News

Military Declares 19 Bandit Kingpins Wanted, Places N95m Bounty

Published

2 years ago

November 15, 2022

Eric

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

News

Hardship: Amaechi Dismisses Nigerian Youths As Docile, Says They’re Not Serious About Fighting Their Oppressors

Published

2 hours ago

October 10, 2024

Eric

A former Minister of Transportation, and former Governor of Rivers State, Hon Chibuike Amaechi, has said he is angry with the way Nigerians are responding to the current economic challenges.

Amaechi said this during a TV interview.

The former presidential aspirant also said he expected youths to storm different streets and protest against the high cost of living, but he has not seen anything that shows that they are serious.

“People should be angry because you cannot see a group of people stealing your money without doing anything. I am really angry with the citizens because they are not doing anything.

“Look at what happened in Edo State, should any politician be campaigning in Edo State? See, some of us cannot afford to buy diesel again because it’s costly,” he said.

Amaechi served as the Minister of Transportation for nearly eight years during the immediate past administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

News

Anxiety As 13 ‘Repentant’ Boko Haram Terrorists Escape with Govt Rifles

Published

6 hours ago

October 10, 2024

Eric

No fewer than 13 repentant Boko Haram ex-fighters have escaped with rifles and motorcycles they got from the Borno State government, which co-opted them to join military operatives in the fight against insurgency in the State.

They are among hundreds of former Boko Haram fighters and their families who surrendered to the government.

Reports said 13 of them attached to the military operatives in Mafa escaped from their camp between September 1 and 2.

Last year, Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, said that more than 160,000 Boko Haram members and their families voluntarily surrendered to the military amid a sustained onslaught.

The “repentant” Boko Haram members and their families are being managed under the Borno Model, a post-conflict amnesty programme with a focus on de-radicalisation, rehabilitation, reintegration and resettlement of low-risk persons previously associated with armed groups.

According to reports, nearly 6,000 combatants are awaiting “transitional justice,” and Borno State Government further co-opted some of the ex-fighters into the fight against insurgency, helping the military to penetrate deep into the terrorists’ enclaves.

The “repentant” fighters have become helpful to the military. They are popularly known as “hybrid forces” formed by the military fighting insurgency in Borno State

“Together, they have conducted joint operations to locate and destroy Boko Haram weapons caches, rescue hostages, and fight the remaining jihadists.”

The Director of Defence Media Operation, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, could not be reached for comments.

News

Post-LG Election Violence: Rivers Govt Sets Up Judicial Probe Panel

Published

2 days ago

October 8, 2024

Eric

The Rivers State Government has set up a judiciary of inquiry into the arson, killings, and other forms of violence that occurred in the State on Monday.

The move was after Ikwerre, Eleme, and Emohua local government council secretariats were set ablaze following the withdrawal of the police officers securing the 23 council secretariats on the directive of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

Following the attacks, the Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, vowed to take decisive action against those responsible for setting ablaze three local government secretariats.

He pledged that the incident, unlike previous cases, will not be ignored, as his administration will collaborate with security agencies to identify the perpetrators and hold them accountable.

A statement by the Office of the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo on Tuesday, said the setting up of the judicial committee was pursuant to Section 2(1) of the Commissions of Inquiry Law, Cap 30, Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria, 1999.

The statement said, “His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, Governor of Rivers State, has approved the Setting-up of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the arson, killings, and wanton destruction of property at some Local Government Council Headquarters which occurred on or about Monday, October 7, 2024.”

Members of the Commission are:

(1) Hon. Justice I.R. Minakiri – Chairman

(2) Barr. Felicia Nwoke – Member

(3) Prof. Blessing Didia – Member

(4) Sir Samuel Egbe – Member

(5) Venerable Alex Usifor – Member

(6) Barr. Uzor Ikenga – Counsel to the Commission

(7) Mrs. Inyingi Brown – Secretary

Members of the Commission have been sworn at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Port Harcourt.