Security
Tension as bandits commander, Turji releases names of Sokoto communities to pay taxes, issues ultimatum [Full list]
Bandits operating in Sokoto State under the leadership of a notorious Commander, Bello Turji have imposed taxes to about 42 communities to pay.
Deadline for the payment has also been set, according to a local media which interacted with the locals.
The bandits leader, Turji reportedly relocated from Zamfara to Sokoto in the heat of military onslaught which led to the seizure of network for security reasons.
However, Sokoto communities haven’t had rest since the bandits leader relocated into the forest where he was said to have built his camp.
As part of his operations, he has dethroned some district heads and imposed commanders under him which he told the affected villagers to shift loyalty to his installed village heads.
Speaking on the development, a village said:
“If we don’t pay the taxes, they’ll kill our people.
“There is nothing we can do since the government has shown that they can’t help us.”
Since the levies were imposed in October, residents of the affected communities have had sleepless nights rallying around to raise the funds.
Over 40 under-policed villages in Sabon Birnin have had to pay over N67 million to fill bandits’ pockets.
Meanwhile, northwest bandits are capturing villages misgoverned by state and federal authorities. On Sunday, news from Sokoto was dominated by accounts of villagers lamenting how bandits imposed new district heads on them after capturing their villages.
“Some of the communities paid N1.5 million each while others paid up to N2 million or even N4 million across three wards,” FIJ quoted a villager as saying after his community paid to bandits.
“Everyone in the village was asked to pay N5,000. Everybody paid. I also paid. It was compulsory payment.”
A youth leader in one of the terrorised villages said complying with bandits’ directives was the only way their safety could be ensured. He said recent events in the communities had discouraged him to convince his people to vote for any politicians in subsequent elections.
“Recently, we made some payments,” he said.
“We paid the money not because we so wished, but because we didn’t have any other option. I observed that some villages had paid before us. Definitely, if we didn’t pay, they might attack us.”
Despite paying millions to bandits, the victimised residents are still uncertain, knowing that the ongoing ceasefire is just temporary.
After interviews with local sources, village heads, and community journalists, below are names of villages that have paid millions of naira in taxes to bandits;
1- Kwatsal N3million
2- Kwarengamba N4million
3- Dakwaro N2.5million
4- Masawa N2milliom
5- Kuzari N2.5million
6- Dogon Marke N3million
7- Kuka N1.5million
8- Kaifin Aska N2million
9- Allakiru N2million
10- Gomozo N3million
11- Ayifara N1.5million
12- Dan Aduwa N1.5million
13- Garki N4million
14- Katuma N2.5million
15- Garin Idi N1million
16- Rambaɗawa N500,000
17- Tudun Wanda N370,000
18- Nasarawa N600,000
19- Zangon Ga Itace N300,000
20- Makuwana N1million
21- Tsauna N200,000
22- Tagirke N2.1million
23- Adarawa N1.8million
24- Atallawa N800,000
25- Kiratawa N2.1million
26- Hawan Diran N80,000
27- Dukkuma N2.1million
28- Takaki N600,000
29- Dubai N100,000
30- Dan Maliki N400,000
31- Bore N2million
32- Mallamawa N1million
33- Kimba N1.85million
34- Katsira N1.5million
35- Faru N4million
36- Dungurum N500,000
37- Jinjira N4million
38- Walkiya Sabuwa N1million
39- Walkiya Tsohuwa N300,000
40- Kitamau N600,000
41- Gangara N1.5million
42- Zangon Abamu N2million
TOTAL N66,620,000
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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