Metro
“We Are ready for Peace, living in the Forest was Hell” – Kaduna Repentant bandits
- /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Repentant-bandits.jpg&description=“We Are ready for Peace, living in the Forest was Hell” – Kaduna Repentant bandits', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Repentant-bandits.jpg&description=“We Are ready for Peace, living in the Forest was Hell” – Kaduna Repentant bandits', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
Days after the authorities in Kaduna State in collaboration with the office of National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu entered a peace pact with bandits in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, many repentant bandits in Birnin Gwari Emirate, Buruku and at Sabon Birni community have sought forgiveness for the atrocities allegedly committed and assured Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State and the NSA that they would be law-abiding citizens in the future.
They, however, said they had lived solitary lives in the forests, divorced from normal life for over a decade, and would therefore be happy if the government gave them a sense of belonging and allowed their children to attend schools.
A Fulani elder who claimed to be a representative of bandit kingpin Jan Bross and a Fulani community leader, Ardo, said it was time for all Fulani leaders across the federation to talk to their subjects and convince them to fully embrace the peace process.
Speaking in Birnin Gwari, he said, “They should follow the Kaduna example and lay down arms.”
“We are grateful for this peace pact and shall continue to pray for its sustainability. Thank you government,” he said.
The Chairman of Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area, Hon.Salisu Isa, could not hide his excitement as the Local Government headquarters was bustling with activities again after a very long time of uncertainty due to attacks by bandits and other criminal elements.
During the crisis period, even the Local Council was moved to Kaduna, as bandits had vandalized critical assets and infrastructures in Birnin-Gwari. All banks were razed, the post office destroyed, and schools vandalised. Only the military and other security forces could remain to stop the criminals from completely annexing the historic town that has carved a niche as a major gateway to the Southwestern part of Nigeria.
According to the Local Council boss, the peace pact was reached due to persistent prayers to Almighty Allah.
“I express my gratitude to my boss, our Governor, Senator Uba Sani and the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu for this initiative, the Emir, LG staff, the Mallams and all others, ” he said.
He said in order to sustain and maintain the peace accord, the council inaugurated a Peace and Reconciliation Committee that meets regularly, which comprised key stakeholders from the government, the Hausa and Fulani communities, and others.
Hon.Isa called on interested investors in agriculture, to use the opportunity and key into the agric sector, as Birnin-Gwari had the potential of feeding the entire North with maize and other crops.
“Other places should emulate Birnin-Gwari and come up with the peace pact, ” he advised.
He said the public should continue to pray for Birnin-Gwari to restore its past glory and take the path for continued growth and development.
Alhaji Ibrahim Bokolo, a repentant bandit, said the crisis made him and his family relocate to neighbouring Niger state. Now that he had returned to Kaduna State, he appealed for more understanding, especially from local vigilantes and cautioned troublemakers to desist from any act that could breach the peace pact.
Another Fulani chieftain, Alhaji Isa, said they would listen to the government and abide by the peace pact.
He called on the government to check the activities of some vigilante members in neighbouring Zara, Gidigodi in Niger state, who were allegedly stopping the free movement of trucks loaded with cattle.
The Birnin Gwari LG boss had earlier assured that they would liaise with the authorities in Niger state over the matter.
Muhammadu Lawali, a repentant bandit, assured that the current peace pact was different from previous ones, as both parties had genuine intentions. He prayed for forgiveness and encouraged the Fulani and Hausa to show more love to one another.
According to him,” We now have respite; we can move freely and intermingle with people from different parts of the community. This is a clear departure from the recent past, we were confined to the bush and only saw the town from afar. That was how I lived for the past 7 years. We thank Almighty Allah and the authorities for this peace pact,” he said.
Suleiman Yes Power, another repentant bandit who was full of smiles, was delighted to have sold his cow at the Birnin Gwari cattle market, something he could not do in the previous years.
While displaying a wad of money, he prayed for the peace pact to be sustained so that the town would be full of economic activities, attracting people from far and near. He assured that on their part, they would continue to honour and respect the pact.
The Sarkin Zango Birnin Gwari, Hambali Muhammad, who was in charge of the cattle market, said the cattle market has not been operational for over 10 years due to banditry.
He commended the effort of the Federal and State authorities, the Emir of Birnin Gwari, the Local Government and other stakeholders who ensured that the peace pact saw the light of the day.
“Today, over 50 trucks loaded with livestock, left to different parts of this country. The market is back on track. All praises to Almighty Allah, ” he said.
At the grains market, 25-year-old Yusuf Ibrahim Jonga said one of the benefits of the peace pact was that they now have contact with the Fulani, unlike before.
” We now communicate with the Fulani, they tell us their grudges and we find ways to resolve issues. ”
” Now, the Birnin-Gwari- Lagos Road is accessible 24 hours, and vehicles are now plying the road comfortably, without any fear of attack by bandits, unlike before. Economic activity has picked up. Farmers have started clearing farmlands ahead of the next planting season. ”
” I lost 2 brothers during the crisis, and my relatives in the Randagi area were dislodged. But now we are grateful to Almighty Allah for this peace pact, ” he said.
