Crime
Gunmen attack Plateau again, kill 3, Peter Obi visits, donates N10m to IDPs
A former governor of Plateau state, Jonah Jang, has condemned what he described as the continued attacks and killing of innocent citizens in Plateau communities by gunmen.
Jang’s condemnation came on the heels of the invasion of 25 communities in Barkin Ladi,Bokkos and Mangu communities by gunmen which left over 150 persons dead on Christmas Eve.
This was just as gunmen killed three youths in fresh attack in Bokkos Local Government Area.
Mallai said, “Some three youths from Angwan Hausawa, Bokkos town; Lurwan Ismail, Muhammadu Tuka, and Mayo, were killed yesterday (Friday) at Lut, one of the communities earlier attacked by assailants on Christmas eve. They went there to pick up their loved ones who escaped to Bokkos town as IDPs when they were killed. Their bodies are missing.”
In a statement issued on Saturday titled, ‘Plateau killings: One too many and the need for state police’, Jang said the Federal Government must do everything possible to stop further attacks and killings in the state and other parts of the country.
According to the statement signed by his media consultant, Clinton Garuba, the former governor said, “It is with a grieving heart that Senator Jonah David Jang wishes to commiserate with the families that lost loved ones during the Christmas Eve attack on communities in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi local government areas of Plateau State.
“This dastardly act has once again tampered with the peace of our dear state as it was orchestrated by people who are hell-bent on ensuring that the ordinary Plateau man does not enjoy the serenity God, through nature, has bestowed on him.
“Choosing to murder harmless villagers in their homes as they prepared to celebrate the Yuletide is the most horrendous wickedness that anyone could imagine. None of the hundreds of our people who lost their lives in the Christmas Eve attack by marauding terrorists envisaged that their lives would be cut short in such a gruesome manner.
“The killings on the Plateau would seem to have gone on unabated as the non-arrest and prosecution of perpetrators have bolstered the serial killers to carry out more and more killings.
“That these killers are out on a cleansing agenda and plan to take over the lands of the people they try to wipe out is no longer hidden.
“While we agree with the President that the culprits must be apprehended and made to face prosecution, we must note that these directives have been issued repeatedly. Yet, neither arrests nor prosecutions have been made in the past. It is therefore pertinent that at this point, there is the need to attend to the call for state police as part of measures for boosting security, ensuring early response in crises and confronting the challenges of insecurity headlong.
“A situation where state governors have no powers to immediately deploy personnel to quell attacks and confront marauding terrorists is worrisome. The killings are getting out of hand and the state police option is viable for nipping these massacres in the bud. States should be given the power to create, train and equip their police to enable State Governors to deal with peculiar security situations in their various states.
More than ever, the time to heed the call for state policing is now.”
Meanwhile, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, on Saturday visited Plateau State over the killings in the state.
Obi who arrived in Bokkos around 4pm was said to have moved straight to the camps of the internally displaced persons in the locality.
He was received by the Bokkos Local Government Chairman, Monday Kassam.
The chairman of the Community Peace Observers in the LGA, Kefas Mallai, who confirmed Obi’s visit to the victims in Bokkos LGA said, “Peter Obi just visited IDP camps in Bokkos. He arrived at about 4pm of today (Saturday) December 30, 2023.
According to him, when some citizens are in IDP camps then Nigeria is in IDP camp.
After observing a minute of silence, he condoled with the IDPs in the camps and promised to send N10m into the IDP support account as managed by a committee set up by the TIC Chairman, Bokkos LGC, Monday Kasah, who spoke about the 12 officially recognised IDP camps in the area.
In another development, the Defence Headquarters has refuted allegations of mistreating women in Plateau State.
A video circulating on social media had alleged women in Plateau State were being maltreated by soldiers attached to Operation Rainbow.
The allegation came one week after some terrorists invaded some communities in the state, leading to the death of about 200 persons.
Reacting to the allegation, the Director, Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, on Saturday noted that the video in circulation was an incident that took place in Borno State in 2021.
He noted that the soldiers involved in the act were adequately punished.
The statement read in part, “DHQ wishes to clarify that the soldiers involved in the aforementioned incident were then promptly sanctioned and dealt with by the military authority at the time it occurred for their unprofessional conduct. The dissemination of this old video, with a misleading location tag, is causing unnecessary alarm and has the potential to exacerbate the security situation on the Plateau.”
