Relief, as kidnappers release 29 Afaka students
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…Obasanjo cautions FG on payment of ransom, says Buhari, Jonathan govts paid ransom, but denied
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The remaining 29 students of Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka, Kaduna State, have been released. This is even as former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday cautioned the Federal Government against paying ransom to kidnappers and bandits, saying it is capable of encouraging criminals in their evil act.
It will be recalled that 39 students of the school were kidnapped 57 days ago by bandits who invaded and demanded payment of N500 million ransom to effect their release.
By Marie-Therese Nanlong & Ibrahim HassanWuyo Alleged plan to cart away livestock belonging to one Dakup Ntiem went awry as the intruders abandoned the plan and rather shot and killed the livestock owner and injured his pregnant wife, Blessing. Since the incident, which occurred on midnight of April 28, 2021, Blessing, who has not been discharged after receiving treatment in a health facility, has been inconsolable as she ponders how she would raise her three kids and the baby she is carrying without her husband. Blessing, an orphan, got married to Dakup in 2011 and both have been working hard to raise their family until the tragedy. All she is demanding is for justice to be served as four suspects have so far been apprehended.
By John Shiklam
No fewer than two people were killed by bandits in Kaduna, while the Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Kogi State, Alhaji Wakili Damina, has been abducted by gunmen.
The Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan who disclosed the Kaduna incidents in a statement issued yesterday, also said six people were injured.
According to him, the attacks took place in Mazari, Chikun Local Government Area and Doka village in Kajuru LGA.
Aruwan said the attacks were reported to the state government by security agents.
The commissioner said, “security agencies have reported that armed bandits invaded Mazari, a community close to Buruku in Chikun LGA.
The presidency in a series on Tweets said they share the anguish of the parents of the victims and working with Kaduna State Government to bring this ‘tragic saga to an end.’
“We deeply share the anguish of the parents of the abducted Greenfield University students. The Federal Government through the military & intelligence agencies is working to support the Kaduna State Govt to bring this tragic saga to an end with no further loss of innocent life.
“We will ensure that good triumphs over evil, & that all of the bandits & criminals terrorizing innocent lives & communities are brought to book. This is a time for all Nigerians to unite, regardless of religion, ethnicity or partisan affiliation against a common, dastardly enemy,” Presidency tweeted on Tuesday night.
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Published 5 May 2021
Some bandits have invaded Mahu village in Gwagwada ward of Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing two and kidnapping scores of the people of the area.
The bandits also attacked and razed the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church in the area
The state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, confirmed the attack, saying that thirteen of those kidnapped in the area were rescued by the troops of Operation Thunder Strike.
He gave the identity of those killed as Ezekiel Iliya and Nasara Yohanna, whom he claimed were volunteers, adding that “after the operations, the troops discovered that the bandits had shot two volunteers before their arrival.”