During the invasion of the community very early on Wednesday, the armed men killed the District Head of Gada, Umaru Bawan-Allah, and his two sons.

The Commissioner for Information in Zamfara, Ibrahim Dosara, confirmed the attack to Channels Television hours after the incident.

He stated that apart from the killings, the bandits also razed down the house of the district head of the community

“The security agencies, including the Nigerian Air Force are currently on the trail of the bandits,” Dosara stated.

An indigene of the community, who witnessed the attack, told Channels Television that the assailants invaded the area in the early hours and unleashed mayhem on the residents.

According to him, the armed men abducted many others from the community, in addition to killing the district head of Gada and his two sons.

Gada community is about seven kilometres from Bungudu town, the headquarters of the local government.

The incident occurred about three months after the Emir of Bungudu, Hassan Attahiru, was abducted by bandits along the Kaduna-Abuja Highway.

Attahiru who was kidnapped in September spent 32 days in the custody of his abductors before he was released.

Channels Television had also reported the attack by bandits on some communities in Gusau LGA during which three persons were killed on Sunday.

An unspecified number of villagers, mostly women, were said to have been kidnapped during the assault on Geba, Tsakuwa, Gidan Kada, and Gidan Kaura, among other villages.

The bandits, who were said to have invaded the communities on motorcycles, moved from village to village, looting shops and houses for food items.

They reportedly operated for several hours within the villages without the intervention of security operatives who were not around during the attacks.

ChannelsTV

Parading the woman in Gusau on Friday, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ayuba N. Elkana said the woman, Fatima Lawali was arrested on Thursday, October 25 at about 9.30 pm.

The suspect, who hails from the Kaura-Namoda Local Government Area of the state, was nabbed with 991 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition.

According to the police authorities, she was conveying the ammunition from Dabagi Village in Sokoto State to be delivered to a notorious bandits’ kingpin called Ado Alero who has been terrorising Zamfara and neighbouring states.

“On 25th October 2021 at about 0930hrs, Police Tactical Operatives of the Command in collaboration with FIB/STS led by DSP Hussaini Gimba on Tactical Operations in the state, arrested one Fatima Lawali, F, a native of K/Namoda LGA of Zamfara State,” the police commissioner said.

“Fatima specialised in supplying arms and ammunition to Bandits in Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kaduna, Katsina, and Niger states.

“The suspect was arrested at Gada Biyu area, under Bungudu LGA with nine hundred and ninety-one (991) rounds of AK-47 live ammunition conveying from Dabagi Village in Sokoto State to be delivered to a notorious bandits’ kingpin called Ado Alero who has been terrorising Zamfara and neighbouring states.”

Speaking further, the police boss noted that the Police Tactical Operatives carried out tactical operations at different bandit enclaves in the state following interrogations of the woman and other suspects arrested.

The operations led to a serious gun battle with the bandits where unspecified numbers of bandits were fatally injured while others escaped with possible gunshot wounds.

ChannelsTV

In a statement by the Special Adviser by the Public Enlightenment, Media and Communications, Zailani Bappa, the directive takes effect today October 1.

Bappa explained that the restoration of the network in the state capital became imperative following the success recorded in the fight against banditry.

He added that the decision was aimed at easing the hardship faced by both the private and public sectors in the state.

“The government found it necessary to ease the tight measure after the recorded success desired of it, which has no doubt destabilised the syndicate of criminals terrorising the state, leading to the successes recorded against them by the security operatives”, the government said.

According to him, Governor Matawalle has promised that his administration will continue to monitor closely the unfolding developments in a bid to announce further decisions on measures to be taken.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had on September 4 directed telecommunications providers to shut down services in Zamfara State.

The shutdown, according to the commission became necessary due to the lingering insecurity in the state.

“The pervading security situation in Zamfara has necessitated an immediate shutdown of all telecommunications services in the state from today, September 3, 2021.

“This is to enable relevant security agencies to carry out the required activities towards addressing the security challenge in the state”, a statement from the NCC had said.

