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
Headlines
Abiola Cannot Be Recognised As Former President; He Was Never Sworn-in – Gen Ishola Williams
By Eric Elezuo
One of the prime actors of the June 12, 1993 incidents, General Ishola Williams, has said that much as Chief MKO Abiola wrong was created having won the election, and denied victory, he cannot be recognized as a former President of Nigeria.
Gen Williams made his revelation while speaking as a guest on Channels television socio-political programme, Inside Source.
He maintained that only those who were sworn in that recognised as former presidents, and Abiola was never sworn in.
“Abiola cannot be recognised as former president because he was never sworn in.
The General, who said that he resigned from the army as a result of the wholesome reception given to General Sani Abacha, when he overthrew Chief Ernest Shonekan-led Interim National Government, contrary to expectation, also picked flaws in the narratives given by former Military President Ibrahim Babangida, in his recently launched book, A Journey In Service.
Williams rose in the army to become the Commandant of Army Signals, Commander of Training and Doctrine (TRADOC) and Chief of Defence Training and Planning, from where he resigned.
Headlines
Breaking: Supreme Court Recognises Martin Amaewhule As Rivers Assembly Speaker, Orders CBN to Stop Releasing Funds to State
By Eric Elezuo
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has in its ruling on Friday recognised Hon Martins Amaewhule as the authentic speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, mandating him to urgently resume sitting with elected members of the assembly.
The apex court also ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria to stop releasing to the Rivers State government until a proper assembly is constituted.
Details soon…
Tension escalated at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday as impeached Speaker Mudashiru Obasa made a dramatic return to reclaim his position.
Accompanied by heavily armed men, Obasa stormed the Assembly complex in a bold move that has thrown the State’s legislature into turmoil.
In a stunning turn of events, security details assigned to the substantive Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda, were abruptly withdrawn on Thursday morning, clearing the path for Obasa’s controversial comeback.
Sources revealed that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) ordered the withdrawal of all security operatives attached to Meranda, leaving her exposed in the midst of an intensifying power struggle.
The Speaker’s Special Adviser on Information, Mr. Victor Ganzallo, expressed concern over the security vacuum created by the withdrawal of personnel.
“In the early hours of Thursday, we woke up to the startling news that all security details assigned to Madam Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, had been withdrawn.
This includes the police and DSS officers, leaving her exposed to threats amid the ongoing speakership crisis,” Ganzallo stated.
He further called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as the State’s Chief Security Officer, to intervene urgently to prevent a complete breakdown of law and order within the Assembly.
“The withdrawal of security personnel has left the Assembly naked and vulnerable at a critical time. Urgent action is needed to restore order,” he pleaded.
With the speakership battle taking a dramatic new turn, political watchers are keenly observing how the crisis will unfold in the coming days.