Another farmer, Malam Mustapha said nothing could be more enjoyable than the freedom to move and interact
” We see them now, they see us too. The Fulani in the bush, and we, the Hausa, in the town. We are now together enjoying peace and harmony, ” he said.
“Now, we can go to where we couldn’t go before, during the crisis period. We buy and sell, Alhamdulillah, “he said.
“There are places in the forest where we could not plant crops. This year we are going to cultivate in these forests,” he said.
He called on the people to feel free and visit the Birnin-Gwari grains market, a market he said had in the past, attracted buyers from neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameron.
At the Buruku market, the situation was peaceful and calm, with buying and selling going on, under the careful watch of market and LG officials.
A local trader said over 100 trucks departed the market full of farm produce, to different parts of the country.
The Sabon Birni community near the Kaduna International Airport, which was a no-go area due to banditry weeks ago, was in a festive mood on Sunday as people from far and near trooped to the market.
The District Head of the community was full of praise for Governor Uba Sani and NSA Ribadu, calling on the government to rebuild infrastructures in the community, like schools and others, which were affected during the crisis period.
The coordinator of the peace trip and the Dan Masanin Birnin Gwari, Zubairu Idris AbdulRauf, was optimistic that ultimate peace would return in the entire state and beyond.
From Birnin Gwari, Buruku, Sabon Birni Daji, Kidandan and Giwa, bandits have keyed into the process and life returned to normal.
Idris AbdulRauf said once the Kaduna Peace Pact, as exemplified by the Governor Uba Sani administration, through the adoption and application of a kinetic approach, is emulated, such would lead to the continuation of peace and a new lease of life for the people.
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised an ISWAP cameraman and recovered video recordings indicating the presence of three foreign terrorist facilitators, including a Palestinian identified as the group’s trainer and a Moroccan serving as a medical doctor for the insurgents.
The Acting Military Information Officer, Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Muhammed Goni disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
According to him, the operational success was recorded on Saturday after troops foiled an infiltration attempt by members of the Islamic State West Africa Province into Cross Kauwa in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
Goni said the terrorists attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to breach the troops’ position and loot cholera medical supplies.
“The neutralisation of a terrorist cameraman during the failed assault led to the recovery of a Sony camcorder containing highly sensitive recordings of terrorist activities, including operational footage and propaganda materials.
“Preliminary forensic analysis of the last available video recorded before the attack indicates that the operation was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders (Qai’ds), alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators.
“They include a Palestinian identified as Abu Ishaq, assessed to be ISWAP’s overall trainer; a Moroccan identified as Abu Thaiba, a medical doctor serving within the terrorist network; and another Arab operative whose identity is yet to be established,” Goni added.
Goni said the presence and active involvement of the foreign nationals reinforced intelligence assessments that ISWAP continued to benefit from external support, specialist expertise and transnational terrorist linkages.
Goni said the failed attack occurred at about 10:20 p.m. on July 11, 2026, when the terrorists attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to breach the troops’ position.
“Alert troops swiftly detected the hostile movement and responded with coordinated and overwhelming firepower, compelling the terrorists to abandon their mission of looting cholera medical supplies and withdraw in confusion after suffering severe losses,” he said.
According to him, the attempted looting lends further credence to recent intelligence reports of a cholera outbreak within terrorist enclaves, as well as reports that some infected members had been executed by the group.
The statement added, “Troops of 19 Brigade, Sector 3, Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, have decisively foiled an attempted infiltration by ISWAP terrorists into Cross Kauwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers and forcing them to retreat in disarray.
“The successful defence of the location further demonstrates the vigilance, combat readiness and operational effectiveness of troops who continue to deny terrorist elements freedom of action across the North-East theatre.
“Following the successful engagement, troops immediately dominated the area and conducted exploitation operations to ascertain the full extent of the terrorists’ losses.”
The Army spokesman said troops recovered the Sony camcorder, several rounds of PKT and 7.62mm special ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other combat equipment during the operation.
He added that initial analysis of post-engagement satellite imagery showed terrorists evacuating the bodies of some of their slain fighters during their withdrawal.
“This has since been corroborated by credible human intelligence sources, which confirmed that the terrorists suffered heavy casualties, with many others sustaining gunshot wounds during the engagement,” he said.
According to him, two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds during the firefight and were promptly evacuated by air for advanced medical care. He added that both personnel remained in stable condition.
“The failed infiltration attempt represents yet another significant operational setback for ISWAP and caps a costly weekend for the terrorist group following sustained offensive operations and intensified military pressure across the North-East theatre,” he said.
Goni added that the outcome underscored the increasing difficulty terrorists face in executing coordinated attacks against highly alert and combat-ready troops, while further degrading their combat capability, morale and freedom of action.
