Connect with us

Crime

Displaced Borno residents recount Boko Haram invasion

Published

12 months ago

on

Victims of the recent Boko Haram attack on Kirawa, a community in Gwoza local government area of Borno state, have recounted the ordeals and strategies the insurgents used to seize the community.

In an interview with our correspondent on Sunday, the victims described the experience as “disastrous.”

One victim, Aji Modu, explained that the terrorists entered the community on motorcycles.

In his words, “They came with motorbikes and started shooting while gradually entering the village.

“On their way, the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and hunters tried to hold them off in a gun battle, and they exchanged gunfire.

“The CJTF held the insurgents in a gunfight that lasted for hours, slowing their advance into the community. That gave us enough time to quickly run away.”

Another victim, Mustapha Umar, added that the insurgents succeeded in killing one person and abducting a teenager.

“After many of our people crossed the border while the gun battle was ongoing, the CJTF, who were holding the terrorists at gunfire, also began to withdraw. As soon as they withdrew toward our side, the insurgents overtook the town.

“They captured and entered every corner of the town. They took over almost everywhere and began burning houses.

“Unfortunately, one young man, less than 20 years old, was caught near the immigration office. The insurgents killed him.

“There was also a child, around 13 years old, running with his mother, whom the insurgents captured and took away. So, we had one death and one hostage taken from our community,” he said.

See also  Delayed justice, crowded cells: Over 80,000 rot in Nigerian prisons

Recounting the losses, a community member identified as Garba said properties including televisions, beds, mattresses, and farm produce were left behind.

“I couldn’t risk my life for material things. I left behind my television, mattresses, and clothes. All were burnt down,” he said.

PUNCH had earlier reported that community members called for a military base in the town following the redeployment of Cameroonian troops after a recent attack.

Days after the attack, our correspondent learned that the state governor, Babagana Zulum, mobilized troops to the community.

Speaking on the issue, Zulum said, “Yes, Cameroonian troops have withdrawn, but that doesn’t mean the Nigerian Army should leave the area vacant.

“We resettled this town about seven years ago, with the support of Cameroonian soldiers. Unfortunately, the returnees were displaced by insurgents.

Regarding the attack, the governor said he had informed the military earlier of the dangers of leaving the community without a military post.

“I duly notified the Nigerian military about the risks of leaving this town without security. This is a border community. Wilgo, Kirawa, Baga, Damasak, Malamfatori, among others, are border towns that must be protected given their strategic importance.

“Unfortunately, my request did not receive the attention it deserved, and the insurgents came on Wednesday and vandalized everything we worked so hard to rebuild.

“Lives were lost; 50 houses, heavy-duty equipment, and eight vehicles were burnt down. We thank God the casualties were not more.”

He added, “All of us have agreed that, as soon as possible, the Nigerian army will deploy soldiers to Kirawa town.”

See also  PHOTOS: Troops intensify crackdown on cultism, arrest seven suspects, recover firearms and charms in Benue

Meanwhile, Yakubu Mabba Ali, Chairman of Kirawa Development Association, noted that the governor promised various social amenities during his visit.

“The governor said he will bring the military here. He said he is going to consider our roads, hospitals, and provide palliatives to our people,” he said.

Residents Plan to Return

Our correspondent gathered that residents have begun returning to the community after spending several days in a Cameroonian village called Sabon Kasuwa.

Speaking with Khadijat Sanni through a language interpreter, she said the state government has deployed a local security outfit in the community.

“The government deployed some members of the vigilante group called Karan-Kara to Kirawa. Their presence gave us the assurance to return,” she said.

Those who escaped the attack to Maiduguri confirmed to PUNCH that they held a meeting on Monday (yesterday) alongside their district head, who was previously displaced to Cameroon.

One of them, Aliyu Liman, said at the meeting they planned strategies to raise funds to assist the most affected families.

He added that their plan to return stems from the need to resume farming activities they left midway.

“Ninety percent of our people are farmers. Take me for instance; I left behind my bean farm. Now that I am aware peace has returned, I do not want to continue staying here in Maiduguri.”

Speaking about the meeting, Aliyu said, “We met with the district head yesterday in the Polo area of Maiduguri. Our discussion focused on how to assist our loved ones who were most affected. We are contacting organizations and people near and far across Nigeria to support the community with funds.

