Security
Families cry out as bandits threaten to marry out four kidnapped students in Zamfara
Families cry out as bandits threaten to marry out four kidnapped students in Zamfara
Families of four female students of the Zamfara State College of Arts and Science who were kidnapped by bandits six months ago have cried out to the state government for help after the bandits threatened to give them out in marriage.
The students were abducted in January 2023 along the Birnin Magaji-Kaura Namoda road along with other passengers while they were returning from a wedding ceremony.
However, their families have been unable to raise the ransom amount demanded by their kidnappers to free them.
The plea by the families came after the bandits allegedly released a video on Saturday where the kidnapped students were seen lamenting and revealing that their kidnappers were threatening to marry them out if their parents or guardians do not pay the N12 million demanded as ransom to secure their freedom.
According to the video, the victims also lamented that their abductors have given their families only one week to act.
“We are appealing to our parents and guardians to as a matter of urgency, meet up with the demands of the bandits because we are in trouble here with our abductors please look for money to secure our freedom,” one of the victims reportedly said.
“The past government of Bello Mohammed Matawalle could not secure our release, this is our sixth month plus in captivity. We are appealing to the Governor Dauda Lawal-led administration to assist for our freedom,” she said.
Families cry out as bandits threaten to marry out four kidnapped students in Zamfara
Headlines
Troops arrest two banditry suspects with AK 47 rifles in Taraba
Troops of 6 Brigade, Sector 3 of the “Operation Whirl Stroke” (OPWS) have thwarted a planned banditry attack in Taraba and arrested two suspects with AK 47 rifles.
According to a statement on Thursday by Capt. Olubodunde Oni, Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations in Jalingo, said the success was as a result of a coordinated operation based on credible intelligence.
“Upon receiving actionable intelligence, troops on 11 December 2024, swiftly launched a series of aggressive patrols, ambushes, and covert operations to prevent the attack.
“These efforts culminated in the apprehension of two suspected terrorists, identified as Terry Waapara and Tobaya Tekura, in Adu village.
“The suspects were intercepted while attempting to infiltrate the Chachanji market to carry out their nefarious mission, believed to include kidnapping and other criminal activities.
“During the operation, troops recovered 2 AK-47 rifles, 2 AK-47 magazines and 26 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
“The suspects are currently in custody and undergoing further investigation to uncover more details about their network and activities.”
The statement quoted the Commander 6 Brigade, Brig. Gen. Kingsley Uwa, commending the troops for their vigilance, professionalism, and swift response, which led to the success.
“I want to assure the good people of Taraba State that the Nigerian Army will remain resolute in its fight against terrorism, banditry, and other forms of criminality.
“I appreciate the support and cooperation of law-abiding citizens in providing timely and credible information.
“Together we will make Taraba a safe environment for all,” Uwa said
Headlines
NAPTIP receives 10 rescued victims of human trafficking in Kano
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Kano Zonal Command, has received 10 rescued victims of human trafficking.
The agency’s Zonal Commander, Mr Abdullahi Babale, said this on Thursday in Kano while receiving the victims from the Nigeria Police Force, Kano State Command.
He said that the victims were rescued on Dec. 7 at about 2.40 p.m. in a house situated at Rijiyar Lemu Quarters in Kano by a team of policemen,
led by CSP Bala Shuaibu.
Babale added that the rescued victims, aged between 22 and 42, comprised six females and four males, explaining that “they were on their way to Libya for labour exploitation.
“The rescued victims are from Delta, Edo, Osun, Ogun, and Lagos states.”
The zonal commander commended the Commissioner of Police in Kano State, Mr Salman Dogo-Garba, for his support and cooperation toward rescuing the victims.
He said that the victims would be counselled and rehabilitated before reuniting them with their families and urged parents to protect their children from being exploited and
lured into slavery in the name of seeking for greener pasture.
He urged the public to report suspicious cases of human trafficking in their respective communities.
Headlines
British High Commissioner seeks military, civilian efforts in tackling insecurity
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Richard Montgomery, has called for the combination of military and civilian efforts in tackling the complexity of security challenges in Nigeria and globally.
Montgomery made the call at a two-day Security and Justice Symposium organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in Collaboration with the British High Commission, on Tuesday in Abuja.
He commended the efforts of the Nigerian military in promoting civil-military collaboration and adoption of kinetic and non-kinetic action in addressing the menace of terrorism and insurgency in the country.
“At the heart of all this is recognition of the importance of upholding the rule of law, human rights, humanitarian law and international humanitarian law.
“We need to consider the different legal principles and frameworks that apply to criminal violence or to violent conflicts and how we deal with them in protracted conflict zones.
“We had a legal frameworks roundtable with the Nigerian military officers earlier this year, and a really good debate about how we adapt to different situations.
“I am hoping today we will help progress that dialogue on which Nigerian legal frameworks are appropriate in which circumstances,’’ he said.
Montgomery highlighted the positive and open relationship between the UK and Nigeria, noting that both countries were learning from each other’s experiences in tackling security challenges.
He expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to continue this productive dialogue and hoped that the symposium would result in actionable insights and further strengthen the partnership.
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