Bandits abduct 45 in Zamfara after expiry of ultimatum

18 Jul Bandits abduct 45 in Zamfara after expiry of ultimatum

Suspected bandits, under the leadership of one Turji, have reportedly attacked some villages in Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara state.

Turji was said to have accused the villagers of giving information that led to his father’s arrest.

His father was reportedly picked up about two weeks ago in Kano state by security operatives, and his whereabouts remain unknown.

Turji was said to have written to the communities, which included Kurya, Keta, Kware, Badarawa, Marisuwa, and Maberaya, notifying them of the attack.

Over 50 people were reportedly kidnapped, 10 villages displaced and several cattle rustled during the attack.

The suspected bandits’ leader had reportedly said that if his father is unable to celebrate Sallah at home, he would also ensure that many other people do not spend the period with their families.

Oyo State says Customs officers, not gunmen, raided Igangan, others

The Oyo government says officials of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) — not gunmen — raided Igangan, Ayete and Igbo-Ora communities, in Ibarapa area of the state.

Three people reportedly lost their lives during the raid on the communities on Friday.

In a statement on Saturday, Taiwo Adisa, chief press secretary to Seyi Makinde, Oyo governor, said political and traditional rulers of the affected towns described the raid “as unnecessary and not well thought out”.

Adisa said the leaders stated this when Sunday Odukoya, aide to the governor on security matters, visited the affected areas.

“The raid left so much turmoil in our communities as the Customs men came, shooting sporadically. Many of our people ran helter-skelter,” Jimoh Olajide Titiloye, the Olu of Igbo Ora, was quoted as saying.

“We want it stated loud and clear that our communities, Igbo Ora, Igangan and Ayete are not border towns. Why should Customs turn the communities to theatres of bloodshed and war?

“We want customs to regulate their operations. It will be better if the authorities restrict them to border towns to end unwarranted attacks on innocent communities.”