He, however, urged those behind the circulation of the video to stop, noting that their actions could fuel the security challenges in the state.
Four people have been killed and several others injured after suspected armed herders reportedly attacked Abaushwa community in Nzorov Council Ward, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
The attack occurred around midnight on Monday, with the assailants reportedly invading the community and attacking residents in their homes.
A resident, who identified himself only as Atoundo, said the attack was unprovoked.
According to him, the attackers forced open the doors of some houses and killed residents while they were asleep.
“They came and attacked the community without any provocation, killing people in their sleep. They forced open the doors of their victims and murdered them inside their houses.
“Three persons were killed during the attack, while several others sustained injuries. The injured were taken to the General Hospital in Gbajimba, but one of them later died, bringing the death toll to four.”
Dr Frank Kyungun, a former Executive Secretary of the Benue State Teaching Service Board and an indigene of the community, also described the incident as an unprovoked attack.
He said the assailants launched a heavy assault on the community around midnight, killing four people and injuring several others.
“We accompanied the former governor to sympathise with our people and urged them to remain calm and allow the police to carry out their investigations,” Kyungun said.
The Chairman of Guma Local Government Area, Morris Orwough, condemned the attack in a statement issued by his Personal Assistant on Communication and Strategy, Ernest Tortiv.
Orwough said security personnel had been deployed to Abaushwa to restore peace, protect lives and property, and prevent further attacks.
He urged residents to remain calm, cooperate with security agencies and provide credible information that could assist efforts to tackle insecurity in the area.
The spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Peter Aondona, confirmed the attack, saying four people were killed.
“I can confirm that there was an attack in Guma LGA in which four persons were killed by suspected bandits,” Aondona said.
He added that investigation was ongoing, while efforts were being intensified to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
Crime
Agunechemba Hands Over 2 GPMGs, Rocket Launcher to Nigerian Army as Army Chief Commends Soludo
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
The Agunechemba Security Squad in Anambra State has recorded another major breakthrough in the fight against insecurity following the dislodging of a suspected gunmen’s camp in Orumba North and Orumba South Local Government Areas.
The operation led to the recovery of a cache of arms, including two General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs) and a locally made rocket launcher, which were subsequently handed over to the Nigerian Army.
The development drew commendation from the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, who praised Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo for supporting the operations of the Agunechemba security outfit.
The Army Chief reiterated the Nigerian Army’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with sister security agencies and community-based security organisations such as Agunechemba in the fight against crime and criminality in Anambra State.
The breakthrough followed days of intelligence gathering and undercover operations by Agunechemba personnel at major security flashpoints across Anambra South Senatorial District.
According to the publicity secretary of the outfit, Mr Nweke Nweke, the weapons were formally handed over to the Nigerian Army at the office of the Director of Operations in Awka.
The handover, he said, was led by the Director of Operations, Chief Chinenye Ihenko.
Nweke said the gesture reflected Agunechemba’s commitment to fighting crime and enhancing security across the state.
He quoted Ihenko as describing the transfer of the recovered weapons as a further strengthening of the partnership between the military and Agunechemba.
Ihenko also emphasised the importance of working closely with federal security agencies and pledged to sustain collaborative efforts aimed at improving security in the state.
Representing the Governor’s Special Adviser on Community Security, Prince Kenneth Emeakayi, Ihenko said the operation that led to the recovery of the weapons was a significant achievement for Agunechemba in its campaign against banditry.
He assured residents of the outfit’s continued commitment to its responsibilities under the state’s Homeland Security framework.
Ihenko, popularly known as Okpompi, also praised the operation for its success, noting that no member of the team was killed despite confronting armed attackers.
He said the gunmen retreated when confronted by the security operatives, abandoning their weapons and fleeing with injuries.
“This operation is among our greatest achievements. Our team performed valiantly without any losses. When confronted by the gunmen, they retreated, leaving their weapons behind and fleeing with injuries,” he said.
Ihenko expressed appreciation to Governor Soludo for the support provided to Agunechemba, saying the backing had strengthened the outfit’s efforts to reclaim areas previously dominated by criminals, particularly in Orumba North and South, Ihiala and Ogbaru.
He also called on residents to continue supporting and praying for the security outfit, stressing that the fight against insecurity requires collective efforts.
The Majority Leader of the Anambra State House of Assembly, who also heads Agunechemba’s investigation unit, commended the state government for adequately funding the Homeland Security initiative.