See also  NSCDC arrests four suspected drug dealers in Kano, recovers marijuana

“Whatever we raise by the time we return will be used to cushion the effects of the attack for families in one way or another,” he explained.

According to him, many dignitaries and community members present made significant donations totaling 600,000 naira.

“In the meeting, indigenes of the community residing in Maiduguri showed us solidarity.

“As of yesterday, about 600,000 naira was raised. We intend to use the fund to support the community until the state government fulfills its pledge.”

Providing more details, he said, “More than 50 people gathered yesterday. Prominent people from our town were present, including the Chairman of Kirawa Development Association, Yakubu Mabba Ali; Barrister Abba; Former Education Secretary Muhammad Abba, among others. Many dignitaries were present.

punch.ng

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 635
Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Crime

PHOTOS: Alleged 184.5kg cocaine bust: NDLEA arraigns KC Luxury, 2 accomplices, remanded in custody

Published

8 hours ago

on

September 26, 2026

By

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) today arraigned Afolabi Kazeem Michael, popularly known as KC Luxury, and two other accomplices, Boniface Freeman Ochoche Sule and Ikechukwu Ekugo Patriarch, before Hon. Justice Ayokunle Olayinka Faji of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on a 22-count charge bordering on cocaine trafficking, illegal export of narcotics, and money laundering.

The defendants, who were accused of conspiring between 28th July and 1st August 2026 to export 184.5 kilograms of cocaine concealed in five consignments through a Lagos-based courier logistics firm to London, United Kingdom, pleaded not guilty to all counts when the charges were read to them.

A statement from Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson, says count one of the charge sheet, marked FHC/LAG/CR/755/2026, accuses Afolabi, alongside Boniface and Ikechukwu, of conspiring with Atandare Oladipupo Oluwarotimi and Latifat Yusuf, already arrested in London in connection with the same case, to export the narcotic drug using consignments bearing Airway Bill Numbers 2079998314, 8224082370, 2079973571, 7181131742 and 2211893902, under the shipper’s name Yemi Ejide.

Other counts detail how Boniface procured Ikechukwu to facilitate the export while Afolabi is accused of procuring a staff member of BOT Express Logistics on Lagos Island to process the illicit consignment, and of unlawfully possessing the cocaine ahead of export.

After the not-guilty plea was entered and their bail application argued, the NDLEA prosecutor Abu Ibrahim who opposed the bail application, prayed the court to remand the defendants in a correctional facility pending trial, citing the gravity of the offences. Justice Faji thereafter ordered that the defendants be remanded in the Agency’s facility, and adjourned the matter till 4th October 2026 for ruling on the application.

See also  Pastor Arrested For Hiring Cultists to Kill A Rival Pastor In Bayelsa Over Church Membership

Afolabi, (a.k.a. KayCee Luxury, KayCee Lux, KC, Mr. Luxury, Yemi Ejide) who paraded himself online as a luxury goods dealer and lifestyle influencer, was arrested by NDLEA operatives on the night of 13th August 2026 as he attempted to flee Nigeria on a business-class flight to Paris from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, following the interception of the 184.5kg cocaine consignment estimated to be worth about N39 billion. A subsequent search on him and his Banana Island apartment led to the recovery of exotic vehicles, foreign currency and jewellery believed to be proceeds of the illicit trade.

Count one of the charge reads: “That you: 1. Afolabi Kazeem Michael a.k.a. KayCee Luxury, KC, Yemi Ejide, 2. Boniface Freeman Ochoche Sule and 3. Ikechukwu Ekugo Patriarch, Male, Adults, on or about the period between the 28t July 2026 and 1s day of August 2026 conspired with the duo of Atandare Oladipupo Oluwarotimi and Latifat.

Yusuf (both of whom have been arrested in London, the United Kingdom in respect of this case) to export 184.5 Kilograms of Cocaine, a Narcotic Drug contained in five (5) consignments with Airway Bill Numbers 2079998314, 8224082370, 2079973571, 7181131742, 2211893902 with shipper’s name as ‘Yemi Ejide’ and you thereby committed an act which is an offence against and punishable under section 14(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 23
Continue Reading

Crime

PHOTOS: Police arrest suspected child trafficker, rescue two-month-old baby in Niger State

Published

8 hours ago

on

September 26, 2026

By

Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 35 Battalion deployed at FOB Faskari have arrested three suspected terrorists while allegedly transporting N2.7 million ransom and mobile phones intended for onward delivery to a suspected terror kingpin in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State. Africans& Diaspora

The suspects were apprehended at about 11:30 a.m. on September 24, 2026, while riding on a motorcycle within the Faskari area.

