Security
Court judgement triggered communal crisis, leaving two dead in Niger
Two persons were killed, two others sustained various degree of injuries while property and farm products worths millions of naira set ablaze by some youths from Emigi community in Katcha local government area who attacked Kuchita community in Lavun Local Government area.
Youths from Emigi invaded Kuchita in their large numbers in the early hours of Saturday, shooting sparodically killing two youths on the spot and two others sustained injury from gun shot wounds.
The crisis that led to the invasion on Kuchita community was as a result of farm land and fishpond which has been a subject of litigation over some decades between the two communities.
Kuchita community had gotten judgement against Emigi Community earlier in the state High court suit No NSHC/ BD/ 2005, delivered on November 19th 2012 where the respondendet prayers were granted by the then Justice Mohammed Aliyu Mayaki.
Emigi community applied to set aside Justice Aliyu Mayaki ruling of 19 November 2012, at this point Barrister Ben Adokwu opposed. the said application of Emigi lawyer Barrister Mohammed A. Liman delivered in favour of Kuchita after hearing argument from both parties lawyers Justice Aliyu Mayaki on February 15th 2013 set aside his own rulling of 19 November 2012 Kuchita Community through their lawyer Barrister Ben Adokwu challenged the judgement of 15 February 2013 at the court of Appeal in Abuja 29th of September 2020 The Court of Appeals in Abuja, set aside the rulling of Justice Aliyu Mayaki of 15 February 2013 and restalled the judgement of 19 November 2012 in favour of Kuchita Community.
While awaiting the execution of the judgement of the appeal court to be carried out a form 48 and 49 were to be issue by Justice Abdullahi Mikailu of the State High court No3 youths from Emigi invaded Kuchita their large numbers and embarked on wanton destruction of lives and property of Kuchita community.
Already, there is palpable fear enveloping residents of Kuchita as women and children have taken refuge in some neighbouring villages.
Speaking in an interview with Newsmen in Minna an indigen of Kuchita community Babanma Nnako said the Youths from Emigi community have been attacking their community over farmland and fish ponds for many years.
He said several efforts to resolve the matter by successive traditional rulers over the years has not Yielded any meaningful result.
He explained that the Etsu Nupe Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar had invited the both communities to his Wadata palace with the aim of making peace with them but to no avail “only for Emigi youths because of their numerical strength invaded our community and unleashed mayhem on our people killing two youths. They set many houses on fire and carted food items. As I’m talking to you now, our people have abandoned their homes and now taken refuge in neighbouring villages for fear of further attacks.”
He called on the Niger State governor Abubakar Ssni Bello to as a matter of urgency deploy security agencies to Kuchita to safeguard lives and property of the people.
The Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Abubakar Zubairu has reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to fostering community-driven security solutions.
He stated this while addressing a cross-section of Stakeholders at the Okene engagement programme and further re-echoing the call for community participation in security efforts, noting that manpower limitations and resource constraints necessitate an inclusive Policing approach.
He commended the Commissioner for his proactive leadership and stressed that “security is everybody’s business, and together, we can ensure stability and peace.”
In his remarks, CP Dantawaye reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering commitment to fostering the implementation of Community Policing project as a key approach for effective Policing.
He emphasised the importance of synergy between Law enforcement Agencies, Traditional Institutions, Local Communities, as well as other Security stakeholders in combating crime, particularly kidnapping and other security threats.
He further commended the unwavering dedication among various security formations, including the NSCDC, Local Vigilante, Hunters, as well as NYSC members.
He urged the community members to play an active role in intelligence gathering, stating that, Policing cannot be done by the men on uniform alone. We need every citizen to be our eyes and ears to ensure a safe society.
He cautioned the officers on discipline, professionalism as well as respect for Human rights. He disclosed that Police Officers are undergoing continuous training to improve the operational capacity and to also equip them with the needed skills for investigation.
The event witnessed the presence of respected traditional rulers, local government representatives, transport unions, and various ethnic and community groups, all of whom pledged their commitment to strengthening security collaboration.
As part of ongoing efforts to curb crime, the Nigeria Police Force in Kogi State will intensify intelligence-based operations, enhance police-community relations, and continue engaging stakeholders to ensure lasting peace and security in the region.
Lt. Cynthia Akor, a Navy officer attached to Defence Headquarters in Abuja and two others have been abducted with their abductors demanding for N100 million ransome for their release.
The officer and others were reportedly kidnapped from their residences in the Mpape area of the Federal Capital Territory on Friday night and by Saturday their abductors called their families and demanded for N100 million ransom for the victims to be freed.
Our correspondent learnt on Saturday that their abductors have gotten in touch over ransom.
A source said: “Anong the three people that were kidnapped on Friday night in the Mpape area is a DHQ official, Akor.
“The kidnappers have already reached out to their families and are demanding N100m ransom,” the source said.
Efforts to reach the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye, and the Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, were unsuccessful, as they had yet to respond to messages as of the time of filing this report.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, Josephine Adeh, said she would confirm the incident and provide further details.
“I will confirm and get back to you shortly,” she simply stated.
She has not reverted as of the time of filing this report.
The Security Adviser to Kogi State governor, Commodore Jerry Omodara (retd) has said security operatives are on the trail of abductors of 18 passengers on a bus belonging to the ABC Transport.
The passengers were kidnapped on Sunday.
Mr Omodara disclosed this on Thursday in Lokoja.
The bus, reportedly heading to Abuja on Sunday, March 16, from the South-East was reportedly hijacked by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers at Oloma in the Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi, a border town between the state and Enugu State.
Reliable sources said that all the bus passengers including the driver were abducted by the gunmen.
However, Mr Omodara, who confirmed the incident, said that a combined team of security operatives had launched a manhunt for the abductors.
He said the operatives in Kogi State, including the military, police, SSS, NSCDC and vigilante groups were in synergy to rescue the victims.
He stated, “Just on Wednesday, all the security heads met twice to see that we get the kidnappers and rescue the victims.’’
According to him, this kind of synergy and cooperation from residents provide security agents useful information that helps them to succeed.
He said that Kogi State had recorded a drastic drop in kidnapping incidents and crimes due to synergy and cooperation from residents.
The state security adviser said though they might not be able to completely eradicate crime in the state, they were making efforts to tackle any that reared its ugly head.
He assured families of the abducted passengers that they would be released unhurt.
He added, “We want Kogi to be a haven for all residents and passers-by alike.”
(NAN)
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