₦airaland Forum

BabaOwen:
Grazing with cows is even a crime. I wander why the Nigerian police force is not arresting this heardsmen.

The state should come up with their own unique laws to suit their people. Lagos State is a prefect example with unique law

I dey hear say soldiers, police and DSS wan arrest Sunday igboho, I will advise GMB not to let this country burn o.

Gumi is busy dinning with bandits, Una no arrest am... Nah igboho Una wan arrest.

Jaga Jaga country.

tutudesz:
The state should come up with their own unique laws to suit their people. Lagos State is a prefect example with unique law

There is a law banning open grazing in states like Benue and Ekiti.

But, the police do fail to arrest them when they break the law. Nigeria is now more than 50 years old, I think the issue of state police should be look at.

Former minister of aviation Femi Fani-Kayode says there was an attempt by security forces to arrest activist Sunday Adeyemo alias Sunday Igboho on Friday, Igbere TV reports.

“I just spoke to my brother Sunday Igboho. He told me there was a violent attempt to arrest him this afternoon by a joint team of soldiers, DSS operatives & policemen numbering about 40 on the Ibadan/Lagos Expressway whilst he was on his way to see Baba Ayo Adebanjo in Lagos,” he tweeted.

I just spoke to my brother Sunday Igboho. He told me there was a violent attempt to arrest him this afternoon by a joint team of soldiers, DSS operatives & policemen numbering about 40 on the Ibadan/Lagos Expressway whilst he was on his way to see Baba Ayo Adebanjo in Lagos. 1/ pic.twitter.com/tjyuKH58Bv

— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) February 26, 2021

Mr Fani-Kayode condemned the alleged attempt to arrest the activist.

“I condemn this attempt to ambush& abduct him. It is not only reckless but also very dangerous. If the security agencies want to see him all they need to do is to invite him to their office. I am not aware of any crime that he has committed & I urge restraint on all sides.”

https://twitter.com/realFFK/status/1365309988663623685?s=20

Sunday Igboho has been at the forefront of the fight against killer herdsmen in the south-west region.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eF-tTKtmh4g

Details shortly…

E no go better for people wey send Una

BabaOwen:
There is a law banning open grazing in states like Benue and Ekiti.

But, the police do fail to arrest them when they break the law. Nigeria is now more than 50 years old, I think the issue of state police should be look at.

State police will be abuse by governor's (APC and PDP). The law makers can educate the police and civil defence on such law.
If other governor's can learn from Fayose, this issue will be solved.

BabaOwen:
E no go better for people wey send Una

Like seriously bandits just kidnapped almost 600 girls and your priority is to arrest Sunday

tutudesz:
Like seriously bandits just kidnapped almost 600 girls and your priority is to arrest Sunday

The kin thing wey dey always happen for Nigeria dey make person boil with serious anger.

What's really the crime of Sunday? If the security agencies have been so active, Fulanis won't be killing people on their farmlands and destroying people farm with their cows.

This Buhari nah very incompetent person. He no dey hold any media talk or anything... This country no fit better lai lai

BabaOwen:
The kin thing wey dey always happen for Nigeria dey make person boil with serious anger.

What's really the crime of Sunday? If the security agencies have been so active, Fulanis won't be killing people on their farmlands and destroying people farm with their cows.

This Buhari nah very incompetent person. He no dey hold any media talk or anything... This country no fit better lai lai

Security is now a luxury items only the super rich can afford.
Governor's should stop addressing themselves has the chief security officer of the state O! Even gateman get more power than them

tutudesz:
Like seriously bandits just kidnapped almost 600 girls and your priority is to arrest Sunday

Isn’t this like suggesting all other law and order matter should be forgone in favour of prioritising the finding and releasing of the school girls?

Litmus:
Isn’t this like suggesting all other law and order matter should be forgone in favour of prioritising the finding and releasing of the school girls?

Is this the right time to arrest him For now Sunday is not a security risk to anybody, compare to other individuals.

tutudesz:
Like seriously bandits just kidnapped almost 600 girls and your priority is to arrest Sunday

The whole students in the school were said to be around 450 and about 300 have not been seen or accounted for.

You decided to double the numbers so can get attention abi?

tutudesz:
..

