Insecurity: 25 killed in Plateau within 24 hours

• Terrorists abduct 50 in Kaduna, fleeing woman dies after delivery

• Police fault report on bandits’ movement to Kwara fake

No fewer than 25 persons were killed at the weekend in Plateau State. The deaths were due to attacks by suspected Fulani militia and a clash of vigilante operatives with bandits.

A clash between a vigilante group and bandits in Bangalala town, Wase Local Council of the state had claimed 18 lives on both sides.

Also, a suspected Fulani militia attack of Danda Chugwi community in Jos South, on Sunday, left seven people dead and others injured.

Confirming the incident to journalists, yesterday, the National Publicity Secretary of Berom Youth Moulders Association, Rwang Tengwong, said the Danda Chugwi killings came less than 24 hours after 18 persons were killed during a clash between bandits and the vigilante group in Wase.

The local vigilantes succeeded in neutralising the 16 bandits but lost two of their members to the fierce battle.

Having occupied the town after threatening its people to vacate, the bandits got a surprise from the vigilantes, who mobilised and confronted them.

The police reportedly fumed at the development, saying the vigilante did not consult any security agency before launching the attack.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Alfred Alabo, said the vigilantes might have unknowingly committed murder during the attack.

Promising to investigate the matter, Alabo added: “If you fight bandits and recover exhibits, is it not a good thing? Then, you report it to the police. If you don’t want to report to the police, you report to Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Department of State Services (DSS), Civil Defence or Customs represented there. Why will you leave all the government agencies and go to the newspaper to publish?”

Military Information Officer (MIO) of OPSH, Maj. Ishaku Takwa, said soldiers had been deployed to the area, adding: “Information at our disposal showed no death of bandits or vigilantes.”

IN a fresh attack on Birnin Gwari community, Kaduna State, terrorists abducted 50 persons, as hundreds of inhabitants fled.

It was gathered that a pregnant woman, who was fleeing the troubled zone, fell on the roadside, delivered a baby boy and died. The baby also died instantly.

The officials of Birnin-Gwari Emirate Progressives Union (BEPU) said, in the last five days, it had been raising the alarm about the heartless attacks by terrorists in Damari, following the withdrawal of Ansaru, a Boko Haram splinter group, from the area.

Chairman of BEPU, Alhaji Ishaq Kasai, stated: “Bandits encircled Damari and abducted about 50 people when troops from Dogon-Dawa military base escorted some residents who were willing to move to comfort zones in neighbouring communities and even as far away Zaria.”

Police operatives in Kebbi State have faulted reports that bandits were moving to Kwara State through Kebbi.

Spokesman of Kebbi Police Command, SP Nafi’u Abubakar, said: “Sequel to an intelligence report that has gone rival on some social media platforms that Kamba area of Kebbi is one of the routes to be used by bandits to Kwara, the Kebbi Police Command wishes to unequivocally reiterate that such report is fake, misleading, mischievous and calculated attempt by some unpatriotic individuals to instil fear and divert the attention of the police on its avowed commitment to guarantee the safety of the good people of Kebbi.

“In view of the foregoing, the Acting Commissioner of Police, Kebbi State, DCP Maiyaki Baba, calls on Kebbi people to disregard such report and go about their lawful businesses, as the command under his watch will leave no stone unturned in ensuring the protection of lives and property.”(The Guardian)