Gunmen kill 30 in fresh Niger attack

*State govt cries out to FG for help

Gunmen again invaded Sarkin Pawa, headquarters of Munyan Local Government Area of Niger State, Tuesday,  killing no fewer than thirty people.

The incident happened in Kachiwe village and spread to other adjourning villages in the area.

Vanguard gathered that the bandits are suspected to be part of those who were smoked out of their hideouts in Kaduna State.

They were said to have arrived in the village on Motorcycles fully armed and started shooting sporadically to scare the villagers during which many people were killed.

From Kachiwe Village, the bandits reportedly took their onslaught into the adjourning communities where many were also killed.

Secretary to the Niger State Government, Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, who confirmed the attack in a telephone conversation in Minna did not give the actual number of those who died from the attacks.

He said the State Government is not leaving any stone unturned in its efforts at ridding the state of crime and appealed to Nigerllites to provide security agencies with credible information to succeed.

He also called on the Federal Government to come to the rescue of the state.

“What is happening to us in Niger State in terms of insecurity is beyond our power and this is why we are calling on the Federal Government to come to our rescue immediately,” the SSG pleaded.

Similarly, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Monday Bala Kuryas, also confirmed the attack in a telephone interview in Minna adding that the Police have taken steps towards tracking down the perpetrators of the criminal act.

“A team of policemen have been dispatched to the area to safeguard lives and properties of people of Sarkin Pawa,” the Commissioner revealed.

He also confirmed that three people were killed during the attack of Kagara, Rafi local government council of the state by gunmen on Monday.

....Slay another 4 in Plateau communities 

Four people have been confirmed killed and one injured in two communities of Irigwe Chiefdom, Bassa local government area, Plateau State as gunmen opened fire on the victims, Tuesday.

Although security agents did not confirm the incidents as the State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Gabriel Uba did not pick his calls nor reply to the text sent to him at the time of filling this report but Davidson Malison, the National Publicity Secretary, Irigwe Development Association, IDA confirmed the attacks with gory photographs.

According to him, “Four people have been confirmed killed by herders on Tuesday around 6:50 pm. Three persons on a motorcycle were ambushed along Twin Hill Road, Jebbu Miango, Miango District of Rigwe Chiefdom, two were killed instantly and one sustained gunshot injuries. They were on their way from Jebbu Miango to Miango community when the herders laid an ambush on them. The motorcycle was also burnt to ashes.

“Same evening, two persons were killed on the farm at Nzhwerenvi, Jebbu Miango. Names of victims and ages are 45 years old Bitrus Bulus, 35 years old Yakubu Chohu, 33 years old Friday Gani Kyeri and 19 years old Kyeri Gani. Musa Wah, a 27-year-old young man was injured and receiving treatment in a hospital.”

Ex-FCT Minister, Ewuga kidnapped in Plateau

A former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Solomon Ewuga has been reported kidnapped.

Ewuga, who also served as a Senator was kidnapped in the late hours of Tuesday in Plateau State.

The former Senator who represented Nasarawa North Senatorial district from 2011-2015 was returning home when the gunmen waylaid and abducted him.

His abduction is coming on the heels of the reported gruesome killing of Dr. Chike Akunyili, the widower of former Minister of Information, late Prof Dora Akunyili. 

This also followed Monday’s abduction of a retired Air Vice Marshall, Sikiru Smith in Lagos.

He is a cousin of the former Inspector General of Police, Musiliu Smith.

Two officers killed in Osun bank robbery — Police

Following the invasion of a first-generation bank, Tuesday, in Iragbiji, Boripe local government area of Osun state, by armed robbers, the state police command, yesterday, disclosed that two policemen died in the attack.

Daredevil armed robbers numbering about 20 invaded Iragbiji, attacked the bank and divisional police headquarters in the town simultaneously before escaping with their loot.

The Osun State police spokesperson, SP Yemisi Opalola, in a statement, yesterday, stated that the robbers who attacked the bank and police station simultaneously in a commando-style demobilised the Armoured Personnel Career, APC, vehicle with explosive.

She added that the daredevil robbers engaged the police at the division in a gun duel, as well as the tactical teams, who were in the town as re-enforcement.

“The armed robbers numbering about twenty (20) came in commando-like style with about 4 vehicles and simultaneously attacked Iragbiji Divisional Police Headquarters and Wema Bank Iragbiji. 

“The robbers invaded the Police Divisional Headquarters and Wema Bank with sporadic shooting and launching of explosive devices in an attempt to disorganize, incapacitate and destabilize the police who were in a fierce gun battle with them while robbing Wema Bank simultaneously.'' 

“As a result, some parts of Divisional Police Headquarters was damaged. The daredevils also shot at a Police Armoured Personnel Carrier tyres with explosive devices.'' 

“It is very unfortunate that in the course of the incident, and during the hot pursuit of the fleeing bandits, two police inspectors, Ogunbiyi Ahmed and Inspector Odeyemi Ayinla respectively, were shot dead”, the statement reads.

Culled from Vanguard