CGTN Reporter was there and the report was that total population of students in the school was about 450 and after the headcount they can't account for about 300 students.

Nigerian media houses that can't even pay reports and depend on fabricated news will never change their ways.

Why will 300 suddenly turn to 600 if not because some media houses have hidden motives.

iblawi:
CGTN Reporter was there and the report was that total population of students in the school was about 450 and after the headcount they can't account for about 300 students.

Nigerian media houses that can't even pay reports and depend on fabricated news will never change their ways.

Why will 300 suddenly turn to 600 if not because some media houses have hidden motives.

"The Zamfara State Government has said the number of students abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe, is unknown"
It's not the fault of the media, but that of school management and state government

https://www.nairaland.com/6434932/repentant-bandits-surrender-anti-aircraft-guns

See weapons na. And Sunday is the biggest problem together with protesters

BabaOwen:
Repentant Bandits Surrender Anti-Aircraft Guns, Rocket Launchers To Zamfara Govt (Photos)

Zamfara State Governor, Bello Mohammed Matawallen on Thursday, received three more repented bandits who surrendered their arms at the Government House, Gusau, IgbereTV reports.

Among the repented bandits was one Muhammadu Sani Zakwi, the son of late Buharin Daji, Muhammad Sani Zakwi, a one time notorious bandit leader.

Zakwi inherited the leadership of one of the most dangerous camps in the state (Buharin Daji Camp) after his father's death. The gang operated within Maru and Bungudu local Government Areas.

Items surrendered by the repentant bandits included 8 AK-47 rifles, two rocket launcher, 1 Map machine, and 1,041 live Ammunitions.

Receiving the repentant bandits and the surrendered arms and ammunition, Governor Matawallen noted that in less than two weeks, his administration had received four more groups of repentant bandits in furtherance to his carrot and stick approach to ensure lasting peace and tranquility in the state.

The Governor maintained that his administration will not rest on its oars until total peace is achieved in all parts of the state.

The Governor who thanked the Almighty God for making it possible for his administration to continue recording this successes, explained that the peace accord and reconciliation process with repentant bandits would be sustained in the state, while those unrepentant ones will face the full wrath of the law.

According to the Governor, not all Fulanis are criminals, noting that "as we all know, Fulanis are living and conducting their cattle rearing business in the bush.

He enjoined his colleagues, Governors across the country to embark on the peace and reconciliation with bandits and provide them with a sense of belonging.

He thanked the Emir of Maru and other stakeholders in the area for having talks with the bandits which led to the success recorded.

In a remak, the state Commissioner of Security and Home Affairs, Alhaji Abubakar Muhammed Dauran said this giant initiative of common approach towards addressing insecurity in the state is yielding positive results.

Alhaji Abubakar Dauran added that in this regard, a lot have been achieved in the state internal security operations as a result of the peace accord which led to the return of normalcy in some hard-hit areas.

The commissioner explained that since the beginning of the peace process and reconciliation with bandits in the state, about 181 sophisticated weapons, 1525 live Ammunitions, 64 magazines, 2 number of Handcuffs as well as 887 locally fabricated Den guns were voluntarily surrendered by repentant bandits and local vigilantè group (Yansakai) across the state.

Son of notorious bandit leader, three others surrender arms, anti aircraft guns, rocket launchers, live ammunitions to Zamfara State Govt

Earlier, the Emir of Maru, Alhaji Abubakar Gado Maigari told the Governor that his emirate and other stakeholders in the area engaged the bandits in the bush on the need to stop the ugly business and embrace the peace process of the state Government.

The occasion was attended by the former Deputy Governor of Zamfara state, Malam Ibrahim Wakkala Muhammed, Head of Service, Alhaji Kabiru Balarabe, Deputy Chief of staff, Dr. Bashir Muhammed Maru, Emir of Gusau, Alhaji Ibrahim Bello commissioners and senior Government officials.

On their parts, Zakwi with two of his colleagues said they were convinced to surrender with the way other repentant bandits were handled by the State Government.

"We finally resolved to surrender and join the society for normal living and peace to reign as a result of reconciliation and dialogue" they said.

Zakwi swore that, henceforth, he will live peacefully and enjoy citizenship in the state.

