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Tag: Bandits

Gunmen Kill Two and Abduct 12 Passengers in Benue

Five Farmers Killed in Benue’s Kwande Community as Suspected Herders Attack During Harvest

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Five farmers have been killed and several others injured after suspected armed herders attacked Udeku Maav-Ya community in Mbakyol Council Ward, Turan District, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State on Tuesday around 4:00 p.m. The attack occurred while residents were harvesting yams and bambara nuts, disrupting agricultural activities and raising fresh concerns over food security in the border community. Kwande LGA Chairman, Tersua Yarkwan, confirmed the fatalities and said the assailants did not immediately leave the area, heightening fear among residents. “This is a very disturbing incident. Five of our farmers were killed while harvesting their crops, and the attackers stayed back in the area for some time,” he said. Yarkwan described Kwande as a vulnerable border area with challenging terrain along the Cameroon frontier, which complicates security operations. “These repeated attacks, particularly during harvest season, pose a serious threat to food production,” he warned. Former supervisory councillor Lawrence Akerigba said the community was caught off guard and has faced sustained pressure from armed herders. “Our people have been subjected to shootings, destruction of crops and homes, and restricted access to water,” he said. The confirmed victims include Tyozua Gyuse, Gbaga Gyuse, and Tersuur Ijighka, while two others have yet to be identified. Some residents remain missing as search efforts continue. Akerigba also noted that repeated attacks have forced the closure of schools, churches, and markets, urging authorities to provide consistent security support. Efforts to reach Benue State Police Command spokesperson DSP Udeme Edet were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.

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Bandit Attack On Niger Market Kills Over 30, Many Others Kidnapped

Wale busari02 mins

At least 30 people, including women, were killed when bandits raided Kasuwan Daji market in Demo community, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State on Saturday. The attackers reportedly looted foodstuffs and other valuables worth millions of naira before setting the market ablaze. According to reports, the raid began around 4 pm and continued into the early hours of Sunday. Residents said several people were also abducted during the attack. One local, speaking to Daily Trust by phone, claimed that more than 50 people were tied up and killed as the bandits moved through the area unopposed. Eyewitnesses said the attackers emerged from the National Park in Borgu LGA and carried out the raid in broad daylight. Confirming the incident, Niger State Police Command spokesperson SP Wasiu Abiodun said over 30 people died and several others were kidnapped. He stated: “On 03/01/2026 at about 9 pm, information received revealed that at about 4:30 pm of the same date, suspected bandits from the National Park forest along Kabe District invaded Kasuwan-Daji, located at Demo Village via Kabe, and burnt the market, looted shops, and carted away food items. On 04/01/2026 at about 8 am, a report indicated that a joint security team visited the scene, and over 30 victims lost their lives during the attack. Some persons were also kidnapped. Efforts are ongoing to rescue the kidnapped victims. Further developments will be communicated.”

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Police Arrest Two Banditry and Kidnapping Kingpins Linked to Crimes Across Four States

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Operatives of the Force Intelligence Department of the Nigeria Police Force have recorded a major breakthrough with the arrest of two suspected bandits and kidnapping leaders linked to violent crimes across Katsina, Zamfara, Niger and Kwara States. The arrests were disclosed in a statement released on Friday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin. He said the operation was carried out on December 19, 2025, by the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team, working in collaboration with the Kwara State Police Command. The suspects were apprehended during a covert operation along the Komen–Masallaci axis of Kaiama Local Government Area in Kwara State. They were identified as Abubakar Usman, also known as Siddi’m, aged 26, and Shehu Mohammadu, also known as Gide’m, aged 30. Both were arrested in Komen–Masallaci village. Police revealed that Abubakar Usman had recently been identified as the individual seen in a viral video circulating on social media, where he was allegedly displaying firearms and large sums of money. Items recovered from the suspects include a brand new red Honda Ace 125 motorcycle valued at ₦1.85 million, which investigators said was bought with ransom proceeds, ₦500,000 in cash believed to be unspent ransom money, and an AK-47 rifle with a magazine loaded with 20 rounds of live ammunition. Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects are members of a dangerous banditry and kidnapping syndicate responsible for attacks across several states. Further findings also suggest that the group supplies arms and ammunition to other armed criminal gangs. The police said both suspects are cooperating with investigators to help track down other members of the network and recover additional weapons. The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, praised the operatives involved for their professionalism and dedication, and reassured Nigerians of the Force’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks and strengthening national security. He also urged the public to continue providing timely and credible information to support ongoing police operations.

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JUST IN: FG Declares Kidnappers, Violent Armed Groups As Terrorists

