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Incessant attacks: Katsina community holds peace meeting with terrorists
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Following continued violence perpetrated by terrorists locally dubbed as bandits, residents of Jibia Local Government Area (LGA) in Katsina State have reached a “peace agreement” with armed groups operating in the region in an effort to restore stability and end years of bloodshed.
According to reports, the “reconciliation” meeting took place on Friday, February 28, 2025, in Kwari village and was facilitated by the Jibia People’s Forum, led by Alhaji Gide Dahiru.
The gathering included key community leaders, such as the chairman of the Jibia Business Association, Alhaji Sama’ila Mai Maasara, and prominent elder Alhaji Haruna Sada Zare.
During the meeting, the bandits reportedly surrendered two AK-47 rifles and admitted to being behind the recent abduction of 10 people from Daddara town, according to a security source, Zagazola Makama.
A former secretary of the Islamic Justice Commission and judge at the Katsina State Court of Reconciliation, Sheikh Barrister Ibrahim Sabi’u, emphasised the need for dialogue to resolve the security crisis.
“It was the bandits who requested reconciliation with the residents. We agreed to negotiate peace based on Islamic law, with the hope of bringing lasting stability to our people,” he stated.
Representatives of the Nigerian Army were also reportedly present as discussions focused on establishing terms and conditions to ensure the success of the accord.
As part of the agreement, Jibia residents demanded an immediate end to attacks on the town and surrounding communities, along with guarantees for the safety of farmers and their farmlands.
In response, the bandits pledged to cease criminal activities, including cattle rustling, and to abide by government laws.
The kidnapped victims have since been released and taken to the General Hospital in Jibia for medical attention.
A resident of Daddara, Alhaji Babangida Bracket, confirmed the release of the abducted individuals, who had spent several days in captivity.
Heavily armed gunmen on Sunday morning reportedly abducted a seminarian of St Joseph Catholic Church and several other persons in Enugu State.
The gunmen were said to have invaded the Catholic church in the Inoyi community, Affa town, Udi Local Government Area of the state, and abducted the seminarian and an undisclosed number of other worshippers.
According to a video circulating online, the attackers stormed the church premises in the early hours of Sunday while residents were attending morning Mass.
A resident, who did not disclose his name in the video, said it was raining as people made their way to the church.
“Those who were on their way to the church saw a crowd running out of the premises. They were told that at least seven armed men had invaded the church and abducted some members, including the seminarian,” he said.
The residents said they pursued the kidnappers but were unable to do much because they were unarmed while the abductors were heavily armed.
He said members of the community were willing and able to protect themselves and enter the surrounding forests to search for the kidnappers.
However, the residents, who were gripped by fear following the incident, questioned how they could carry out such an operation without weapons.
They said even local security operatives in the area were not armed.
The residents called on the state government to intervene and ensure their safety or provide them with the means to defend themselves.
They also lamented that one of the abducted persons was an indigene of the community who had returned home to bury his father.
Efforts to obtain a reaction from officials of the Enugu State Police Command were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
The spokesperson of the Delta State Police Command, SP Bright Edafe, was left stunned after two suspected drug dealers requested to take a photograph with him shortly after they were arrested and interrogated.
The suspects, identified as Omini Ezeri, 46, and Chinedum Wagbara, 42, were apprehended during a stop-and-search operation while travelling in a Mercedes-Benz ML SUV with registration number AAA 604 JZ along the Agbarho-Warri Road.
A search of the vehicle and its occupants led to the recovery of two Beretta pistols, a substance suspected to be cocaine, and a dagger. The suspects are currently in police custody, while investigations continue.
As part of the investigation, Edafe interrogated the suspects. Shortly after the interview, the duo surprised the police spokesperson by asking to take a photograph with him.
In a follow-up post shared on social media, Edafe said he had never encountered such behaviour before, explaining that the suspects appeared to become excited once they realised he intended to interview them.
He added that despite being arrested with cocaine and two pistols, which they claimed were used for their drug business, they still requested to take a picture with him after the interrogation.
The Catholic Diocese of Otukpo in Benue State has confirmed the safe return of its seminarian, Kelvin Ochai, who was abducted by gunmen at Asa III in Otukpo Local Government Area of the state.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese, Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Itodo, on Saturday.
Itodo attributed the seminarian’s safe return to divine intervention and the prayers of Christians and well-wishers.
According to the diocese, the seminarian escaped from the custody of his abductors and made his way to Aliade in Gwer East Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State, where he was reunited with his family unharmed.
“Through the prayers of the people of God, Kelvin escaped from the custody of his abductors on the evening of Friday, 31st July, 2026, and made his way to Aliade, Gwer East LGA of Benue State. He has since been safely reunited with his family and is unharmed,” the statement read in part.
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, Most Rev. Michael Ekwoyi Apochi, expressed profound gratitude to priests, religious, lay faithful, and people of goodwill for their unwavering support and prayers during the period of the seminarian’s captivity.
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