"I swear in the name of the holy Almighty God, that I will never either kill, kidnap or disturb the peace of innocent citizens of Zamfara State and even beyond again. I want to live as a law-abiding and peace-loving citizen," he said.

"I want to assure the innocent people of Zamfara State that, a large number of bandits still living in the forest are willing to embrace peace as we were all made to understand that, administration of Governor Matawalle does not mean to trap and harm us, but rather meant to restore peace in the state.”

Responding, Governor Matawalle assured the repentant bandits of equal treatment without being stigmatized by any person or group of persons.

"My administration was committed to providing conducive living standard such as better education, health care delivery among other things.”

https://igberetvnews.com/1383688/repentant-bandits-surrender-anti-aircraft-guns-rocket-launchers-zamfara-govt-photos/

I once talked about Bandits having Anti-aircraft guns, one yama yama person start to dey ask me a foolish question say shey nah me give dem

Una go dey alright last last

Where is the anti aircraft gun

See as person dey argue like say 300 persons that were kidnapped is just a small figure.

About 600 Nigerians have been kidnapped in less than a month... And the major thing wey concern DSS nah Sunday igboho

Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) today arrested four suspected Kidnappers in Ibarapa, area of Oyo state.

The group under the supervision of the Oyo state coordinator of the Gani Adams-led OPC, comrade Rotimi Olumo, also made huge progress with the arrest of the second in command to the dreaded Kidnapper, Wakilu, Isiaka Muhammadu was also arrested.

The arrest was made around 1 pm today, while the OPC was on a search mission for the dreaded Wakilu that had been terrorizing the entire area.

Muhammadu, who was arrested around 5 pm had given vital information that might lead to the arrest of the kingpin.

The suspected Kidnappers had been a thorn in the flesh of the residents of the community.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7sDzcn5f9A

No government should have the right to tell people they do not have freedom of movement within their own country.
Their trade should be regulated, and that about does it. And of course they must be disarmed

tutudesz:
What are house of assembly members doing about it Can't they make a law that make it difficult for herdsmen to move about freely But if na to make life pension law, you see Happy

Sizzorkay:
No government should have the right to tell people they do not have freedom of movement within their own country.
Their trade should be regulated, and that about does it. And of course they must be disarmed

If your movement will result to lost of lives and properties, Government has the right to stop such movement.
How do you disarm a group of persons who feel they are above the law

Lurker4Long:

This poster strong O!
Warranty maybe be voided Toyota should cover their face in shame and stop Hilux production

Again, that won't stand up to scrutiny in court, you can not impede people's right to travel around their own country.
Focus on those committing crimes, not have some blanket restrictions on people's movement.

tutudesz:
If your movement will result to lost of lives and properties, Government has the right to stop such movement.
How do you disarm a group of persons who feel they are above the law

tutudesz:
Like seriously bandits just kidnapped almost 600 girls and your priority is to arrest Sunday

His priority? Do you even have sense? Is he the army chief or head of state? How does he even manage to have a priority in this affair... What do you think priority is?

At least, two soldiers were killed and dozen travelers, including a newly-wed bride and her friends, were abducted in separate attacks launched by suspected insurgents along the Maiduguri/Damaturu highway on Friday.

According to sources, the insurgents ambushed commercial vehicles plying the highway yesterday afternoon and forced many passengers into the forests.

Daily Trust Saturday learnt that the abductions took place between Mainok and Jakana axis in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State, around 3:30 pm.

According to a family source, only an elderly woman was left with instructions that the others have been kidnapped by the insurgents.

The source were in grief over the incident, saying all the passengers in the three vehicles who accompanied the bride to Damaturu had been forcefully taken away.

Similarly, suspected insurgents attacked a troop stationed between Mainok and Benisheik in the Kaga LGA and killed two soldiers in the process.

A security source who confirmed the incident, said the other soldiers were yet to report to their stations.

“We lost two soldiers and their hilux vehicle had been carted away with ammunition”, he said.

https://dailytrust.com/soldiers-shot-dead-as-boko-haram-abducts-newly-wed-bride

Sizzorkay:
Again, that won't stand up to scrutiny in court, you can not impede people's right to travel around their own country.
Focus on those committing crimes, not have some blanket restrictions on people's movement.

