News
AES Agencies Trail Funds Linking Nigerian Bandit Kingpins, Politicians to Border Arms Procurement
AES Agencies Trail Funds Linking Nigerian Bandit Kingpins, Politicians to Border Arms Procurement
By: Zagazola Makama
Intelligence agencies from the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger are investigating notorious bandit kingpins from Northwestern Nigeria over the procurement of arms and ammunition. The probe has also been extended to certain Nigerian politicians allegedly involved in peace deals that funneled significant funds to the kingpins, which are now being used to buy weapons across the border.
According to credible sources, this development is part of a broader AES crackdown on terror financing and arms trafficking along its borders with West, Central, and Northern Africa.
The investigation was reportedly triggered by leads connecting arms supplies to terrorists and non-state actors across the Sahel and West Africa. The kingpins, who are linked to attacks on Nigerian security forces and the kidnapping of schoolchildren and expatriates, are alleged to be procuring high-caliber weapons through proxies along the Nigeria-Niger border, paying suppliers in hard currency.
These suppliers, who operate a munitions hub for criminals in the Sahel, are already on the radar of combined AES agencies. Several have been arrested recently and are now under interrogation.
High-level intelligence indicates the kingpins have received large sums of state money through peace agreements in Nigeria. Furthermore, AES agencies are gathering intelligence on Nigerian officials linked to these deals.
The identities of these officials remain confidential. The primary objective of the underground investigation is to secure evidence on whether state officials involved in peace negotiations are, in fact, paying the kingpins to cease attacks, only for those funds to be diverted to arms procurement.
“The AES agencies have arrested gunrunners crossing into Nigeria who have links to these kingpins. The scale of their arms transactions is alarming,” a source stated. “They are also believed to have received funds from officials under the guise of peace deals in one or two states.”
This breakthrough follows the interception of classified communications from terrorists linked to multiple kidnappings in Northern Nigeria. These non-state actors are connected to extensive cross-border arms procurement, funded by resources obtained through peace settlements allegedly facilitated by politicians.
AES Agencies Trail Funds Linking Nigerian Bandit Kingpins, Politicians to Border Arms Procurement
Man found dead with multiple injuries in Gombe
By: Zagazola Makama
A yet-to-be-identified man has been found dead with multiple injuries along Dukku Road, behind the old stadium in Gombe metropolis.
A resident, Abdullahi Maikudi, reported the incident on Wednesday after sighting the victim lying motionless.
Witnesses said the man was discovered with rope tied around his neck and injuries across his body.
He was rushed to the Specialist Hospital, Gombe, where a medical doctor confirmed him dead on arrival.
The circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear as investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Man found dead with multiple injuries in Gombe
Armed men attack village head in Dukku in Gombe, demand N20m ransom
By: Zagazola Makama
Gunmen have attacked the residence of a village head in Galumji, Dukku Local Government Area of Gombe State, inflicting injuries and robbing him of cash and valuables.
The victim, identified as Guru Tafida, Village Head of Jarkum, was assaulted by about five armed men at about 11 p.m. on Tuesday.
Witnesses said the assailants used the butt of a gun to hit the traditional leader, leaving him with a deep cut on the head. He was later rushed to the General Hospital, Dukku, where he was treated and discharged.
The attackers reportedly carted away N30,000 in cash, three mobile phones, and issued a death threat, demanding N20 million from Tafida and his brother, identified as Alhaji Musa.
A live round of ammunition was also left at the scene by the attackers as a warning.
Security sources say efforts are underway to track down the suspects and bring them to justice.
Armed men attack village head in Dukku in Gombe, demand N20m ransom
Gunmen abduct five in Shongom LGA, Gombe State
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed men in the early hours of Wednesday abducted five persons during an attack on Dangeza Hamlet in Gwandum Ward, Shongom Local Government Area of Gombe State.
Zagazola learnt that the attackers, numbering four, stormed the village at about 3:30 a.m., broke into the homes of residents and shot sporadically into the air, eyewitnesses said.
One of the residents, Samaila Musa, 55, who narrowly escaped, said the gunmen demanded to know the whereabouts of his son, Yusuf, a hunter, who was not at home at the time of the incident.
The sources said the gunmen eventually whisked away five persons, identified as Buhari Shehu, 60; Rukayya Adamu, 17; Muhammad Sale, 20; and Rabe Sale, 12, all of the same address, to an unknown destination.
The gunmen also carted away a hunter’s uniform belonging to Yusuf, according to Musa.
Troops later visited the scene, where three empty AK-47 shells were recovered. Efforts are underway to rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
End
Man found dead with multiple injuries in Gombe
Armed men attack village head in Dukku in Gombe, demand N20m ransom
Gunmen abduct five in Shongom LGA, Gombe State
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