Security forces eliminate bandits in Kaduna LGAs, arrest bandit’s spouse, marabout, suspected collaborators

Security forces have reported that several bandits were eliminated, and camps destroyed, during clearance operations in Igabi and Chikun Local Government Areas of Kaduna State.

According to the State Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, clearance operations were conducted in Faka, Katuka, Barebari and Maguzawa general areas, spanning Chikun and Igabi Local Government Areas.

He said an unconfirmed number of bandits were sighted on the high ground across the Maguzawa river; they were engaged by a NAF attack helicopter, and neutralized.

Aruwan further stated that the security forces conducted clearance patrols to Katuka, about 9kms from Kangon Kadi in Chikun Local Government Area.

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He said during the destruction of camps, one fleeing bandit was apprehended, with the following items recovered: one Motorcycle, one AK-47 rifle and 30 rounds of ammunition.

He said during a subsequent clearance operation to Kangon Kadi and Barebari areas, one Rabi Hajiya Karime, the wife of a notorious bandit Zubairu, was apprehended.

Also arrested were Malam Idris Audu – a spiritual leader to the bandits – as well as Abdulrasheed Gambo Na Halima and Abubakar Idris Na Halima, suspected collaborators.

Similarly, some items used by bandits were recovered after dislodging and razing some bandits’ camps in Udawa general area of Chikun LGA.

They included, according to him, some motorcycles, one AK47 rifle, some AK47 magazines, ammunition and drugs, as may be seen in the attached pictures.

He said Governor Nasir el-Rufai expressed satisfaction at these reports, and commended the security forces for the successful operation.

The Governor, according to him, thanked the troops for their relentless efforts, and urged security agencies to ensure thorough investigations of the persons apprehended.

Clearance patrols, he stated, would be sustained in these and other earmarked areas.
[6:45 pm, 29/10/2021] OJIEFO: FCT to pay adequate attention to school security

The FCT Administration will continue to pay adequate attention to school security as the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has directed that adequate budgetary provisions should be made for the fencing of schools across the Territory in the 2022 budget under preparation.

In a statement, the Chief Press Secretary, Anthony Ogunleye said this was one of the fall-out from the monthly FCT Security Committee meeting held on Thursday, 28th October, 2021, and chaired by the FCT minister.

He said the minister commended the security agencies for the noticeable decline in criminal activities across the FCT and called on them to sustain the momentum.

Ogunleye said residents were also called upon to be security conscious especially in the “ember” months and cooperate with security agencies by providing information whenever possible.

He said on the issue of uncompleted buildings used as criminal hideouts, owners of such buildings were directed to immediately take steps to secure and complete them as appropriate sanctions will be taken against erring owners to the full extent of the law.

He said parents were also called upon to monitor the social media activities of their children as vulnerable and young people had become victims of criminal elements “operating in cyber space who endanger the lives and livelihoods of the children and their parents.”

Ogunleye said the activities of scavengers in the FCT were to be closely monitored and regulated by the administration.

He said the revised guidelines controlling their activities would be released by the Abuja Environmental Protection Board.

He said the Minster also commended the inter-agency cooperation among the various security agencies and urged them to continue to work closely together in order to get the desired results.

Also in attendance at the meeting were the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola, the Chief of Staff to the Minister, Malam Bashir Mai-Bornu, heads of the various security agencies in the FCT, Area Council Chairmen, traditional and religious leaders as well as senior relevant officers of the FCT Administration.