Bandits have taken over the Nagwamase Military Cantonment in Kontagora, displacing about 23 communities and causing alarm in Niger State.

The cantonment, a key Nigerian Army artillery training site, now hosts at least eight bandit camps, presenting severe security threats to nearby villages.

During Tuesday’s plenary, Hon. Abdullahi Isah of Kontagora II raised a motion about the ongoing attacks and reported that some residents remain captive.

He said the presence of bandits has led to incessant attacks on “communities within the camp”.

Isah said the military camp, which extends from Kontagora local government to part of Mariga local government, has been “taken over by terrorists who are said to have established at least eight different camps in the area”.

He said the situation poses a big security challenge to communities within the camp.

The Niger State House of Assembly urged the government to work closely with military authorities to dislodge the armed groups and restore security to the region.

Legislators also emphasised the need for increased military support to secure the camp.

Police Inspector, Ozonwanji Joseph, implicated in the murder of Ogene musician, Chikezie Okezie Nwamba has been dismissed from Nigeria Police Force.

DAILY POST recalls that the cop shot the popular musician, Igbo-Jah dead last Friday, drawing outrage.

In a update provided by the police on Monday, it said the officer was found culpable and summarily dismissed.

The update was signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Enugu State Police Command, DSP Daniel Ndukwe.

He said, “the Enugu State Police Command informs the public that the orderly room trial of Police Inspector Ozonwanji Joseph, implicated in the murder of Ogene musician, Chikezie Okezie Nwamba, has been concluded. The Inspector was found culpable and received the maximum penalty of dismissal, followed by court prosecution in line with the Police Act and Regulations 2020.

“Accordingly, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 13 (covering Anambra and Enugu States’ Commands), approved the orderly trial recommendations to dismiss and prosecute the Inspector in court.

“Hence, he has been dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force and was today, October 28, 2024, arraigned at the Enugu East Magistrate Court for the offence of murder.

“The Chief Magistrate ordered the remand of the former officer in the Enugu Correctional Custodial Centre and the transmission of the case-file to the Attorney General of Enugu State for further judicial action. The trial was adjourned to November 12, 2024.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, once again, extends his condolences to the family, friends, and associates of the deceased, expressing gratitude to the government, people of Enugu State, and the public for their support throughout the case.

“CP Kanayo reemphasized that the Nigeria Police Force remains a disciplined government agency, assuring that under his leadership, the Command will continue to hold all erring officers accountable for their actions.”

Prof. Oguejiofo Ujam, a senior lecturer and Dean of the School of General Studies at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, was kidnapped on Sunday while traveling along the Ugwuogo-Nike-Opi-Nsukka Road. This incident marks another troubling addition to a recent series of abductions reported in the area.

Social media influencer Chijinkem Ugwuanyi took to Facebook to raise awareness about the abduction, urging prayers for the professor’s safe return. “Prof. Oguejiofo T. Ujam was kidnapped yesterday morning along Ugwuogo-Nike-Opi-Nsukka road. He is a lecturer at the Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry,” he wrote.

A fellow lecturer, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed the kidnapping and stated that the news had circulated on the WhatsApp group of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), UNN chapter. “Prof. Oguejiofor Ujam, the Dean of GS was kidnapped this morning along Opi-Enugu Road. Please, we need urgent help,” the ASUU message read.

The increasing frequency of abductions along this road has raised alarms, despite the presence of police and military checkpoints in the vicinity. Reports indicate that multiple individuals have been abducted in the past week, highlighting a growing security concern in the region.

As of now, attempts to reach Enugu State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, for comments on the matter have been unsuccessful.