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Exclusive: Mastermind of Kankara abduction makes U-Turn, returns to forest

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Auwal Daudawa, the little-known bandit leader in Zamfara State, who shot to prominence after masterminding the abduction of over 300 students in neighbouring Katsina State has gone back to the trenches, less than three months after his celebrated repentance.

A security source and two other sources close to the bandit confirmed to Daily Trust on Wednesday that Daudawa has relocated to one of the forests, near the border with Katsina.

The middle-aged bandit coordinated the mass abduction of the students of Government Secondary School Kankara, on December 12, 2020, the first of such abduction by any criminal group outside Boko Haram in the North-East.

About two months later, Daudawa was paraded before the governor in Gusau, where he proclaimed his decision to be a changed man.

Daudawa and five of his lieutenants surrendered 20 AK 47 rifles, ammunition and a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launcher, during the ceremony.

Sources familiar with Daudawa’s latest decision told our reporter that he packed out his family and his lieutenants back to Jaja forest in Zurmi Local Government on Monday.

“He called one of his contacts in Gusau to inform him that he had arrived at the forest and decided to pick up arms again. He did not inform anybody before he left,” one of the sources said.

Daudawa was said to have been frustrated by the lack of proper engagement after he had laid down arms.

He and members of his gang who repented were housed in a government chalet for weeks before a house was secured for him in Damba, in the outskirts of Gusau, to move in with his family.

“His upkeep was being shouldered by the government. I don’t know what it was he needed. Perhaps his tall expectations were not met,” one security source in Gusau disclosed.

His action, analysts say, is a major setback for the controversial peace deal and amnesty for bandits being championed by the Zamfara State Governor, Hon. Bello Matawalle.

A prominent bandit in the state, Shehu Rekeb, told Daily Trust that more repentant gunmen will move back to the forest to avoid being targeted. He accused government of insincerity in its dealing with the Fulani armed men.

A senior security official told Daily Trust last night that the collapse of the pact was only predictable as it was not premised on a sustainable framework.

“Honestly, there is a problem with that arrangement because you cannot claim to have a peace accord when there is no paperwork where the parties sign on specified conditions,” he said.

He also lamented the lack of rehabilitation and counselling for the repentant bandits which, he said, cannot be substituted with financial handouts.

The governor had on assumption of office two years ago re-introduced the amnesty window, urging armed Fulani youths who have been terrorising rural communities in the state to lay down their arms.

The policy has had its critics, the most prominent being the governor of neighbouring Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, who insist that bandits are not trustworthy and could not be placated into permanently abandoning their criminal activities.

In opting for amnesty, Matawalle was toeing the path followed by his predecessor Abdulaziz Yari who in 2018 announced a N1 million prize on each AK47 rifle turned in by the bandits. The pact was however short-lived.

Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari last year vowed not to dialogue with the bandits again after some repentant bandits re-joined hostilities.

When contacted, Zamfara State Police Spokesperson, SP Shehu Mohammed asked our reporter to call him on Thursday (today) to enable him make findings on the issue.

The state’s Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Dosara, referred our reporter to the Commissioner for Security and Home Affairs, Abubakar Dauran, for comments.

Dauran was however unreachable despite repeated attempts.

Security

Kogi Commissioner of Police seeks stronger collaboration with NYSC

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The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Police Command, CP Miller G. Dantawaye, psc today Thursday 13Th March, 2025 received a delegation from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Kogi State led by the State Coordinator, Mr Femi Osungbohun. The visit aimed to strengthen security collaboration and ensure the safety of Corps Members in the State.

Speaking during the visit, Mr. Femi Osungbohun commended the Nigeria Police Force for its unwavering support in safeguarding Corp Members, particularly through their deployment to Orientation Camp and swift responses to security incidents. He highlighted the invaluable role of the Police in protecting Corp Members.

He further appealed for increased security presence at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Asaya, emphasizing the growing concerns over insecurity in the region. He called on the Police Command to strengthen patrols around the camp.

He added that the safety of Corps Members remains our collective concerns. We deeply appreciate the sacrifices of the Police Force in securing them. However, given the current security challenges, we seek even more collaboration to prevent any unfortunate incidents.

In his response, CP Dantawaye reassured the NYSC of the Command’s dedication to ensuring the safety of all Corps Members serving in Kogi State. He acknowledged the crucial role Corps Members play in community development, while pledging continued support to the NYSC in Kogi State.

He further underscores the importance of Corps Members in Nation-building. He assured that the security of Corp Members is the Command priority, and we will continue to work closely with the NYSC to ensure they serve in a safe and conducive environment.

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BREAKING: Force Reorganisation: IGP orders posting of 25 senior officers [See List]

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Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has ordered the immediate posting of 7 Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) to various strategic offices and the posting of 18 Commissioners of Police (CPs) due for AIG ranks, pending the approval from the Police Service Commission (PSC), to AIG offices nationwide. This comprehensive redeployment of senior officers is geared at effectively repositioning the force with a view to discharging its duties as expected.

