Tag: bandits

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Friend of a Thief is a Thief, Musa warns Gumi, others sympathising with terrorists

Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), has warned Sheikh Ahmed Gumi and others sympathetic to terrorists and bandits to stop their subversive endeavour, saying, “a friend of a thief is a thief.”

Musa cautioned against providing overt or covert support to criminal elements seeking to destabilise the country.

Speaking yesterday during an official visit to Maiduguri, the minister said those engaged in acts of terrorism and banditry did not represent any form of regional, ethnic, or religious brotherhood.

The warning came as the Nigerian Army said it had taken a significant step towards strengthening its manpower development and national security framework with the construction of a new training depot at Amasiri-Edda, located within Afikpo and Edda local government areas of Ebonyi State.

In another development, Poland identified Nigeria as a key pillar of stability in West Africa, acknowledging the decisive role played by the Nigerian Armed Forces in counter-insurgency operations and regional security initiatives.

Musa explained that his remarks were deliberate and purposeful, not merely symbolic. He stressed that Nigerians must refrain from supporting or justifying criminal activities in any form.

He said the warning directly responded to narratives previously advanced by Sheikh Gumi, who had referred to bandits hiding in forests as “our brothers” and suggested that society could not function without them.

Musa made a distinction between compassion and complicity, stating that while empathy for fellow citizens is important, excusing or normalising terrorism only emboldens criminal networks.

He said the criminal groups had ravaged communities, displaced thousands of families, and claimed countless innocent lives across the country.

He emphasised that portraying bandits as “brothers” neither reduced violence nor promoted peace; rather, it legitimised criminal behaviour and undermined ongoing national security efforts.

The defence minister warned that terrorism did not thrive on weapons alone but also on moral and rhetorical cover.

He stressed that individuals, who defended, excused, or shielded criminals—whether through words, influence, or silence—must recognise that they shared responsibility for the consequences of such actions.

Musa stated that Nigeria could not defeat terrorism and banditry while dangerous narratives blurred the line between victims and perpetrators. (ThisDay)

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Army foils bandits’ movement, neutralises three in Kogi

Troops of the Nigerian Army 12 Brigade, Lokoja, have foiled bandits’ movement in Kogi, neutralising three suspects and arresting one logistics supplier.

The action is disclosed in a statement by the Brigade’s spokesperson, Lt. Hassan Abdullahi, on Sunday in Lokoja.

Abdullahi said the coordinated operation occurred on Saturday, January 3, as part of ongoing efforts to curb banditry and kidnapping.

He said fighting patrols and ambushes were conducted in Kabba Bunu and Yagba West Local Government Areas of the state.

“Troops ambushed bandits moving toward Agbadu Bunu, neutralising two and recovering arms, including an AK-47 rifle and ammunition,” he said.

According to him, the troops acted on credible intelligence regarding the movement of bandits from the Adankolo general area.

“They ran into our ambush and were engaged, forcing them to withdraw with indications of casualties, as blood stains were observed,” Abdullahi said.

He said two bandits were neutralised, while an AK-47 rifle, a magazine, ammunition, a locally fabricated gun and cartridges were recovered.

Abdullahi added that troops, working with local vigilantes in Yagba West, engaged bandits around Saminaka village.

“One bandit was neutralised during the encounter, and an AK-47 rifle with ammunition was recovered,” he said.

He also disclosed the arrest of a suspected bandit logistics supplier, identified as Sunday Adedotun.

“Items recovered from his settlement included energy drinks, soft drinks, bottled water, and harvested farm produce,” Abdullahi said.

He said the suspect is currently in custody and undergoing investigation.

Abdullahi stressed that the operations demonstrate sustained pressure on criminals and their support networks.

He said the Brigade Commander, Brig.-Gen. Kasim Sidi, commended the troops’ professionalism, courage, and swift response to intelligence.

The commander assured continued aggressive patrols and operations to deny criminals freedom of action in the state. (Guardian)

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Tinubu declares bandits, violent cults, armed groups as terrorists

President Bola Tinubu says bandits, violent cult groups, kidnappers, foreign-linked mercenaries, and other armed non-state actors will be treated as terrorists under a new security framework to be rolled out by his administration. 

