Crime
Train attack: 7 more hostages breathe the air of freedom
Seven more hostages from the Kaduna-Abuja train attack have breathed the air of freedom.
The Media Consultant to Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar, Mallam Tukur Mamu (Dan-Iyan Fika) has on Saturday said he facilitated the release of another seven of the Kaduna -Abuja train attack victims from their abductors.
Among those said to released by the terrorists were Ango Abdullahi’s son, Sadiq Ango Abdullahi, a foreign national of Pakistani origin, Dr Muhammad Abuzar Afzal, Bosede Olurotimi, Abubakar Zubairu, Alhassan Sule, Muhammad Daiyabu Paki and Aliyu Usman.
Mamu was instrumental in the dialogue that led to the release of the eleven victims of the train attack and reportedly succeeded in convincing the abductors of the Abuja-Kaduna train passengers to drop the recent threat of slaughtering their victims.
Mamu said he has been under pressure from family members of the victims to reconsider his stand of withdrawing from facilitation of the victims release, in view of the respect and confidence the abductors have in his ability to sincerely engage in dialogue.
Mamu said the release of victims has vindicated Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Gumi about what the power of mediation can achieve.
“I want to assure the nation that everything that was achieved today was singlehandedly initiated and arranged by me with the full support and prayers of my principal, Sheikh Gumi. That is why I keep emphasising that government has the power to end the agony of this innocent victims in one day. This is just one individual that sacrifice his life and even integrity. There is no military solution to the current security debacle in Nigeria. When you sincerely engage them this guys even though wicked with misguided religious beliefs, they are listening. I have sufficient evidence to probe that they due listen. It is this power of engagement and sincerity that resulted to the release of this 7 victims.
“In whatever I do I don’t need or require any reward from anybody but from Allah but I hope the nation we sacrificed our lives for will recognize us”
“Mamu said the seven rescued victims have been handed over to the military and are now on their way to Kaduna. He thank the Kaduna military GOC for the support he gave during the rescue mission.
“The location they (abductors) gave is remote, sensitive and risky. There was a military checkpoint before penetrating the forest. My team was stopped by the soldiers but when they told the military our mission they contacted the GCO and he immediately gave approval for them to proceed. And after the victims were successfully evacuated, travelling through over 40 kilometers in the forest, they were given a military escort back to Kaduna at the checkpoint”
But Mamu lamented that despite the poor medical condition of many of the rescued victims, securities that took over are unnecessarily wasting their time in a military unit at the outskirts of Kaduna and advice that authorities should Train attack: Terrorists free Ango Abdulllahi’s son, foreigner, others
By Abdulganiyu Alabi, Kaduna
09 July 2022 | 7:24 pm

[FILES] The train attacked on the Abuja-Kaduna Railway at Rijana Kagarko LGA, in Kaduna.
Seven abductees from the Kaduna-Abuja train attack have been released.
The Media Consultant to Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar, Mallam Tukur Mamu (Dan-Iyan Fika) has on Saturday said he facilitated the release of another seven of the Kaduna -Abuja train attack victims from their abductors.
Among those said to be released by the terrorists includes Ango Abdullahi’s son, Sadiq Ango Abdullahi, a foreign national of Pakistani origin, Dr Muhammad Abuzar Afzal, Bosede Olurotimi, Abubakar Zubairu, Alhassan Sule, Muhammad Daiyabu Paki and Aliyu Usman.
Mamu was instrumental in the dialogue that led to the release of the eleven victims of the train attack and reportedly succeeded in convincing the abductors of the Abuja-Kaduna train passengers to drop the recent threat of slaughtering their victims.
Mamu said he has been under pressure from family members of the victims to reconsider his stand of withdrawing from facilitation of the victims release, in view of the respect and confidence the abductors have in his ability to sincerely engage in dialogue.
Mamu said the release of victims has vindicated Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Gumi about what the power of mediation can achieve.
