News
Boko Haram fighters relocates to Niger, orders residents in conquered communities to marry off their daughters at age 12 or faces attacks
Boko Haram fighters have confirmed their presence in some Local Governments in Niger State and have directed Muslims and Christians to marry off their daughters from age 12 upwards or faces their wrath.
They have directed residents in Local communities they claimed to have conquered to remove their wards from school, a situation that has sent panic down the jitters of the locals.
Some residents who pleaded anonymity fears that terrorists would wreck communities in few days, if nothing was done urgently.
The recent developments climaxed the arson by gunmen in Niger State, who were being described as “bandits” for a very long time. The terrorists had killed hundreds of people in Niger and contiguous states of Kaduna, Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto and Kebbi.
Niger State governor, Sani Bello has confirmed the presence of Boko Haram fighters in the State, saying there were security breaches.
Reacted to an attack in Niger communities on Sunday, the governor said the State was not only dealing with bandits, but he believed Boko Haram Haram terrorists have moved down to Niger State.
In Shiroro Local Government Council of Niger State, several bomb mines were alledgedly planted.
For instance, after series of attacks on villages in Shiroro and Munya LGAs on Sunday, April 25, and Monday, April 26, the governor told newsmen that, “The attackers included not only bandits but also Boko Haram members and their next target would be Abuja, a mere two hours away by road.”
The governor claimed that in Kaure, a village in Shiroro LGA, the attackers had hoisted a Boko Haram flag and were in control of the area.
Recall that members of the Ansarul-Islam and Darul-Salam were dislodged from parts of Niger State a few years ago.
The alarm raised by Governor Bello on Sunday was re-echoed by the Chairman of Shiroro LGA, Suleiman Chukuba, on Monday.
In the last few weeks, communities in Shiroro, Munya and Rafi local government areas had witnessed renewed attacks by suspected Boko Haram fighters leading to the loss of several lives.
Chukuba said, “On the issue of influx of Boko Haram in Shiroro, four wards have been affected.”
He said the residents were made to believe that the invaders were Boko Haram insurgents because of their mode of preaching.
The insurgents threatened the affected communities to withdraw their girl child from the school for early marriage or in days to come they will incure their deadly angers.
Already, it was gathered that the insurgents have in their usual manner abducted a total of 47 persons who are mostly women and nursing mothers in the early hours of Monday.
It was gathered that the armed men who invaded the communities with over 35 motorcycles with each carrying three persons were armed with Ak47 with other sophisticated weapons started shooting sporadically on their arrival in the communities and abducted their victims who were mostly women.
Among the communities that suffered the invasion of these jihadists include, Koki, Galadima, Kongo, Guramana, Koshie and other neighboring communities within Shiroro and Muya Local Governments
According to a youth leader in Shiroro Local Government, Comrade Yusuf Koki, the activities of the Boko Haram insurgent is on the increase in Shiroro and Muya local government in the last six months.
He said their mode of operations were entirely different from that of the conventional armed bandits who carried their operation through kidnapping and rustling of cows demanding for ransoms running to millions of Naira from relatives.
He disclosed that their weapons in their possessions was more deadly and sophisticated than that of the armed bandits as well as their ascents is also different from the bandits that operates in the community.
“These men have even told us to either withdraw our girl child from school for early marriage and the boys should only concentrate on Islamic schools or they incure their full wrath.
“Infact, they even told us they will relocate to Niger State to launch their deadly attack on the people of the State.
“That of the Northeast will be a child’s play to the one they will carry out in the entire communities in Niger State. And they have started their attacks in the early hours of last week Saturday at least they killed two soldiers and injured 12 others that are currently on admission at IBB Specialist Hospital in Minna.” he told CAPITAL POST.
In an interview with Journalists on his hospital bed at IBB Specialist Hospital in Minna, the team leader of a Military unit in Koki, Major Daniel Omale stated that himself and his men were ambushed by men of Boko Haram while they were on rescue operation to some of the community under attack by the insurgents.
He said 12 of them received various gun wound from the insurgent while several of them were killed by his team and two “of my men were killed by the Boko Haram.”
The President of the Nigerian Senate Godswill Obot Akpabio said, he will not be distracted by the baseless allegation and antics of Elisha Abbo who formerly represented Adamawa North Senatorial District in the Senate, stating that it was unfortunate that the ex-lawmaker has started another round of malicious campaign against him.
This was contained in a statement made available to journalists on Thursday by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Senate President, Hon Eseme Eyiboh, declaring that Elisha Abbo’s outbursts are those of a failed politician who fraudulently represented Adamawa North Senatorial District before the Court intervention cleared him out of way.
Akpabio through his aide was reacting to Elisha Abbo’s blame on Akpabio, suggesting that he was responsible for his electoral woes in an interview he granted on Arise Television on Wednesday while he featured on politics today.
Part of the statement read: “The attention of the Office of the President of the Senate has been drawn to another round of spurious and malicious accusations by Mr. Elisha Abbo, who unlawfully represented Adamawa North Senatorial District save a judicial intervention.