Tinubu said this on Friday when he presented the budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year to a joint session of the National Assembly, stating that his government will go after enablers and not just perpetrators of crimes.

“Under this new architecture, any armed group or gun-wielding non-state actors operating outside state authority will be regarded as terrorists,” the former Lagos State governor told the gathering at the National Assembly in Abuja.

“Bandits, militias, armed gangs, armed robbers, violent cults, forest-based armed groups, and foreign-linked mercenaries will all be targeted.

“We will go after all those who perpetrate violence for political or sectarian ends, along with those who finance and facilitate their evil schemes.”

He said the new doctrine will “fundamentally change how we confront terrorism and other violent crimes”.

In recent months, Nigeria has experienced a surge in crimes such as mass abductions and banditry, among others.

Despite these, the president is unrelenting in his resolve for a peaceful Nigeria, and has declared war on criminals, whom he said will get “no mercy” from his government.

“We will usher in a new era of criminal justice. We will show no mercy to those who commit or support acts of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, and other violent crimes,” Tinubu said.

He promised to continue to invest in security and increase the capacity of the armed forces and other security agencies

“To secure our country, our priority will remain on increasing the fighting capability of our armed forces and other security agencies and boosting the effectiveness of our fighting forces with cutting-edge equipment and other hardware,” he said. 

To buttress this, Tinubu is earmarking ₦ 5.41 trillion, out of ₦58.1 trillion proposed 2026 budget, for security and defence. The amount is the biggest sectoral allocation in the proposal. (Channels)

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Bandits abduct at least eight in fresh attack in Kano

At least eight people have been abducted during a late-night raid on Biresawa village in the Tsanyawa Local Government Area of Kano State, leaving the community and its neighbours gripped by fear and uncertainty.

Locals described the attackers as heavily armed, storming the village between 11 pm and midnight on Monday.

“They came as usual, and from our findings so far, two males and six females were taken away by the bandits. Up till now, there is no news on their whereabouts,” a community source said.

One of the victims’ relatives, Kabiru Usman, recounted that the bandits approached from neighbouring Tsundu village.

“They came on foot, armed with guns. They kidnapped my wife, Umma; my 17-year-old daughter, Fati; my brother’s wife; and two other women. We tried to stop them, but our weapons were no match for them,” he recalled.

Usman added that residents had alerted security agencies after noticing unusual movement.

“Before the attack occurred, we received a report that they were heading towards us, and we notified the police and military in advance,” he said.

Other communities, including Sarmawa, Yan Chibi, and Gano villages, also experienced attacks. A Yan Chibi resident narrated how dozens of motorcycle-riding bandits stormed the area.

“About 50 bandits riding motorcycles came into our community, shooting in the air. We all ran for safety and later discovered that they had abducted some people, mostly women. I can’t tell the exact number, but over 10 people were taken,” he recounted.

A member of the local vigilante group said they had been alerted to the presence of “strange faces” in the area and mobilised in anticipation of an attack.

However, after the abductions, the bandits escaped into neighbouring Katsina State, forcing the vigilantes and residents to retreat.

“Many families have adopted the strategy of not sleeping in their homes at night,” the vigilante added, highlighting the climate of fear that now grips the region following recent attacks in Shanono and Bagwai LGAs.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Kano, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, confirmed the incident, noting that investigations are ongoing and the exact number of abducted victims has not yet been officially determined. (Channels)

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50 children abducted from Catholic School in Niger State have escaped – CAN

Fifty of the more than 300 children abducted by bandits from the St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, in Niger State, have escaped their captors.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, adding that they escaped between Friday and Saturday.

“We have received some good news as fifty pupils escaped and have reunited with their parents,” said Daniel Atori, the media aide to CAN Chairman in Niger State, Most. Rev. Bulus Yohanna, who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese.

