Tag: Banditry

Bandits invade Kwara community prayer ground, kill worshippers, abduct scores

Aminu Imam
Bandits invade Kwara community

Panic and fear have swept through parts of Ekiti local government area of Kwara State, following fresh attacks by suspected armed bandits that left several people dead, many injured and dozens abducted in separate assaults on communities and worshippers. The latest wave of violence has heightened concerns over worsening insecurity across Kwara-South, where residents have faced increasing incidents of kidnappings and deadly attacks in recent months. In one of the attacks, gunmen reportedly stormed a remote prayer ground at Ori-Oke Ajaiye, on the outskirts of Ikiran Village, on Friday night…

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“Military action alone can’t end banditry, terrorism in North” – Sir. A’Bello Foundation

Aminu Imam
A'Bello Foundation on insecurity

The Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF) says military operations alone cannot sustainably end insecurity in Northern Nigeria without strong grassroots intelligence, data-driven coordination and institutional collaboration. The Foundation made the position known during its ‘May 2026 Monthly Online Mentorship Programme’, which was held on Saturday. The programme, themed: ‘An Evidence-Based Solution to the Northern Insecurity Challenges: For Regional Unity, Peace and Development’, focused on practical strategies for addressing the region’s persistent security challenges. Speaking at the event, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of SABMF, Abubakar Umar, said sustainable…

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Kaduna: Bandits demand ₦1bn, 35 motorcycles to release 37 victims kidnapped from churches – Community

Aminu Imam
Kaduna bandits demand

Residents of Ariko community in Kachia local government area of Kaduna State have cried out to the federal and state governments to urgently secure the release of 37 worshippers abducted during Easter Sunday attacks on churches in the area. The bandits are demanding N1bn from the affected community before releasing the 37 kidnapped people that have been in captivity since Easter Sunday. President of the Kuturmi Development Association (KUDA), Dr. Joseph David Ariko, told newsmen that the community cannot afford to meet the ₦1 billion ransom and 35 motorcycles demanded…

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“Muslims have no agenda against Christians” – Sultan of Sokoto

Aminu Imam
Sultan of Sokoto on banditry

…Rejects linking banditry to Islam Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, has dismissed claims that Muslims in Nigeria have any agenda to wipe out Christians, urging Nigerians to stop attaching religious labels to criminal activities such as banditry and terrorism. The revered monarch spoke yesterday during the first tri-annual meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) held in Abuja, where religious leaders and government officials gathered to deliberate on insecurity and interfaith relations in the country. Addressing concerns over rising tensions and the increasing tendency to describe criminals using…

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Plateau: 6 killed, 8 injured in twin overnight attacks

Aminu Imam
Plateau overnight attacks

No fewer than six people have been killed and eight others injured following two separate attacks on communities in Barkin-Ladi and Riyom local government areas of Plateau State. Residents said the first incident occurred late Sunday night in Hurum Gashish, a community in Barkin-Ladi, where gunmen reportedly invaded the area at about 10 p.m. and opened fire on unsuspecting villagers. Four people were confirmed dead, while five others sustained varying degrees of injury. Barely an hour later, a similar attack was reported in Shonong Bachi community in neighbouring Riyom LGA.…

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Kaduna: Bandits demand ₦1bn for release of 37 church attack victims

Aminu Imam
Kaduna bandits demand

Bandits, who attacked three churches in Ariko community, Kachia local government area of Kaduna State, have demanded ₦1 billion before they will free 37 worshippers they abducted during the raid. The incident happened on April 5, 2026, when armed men stormed ECWA, Baptist, and Catholic churches in the area. During the attack, five worshippers were killed while 37 others were taken away. The victims have now spent about 11 days in captivity. Although there were earlier claims from the military and the Kachia local government area chairman, Dr. Manzo Maigari,…

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Gunmen kill 8 in fresh Plateau attack

Aminu Imam
Fresh Plateau attack

At least eight people have been killed in a late-night attack on Mbwelle village in Boƙƙos local government area of Plateau State. According to reports, the assailants struck around 11 p.m. on Thursday, opening fire on residents and killing members of an extended family, while injuring others and leaving several persons unaccounted for. The victims were identified as Iliya Mangut Dakus, Luck Titus Dakus, Habila Istifanu Dakus, Hassan Istifanus Dakus, Hassan Moses Dakus, Biggie Lucky Dakus, Sunday Gideon Dakus and Innocent Barnabas Makwin. Chairman of the Community Peace Observers in…

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Bandits kill ladies who refused to be raped in captivity in Kaduna

Aminu Imam
Bandits kill ladies in Kaduna

Terrorists have shot dead two ladies among the 14 victims abducted from Janjala community in Kagarko local government area of Kaduna State, on March, 1, 2026. According to a report published on Sunday, a vigilante member and his wife alongside 12 others were abducted from the community. The terrorists had demanded ₦14 million as ransom. The families had pleaded with the bandits repeatedly but they stood their ground.They later struggled to raise ₦13 million which they took to the kidnappers who in turn freed other women in captivity but held…

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Kaduna: Bandits attack churches, kill 7 during Easter service

Aminu Imam
Kaduna bandits attack

Bandits have attacked Ariko community in Kachia local government area of Kaduna State, targeting two churches during Easter celebrations and killing at least seven worshippers. The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, also led to the abduction of several residents. The councillor representing Awon ward where Ariko district is located, Mark Bawa, who confirmed the incident in a phone interview, said the attackers targeted First ECWA Church and St. Augustine Catholic Church in the community. The councillor stated: “I am currently on my way to the community…

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“We’ll win over banditry, terrorism” – Tinubu assures Nigerians

Aminu Imam
Tinubu assures Nigerians

President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that his administration will overcome banditry and terrorism in the country. The President made the remarks on Saturday during the commissioning of the Gateway International Airport in Iperu, Ogun State, alongside a series of other infrastructure projects. “We will win over banditry and terrorism. I give you the assurance that we will invest more in our people”, Tinubu stated. He added that the presence and deployment of security vehicles at the event underscored the government’s commitment to protecting lives and property. “The development of…

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