Crime
Helicopter shot at natives, left our attackers unhurt – Kaduna villagers
Some villagers in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State have fled their homes following Sunday’s attack that left no fewer than 32 people dead while others were injured, Saturday PUNCH learnt.
The Kaduna State Government through its Commissioner for International Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, confirmed the attack.
It was gathered that the bloodthirsty terrorists attacked Ugwan Gamu, Dogon Noma, Ungwan Sarki, and Maikori villages near Maro in Kajuru LGA on Sunday, June 5, 2022.
This came less than 24 hours after terrorists abducted 14 persons at Iri Station, about 8km from Idon town, Idon Ward of the same Kajuru LGA.
It was learnt that the terrorists on Friday killed 25 locals but “as villagers comb surrounding bushes for corpses, seven decomposed bodies were found Monday morning.”
A resident of one of the villages, who escaped from the attack and who crave anonymity, said as the villagers were still nursing the pains of the abduction of their kinsmen and how to raise money for their release, when “the terrorists invaded a nearby communities twice, killing 25 persons.”
The villager added, “The gunmen came twice and operated unhindered, they came sensing that there will be no threat from anybody. When some of our people were abducted by them on Saturday which had been the norm, we thought that was all for the day but we couldn’t sleep that night. It was hell,” he added.
Another victim, who is temporary staying with a relative at Sabon Tasha in Chikun LGA of the state, noted that “our village (Maikori) is completely deserted. We came here since on Monday. We can no longer stay on our ancestral land. The terrorists come at anytime, kidnap and demand ransom. We sold our farm produce to pay ransom everytime.”
He added that at Dogon Noma near Maro, more than 30 residents, among them women and children were killed and several houses were razed by the terrorists.
He continued that “whenever the bandits abduct our people, they will tell us that they are going to release the women and kill all the youths.
“We saw helicopter assisting the bandits. Some of them are riding on motorcycles, wielding AK-47 rifles. Some were wearing military uniforms.
“On market days, they will storm the market and collect phones. Even after payment of ransom, the bandits will call and said they had released the victims, only for us to find the dead bodies.”
Another victim, Martina Dennis, 30, who fled her residence following the attack, said she had an operation in a Kachia hospital but had to come to Kaduna because of the attack at home (village).
Although she claimed that her husband and son were still in the village but lamented that Fulani were terrorising them while saying that “they (attackers) want to take over village”.
“They have rustled our livestock- goats, Rams and chicken,” she added.
But the locals under aegis of Adara Development Association had earlier alleged that a helicopter aided the attackers who invaded the villages, including Ungwan Gamu, Dogon Noma, Ungwan Sarki and Maikori near Maro in Kajuru LGA.
The National President of the Association, Awemi Dio Maisamari, who disclosed in statement made available to journalists, said the attack started around noon on Sunday and lasted until around 6pm unchallenged.
The statement alleged that the attack was carried out by terrorists who came on about 150 motorcycles carrying three AK-47-wielding persons each.
“To the horror of the natives, the white painted helicopter, faced the brave natives instead and started shooting at the youths from the air, clearly leaving out the killers who can be distinctly identified by the mode of dressings and from their positions,” the statement said.
PUNCH
Two police officers have been killed after suspected armed herders ambushed the convoy of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Ayilamo, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.
The latest attack occurred on Monday evening, barely four days after another deadly incident in the community reportedly left four policemen and seven residents dead.
Community sources said the DPO had travelled to Makurdi on official duty and was returning to Ayilamo when his entourage came under attack.
One of the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the victims were among newly deployed Mobile Police officers stationed in the area.
He said the officers were attacked at about 6pm while travelling from Ayilamo to escort the DPO back to the community from Makurdi.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Peter Aondongu, said two officers attached to the DPO’s entourage were killed in the attack.
“The DPO came to Makurdi to collect some things, and while returning to Ayilamo, he was attacked and lost two of his men in the attack,” Aondongu said.
The latest incident has raised fresh concerns over the security situation in Ayilamo, where repeated attacks have resulted in casualties among security personnel and residents.
The Nigeria Police Force has placed its formations nationwide on red alert following intelligence reports of planned terrorist attacks on worship centres, schools, NYSC orientation camps and other public places.
The alert followed fresh intelligence indicating increased mobilisation of terrorist elements for possible coordinated attacks on vulnerable targets across the country.
Police authorities also reportedly received intelligence on the movement of armed elements from Katsina through Kaduna towards Plateau State.
The operational order was contained in a police wireless message dated September 13, 2026, with reference number CB: 0900/FDPS/DOPS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL38/68, issued by the Department of Operations at Force Headquarters, Abuja.
