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Scavenging Outlawed on Abuja streets, activities restricted to dumpsites

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Scavenging Outlawed on Abuja streets, activities restricted to dumpsites

By: Michael Mike

Scavengers activities have been restricted in and around the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja to dumpsites as they have been warned against moving around either during the day or at night in the city.

The present ban followed the criminal activities of some scavengers popularly known as ‘baba nbolas’ in the area.

They have been alleged to be involved in carting away critical infrastructure especially manholes from the expressways in the city.

Parading 36 scavengers who were arrested with dangerous weapons and vandalized items, the Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, Dr Olusola Odumosu, said scavengers who roam the streets of FCT, indiscriminately, perpetrate all forms of criminal activities under the guise of scavenging.

According to him, the move by the FCT Administration was necessitated by the need to nip vandalism of public infrastructure such as manhole covers, streetlights, solar panels, armoured cables, and so on, in the bud.

Items recovered from the 36 suspects include four daggers, three jack knives, two chisels, three knives, two pinches and 10 bottles of codeine syrup.

Others are 45 wraps of indian hemps, thrash bags, pieces of iron rods and narcotic drugs.

The scavengers, he explained, go about the nooks and crannies of the city and satellite towns; house-to-house, estate-to-estate, scavenging for plastics, scrap metals and irons.

He said: “But from previous arrests, interrogations and investigations, we have realised that their real business is to vandalise and remove our road infrastructure such as: manhole covers, flood drain covers, streetlights, armoured cables, rail sleepers, iron rods for bridge enforcement and the likes, which would fetch them good money.

“The public also needs to know that some ‘Baba Nbolas’ now disguise to rob innocent commuters and bystanders as they go about with dangerous weapons to attack and disposes them of their personal belongings especially at night. Our record shows that many who dared to challenge them in the past had met their untimely deaths while others are maimed in various parts of the Federal Capital Territory” he said.

Many residents of the FCT and environs, Odumosu noted, have experienced sudden disappearances of many of their household items like generators, cooking pots, stoves, pressing iron, air conditioners, compressors, car batteries, security light panels, iron drain covers and so on.

“Scavengers are major suspects to most of such disappearances and they carry out these activities whenever they notice that there is no one in sight, but not without wielding dangerous weapons in case they are busted by the house owners.

“The most vital is that many of them work as informants for armed robbers, kidnappers, hired assassins, terrorists, bandits a#nd all sorts of criminal gangs. Many families have fallen victims of kidnapping, abduction for ransom, murder, assassination and the likes because they give information about your family, the number of children you have, the types of cars you drive, where you work and by extension, keeping tabs on your movement.

“They (baba nbola) also assess and profile you through the kind of household waste products you dispose which, in most cases, reveal your status and lifestyles.

Unfortunately, and in most cases, many of us perceive these miscreants and criminals as ordinary innocent, poor Nigerians, hustling for their daily bread so they move about unchecked and unquestioned by anyone, some of us even sympathise with them, by extending alms to them, whereas, they are responsible for the various crimes happening around you.

“Owing to these revelation and credible intelligence at our disposal, it is therefore imperative that citizens and residents join hands with the corps and other security agencies to flush out these dangerous elements in the FCT by chasing scavengers away whenever you see them in front of your houses, your streets, neighbourhood or estates.

“The public should note that, although, they appear innocent, armless and vulnerable, most of them are extremely dangerous, their activities are criminal in nature and they constitute threats not only to the safety and security of lives, property and infrastructure in the FCT but to Nigeria’s national security architecture as a whole” he noted.

The commandant used the occasion to advise FCT residents to dispose their refuse properly and stop patronising the Baba Nbolas for the sake of their own safety and that of their family members.

Scavenging Outlawed on Abuja streets, activities restricted to dumpsites

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Special Forces Troops Intercept Terrorists Planting IEDs in Zamfara

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Special Forces Troops Intercept Terrorists Planting IEDs in Zamfara

By Zagazola Makama

Special Forces Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have intercepted terrorists attempting to plant Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) along a strategic route in Gando Forest, Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the troops, operating under Operation TSAFTA DAJI III Phase 3, launched an ambush when they encountered a group of terrorists laying IEDs.

On sighting the advancing troops, the terrorists fled into the forest under the cover of darkness, abandoning their explosives and equipment.

