Connect with us

News

Military Declares 19 Bandit Kingpins Wanted, Places N95m Bounty

Published

on

The Defence Headquarters has declared no fewer than 19 bandits leaders wanted.

The military high command also placed a N5m bounty on each of them to encourage Nigerians to volunteer information that could lead to their arrest.

The military urged the public to provide information that could lead to the arrest of the bandits When contacted, the Director, Defence Information, Major General Jimmy Akpor, confirmed that the list was authentic.

Our correspondent had reported that the process of declaring the bandit leaders wanted was being reviewed by the military authorities.

However, the names, pictures and states of origin of the 19 bandit kingpins were released on Monday.

Agora Policy Report says an estimated 7,500 lives were lost between 2018 and 2021 to bandit attacks while about one million persons were displaced.

Prominent among those declared wanted is Bello Turji from Fakai village, Zamfara State.

Regarded as one of the most dangerous bandit kingpins, Turji was reportedly involved in the alleged killing of about 200 people, including women and children, in January 2022.

He was also said to be behind the attack on Garki village in Sokoto, where over 80 people were murdered in a night in 2021.

He also engaged in mass abduction after his father was arrested by security operatives.

Another notorious bandit on the list is Ali  Kachalla, aka Ali Kawaje, from  Kuyambara village in Danaadau Maru LGA of Zamfara State.

Kachiala’s gang reportedly shot down the jet of flight lieutenant Abayomi Dairo in July 2021.

Equally declared wanted is Ado Aliero, who hailed  from Yankuzo village, in the Tsafe LGA, Zamfara State.

He was installed as the Sarkin Fulani (King of Fulanis) of Yandoton Daji Emirate in Zamfara State in July.

He had been declared wanted by the Katsina State Police Command for masterminding an attack on Kadisau village, in the Faskari Local Government Area of the state, which led to the murder of over 52 people.

Also on the wanted list is Halilu Sububu from Sububu village, in the Maradun  LGA, Zamfara State.

Sububu, who is believed to be the wealthiest bandit leader, narrowly escaped an airstrike on October 24, in which at least 30 terrorists were killed.

Also on the list are Sani Dangote from  Dumbarum village,  Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State; Leko (Mozoj village, Mutazu LGA, Katsina State); Dogo Nahali (Yar Tsamiyar Jno village, Kankara LGA, Katsina State); and Nagona from  Angwan Galadima in the Isa Loa area of Sokoto State.

The wanted kingpins include Ado Aliero from Yankuzo village Tsafe LGA, Zamfara State; Monore from Yantumaki village, Dan LGA, Katsina State; Gwaska Dankarami from Shamushele village in the Zuri LGA of Zamfara State; Baleri from Shinkafi LGA, Zamfara State and Mamudu Tainange from  Varanda village in Batsari LGA, Katsina State and others.

A retired Department of State Services officer, Abuh Adams, said the military delayed in declaring kingpins wanted.

He also said the bounty should be reviewed upwards to encourage Nigerians who might wish to volunteer information.

Adams said, “It is better late than never, if not, we have no reason to wait before declaring criminals of that calibre wanted. This should not just be limited to the military, all other security agencies should do the same.

‘’On the amount placed on them, this is an amount that terrorists themselves can buy information with. I think we will get better results if they review the bounty. In saner climes where things like this are done, they make enticing offers to the public.’’

Another security expert, Timothy Avele, said, “Ordinarily, it’s a good thing they’re officially declared wanted terrorists. However, due to the lack of trust by the locals and the general public, I doubt if it will yield fruitful results.

“You remember, not quite long one of the so-called declared terrorists was crowned as an emir in a public ceremony even with security agents at the party. So, it sends the wrong message to the public especially since no one was sanctioned for such a security breach. I doubt if anyone will risk his or her life because of N5m. The amount is not encouraging; it should be from N20m minimum, which is less than $50,000.”

The Punch

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Army Buries 17 Personnel Killed in Okuama Community

Published

on

By

The 17 military personnel killed in Okuama community in Delta on March 14 have been laid to rest.

The corpses of the soldiers, which arrived at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja at about 2:26 pm on Wednesday, were committed to mother death after burial rites were observed.