The court does not create nations people do, the court does not create ethnic groups. So the same structure that decide these two factors will decide the fate of the rampaging herdmen.

Ahmad Abubakar narrowly escaped being killed on his farm in Madaka, near Kagara, in 2020. The retired secondary school teacher resides in Kagara, the headquarters of Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, where 42 persons, including 27 schoolboys, were abducted from Government Science College on February 17.

The year before Mr Abubakar’s encounter with bandits, they had killed his younger brother along the Kaduna-Kagara road.

The back view of Mr Abubakar
“They rode on bikes and I was just on my farm. I hid somewhere and saw the bandits pass close to where I was hiding. I was shaking,” the septuagenarian told our reporter.

The bandits stole his farm produce and rode away.

Mr Abubakar said his younger brother was kidnapped in a neighbouring village to Kagara the previous year. The bandits demanded a ransom of N5 million but later reduced it to N500,000 when they realized the family had no such money. Still, the family could not raise the reduced ransom on time.

“Where would I get the money? They kept calling me,” Mr Abubakar recalled.

A few days later, another victim who had secured his own release told Mr Abubakar that the bandits had killed his brother.

“He said they chained his legs to a tree and shot him,” Mr Abubakar said.

Spotlight
Kagara and its adjoining villages have been under the siege of bandits for more than two years. However, it was the kidnapping of the schoolboys that brought the ordeals and sorrow of the community to national attention.

In that incident at the public secondary school on the outskirts of Kagara town, bandits abducted 42 persons, including the 27 students, three staff members and 12 members of their families.

The bandits raided two of the five hostels in the school, Barde and Lafene halls, to ferret out the students, in the process killing one of them, Benjamin Habilah.

The incident drew swift condemnations, including from the United Nations which described attacks on schools and other educational facilities as “abhorrent and unacceptable.” It also urged the Nigerian government to “spare no effort in rescuing those abducted and holding to account those responsible for this act”.

The state and federal governments have said they were negotiating the release of the abducted persons with the bandits.

A familiar terrain
Kidnapping for ransom has become rampant in many parts of Nigeria.

A report published in May by SB Morgen (SBM) Intelligence said between 2011 and 2020, Nigerians paid at least $18.34 million (₦7 billion) in ransoms to kidnappers.

In Niger and many other states in North-central and North-west Nigeria, bandits kill and kidnap at will despite the efforts of security agencies to check the menace.

Residents of Kagara said they had lost count of kidnapping incidents in the area.

They said on some days, people would leave their houses at night to avoid the risk of abduction. But even taking such precautions did not often guarantee safety.


Killing, kidnapping spree
A day before the attack on Government Science College, bandits killed the district head of Kushirki, a town about 20 kilometres from Kagara. Musa Kwabe, a Kagara leader who is also a younger brother to the deceased, said one person was yet to be accounted for in that incident.

“He was killed around 3 a.m., not far from his residence, inside the bush,” Mr Kwabe told our reporter on Saturday. “One of our brothers, Mai Wada, was also taken away and up till now, the bandits are asking us for ransom.”

This newspaper reported how the district head of Madaka, Zakariyau Idris, two of children and three other persons were also kidnapped in December 2019.

The bandits asked their families to pay N4 million as ransom, “and it was not negotiable.”

“They were there for four weeks before the ₦4 million was paid and they were released,” an official had told PREMIUM TIMES in August, 2020.

Nearly a year after the 2019 attack, the district head was kidnapped for a second time.

A former council chairman and relation, Muhammad Hussein, said the bandits killed the district head on December 21, 2020. Mr Hussein said the family had raised the N850,000 the bandits demanded as ransom before they got to know he had been murdered.

“We demanded to speak with him before paying the money. That was when we realised that he had been killed. We had contributed N850,000. But someone told us that he had been killed so we told them to put us through to him but they did not. That was why we did not later pay the money.”

The household of the murdered district head relocated to Minna, the state capital, after the incident, Mr Hussein added.

Another district head, Abdulhamid Danyaro of Gumna (Yakila), is yet to be released, two months after his abductors collected a ransom of N3 million for his release.

