Crime
Villagers Accuse Soldiers Of Killing 3 Persons, 100 Cows
Villagers at Sabon Birnin Daji in Igabi Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State have accused soldiers of killing three persons and over 100 cows at a weekly cattle market on Sunday.
Some of the villagers who spoke to Daily Trust yesterday, demanded compensation.
This is just as the Nigerian Army has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident.
Reports had said the incident occurred when villagers were engaged in buying and selling at the weekly cattle market.
Witnesses alleged that some persons in army uniform, suspected to be soldiers, opened fire on the cattle, leaving three persons, as well as about 100 of the animals dead.
A video on social media showed the animals scattered across the market along with the three bodies, while some villagers looked on.
A resident, Shehu Sabon Birni, said some of the soldiers involved rode on motorcycles to the location.
“It was a horrific scene when the soldiers arrived at the market, some of them on motorcycles, and started shooting the animals. Two people were killed in the chaos.
“Now, over 100 dead cows are scattered throughout the market, and the nearby houses are overwhelmed by the stench. We are still unsure why the soldiers took such drastic action”, he said.
Dr Ahmad Gumi, who shared the video on his verified Facebook page, said: “Banditry has a cause. And this is part of it. Two wrongs don’t make a right, especially when committed by those entrusted with our protection”.
Residents demand compensation
Shamsudeen Sabon Birni, an orange seller at the market, said over 140 cows were killed and over N50 million worth of goods destroyed.
“I was at the market around 2:30pm (on Sunday) when the soldiers arrived. They went straight to meet with the Sarkin Pawa, who was in charge of the market. Before we knew what was happening, they started beating him up before he was shot dead,” the eyewitness recounted.
Shamsudeen described the uniformed men’s actions as indiscriminate, saying they forced traders to lie down before opening fire on the animals and damaging their goods.
“We deserve compensation if they are going to pay us,” he said.
Another resident, Usman Sabon Birni, called for compensation for the families of the deceased and the traders who suffered losses.
“The Sarkin Pawa, Shitu Kaura was killed at close range. He left behind three wives and 10 children.
His body was packed inside a sack and buried because the body was mutilated after being left outside for days. This is why we want the authorities to pay compensation to those killed, including those whose cows were killed on that Sunday,” he said.
It was gathered that two other people who went to the village searching for their cows were among those killed.
Youths in the village were said to have burnt the dead animals and threw some into a nearby river because of the stench.
Army chief orders investigation
The spokesman of the Nigerian Army, Major-General Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement yesterday, said the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, had directed that the incident be thoroughly investigated.
Nwachukwu noted that the probe was with a view to establishing the immediate and remote causes of the incident, and unraveling those behind it.
He said the army sympathises with Sabon Birni community and the families of the affected persons.
He said the allegation would be thoroughly investigated and that any personnel found culpable would be appropriately sanctioned.
“It is also necessary to add that the Nigerian Army, which is constitutionally mandated to protect lives and property of the citizenry, cannot tolerate doing otherwise,” he said.
“We, therefore, appeal for calm and assure the general public that the outcome of the investigation will also be made public,” Nwachukwu added.
The spokesperson of the Kaduna State Police Command, Mansir Hassan, could not be reached for response as his mobile phone line was unavailable.
Amnesty Int’l, HURIWA demand independent, open probe
Speaking to Daily Trust on the incident, Isa Sanusi, Director, Amnesty International Nigeria, said while carrying out security operations, the army must abide by human rights standards in line with international laws.
“While it is good that the army announced that it will launch an investigation, but that is not enough. It is difficult to trust that the Nigerian Army can investigate itself; as in the past, such investigations did not lead to justice for victims and their families.
“The investigation must be open, impartial and transparent. The Nigerian Army must not cover up this atrocity and must ensure that soldiers suspected of responsibility for these killings are brought to justice in fair trials,” he said.
Sanusi said that the Nigerian military must change its ways and stop “incessant violations for which, at the end, no one is held to account.”
Similarly, National Coordinator, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), Emmanuel Onwubiko, in an interview with Daily Trust, decried that there had been too many extrajudicial killing of citizens, “and these incidents do go on without the killers in military uniform facing charges for mass murders.
“These extra-legal executions of citizens are absolutely reprehensible, despicable and primitive. The military authority can’t have credible investigative process when their operatives kill Nigerians. Let there be an independent commission of investigators to independently probe these latest killings by the military,” Onwubiko said.