ChannelsTV

According to the INEC Chairman, the new REC, Sa’idu Ahmad, a Professor of English Literature from Bayero University Kano statutorily fills the vacancy for his home state of Jigawa following the completion of the tenure of Abdullahi Kaugama, an experienced administrator who had earlier served as Secretary to the Commission.

Checks revealed that three National Commissioners also resumed at the Commission headquarter shortly after being sworn in by President Muhammadu Buhari.

They are Professor Abdullahi Zuru, a Chemist and former Vice-Chancellor of Kebbi State University and Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto: Professor Sani Adam, a lawyer and former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja; and Dr Baba Bila, a Chartered Accountant and former Bursar of the University of Benin.

In his remarks to welcome the new National Commissioners and Resident Electoral Commissioner, Professor Yakubu said he was confident that all “the four appointees bring to the Commission their vast knowledge and experience as scholars and administrators.”

He admonished them to cooperate in further extending the frontiers of free and fair elections in Nigeria by discharging their responsibility, faithfully.

“In addition to adherence to the provisions of the law, our success in this arduous task also draws from our integrity as election managers. We must be strict in the application of the law, firm in handling the public trust bestowed on us and fair in our dealings with political parties and candidates. We must remember that in discharging our responsibilities, Nigeria and Nigerians must always come first. We must abide by our oaths of office to defend the choice made by Nigerians at the polls in all elections and continue to protect the sanctity of the vote without which democratic election is meaningless.”

The INEC Chairman equally tasked them to key into the Commission vision’ to keep deepening the credibility of the electoral process by improving on all planning, management, implementation and support processes through the deployment of appropriate technology.”

Gunmen had killed 12 security personnel comprising nine naval ratings, two policemen and a soldier during the raid on the base in Mutumji, near the banditry-ravaged town of Dansadau. Citing security sources, AFP news agency reported that the attackers stole weapons and also set houses on fire.

“The attackers stormed the base around 10:30am and engaged the troops in a fierce gun battle,” one security source said.

“They subdued the troops and killed 12 of them. They include nine naval personnel, a soldier and two policemen.”

The base in Mutumji is described as a key site for logistics and reconnaissance in the army’s fight against bandits in the area.

‘No communication among troops’

“While the jamming of GSM in Zamfara has gone a long way in taming the bandits, it also has a negative effect on troops because communication among them was also extremely restricted,” the source said.

“Most of the foot soldiers relied on normal phone networks instead of any of the specialised communication gadgets that should be deployed during operations such as the one going on in the North West.

“Only the top commanders have military radio or walkie-talkie, meaning those in the frontlines would only use their personal mobile phones which are no longer accessible.

“The bandits took advantage of this and attacked them at their forward operation base. As you can see, the attack was launched on Saturday but it only came to the fore days after,” he said. Another source said there was the need to deploy specialised communication gadgets for the troops.

“The ban on communication in Zamfara and parts of Katsina is not bad in its entirety but the military high command should have taken note of the adverse effect on troops.”

Telecom suspension costly, has no NSA clearance – Source

A security source told said that the shutdown of the telecom channels was not well-thought-out and bypassed the due process of getting clearance from the National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno, who oversees cyber security.

“What really happened was that Matawalle made a request to (Communications and Digital Economy minister) Pantami who went directly to the president who approved without input from the office of NSA.

“That decision has a national security implication. No country will disconnect the network without analysing national security implications. By that action, several national security surveillance capabilities that rely on the network were shut out. Before now, it will be inconceivable for NCC to do this without approvals from ONSA.”

The security personnel said he could not ascertain “If Pantami acted without advice or purposely disregarded the NSA”.

But an aide of Pantami said the directive to shut down telecommunications in Zamfara State was issued by President Muhammad Buhari to top officials involved in the security issue.

A media aide to Pantami, Yusuf Abubakar, said that the minister couldn’t have bypassed the National Security Adviser (NSA) to obtain a directive from the president as he isn’t the official involved directly on the Zamfara security issue.

