African News Today

<strong>Bandits Burn Catholic Priest To Death In Niger</strong>

15Jan

By Mary UgwuanyiNo Comments

Crime, News, Nigeria, Religion, Security, Terrorism

Bandits Burn Catholic Priest To Death In Niger

Suspected bandits have killed a Catholic Priest of St. Peters and Paul Catholic Church identified as Isaac Achi, in Kafin-Koro, Paikoro Local Government Area, LGA, of Niger State. The priest was torched to death at his residence in the early house of Sunday. The attack was confirmed by the Niger State police command spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, noting that the bandits burnt the building after failing to gain access into the priest’s residence. According to Abiodun, another priest was equally shot while trying to escape from the attackers. The statement read, “On 15/01/2023 at about 0300hrs, armed bandits invaded the Parish residence of one Rev. Father Isaac Achi of St. Peters and Paul Catholic Church, along Daza road, Kafin-Koro, Paikoro LGA. “Unfortunately, the bandits...

Why We Negotiate With Kidnappers, Bandits To Free Hostages – IGP

10Nov

By Mary UgwuanyiNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Security, Terrorism

Why We Negotiate With Kidnappers, Bandits To Free Hostages – IGP

Usman Alkali Baba, the Inspector General of Police, has explained by security operatives sometimes go into negotiation with non-state actors in order to secure the safe release of hostages. He explained that it would be risky to apply extreme force in a bid to free hostages abducted by armed terrorists. Alkali Baba disclosed this when he appeared at the weekly briefings coordinated by the Presidential Media Team in Abuja on Thursday. The Police Chief stated this against the backdrop of more than 80 Chibok girls still in the captivity of Boko Haram, including 29 students of FGC Birni Yauri who remain in captivity several years after their kidnap. He said, “You see, the issue of kidnapping is an issue that borders almost all the security agents, including the military, it is...

UNICEF Condemns Abduction Of 21 Schoolchildren In Katsina

5Nov

By Mary UgwuanyiNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Security, Terrorism

UNICEF Condemns Abduction Of 21 Schoolchildren In Katsina

The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, has kicked against the abduction of 21 children abducted by terrorists in the Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State and asked for their immediate release. UNICEF in a statement issued by its representative in Nigeria, Ms Cristian Munduate, in Katsina on Friday described the development as an irony whereby those who ought to protect and care for children have instead become their abductors. The statement read, “UNICEF is concerned about the report of the abduction of no fewer than 21 children at a farm in Mairuwa community, Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, North-West Nigeria.” “Confirmed reports indicate the 21 children – 17 girls and four boys – aged between 15 and 18, were abducted last Sunday at about 12:30...

Terror Alert: Remain Vigilant – IGP Asks Citizens

28Oct

By Mary UgwuanyiNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Security, Terrorism, United States of America

Terror Alert: Remain Vigilant – IGP Asks Citizens

In response to the terror alert issued by the US, Usman Baba, the Inspector-General of Police, has assured residents across the country of the commitment of the force to ensure the safety of lives and properties in collaboration with other security agencies. Baba gave this assurance while directing all strategic police managers in charge of police commands and tactical formations within the country to step up security alertness in their different controls, especially in the FCT. The IGP’s directive was contained in a statement issued by Force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement issued on Thursday. Adejobi said, “He similarly directed that all emergency numbers across the country should be activated to full capacity for a 24/7 prompt response with combatant off...

Canada, Australia Warn Citizens Over Likely Terror Attack In Abuja

27Oct

By Mary UgwuanyiNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Terrorism

Canada, Australia Warn Citizens Over Likely Terror Attack In Abuja

Australian and Canadian authorities have warned their citizens to be on high security alert while traveling to and moving around Nigeria. This followed a similar alarm by the US and UK, warning of a likely terrorist attack in Abuja. The US followed up the warning by directing an evacuation of its citizens and embassy staff in Nigeria. The Australian government in its advisory asked her citizens to reassess the need to embark on a travel to Nigeria. The Australian government named Abuja and areas surrounding it as places prone to attack by terrorists and kidnapping. It stated, “The potential for terrorism, kidnapping, crime, and civil unrest remains high throughout Nigeria. If, despite our advice, you undertake travel within Nigeria, research routes and get profes...