Missing District head.
Mr Danyaro was abducted on December 10, 2020. Those familiar with his case told PREMIUM TIMES that those who took the ransom to the kidnappers were harassed and beaten but allowed to return home empty-handed.

It is uncertain whether Mr Danyaro is still alive or has been killed by his abductors.

Empty health facility
The impact of the menace of banditry on Kagara and its environs is easy to notice even for a visitor.

With no obstruction at the security post and at the partially opened gate, one would have thought the hospital was open to patients any time of the day. But nobody was found in the facility that sunny afternoon.

“They have not been around for weeks,” a dark-skinned woman wearing a multi-coloured scarf told our reporter.

Ruth, as she later identified herself, sells food outside the hospital. According to her, the management and staff abandoned the hospital because of recurring attacks and kidnapping for ransom by bandits in the community.

Ruth responding to questions from our reporter
Before they fled the facility weeks before PREMIUM TIMES’ visit, the health workers only attended to out-patients for security reasons.

“For more than two months now, they only treated you but they could not admit you because of bandits,” Ms Ruth said.

She, however, added that the health workers may resume work the following week.

For the 30 minutes our reporter spent in the facility, no one appeared to notice his presence. Some of the offices, including the record section where the files are kept, were opened. The dust on the files and equipment indicated it had been a while any activity last took place there.

Record office
According to Mr Hussein, the community now depends on primary healthcare centres in the area. For any serious health complaint, however, a patient has to travel through the unsafe routes to Minna, he said.

Economic, academic activities grounded
The incessant attacks have taken a toll on the economy of the agrarian community. Many farmers have abandoned their farms as bandits stole or destroyed their produce.

“Many farmers have not cultivated crops because of the issue. To harvest has become a problem. This local government area is proud of farming but now, it is difficult for farmers. We don’t know when next we can go to farm,” Abdullahi Balarabe, a commercial farmer, said.

Yunusa Acha, a resident who sells agro-chemicals, said his business has been badly affected by the security crisis.

“It is when people go to farms that they can buy agro-chemicals,” he said.

“Those who took the risk of going to farm could not harvest. Their produce has been burnt. Now, when bandits come to your place and they don’t get anything, they burn the house.”

The only commercial bank in the community was shut down since September 2, 2020 when it was raided by bandits who carted away the cash they found in the vaults.

Closed bank
The robbery lasted about 12 hours, between 6 p.m. and 4 a.m. before the bandits withdrew to their hideouts in adjoining forests, Vanguard newspaper had reported.

Mr Kwabe said the bank’s security officer was killed in the incident. “More would have died but thank God, the manager acted fast. He had told them to close early that day,” he said.

Also, many schools in the community have not opened for more than a year due to the security situation and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Salihu Danladi
“Our children have not gone to school for more than a year. More than eleven schools, both primary and secondary schools, are closed,” Salihu Danladi, a resident of Kagara, told our reporter.

Confidence in local vigilantes
However, many of the residents interviewed said the situation would have been worse without the heroic efforts of local vigilantes.

“Some of these bandits are from Zamfara and other states. They work with some of our people and it is easier for the vigilantes to know their hideouts, compared to the police and other security agencies,” Mr Kwabe said.
Aside from that, the community leader said the people have lost confidence in the police, alleging complicity of some officers in the banditry.

“All these while, no bandits have been arrested. Instead, they arrest the vigilantes. Once they kill bandits, it becomes a problem. It is as if they are there to protect the bandits and not the people.”

He urged the government to empower and support the vigilantes.

“Our people do not have guns while these people are using AK-47. Before the vigilante can think of loading his gun again, these bandits have fired several shots,” Mr Kwabe said.

He also condemned the negotiations by the government with bandits and the demand for an amnesty for them made by Abubakar Gumi, an Islamic scholar. Mr Gumi has been mediating between the government and the bandits for the release of those kidnapped in Kagara.

Sheikh Gumi
“There should be another way to negotiate with the bandits — the way the government dealt with the Niger-Delta (militants). There must be a process. These bandits should be allowed to go through the process so that the kind of drugs and the kind of things they do… They should be rehabilitated before being integrated back into the society,” Mr Gumi said recently.

