Chief Imam several other Residents kidnapped by gunmen in fresh attack on Communities
Chief Imam several other Residents kidnapped by gunmen in fresh attack on Communities
In a fresh wave of violence, armed bandits have struck again in Zamfara State, launching a brutal raid on communities near the state capital, Gusau, and abducting over 100 residents, including women, children, and the elderly.
The attack took place in the Wanke area, where local reports suggest that multiple villages were targeted.
Among those taken by the bandits was the Chief Imam of the area, who had previously been abducted and had only recently been released after suffering a leg injury.
This marks the second time the Chief Imam has been taken by the bandits, heightening the already widespread sense of insecurity in the region.
As of now, neither state authorities nor the police have issued any official statement on the attack.
A survivor of the attack spoke with the BBC Hausa Service, describing the chaos and terror that unfolded during the raid. “In Sabon Layi, over 50 people were taken, and another 50 were abducted near Dogon Hayi,” the survivor recounted, adding that the exact number of victims is still unclear due to the confusion and panic that ensued.
“The terrorists chased people as if they were hunting animals,” the survivor said.
“They were on motorcycles, hunting down women in their homes, and even those trying to escape were caught and forced into the bush.”
The bandits, believed to be operating in organized groups, raided multiple villages including Gira, Ruwa Kusa, Dogon Hayi, and Gidan Kado.
In addition to the abductions, they looted motorcycles, farm produce, personal belongings, and smartphones, and ransacked local shops for supplies.
Community members immediately alerted local authorities in Wanke, but as of the latest reports, there has been no official response or action from the police or the government.
The survivor also shared how the ongoing violence has forced many residents to flee their homes. “For almost nine years now, we have been living in constant fear,” he said.
“People have moved to Gusau and other towns seeking refuge. There are no animals left here, and once night falls, no one feels safe. It’s become too dangerous to remain here.”
Despite the gravity of the situation, attempts to get a comment from the police on the latest attack have been unsuccessful.
The ongoing violence in Zamfara continues to destabilise communities, as residents are left at the mercy of bandits who regularly terrorize the region with little intervention from authorities.
The Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
Babafemi said that Abuba who is from the Zaire province in Angola was arrested on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at the screening point of the Kano airport while trying to board Egypt Air flight MS 880 to Istanbul, Turkey via Cairo.
This, he said was after his body scan result confirmed he ingested illicit drug.
“The suspect was thereafter, placed under excretion observation during which he expelled 120 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.829 kilograms in seven excretions.
“In his statement, the suspect claimed he was into the business of township delivery services in Angola before delving into the illicit drug trade,”he said..
Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives stopped a similar attempt by an auto spare parts dealer, Okeke Ebuka, to send two parcels of 1.10kg cocaine concealed in vehicle propellers to Angola.
Babafemi said that the drugs were to be sent through the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, (MMIA), Ikeja Lagos.
He said that the suspect was arrested by the NDLEA operatives on Monday, Feb. 25 following credible intelligence.
“During an interview, the suspect, claimed that he is a businessman selling auto parts in ASPANDA, Trade Fair Complex, Ojo area of Lagos, “he said.
Also, Babafemi said that the NDLEA frustrated the bid by another suspect, Ezechi Iyke to move a large consignment of cocaine weighing 5.40 kilograms to Owerri, Imo state.
The NDLEA spokesman said that Iyke was arrested in his Toyota Sienna bus on Sunday, Feb. 23 by operatives of a special operations unit of NDLEA following weeks of intelligence and surveillance.
With the same vigour, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), sensitisation activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.
These include: WADA enlightenment lecture to students and staff of Ansarudeen Junior Secondary School, Ojuelegba, Lagos; Loretto Girls Special Science School, Adazinnukwu, Anambra and Tudun Murtala Special Primary School, Nasarawa LGA, kano state, among others.
Babafemi quoted the NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig.- Gen. Buba Marwa as commending the officers and men of Tin-can, Delta, Edo, Oyo, Kano, Osun, Borno, Zamfara and Kwara Commands of the agency for the arrests and seizures.(NAN)
Crime
Tragedy as Husband hacks his second Wife to death over food on first day of Ramadan
The Police Command in Bauchi has confirmed the arrest of a 50-year-old businessman for alleged culpable homicide following a fatal domestic dispute with his 24-year-old second wife.
The spokesman of command, CSP Ahmed Wakil, in a statement on Sunday said that the tragic incident occurred in Fadaman-Mada Area of Bauchi during a disagreement over food ingredients and fruits meant for breaking the Ramadan fast.
“Reports indicate that the argument escalated, leading to the husband allegedly striking his wife with a cane.
“She reportedly collapsed and lost consciousness within their home.
“Authorities rushed the victim to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, where medical personnel pronounced her dead.
“The Command has launched a full investigation and has taken the suspect into custody,” he said
Wakil added that the cane allegedly used in the assault had been recovered as evidence, while the deceased had been placed in the mortuary pending an autopsy.
According to him, Commissioner of Police (CP) Auwal Musa, reassured the public of the command’s dedication to justice, emphasising that domestic violence is a grave offense with serious consequences.
“The Police Command remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens while holding perpetrators of criminal acts accountable,” he stated. (NAN)
Crime
How Woman reportedly defiled Teenage Boy on several occasions in her apartment
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.