“Operation Hadin Kai remains resolute in sustaining offensive operations, protecting vulnerable communities and dismantling terrorist networks until lasting peace and security are fully restored across the North-East,” he assured.
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have inflicted “heavy losses” on terrorists in Borno, killing a cameraman with the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). They also recovered multimedia materials with vital information about the activities of “foreign collaborators”.
In a statement on Sunday, the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation Hadin Kai, Mohammed Goni, said they achieved the feat, having “decisively foiled an attempted infiltration by ISWAP terrorists into Cross Kauwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers and forcing them to retreat in disarray”.
Goni said the failed attack occurred at about 2220 hours (10:20 p.m.) on 11 July 2026, when the terrorists attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to breach the troops’ location.
“Alert troops swiftly detected the hostile movement and responded with coordinated and overwhelming firepower, compelling the terrorists to abandon their mission of looting cholera medical supplies and withdraw in confusion after suffering severe losses.
“The neutralisation of a terrorist cameraman during the failed assault led to the recovery of a Sony camcorder containing highly sensitive recordings of terrorist activities, including operational footage and propaganda materials,” the statement read in part.
According to him, a preliminary forensic analysis of the last available video recorded before the attack showed that the operation was “coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders (Qai’ds) alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators”.
“They include a Palestinian Arab identified as Abu Ishaq, assessed to be ISWAP’s overall trainer; a Moroccan Arab identified as Abu Thaiba, a medical doctor serving within the terrorist network; and another Arab operative whose identity is yet to be established,” Goni said.
He said: “The presence and active involvement of these foreign nationals further reinforces intelligence assessments that ISWAP continues to benefit from external support, specialist expertise and transnational terrorist linkages.”
During exploitation operations to ascertain the full extent of the terrorists’ losses, Goni said troops also recovered several rounds of PKT and 7.62 mm Special ammunition, terrorist uniforms, and other combat enablers.
An initial analysis of post-engagement satellite imagery revealed terrorists evacuating the bodies of some of their neutralised fighters during their withdrawal, he said
“This has since been corroborated by credible human intelligence sources, which confirmed that the terrorists suffered heavy casualties, with many others sustaining gunshot wounds during the engagement,” the statement read.
However, two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds during the firefight and were evacuated by air for “advanced medical care”.
“Both personnel remain in stable condition. The failed infiltration attempt represents yet another significant operational setback for ISWAP and caps a costly weekend for the terrorist group following sustained offensive operations and intensified military pressure across the North East Theatre,” he said.
The Och’Otukpo Odu, Chief John Eimonye, has directed all herders to vacate every part of Otukpo Kingdom with immediate effect.
This follows Sunday’s attack on Nobi Village in Otukpo District where several persons were killed.
The directive was issued after an attack allegedly carried out by armed herders on Nobi Village on Sunday, July 12, 2026, amid growing security concerns in the area.
In a statement signed by the Secretary of the Otukpo District Traditional Council, Chief Udeh Adole, the traditional ruler said the continued presence of herders had become a serious threat to the safety, security and well-being of the people of Otukpo Kingdom.
He stressed that the directive should not be interpreted as prejudice or profiling against any group but described it as a necessary measure to safeguard lives and restore peace in the kingdom.
According to the statement, the monarch expressed deep concern over the recurring attacks allegedly linked to armed herders and lamented what he described as the continued neglect of his people, who he said had been left at the mercy of the attackers.
Chief Eimonye vowed that Otukpo District would not be taken over by any interest under his watch, insisting that the people of the Otukpo Abakwu Kingdom were determined to defend their ancestral land.
The traditional ruler called on relevant security agencies and authorities to take urgent steps to address the security situation and protect residents from further attacks.
One dies, seven injured as Gombe Assembly Complex under construction collapses
DAY 24 of Projects Commissioning and Flag-Off in the FCT
NSITF promises Gambia of technical support, stronger partnership …As study tour ends in Abuja
-
News23 hours agoDANGEROUS DEVT: Bandits abduct corpse of FRSC Cmdr, mourners, demand almost half a billion Naira ransom
-
News20 hours agoMilitary identifies Army lieutenant who paid supreme sacrifice in rescue of abducted Oyo pupils, teachers
-
News24 hours agoNotorious bandit kingpin Sani Yellow eliminated in Zamfara
-
Sports24 hours agoFIFA Rubbishes Claims of Referee Bias in Argentina’s World Cup Victory Over Egypt
-
News20 hours agoIranian Newspaper lists Trump, European leaders as alleged revenge targets
-
News24 hours agoBreaking: Dozens feared killed as suspected herdsmen again launch deadly attack in Benue
-
News23 hours agoThe Sundiata Post Model (2): Historical and Intellectual Foundations Of A Knowledge-Producing Newsroom
-
News20 hours agoAPC Volunteer supports Shettima’s reaffirmation, celebrates successful rescue of abducted school kids
Warning: Undefined variable $user_ID in /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/themes/zox-news/comments.php on line 49
You must be logged in to post a comment Login