In a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi made available to newsmen on Thursday, said the newly posted AIGs include AIG Margaret Ochalla, now heading AIG FCID Annex, Lagos; AIG Abayomi Peter Oladipo, assigned to AIG Zone 13, Ukpo; AIG Fred Ekokotu, who will oversee AIG Zone 11, Osogbo; AIG Iwo Nemi Edwin Osigboka, now in charge of AIG Border Patrol Force, Force Headquarters, Abuja; AIG Garba Ahmed, taking on the role of AIG Department of Training and Development (DTD), Force Headquarters, Abuja; AIG Salman Dogo, assigned to AIG Zone 5, Benin; and AIG Kanayo Uzuegbu, now responsible for AIG Zone 9, Umuahia.

Concurrently, 18 CPs acting in the capacity of AIGs, pending the approval of the PSC, have also been posted to various strategic offices. CP Patrick Adedeji Atayero has been posted to Commandant, Police Academy, Kano; CP Tolani Alausa to AIG Zone 16, Yenagoa; CP Musibau Ajani to AIG Zone 17, Akure; CP Mobolaji Victor Olaiya to AIG DICT, Force Headquarters, Abuja; CP Laolu Adegbite, MFR, to AIG Interpol, Force Headquarters, Abuja; CP Clement Robert to AIG Community Policing, Research & Planning, Force Headquarters, Abuja; CP Gyongon Augustine Grimah to AIG Zone 10, Sokoto; CP Thomas Abraham Nabhon to AIG ONSA; CP Musa Auwal Mohammed to AIG Zone 3, Yola; CP Mohammed Shehu Dalijan to AIG CTU, Force Headquarters, Abuja; CP Olatunji Disu to AIG SPU, Force Headquarters, Abuja; CP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu to AIG Zone 12, Bauchi; CP Fasuba Akinyele to AIG Investment, Force Headquarters, Abuja; CP Musa Kareem to AIG Force Headquarters Annex, Lagos; CP Chukwudi Chris Ariekpere to AIG FCID Annex, Enugu; CP Aliyu Abubakar Musa to AIG Zone 14, Katsina; CP Godwin I. Eze to AIG DFA, Force Headquarters, Abuja; and CP Abel J. Zwalchir Miri to AIG Communications, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

The Inspector-General of Police has charged all officers affected by these strategic postings to embrace their new responsibilities with utmost dedication and justify their confidence through exemplary service. The IGP urges the new senior officers to ensure strict supervision and diligence in the discharge of their lawful duties and further encourages them to key into the ongoing police reform. These deployments are integral to the ongoing revitalization of the Nigeria Police Force, and the IGP is confident that they will contribute significantly to enhanced security and improved service delivery across the nation.

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Nigerian Coast Guard: Citizens warned against extortion as passage of bill is being awaited

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The Provisionary Committee of the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard, PC-NCG has warned the general public against extortion in guise of recruitment or enrolment as anyone parading himself as promoter of the Nigerian Coast Guard other than Captain Noah Ichaba is an impostor and a dupe.

In a statement made available to CAPITAL POST on Wednesday, said, this information has become necessary in view of a publication in Vanguard Online of 8thMarch 2025, titled “Coordinator of provisional Nigerian Coast Guard appeals to NASS for bill passage”.

Captain Ichaba urged the public to disregard the information as it is only the PC-NCG that has the right to issue a statement updating Nigerians as the bill awaiting legislative attention would soon be passed into law by the 10th National Assembly.

Part of the statement said: “We respectfully invite the attention of patriotic, impartial and ready to act relevant authorities, misled groups, authentic stakeholders and members of the general public, to note that, the stories regarding the purported acceptance of some Registered Private Maritime Security Groups into the Nigerian Coast Guard, were nothing, but, a brazen criminal impersonation, and a contemptuous cover-up and an act meant to ridicule law enforcement agents and a provocative invitation to acrimonious conflicts.

“Some other persons are ingloriously parading themselves making weird claims without substance, but with the motive to hoodwink the intelligence of members of the general public and the desperate job seekers, whom they are ready to “dagbo”, in the name of recruitment into a non-existing job or organization, and a non-certification training of no value.

“This fraudulent practice, which they have carried out over the years, and which has led to the death of many of their victims or that has fostered disaffection and separation in some families, would not be encouraged to continue with use of the provisional operation platform of the Nigerian Coast Guard.

“While the Facilitation Team of the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard is genuinely concerned with national interest and the future of the unborn Nigerians, these immediate economic package seekers have prided themselves in hot campaign of calumny against PC-NCG.

“This is an evidence that they are persons suffering from last-card hallucination and stressful financial disorder.

“Due to that, they want to make the money and ego by hook or crook. As a result, those they succeed in deceiving becomes their caged victims, with a mirage expectation.

“Their countless but cruel illegalities tumble over one another. The extent of cajoling Registered Private Maritime Security Outfits into a never to work marriage of deception shows the degree of disregard for boundaries. Enough of that imposturous and subversive stance. Enough of mediocrity and underhandedness.

“Enough of the unprovable claim and utter falsehood. These realities have been brought to the fore to evoke appropriate action by relevant authorities, stakeholders, private maritime security practitioners and members of the public, as these are not synonymous with the ideals of selflessly and patriotically pursuing a legitimate cause of facilitating the legal existence of the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard.

“Immediate AIP on appropriate burdens be followed. No two ways about it.

“These realities have been brought to the fore to evoke appropriate action as his sordid actions were not synonymous with the ideals of selflessly and patriotically pursuing a legitimate cause.

“He has succeeded in exposing himself for immediate AIP on criminal charges. No two ways about it.”

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