Abubakar said: “The directive (to shut down telecom sites) came from the president and both (the minister and NSA) are working for the president.  I don’t think there is any need for the minister to comment on it. More so, this is a security issue and everybody shouldn’t be commenting on it. The minister is not the chief security officer of Zamfara and he has no (direct security) role to play in the security situation there.”

How bandits bypass communication ban

It was gathered that the bandits whose activities were adversely affected by the jamming of communication networks were devising means to bypass the blockade.

It was said that some of them were using Thuraya satellite phones, while others use Airtel and Glo, the two networks whose services were still available in some parts of the state.

“There are places where you can make calls if you have Airtel or Glo line,” said Shehu Rekeb, a renowned bandit by phone. He boasted that they still could afford items they needed despite the ban on weekly markets and phone networks.

But a source familiar with happenings in Zamfara said most bandits have fled to places like Kebbe and Tureta in Sokoto State and Birnin-Gwari in Kaduna to escape the blockade in Zamfara. Rekeb, who confirmed relocation of some of the bandits to Lambar Tureta, in Sokoto, said he and other kingpins remain within their “known location in Zamfara”.

We are on top of the situation – Military source

A military source said they are on top of the situation, saying the bandits are seriously being dealt with by the combined security team.

“I cannot confirm to you the veracity of that isolated case but what I can tell you is that we are all out against the bandits. They are at receiving end and enormous clearance operations are ongoing, “he said pleading not to be named.

He said they have been directed not to talk to the media on the operations.

“This is not a media war. It is a serious operation and we have been directed not to talk to the media until the bandits are cleared,” he said last night.

Operation successful – Sen Dansadau

Senator Saidu Dansadau described the military operations in Zamfara State as successful, saying the people of the state are solidly behind it.

Dansadau, who represented Zamfara Central Senatorial District between 1999 and 2007, said; “I left Zamfara on Saturday, honestly speaking, the ongoing operation is successful because a lot of things are changing, the bandits, majority of them are on the run”.

“By the grace of God, we are seeing a new beginning in the fight against the bandits. Majority of the people are not complaining because this is the problem that we have been suffering from in the last 10 years and now the government is tackling it.”

Army chief to commanders: I won’t take any excuse from you again

The Chief Army of Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Farouk Yahaya, Monday resolved that he would no longer tolerate any excuse from the army commanders who are leading the fight against terrorism and all other forms of security challenges in various theatres of operation across the country.

Yahaya, who stated this during the opening ceremony of the combined second and third quarters Chief of Army Staff conference in Abuja, maintained that the Nigerian Army under his watch would remain resolute and continue to chart progressive paths towards tackling all challenges bedeviling the country.

The General’s resolution came a few hours after bandits attacked a military base in Zamfara State where a dozen of the army personnel paid supreme price.

“Commanders must seize the initiative and commanders must take initiative; they must take decisive actions to defeat the threats in their respective area of responsibilities. I will not again take or accept any excuses. Gentlemen, failure is failure irrespective of the circumstances!

The army chief also charged the troops to sustain the tempo in various theatres of operations in order to rid the nation of all security threats.

Source: Daily Trust

The attack by bandits on the military base in Mutumji claimed the lives of nine Air Force, two police and one army personnel.

Adesina said the military is sending bandits terorrising the country to God to answer for their sins.

In an article on Thursday entitled, ‘I Like This Pampering. Don’t you?’, the presidential aide said the military is cleaning up the country and making Nigerians proud.

He wrote: “From the forests of a thousand daemons in Zamfara, Kaduna, Niger states, among others, bandits, criminals, evildoers are taking a pounding,”

“In their scores, scores upon scores, they are being spoken to in the language they understand, and sent to God to answer for their sins. One has never been prouder of our military.

“Before they got to this sorry pass, they had the chance to turn a new leaf. Zamfara, Katsina, and many other states offered dialogue.

“The governments tried to negotiate with them. But they were contumacious. Like dogs fated for destruction, they refused to hear the hunters’ whistle. They filled the land with sorrow, tears and blood, ‘dem regular trademark’ (as Fela Anikulapo-Kuti would say). Now, the shoe is on the other foot.

