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Niger residents abandon farmlands over killings

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Farmers in Niger State are currently living in fear after the killing of 13 farmers in the state.

Some of the farmers were said to have abandoned farming to avoid being shot by the bandits.

Suspected bandits on August 19 killed 13 farmers after tracking them to their farms in the Allawa community of the Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

The bandits were said to have killed them over claims that they supplied intelligence about their (bandits) movement to security agencies.

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This was as the state Police Command said they did not have an update yet regarding the whereabouts of the fleeing bandits.

Bandits have been rampaging local government area in Niger State killing and abducting residents.

They have even subjected some of the communities to payment of levies in order to enable them engage in their farming activities.

Some farmers who spoke to Sunday PUNCH on the development expressed fear over the action of the bandits, saying that the security agencies and the state government had shown that there was nothing they could do to arrest the situation.

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A yam farmer, Musa Abdullahi, told our correspondent on Friday that he had not been himself since he heard the news of the killing of the farmers.

According to him, farmers are an endangered species in Niger State and the government or the security agencies were helpless.

“Since the news of the killing of the farmers broke out, I have not been myself. I have been wondering and imagining how we farmers go into the bush on our own without security men to protect us.

“This action of the killing of our fellow farmers has shown that it could happen to anyone at anytime and nothing will come out of it.

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“It is obvious that both the state government and security agencies cannot do anything about these bandits who go about with sophisticated weapons.

“Every farmer is now afraid of going to his farm. Some of us don’t go the farm for the fear of being killed by bandits. We are begging the state government to invite the Federal Government to come into this issue,” Abdullahi said.

A senior official in the Ministry of Agriculture, who preferred anonymity, said the tragic incident took everyone by surprise. He pointed out that if nothing was done to apprehend these bandits the agricultural plans of the farmer government for this year may be in jeopardy.

“This killing took all of us by surprise. Even the minister has been dumbfounded since that incident. How can those criminals just accuse the farmers of leaking information to security agencies and wasted them just like that?

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“Governor Bago must have to sit up and confront this challenge headlong or else his plans of bumper harvest will become a pipe dream.

“Only recently, the Etsu Nupe prayed for rain for our farmers to experience a bumper harvest but now these bandits have struck farmers in the state. Where do we go from here,” the ministry official asked

Efforts to get state government officials to react to the killing of the farmers and the danger posed to the farming community in Niger State on Friday proved abortive.

None of the officials, including the Commissioner for Homeland Security, Mohammed Bello, Commissioner for Agriculture Musa Bosso, Commissioner for Information Binta Mamman and the governor’s Chief Press Secretary Bologi Ibrahim answered calls put across to them.

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Meanwhile, the Niger State Police Command spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun, who was also called to react to the incident and provide an update on the possible arrest of the bandits, said the police did not have any update but were still investigating the incident.

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Metro

Police arrest herbalist over death, mutilation of 11-year-old in Adamawa

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The Adamawa State Police Command has arrested a Herbalist identified as Murtala Musa, over the death and mutilation of an 11-year-old boy in Kodomun village, Demsa Local Government Area.

SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, Police Public Relations Officer in a statement said the incident was reported to the police in Demsa on the 13th of April, 2025, by the Village Head of Kodomun and one Fancy Alifas, the Mother of their Victim.

“She reported that her son, Yangapwa David, aged 11, was taken to the said herbalist for treatment but unfortunately died while in his custody.”

According to her, arrangements were made to convey the body home, during which time the corpse was left in the herbalist’s room.

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Shockingly, upon her return, she discovered that her son’s left eye had been removed.

“Upon receipt of the report, police operatives swiftly visited the scene and arrested the suspect.”

The Commissioner of Police, Adamawa State Command, *CP Dankombo Morris assured members of the public that the Command will leave no stone unturned in ensuring justice is served.

The suspect remains in custody as the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, has been detailed to conduct a discreet investigation.

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Mob kills man over suspected dog theft in Bauchi

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The Bauchi State Police Command has confirmed the death of a man identified simply as Peter, who was killed by a mob in Bauchi metropolis over allegations of dog theft.

This was disclosed in a statement released on Thursday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Ahmed Wakili.

According to the statement, the incident occurred at about 11:30 p.m. on April 9, 2025, and involved a mob assault on two individuals accused of stealing a dog.

Wakili said the Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into what he described as an “egregious act of jungle justice.”

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The second victim, identified as Dokagk Danladi, aged 38, was also attacked by a group of youths in a secluded area behind Lushi. He sustained severe machete wounds to the head and was rushed to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, where he is currently receiving medical treatment.

Peter, whose surname is yet to be identified, was found at the scene and was confirmed dead by medical personnel.

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the area has led a team of detectives to the crime scene to gather evidence and investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

CP Aliyu condemned the act, describing it as barbaric and a threat to the nation’s legal framework. He warned residents against taking the law into their own hands.

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“No individual has the authority to brutalize a suspect. Anyone apprehended for any alleged crime should be handed over to law enforcement agencies for investigation and prosecution,” the Commissioner stated.

He appealed to the public to remain calm and cooperate with the police by providing relevant information that could aid the investigation.

“The Command is resolute in its pursuit of justice and is committed to ensuring that all those involved in this heinous act are brought to book,” Aliyu added.

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Pastor sentenced to 15 years in jail for raping member under pretense of conducting deliverance

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A 42-year-old Limpopo Pastor identified as Thabiso Victor Mongatane bagged 15-year jail term for r@ping a 25-year-old woman under the guise of offering her spiritual deliverance.

The Mahwelereng Regional Court, South Africa handed down the sentence for the 2022 r@pe that took place in Masodi village.

According to Limpopo Police Spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, Mongatane exploited his position of trust and manipulated the woman into believing she was suffering from a condition that required spiritual intervention.

The incident dates back to March 2022 when the victim’s mother became ill and Mongatane was recommended by a relative to assist with her healing.

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The victim brought her mother to Mongatane’s premises where he conducted what was described as spiritual treatment.

Several months later, on September 4, Mongatane prophesied over the young woman and instructed her to return two days later for further intervention related to so-called “obstacles” in her life.

On September 7, the woman complied and returned to Mongatane’s premises.

Ledwaba explained that Mongatane instructed the woman to undress and cover herself for steaming as part of the ritual.

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After leaving her briefly, he returned and told her not to get dressed as he wished to continue the treatment. It was during this session that Mongatane raped her.

The victim later opened a r@pe case at her local police station. The case was taken over by the Mokopane Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit, with Sergeant Lesetja Langa leading the investigation.

Mongatane was arrested on March 28, 2024, and initially released on R1,000 bail before being convicted and sentenced to 15 years of direct imprisonment.

Limpopo Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe praised the investigative team for their thorough work and welcomed the conviction, calling it a victory for justice and a message to others who exploit positions of trust.

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