ABUJA FCT - Suspected Fulani herdsmen and other terrorists on Friday attacked villages in Taraba state, Nigeria, killing at least 10 Christians, sources said. The assailants attacked an area from the Yangtu Special Development Area near Takum to villages in Ussa County at about 6 p.m., area residents said. “Rampaging Muslim bandits on the evening of Nov. 24 attacked and killed over 10 Christians in some communities in Yangtu Development Area and Ussa Local Government Area,” area resident John Chinyang said in a text message to Morning Star News. “The bandits launched attacks against Rubur Ribasi, Nyicwu, and Ruwah communities of Yangtu Special Development Area.” Another resident, Yakubu Tinya, said “the terrorists” shot at anyone they saw. “Some the Christians were killed while they were returning from their farms, while others were killed in their houses in the affected villages,” Tinya said in a text message. Peter Shamwun, a member of the Ussa Local Council, said Kpambo Yashe in Ussa County was attacked. “There have been issues of Fulani bandits’ attacks in our area, and they’re constantly attacking our villages,” Shamwun told Morning Star News in a text message. “The bandits also laid siege along Takum-Ussa road and other areas around the Yangtu community, where they killed many more Christians. And these terrorists have been attacking our communities without restraint from security agents.” The attacks have brought untold misery and hardship on area Christians, he said. “More worrisome is the fact that Christians are being attacked as they work on their farms,” Shamwun said. “We are at the mercies of these herdsmen bandits and terrorists.”............ READ MORE
By Great Ozozoyin
TARABA STATE - A group known as the Kuteb Yatso of Nigeria (KYN), have urged the Taraba State government and security forces to expedite efforts in reclaiming communities currently under the control of bandits. The call comes in the wake of recent brutal killings in the Yangtu Development Area, prompting the KYN to raise an alarm about the alarming rate at which bandits have taken over certain regions in the state. Led by the National President, Emmanuel Ukwen, the group expressed concern, saying, “It is no longer a secret that some of our local communities have been taken over by mercenaries who continue to occupy our homes, churches, and school buildings.” They called on the state government, police force, DSS, and other security operatives to reinforce and expedite actions to reclaim the land and restore peace in the affected areas. The KYN asserted that the unrest in the region has created an environment conducive to criminal activities, leading to an increase in banditry, kidnappings, robberies, rapes, and other atrocious acts. They also pointed to the unoccupied Ukwe Takum stool as a contributing factor, claiming that the vacuum has allowed various criminal groups to thrive in the state. In light of their concerns about local communities falling into the hands of mercenaries, the KYN stressed the need for urgent and decisive action to address the escalating crisis and protect the affected communities. .............. READ MORE
By Aina Ojonugwa
KADUINA - Amid controversy over the bombing of villagers in Kaduna State on Sunday night, the Nigerian Army has claimed responsibility for the airstrike. THEWILL earlier reported that at least 30 villagers celebrating Maulud on Sunday, had been killed by an airstrike on Tudun Biri village in Kaduna State. While the Nigerian Airforce denied reports that its fighter jet carried out the accidental bombing, Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said on Monday afternoon that the Nigerian army has claimed responsibility for the unfortunate incident. Aruwan said the General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army and Force Commander Operation Whirl Punch, Maj Gen VU Okoro, admitted that the Nigerian Army was on a routine mission against terrorists when the incident happened. A statement by the Commissioner read: “The General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army, Major VU Okoro, explained that the Nigerian Army was on a routine mission against terrorists but inadvertently affected members of the community. “Search-and-rescue efforts were still ongoing as dozens of injured victims had been evacuated to the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital by the State Government. “The Kaduna State Government has received briefings on Sunday night’s attack, which left several citizens dead and others injured. “In a meeting presided over by the Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, which had in attendance heads of security agencies, religious and traditional leaders, the Nigerian Army explained the circumstances which led to the unfortunate and unintended attack. “The General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army, Major VU Okoro, explained that the Nigerian Army was on a routine mission against terrorists but inadvertently affected members of the community. ........ READ MORE
By Don Silas
ABUJA FCT - Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) of the Nigerian Army on Saturday arrested the suspected killer of a couple in Kwi Community, Riyom Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State. The Acting Deputy Dircetor, Army Public Relations of the 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Rukuba, near Jos, Lt.-Col. Ishaku Takwa, revealed this at a news conference in Jos. Takwa said that the suspect was arrested on November 18, in Tafawa community of Barkin Ladi, following the resilience and commitment of the troops. Recall that on August 14, suspected gunmen killed a newly married couple, one Rwang Danladi, 37 and his wife, Sandra, 28. The couple, both teachers of BECO were killed when gunmen attacked the school on the fateful day. You will recall that in August, gunmen forced themselves into BECO Comprehensive Secondary School, Kwi, and killed a couple, who are both teachers in the school,” Takwa said. We commenced investigation and arrested one Lukman Aminu, who has been on our wanted list over numerous criminal offences. "He was arrested at Tafawa village in Barkin Ladi and has since confessed to committing the crime.” .......... READ MORE
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