Insecurity: Bandits unleash terror in Kogi, Kano, Sokoto, Kwara

In the early hours of yesterday, bandits attacked a Cherubim and Seraphim Church located in Ejiba, within the Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, abducting the pastor, his wife, and several worshippers.

This assault coincided with another attack by bandits on the Kano border community of Yankamaye village in the Tsanyanwa Local Government Area of Kano State, where a woman was killed and three other women were abducted. In response, Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibrin urged security agencies to pursue the marauding bandits who have been terrorizing villages in the Tsanyawa and Shanono LGAs of the state.

Additionally, on Saturday night, the marauding bandits attacked Chacho village in the Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State, abducting a bride, bridesmaids, and several others who were preparing for a wedding the next day.

Moreover, the bandits who abducted Alhaji Kamilu Salami, known as Ojibara, from his farm in the Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State on Saturday morning, have demanded a ransom of N150 million from the community for his release. Meanwhile, two of the six directors of the Ministry of Defence who were kidnapped in Kogi three weeks ago remain in the custody of their captors.

The attack on the church in Kogi reportedly took place during a service, causing worshippers to flee in various directions amidst the sound of sporadic gunfire from the bandits.

The entire community was thrown into chaos as residents ran to escape abduction or avoid being struck by stray bullets.

The pastor of the church, commonly referred to as Orlando, was taken along with his wife and several other church members.

Residents have described the incident as terrifying, noting that the bandits invaded the community unexpectedly, leaving many in shock.

The precise number of those abducted has yet to be confirmed, as attempts to obtain this information from the police at press time last night were unsuccessful.

The Kogi State government has pledged to rescue all victims of the Ejiba Church incident alive.

In response to the attack, the Kogi State administration announced that it has heightened surveillance and initiated a manhunt for the bandits involved.

Kingsley Fanwo, the Commissioner for Information and Communication, stated: "Indeed, I possess information regarding this matter, and I am also cognizant that the security network, which includes both conventional security agencies and local security frameworks, is actively engaged in their duties.

"The authorities of Yagba West Local Government Council are diligently collaborating with security agencies to ensure the safe return of those who have been kidnapped. The perpetrators are already aware that Kogi will exert every effort to safeguard all its citizens who have been abducted.

"The state governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, is overseeing the operations, and we will keep the media informed about the progress of these efforts.

"We encourage citizens to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activities or individuals to the security agencies. If you observe something unusual, please report it.

"Places of worship located on the outskirts should also reconsider holding services in areas prone to crime until the situation improves."

In a separate incident, bandits have killed a woman and abducted three others in a community near the Kano border.

In Kano, a recent bandit attack on Yankamaye village within the Tsanyanwa Local Government Area of Kano State resulted in the death of a woman and the abduction of three additional women.

A reliable source from the area, who requested anonymity, reported that the bandits struck the village on Saturday night while the residents were asleep.

"The bandits attacked Yankamaye village in Tsanyanwa Local Government Area of Kano State on Saturday night. During this assault, they killed an elderly woman and abducted three other women," the source disclosed.

As of yesterday, there had been no official statement from the Kano State police command regarding this incident; however, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin confirmed the attack in a post on his Facebook page, asserting that the incursions by bandits into Kano communities must cease immediately.

Barau, in a recent statement, urged security agencies to pursue the marauding bandits who have been terrorizing the region in order to put an end to their incursions.

"I have received a troubling report regarding the murder of a woman and the abduction of three individuals in Yankamaye village, located in Tsanyawa LGA of Kano State, by marauding bandits from neighboring states last night.

"This incident occurred just days after a similar event in Biresawa village, also within Tsanyawa LGA. I implore our security agencies, who have confronted these criminals on numerous occasions in the area, to intensify their efforts to rescue these innocent individuals and confront the perpetrators. They must take the fight directly to them.

"We will not permit these marauding criminals, who are fleeing from neighboring states due to military operations, to destabilize our communities.

"This incursion into the area must cease immediately. The safety of our citizens' lives and properties is of utmost importance. We will leave no stone unturned in achieving this, Insha Allah," stated the Deputy Senate President.

In a related incident, bandits invaded a community in Sokoto, abducting a bride, her bridesmaids, and numerous guests. On Saturday night, bandits attacked Chacho village in Wurno Local Government Area, taking the bride and other women who had gathered to support her as she prepared for her wedding ceremony scheduled for the following morning.

Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers struck just as the household members were settling in for the night.

Chacho village, the hometown of Alhaji Shehu Alhaji Chacho, the Sokoto State Commissioner for Special Duties, has now become the latest community to fall prey to the increasing wave of kidnappings sweeping across the state.

This abduction occurred mere hours after a ransom of N4 million naira and a motorcycle was paid to secure the release of victims previously held in Rabah town, the headquarters of Rabah LGA and the birthplace of the late Premier of Northern Nigeria and Sardauna of Sokoto., Sir Ahmadu Bello.

A resident of Chacho, who requested to remain anonymous due to fear of retaliation, confirmed the incident to our correspondent.

He reported that the gunmen invaded the community around midnight, firing shots indiscriminately before abducting the bride and others. He characterized the situation as "heartbreaking," mentioning that women, children, and elderly individuals fled to nearby bushes while the assailants operated unimpeded for several minutes.

Attempts to contact the Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police Ahmed Rufai, were unsuccessful as he did not answer calls after multiple attempts nor did he respond to a text message sent to confirm the attack at the time of this report.

The state chairman of the APC, Isah Achida, who verified the incident, stated: "Some residents of the village were abducted, but I do not have the precise number at this moment."

The source indicated that the residents of Chacho have been living in fear due to ongoing attacks in neighboring communities, adding that the recent abduction has left many traumatized, particularly families who were preparing for the wedding.

He elaborated that community members had hoped that the recent ransom paid in Rabah would provide some relief or indicate a decrease in criminal activities, but lamented that the renewed violence has only heightened their anxiety.

According to him, the bandits have yet to reach out to the bride's family or the village leadership to make any demands, leaving relatives in a state of confusion and powerlessness.

As the community awaits further updates, fear, sorrow, and uncertainty continue to loom over Chacho village.

Bandits are demanding N150 million ransom for the release of the Kwara monarch.
Similarly, the bandits who kidnapped the Ojibara of Bayagan in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Alhaji Kamilu Salami, from his farm on Saturday morning, have requested a ransom of N150 million from the community for his release.

It was reliably reported yesterday that the bandits communicated with the community in the early hours to demand this amount.

Oba Ojibara was requested by the bandits to communicate with members of his community, so they would believe he was under their control.

It was reported that the monarch, in his expressions of sorrow, implored the community to assist him by negotiating with the bandits for his swift release.

He mentioned that they transported him on a motorcycle through dense forests for over five hours before reaching their destination, where they were in contact with the community.

At the time of reporting, negotiations had not yet begun, as the call was intended solely to inform the community of the ransom and that the monarch was in their possession.

The monarch allegedly informed members of his community that an unspecified number of individuals were also kidnapped in the neighboring community while he was being taken away.

Bayagan is a large community located in the Ifelodun Local Go