Tag: Niger State

2023 Presidency: “I visited IBB to receive his blessings” – Tinubu

Aminu Imam

…As Niger gov. backs Asiwaju’s bid The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), and former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has visited former Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, also known as IBB, in his residence in Minna, Niger State, ahead of the forthcoming presidential election. Tinubu, who visited IBB in company of the Niger State governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, arrived the Hilltop country home at about 2.30pm and both went straight into a meeting behind closed-doors. The APC chieftain thereafter,explained his reasons for…

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President Buhari approves special military operation to flush out terrorists in Niger

Aminu Imam

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved a major military operation to rid Niger State of bandit-terrorists and elements of Boko Haram fleeing theaters of war in the North-West and the North-East regions. In a directive to the Defence Headquarters a few days ago, the President asked the military to respond robustly to the cases of killings and kidnappings in the State and to give effect to the strategic objectives through the use of force. In a message to the government and people of Niger State, President Buhari expressed sincere sympathies to…

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Niger: Bandits shoot 2, kidnap 3 Chinese workers at Zungeru Hydro-Power Dam

Aminu Imam

Bandits have kidnapped three Chinese workers at Zungeru Hydro Power Dam project in Wushishi LGA in Niger State. Secretary to the State Government, Ahmed Matane, first confirmed the attack to newsmen in Minna on Wednesday, saying details would be made available later. However, the State’s Police Command, in a statement by its Public Relations Officer( PPRO), DSP Wasiu Abiodun, said that the workers attacked comprised some Chinese expatriates and Nigerians, who were attacked while working on transmission line tower along Gussase village. Abiodun said the Police tactical team attached to…

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‘Boko Haram, ISWAP members have taken over Shiroro, Borgu forests’, Niger govt. cries out

Aminu Imam

The Niger State government yesterday said the Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province, (ISWAP), has taken over some communities in Shiroro and Borgu forests sharing a border with Benin Republic. The Secretary to the State Government, (SSG), Ahmed Matane, revealed this to newsmen shortly after the screening exercise of the 2022 Budget proposal of his office at the State’s House of Assembly, in Minna, the State capital. He, however, said security agencies are working seriously to eliminate the sects that had taken over some communities in the forests…

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Bandits invade another mosque in Niger, gun down 16 worshippers, injure scores

Aminu Imam

Sixteen people who were performing their morning prayers in a mosque have been murdered by terrorists masquerading as bandits in Ba’are village, situated in Mashegu local government area of Niger State. According to a source, the bandits stormed the village on motorcycles and headed for the mosque where they killed and injured the worshippers. The source said those who sustained injuries have been taken to the Kontagora General Hospital for treatment. The State’s Commissioner of Police, Monday Bala Kuryas, who confirmed the incident,however said nine people and not 16 died…

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Niger: Bandits rape 30 women in one day

Aminu Imam

Bandits, on Monday, embarked on an indiscriminate raping of women and girls across five communities in Shiroro local government area of Niger State as their children watched with disbelief. It was gathered that about 30 women and girls were raped, with two to three bandits raping one woman during the sex extravaganza as they moved from one community to another on their motorcycles. No reason was given by the bandits for their action as, according to sources, their mission was just to rape women in the communities, including young girls.…

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‘Terrorists plotting to establish camp in Niger’, FG raises alarm

Aminu Imam

Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram terrorists are planning to establish a camp in Niger State, authorities have said. The Secretary to the State Government, (SSG), Ahmed Matane, who raised the alarm yesterday, while briefing reporters in Minna, the State capital, decried the escalated rate of attacks by bandits on innocent residents in recent weeks, saying they were now collaborating with insurgents to worsen the security situation in the State. Matane lamented that the insurgents – who have carried out attacks that have killed hundreds of…

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Niger Govt. bans motorcycle sale to curb banditry across State

Aminu Imam

Niger State government says the reign of kidnap-for-ransom and terror in the State may soon be over following Governor Abubakar Sani Bello’s ban on the sale of motorcycles, popularly known as Okada or Achaba. The prohibition was disclosed in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Ahmed Matane, yesterday in Minna, the State capital. Matane stated that the ban resulted from incessant security challenges in some parts of the State, adding that the ban was also informed by the fact that bandits and kidnappers now demand motorcycles…

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Niger: 24 hrs after Buhari’s warning bandits raid village, kill 2, abduct village head’s children, counsellors’ wives, 64 others

Aminu Imam

For three days running, armed bandits have intensified their raid on communities in Munya, Niger State, the latest being the invasion of Zagaga community in the early hours of Wednesday, where two victims were killed and 66 others abducted. Among those killed are two youths providing voluntary security services in the community due to the absence of security agents, and a local vigilante who was hacked to death. Three other youths sustained gunshot injuries, one of them having his right leg broken, and are currently at a government facility in…

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Insecurity: ‘Bandits relocating from Zamfara, Kaduna States to Niger – SSG Matane cries out

Aminu Imam

The Secretary to the Niger State Government, (SSG), Ahmed Matane, has said that bandits attacking communities in the State are those fleeing from neighbouring States such as Zamfara and Kaduna. Matane disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Minna, the State capital. The SSG explained that the escalation of security challenges in the State was as a result of the on-going operation by security personnel in Zamfara and Kaduna States that had forced the bandits to flee to neighbouring States. He disclosed that about 18,000 cattle rustled by bandits…

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