NEWS
Bandits Slaughter Scores In Zamfara, Abduct 30 Girls
Over the weekend, bandits invaded settlements in Zamfara State’s Maradun Local Government Area, where they killed numerous residents and kidnapped at least 30 girls.
One of the abducted females who was able to escape captivity returned with nothing more than her head scarf, a survivor told the BBC Hausa Service in an interview that was recorded yesterday.
On Saturday afternoon, terrorists attacked the settlements of Sakkida and Jambako, killing nearly 20 residents in Sakkida and injuring many more.
According to a villager, who survived the attack, “We woke up peacefully, there was rain and some locals had prepared to go to the farm. Suddenly, there was a report that the terrorists have attacked a neighbouring village, Sakkida.
“The local vigilante, JTF, called the people of Janbako and sought for help. Our volunteers and other community members took up arms and headed to the village.
“There is a hill before you reach the village. Not knowing that the terrorists had laid ambush behind the hill, they opened fire on our people. Today in Jambako, 22 people were buried.
“Security operatives were called but they replied that they cannot come immediately because their armoured personnel carrier was not on the ground.
“The security operatives tried, they chased the terrorists. When they came back, they came with motorcycles that belonged to the terrorists.
“Many people were injured, some were shot, and others were hit with machetes. In Janbako, there were no security operatives stationed there to provide security.”
Another local told journalists that girls were abducted in Gora village while picking firewood in the bush at Daggera, adding that last week, the terrorists killed three locals and abducted another three.
He said: “Now they’ve abducted our girls, over 30. They sent a message that this year, if we want to cultivate our farms in Daggera, we must have a truce with them.
“We’ve been doing that with them, we can’t even count the number of times we entered into such an agreement. We don’t know what to do.”
He alleged that security operatives were yet to go on search and rescue of the abducted Zamfara girls.
According to the BBC Hausa Service, the police in Zamfara confirmed the incident but had no details.
Reacting to the latest attack, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, described it as barbaric and unprovoked aggression against innocent people, adding that his administration would not fold its arms and allow criminal elements to unleash terror without repercussions.
“The unfortunate incident came at a time when his government is working hard toward strategizing on how to bring an end to the protracted security problem in the state.
“A directive has been issued to the heads of security agencies in the state to, as a matter of urgency, deploy more security personnel to the affected communities to forestall further destruction of lives and property in the area,” Lawal said in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mustapha Jafaru.
Similarly, soldiers of Operation Hadarin Daji have also killed five terrorists who were responsible for the attacks on the communities. The military found two AK-47 guns, ammunition, and an unknown number of livestock, goats, and donkeys that had been rustled.
Residents of Istanbul were jolted by a 6.2-magnitude earthquake on Wednesday, which struck the Marmara Sea near the city’s western fringes, prompting widespread concern but causing no immediate casualties.
The quake, which occurred at 12:49 p.m. local time (0949 GMT), originated in Silivri, according to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya.
“An earthquake of 6.2 magnitude occurred in Silivri, Marmara Sea, Istanbul,” he confirmed on X, formerly Twitter. Yerlikaya also noted that tremors were felt in nearby provinces.
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Following the initial tremor, Turkey’s disaster management authority, AFAD, reported three more earthquakes ranging from 4.4 to 4.9 in magnitude.
The seismic activity sent people fleeing onto the streets, with many seen anxiously checking their phones or making calls.
“I just felt earthquake, I’ve got to get out,” said a decorator who dashed out of a fourth-floor apartment near Galata Tower. He declined to give his name, visibly shaken by the experience.
Despite the intensity, there were no reports of injuries or building collapses in the city of approximately 16 million people.
“Until now, we have no information about any buildings collapsing,” the governor’s office stated, urging residents to avoid entering structures that may have sustained damage.
Reassuring citizens, the Istanbul municipality also confirmed, “No serious cases have been reported so far following the earthquake in Istanbul,” in a post on X.
Tremors from the quake were reportedly felt as far as Sofia, Bulgaria, according to AFP journalists in the capital.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation as aftershocks persist and damage assessments are conducted across the region.
As violent attacks and killings continue to plague parts of Benue State, Governor Hyacinth Alia has ruled out the need for a state of emergency, insisting instead on immediate and absolute support from the Federal Government to combat the crisis.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s The Morning Show on Wednesday, Governor Alia said the security situation, though dire, is not beyond the capacity of his administration to manage.
However, he emphasized that increased federal assistance is crucial to fully restoring peace to the troubled state.
