Tag: Niger State

Niger: Boko Haram seizes 5 communities in Shiroro, Rafi LGAs

Aminu Imam

Boko Haram terrorists have taken over five communities in Rafi and Shiroro local government areas of Niger State, an official of the State has said. Secretary to the State Government, Ahmed Matane, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen yesterday. He explained that the Boko Haram insurgents are fully in charge in Hanawanka , Madaka, in Rafi LGA and Kurebe, Gussau, Farina Kuka, in Shiroro LGA, forcing the rural dwellers to migrate to safer grounds. He explained that the terrorists move freely in the effected areas, wielding sophisticated and menacing…

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Niger: ’25 days after, no news about 30 passengers abducted’ – State govt.

Aminu Imam

Twenty-five days after 30 passengers in three different vehicles were abducted by gunmen at Garun-Gabas in Rafi Local government area of Niger State, the State governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, has said that the State government had not heard anything about them. According to him, the abductors are silent and the government is not aware of any of the families of the abductees have been contacted. Speaking to newsmen at the weekend, in Minna, the State capital, Bello however said that a special tactical team from the office of the Inspector-General…

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Niger: Gunmen kidnap 4 women in Suleja

Aminu Imam

The Niger State Police Command, yesterday, confirmed the abduction of four women by gunmen at Haske Dabara community, Agwan Gwari-Kwamba, of Suleja local government area of the State. An eyewitness said the gunmen entered the community at about 12.46 a.m. with gunshots that scared the residents. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Monday Kuryas, confirmed the incident in an interview with newsmen in Minna, the State capital. According to him, “It has happened at about 1 a.m. last night and already the anti-kidnapping team, the army and vigilante had…

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Insecurity: Bandits kill 5 in fresh Katsina attack

Aminu Imam

…Demands N60m ransom for 15 abductees in Niger A large group of bandits on Thursday attacked another community in Katsina State and killed five residents. Dangeza, a farming and business community, is one of several villages in Batsari local government area of the State under incessant bandits’ attacks. Recently, the district head of Batsari, Sarkin Ruman Katsina, Tukur Muazu, said bandits fleeing Zamfara State had taken over his domain. Apart from Dangeza, other communities witnessing bandits’ activities are Yasore, Duba, Dunburawa, among others. Speaking to newsmen, a local, Jamilu Ali,…

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Niger: Gunmen attack mosque, kill unspecified number of worshipers, abduct 7 others

Aminu Imam

The Police Command in Niger State has said that some unidentified gunmen had killed an unspecified number of people while observing their early morning prayers at a mosque, located at Mazakuka village, in Mashegu local government area of the State. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Monday Kuryas, who disclosed this to newsmen in Minna yesterday, said the hoodlums also abducted seven other worshipers at the mosque. Kuryas said the incident occurred on Oct. 25 at about 0530 hours when the gunmen attacked the village, adding that the gunmen…

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NUJ urges Buhari to arrest worsening insecurity

Aminu Imam

Worried by renewed attacks on rural communities by armed bandits, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ), Niger State Council chapter, has appealed to the Buhari-led administration not to abandon Niger State to armed bandits, whose sustained encroachments is causing more harm and untold hardship to the entire citizens of the State. The journalists in the State also demanded that President Buhari lives up to his statutory responsibility of protecting the lives and properties of the citizenry by flushing out armed bandits that have taken over some local government areas just…

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Niger: Bandits kidnap 30 travelling passengers

Aminu Imam

Armed bandits have allegedly kidnapped over 30 passengers at Garun-Gabas, in Rafi local government area of Niger State. It was gathered that the bandits abducted the victims on Wednesday afternoon along the Zungeru-Garin-Gabas highway on three separate vehicles.The victims were said to be traveling in an 18-seater bus and two other vehicles when they ran into the gunmen. According to reports, eyewitnesses said the bandits blocked the road shooting sporadically into the air to scare villagers who scampered in various directions before whisking the passengers away to an unknown location.…

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Niger State gets new Emir of Kontagora

Aminu Imam

The newly selected Emir of Kontagora Emirate, in Niger State, Alh. Mohammed Barau Kontagora, has been presented with an appointment letter. The State governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, represented by the Commissioner for Local Government, Community Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, Emmanuel Umar in Minna, the State capital, enjoined the new Emir to carry everyone along, to ensure peaceful co-existence, which he said was necessary for the growth and development of the Emirate. The governor, who reminded the Emir of the task ahead as he is ascending the throne of his ancestors…

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Boko Haram seizes 500 communities in Niger, advances towards Shiroro power station

Aminu Imam

Five hundred communities, domiciled in eight political wards in Niger State are currently under the command of Boko Haram terrorists who have dislodged the Nigerian civil authority. The chairman of Shiroro Local Government Area, Suleiman Chikuba, told newsmen on Friday that eight wards, including Manta, Gurmana, Bassa-Kokki, Allawa, Kurebe, Kushaka, Kwati and Chukumba, have been taken over by the insurgents. According to him, the insurgents have reportedly threatened to take over Shiroro hydro-power station, one of Nigeria’s largest power infrastructure. Chikuba’s alarm comes on the heels of the terrorists’ onslaught…

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Niger: ‘Boko Haram rules 500 communities’, Shiroro LG chairman alleges

Aminu Imam

Over five hundred communities in eight wards of Shiroro local government area of Niger State have been taken over by Boko Haram and other insurgent groups. Recall that early this year, Governor Abubakar Bello raised the alarm that Boko Haram had hoisted their flag in some communities in Shiroro LGA. Speaking with newsmen on the situation of the LGA yesterday, in Minna, the State capital, the chairman of Shiroro council, Suleiman Chukumba, said, “The entire wards are affected by banditry and Boko Haram insurgents.  “500 communities, in the eight wards,…

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