Security
Terrorism: Niger East Senatorial District under siege, Senator Sani Musa laments
As bandits continue to wreak havoc , killing and kidnapping people in the Niger East Senatorial zone of Niger State, the Senator representing the area, Sani Musa has cried out to the federal government to come to the rescue of his people.
Senator Sani, in a statement made available to Journalists in Minna, Tuesday, he stated that his Senatorial district has been placed under heavy siege by the unabated activities of armed bandits.
No fewer than 30 villagers have been kidnapped in recent weeks in the senatorial zone, most of them women.
While five of the kidnap victims were reportedly killed, one was severely injured by the bandits.
An entire community in Munya Local Government Area (LGA), according to reports from the area, has also been taken over by the bandits who used it as their camp.
Musa described the latest development in his senatorial district as unacceptable and asked the federal government and the security agencies to do the needful by rescuing “my people from the hands of these blood-thirsty marauders.”
He lamented that the heightened insecurity in the Munya LGA has rendered the villagers jobless as they can no longer access their farmlands and other means of livelihood.
The senator noted that his constituency accounts for almost 60 per cent of food production in the entire Niger State, adding that as a result of the activities of bandits and terrorists, 80 per cent of these farmers have been forced to leave their farms and homes.
“The latest attack and acts of terrorism targeted at my people by these criminal elements are inhuman, wicked and unacceptable.
“The people have been forced out of their farm lands and their ancestral homes, and have been turned into refugees in their own land, this is unfortunate,
“I seriously feel the pain of my people; it is very sad to see people being forced out of their homes without committing any crime. My people are helpless and the authority must act immediately to restore normalcy in the communities”.he added
Musa requested the federal government, the armed forces, and other security agencies to “stand together and rise to the occasion, to bring this ugly situation under control”, adding that the situation if allowed to continue, would frustrate the food security programme of the government.
Already eight women were among the 23 people kidnapped last Thursday after gunmen raided the Tsohon Kabula community in the Munya LGA.
A report from the area said a large number of the bandits operated on foot unlike in the past when they rode on motorcycles.
The men in the village were said to have escaped, leaving the women and girls to the mercy of the bandits.
Efforts to get police confirmation did not yield any result as the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Wasiu Abiodun did not respond to calls made to his mobile phone.
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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