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“What we need is emergency help for now. We need absolute support,” the governor stated. “The federal government is supporting — they sent two armoured tanks that came in. Our situation had changed. We had a better narrative, but what we need to do is to get our people back home, to drive out the invaders… Calling for any emergency does not occur here.”
Alia blamed the persistent violence on armed herders, many of whom he claims are non-Nigerians. According to him, the assailants have displaced local farmers and occupied ancestral lands, creating a humanitarian and security crisis that needs urgent attention.
The governor also pointed to progress made under his administration, noting a reduction in the number of local government areas under attack from 17 to just six.
“We couldn’t have trimmed it from 17 local governments in the front lines of the attacks to nine and then now to six, which means we have the capability to do this — but we need help. And that is a fact,” he said.
Governor Alia reaffirmed his commitment to protecting the people of Benue and restoring displaced communities, but stressed that federal collaboration remains vital to achieving lasting peace in the state.
In a daring move, geared towards addressing prevalent security challenges, Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, summoned a security meeting in Iyamho, Etsako West Local Government Area.
It was gathered that notable attendees at the meeting, on Monday, were prominent political, religious, and traditional leaders, heads of security agencies in the state, and other key stakeholders.
They converged to brainstorm on how to address the peculiar security challenges in Edo North, where security breaches have become almost routine.
Gov Okpebholo, after the meeting held behind closed doors, assured that under his watch, criminal elements will not succeed in distabilizing Edo State.
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He vowed to deal with them decisively and make the state inhabitable for their activities.
Speaker Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA), Rt. Hon Blessing Agbebaku; former governor of Edo State and Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; Minister for Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh; former deputy governors of Edo State, Peter Obadan and Philip Shaibu, were at the meeting.
Others were the former Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Ogiadomeh; former Minister for State Budget, Clem Agba; traditional and religious leaders, security chiefs, and other stakeholders in the security sector.
Gov Okepbholo said the security stakeholders’ meeting became necessary to ensure peace and security are maintained across the state, particularly in Edo North.
He noted that political, religious, and traditional leaders attended the meeting, where they all discussed the security challenges facing the people and came up with possible solutions.
Gov Okpebholo pointed out that Edo people should expect a better security situation in the state, as all the deliberations will be properly utilized.
“We came here for a peaceful discussion regarding security, and all our leaders are here, both traditional and religious leaders. The closed door meeting was successful as we had a good deliberation, and discussions were fruitful. We had a perfect discussion. Let us watch it from here. Things will be perfect in our land,” he stated.
Comrade Oshiomhole, after the meeting, commended Gov Okpebholo for his approach to handling security issues in the State.
He appreciated him for the security meeting and assured Edo people that the Gov Okpebholo-led administration will make Edo State safe for all to live and do business.
“Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has come to Edo North to discuss with the people what he has been doing and what he will do in terms of security of lives and property in Edo State.
“The meeting lasted for three hours, and it enabled the Governor to listen to comments from stakeholders and all those present. The Governor gave us the assurance that he will continue to ensure Edo is safe for us all,” he said.
Comrade Oshiomhole said Gov Okpebholo has provided vehicles and motor bikes for the police and other security agencies.
“The Governor recognized that the local people have their own role to play. We have discussed how the community will work with security agencies and forward any information they have to the Governor through available channels.
“The Governor came to meet us and to hear us out. This is the first time a Governor is doing this. I do not think during my time as a governor, I came for security meetings like we have done today.
“The people have expressed their confidence in the Governor. They have reaffirmed their loyalty and commitment to work together with the security agencies so that Afenmai land will be safe,” he added.
Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Bishop Gabriel Dunia, appreciated all who came for the stakeholders’ meeting and urged them to collaborate to ensure peace in Edo State.
“We are very much appreciative of our Governor and all the traditional rulers who have come for us all to deliberate on the security of our people and our land. People have spoken their minds on the way forward, and we will work with it to ensure our land knows peace,” he stated.
A traditional ruler from Edo North, His Royal Highness (HRH), Mallam Ali Suleiman, said the security meeting has given stakeholders confidence, while traditional rulers have resolved to collaborate with security agencies and stakeholders to ensure peace in Edo State.
“Today, we are experiencing a landmark event in response to security issues agitating our minds. The Governor came here by himself, not delegating anyone to handle the meeting.
“We have been very worried about the development. The Governor came here himself and also the Minister for Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh and this has given us confidence and we the traditional rulers have resolved to work with security agencies and all stakeholders to ensure the State is safe for us all.”
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