Metro
Bandits impose N40m levy on Sokoto community, threaten attack
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.
The Enugu State Police Command has arrested a 30-year-old man, Okpara Chibuike Emmanuel, over the alleged murder of his girlfriend following an argument concerning Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV.
The suspect was also accused of concealing the woman’s body inside the toilet of his apartment in Olympic Layout, One-Day, Enugu, after allegedly killing her.
The command’s spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.
According to Ndukwe, operatives attached to the Awkunanaw Division re-arrested Emmanuel at about 6:30pm on Monday after rescuing him from an angry mob that had apprehended him over the alleged killing.
The victim was identified by the police simply as Chinyere.
Body discovered by neighbours
Ndukwe said preliminary investigation indicated that the suspect allegedly killed Chinyere on September 19, wrapped her remains in nylon and locked them inside the toilet of his apartment.
The police said the decomposing body later began to emit an offensive odour, which attracted the attention of neighbours.
The neighbours reportedly forced the door open and apprehended Emmanuel before the arrival of police operatives.
The victim’s remains were subsequently evacuated to a mortuary for preservation and autopsy, while the police said efforts were ongoing to trace and notify her relatives.
Suspect allegedly confesses
The police spokesman said preliminary interrogation indicated that Emmanuel confessed to the alleged crime.
According to Ndukwe, the suspect told investigators that the incident followed an argument with his girlfriend over allegations concerning who infected the other with HIV.
The suspect allegedly stated that the argument escalated before he struck Chinyere on the head with a pestle, resulting in her death.
He allegedly subsequently wrapped her remains and dumped them inside the toilet of his apartment, where they were later discovered by neighbours.
The police said further investigation would be required to establish the full circumstances surrounding the woman’s death and verify the suspect’s account.
The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, has directed the State Criminal Investigation Department to conduct a discreet and thorough investigation into the case.
Giwa also ordered that the suspect be arraigned in court after the conclusion of investigations and the establishment of the facts of the case.
The police said investigators would continue efforts to trace the victim’s relatives and establish all relevant circumstances surrounding the alleged murder.
The Commissioner also cautioned members of the public, particularly young women, to exercise caution about whom they visit or spend time with.
He urged them to ensure that trusted relatives or friends are informed of their movements as part of measures to enhance personal safety.
Gunmen reportedly ambushed security operatives attached to Operation Rainbow, a state security outfit in Plateau State, in Bariki Ladi Local Government Area of the state, on Tuesday, killing a policeman.
Three civilians were also reportedly killed in a separate incident at Rakok, also in Barkin Ladi LGA.
The security operatives were reportedly attacked along the Gagshi Road in the local government area.
The two incidents, according to separate sources, brought the reported death toll to four, amid renewed attacks in parts of Barkin Ladi, where the government imposed dusk to dawn curfew, on Monday.
A security operative, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also confirmed the attack, saying, “We just experienced an ambush in which a security personnel attached to Operation Rainbow was killed.”
He added that the sad incident occurred around 4pm.
President of the Berom Youth Moulders-Association, BYM, Barr. Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, who confirmed the reported ambush, said he narrowly escaped being caught up in the incident.
He described the latest development as an indication that the security situation in the state was taking a “bigger dimension.”
Mwantiri said the attacks were no longer confined to the night, adding that incidents are now occurring in broad daylight.
He said, “I would have also been involved in that incident if not that God, out of His mercy, saved me.”
He said, “This security challenge has entered another level. This thing is taking a bigger dimension.This will not be night attack again. This will not be even during daytime.”
He urged security personnel and other relevant authorities not to relent in their efforts to protect lives and property and restore peace to affected communities.”
Meanwhile, a community leader, Mr Lawrence Gyang, said three persons were killed at Rakok, also known as Kafi Abu, in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area on Tuesday.
Gyang alleged that one person and two unidentified women were killed in broad daylight, while attending the funeral of two persons, who were also allegedly killed the previous day, while travelling to Gashish District.
According to him, the victims were among mourners who had gathered for the funeral when the incident occurred.
Our correspondent reports that despite the curfew, tensions continue to increase in Barkin Ladi and adjoining communities, following a series of attacks in parts of the LGA areas in recent days.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Alabo Alfred, had not responded to inquiries from our correspondent as of the time of this report.
Metro
Police Arrest 36-Year-Old Suspected Cultist With Rubber Pistol, Axe, Charms, ‘Ice’ Drug In Lagos
Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a 36-year-old man identified as Muyideen Olatunbosun, who was allegedly found in possession of a rubber-made pistol, an axe, criminal charms and an illicit drug popularly known as “Ice” in the Ikorodu area of the state.
The arrest was made during an intelligence-led anti-crime patrol aimed at curbing cultism and other criminal activities across Lagos State.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, the suspect was arrested while operatives were conducting patrols around Idi-Iroko, Ogolonto and Agric areas of Ikorodu
The police said the operatives received intelligence during the patrol, which led to the arrest of Olatunbosun.
A search conducted on the suspect reportedly led to the recovery of one rubber-made pistol, one axe, criminal charms and an illicit drug identified by the police as “Ice.”
The suspect, according to the Command, is currently in police custody and is assisting investigators with the ongoing investigation.
The police added that efforts were underway to apprehend other members of the alleged cult group linked to the suspect.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, commended the operatives involved in the operation for their vigilance and prompt response to credible intelligence.
Fatai reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-led operations against cultism and other forms of criminality across Lagos State.
He also urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the police to assist ongoing efforts to prevent crime and apprehend suspected criminals.
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