President Bola Tinubu, Service Chiefs and other dignitaries were in attendance at the burial ceremony.

DAILY POST recalls that the troops of 181 Amphibious Batallion, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, while on a peace mission to Okuoma Community were ambushed and killed by some irate youths.

The incident occurred when the troops responded to a distress call following a communal crisis between Okuoma and Okoloba communities in Delta State.

The personnel comprised one Lieutenant Colonel, two Majors, one Captain and 13 soldiers.

The officers are Commanding Officer 181 Amphibious Battalion, Lt. Col. A.H Ali; Maj S.D Shafa (N/13976); Maj D.E Obi (N/14395) and Capt U Zakari (N/16348).

The soldiers are SSgt Yahaya Saidu (#3NA/36/2974); Cpl Yahaya Danbaba (1ONA/65/7274); Cpl Kabiru Bashir (11NA/66/9853); LCpl Bulus Haruna (16NA/TS/5844); LCpl Sola Opeyemi (17NA/760719); and LCpl Bello Anas (17NA/76/290).

They also include LCpl Hamman Peter (NA/T82653); LCpl Ibrahim Abdullahi (18NA/77/1191); Pte Alhaji Isah (17NA/76/6079); Pte Clement Francis (19NA/78/0911); Pte Abubakar Ali (19NA/78/2162); Pte Ibrahim Adamu (19NA/78/6079) and Pte Adamu Ibrahim (21NA/80/4795).

DailyPost

Continue Reading

News

Thomas Yormah Emerges As New WAEC Chairman

Published

on

By

By Eric Elezuo

The West Africa Examinations Council (WAEC) has a new Chairman, he is Prof. Thomas Brima Rick Yormah, a former Deputy Vice Chancellor of the Fourah Bay College and former Pro ViceChancellor, University of Sierra Leone as the 21st Chairman of Council.

According to a statement signed by Demianus G. Ojijeogu, the Head, Public Affairs, WAEC Headquarters, Accra, Ghana, Yormah was elected during the just concluded 72nd Annual Council Meeting of the body, held in Freetown, Sierra Leone. He succeeds Prof. Ato Essuman from the Republic of Ghana.

The highpoint of the week-long Council meeting was the recognition and honoring of three Ghanaian candidates with the WAEC International Excellence Award for their outstanding performance in the WASSCE for School Candidates, 2023. They were Master Amo-Kodieh Leonard Kofi, (1st Prize), Master Dzandu Selorm, (2nd Prize), and Master Asenso-Gyambibi Daniel (3rd Prize). The three candidates were selected from 2,327,342 who sat the examination in The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone.

In the same vein, the Augustus Bandele Oyediran Award for the Best Candidate in West Africa, 2023 also went to Master Amo-Kodieh Leonard Kofi. In addition, two candidates from the Republic of Sierra Leone were honoured with the National Distinction, while one candidate received the National Merit Award. They were Miss. Mammah E. A. Raymonda, (1st Prize), Master Bangura Joshua, (2nd Prize), and Master Fillie Sahr Edward (Merit Award).

While the 71st edition of the Council meeting was hosted by Gambia, the next edition, which will be the 73rd in the series, will be hosted by Liberia.

Continue Reading

News

Kidnapped Edo PDP Chairman Regains Freedom

Published

on

By

The kidnapped chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, has been released.

Dr. Aziegbemi, who was set free by his abductors in the early hours of Tuesday, March 26, 2024. Report has it that he got to his Benin City residence at about 3am to the waiting arms of family and close friends.

“I am back home with my family. I am fine. I am just trying to rest and will talk to you later,” he was quoted as saying.

Dr. Aziegbemi, a former member of the House of Representatives, who represented Esan North-East/Esan South-East federal constituency of Edo State, was kidnapped on Friday, March 15, 2024 when his abductors who rode in two Toyota Corolla cars, trailed him after he left a meeting.

The gunmen overtook Aziegbemi’s sports utility vehicle (SUV) at a speed break as it slowed down along Osaro Street, off Country Home Road, close to his house at about 11pm on Friday night before seizing him.

It is not clear yet if a ransom was paid for his release as the abductors had reportedly demanded a sum of N50 million before setting him free.

Continue Reading

Trending