Military Troops Neutralises ISWAP Terrorists in Yobe

26Sep

By Osaretin BalogbanNo Comments

Breaking News, News, Nigeria, Security, Terrorism

Military Troops Neutralises ISWAP Terrorists in Yobe

The Nigerian military neutralised a group of terrorists belonging to the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) in Yobe State. See Also: Boko Haram, ISWAP Still ‘Very Dangerous,’ North-East Needs $1bn Aid – UN The terrorists with vehicles and motorcycles had gathered at a location known as Wulle to initiate an attack. Zagaxola Makama, An intelligence officer, revealed that with information reaching the troops of the 27 Task Force Battalion, an attack that killed scores of the terrorist was launched using their artillery. According to the Daily Post, the escaping terrorist later returned on motorcycles to retrieve their comrades’ corpses. Source: Daily Post

Gunmen Hijack Commercial Vehicle, Abduct Passengers in Rivers

19Sep

By Osaretin BalogbanNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Security, Terrorism

Gunmen Hijack Commercial Vehicle, Abduct Passengers in Rivers

A commercial vehicle boarded by five passengers has been hijacked by unknown gunmen on the Emohua-Kalabari axis of the East-West Road in Rivers State. See Also: Gunmen Kidnap Four Catholic Sisters In Imo According to the Daily Post, The intercepted vehicle and the passengers were taken by the gunmen to an unknown destination. Reports confirm that the vehicle was boarded by passengers on Saturday around 8 pm, however, the vehicle was later hijacked and the driver released by the gunmen. The Rivers State Police Command is yet to issue a statement on the incident. While condemning the attack on road users, the Chairman of Rivers state civil society organization, Eneefa Georgewill, called for sufficient security on the road and if the four local chairmen of LGA fail to do s...

Six Kidnapped Victims Rescued by Military Troops in Kaduna

13Sep

By Osaretin BalogbanNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Security, Terrorism

Six Kidnapped Victims Rescued by Military Troops in Kaduna

The Kaduna State Government announces that six kidnapped victims have been rescued by troops of the Nigerian Army during a clearance patrol. See Also: Troops Foil ISWAP Attack At Special Forces’ School, Kill 7 Terrorists In Yobe In a statement by the State Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, it was revealed that six hostages were rescued when clearance patrols were conducted around the Kangon Kadi general area in Chikun Local Government Area. The statement further revealed that the bandits responsible fled as they could not withstand the firepower of the Military troops after attacking the location of the bandits which is around the Kangon Kadi forest, Labi, and the Udawa river. According to the statement, Kaduna State Governor, Nas...

Three Police Officers killed by Suspected Gunmen in Enugu

8Sep

By Osaretin BalogbanNo Comments

Breaking News, Nigeria, Terrorism

Three Police Officers killed by Suspected Gunmen in Enugu

On Wednesday night, suspected gunmen killed three police officers at Chime Avenue, New Haven, North Local Government Area in Enugu State. See Also: Police Rescue Italian Catholic Priest Abducted In Edo, Kill 3 Suspects According to the Daily Post, a sienna driven by the suspected gunmen overtook a police Hilux vehicle and then proceeded to open fire on the officers afterwards. It was reported that three officers died on the spot, at the time of filling this report the Enugu State Police Command is yet to release a statement concerning the incident. Source: Daily Post

Kidnappers Demand N90m Ransom for Abducted Funeral Guests in Ondo

6Sep

By Osaretin BalogbanNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Terrorism

Kidnappers Demand N90m Ransom for Abducted Funeral Guests in Ondo

The Kidnappers who had abducted funeral guests in Ondo State have demanded a ransom of N90 million to procure their release. The abductees were kidnapped in ifon, Ondo state as they returned from a burial service held in Ewatto, Edo State. The kidnappers have made a demand within the range of N3 million and N10 million per victim before considering releasing them. See Also: Police Launch Manhunt For Kidnappers Of Nollywood Star The Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs. Bamidele Ademola-Olateju said the state government doesn't participate in ransom negotiations with kidnappers as she announced the news at a conference in Akure. She insisted that giving ransom to kidnappers gives them more confidence to continue such crimes. “The victims went f...