He said the successes recorded by Agunechemba had demonstrated the importance of the Homeland Security laws passed by the state in 2025.
Also speaking, the Commander of the 302 Artillery Regiment (General Support), Onitsha, Colonel Buteus M. Yakubu, represented by Lieutenant P.O. Idowu, conveyed the Chief of Army Staff’s appreciation to Governor Soludo for the achievements recorded by Agunechemba.
He said the Nigerian Army was pleased with the successful collaboration among the military, the Nigeria Police Force, Anambra State Command, and Agunechemba.
Idowu assured the state’s Homeland Security team of continued support from the Nigerian Army.
“I will relay your commendable efforts to Colonel Buteus M. Yakubu, who I trust will inform military leadership across Nigeria. I am confident that Agunechemba will receive the necessary support whenever required,” he said.
The event culminated in the formal handover of the recovered weapons to the Nigerian Army, including two General Purpose Machine Guns and a locally made rocket launcher, followed by an exchange of pleasantries among personnel of the Nigerian Army, Agunechemba leadership and members of the Anambra State House of Assembly.
At least six soldiers and 12 civilians have been killed after suspected terrorists launched coordinated attacks on communities in Zamfara and Sokoto states, overrunning a military outpost, abducting scores of residents and setting a family ablaze.
The attacks occurred late Saturday night in Kasuwar Daji, Kaura-Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State, and Lajinge village, Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
In Zamfara, residents said the terrorists stormed Kasuwar Daji at about 11:30 p.m., overpowering a military outpost before attacking the community.
Six soldiers were reportedly killed during the assault, while no fewer than 75 residents were abducted and taken into the forest. The attackers also looted shops and other properties.
A resident, Alhaji Aminu Kasuwar Daji, said the gunmen arrived in large numbers and first engaged the military before turning their weapons on civilians.
“Our calls to the Zamfara State Government and the Federal Government are to come to the aid of Zamfara people generally on this insecurity bedevilling the state.
“We are really in danger if terrorists can overpower the military and succeed in their attacks on innocent citizens,” he said.
Former Deputy Speaker of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Namadi Kasuwar Daji, also confirmed the incident, saying he was informed by relatives while he was outside the state.
“I was told that the terrorists even killed soldiers, but I was not told the actual number. Again, I was told that after looting shops of foodstuffs, drinks and other properties, they also abducted an unspecified number of residents whom they took into the bush,” he said.
The Zamfara State Police Command had yet to officially confirm the attack as of press time. Its spokesperson, DSP Yazid Abubakar, said he would verify the report after contacting officers in the area.
Father, two sons burnt alive in Sokoto
In neighbouring Sokoto State, suspected terrorists attacked Lajinge village in Sabon Birni Local Government Area, killing at least 12 people in an assault that residents said lasted for more than four hours without any security intervention.
The attackers reportedly invaded the community at about 11 p.m. on Saturday and continued shooting until around 3:30 a.m. on Sunday.
A resident, who spoke anonymously, said 11 victims were killed by gunfire, while a woman identified as Agada reportedly died from shock during the attack.
He said six people, including a father and his two sons, were burnt alive after the terrorists surrounded the house where they had taken refuge.
“They ordered those inside to come out, but they refused. The attackers then poured petrol on the room and opened fire. When those inside attempted to escape through the door, they kept shooting at them. Their bodies were left inside the burning room,” he said.
Those reportedly burnt to death were identified as the head of the household, Mallam Wauro, popularly known as Mallam Roro; his two sons, Ukasha and Mujaheed; two relatives, Sufyanu and Sani Shanbami; and an internally displaced person sheltering in the house.
Another resident, Lawwali, was reportedly shot dead while attempting to flee the compound, bringing the reported death toll in the household to seven.
Other victims, including Yusuf and three internally displaced persons, were also reportedly shot while trying to escape from the village.
A community vigilante member said local volunteers were overwhelmed by the terrorists’ superior firepower.
“We were at the primary school guarding the village when we suddenly heard heavy gunfire. We all ran for safety and kept moving from one hiding place to another whenever the shooting came closer,” he said.
According to him, the attackers moved freely through the village after overpowering the local vigilantes and rustled cattle and sheep from several homes.
“They stationed one of their rifles in a strategic location that kept firing while the others entered houses to steal livestock,” he said.
