News
Gunmen Kidnap 16 Persons, Six From Same Family In Kaduna
Some 16 persons with six of them from the same family have been reportedly kidnapped along Brinin Gwari – Kaduna highway.
The incident occurred on Tuesday evening, around 5:30pm, according to an eyewitness.
It was gathered that the armed bandits kidnapped the victims around Tashar Keji/Tsauntsaye near Kuriga and Palwaya, along the deadly Brinin Gwari – Kaduna highway.
The Chairman, Birnin-Gwari Vanguards for Security and Good Governance, Ibrahim Abubakar Nagwari, in a press statement, yesterday, said, “We can authoritatively confirmed the two incidents and the kidnapping of sixteen people mostly artisan miners and the demand of one million naira each per head as ransom.”
The statement gave the names of those kidnapped as Ashiru, Lawal, Kamaye, Umar, Abdulhameedu, (all from the same family) as well as Umar, Buba, Sarki and five others, while three other people (commuters) complete the number.
It said, “It is our view that the armed bandits have turn Birnin-Gwari to an enclave of terrorism. Our sources of livelihood have been eroded, our social life diminished, our commercial/economic activities grounded.
“The people of Birnin-Gwari are crudely pushed to the extreme wall with the escalating of Kidnapping on a daily basis unchallenged,” the statement lamented.
The forum urged the Federal Government to declare a total war against armed bandits in Birnin-Gwari and brand armed bandits as terrorists.
The statement explained that the President should, as a matter of urgency, compel Kaduna State governor to relocate to Birnin-Gwari until peace was restored.
The statement reads, “This organization strongly advocate for military operations in Birnin-Gwari and neighbouring border areas of Niger and Katsina states. Enough is enough.”
The Police Public Relations Officer confirmed the abduction, and assured that the police were doing everything within their powers to rescue the victims, and bring the culprits to book.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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