Security
Captured dreaded Fulani bandits leader, pleads to be spared, reveals gangs name in Kaduna forest [Lists]
Reprieve may have been coming the way of the people of Southern Kaduna and other North West States as one of the most dreaded bandits leader and banditry coordinator, Alhaji Goma Samai’la has been captured by the Nigeria Military.
The bandits leader was arrested in Kaduna State on Friday and has confessed to be operating in the last 20 years kidnapping and rustling cows.
He however vowed not to continue if they will show him mercy, revealing that he has been into the kidnapping and hostage taking business in the last 20 years.
Alhaji Goma Samai’la is 47 years and Fulani by tribe who runs a network of kidnappers in Kaduna, and other North West States.
While being interrogated by the military, he confessed to working with many gangs whom he revealed their names and also their victims with amount paid as ransom at different times.
He said: “My name is Alhaji Goma Sama’ila. I am 47 years old. I have been involved in kidnapping.”
Speaking on his kidnap escapades, he said: “The first person is Abdul, his family paid a ransom of two hundred thousand naira (N200, 000), Alhaji Umaru gave us five hundred thousand naira (N500, 000), another person is Alhaji Birau, his family paid the total sum of three million naira (N3 million) and the other person is Alhaji Ibrahim who also paid seven hundred thousand naira (N700, 000).
“We have been chasing cows and all of us are from the North. People operating along this Ragachucku axis are: Lawal isah, Awalu, Bature Goma, Gamji, Sule, and the rest. They kidnapped someone and were given the sum of 10 million naira, they also killed one woman; that was the information we got about them.
Bandit Leader Arrested After 20 Years
“In my group, the number of people working within Ragachucku axis are Yusuf, Sule, Gomi, Nasiru, Tukur, Banki, Magaji. Then in the Kirama axis, there is Musa, Kadi, Oria, Ibrahim, Bala, Rebo, Gaia, Malan, Usama, Babangida, Abubakar, and Sule, I forgot the other one’s name. He later left us to join Babangida, Suleiman, and Sule.”
He further pleaded for forgiveness, promising never to go into banditry again. “I promise this will be the first and the last and I promise never to touch anything belonging to anyone ever again. I am pleading for mercy and forgiveness and I will never commit such offence again,” he said.
One of the military men further asked if Sama’ila can take them to where the rest of his gang are operating and where they keep the arms used in operating, he answered in the affirmative adding, “Yes because anyone that stands for truth is always with God,” he said.
Eyewitnesses reports indicated that Sama’ila was responsible for organising several thefts of cows in Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, and other North-West states of Nigeria.
He was said to have participated in several abductions across the states.
Kaduna State has been plagued with several high-profile kidnappings, mass murder, and cattle rustling by bandits.
A source said, “Nigerian troops arrested Goma Sama’ila, one of the ‘most wanted” and notorious bandits’ leaders terrorising Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina and other northwestern states in Nigeria.”
The development comes amid military interventions in the region.
As public outrage continue to trail the killing of travelers in Uromi, Edo State on Thursday 27th March, 2025, the Nigerian Police authorities in the State has announced the arrest of 14 suspects in connection with the killing.
The victims said, to be hunters were travelling to the Northern part of the country when mob swooped and killed them on suspicion that they are Fulani kidnapper.
The Police said, they are 16 powers and all of them were killed.
The Spokesman for the Police Command, Moses Yamu said some persons have been arrested in connection with the attack.
“In the course of investigations, fourteen (14) suspects have been arrested in connection with the crime, while an emergency meeting was convened with stakeholders and members of the community to address the situation,” Yamu said in a statement on Friday.
Narrating how the incident happened, the Edo Police Command said it occurred when a “truck with registration number KKF 225 XA coming from Port Harcourt, conveying 25 travellers from Elele, a suburb of Rivers State, was accosted by some vigilante group members at Uromi, and some of the travelers who found in possession of locally made dane guns were arrested”.
“While this was ongoing, some vigilante members raised an alarm of them being suspected kidnappers, which led some members and passersby in the community to attack and lynch sixteen (16) of the occupants while the truck conveying them was equally burnt.