“In the different evil forests, when the Nigerian Air Force strikes from the sky, the remnants of the evildoers not killed immediately attempt to flee. The ground troops then pick them off like flies.”

“A government exists to solve problems, and that is what President Buhari has been committed to doing. But some people, out of evil hearts and petty political gains, want it to be the definition of the government,”

“He could not secure the country. Thousands of citizens were killed under him. But they will be shocked! The insecurity ravaging the land will soon become history.

“Where will they then hide their faces?”

The state Commissioner of Information, Culture and Tourism, Hon. Ibrahim Magaji Dosara, said the government would continue to put in place stiffer security measures for restoration of peace and harmony in the state.

“Enough of all these merciless killings and kidnappings in the state. The government cannot fold its hands and watch the bandits killing and kidnapping innocent citizens. Enough is enough,” he lamented.

Hon. Dosara further said that the state government has discovered that the bandits live in the forests, from where they attack communities depending on some lawless community members, whom they pay to give them information on how to carry out their dastard acts.

The commissioner explained that when the informants sighted some business people who came for their legitimate endeavours, they would quickly alert the bandits, describing their dressing and giving more information, pointing out that the bandits would quickly storm the markets and unleash terror attacks.

He vowed that the markets would not be reopened until peace is finally restored in the state, saying that the government would ensure that the bandits are brought to justice.

At the garage Mailena market near Gusau dam, it was discovered that all the marketers have deserted the market and many armed mobile policemen and soldiers have taken over the whole area controlling the traffic.

The residents have vacated the area but were put under surveillance, with the area as quiet as a graveyard.

Some of the residents, who spoke to newsmen, said that the closure of the market was seriously affecting their economic lives, noting that they feed themselves and their families from the legitimate businesses they do in the market.

“The fact remains that we don’t have any other means of feeding ourselves and our families due to the sudden closure of the market,” one of them lamented.

Also in Lalan junction, leading to Katsina, Zaria and other places, the roadside market was closed down due to the security challenges, with armed mobile policemen and soldiers in their large numbers patrolling the area.

Awka, Onitsha, others shut down as Anambra residents comply with IPOB’s sit-at-home order.

Also, all the shops, stalls and other business places were closed while the armed mobile policemen and soldiers engaged themselves on operation stop-and-search vehicles.

According to one Kabiru Maji, the residents of the area are in total support of the government security measures put in place, noting that though the situation was seriously affecting their businesses but that they cannot do their legitimate businesses without adequate security.

Maji appealed to the government to continue fighting the bandits seriously irrespective of any negative comments from the beneficiaries of the banditry activities.

“It is on record that Zamfara State has been a colony of banditry activities for over a decade now, a state where everyone is living in a perpetual fear,” he said.

When members of the correspondents’ chapel of the Zamfara State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) visited some other affected markets, most of the residents expressed satisfaction as the state government and the security agencies seemed to be winning the war against bandits.

Recall that last Friday, the government directed all the communication service providers in the state to block all networks, stressing that nobody in the state could make or receive calls or messages.

The blockage remains as at the time of filing this report, as making or receiving calls would mean one has to travel to neighbouring states like Sokoto or Katsina.

Source: Newspot

Addressing newsmen in Gusau, the state capital, the secretary of the Task Force on security matters, Abdul Haruna said over 100 people were arrested for various offences while five cows belonging to a military officer were recovered.

The secretary explained that two vehicles loaded with food items and other essential commodities suspected to be heading to the bandits’ camps was intercepted.

“However, the drivers of the two vehicles could not defend themselves hence they were arrested” he added.

Haruna said Lalan junction, Mayanchi junction, Lamba Bakura junction, Colony Junction have been closed indefinitely, indicating that bandits would begin parading these junctions for their food items and other essential commodities.

“We closed these junctions because since markets have been closed indefinitely, the bandits have no other means than to be getting their foodstuffs and other essential commodities from the junctions”.

Haruna said that when the tension becomes too much on the bandits, they would be forced to relocate and flee from the state.