Mr Balarabe, the commercial farmer, called for devolution of power to give local authorities control over security outfits.

Abdullahi Balarabe
“The DPO (divisional police officer) is waiting for the area commander. The area commander is receiving orders from the commissioner of police who acts on the orders of the IG (Inspector General of Police)…. Let there be decentralisation of the system, where you are not waiting for Abuja to talk,” Mr Balarabe said.

But according to the Executive Director of Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative, Abideen Olasupo, what is needed is synergy between local vigilante and the security forces.

“There can’t be banditry in a community without the connivance or intelligence report of local people. So there is a need to activate the local vigilantes and empower people, especially traditional and religious institutions, to work together.”

ALSO READ: Kagara Abduction: Kidnappers demand ransom from victims’ parents
He said fighting banditry needs a holistic approach and neighbouring states should also be on alert.

Mr Olasupo also kicked against the demands for amnesty for bandits.

Police efforts
When PREMIUM TIMES visited the police station in Kagara, the most senior officer on duty refused to speak. He directed our reporter to the spokesperson of the police in the state command headquarters.

Kagara police station
But our reporter saw a fleet of new motorcycles, which Abdullahi, one of the officers who spoke with our reporter unofficially, said were brought to the community to aid the activities of the police.


Police officers deployed
When contacted for his reaction, Abiodun Wasiu, the spokesperson of the police in Niger State, referred our reporter to a statement from the police headquarters in Abuja.

In the statement signed by Frank Mba, the police spokesperson, “the Inspector-General of Police ordered the deployment of additional tactical, intelligence and investigative assets of the Force, including four (4) units of Police Mobile Force (PMF) attached to Operation Puff Adder II, one (1) Unit of Police Special Forces, personnel of the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) and operatives from the Force Intelligence Bureau and the Force Criminal Investigations Department.”

Also, one police aerial surveillance helicopter was deployed.

“The Police component of the search and rescue operation is being coordinated by the Commissioner of Police, Niger State who is effectively harnessing all the deployed resources and working in sync with the Military and other law enforcement agents in ensuring an intelligence-driven, focused and result-oriented ground and aerial surveillance in the rescue operations and to bring the perpetrators to book.

“The Inspector General of Police, while calling for calm, has enjoined members of the community to provide the Force and the security community with useful, relevant and timely information that can assist in the ongoing search and rescue operations,” the statement read.
https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/445189-special-report-how-bandits-terrorised-kagara-for-years-before-students-abduction.html

America To Continue Assistance, Cooperation With Nigeria, Super Tucanos To Arrive Before End Of 2021 – AFRICOM Commander - TVC

FEBRUARY 26, 2021

US Army General, and commander, US Africa command, Stephen Townsend has said that the United States of America will continue to strengthen its security cooperation with Nigeria.


He disclosed on his visit to Nigeria where he also met with the National Security adviser and Other senior officials of the Buhari administration.

The visit, which was part of a 3 day visit to West Africa, according to a press statement released by the US embassy in Nigeria demonstrates the strategic importance the United States places on its bilateral relations with Nigeria.

During the Visit, the commander met with the Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari and the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno to discuss regional security issues and to express gratitude for the assistance provided during the hostage rescue operation last year, a feat the commander describes as an example of a strong partnership with Nigeria

In another meeting with Nigeria’s Minister of defence, Bashir Salihi and the Chief of defence Staff, Major General Lucky Irabor, they discussed the on-going cooperation in the region, Greater maritime security and how to mitigate the threats.


General Stephen Townsend promises the African command will do its part to advance the security cooperation pillar so that Nigeria can enjoy a more secured and well deserved future

He also says the 12 A-29 super Tucano light attack aircraft, the 600 million dollars fighter jet Nigeria purchased in 2017 will be delivered before the end of the year

The US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary-Beth Leonard says the security cooperation partnership with Nigeria’s military will strengthen the country’s capabilities to secure land and sea borders, enhance overall security and combat terrorism in the North East

Nigeria Confronts Second Mass Kidnapping Of Schoolchildren In Nine Days - WASHINGTON POST

FEBRUARY 26, 2021

By Danielle Paquette
and
Ibrahim Garba

ABUJA, Nigeria — Gunmen raided a boarding school in northwestern Nigeria early Friday and kidnapped hundreds of girls, marking the third mass abduction of children since December in Africa's most populous nation.