“Police operatives attached to the Uromi Division got wind of the incident and swiftly stormed the scene where ten (10) of the travelers were rescued, two of whom sustained various degrees of injuries and were rushed to a hospital where they are currently positively responding to treatment.”
Yamu said a unit of Police Mobile Force personnel with other command tactical teams had been deployed to the area to forestall a breakdown of law and order.
The police said “investigations continue” over the incident and cautioned “against any form of reprisal attacks”.
The new Commissioner of Police in Niger State, CP Abdullahi Adamu Elleman has sent a strong warning to criminals operating in the State and vowed that his tenure as a Police boss would change the tide for them or else they should relocate elsewhere.
He sent this warning after he assumed office upon his posting to the State, insisting that criminal elements should stay clear of the State or be ready to incur the full weight of the command.
He said the command under his watch will engage a high level of professional standards in effectively policing the state calling on well meaning individual and critical stakeholders to partner with him in ensuring crime free Niger State.
According to the CP, he is already aware of the activities of youth restiveness and other criminal activities in Minna the state capital assuring that he will make the state unbearable for them.
Speaking through the Command Public Relation Officer (PPRO), while Fielding Question from Journalists at the Police headquarters in Minna Friday, Wasiu Abiodun,SP insisted that the command will not fold its hands to watch some disgruntled elements engaging in an act that will breach the security of the people.
He underscores his command preparedness to ensure the maintenance of law and order in policing the command through community related policing appealing to officers and men of the command to leave above board in making Niger State unsafe for criminal minded elements.
In his words,” as you know, the Commissioner of Police, CP Abdullahi Adamu Elleman just took over the mantle of the command on Thursday the 27th, of March 2025.
“He addressed all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and other sectional heads of the Command. He assured them of building on the legacy of his Predecessor CP Ebenezer Shawulu Danmaman.
“He also requested that they should extend their hands of fellowship to him for him to succeed in chasing and curtail the activities of these miscreants to the barest level in Minna the capital of Niger State.”
Speaking on the Command’s preparedness to ensure crime free eid ul-Fitr celebration, CP Abdullahi Adamu Elleman disclosed that the command will deploy enough personnel to all praying grounds across the state. This according to him is to ensure the safety of worshipers.
He warned parents and guardians in the state to monitor the activities of their wards and children to guard against any act that will bring them to face the wrath of the law.
While appreciating men and officers of the Command for their professional resilience in the maintenance of law and order, CP Abdullahi Elleman warned that he has zero tolerance for any act of unprofessional conducts that will bring the Command to ridicule.
In a bid to strengthen security of lives and property and to foster peaceful coexistence in Ijumu Local Government Area, the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command CP Miller G. Dantawaye, convened a high-level meeting with key stakeholders, within the Local Government, to address pressing security concerns and enhance community Policing efforts.
In a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ovye Aya, made available to CAPITAL POST on Tuesday, said, the meeting was attended by prominent dignitaries, including the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara, Rtd, the representative of the Department of State Services (DSS); the member, representing Ijumu, at the State House of Assembly, the Honourable Commissioner for Special Duties, the Chairman of the Local Government, the Olujumu of Ijumu, as well as members of Miyetti Allah.
In his address, the CP emphasized the importance of collaboration in tackling insecurity. He called for intelligence-sharing between residents and Security Agencies, stressing that law enforcement alone cannot ensure safety without community support. He called for the effective collaboration between the Police and their host community.
He further assured of involving immigration agencies to monitor and regulate movement as well as Proper documentation that will enhance accountability and reduce security threats within the Local Government.
The meeting also addressed land ownership rights, the role of traditional institutions, and the need for structured conflict resolution. The CP urged all parties to respect existing leadership structures and seek peaceful resolutions through dialogue.
Reaffirming the Police unwavering commitment to professionalism and human rights, the CP warned against lawlessness, stating that Security Agencies are fully prepared to take action against any individual or group threatening the peace in the area. He urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities promptly.
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