He added that the gunmen later attacked Mallam Wauro’s residence, killing him and two of his sons, abducting his two wives and taking away all his cattle.
Residents said they could not immediately establish the exact number of people abducted because some of those initially taken away, particularly children, were later released.
They lamented that the terrorists operated unhindered for several hours.
“The bandits stayed in our village for hours without any intervention. They even walked along the main road laughing and smoking cigarettes as if they had conquered the community,” one resident said.
The villagers alleged that security personnel stationed in nearby Unguwar Lalle and Dan Tudu, both about two kilometres from Lajinge, failed to respond despite repeated distress calls.
They also disclosed that eight people had been killed in the community about three weeks earlier and appealed for urgent government intervention.
“We are Nigerians and we have voter cards. We elected the government to protect our lives and property. We are pleading with the authorities to deploy security personnel to safeguard our communities,” another resident appealed.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said he was on transit and would verify the incident upon arriving at his office.
Troops of 34 Artillery Brigade, operating under Operation UDO KA and through ongoing Operation EASTERN SANITY II, have uncovered and exhumed the remains of late Chief Ibe Anyadu of Aggah Community in Imo.
Anyadu was allegedly murdered by suspected members of a criminal gang recently apprehended in connection with violent crimes in South-East.
This is contained in a statement issued by Lt.-Col. Olabisi Ayeni, Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations 82 Division Nigerian Army in Enugu on Monday.
Ayeni said that the development followed recent intelligence-driven operations that led to the arrest of suspects responsible for the killing of a Nigerian Army soldier and the recovery of stolen service weapons.
According to him, during interrogation, one of the suspects confessed to involvement in the murder of Anyadu and volunteered to lead troops to the burial site.
“On Aug. 2, the suspects guided troops to a shallow grave within Umudike Forest, one of the criminals’ known camps, where the remains of the late community leader was successfully exhumed.
“The exhumation was conducted in the presence of the deceased’s family members, vigilante personnel from Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, and representatives of Aggah and Umudike communities.
“The family provided a coffin and ambulance to ensure a dignified burial in accordance with their customs and traditions,” he said.
The Commander, Joint Task Force South-East, Operation UDO KA, Maj.- Gen. Oluremi Fadairo, extended his condolences to the family of the late
Anyadu and prayed for the peaceful repose of his soul.
Fadairo, who is also the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, assured the family and the people of Aggah Community that justice would be served, as the suspects would be prosecuted in accordance with the laws
“Headquarters Operation UDO KA, as part of ongoing peace-building efforts in the South-East, remains committed to dismantling criminal networks and bringing perpetrators of violent crimes to justice.
“The public is encouraged to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information, which remains vital to the success of ongoing operations,” he said.
The Police Command in Enugu State has arrested four suspects for armed robbery and cultism, recovering firearm and other exhibits in the state.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Spokesman of the Command, SP Daniel Ndukwe, on Saturday in Enugu.
Ndukwe noted that the operational successes led to the arrest of two armed robbery suspects and two suspected cultists in separate operations.
“On July 27 at 6:20a.m., operatives of Anti-Cultism Sub-Unit of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), acting on confessional statement of a suspected member of the Black Axe Confraternity, and recovered one pick-handle axe.
“The suspect had earlier been arrested at a hotel in Independence Layout, Enugu, on July 26 with a knife recovered from him, while another accomplice escaped.
“The duo allegedly robbed a victim of a Samsung A12 mobile phone at the hotel from a male victim, while another victim sustained an injury to a finger on his right hand during the robbery.
“The robbed phone, knife, and pick-handle axe were all recovered,” he said.
Ndukwe also noted that at 12 noon on July 26, following credible information and collaboration with law-abiding residents, operatives attached to the command’s Igbo-Etiti Police Division arrested two male suspected cultists in Ukehe community.
The spokesman said that the suspects were found in possession of one locally-made pistol and one expended cartridge, which were recovered from them.
According to him, they also confessed to being members of the Aye Confraternity.
He said that Investigations are currently ongoing to arrest other accomplices still at large and recover additional exhibits.
Ndukwe said that all detained suspects would be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The state’s Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr Mamman Giwa, had commended the vigilance and cooperation of members of the public, particularly the law-abiding residents of Ukehe Community.
The commissioner urged residents to remain law-abiding and continue to provide timely and credible information to the police to enhance the fight against crime and criminality across in the state.
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