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Bandit: 40 Out Of 150 Abducted Persons Released In Niger
Forty people out of the 150 abducted residents of Kuchi community in Munya Local Government Area of Niger State have been set free by their abductors.
It was learnt that the freed hostages were mainly women and children, whom the community gave N2 million and purchased 12 Honda motorcycles which they gave to the bandits for their freedom.
The abducted residents regained their freedom on Tuesday morning after the community spent N1.2 million for each of the motorcycles.
Meanwhile, 110 hostages are still languishing in the kidnappers’ den.
It was gathered that the bandits have offered to release another batch of 40 hostages if the community could pay another N2 million and provide six motorcycles. This is even as negotiations are still ongoing between the bandits and the community.
Recall that a large number of bandits invaded the Kuchi community three weeks ago, and killed seven people including four security agents. They looted shops, houses and barns of farm produce.
In the end, no fewer than 150 residents were taken hostage in the attack which the community said lasted over three hours with no resistance from security operatives.
After two weeks, the bandits came up with a demand of N150 million before they could free the captives. The community, however, negotiated N100,000 for each of the abducted residents which the bandits turned down, a source who declined identification revealed.
“We have been negotiating with the bandits but finally they agreed to collect six Honda motorcycles and N2 million for the release of two groups totalling 40 in number.
“The 150 people they abducted were divided into six groups, and they said we should bring six Honda motorcycles and N2 million cash for each of the groups. This is after they rejected our initial offer of N100,000 for each person. They have released two groups, remaining four groups”, the source said.
The source lamented that the community has remained without any security presence since the incident, saying, “Since the incident, no single government official or security agent has visited the community for on-the-spot assessment of what happened. The community is left without security at the moment and it has remained deserted,” the source said.
Apart from the chairman of the local government, Aminu Najume, who had earlier confirmed the attack and abduction, there has been no official statement from either the government or the security agencies over the attack.
When contacted, Najume could not confirm the release of the 40 hostages. He said the Council was not involved in the negotiations with the Bandits saying it was strictly between the community and the bandits. He however promised to find out about the release and get back to this reporter as soon as he gets the details.
Also, when contacted on Tuesday, the spokesman for the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun said that he would find out.
Protests erupted in Jos, the Plateau State capital, on Monday morning over the continued killings of indigenous residents by gunmen suspected to be Fulani militants.
The demonstrations, led by Christian leaders including the state chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Polycarp Lubo, commenced on Monday morning at the Fawvwei Junction community road, causing a heavy gridlock and stranding commuters.
The latest protest comes amid a surge in violent attacks by gunmen in various communities, with over 100 people killed in Bokkos and Bassa LGAS in the past two weeks.
“We are not happy over the continuous attacks and killings by gunmen in our communities. That’s why we have come out again to protest these happenings,” said Gyang Dalyop, one of the protesters.
Another protester, Hannatu Philip, called on the government to intervene before it spirals out of control.
The protesters brandishing placards with different inscriptions were seen marching towards the Rayfield Government House.
The Presidency has said the former Labour Party, LP, presidential running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed is no match for President Bola Tinubu.
Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare was reacting to Datti’s remark that he (Tinubu) would not run for the presidency in 2027.
The former LP running mate insisted that Tinubu’s time is up, adding that everything is there for the president and the ruling All Progressives Party, APC, to see that they lose in 2027.
Dismissing such remark, Dare likened Datti’s comment to the new year predictions of charlatan ‘prophets’ which never come through.
In a statement he signed, Dare said the likes of Peter Obi and Datti would have been president left for the latter’s theories.
According to Dare, Datti has chosen to venture into an unfamiliar terrain.
The statement reads partly: “Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed’s “illogical logic” was all over the place in his recent interview with a television channel.
“Listening to Yusuf Datti Baba- Ahmed spurn his postulations about the political future of Nigeria and that of the incumbent President is like listening to the new year predictions of charlatan ‘prophets’ which never come through. Yusuf Baba Ahmed and his co-traveller Peter Obi are indeed a “double whammy“ in the Nigerian political space.
“He chose to base his political calculations on President Bola Tinubu not winning a second term given his antecedents and because Nigerians will decide at the polls among other things. He conveniently avoided the substance of performance and capacity.
“Unfortunately, he chose to walk into a lane he was unfamiliar with and chose to confront a politician he is no match for.”
Similarly, the Presidency had also stressed that Tinubu will reveal his plans for a second term at the right time.
It said the APC 2027 presidential campaign billboards had no links to Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
News
‘Conducting unfair election in 2027 will lead to Nigeria’s demise’ – Top Northern Politician Sends Warning To Tinubu
Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a former aide to Vice President Kashim Shettima has warned that any attempt by the government in power to manipulate the 2027 general elections will be resisted.
He also said that should the polls or its results be tampered with, this would create dire consequences for the country.
Baba-Ahmed said this in a viral video seen by 9NEWS NIGERIA.
The former leader of the Northern Elders Forum who just resigned his position as a presidential aide said conducting a bad election might lead to Nigeria’s end.
“Conducting a bad election in 2027 may lead to the end of Nigeria, I swear to God,” Baba-Ahmed said.
He further stated that elders from the Northern region would soon take a stand on the nation’s politics ahead of the 2027 election.
“There will be a time we will come out and say it’s okay, and it’s soon. This injustice is over. We know who we are,” he warned.
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