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Tension in schools as terrorists kidnap over 800 in one week, kill scores

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Safety of schoolchildren is again under scrutiny as bandits carry out audacious attacks across the Northern part of the country.

From Wednesday, March 6 to Monday March 11, about 800 unsuspecting Nigerians, mostly schoolchildren, were kidnapped by daredevil terrorists in the northern part of the country.

According to Amnesty International, AI, Boko Haram terrorists abducted over 400 people, including women and children in Borno State on Tuesday last week.

The Islamic extremists abducted the victims who reportedly left the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, camps in Gamboru Ngala council area to search for firewood.

The victims were mostly women and children sacked from their ancestral homes by the terrorists causing mayhem in the Northeast.

Barely 24 hours after the Borno attack, over 280 pupils and teachers of Government Secondary School and LEA primary school at Kuriga, Kaduna State were abducted by bandits on March 8, triggering national outrage.

The blood-thirsty bandits invaded the Kuriga area of the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State in the morning shooting at their victims before taking away at least 280 of the pupils and teachers.

A few days after the Kuriga incident, the assailants struck again in Buda community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, abducting over 61 people.

About four persons were reportedly killed during the unfortunate incident.

Recall that armed men broke into a boarding school in Gidan Bakuso village of the Gada council area in Sokoto State on March 9 and abducted about 15 children. The attackers invaded the school when the children were sleeping.

Killing in Benue State

The same week, over 50 persons, including a family of seven, were killed following the invasion of Gbagir community in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, by suspected armed Fulani militia.

Over 16 people were killed on March 8 during an attack on Wa-ndoo, a community in Mbalom, Gwer-East Local Government Area of Benue State.

The attackers, whom the state governor, Hyacinth Alia and residents claimed were armed herders, invaded the community at night while some of the residents were having supper. They opened fire on residents and whisked some away.

Tension in schools

Since the 2014 incident when more than 200 schoolgirls were kidnapped by the Islamic extremists in Borno State’s Chibok village, there has been a series of abductions of school children.

The armed gangs have targeted and attacked several schools for ransom.

The recent attacks, particularly the abduction of 280 students in Kaduna State have triggered tension in other school facilities across the nation, especially in the Northern region.

Parents in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Abuja are worried over rumours of planned attacks in schools.

There are rumours that the terrorists are planning to launch attacks in some government-owned schools, particularly in Bwari, Bwari Area Council.

Some schools have adjusted their academic calendar to enable students to write their second-term examinations and proceed for Easter holidays.

One of the parents, Mrs Maria Adakwu, who spoke on Saturday, urged the Nigerian government and the security agencies to beef up security across schools in Abuja.

Maria is worried over the safety of her daughter schooling at the Federal Government College, FGC, Kwali in Sheda village, an outskirt of the nation’s capital.

Recall that the school community was attacked in February 2022, forcing the Federal Government to promptly order the immediate closure of the facility.

According to Mrs Maria, “the government and the security agencies need to be proactive in ensuring the safety of our children. We don’t need to wait until it happens before we take action.

“Most schools in the FCT have remained the same in terms of security despite what has been happening around us. The kidnapping in Kaduna State should be a warning and a sign that it can happen anywhere.

“Parents, especially those of us who have children in boarding schools, hardly sleep with our two eyes closed. We need to be sure of the safety of our children”.

However, when contacted, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh allayed fear of any attacks, assuring that schools in the FCT were safe.

She said, “FCT is very safe. All schools are well fortified within the territory and there is no reason to fear any intimidation from any quarters.”

It was gathered on Sunday that some parents in Kaduna State, particularly residents of Chikun Local Government are withdrawing their children from public schools over fear of attacks.

Although the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Mansir Hassan declined speaking on the matter, a security source who preferred not to be mentioned, confirmed that parents and guardians are withdrawing their pupils.

According to him, the recent abduction has triggered palpable fear in many parts of the state.

He said, “Insecurity is a very serious issue here. It is not just about school, people are scared of going out to places like marketplace, mosques and churches because of the bandits.

“Some security officers are also finding ways to be transferred from here.

“We are always the first target in any attack. Wherever they want to attack, they first attack the police formation in the area and sometimes, the attacks happen simultaneously.

“You can’t blame parents for withdrawing their children from schools. It is not possible for the police to be in every school at the same time.

“Some communities are very far from town, so securing those places can be a little difficult. This is why we need more hands. The government should recruit able youths that will help in this matter”.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government, on Wednesday, said it would not pay “a dime” as ransom for the release of over 280 pupils and teachers kidnapped from the Government Secondary School and LEA Primary School at Kuriga, Kaduna State.

The Government also said it had received offers of help from the United States and other countries to secure the student’s release and was weighing the offers.

Crime

26-year-old employee murders boss in Delta

The suspect claimed that the man has owed him for about six to eight months, the sum of 300k, and because he was angry at his employer that was why he murdered him with a pestle.

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•The spokesperson of the Delta State Police Command, Bright Edafe

A 26-year-old apprentice, Anwaji Moses, has killed his 38-year-old boss, who is the owner of a palm oil milling business in Delta State.

Moses confessed to having killed his boss, Victor Ochei, in a video shared by the spokesperson of the Delta State Police Command, Bright Edafe, on Monday.

While narrating the unfortunate incident, Edafe revealed that the deceased owed his apprentice about six months’ salaries before his death.

