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INSECURITY: ‘Many Killed, 50 Abducted’ In 3-Day Bandit Attack On Sokoto Communities

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Bandits have reportedly killed many residents and abducted over 50 others during attacks on communities in Goronyo, Gada and Sabon Birni LGAs of Sokoto state.

According to TheCable, Lukman Iliyasu, a resident of Sabon Birni, said the attacks took place between Monday and Wednesday.

Iliyasu said the bandits invaded the communities in large numbers, shooting sporadically, and causing many residents to sustain various degrees of injuries.

“The attack started from Monday to Wednesday. The affected villages are in Goronyo, Gada and Sabon Birni LGAs,” he said.

“The villages that were attacked yesterday in Sabon Birni are Dan Gari where seven people were killed and dozens were kidnapped, in Kurawa two people were killed and several others were abducted, then Gumozo village, three residents were killed and many others were kidnapped.

“They were about to invade Gatawa village when security operatives engaged them and I learned that a number of the bandits were killed in the process.

“The bandits killed many people and took away more than 50 people from some villages. You know how they operate, they invaded different communities on separate days. They have been attacking Sabon Birni for a long time now. They even imposed a compulsory peace levy on our communities.

“This is the second year we have been placed on a compulsory peace payment. They said they will not allow our farmers to go to farms and cultivate or harvest food produce.

“Last year, they imposed N3 million on Sabon Birni due to our large population but we could only pay N1.5 million. This year, we were asked to pay N2 million because of the reduction in population as many people have been killed and several others have been displaced but we only paid N1 million to them.”

‘WOMEN, CHILDREN ABDUCTED’

Kabir Dauda, lawmaker representing Gada East in the Sokoto house of assembly, in an interview with Vision FM in the state, said among the 50 persons abducted are women and children, adding that they are still in captivity.

Dauda said the bandits have demanded N5 million for the release of one person.

“Two months ago, the security situation reduced but currently, the situation is more heightened than it used to be,” he added.

“Currently, we have over 50 residents that are being held captive by the bandits. In the process of the attack, some people sustained gunshot Injuries.

“Some of the injured persons are in a specialist hospital, some are in Goronyo, while others are in Gada.

“Those are some of the villages they invaded. The incidents all occurred within one week. They kept coming every day for three consecutive days. All these happened last week.

“They invaded Basana, they killed some people and abducted some, they also attacked Tsitse, Balakozo, they took children and several others, they invaded Karangiya and abducted three people and also shot several others. They also attacked Garin Hashimu, killed some residents and also went away with many people.

“Altogether, the people they abducted that I can confirm are 50 persons taken from different villages.

“Currently, many residents including women and children, are with the bandits. We don’t have enough security operatives to help the residents because the issue is still prevailing.”

The lawmaker called on relevant authorities to deploy more security operatives to the communities, saying “nothing has been done to protect these people”.

Efforts to reach Sanusi Abubakar, police spokesperson in Sokoto, for comment were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls or messages.

BIG STORY

Federal High Court Orders Eviction Of Emir Sanusi From Palace, State Court Halts Enforcement

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The Federal High Court sitting in Kano on Tuesday, May 28, ordered the eviction of Muhammadu Sanusi II from the palace

It was gathered that, the court, presided over by Justice S. A. Amobeda, also gave the police orders to make sure that Aminu Bayero, the 15th Emir of Kano, receives all rights and advantages due to him as the legitimate Emir of Kano.

According to Justice Amobeda, the decision was taken to uphold justice and preserve the peace in Kano State.

Justice Amobeda said: “An order of interim injunction restraining the respondents either by themselves, their agents, servants, privies or any other person or authority from inviting, arresting, detaining, threatening, intimidating, harassing the applicant, raiding, tempering with or visiting the applicant’s in order to arrest or infringe on his right or in any other way infringe or attempt to infringe the Applicant’s rights pending the hearing and determination of the originating motion

“An order restraining the 3rd, 4th and 5th respondents and all other respondents from denying the applicant to use his official residence and palace at the Emir’s Palace, Kofar Kudu as well as enjoy all rights and privileges accrued to him by virtue of being emir of Kano State and to evicting anything, anybody residing within the palace illegally pending the hearing and the determination of the originating summons.”

The Attorney General of the federation, the attorney general of the state, the police commissioner, the army etc are respondents.

