s visit. Two people were Sa’adu Jibrin in the very location.

“At Mai -Arin Kudu community, they killed one person and kidnapped his wife. At Zadawa, they killed a youth leader, we just returned from Gombe, and they fired at him up to seven times, after killing him, they went away with his mother and elder sister. In Mai-Arin Aware community, they killed a father and went away with their son. In the Garfatu community, they killed a vigilante leader and kidnapped his daughter,” he said.

“Residents are fleeing daily for safety. The complaints we do receive from the locals are their concerns about how to address the situation. Many have attributed the upsurge in the attacks to the newly discovered oil in the areas but that might not be so,” Mr Jibrin said.

He said the Alkaleri Local Government shares a boundary with Yankari Game Reserve, perhaps Nigeria’s most popular game reserve. He said the gunmen have hideouts in the forest.

“The gunmen are strangers in the area, they are using local informants in our communities to carry out the kidnap activities, he added.

Over a thousand households flee
The area has three districts which consist of Pali, Gwana, and Duguri each with district heads under the Alkaleri local government area.

The oil field is located in the Pali district. Residents of the area are fleeing to Alkaleri town, the local council headquarters, and others are fleeing to Misau local government area and neighbouring Gombe State.

He identified the affected communities in Pali district as Jada, Mai Arin-Kudu, Dani, Kufa, Bubu, Papa, Kuturun Kuka, Tudun Wadan Jada, Zadawa and Bambu.

He said other towns are Gachiri, Maimadi, Shugu, Garfatu, Mai Arin-Arewa, Dakai, Maso Kano, Kwanan Kuka, Yola, and Bakin Ruwa.

The police spokesperson in Bauchi, Muhammed Wakil, could not be reached for comments on the growing insecurity in the area. But on Thursday Mr Wakil, in a statement to reporters confirmed the rescue of kidnapped victims in the areas.

The police said on 7 December, suspected kidnappers stormed Gurtum village in Pali district in the Alkaleri local government area and abducted three persons from Gurtum village to an unknown destination during the midnight raid.

“Consequently, a team of Policemen and other local vigilantes led by the Divisional Police Officer, Maina-Maji Division, swiftly mobilised in a coordinated operation.

“On reaching the scene, the kidnappers opened fire on sighting the operatives. While returning fire, the kidnappers were subdued as a result of sustained gunfire from the operatives, which forced the kidnappers to scamper away with possible gunshots (wounds) and abandoned their victims.

“The operation was successful, as all the victims were rescued unhurt and reunited with their family members. The victims were identified as Hafsatu Sa’idu, 35, Adama Sule, 28, Maryam Sa’idu, 14, all of Gurtum Village Pali District Alkaleri LGA, Bauchi State,” the police statement said.

News

Fake Mwdical Doctor sentenced to jail for allegedly causing woman’s death

Published

2 minutes ago

February 26, 2025

olalekan

Fake Mwdical Doctor sentenced to jail for allegedly causing woman’s death

An Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, on Wednesday ordered the remand of a 55-year-old fake doctor, Moyosore Johnson, in a correctional centre for allegedly causing the death of a woman.

Johnson, whose address was not provided, was arraigned on a four-count charge bothering on conspiracy and accelerating cause of death.

Magistrate Kausarat Ayofe did not take the plea of the defendant for lack of jurisdiction.

She directed the police to return the case file to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for advice.

Ayofe adjourned the case until March 27, for mention.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp. Segun Adegboye, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on July 5, 2024, at about 10.00 a.m, at Apata Igbala Hospital Iseyin, Oyo State.

Adegboye alleged that the defendant unlawfully accelerated the cause of the death of one Badirat Adebayo, 26, by carrying out surgery on her.

He alleged that the defendant removed Adebayo’s womb, which led to her death.

According to the prosecutor, the offences contravene Sections 516 and 319 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.(NAN)

News

Group seeks support for military to capture Bello Turji, other Terrorists

Published

1 hour ago

February 26, 2025

olalekan

Group seeks support for military to capture Bello Turji, other Terrorists

The North-West Youths for Peace and Development (NWYPD), a non-governmental organisation, has called for the suppprt of the people in the region for the military in its renewed onslaught against Bello Turji and other terrorists in the region.

The Coordinator of the group, Salihu Bello, made the call while addressing newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.

Bello also urged the people to show appreciation to the Armed Forces of Nigeria for its relentless efforts to tackle the activities of Bello and other bandits.

‘The military needs our to restore peace and order in the North West.

“While our region is seeking ways to advance economically, here we are dealing with forces of retrogression, people who don’t want our region to make progress.

“Unfortunately they are our people. How did we get here? Who are the people directly or indirectly supporting them?

“The North-West Youths for Peace and Development commend the Gen. Christopher Musa led Armed Forces of Nigeria for what is been done to restore peace in our region.

“We once more appeal to our people to support the military,” he said. (NAN)

Crime

How Woman reportedly defiled Teenage Boy on several occasions in her apartment

Published

2 hours ago

February 26, 2025

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How Woman reportedly defiled Teenage Boy on several occasions in her apartment

Idris Mariam, 29, has been placed under detention by an Ogun State Magistrate Court in Ago-Iwoye for the sexual assault of a 14-year-old child (name withheld) at the Muslim High School Area of Ago-Iwoye.

Since December 23, 2024, Mariam has engaged in eight illegal sexual encounters with the survivor in her chamber.

Dyke Ogbonnaya, the spokesperson for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Ogun State command, signed the statement on Tuesday.

Ogbonnaya revealed that the survivor’s mother had informed the command about the occurrence.

He revealed that the defendant, who is facing charges under Section 32 of the Child Rights Law of Ogun State, Nigeria 2006, has been remanded at the Nigeria Correctional Centre in Ijebu-Ode for a period of 60 days.

Ogbonnaya said, ”The survivor, in the course of investigation, opened up that the defendant has been having these sexual assault with him since December 23, 2024 for successive eight times.

“After the completion of investigation, a motion for ex parte to remand the defendant at the Nigeria Correctional Centre, Ijebu-Ode, for 60 days was filed by the legal team of the State Command at Ago-Iwoye Magisterial Court.”

The NSCDC spokesperson confirmed that the court, under the presiding judge His Worship O.F. Adeduntan (Mrs.), granted the Corps’ request to remand the defendant.

Additionally, the case file has been sent to the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) at the Ogun State Ministry of Justice in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, for further legal guidance.

In a separate statement, the Corps State Commandant, Remilekun Ekundayo, issued a firm warning against any form of indecent conduct or inhumane treatment, stressing that such actions will not be tolerated in Ogun State.