Headlines
Military Declares 19 Bandit Kingpins Wanted, Places N95m Bounty
The Defence Headquarters has declared no fewer than 19 bandits leaders wanted.
The military high command also placed a N5m bounty on each of them to encourage Nigerians to volunteer information that could lead to their arrest.
The military urged the public to provide information that could lead to the arrest of the bandits When contacted, the Director, Defence Information, Major General Jimmy Akpor, confirmed that the list was authentic.
Our correspondent had reported that the process of declaring the bandit leaders wanted was being reviewed by the military authorities.
However, the names, pictures and states of origin of the 19 bandit kingpins were released on Monday.
Agora Policy Report says an estimated 7,500 lives were lost between 2018 and 2021 to bandit attacks while about one million persons were displaced.
Prominent among those declared wanted is Bello Turji from Fakai village, Zamfara State.
Regarded as one of the most dangerous bandit kingpins, Turji was reportedly involved in the alleged killing of about 200 people, including women and children, in January 2022.
He was also said to be behind the attack on Garki village in Sokoto, where over 80 people were murdered in a night in 2021.
He also engaged in mass abduction after his father was arrested by security operatives.
Another notorious bandit on the list is Ali Kachalla, aka Ali Kawaje, from Kuyambara village in Danaadau Maru LGA of Zamfara State.
Kachiala’s gang reportedly shot down the jet of flight lieutenant Abayomi Dairo in July 2021.
Equally declared wanted is Ado Aliero, who hailed from Yankuzo village, in the Tsafe LGA, Zamfara State.
He was installed as the Sarkin Fulani (King of Fulanis) of Yandoton Daji Emirate in Zamfara State in July.
He had been declared wanted by the Katsina State Police Command for masterminding an attack on Kadisau village, in the Faskari Local Government Area of the state, which led to the murder of over 52 people.
Also on the wanted list is Halilu Sububu from Sububu village, in the Maradun LGA, Zamfara State.
Sububu, who is believed to be the wealthiest bandit leader, narrowly escaped an airstrike on October 24, in which at least 30 terrorists were killed.
Also on the list are Sani Dangote from Dumbarum village, Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State; Leko (Mozoj village, Mutazu LGA, Katsina State); Dogo Nahali (Yar Tsamiyar Jno village, Kankara LGA, Katsina State); and Nagona from Angwan Galadima in the Isa Loa area of Sokoto State.
The wanted kingpins include Ado Aliero from Yankuzo village Tsafe LGA, Zamfara State; Monore from Yantumaki village, Dan LGA, Katsina State; Gwaska Dankarami from Shamushele village in the Zuri LGA of Zamfara State; Baleri from Shinkafi LGA, Zamfara State and Mamudu Tainange from Varanda village in Batsari LGA, Katsina State and others.
A retired Department of State Services officer, Abuh Adams, said the military delayed in declaring kingpins wanted.
He also said the bounty should be reviewed upwards to encourage Nigerians who might wish to volunteer information.
Adams said, “It is better late than never, if not, we have no reason to wait before declaring criminals of that calibre wanted. This should not just be limited to the military, all other security agencies should do the same.
‘’On the amount placed on them, this is an amount that terrorists themselves can buy information with. I think we will get better results if they review the bounty. In saner climes where things like this are done, they make enticing offers to the public.’’
Another security expert, Timothy Avele, said, “Ordinarily, it’s a good thing they’re officially declared wanted terrorists. However, due to the lack of trust by the locals and the general public, I doubt if it will yield fruitful results.
“You remember, not quite long one of the so-called declared terrorists was crowned as an emir in a public ceremony even with security agents at the party. So, it sends the wrong message to the public especially since no one was sanctioned for such a security breach. I doubt if anyone will risk his or her life because of N5m. The amount is not encouraging; it should be from N20m minimum, which is less than $50,000.”
The Punch
The first hostages freed from Gaza under a long-awaited ceasefire agreement are back in Israel. The news sparked jubilant scenes in Tel Aviv where large crowds gathered ahead of their release.
The three freed Israeli hostages – the first of 33 to be released over the next six weeks – are Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher and Emily Damari. They are said to be in good health and are receiving treatment at a medical center in Tel Aviv.
In exchange, 90 Palestinian prisoners and detainees are set to be released by Israel from Ofer Prison in the occupied West Bank.
The Israeli military withdrew from several locations in southern and northern Gaza after the truce began earlier on Sunday, an Israeli military official told CNN.
Displaced Gazans have started returning to their homes, while the aid trucks laden with much-needed supplies have crossed into Gaza. Here’s what we know about how the ceasefire deal will work.
Hamas, despite suffering devastating losses, is framing the Gaza ceasefire agreement as a victory for itself, and a failure for Israel.
One of Hamas’ main goals for taking some 250 people during its brazen October 7, 2023, attack on Israel was to secure the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. As Israel pounded Gaza in response, Hamas vowed not to return the hostages until Israel withdrew its forces from the enclave, permanently ended the war, and allowed for rebuilding.
Source: CNN
The leader of UK’s Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has said she doesn’t want Britain to be like Nigeria that is plagued by “terrible governments.”
Speaking on Thursday at an event organised by Onward, a British think tank producing research on economic and social issues, Badenoch expressed fears that Britain may become like Nigeria if the system is not reformed.
“And why does this matter so much to me? It’s because I know what it is like to have something and then to lose it,” Badenoch told the audience.
“I don’t want Britain to lose what it has.
“I grew up in a poor country and watched my relatively wealthy family become poorer and poorer, despite working harder and harder as their money disappeared with inflation.
“I came back to the UK aged 16 with my father’s last £100 in the hope of a better life.
“So I have lived with the consequences of terrible governments that destroy lives, and I never, ever want it to happen here.”
Badenoch has been in the news of late after she dissociated herself from Nigeria, saying she has nothing to do with the Islamic northern region.
She also accused the Nigeria Police of robbing citizens instead of protecting them.
She said: “My experience with the Nigeria Police was very negative. Coming to the UK, my experience with the British Police was very positive.
“The police in Nigeria will rob us (laughter). When people say I have this bad experience with the police because I’m black, I say well…I remember the police stole my brother’s shoe and his watch.”