Marked “Security General” and tagged “Treat as Very Important,” the message was circulated to Assistant Inspectors-General of Police overseeing Zones 1–17, Mobile Police formations, counter-terrorism and other specialised units, as well as Commissioners of Police in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The police directed formations to intensify vigilance and take proactive measures to prevent criminal and terrorist elements from carrying out attacks.
The warning specifically highlighted places of worship, educational institutions, NYSC orientation camps and other vulnerable public locations as potential targets.
A 16-year-old boy, Favour Ayogu, who was allegedly abducted in Igboeze South Local Government Area of Enugu State, has been rescued in Onitsha, Anambra State, after his abductors reportedly abandoned him near a security checkpoint.
Ayogu was rescued on the evening of September 13, 2026, by a joint security patrol team operating along Oguta Road, Onitsha.
According to the Anambra State Police Command, the teenager was found at Ekene Junction after unidentified persons reportedly pushed him out of a black Toyota Highlander SUV close to a security checkpoint.
The patrol team immediately intervened and rescued the victim, thereby preventing what the police described as further danger to his life.
Following the rescue, the Command said it had intensified surveillance and intelligence-led operations to identify and apprehend members of the suspected criminal gang responsible for the abduction.
The police also appealed to residents of Igboeze South and Ibagwa-Aka in Enugu State who may have useful information about Ayogu or his family to contact the nearest police station or the Anambra State Police Command in Awka.
The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, commended the security personnel involved in the rescue and directed officers to sustain strategic checkpoints, intelligence-led patrols and coordinated security operations across the state.
The Command assured residents and visitors that it would continue to intensify efforts to prevent criminal elements from using Anambra as a safe haven.
At least nine passengers have been killed after gunmen opened fire on a commercial bus at Dungus Junction in Kuru community, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The attack reportedly occurred around 9:40 p.m. when the bus, which was travelling towards Jos, stopped at the junction to drop off some passengers.
Several other passengers were reportedly injured in the attack and rushed to hospitals for treatment.
Lawan Suleiman, a neighbour and teacher of one of the victims, identified the driver as Ibrahim and said three of the victims were from his community in Bukuru.
“The driver is Ibrahim and he was my student. Three of them are from our community here in Bukuru. Their bodies have been deposited at the hospital. But relatives are preparing to collect them for burial,” Suleiman said.
The bus was reportedly riddled with bullets, with bloodstains visible inside the vehicle after the attack.
Rwang Tengwong, spokesman for the Berom Youth Moulders (BYM), also confirmed the incident, saying the victims were passengers travelling to Jos when the attackers opened fire on the vehicle.
Tengwong said one of those killed was a member of Operation Rainbow.
“The incident happened around 9.40 p.m. The victims were all passengers travelling to Jos when the terrorists opened fire on the vehicle. Among those killed was a member of Operation Rainbow. It is a very sad development and we lament the loss of lives,” he said.
He added that some passengers sustained gunshot injuries and were taken to hospitals, while some of the injured reportedly later died.
The attack has raised fresh concerns over the safety of commuters travelling along the route at night amid continuing security challenges in parts of Plateau State.
As of the time of filing this report, the Plateau State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
The Enugu State Police Command has ordered an investigation into two separate incidents of alleged disruption of political gatherings in Nkanu West Local Government Area of the state.
The incidents reportedly occurred on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Ndiuno-Obuoffia community and St. Joseph Primary School, Agbani.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Command’s spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said the Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to thoroughly investigate the incidents and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
According to the statement, armed hoodlums allegedly disrupted a National Democratic Congress (NDC) ward meeting at Ndiuno-Obuoffia with sporadic gunshots, leaving two attendees injured.
In a separate incident at St. Joseph Primary School, Agbani, hoodlums allegedly destroyed canopies and chairs arranged for a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rally.
The police said operatives were promptly deployed to both locations after receiving reports of the incidents to prevent further breaches of peace and track down the fleeing suspects.
The Command, however, noted that neither of the political gatherings had been formally brought to the attention of the police for security coverage.
CP Giwa reiterated his warning that all political activities in the state must be conducted peacefully and in accordance with the law.
He stressed that electoral offences are punishable under the law and warned political parties, candidates, supporters and other stakeholders against violence, intimidation, destruction of property and other acts capable of disrupting public peace or the electoral process.
The Commissioner urged political parties and other stakeholders to notify the police ahead of campaigns, meetings, rallies and other political gatherings to enable the Command to make adequate security arrangements.
He assured residents that the police would continue to maintain a peaceful and secure environment for lawful political activities while dealing decisively with anyone found violating the law.
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