The suit has been adjourned to June 4 for a hearing.

Meanwhile, a State High Court sitting at Miller Road, Kano had earlier on Tuesday, May 28, restrained the police, State Security Service (SSS) and Nigerian military from evicting the reinstated Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II from the palace.

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NBA, State Government Kick As 12-Yr-Old’s Two Hands Get Amputated By Nephew For Allegedly Stealing Phone In Gombe

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A 12-year-old child known only as Adamu had both of his hands amputated by his relative for allegedly robbing a phone in Gombe State.

Mwalin Abdu, on May 27, the vice chairman of the state’s Nigerian Bar Association, made this public.

Abdu, who also serves as the NBA’s Human Rights Committee Chair, brought attention to the development on Children’s Day, which was honoured on a global scale.

In a statement, titled: “Protecting our future: Urgent action needed on child protection in Gombe State,” which she issued on Monday, she said: “In 2018, we woke up to the story of young Zubair Abubakar (13 years old), whose arms were amputated because of the abuse by his teacher, just four days ago was another devastating story of 12-year-old Adamu from Tumu District in Akko LG of same Gombe State who also lost his arms due to similar incident with Zubair Abubakar, over alleged theft of phone.

“Even though the office of the Attorney General has taken over the prosecution of the cases, we believe that is not enough, because these two stories are just a tip of the iceberg of the numerous daily reported and unreported complaints or cases of child abuse in the state, ranging from sexual abuse, child labour, child molestation, child trafficking and so on.

“The heartbreaking tales of young victims like Zubair Abubakar and Adamu from Gombe State underscore a troubling reality: child abuse remains a pervasive issue in our communities, transcending mere headlines to expose the harsh realities faced by our most vulnerable members.

“While the ratification of the child protection law in 2022 was a pivotal step, the gap between legislation and its effective enforcement looms large, leaving children at risk and their futures uncertain.

“The time for passive observance has passed, the safeguarding of every child’s well-being demands immediate and resolute action.

“Gombe State must move swiftly to implement and enforce the child protection law, ensuring that those who exploit and harm our children face the full force of justice.

“Robust reporting mechanisms, specialised victim support services, and widespread awareness campaigns are imperative to redress the rampant abuse, exploitation, and trafficking that plague our dear state.

“On this National Children’s Day, let us recommit ourselves to the noble cause of defending our children’s rights in Gombe State.

“Their safety is non-negotiable, and our duty is unwavering – to shield them from harm and equip them with the resilience to surmount the challenges that lie ahead.

“Gombe State stands on the threshold of change; the time for action is now.

“Let us rise as one to protect our children, nurture their dreams, and embolden them to carve a future steeped in promise.

“The moment beckons, and our children look to us for a brighter tomorrow.”

In its reaction to the development on Monday, The Gombe State Government said it has filed charges against the man who amputated Adamu’s hands.

Abubakar Jungudo, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the Gombe State Ministry of Justice, confirmed this to newsmen.

Jungudo said: “We are going to prosecute the defendant.

“We are awaiting the assignment of the case by the Chief Judge of Gombe State.

“One of the Magistrates in Kashere drew my attention to the case, having seen the seriousness of the injury and it was referred to the Gombe State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.”

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JUST IN: Labour Rejects Federal Government’s Fresh N60,000 Minimum Wage Offer, Insists On N494,000

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The minimum salary that was initially suggested by the Federal Government at a meeting of the tripartite committee on minimum wage in Abuja on Tuesday was increased by N3,000 to N60,000.

During the most recent minimum wage conference, organised labor—which includes the Trade Union Congress and the Nigeria Labour Congress—also reduced their request by N3,000 from N497,000.

Labour leaders were not pleased with the sum that the government had suggested, according to a source who provided the breakdown during the meeting on Tuesday.

A member of the union who spoke to our correspondent before the meeting started noted that organised labour would only go lower if the government went higher on its demands.

“This is simply a case of if they go higher, we will go lower. They need to propose something reasonable for us to propose something lower too. There is no two-way about it.

“Also, we have a way of meeting as members of the Labour before each committee meeting. This will help us to take a uniform stand by the time we get to the meeting front.

“So as long as the government is ready to present something reasonable, we will meet them in the middle,” the labour leader said.

 

More to come…

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