Crime
Tension over alleged blasphemy in Bauchi, pastor injured, houses burnt
Tension over alleged blasphemy in Bauchi, pastor injured, houses burnt
A pastor has allegedly been injured and many houses burnt by irate youths who went on the rampage over alleged blasphemy in the Katangan area of Warji Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
Newsmen gathered that the trouble started when a message was allegedly circulated on social media that a Christian girl in the town allegedly engaged in blasphemy of Islam.
A source, who spoke to our correspondent confirmed the incident, saying, “Yes, the incident is true. It is an aftermath of the incident of the alleged blasphemy that happened in Sokoto last week.
“What I learnt was that a Christian girl allegedly posted and commented on something on social media which has to do with the incident in Sokoto and that was how it started.
“The situation there is more than tension since many houses have been burnt down. But no life that was lost, to the best of my knowledge.
“A shop which belongs to an ECWA Church in the area was also burnt down. And I learnt that the District Head of the area and the leaders are on top of the situation. The police have also been informed about it.”
Another source said, “We were at home this evening when we heard shouts from some muslim youths in their numbers who went on the rampage and besieged an ECWA Church in the area.
“But Christian youths and others resisted and repelled them but that was after they had burnt down a shop attached to the church. Many houses were burnt down by the rampaging youths.
“In the process, one of the pastors of the ECWA church was seriously wounded; as I speak to you now, efforts are on to save his life.”
One of the leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the state also confirmed the incident to journalists in a telephone interview.
He said that the Commissioner of Police in the state and the Senior Special Assistant to the Bauchi State Governor on Christian Religious Affairs are aware.
He called on the Christian community in the state not to allow the situation to degenarate.
Efforts to get a confirmation on the incident from the Bauchi State Police Command proved abortive.
Several calls put through to the Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Wakil, were neither picked nor returned as of the time of filing this report.
Troops arrest three suspected ISWAP recruitment agents in Banki
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested three suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) recruitment agents in Banki town, Borno State.
Sources told the Zagazola Makama that the suspects were arrested on Jan. 17 following a tip-off from the Banki District Head.
The sources said intelligence operatives were deployed to Banki on a covert operation, where they apprehended the suspects while attempting to recruit and move youths for terrorist training.
“They were identified as Gajibo Kayama, 23; Tahiru Modu, 22; and Bulama Modu, 24. They are suspected to be involved in the recruitment of youths aged between 17 and 20 from Banki town for ISWAP elements operating in Adamawa State,” the source said.
According to preliminary investigations, the suspects were former ISWAP members who claimed to have repented about five years ago but were allegedly re-engaging in recruitment activities.
“They were arrested while trying to recruit and convey youths within Banki town for training in Adamawa State,” the source added.
The suspects have since been handed over to Military Intelligence Regiment for detailed interrogation and further action.
Troops arrest three suspected ISWAP recruitment agents in Banki
Gunmen attack churches, abduct unspecified number of worshippers in Kajuru, Kaduna
By: Zagazola Makama
Bandits have attacked two churches in Kurmin Wali, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, and abducted an unspecified number of worshippers.
A reliable source told Zagazola Makama that the attack occurred on Jan. 18 at about 11:25 a.m., when the assailants, armed with sophisticated weapons, stormed the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) and Cherubim and Seraphim Church II in the community.
The source said the exact number of worshippers taken to an unknown destination was yet to be ascertained as the community was still gathering details.
Kurmin Wali, he noted, is located in a remote, forested area with difficult terrain, which has complicated immediate access to the scene.
Following the incident, troops of 1 Division and other security forces were mobilised in collaboration with community stakeholders to the area, while concerted efforts were intensified to rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
Gunmen attack churches, abduct unspecified number of worshippers in Kajuru, Kaduna
Police rescue two abducted victims in Gusau, search for others continues
By: Zagazola Makama
Police in Zamfara State have rescued two victims abducted by suspected bandits during a midnight attack on a residence in Gusau Local Government Area.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 1:20 a.m. on Sunday at Igala Quarters, Damba area of Gusau, when a group of armed men stormed the house of one Nasiru Kurya and fired sporadically before abducting his wife, Surayya Nasiru, 30, and two other persons.
“On receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) mobilised his men to the scene and confirmed the incident. A search operation was immediately launched across the area,” the source said.
He explained that during the combing of the vicinity and adjoining routes, the police rescued two of the abducted victims identified as Nura Sani, 23, and Abdulgafar Hassan Buba, 23, unhurt.
The source added that the rescued victims were taken to the Ahmed Sani Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital, Gusau, for medical checks and further care.
According to him, efforts are in top gear to rescue the remaining abducted victim from the hands of the bandits and bring the perpetrators to justice.
He urged residents to remain calm and continue to support security agencies with timely and credible information to aid ongoing operations.
Police rescue two abducted victims in Gusau, search for others continues
River guard killed in Yobe, police begin investigation
NAF air strikes destroy terrorist boats, neutralise fighters in Kukawa riverine
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