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The Federal Government has officially classified kidnappers and violent armed groups as terrorists, signaling a major escalation in Nigeria’s efforts to combat abductions, attacks on farmers, and rural insecurity. Information Minister Mohammed Idris announced the new designation on Monday during the end-of-year press briefing in Abuja. The move marks a shift from treating these crimes as ordinary offenses to addressing them under the nation’s full counterterrorism framework. “Henceforth, any armed group or individual that kidnaps our children, attacks our farmers, and terrorises our communities is officially classified and will be dealt with as a terrorist,” Idris said. He emphasized that the government will no longer allow ambiguity in labeling such threats. “Now, the era of ambiguous nomenclature is over. If you terrorize our people, whether you are a group or an individual, you are a terrorist and will be classified as such. There is no name hiding under this again,” he added. The minister explained that the policy will improve intelligence sharing and coordination among security agencies, allowing for faster and more decisive action against criminals. Idris highlighted the success of coordinated operations in 2025, which led to the capture of two of the continent’s most wanted criminals. To further secure vulnerable rural areas, the government will deploy trained forest guards tasked with surveillance, gathering local intelligence, and rapid response. These personnel are expected to disrupt criminal hideouts, dismantle camps, and secure remote locations often exploited by armed groups. Idris also revealed the capture of the ISWAP leader operating in Nigeria, describing him as one of Africa’s most wanted terrorists with a substantial U.S. bounty. “The ISWAP head residing in Nigeria has been captured through the coordination of all security agencies and intelligence units. Abu Barra was also apprehended a few months ago. Both are now facing justice,” he said. By classifying kidnappers and violent groups as terrorists, the government is sending a clear message of zero tolerance for abductions and rural violence, while expanding the powers of security forces to protect communities across Nigeria.

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Video Shows First ECWA Church Members Held Captive After Kogi Bandit Attack

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A video has surfaced showing members of the First ECWA Church abducted during an attack on Ayetoro Kiri in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, Kogi State. The worshippers were seized on December 14, 2025, when armed gunmen stormed the church, an assault that sent shockwaves through the community and prompted many residents to flee amid fears for their safety. The footage, reportedly released by the kidnappers, shows the victims in captivity as the armed group attempts to assert control and intimidate the local population. This attack is one of several recent security incidents in the area, raising growing concerns over the escalating insecurity in Kabba/Bunu and the broader Kogi West region. A video has emerged showing worshippers of the First ECWA Church who were abducted by Fulani Terrorists during an attack on Ayetoro Kiri in Kabba/Bunu LG of Kogi State begging for the release Can you see the kids and aged women? @OfficialOAU @KingsleyFanwo @officialABAT… pic.twitter.com/D7gREwqY7N — 𝐊𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐗𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 (@kogi_xcommunity) December 20, 2025

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Armed Bandits Attack First ECWA Church in Ayetoro Kiri, Kill One and Abduct Worshippers

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Armed bandits launched an attack on the First ECWA Church in Ayetoro Kiri, Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State early Sunday, December 14, 2025, leaving one person dead and several worshippers reportedly kidnapped. The deceased, identified only as Jayjay, was killed during the assault. The total number of abducted worshippers has not yet been confirmed, as security operatives and local authorities continue their assessment. This attack comes amid rising insecurity in Okun land, following a similar incident on November 30, 2025, when armed men raided a Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ejiba, Yagba West Local Government Area. During that attack, the cleric Orlando and several worshippers were abducted. The assailants initially demanded a ₦500 million ransom, later reducing it to ₦200 million, giving families a two-day deadline and warning of unspecified consequences if the demand was not met. Residents also recalled that Ayetoro Kiri faced an earlier threat about three weeks ago when armed assailants attempted to raid a local school. On that occasion, the community vigilante group successfully repelled the attackers, preventing any casualties or abductions. The latest church attack has intensified fears among locals, who are urging the Kogi State Government and security agencies to step up efforts to protect lives and prevent further incidents.

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Bandits Use Advanced Technology To Evade Security, Says Bosun Tijani

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Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s minister of communications, innovation and digital economy, has disclosed that bandits are using advanced technology to evade surveillance, making it difficult for security agencies to track their activities. Speaking with Seun Okinbaloye on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Friday night, Tijani explained that monitoring the communications of these criminal groups is far more complex than most Nigerians realise. He said bandits deliberately route their calls through multiple towers, a tactic that allows them to stay ahead of security operatives. “The reason why the president actually pushed us to invest in towers in those areas is that we realised there was a special kind of technology that they were using to call,” Tijani said. “They were not using the normal towers; they bounce calls off multiple towers. That is why they enjoy living in areas that are unconnected.” The minister added that the federal government is also working to upgrade Nigeria’s satellites to enhance monitoring and intelligence gathering. “Because if our towers are not working, our satellites will work,” he said. Tijani stressed that the situation underscores the urgent need for significant investment in telecommunications infrastructure. “If you go to China, they have over four million 5G towers. The total number of towers we have in Nigeria is just about 40,000,” he noted. His comments come as insecurity surges across the country, particularly in the north, with recent incidents including the abduction of schoolchildren in Niger and Kebbi states and attacks on churches in Kogi and Kwara states. The ongoing wave of kidnappings and killings has sparked public concern, leading the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to announce a nationwide protest set for December 17.

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JUST IN: Three Family Members Kidnapped By Bandits In Patigi, Kwara State

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Three members of a family were abducted by armed bandits on Sunday in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State while returning from a condolence visit. According to local sources who spoke anonymously, the kidnapping occurred around 7:00 a.m. as the victims were heading home after paying respects to a deceased relative. The abducted individuals, all from Agboro community, were reportedly being taken toward Isanlu in Kogi State at the time of reporting. They have been identified as Abiodun Abidemi and Abiodun Olumide, brothers of the deceased, and Ayomide Moses, the son of the deceased. Residents said Patigi Local Government has been vulnerable to bandit attacks for months, with criminals reportedly ignoring existing security measures. The state Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, however, denied knowledge of the incident, saying: “I am not aware.”

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