Onanuga disclosed this in a post on his X handle, saying, “Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies.”
He later revealed that eight suspected kidnappers were arrested during the operation and are currently in the custody of the Department of State Services, while several others were neutralised.
He also dismissed reports that the victims were freed through a prisoner exchange, stating that there was “no quid pro quo” because one of the terrorist kingpins whose release had been demanded by the kidnappers remains on trial for alleged terrorism-related offences.
The announcement caps months of denials, protests and false alarms since gunmen stormed three schools in the area on May 15, abducting 46 pupils, students and teachers.
Here is how the 56-day saga unfolded.
May 15: The attack
Armed men numbering in the dozens, some dressed in military fatigues and riding motorcycles, stormed three schools in the Ahoro-Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area, near Ogbomoso — Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School.
They opened fire before seizing pupils, students and teachers, including a toddler aged two. At least one person was killed during the raid.
Governor Seyi Makinde later confirmed that seven students were abducted from Community Grammar School, while 18 children and seven teachers were taken from Baptist Nursery and Primary.
In total, 39 pupils and seven teachers — 46 victims — were confirmed abducted, including the school principal, Folawe Alamu.
President Bola Tinubu condemned the attack as barbaric and vowed a rescue operation, with the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, dispatching more detectives to Oyo State to lead a technology-driven operation.
Late May: The beheading of Michael Oyedokun
Mathematics teacher Michael Oyedokun was beheaded by his captors in a video that sparked nationwide condemnation and hardened public anger toward the government’s handling of the crisis. The killing was reportedly intended to deter security operatives closing in on the kidnappers’ camp.
Tinubu approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards for Oyo State and directed a specialised rescue unit to intensify operations.
Around this time, reports emerged that the kidnappers had opened communication channels with the state government, demanding the release of two detained Boko Haram/Ansaru commanders, Mahmud Usman (“Abu Bara’a”) and his deputy Abubakar Abba, as a condition for freeing the victims.
June 1: NUT declares indefinite strike
The Nigeria Union of Teachers ordered all public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to withdraw services indefinitely, demanding the government secure the victims’ release before schools reopened. Solidarity rallies followed across state capitals on June 2.
Early-mid June: Fake “release” claims proliferate
At least three separate waves of misinformation falsely claimed the victims had been freed.. Oyo Police and the state government repeatedly and firmly debunked each claim, while fact-checkers (Africa Check) intervened publicly.
Late June: Ransom allegations, pressure campaigns
Social media activist VeryDarkMan (Martins Otse) led protests to the Oyo governor’s office. The Oyo government, through Commissioner for Information Dotun Oyelade, repeatedly denied any ransom payment. Civil society groups, including Socialist Labour, accused the government of complacency and demanded accountability.
July 2: NUT suspends strike
After roughly a month of industrial action, the NUT called off its strike, citing government assurances that efforts to secure the victims’ release were intensifying, and citing concern for pupils’ lost academic time.
July 8-9: Defence minister confirms standoff over use of force
Defence Minister Christopher Musa disclosed that the kidnappers had threatened to kill the captives if security forces attempted a forceful rescue, explaining the extended timeline and the shift toward a negotiated approach. Army Chief Waidi Shaibu said troops were making “tremendous progress” and had identified associates of the kidnappers.
July 10: Freedom, at last
Onanuga announced that all the kidnapped pupils and teachers had been rescued by security agencies, bringing the 56-day ordeal to an end.
He disclosed that eight suspected kidnappers were arrested during the operation and are currently in DSS custody, while some others were neutralised.
While the victims’ rescue brings an end to the 56-day ordeal, security agencies are expected to provide a comprehensive account of the operation, including details of the arrests and the circumstances surrounding the rescue.
A suspected thief has been arrested for allegedly stealing electrical bulbs and other fittings from a classroom at the Federal University of Education, Pankshin, Plateau State.
The suspect was apprehended on Wednesday by the university’s security personnel during a heavy downpour. The institution’s Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, Charles Nda Homsuk, confirmed the incident in a statement, noting that security operatives swiftly foiled the alleged theft and recovered the stolen electrical items.
According to Homsuk, the suspect has been handed over to the appropriate law enforcement authorities for further investigation and possible prosecution.
