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Troops of Operation Fansan Yamma have rescued 25 people who were kidnapped during separate operations in Katsina and Zamfara states.

The Military Information Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday night.

According to the statement, the victims were rescued on Thursday as troops carried out patrols and offensive operations against terrorists in the two states.

He said troops of Sector 1 in Katsina State encountered terrorists during a night patrol along Kwanar Kura in Sabuwa Local Government Area.

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Residents of Kebbe town in Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State are living in fear after suspected bandits demanded N40 million from the community and threatened to attack if the money is not paid.

The threat was reportedly delivered through a resident, Abara Jaji, who was intercepted by the bandits while on his way to fetch firewood.

A source familiar with the incident told Daily Trust that Jaji was travelling along a route reportedly used by the bandits when he spotted them and fled, abandoning his motorcycle.

The source said the bandits pursued him on motorcycles, caught up with him and surrounded him.

According to the source, the bandits asked Jaji where he was from. Jaji, who was reportedly trembling with fear, told them he was from Kebbe while pleading that he had no money.

The bandits then gave him a Tecno phone, containing a SIM card, and instructed him to deliver it to the District Head of Kebbe or his representative. The phone reportedly came with the words, “Sha kidanka bakauye.”

They reportedly demanded N40 million from the community, threatening to attack the town and burn properties if the money was not paid.

A witness, who requested anonymity, said Jaji arrived at the residence of the District Head, Sarkin Kabin Kebbe, Alhaji Muhammad Labbo Margai, at about 9:30am on Tuesday and met his representative, Murtala Muhammad.

He said Jaji explained that the bandits had sent him with the phone.

According to the witness, the bandits later called the phone and repeated their demand for N40 million.

Murtala reportedly told the callers that the matter concerned the entire community and that he could not make the decision alone.

He subsequently took Jaji to the DPO, where other security officials in the local government were also present.

“While they were explaining the situation to the security officials, the bandits called again. The call was put on hands-free, so everyone heard what the bandits were demanding,” the witness said.

However, another source familiar with the development said a person close to the security authorities told him that arrangements were being made to raise the money, with payment expected on Sunday.

The development has reportedly triggered fear among residents, with some already leaving the town.

“Just now, my mother and a younger sister who came home for a post-natal bath have left the town because of the fear that failure to fulfil the promise could become a problem. Some people are not sleeping in their houses now,” the resident said.

He said residents had yet to see any additional deployment of security personnel in the town.

“We do not want them to be given the money because if they are paid, they will continue imposing such levies on us from time to time, just as they are doing to Gwandi village.

“If they are given the money, it will open the way for them to continue extorting us. We want more security personnel deployed so that even if they attack, they can be repelled,” he said.

Another resident who was present when Jaji delivered the message also confirmed the development.

He said the bandits threatened to enter the town and kill residents if their demand was not met.

According to him, the bandits initially wanted the money to be paid on Tuesday, but the representative of the Sarkin Kabin Kebbe asked for time to consult the community before a decision was made.

He said the threat affected commercial activities in the town, with the market recording low patronage on Tuesday, while many residents, particularly women, fled in fear.

He added that some residents had started leaving the town because of fears of an attack.

The residents opposed payment of the money, instead calling for increased security presence in the community.

The spokesperson of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said the command was aware of the development and was working on it.

“They’re fully aware and they’re working on it,” he said.

Attempts by Daily Trust to obtain comments from the Chairman of Kebbe Local Government Area, Hon. Musa Garba Kuci, and the Sokoto State Government spokesperson, Abubakar Bawa, were unsuccessful, as they did not answer calls or respond to text messages sent to them.

The latest threat comes amid a series of deadly attacks in Kebbe Local Government Area in recent weeks.

On August 3, ASP Bala Wakili was killed while exchanging fire with bandits at Zugu village in Kebbe LGA. Two patrol vehicles were also set ablaze—one belonging to the police and the other to the Sokoto Community Guard Corps, according to sources.

On August 14, four soldiers were killed when bandits attacked Kebbe town.

The same day, 34 people were killed in an attack on Ungushi village in Kebbe LGA.

Following the attacks, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division deployed additional security personnel and weapons to the area.

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The Rivers State Police Command has dismissed three policemen over the k!lling of 22-year-old Anthony Obodo, a graduate of the University of Port Harcourt.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Olugbenga Adepoju, who disclosed this in a media briefing in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, September 2, said the decision was following an orderly trial conducted on the suspects and others at large.

Adepoju said on August 27th, a police patrol team led by one Fabian Kpeanabari, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, had shot and k!lled Anthony after it was alleged that the victim, who was driving in a tinted Lexus car, had refused to stop after the police team had flagged him down.

The victim, who was waiting for his NYSC call-up letter, was shot de@d at the popular Ada George Road in Port Harcourt by the dismissed police officers.

The development has sparked pandemonium in the state as youths from the Ndele Community in the Emohua Local Government Area of the state and other areas stormed the Agip area of Port Harcourt in heavy protest.

Speaking, Adepoju said the affected officers would subsequently be charged to court to face the appropriate criminal charges in accordance with the law.

“I am here to provide updates on some serious incidents recently recorded in the state, including the investigation into the de@th of one Anthony A. Obodo, ‘Male’, a student, following a police pursuit and unfortunate shooting incident, as well as the arrest of suspected members of a one-chance robbery syndicate operating within Port Harcourt and its environs.

Let me state clearly that the Rivers State Police Command places a high premium on professionalism, accountability, respect for human rights and the protection of lives and property.

Where allegations of misconduct or criminality are made against police personnel, we will not shield any officer found to have acted outside the law under my watch.

The patrol team consequently gave chase to the deceased, and during the pursuit, Corporal Alfred Louis, who is attached to the patrol team, opened fire at the vehicle, and a bullet hit the driver identified as Anthony A. Obodo, who sustained a gunshot injury.

The victim was immediately rushed to Palmer’s Hospital, Port Harcourt, where he was attended to and subsequently confirmed de@d by the doctor on duty.

The three members of the patrol team were immediately arrested and detained at the State Criminal Investigation, where a Department (SCID), Port-Harcourt, comprehensive investigation into the case was carried out.”

He mentioned that they will subsequently be charged to court to face the appropriate criminal charges in accordance with the law.

Adepoju mentioned that the action taken against these officers demonstrates that the Nigeria Police Force will not shield personnel who abuse the powers entrusted to them or act contrary to the law and professional standards of the Force.

‘’Let me reiterate that no police officer is above the law” he said .