Crime

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

Published

2 years ago

March 18, 2024

148 Views

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

Kogi Investigating Suspected Child Traffickers

Several suspects linked to the trafficking operation have been arrested, including individuals who claimed they were transporting the children to establish an informal “Islamic school” within Yagba East.

Published

6 days ago

December 8, 2025

OCHEFA

56 Views

Photo: 21 children trafficked/ Govt House

The Kogi State Government had foil a group of underaged children trafficked into the State, in what is suspected to be a covert recruitment attempt for banditry training.

In a statement by Kingsley Femi Fanwo, Commissioner for Information and Communications, said that on December 5, 2025, eagle-eyed security operatives of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Yagba Area Command in collaboration with other security agencies in Isanlu, acted on credible intelligence from community hunters, intercepted a truck conveying 21 children aged between 6 and 17 years into Kogi State.

Initial investigations revealed that the children had been moved from different northern states under suspicious circumstances by adults who could not provide legitimate justification for their movement.

Further arrests were made as security operatives intensified surveillance within the area, uncovering additional persons allegedly connected to the movement of the minors.

Some of the suspects were also found with items raising significant security concerns.

The rescued children have since been transferred to the State Command of the NSCDC in Lokoja for detailed investigation and proper profiling of all persons involved.

Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, Executive Governor of Kogi State, has directed the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to take full custody of the underaged victims, ensure their wellbeing, and provide the necessary psychosocial support pending the conclusion of investigations.

Upon completion of profiling and verification, the children will be handed over to their respective State Governments for further investigation and eventual reintegration with their families.

Meanwhile, all individuals found culpable in this trafficking operation will be prosecuted in line with Kogi State’s Child Trafficking and Child Rights Protection Laws.

The Kogi State Government reiterates its uncompromising stance against child trafficking, criminal infiltration, and any form of security threat.

The administration of Governor Ododo will continue to work closely with security agencies and local communities to safeguard every part of the State.

Crime

Trump targets anti-Christian violence with new visa crackdown policy on Nigerians

Published

2 weeks ago

December 3, 2025

Charles Flames

89 Views

The Trump administration is rolling out a new visa-restriction policy in response to a wave of brutal anti-Christian attacks in Nigeria, targeting those accused of orchestrating religious violence against Christians in the West African nation and around the world.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Wednesday that a new policy in the Immigration and Nationality Act will allow the State Department to deny visas to those “who have directed, authorized, significantly supported, participated in, or carried out violations of religious freedom.” Immediate family members may also face visa restrictions in some cases.

“The United States is taking decisive action in response to the mass killings and violence against Christians by radical Islamic terrorists, Fulani ethnic militias, and other violent actors in Nigeria and beyond,” Rubio said in the statement.

The move follows a surge of attacks on Christians and Christian institutions in Nigeria. Last month, gunmen stormed the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State, killing two people and kidnapping dozens. The 38 abducted worshipers were freed nearly a week later.

Days later, armed attackers raided St. Mary’s School in Niger State, abducting more than 300 students and staff. School officials said 50 students aged 10 to 18 escaped in the following days, but 253 students and 12 teachers remain captive.

The violence prompted President Donald Trump to designate Nigeria a “country of particular concern,” though the Nigerian government disputes the U.S. assessment.

“I’m really angry about it,” the president told Fox News Radio last month. “What’s happening in Nigeria is a disgrace.”

Rubio said the new visa restrictions will apply to Nigeria and to any other governments or individuals involved in violating religious freedom.

Echoing Trump’s warning, Rubio said: “As President Trump made clear, the ‘United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria, and numerous other countries.’”

Crime

Sokoto Police Arrests Notorious “Sai Malam” Cult Members, Exposes Online Recruitment via WhatsApp

During interrogation, the suspects revealed that they were initiated into the unlawful “Sai Malam” society through a private WhatsApp group named “Red Chamber.”

Published

2 weeks ago

November 30, 2025

OCHEFA

117 Views

The Sokoto State Police Command, under the leadership of Cp Ahmed Musa,psc through its dedicated Anti-Kidnapping Unit, has announced a significant breakthrough in its fight against organized crime with the arrest of three notorious members of a cult group known as “Sai Malam.”

The group has been a growing source of fear and concern for communities across the state.

The arrests were carried out on Friday, November 28, 2025, at about 2300 hours, following a meticulously executed operation driven by credible intelligence.

The primary suspect, Usman Shu’aibu ‘M’, along with two other accomplices, were apprehended and has since provided detailed confessions regarding the group’s activities.

During interrogation, the suspects revealed that they were initiated into the unlawful “Sai Malam” society through a private WhatsApp group named “Red Chamber.”

Investigations confirm that this digital platform was created with the explicit purpose of luring and initiating innocent youths into a wide range of criminal and morally reprehensible activities, including:

* Witchcraft and Ritualist Practices

* The pursuit of Demonic Powers

* Acts of Homosexuality

* Organized Thuggery and ViolenceIn light of these disturbing revelations, the Sokoto State Police Command issues a strong advisory warning to all parents and guardians.

The “Red Chamber” WhatsApp group highlights a dangerous trend where criminal elements are exploiting digital platforms and social media to target and corrupt the youth.

Parents are urged to:

* Actively monitor their children’s activities on smartphones and social media applications.

* Engage in open conversations about the dangers of online groups and the importance of rejecting unsolicited invitations from strangers.

* Be vigilant regarding sudden changes in their wards’ behavior, social circles, and secrecy around their phones.

* Report any suspicious online activities or peer group influences to the authorities immediately.

The arrest of these individuals is a direct response to the growing concerns and pleas from residents regarding the destabilizing activities of the “Sai Malam” group.

The Command wishes to reassure the public that their voices have been heard.”

We want to assure the good people of Sokoto that we have been listening to their concerns. The arrest of these suspects is a clear demonstration that their calls for action have been answered.

Our efforts have disrupted a key cell of this notorious group, and we are committed to ensuring the safety and security of every citizen,” Cp Musa stated.

The Police Command confirms that investigative efforts are being intensified to track down and arrest the remaining members of the “Sai Malam” gang. The public is encouraged to continue cooperating with security agencies by providing timely and useful information.

The Command is dedicated to protecting the lives and property of all citizens within the state.

Through proactive intelligence-led policing, community cooperation, and relentless pursuit of criminal elements, we strives to maintain peace, law, and order.