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Abuja Residents Cry for Help from Land Grabbers who have Opened them to Kidnappers, Earth Tremor
Abuja Residents Cry for Help from Land Grabbers who have Opened them to Kidnappers, Earth Tremor
By: Michael Mike
Residents of Katampe Extension, a community in Abuja have raised an alarm that they are now at the mercy of kidnappers and earth tremor following the ongoing illegal activities of land grabbers and the reckless use of high-calibre explosives in their community.
They called on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, to intervene and bring sanity back to their community by checking the activities of the land grabbers whose only care is exploitation of people looking for home.
Situated on the eastern fringe of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Katampe Extension is bordered by the Katampe Hills to the north and the Abuja-Kubwa Expressway to the south.
The residents made their appeal while guiding journalists through the devastation caused by the illegal activities of land speculators.
They noted that natural waterways and drainage channels, essential for managing stormwater, have been blocked or allocated to developers, posing a significant risk to the area’s ecosystem and potentially destabilizing the Lower Usuma Dam.
Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Katampe Extension Residents Association (KERA), Wole Atolagbe, while conducting journalists round the community, said developers have been blasting rocks to create illegal connections between Katampe Extension and neighbouring districts in Bwari, such as Usuma and Jikoko. He alleged that these developers falsely advertise lands in Usuma and surrounding areas as part of Katampe Extension, thereby putting unsuspecting buyers at risk.
He added that: “This reckless blasting is not just an environmental issue; it’s a matter of safety for our community.”
Atolagbe warned that the ongoing development is increasing the risk of kidnapping for residents, as the previously secluded hills are being transformed into accessible routes for criminals.
Also speaking, KERA Vice President, Dr. Austin Maho, argued that the recent earth tremors in the area is linked to the frequent use of explosives by developers.
He said: “The noise from the explosions is deafening, and our buildings shake to their foundations. We are increasingly uncertain about the integrity of our homes.”
Maho lamented that a former FCT minister had previously halted the activities of illegal developers, but these operations have resumed covertly, threatening the integrity of the area.
He said: “If these activities are not checked, we could face catastrophic flooding of Usuma Dam, similar to what has occurred in Maiduguri and other parts of the country.”
The president of the residents association Muhammed Gimba, on his part, appealed to the government to intervene and protect their homes and environment from ongoing destruction.
He said: “We are appealing to Minister Nyesom Wike to restore the district to its original master plan and protect the community from further harm. We also urge the National Assembly, particularly the Senate and House of Representatives Committee on the FCT, to investigate the ongoing situation in Katampe Extension.
“We need help. It is time for the government to act decisively and safeguard the people of Katampe Extension from these illegal activities.”
Abuja Residents Cry for Help from Land Grabbers who have Opened them to Kidnappers, Earth Tremor
Man kills father during domestic dispute in Bauchi community
By: Zagazola Makama
A man, identified as Limam Muhammad Baba, has allegedly killed his biological father, Malam Baba Siti, during a domestic altercation.
The tragic incident occurred on Thursday, July 3, at about 10:15 p.m., in Uzum village, Giade Local Government Area of Bauchi State, when an argument between the two escalated, leading Limam to strike his father on the head with a stick.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the victim collapsed immediately and lost consciousness.
Police sources say “The report was received at the Giade Divisional Police Headquarters at about 10:30 p.m. that the suspect used force on his biological father by striking him on the head with a stick, leading to the victim falling unconscious.
He added that a team of police operatives was immediately mobilised to the scene. The suspect was arrested, and the victim was taken to the General Hospital in Giade, where a medical doctor confirmed him dead on arrival.
The police sources said the body of the deceased was deposited at the hospital morgue while an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident has commenced.
He assured that the suspect would be charged to court upon completion of investigation.
Man kills father during domestic dispute in Bauchi community
Deputy chairman of Katsina-Ala LGA attacked, four suspects arrested
By: Zagazola Makama
Security forces have apprehended four suspects in connection with an attack on the Deputy Chairman of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, Mr Christopher Chia.
Sources told Zagazola Makama, that the incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday, July 3, when Chia was reportedly attacked by a group of young men suspected to be cultists.
The sources said the police received a distress call from the victim at about 6:00 a.m.
“Police patrol and tactical teams were immediately deployed to the scene. The victim was rescued and taken to Toro Hospital in Katsina-Ala, where he was treated and later discharged,” said the sources.
According to the sources, preliminary investigation led to the arrest of four suspects, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the prime suspect identified simply as Richard, a member of the Black Axe confraternity, who is currently at large.
The sources added that the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has commenced a full investigation into the matter to unravel the motive behind the attack and bring all those involved to justice.
Deputy chairman of Katsina-Ala LGA attacked, four suspects arrested
Joint task force rescues kidnap victim in Abuja after 40km forest operation
By: Zagazola Makama
A joint task force comprising operatives of the
Department of State Services (DSS), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, local hunters, and vigilantes has successfully rescued a kidnap victim, Rasheed Soyinka, after a 40-kilometre forest operation across parts of Abuja.
Zagazola Makama learnt that the victim was abducted at gunpoint from his residence in Sabon Lugbe in the early hours of July 3, prompting a swift multi-agency response.
Shortly after the abduction, which occurred around 1:00 a.m., a joint task force involving the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, DSS operatives, local hunters, and vigilante groups, swung into action.
The coordinated operation, extended through Dafara via Gau Forest in Kuje Area Council and continued into Kabin Mongoro and Kwaita forests in Kwali Area Council, covering an estimated distance of 40 kilometres.
“Following sustained pressure and professional coordination, the victim was rescued at about 12:05 a.m. on July 4 without any casualties,”said the sources.
Soyinka was subsequently reunited with his family through his elder brother, while efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing abductors.
Joint task force rescues kidnap victim in Abuja after 40km forest operation
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Man kills father during domestic dispute in Bauchi community
Deputy chairman of Katsina-Ala LGA attacked, four suspects arrested
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