“He met his waterloo when he was going to his site alongside his boy, someone he employs and pays salaries.

The suspect claimed that the man has owed him for about six to eight months, the sum of 300k, and because he was angry at his employer that was why he murdered him with a pestle.

The man has an oil milling factory where this boy was also working for him,” said Edafe.

Moses corroborated the spokesperson that his deceased boss had last paid him his salary in 2024, and whenever he confronted him about it, the deceased would tell him he was building a house.

Moses added that he had stopped working for his boss but returned to him after the deceased pleaded with him to return to work with him.

He also said his boss would give him the sum of N500 to feed on every day.

“Each time I confronted him, he would tell me that I am asking for money and I should calm down, that he is building a house.

He knows I don’t have anybody to help me,” said Moses. While narrating how he killed his boss, Moses said he hit him twice with a pestle when they were heading to purchase palm fruits for palm oil processing.

He moved his body from the scene, hid it, and carted away with his motorcycle and phone. When the sister of the deceased called, Moses told him he had been abducted and requested a ransom of N10 million.

“I was scared and didn’t want anybody to discover. I took his phone. I told his sister that she should send me money because he has been kidnapped. I asked for N10 million, and she sent 300k to an Opay account,” he added.

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Crime

Major Human Trafficking Networks Busted: Police Apprehend 11, Save Victims

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The Nigeria Police Force has dismantled two major syndicates operating within the country, rescuing multiple victims, including children, pregnant women, and foreign nationals, while arresting a total of eleven (11) suspects across two states.

The operation comes in a bold and well coordinated crackdown on organised human trafficking.

Recently, acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Zone-13 Police Command executed a precision-led sting operation, targeting a deeply rooted child trafficking and baby factory network.

The operation led to the arrest of eight suspects from various locations, including Uzoamaka Ani (27), Joy Madu (52), and Victoria Onodu Akasike (56).

These individuals, during interrogation, confessed to active involvement in child theft, abduction, illegal adoption schemes, and the operation of unlicensed medical facilities functioning as baby factories.

Their criminal activities were strategically spread across Enugu and Anambra States, targeting vulnerable women and children for exploitation and sale.

The victims rescued during the operation include a seven-month-old infant, a four-year-old child, and two heavily pregnant women, all held under captivity in a remote village.

Both pregnant women, identified as indigenes of Ebonyi State, were reportedly lured and held for the purpose of forced births and subsequent sale of their newborns.

The rescue was swift and executed without harm to the victims, who are now in safe custody and receiving necessary care.

Meanwhile, efforts have intensified to apprehend other members of the syndicate who managed to escape during the sting.

In a similar development, operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have successfully rescued a Ghanaian national, David Angerinya, who was trafficked into Nigeria under pretences.

This operation was launched following a formal petition from the Interpol Liaison Office at Force Headquarters, Abuja, calling for immediate police intervention in a suspected case of transnational human trafficking.

Acting swiftly, the operatives initiated a targeted investigation that led to the arrest of three suspects: Hayford Nyamekye, Awine Alex, and Kojo Felix.

Investigations revealed that these suspects are part of a wider international trafficking syndicate that specialises in deceiving individuals, particularly from neighbouring West African countries, with fake promises of employment and travel visas to countries like Canada.

During the operation, an additional thirty-nine Ghanaian nationals were discovered to have fallen victim to the same group. Many of them lacked valid travel documentation, while those in possession of passports presented expired papers, further underscoring the depth of exploitation.

The victims were found in distressing conditions and are currently undergoing medical treatment.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, commends the gallantry of all operatives involved in these successful operations, which further underscores the firm stance of the Nigeria Police Force against all forms of human trafficking, child exploitation, and transnational crimes.

Members of the public are encouraged to maintain vigilance and support ongoing efforts by reporting any suspicious individuals or movements to the nearest police station or command.

The Force remains resolute in its duty to protect the vulnerable and bring perpetrators to justice, reinforcing the message that such crimes will not be tolerated under any guise.

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Crime

One Killed, Houses Burnt as Suspected Herders Storm Taraba

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Violence erupted in some farming communities in Karim Lamido Local Government Area in Taraba State, leaving one person dead and 100 houses burnt to the ground following an attack by suspected herders.

The incident has sparked fear and unrest in the local community.

According to eyewitness accounts, the attack began in the early hours of the morning, with armed individuals believed to be herders descending upon the village.

Residents reported that the attackers opened fire indiscriminately, leading to the death of one person while several other villagers sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical attention.

While confirming the latest attacks, the youth leader of the community, Ishaya Peter, described the attacks as unprovoked and also condemned it.

He said residents were discussing when the attackers stormed the community and opened fire, killing at least one person and razing several buildings in the process.

In addition to the loss of life, the attackers set fire to multiple houses, leaving families displaced and without shelter. The extent of the damage is still being assessed, but early reports indicate significant property loss.

The motive for the attack is currently under investigation, but it is believed to be linked to ongoing tensions between herder and farming communities in the region over land and resources.

Security forces have been deployed to the area to restore order and investigate the incident. However, residents are expressing concern about the lack of adequate security and the slow response time of authorities.

The incident underscores the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the herder-farmer conflict and highlights the importance of proactive measures to prevent further violence and protect vulnerable communities.

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