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Residents of Niger community abandon homes as bandits attacks continue

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Bandits’ attacks on Garam, a community in Niger State have continued unabated forcing residents to abandon their homes.

Garam, which shares a boundary with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has been under severe attacks from the bandits since December 24, 2023.

Recall that on Saturday, December 24, bandits invaded Garam community, which is a five-minute drive from Bwari, killing a pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God while kidnapping 13 other persons.

On Thursday, December 28, bandits again invaded Kuduru, in FCT, kidnapping 18 persons.

Similarly, on Friday, December 29, bandits invaded Azu, killing three people and kidnapping eight others.

However, following the ceaseless attacks, residents of the community decided against observing crossover service on December 31st.

A resident of the community who pleaded anonymity said most churches in the area observed the crossover service between 5pm and 8pm while a handful of churches with adequate security observed the crossover service between 10 pm and 4am.

The source added that the bandits returned on January 2, 2024, kidnapping a whole family, adding that the soldiers stationed in Azu, a neighbouring community, only arrived after the bandits had left.

The resident said: “Due to the fear of bandits, most churches did not observe crossover service on December 31st. Some churches observe the service between 5pm and 8pm. It was only MFM that observed the service from 11pm till 4am.

“Though soldiers patrol the community during the day, it has not stopped bandits from attacking the people at night.

“On January 2, an Igala man was attacked and the bandits kidnapped his whole family. They came with their tools to force the gate of the house open. They operated for 2 to 3 hours. The sound of their gun forced the vigilante to flee. The soldiers arrived after they had left.”

Another resident said people are moving out of Garam in droves while those who built houses there have sought refuge in other places.

He said the sprawling community is now being deserted as the military appears to have run out of ideas to tame the bandits.

The source added that it appears the bandits are targeting those with cars who can easily muster ransom payments if kidnapped.

Crime

Bandits kill respected community member, several others in Sokoto

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Several people, including a respected community member were killed during a bandit attack in Gidan Taro, Kwasare Sisawa ward, Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The incident which happened on Thursday night, was shared by security analyst Bakatsine in a post on Friday.

Among those killed was Alhaji Bello Gidan Taro, a well-known and respected leader in the community.

Many others were injured, and some were abducted during the violent raid.

“Yesterday night, bandits attacked Gidan Taro in Kwasare Sisawa ward, Wurno LGA, Sokoto State, killing several, injuring many and abducting others. Among those killed was a respected community member, Alh. Bello Gidan Taro,” Bakatsine wrote.

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Crime

N8.5m ransom recovered from kidnappers in Delta – Police

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The Delta State Police Command has confirmed the recovery of N8,500,000 from suspected kidnappers.

The State Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing newsmen in Asaba on the achievements of the command in July 2025.

According to him, N5,000,000 was recovered on July 12, 2025, at about 6:30 am, when operatives of the Special Anti‑Kidnapping and Cybercrime Squad trailed suspected kidnappers to their hideout in Ogwashi‑Uku, Aniocha South Local Government Area.

“A suspected kidnapper, Sanusi Abdulahi, was arrested in possession of the money,” he said.

The Commissioner of Police stated that the sum was part of the ransom his gang had collected from their last victim.

He further alleged that the gang was responsible for a series of kidnappings in Ibusa, Ogwashi‑Uku, Obulu‑Okiti, Issele‑Uku and Issele‑Asagba.

In another development, the police recovered N3,500,000 from suspected kidnappers who had abducted two female polytechnic students.

“The recovery was made when operatives stormed Ogwashi‑Uku forest on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.

“At about 11 pm, operatives of the Special Anti‑Kidnapping and Cybercrime Squad, in collaboration with men of the Nigerian Army attached to the 63 Brigade, embarked on an intelligence‑led operation and stormed the Ogwashi‑Uku forest, the hideout of suspected kidnappers who abducted two female polytechnic students on July 23, 2025, at Asagba Ogwashi.

“The combined team engaged the suspects in a gun duel, which led to the death of two of the suspected kidnappers.

“One AK‑47 rifle, 39 rounds of live ammunition, and a bag containing N3,500,000 suspected to be ransom collected from one of their victims were recovered,” he said.

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Crime

Soldier, 7 Others Rescued After Highway Abduction

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Eight passengers, including a serving soldier, have been rescued by troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) after being kidnapped by armed robbers along the Jos–Makurdi road near Rafin Sanyi in Riyom Local Government Area, Plateau State.

The abduction took place around 10:30 p.m. on August 2, while the victims were travelling in an ash-coloured Sharon vehicle.

According to a security source who spoke with Zagazola Makama, the OPSH Sector 6 troops stationed at Sopp community quickly responded to a distress call and confronted the kidnappers.

Seven passengers were freed immediately at the scene, but one, Corporal Munyal Abdullahi from 3 Division Garrison, was initially taken away by the attackers into the nearby hills.

Preliminary inquiries disclosed that the soldier, attached to the 73 ST Brigade Fire Unit as a driver, had just completed his duty and was heading to Abuja without an official pass, carrying yet-to-be-confirmed items intended for a relative.

The kidnappers contacted the rescued victims by phone, demanding a ransom of N60 million for the release of the soldier.

Nevertheless, through a well-coordinated search and rescue effort by OPSH forces working alongside other units, the soldier was eventually rescued and reunited with the other passengers.

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