News
Unlawful Use of Power and Shooting of Innocent Civilians by Vigilante Group in Gujba LGA

Unlawful Use of Power and Shooting of Innocent Civilians by Vigilante Group in Gujba LGA
By: Zagazola Makama
On 30th September 2024, a disturbing incident occurred in Gujba Local Government Area (LGA), Yobe State, involving members of the vigilante group assigned to protect farmlands.
A Fulani man, Ibrahim Abdul, was walking on foot toward Katarko town when he was accosted by three members of the vigilante group. Despite a search that yielded no incriminating evidence, Ibrahim Abdul was accused of being a thief and shot in the leg with a pump-action gun.

As Ibrahim cried out in pain, his shouts attracted his nearby relatives, who rushed to the scene to assist him. Tragically, the vigilantes opened fire once again, injuring four more individuals: Isa Audu (22), Ibrahim Mohammed (21), Ibrahim Buba (23), and Adamu Abdul (22). All the wounded individuals were later transported to Specialist Hospital Damaturu for urgent medical attention.
While at the hospital, a relative of the wounded, Adamu Buba, who was not involved in the incident but had come to support his injured family members, was arrested by officers of the Police Crack Squad under the command of CSP Mai Baba. Buba was detained without any clear reason, raising concerns about the abuse of power by law enforcement in collaboration with vigilante groups.
There have been numerous reports of human rights abuses in the area surrounding Ngirbuwa, Goniri, Dadingel, and Gotala Gotumba villages, all within Gujba LGA. The vigilante group, led by Idris Commander, has been accused of conspiring with the Police Crack Squad in Damaturu to extort the local Fulani herders. Allegedly, herders are often falsely accused of cattle rustling or theft and are extorted for millions of Naira.
The vigilante group’s actions appear to have the backing of high-ranking officials, including the Governor’s Special Security Adviser, Brigadier General Abdul Salam (Rtd). This connection has raised concerns about impunity and a lack of accountability in addressing the ongoing violations of the rights of local communities.

The affected individuals and their families are calling for an immediate investigation into the unlawful actions of both the vigilante group and the police unit involved. They also demand that justice be served, and measures taken to prevent further exploitation and violence against innocent civilians in the region.
Unlawful Use of Power and Shooting of Innocent Civilians by Vigilante Group in Gujba LGA
News
Troops repel terrorists’ reprisal attack after killing Notorious kingpin in Tsafe Zamfara, 2 soldiers killed

Troops repel terrorists’ reprisal attack after killing Notorious kingpin in Tsafe Zamfara, 2 soldiers killed
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have repelled an attack by terrorists in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara, losing two personnel in the encounter.
The attack was in response to the eliminated of a notorious bandit identified as Abu A. K and several of his gang members in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, in an earlier encounter by the troops.
Security sources confirmed that the incident occurred on Tuesday at about 3:10 p.m. along the Marabar Kyaware–Unguwar Chida axis.
He said the troops, who were on stop-and-search duty, came under ambush by a large number of armed terrorists but gallantly engaged them in a fierce gun battle, forcing the attackers to flee with possible gunshot wounds.
“Unfortunately, two military personnel lost their lives during the exchange of fire. Their remains have been evacuated to the hospital for autopsy,” the sources said.
Reinforcements were deployed to the scene in coordination with other security agencies while joint patrols were intensified to restore normalcy along the route.
The sources commended the bravery and professionalism of the troops and reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining joint security operations across the state to safeguard lives and property.
End
Military
Troops kill notorious bandit Abu A. K, several others in Tsafe operation

Troops kill notorious bandit Abu A. K, several others in Tsafe operation
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army’s Operation FANSAN YANMA in a joint operation with other security forces, have eliminated a notorious bandit identified as Abu A. K and several of his gang members in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the deceased bandit, who was linked to the infamous warlord Ado Aleiro, was intercepted after sneaking into Tsafe town to attend the weekly Friday cattle market, his first visit to the town in about five years.
According to the sources, Abu A. K had been among the most wanted bandits terrorising the Tsafe axis and surrounding forests, notorious for killings, kidnappings, and cattle rustling. He was reportedly trailed and captured after arriving in the town through one of his female contacts, identified as Halima, who resides in the Gabbacin Tsafe area.
“Following credible intelligence, troops moved swiftly and apprehended him. He was later neutralised during an exchange of fire as he attempted to escape custody,” the source said.
In a related development, troops on joint patrol operations on Monday morning successfully ambushed and neutralised several other bandits in Tsafe forests, recovering a Boxer-type rifle and other arms.
The operation, which took place around 9 a.m., was described by security officials as a major success in the ongoing offensive against bandit groups operating in the area. The troops also launched another offensive deep into the North of Tsafe forests, killing an undisclosed number of bandits.
According to sources, the remains of Abu A. K were taken to Magazu, one of the forward operating bases under Tsafe LGA, where further identification was carried out.
Security officials also confirmed that the slain bandit was responsible for the killing of three construction workers attached to Setraco Construction Company two weeks ago at a site where the firm was excavating sand in Tsafe area.
Troops kill notorious bandit Abu A. K, several others in Tsafe operation
News
Kanu lists Wike, Buratai, Danjuma, Umahi, others as witnesses as defence begins amid failed protest