He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property on campus through proactive security measures.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Noel Wannang, commended the Chief Security Officer, Wing Commander Paul Maimako Yusuf (retd.), and members of the university’s security unit for their vigilance and professionalism. He said their prompt response prevented the theft and underscored the effectiveness of the institution’s security architecture.
The Chief Security Officer also praised the university security personnel, hunters engaged for night patrols, and other stakeholders for their collaborative efforts in strengthening campus security.
He urged students, staff, and members of the university community to remain law-abiding and promptly report suspicious individuals, unusual movements, or any security threats to the institution’s Security Department.
He explained that the kidnappers were using the children as leverage to secure the release of their commanders in military custody.
“For whatever reason, they are looking for leverage because we have some of their commanders with us and they feel taking these kids and holding them to ransom will make us release their commander.
The minister’s comments come nearly eight weeks after gunmen abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, and two other schools in Esinle, in the Oriire Local Government Area of the state, on May 15.
Speaking further on measures to curb banditry and kidnapping, Musa backed the death penalty for perpetrators, saying weak laws had emboldened criminals.
“I think we should do that. There must be deterrence. The laws are soft, and that’s why people take advantage. If they know once you commit an offence, there must be punishment,” he added.
Crime
Ex-Minister Uche Nnaji Set for Arraignment as ICPC Files Six Criminal Charges Over Alleged Certificate Forgery
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed a six-count criminal charge against former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, , over alleged certificate forgery and related offences.
The charges, filed before the Court in Abuja, are contained in suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/389/2026, with the Federal Government listed as the complainant and Nnaji as the sole defendant.
According to the charge sheet, the ICPC accused the former minister of receiving N29.58 million in salaries and allowances while serving in office, alleging that he ought to have known the funds were proceeds of an unlawful act arising from corruption and fraud. The commission said the action contravenes provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The anti-graft agency also alleged that Nnaji used his office to confer corrupt advantage on himself and knowingly presented false information to the Federal Government by submitting forged (NYSC) and (UNN) certificates during his ministerial appointment in 2023.
In separate counts, the ICPC accused him of producing and using as genuine a forged NYSC Certificate of National Service and a forged UNN degree certificate, offences punishable under the Penal Code.
The filing of the charges follows Nnaji’s arrest last Wednesday after arriving in Abuja from Enugu aboard a chartered flight.
The prosecution stems from an investigation published by Premium Times, which alleged that Nnaji forged his university degree and NYSC certificates submitted to President and the Nigerian Senate during his ministerial confirmation.
The newspaper reported that the confirmed Nnaji was admitted in 1981 but neither graduated nor was issued a degree certificate, while the NYSC also reportedly disowned the discharge certificate attributed to him.
Nnaji resigned as minister shortly after the allegations became public. He has since defected from the APC to PDP, where he emerged as the governorship candidate of a faction of the party for the 2027 Enugu governorship election.
He is expected to be arraigned before the Federal High Court in the coming days.
Source: Premium Times
The Enugu State Police Command has impounded 195 vehicles for various registration and number plate violations as it commenced enforcement of the nationwide ban on unregistered vehicles and improperly identified automobiles.
The enforcement operation, led by the Commissioner of Police, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, took place across the state on Tuesday in compliance with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, the affected vehicles were impounded for offences including operating without registration, using covered, defaced, obscured or unauthorized number plates, improperly affixed number plates, and displaying only one number plate instead of the legally required two.
The police said owners of the impounded vehicles would be arraigned in court and prosecuted in accordance with the National Road Traffic Regulations and other relevant laws.
Speaking during the exercise, CP Giwa commended officers for conducting the operation professionally and urged motorists to comply with vehicle registration and number plate regulations.
He warned that the command would sustain the enforcement exercise to enhance public safety and ensure that offenders are prosecuted.
The commissioner noted that the enforcement followed the recent directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, mandating all state commands to strictly enforce the ban on unregistered vehicles and prosecute violators due to the security risks such vehicles pose and their frequent use in criminal activities.
CP Giwa also cautioned police personnel against extortion, harassment or any other form of misconduct during the operation, warning that any officer found culpable would face severe disciplinary action.
He further urged owners of unregistered vehicles and those using covered, defaced, obscured, unauthorized or improperly affixed number plates to immediately regularise their documents and comply with all applicable laws.
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