“The pupils escaped between Friday and Saturday and have reunited with their parents as they could not return to the school after they escaped. We were able to ascertain this when we decided to contact and visit some parents,” the statement read.

“Note that, in the primary section out of the total number of 430 pupils we have in the school, 377 of them are boarders and the remaining 53 others are non boarders.

“Currently, aside the 50 pupils that escaped and have returned home, we have 141 pupils who were not carried away. As it stands now, we have 236 pupils, another three children who belong to our staff, 14 Secondary students making a total 253 children including 12 members of staff with the abductors.”

He stated that Bishop Yohanna who is also the Proprietor of the school and Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese gave the update.

He also called for calm, seeking prayers for the successful rescue of the remaining victims.

“As much as we receive the return of these 50 children that escaped with some sigh of relief, I urge you all to continue in your prayers for the rescue and safe return of the remaining victims.

“I want to call on everyone to remain calm and prayerful as we will continue to actively collaborate with security operatives, community leaders, government and relevant authorities for the safe and quick return of all abductees.

“May the Lord grant quick release to those abducted and continue to protect his people from all dangers.”

In a statement by the Diocesan Secretary, Rev Fr. Jatau Joseph, on Sunday, the diocese also released the names of the children who escaped.

Over 300 students were abducted when terrorists invaded the St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri in the Agwarra local government area of Niger State.

Although initial report said 227 people were taken against their will on Friday, CAN put the total number of victims abducted by suspected terrorists at 315.

Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter, Most. Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, gave the update after a verification exercise and a final census was carried out.

A breakdown of newly released data showed that 303 students and 12 teachers were affected.

Yohanna said, “After we left the school at Papiri, we decided to make calls, do a verification exercise, and do further enquiries on those we had thought escaped successfully, only to discover that 88 more students were also captured after they tried to escape.

“Our attention was drawn to when some parents whose children we had thought escaped from the attack also came asking about their children. We became curious, and that was when we did a census and discovered that they were abducted.” (Channnels)

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Police confirm abduction in Kebbi girls’ school, begin rescue operation

Tension has engulfed the Maga community in Kebbi State after terrorists launched a deadly pre-dawn attack on the Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area, reportedly abducting 25 students and killing a staff member.

In a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Nafiu Abubakar Kotarkoshi, the armed attackers, wielding sophisticated weapons, invaded the school at about 4:00 am and opened fire as they forced their way in.

“The police tactical units deployed in the school engaged them in a gun duel,” the PPRO said. “Unfortunately, the suspected bandits had already scaled through the fence of the school and abducted twenty-five students from their hostel to an unknown destination.”

He confirmed that one staff member, Hassan Makuku, was shot dead, while another, Ali Shehu, sustained a gunshot injury to his right hand.

Following the attack, Abubakar said the command swiftly deployed additional police tactical squads alongside military personnel and local vigilantes to track the movement of the terrorists and rescue the abducted girls.

“They are currently combing the bandits’ routes and nearby forests with a view to rescuing the abducted students and possibly arresting the perpetrators of the dastardly act,” he said.

He added that the Commissioner of Police, CP Bello M. Sani, had reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.

“The Commissioner reiterates the Command’s unwavering determination to safeguard the people of Kebbi State,” Abubakar stated. “He appeals to the public to remain calm, vigilant, and continue supporting police operations to maintain peace and stability.”

Also confirming the incident, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ahmed Idris, said the state government was closely monitoring developments.

“The exact number of abducted students is still being verified,” Idris told our correspondent.

“The deputy governor, Senator Umar Tafida, has been dispatched to the school to assess the situation on behalf of Governor Nasir Idris, who is currently out of the state.”

He assured residents that the government was working hand-in-hand with security agencies to secure the safe return of the students and restore normalcy to the community.

Parents and residents of Maga remain in anguish as they await further updates on the fate of the abducted girls.

In June 2021, bandits abducted some students of Federal Government Girls College, Birnin Yauri, Kebbi State.

Seven months later in January 2022, the gunmen freed 30 students and a teacher after months of captivity, according to a local official. (Punch)