Recovered items include: One motorcycle, Three 25-litre jerrycans filled with IED components, 300 meters of sapper cable, one DET 33 electric detonator and one hoe used for planting explosives.

The Nigerian military has continued to maintain an aggressive posture against terrorists and criminal elements in Zamfara State, with Operation FANSAN YANMA and Operation TSAFTA DAJI III targeting bandit strongholds across Anka, Bagega, and Bukkuyum axis.

Special Forces Troops Intercept Terrorists Planting IEDs in Zamfara

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Notorious Bandit Leader Kachalla Dogo Wise Killed in Zamfara Rival Clash

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Notorious Bandit Leader Kachalla Dogo Wise Killed in Zamfara Rival Clash

By Zagazola Makama

A violent clash between rival bandit factions has resulted in the killing of notorious bandit leader Kachalla Dogo Wise in Zamfara State, sources familiar with the incident have confirmed to Zagazola Makama.

According to the source Dogo Wise was killed by another bandit commander, Kachalla Sa’idu Kanin Na Eka, following a dispute over ransom money. The deadly confrontation occurred at Dutsin Daru, Maradun Local Government Area.

Security sources revealed that the conflict erupted after Kachalla Dogo Wise allegedly seized ransom money that was meant for Kachalla Sa’idu Kanin Na Eka. The money was reportedly delivered by families of kidnapped victims, but Wise took full possession of it, refusing to share it with Kanin Na Eka.

Feeling betrayed, Kachalla Sa’idu Kanin Na Eka ambushed and killed Dogo Wise in retaliation, a move that has heightened tensions within the criminal underworld in Zamfara State.

“These bandits have no loyalty among themselves. When money is involved, they turn against each other. Dogo Wise made the mistake of crossing Sa’idu Kanin Na Eka, and it cost him his life.” sad the sources.

Meanwhile, following Dogo Wise’s killing, another powerful bandit leader, Kachalla Jimmu Sumoli, has vowed to avenge his death.

Jimmu Sumoli, a feared commander operating in Zamfara and parts of Sokoto State, reportedly declared that he would retaliate against Sa’idu Kanin Na Eka and his followers.

Source in Maradun LGA confirmed that Sumoli’s men have already begun mobilizing for a possible counterattack,
Implications for Security in Zamfara

The killing of Kachalla Dogo Wise adds to the growing infighting among bandit factions in the North-West, a trend that could weaken their operational strength but also trigger more brutal retaliatory attacks.

“While their internal conflicts reduce their cohesion, it also makes them more unpredictable and dangerous. We are closely monitoring the situation to prevent further violence spilling into communities.” said a military sources.

Notorious Bandit Leader Kachalla Dogo Wise Killed in Zamfara Rival Clash

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Chinese Chamber of Commerce Denies Shooting of Immigration Officer was Ordered by Chinese National

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Chinese Chamber of Commerce Denies Shooting of Immigration Officer was Ordered by Chinese National

By: Michael Mike

The Chinese business community in the country has denied the allegation that the shooting of the immigration officer at a Chinese firm was at the instruction of a Chinese national.

The Director General China General Chamber of Commerce in Nigeria, Dr. Cui Guangzhen in a statement said the said shooting could never have been ordered by a Chinese.

The statement read: “Our attention has been drawn to the reports that Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior condemned the shooting of an immigration officer allegedly on the orders of a Chinese company operating in Nigeria in a briefing on March 27.

“The China General Chamber of Commerce attaches great importance to the reports and carried out an immediate investigation.
Based upon the findings of police authority in Niger State, the incident mentioned by the Minister of Interior happened on the 21st of February, 2025 in Minna, Niger State.

“During a police action, the state police force was trying to effect an arrest of some local citizen who was suspected of stealing iron rods from a Chinese company. When encountering stiff resistance of the suspect, one of the police officers fired a shot and the bullet accidentally hit a passerby who was later identified to be an immigration officer.

“China General Chamber of Commerce would like to clearly state the following:
Neither Chinese citizens nor Chinese companies were involved in the incident. The allegation that a Chinese company employee ordered the shooting of a Nigerian immigration officer is utterly false.
The Chinese companies in Nigeria abide by the laws and regulations of Nigeria and are committed to the economic and social development of Nigeria.

@The China General Chamber of Commerce is saddened by the incident and sincerely wishes the injured a quick recovery.”

Chinese Chamber of Commerce Denies Shooting of Immigration Officer was Ordered by Chinese National

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