Military sources identified them as Habibu Hamza, 35; Inusa Alhaji Iliya, 15; and Umar Alhaji Isihu, 16.

According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, preliminary interrogation indicated that the suspects were allegedly travelling to hand over the ransom money and mobile phones to individuals identified as Alhaji Gadani, said to be a younger brother of the late Ado Aleru, and another individual identified as Zailani Shu’ibu.

According to the preliminary account, Gadani is based in Yankuzo village, while Shu’ibu was said to be located around Unguwan Tsamiya, both in Faskari LGA.

The items allegedly being conveyed comprised N2.7 million in ransom, one Android phone and two small Tecno mobile phones.

The military said the items were intended for onward transmission to a suspected terror kingpin.

The three suspects and recovered exhibits were subsequently moved to the 17 Brigade Provost Group for further investigation and necessary action.

The arrest highlights the increasingly important role of tracking the financial and logistical networks supporting kidnapping and terrorist activity in parts of Katsina.

Beyond the armed elements operating in forests and rural communities, ransom payments, communications devices, couriers and intermediaries constitute an important support chain that enables criminal groups to sustain their operations.

See also  Police arrest 10 suspected human parts sellers in Oyo

In a separate operation, troops of CT2 conducted fighting patrols around Unguwan Samanja, Alikere and Ruwan Godiya, including the Danyaro–Unguwan Bako and Ruwan Godiya–Doma road axes, to deny terrorists and kidnappers freedom of movement.

No contact was made with criminal elements during the patrols, which ended without incident.

Troops of FOB Jibia also conducted fighting patrols along the Jibia–Katsina highway and other parts of their area of responsibility, followed by stop-and-search operations aimed at preventing terrorist and criminal activities.

Similarly, troops from CT2 and CT4 conducted fighting patrols along the Wanzamai–Faskari–Yankara–Unguwan Boka–Shemе–Funtua–Giwa axis, with stop-and-search operations conducted during the movement.

The military said the operations were aimed at frustrating the activities of terrorists and other criminal elements operating within the area.

Meanwhile, troops of 35 Battalion conducted perimeter patrols around Natsinta Cantonment General Area, while other patrols continued across the unit’s area of responsibility.

The military described the general security situation in the area as calm but unpredictable, while troops’ morale and fighting efficiency remained satisfactory.

The latest arrest is significant because it provides an indication of how ransom payments may move through intermediaries and couriers before reaching criminal commanders.

However, the identities and alleged roles of the arrested persons remain subject to further investigation, and the preliminary interrogation should not be treated as a judicial determination of guilt.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 24
Continue Reading

Crime

PHOTOS: Police arrest suspect over de@th of Delta Education Director; launch manhunt for fleeing suspects

Published

8 hours ago

on

September 26, 2026

By

The Delta State Police Command says it has commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the de@th of Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda, a Deputy Director in the Delta State Ministry of Secondary Education, following an incident that occurred at the office of the Commissioner for Secondary Education Dr. Kingsley Ashibogwu, in Asaba on Thursday, September 24.

The Command says it has taken note of allegations suggesting that he was be@ten by aides to the commissioner identified as Enos Attah, Oputa Okestine, and Lucky Adoh.

Edafe Bright, the command’s spokesperson, said upon receipt of the complaints, the command immediately swung into action and arrested one of the suspects, Lucky Adoh, while a serious manhunt for the other suspects is ongoing.

Edafe stated that the state Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Samuel E. Erale, has consequently ordered the Homicide section of the Command’s State Criminal Investigation Department to carry out a thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and the subsequent de@th of the deceased.

He said the investigation will examine all available evidence, including relevant video footages, eyewitness accounts, medical records, and the actions of all persons connected with the incident, to establish the facts and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice in accordance with the law.

The CP assured the family of the deceased, concerned citizens and members of the public that the command will neither shield nor spare anyone found culpable, irrespective of status or position. He further assures that the investigation will be conducted professionally, transparently and without interference, while urging members of the public to remain calm and refrain from concluding until the facts surrounding the incident are fully established.

See also  NSCDC arrests four suspected drug dealers in Kano, recovers marijuana

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 32
Continue Reading

Trending