Kanu lists Wike, Buratai, Danjuma, Umahi, others as witnesses as defence begins amid failed protest
By: Zagazola Makama
Hours after a poorly attended nationwide protest demanding his release, detained leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, made a dramatic turn on Tuesday, declaring readiness to open his defence in the ongoing terrorism trial at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The protest, which was led in parts of Abuja by the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 elections, Omoyele Sowore, recorded low turnout across the country as residents largely shunned the call for mass action.
In many cities, including Enugu, Owerri, Onitsha, Port Harcourt, Aba, and Umuahia, residents said they chose to stay away from the demonstration because the matter was already before the court and feared it could be hijacked by miscreants to unleash violence.
In Abuja, where Sowore led a small group of demonstrators to the Federal High Court complex, police dispersed the gathering and arrested 13 persons, including Kanu’s special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, and his brother, Emmanuel Kanu.
However, the detained IPOB leader filed a motion of preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court to continue with his trial. He filed the objection the same day a team of medical experts enpanelled by the court to determine his health status, turned in a report that he was medically fit to stand trial.
In a fresh motion he personally filed on Tuesday, October 21, Kanu assured the court that he was prepared to begin his defence “pursuant to the order of this honourable court made on the 16th day of October 2015, directing the defendant to commence his defence on the 24th day of October 2025.”
Kanu informed the court, presided by Justice James Omotosho, of his plan to call a total of 23 witnesses divided into two categories. The first category, he said, would be those he called “ordinary but material witnesses”.
He further informed the court that his second category of witnesses would be “vital and compellable” and shall be “summoned under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.”
In the notice Kanu personally signed, suggesting that he may have fired his team of lawyers led by Kanu Agabi, SAN, the IPOB leader told the court that, in view of the number of witnesses he intends to call, the court should consider granting a 90-day timeframe to enable him conclude his defence.
He told the court that he would “testify on his own behalf, providing a sworn account of the facts, denying the allegations, and explaining the political context of his statements and actions.”
Among those Kanu listed as “compellable witnesses” are a former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), a former Chief of Army Staff, Gen Tukur Buratai (rtd), as well as Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Hope Uzodinma, Governors of Lagos and Imo States respectively.
He further listed current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Nyesom Nwike, his Works’ counterpart, Dave Umahi, and the immediate past governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu. He also listed the immediate past Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, the immediate past Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, NIA, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, his then-collegue at the State Security Service, SSS, Yusuf Magaji Bichi, and several withnesses whose identities he didn’t reveal.
Kanu, in the notice, promised to “provide the sworn statements of all voluntary witnesses to this honourable court, and to notify the prosecution within a reasonable time.”
He assured that “no precious time of the honourable court would be delayed,” stressing, “and it would interest the honourable court that and the general public that justice is not only done but manifestly seen to have been done.”
Kanu’s motion offering to open his defence came on the same day a magistrate court in Abuja ordered the remand of his special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor and 12 others who were among those protesting against Kanu’s continued trial.
The police charged the 13 persons with various offences, including criminal conspiracy, disobedience of a lawful order, inciting disturbance, and disturbance of public peace, contravening sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code Law.
The 13 defendants named in two separate first information reports (FIRs) are Ejimakor, Kanu’s brother, Emmanuel, Joshua Emmanuel, Wilson Anyalewechi, Okere Kingdom Nnamdi, Clinton Chimeneze, Gabriel Joshua, Isiaka Husseini, Onyekachi Ferdinand, Amadi Prince, Edison Ojisom, Godwill Obioma, and Chima Onuchukwu.
The magistrate, who stood down the case, later ordered that the defendants be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre and adjourned the case until October 24 for arraignment.
As the court resumes on Thursday, observers say Kanu’s decision to represent himself and summon high-profile witnesses marks a new phase in a case that has tested Nigeria’s judicial system, national security, and political tolerance.
Meanwhile, security has been intensified in and around the Federal High Court complex, as authorities brace for possible crowd movements when the trial resumes.
Kanu lists Wike, Buratai, Danjuma, Umahi, others as witnesses as defence begins amid failed protest
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