“He has again sought to blame the President of the Senate, His Excellency, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, for the travail of his judicial sanction that occasioned his ouster from the Senate.”
Akpabio said he was perturbed the more over Elisha’s outburst on him over an issue he has regretted and apologized to him publicly in 2023—after admitting that his earlier accusation was “premature and based on the available information at his disposal.
He noted further that Abbo had once discussed with him last year and acknowledge that “he was not involved in the judicial process that led to his ouster from the Senate.”
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Court of Appeal, after a thorough legal process, ruled unequivocally that Mr. Abbo’s presence in the Red Chamber was in error. The court determined that he was not validly elected as the Senator for Adamawa North, and consequently, he was removed.
“The court acted in accordance with the extant laws and the Constitution within its sacred duty to uphold the rule of law. Senator Akpabio, a seasoned lawyer and democrat, holds the independence of the judiciary in the highest regard and would never interfere in its processes.”
Given that Abbo has exonerated him, Akpabio said he found it illogical and irresponsible for him to now turn around and heap blames on him.
“Mr. Abbo has also sought to create the impression that he was unjustly denied official benefits following his ouster. He claims entitlement to salaries, allowances, and even an official vehicle, despite the court’s declaration that his tenure was null and void ab initio.”
Akpabio noted that he has no executive fiat to approve finances, except such has been duly vetted and forwarded to him by the appropriate administrative units in line with the public finance guidelines.
If any of Mr. Abbo’s claims for payment did not reach the desk of the Senate President, it is because they failed to meet these lawful standards—not because of any personal or political vendetta.
It is unfortunate that instead of accepting the consequences of his legal and political failings, Mr. Abbo continues to resort to media theatrics and reckless finger-pointing. Even more telling is his record of public conduct. Nigerians will recall that in 2019, he was caught on video assaulting a female citizen in Abuja—an incident for which he was ordered by a competent court to pay N50 million in damages. This is a matter of public record and speaks volumes about his temperament and disposition.
His recent outbursts about unpaid travels and imagined plots further reinforce the conclusion that his actions are driven not by facts or principle, but by bitterness and desperation to remain politically relevant. These claims are not only baseless, but they reek of grievance and a refusal to accept personal responsibility for his removal and loss of public trust.
Senator Godswill Akpabio remains focused on the noble task of nation-building, providing purposeful leadership in the Senate, and strengthening democratic institutions—especially the independence of the judiciary. He will not be distracted by the antics of individuals who seek to rewrite history to mask personal failures.
We urge Mr. Abbo to reflect deeply, respect the rule of law, and focus on rebuilding the confidence of his constituents if he hopes to return to public life. Nigeria’s democracy can only thrive when its actors show maturity, responsibility, and an abiding respect for the truth.
Structured HQ Legal, (SHQ) has issued a public notice warning against any transactions involving the buying, selling, leasing, or letting of the Hampton Harbour landed property.
The landed property measuring at 19.5 hectares is located at Elegushi Royal Family Land, Ikate Ancient City, Eti Osa, Local Government Area, Lagos State with reference number 376/376/2777GC and belongs to the Baggeren International Company.
In an official press statement issued to the news men, the firm disclosed that the property is currently under legal scrutiny, cautioning that any individual or entity engaging in transactions related to Hampton Harbour does so at their own risk. They also emphasized that unauthorized dealings could lead to significant financial loss and expose parties involved to legal consequences.
SHQ further noted that any person(s) who proceeds with any dealings in relation to the Hampton Harbour property risks both financial loss and potential legal actions noting that such transactions may result in criminal and civil liabilities for trespass or fraud.
The public is strongly advised to exercise caution and ensure due diligence before engaging in any transactions concerning Hampton Harbour. Prospective buyers, investors, or stakeholders must seek formal confirmation and approval from Structured HQ Legal or Baggeren International Company Limited to avoid financial and legal risks.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Thursday said, requirements for recalling Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan representing Kogi Central Senatorial District were lacking in the petition.
In a statement to update circumstances surrounding a purported petition against Natasha, the INEC said, it has rejected the petition.
The Commission said, Natasha is a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and there are requirements to recall her or any other Senator, but it cannot consider the petitions that lack merits.
Earlier the Secretary to the Commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, acknowledged receipt of petition against the embattled lawmaker from her constituents after submitting it to the INEC headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan representing Kogi Central Senatorial District was the former Chairman of Senate Committee on Local Contents, but was suspended from the Senate over alleged breach of Senate Standing Rules.
Natasha disclosed that she has approached the Court to quash her suspension which she claimed was illegal.
According to the petitioners, over 250,000 constituents’ signed the petition, out of about 480,000 registered voters in the senatorial district.
The petition was titled Constituents’ Petition for the Recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Grounds of Loss of Confidence’.
In a brief statement on Thursday, the Commission said, “The petition for the recall of the Senator representing the Kogi Central Senatorial District has not met the requirement of Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).”
The female lawmaker also on Tuesday defied ban by Kogi State Government and visited her Senatorial District in what she said, was a Sallah visit to felicitate with those who gave her their mandate.
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