The assailants struck the Government Girls Secondary School in Zamfara state in a predawn ambush, teachers and residents said, waking up the town as shots rang out.

By daylight Friday, community members continued to tally the missing — it remained unclear how many girls were forced into the nearby woods — while security forces scoured the area, which has been plagued by kidnappings in recent months.

No one has asserted responsibility for the attack, but criminal gangs known as “bandits” are increasingly seizing groups for ransom — a menace that has prompted some Nigerians to call for a national state of emergency.

The latest high-profile targets across the country’s north: Schoolchildren.

One of the girls’ guardians, Saidu Kwairo, said he watched from his window as pickup trucks roared into the town of Jangebe. The gunmen were firing their weapons into the air.

“We could hear the helpless voices of the girls screaming,” he said, “amid the sounds of dangerous rifles.”

The kidnapping comes less than two weeks after attackers stormed another boarding school in north-central Nigeria, abducting more than 40 people, including 27 students. The Niger state victims all remain in captivity as authorities attempt to negotiate their release.

Taking hostages is a growing business in the country.

Between 2011 and 2020, Nigerians paid at least $18 million to liberate themselves or loved ones, according to a report from SB Morgen, a consulting firm that crunched data from open sources.

Sixty percent of that amount was spent in the last half of that time frame, reflecting a troubling acceleration, the authors noted.

Kidnappers formerly focused on wealthy people or foreigners — targets that dangled bigger rewards. Over the last three years, though, the pattern has shifted: Practically anyone can be ripped out of their dwellings or off the streets in a string of northern states. Gunmen have even stopped public buses.

“Bandits have realized that the authorities cannot protect the people,” said Isa Sanusi, spokesman for Amnesty International in the Nigerian capital, Abuja. “That is lucrative. Ordinary people will give up all they have to save their families.”

Striking boarding schools in poor areas is seen as a savvy financial move.

“The schools are almost always in a squalid state without much fencing,” Sanusi said. “Kidnapping the children gets them worldwide publicity, and governments are always looking for a quick way of rescuing them. Ransom payments are one of the only options.”

In December, Boko Haram claimed responsibility for capturing more than 300 boys from a school in the northwestern state of Katsina. The classmates were released days later under murky circumstances. Officials rarely say how they negotiate the abductees’ freedom.

The extremist group garnered notoriety for kidnapping more than 270 school girls from the town of Chibok in 2014, sparking a viral social media campaign calling for their safe return: #BringBackOurGirls. More than 100 are still missing.

Although Boko Haram normally operates in the country’s northeast, analysts say gang members hundreds of miles away maintain relationships with fighters. The group has killed at least 36,000 people and displaced millions over the past decade from its stronghold in the Lake Chad Basin.

Authorities are not sure if the recent abductions were carried out by co-conspirators or copycats.



Nigeria’s defense minister, Bashir Salihi Magashi, set off outrage earlier this month after advising people not to “be cowards” and defend themselves against kidnappers.

“In our younger days, we stand to fight any aggression coming for us,” the retired army major general said in a statement. “I don’t know why people are running from minor things like that.”

But in Jangebe early Friday, residents said they feared for their lives.

The eruption of gunfire seemed intentional, several said. Perhaps the attackers wanted people to hide inside their homes.

No one had the arms to strike back.

“We thought they had come to attack residents as they usually do, but this time, unfortunately, they aimed at the students,” said a neighbor, 52-year-old Bello Maikusa Jangebe, who was startled awake by the sound of bullets. “We’ve noticed that only a few of the students were left behind.”

Garba reported from Kano, Nigeria. Ismail Alfa in Maidurguri, Nigeria, contributed to this report

Salatavor:
His priority? Do you even have sense? Is he the army chief or head of state? How does he even manage to have a priority in this affair... What do you think priority is?

Do I even have sense Serioiously you were looking for who to insult and unfortunately you ended up making a fool of yourself.
So the priority of Buhari, Army chief and DSS Dg was to arrest Sunday yesterday The same day almost 600 girls were kidnappers

Nigeria deep blue Hardware getting set for deployment