“I want to assure the nation that everything that was achieved today was singlehandedly initiated and arranged by me with the full support and prayers of my principal, Sheikh Gumi. That is why I keep emphasising that government has the power to end the agony of this innocent victims in one day. This is just one individual that sacrifice his life and even integrity. There is no military solution to the current security debacle in Nigeria. When you sincerely engage them this guys even though wicked with misguided religious beliefs, they are listening. I have sufficient evidence to probe that they due listen. It is this power of engagement and sincerity that resulted to the release of this 7 victims.
“In whatever I do I don’t need or require any reward from anybody but from Allah but I hope the nation we sacrificed our lives for will recognize us”
“Mamu said the seven rescued victims have been handed over to the military and are now on their way to Kaduna. He thank the Kaduna military GOC for the support he gave during the rescue mission.
“The location they (abductors) gave is remote, sensitive and risky. There was a military checkpoint before penetrating the forest. My team was stopped by the soldiers but when they told the military our mission they contacted the GCO and he immediately gave approval for them to proceed. And after the victims were successfully evacuated, travelling through over 40 kilometers in the forest, they were given a military escort back to Kaduna at the checkpoint”
But Mamu lamented that despite the poor medical condition of many of the rescued victims, securities that took over are unnecessarily wasting their time in a military unit at the outskirts of Kaduna and advice that authorities should hasten effort to take them to a medical facility for urgent evaluation.
When asked whether money was involved in securing the release of the victims, Mamu said “the 7 rescued victims are in the best position to confirm that. Money cannot achieve what I have done today. And I will never involved myself on any issue that has to do with money. I am also under serious watch. I am sure if they have evidence against me I cannot be talking freely the manner I used to do. However, this is no time for blame game. We must come together as a nation to confront our challenges. I pray and hope that government will learn a lot of lessons in the development of today. We thank Allah that He uses us to make many happy”.
Mamu has also pleaded with the families of the remaining victims to actively engage the government to secure the release of their loved ones and insisted that with what he has proven again, he will not be involved in such a risky mission again.
the effort to take them to a medical facility for urgent evaluation.
When asked whether money was involved in securing the release of the victims, Mamu said “the 7 rescued victims are in the best position to confirm that. Money cannot achieve what I have done today. And I will never involve myself in any issue that has to do with money. I am also under serious watch. I am sure if they have evidence against me I cannot be talking freely in the manner I used to do. However, this is no time for the blame game. We must come together as a nation to confront our challenges. I pray and hope that government will learn a lot of lessons in the development of today. We thank Allah that He uses us to make many happy”.
Mamu has also pleaded with the families of the remaining victims to actively engage the government to secure the release of their loved ones and insisted that with what he has proven again, he will not be involved in such a risky mission again.
Culled from the Guardian
Crime
Nigerian Military clamps down on Yoruba Nation Agitators, apprehend 9
Troops of the Nigerian Army on Saturday clamped down and apprehended 9 adherents of the Yoruba Nation who invaded the Oyo state Secretariat
Kitted in foreign military camouflage with berets and armed with dangerous weapons the attackers arrived in a commado style in buses and motorbikes, and started shooting sporadically after sighting the troops
However, the troops with superior firepower subdued the attackers, who retreated but in disarray.
The Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu in a statement indicated that 9 members of the irredentist group were apprehended, while one Semi Automatic Pump Action rifle and ammunition were recovered.
He said while the situation is under control, troops have gone out to track down the fleeing adherents.
“We assure members of the public that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure the safety and security of the general area.
“We urge the public to remain calm and vigilant, and to report any suspicious activity to the appropriate security agencies. The safety and security of the citizenry remain a priority, as we will continue to work tirelessly to maintain peace and order in the region,” Major General Nwachukwu assured
Crime
Kidnappers highjack two Abuja-bound buses conveying passengers in Kogi
***Police confirms abduction of passengers
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
Two buses fully loaded with Passengers travelling from the Eastern part of the country to Abuja have been highjacked and passengers abducted in Inele-Eteke Ogugu new road in Kogi east Senatorial district
The two buses belonging to God Is Good (GIG) transport and Logistics company and the ABC transport company were highjacked while heading to Abuja by Kidnappers in Kogi state.
