Tag: Bandits

“Branding bandits as terrorists shuts door on peace talks” – Gumi

Aminu Imam
Gumi urges FG

Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has criticised the Federal Government’s classification of bandits as terrorists, warning that the move could escalate insecurity and eliminate opportunities for dialogue with the groups. Gumi made the remarks in a viral video, in which he criticised the classification of bandits as terrorists, warning that the move could worsen the security situation. According to the cleric, some bandit groups had previously shown a willingness to negotiate and should not have been labelled terrorists. “We don’t want to push them into terror beyond what they are…

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Bandits halt farming, demand new levies in Sokoto communities

Aminu Imam
Bandits halt farming in Sokoto

Residents of at least 26 communities in Sabon-Birni local government area of Sokoto State have begun raising funds to pay fresh levies imposed by bandits, who have also suspended farming activities ahead of the rainy season. Sources said the armed groups issued a 3-day ultimatum, warning farmers to stay away from their farmlands until the demanded payments were made. The affected communities include Zululu, Gardi, Katsira, Garin Idi, Kafchi, Rambaɗawa, Nasarawa and several others. A resident disclosed that the bandits threatened to kill or abduct anyone found farming during the…

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Bandits kingpin vows to keep Late Gen.’s Rabe’s widow 

Aminu Imam
Bandits kingpin vows

Hajiya Amina Abubakar, widow of the Late retired Major-General Abubakar Rabe, remains in bandits’ captivity two weeks after she was abducted with her husband along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli road in Matazu LGA, Katsina State.  The couple was last seen in a viral video relaying the abductors’ demands for the release of three detained members — Sani, Aminu, and Nasiru — and the return of seized livestock. Yesterday, Katsina Commissioner for Internal Security, Nasiru Mu’azu, announced that Rabe had died in custody from “complications of diabetes and hypertension,”, even as efforts…

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Bandits free pregnant woman, nursing mother, children in Kaduna

Aminu Imam
Bandits free KD captives

A pregnant woman, a nursing mother, woman and four children have regained their freedom after being kidnapped and spend more than 50 days in captivity in Kaduna State. The victims regained their freedom on Thursday, and returned home amid jubilation from residents of Sabon-Gyero community in Millennium City, Chikun local government area. Investigations revealed that ransom payments and motorcycles were allegedly delivered to the kidnappers in exchange for the release of the victims. Sources disclosed that one of the pregnant women had regained her freedom about three weeks earlier, while…

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“Bandits may soon take over NASS” – Political strategist, Yusuf warns

Aminu Imam
Political strategist, Yusuf warns

A political strategist and Group Chief Executive Officer of Global Investment and Trade Company, Baba Yusuf has raised fresh concerns over Nigeria’s growing insecurity, warning that very soon bandits will be in the 10th National Assembly. Speaking during an interview on television, Yusuf described the current security crisis as deeply troubling. According to him, the influence of bandits is expanding beyond rural communities and could soon threaten the country’s political structure, and warned that the situation could deteriorate to the point where bandits begin to infiltrate key national institutions, including…

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Bandits abduct monarch, wife, one other in Kwara

Aminu Imam
Kwara bandits abduct monarch

Suspected bandits have reportedly attacked the palace of a traditional ruler in Olayinka community, Ifelodun local government area of Kwara State, abducting the monarch, his wife, and one other person in the early hours of yesterday. According to sources who spoke to newsmen, the armed men stormed the palace around 1:40 a.m., firing sporadically before taking the royal father to an unknown destination. “Yes; at Olayinka, about 1 am. His wife and one other person were also abducted”, he stated. Another source added: “The bandits invaded the palace around 1:40…

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Over 150 bandits drown in Sokoto river

Aminu Imam
Bandits drown in Sokoto2

No fewer than 150 suspected bandits have reportedly drowned after a boat conveying them capsized in Sabon-Gida area of Sokoto State. Local sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on Saturday evening when the vessel, carrying a large number of armed men, overturned while crossing a water body in the area. The sources said the bandits were travelling in large numbers when the boat suddenly capsized, throwing all occupants into the water. “Preliminary information suggests that many of them could not swim, leading to heavy casualties,” a source said.…

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Kaduna: Bandits demand ₦250m, 20 bikes for 177 Christian worshippers’ release 

Aminu Imam
Bandits Xtian worshippers

Bandits who abducted 177 Christian worshippers in Kajuru local government area of Kaduna State have demanded a ransom of ₦250 million and 20 motorcycles to secure the release of the victims, local authorities have confirmed. The Kurmin-Wali Village Head, Ishaku Ɗan’azumi, disclosed the demand while speaking on the ongoing efforts to free the captives. He said the abductors made contact with community representatives after the coordinated attacks on three churches in the area. Recall that the worshippers were kidnapped on January 18 when armed men stormed church premises in separate…

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Kwara: Bandits demand ₦300m ransom for 9 abducted villagers

Aminu Imam
Kwara bandits

Kidnappers holding nine residents of Adanla community in Ifelodun local government area of Kwara State have insisted on a ₦300 million ransom, more than two weeks after the victims were abducted. Local security officials say there has been no breakthrough in negotiations since the abduction, which occurred on Boxing Day, December 26, 2025. The Coordinator of the Joint Security Watch for Kwara-South senatorial district, Zubair Olaitan, confirmed on Wednesday that the abductors have remained uncompromising, warning that the captives will not be released unless the full ransom is paid. According…

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“Bandits pay us ₦150, 000 monthly as spies” – Amotekun

Aminu Imam
Amotekun

The Ondo State Security Network, code-named: Amotekun, has arrested four suspects for various crimes, including kidnapping, robbery and stealing, just as the command suspended three of its officers for alleged gross misconduct. The suspects, according to the Commander of the security outfit included: Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, Adebayo Ogungbemi, Nasiru Suleiman, Saliu Nureni and Ahmed Oladimeji. Apart from the arrest, the Command also declared three of its staff wanted for undermining the security situation in the South-West geo-political zone. The suspended officers, according to Adeleye, include Abu Taiwo, Akinsipe Victor, and…

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