The source further discosed that GIG bus left umuahia at 7:30 am on Saturday on its way to Abuja.
GIG company it was gathered has contacted security services and they are tracking them.
Meanwhile the Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the Saturday kidnap of passengers aboard two Abuja-bound buses from the Eastern part of the country on Inele-Eteke Ogugu new road in Kogi East Senatorial district of the state.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Williams Aya (SP) made the confirmation in a statement made available to newsmen on Monday in Lokoja.
Aya who could not give the number of passengers however, confirmed that two buses were involved,
The PPRO said that the state Commissioner of Police, Bethrand Onuoha, immediately directed the Divisional Police Officer, Local Vigilantes and Hunters to comb the bushes with a view to apprehending the hoodlums and rescuing the victims.
He disclosed that Onuoha further deployed the Tactical Squad consisting of Quick Response Unit, Police Mobile Force, Counter-Terrorism Unit, as well as conventional Police personnel to the area to continue with the bush combing to ensure all victims are rescued unhurt.
Our correspondent gathered on Monday that the buses, one from GIG Motors and the other from ABC Transport heading to Abuja were intercepted by the gun-wielding hoodlums on the lonely road in Kogi state.
The victims were said to have been marched into the bush by the hoodlums leaving no traces.
According to the source, the GIG bus left Umuahia at about 7:30am on Saturday enroute Abuja adding that the GIG company said they had contacted security agencies.
Crime
Gunmen kill two royal fathers in Ekiti, another escapes by the whiskers
***Fish out killers, Oyebanji orders security agents
Tragedy has struck in Ekiti State where gunmen yet to be identified laid ambush for two first class traditional rulers and gunned them down in a gruesome manner on Monday
The unfortunate incident occured on IRELE -Oke Ako road in Ikole Local government area of Ekiti State .
The slain traditional rulers are Oba Olumojo of Imojo Ekiti, Oba Olatunde Samuel Olusola and the Elesun of Esun Ekiti, Oba David Babatunde Ogunsola.
Another traditional ruler, Oba Alara of Ara Ekiti,, Oba Adebayo Fatoba escaped being killed by the whiskers
They were said to be returning from a meeting when the gunmen opened fire on them, killing two of the traditional rulers on the spot.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji who confirmed the killing of the traditional rulers in a statement ordered security agencies to immediately fish out the killers of the two traditional rulers.
In the statement signed by his Special Adviser on media and publicity, Yinka Oyebode, Oyebanji condemned the gruesome murder of the two traditional rulers.
The statement reads thus :
” Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has condemned Monday’s dastardly attack in Oke-Ako area in Ikole Local Government, which led to the gruesome killing of two traditional rulers; and ordered security agencies in the state to fish out the killers.
“The two traditional rulers- the Onimojo of Imojo Ekiti, Oba Olatunde Samuel Olusola and the Elesun of Esun Ekiti, Oba David Babatunde Ogunsola were killed in an ambush by armed men while returning from a meeting.
“The third traditional ruler, the Alara of Ara –Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Fatoba escaped the attack.”
Oyebanji, said security agents have been despatched to the area to fish out the perpetrators of the heinous crime.
The killings were carried out barely one hour Governor Oyebanji presided over the state security council meeting in Ado-Ekiti.
-
Crime6 months ago
Police nabs Killer of Varsity Lecturer in Niger
-
News3 months ago
FCT-IRS tells socialite Aisha Achimugu not to forget to file her annual returns
-
Appointment7 months ago
Tinubu names El-Rufai, Tope Fasua, others in New appointments
-
News From Kogi6 months ago
INEC cancells election in 67 polling units in Ogori-Magongo in Kogi
-
News From Kogi8 months ago
Echocho Challenges Tribunal Judgment ordering rerun in 94 polling units
-
News7 months ago
IPOB: Simon Ekpa gives reason for seperatists clamour for Biafra
-
Metro1 month ago
‘Listing Simon Ekpa among wanted persons by Nigeria military is rascality, intimidation’
-
News3 months ago
Kingmakers of Igu/ Koton-Karfe dare Bello, urge him to reverse deposition of Ohimege-Igu