Bandits invade NSCDC headquarters in Nasarawa

Miss Modupe Ayandare, a Student of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA), has been found dead on Monday after attending a church vigil.

The death of Ayandare, who is of the Department of Agronomy, was made known by the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the institution.

“We express in strong terms our dissatisfaction and agony with respect to the death of one of our students, Miss Modupe Ayandare of the Department of Agronomy.

“According to report, the deceased was said to have committed suicide in the early hours of today at about 4:00 a.m.  after she returned from a vigil in her church.

“The incident happened beside the church she attended, around Spotless Villa.

“The law enforcement agency have been informed already, and all hands are on deck to get to the root of the situation.

“Be assured that justice will be served and the law enforcement agency will undertake thorough investigation,” Mr Emmanuel Olaogbebikan, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the SUG, stated.

He asked anybody with useful information regarding the incident to give to the concerned authorities to come forward.

Also mourning the passage of the student, the Nigerian Association of Agricultural Students (NAAS), AAUA Chapter, said the loss deeply affected the department.

Akinpelumi, who sympathised with the family of the deceased, told newsmen that the institution would make an official statement known to the public as regards the death later.

A special task force, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), has arrested six suspected bandits and recovered weapons and 47 rustled cows in Manguna, Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau.

Commander of OPSH, Maj.-Gen. Abdusalam Abubakar, disclosed this at the Eid-el-Kabir luncheon, organised for troops of the operation on Monday in Jos.

Abubakar, who doubles as the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Rukuba, near Jos, said that the feat followed intensified operations by personnel of the operation.

”As part of our resolve to completely eradicate banditry and criminal elements and ensure a successful farming season and security of lives and property, our intensified operations continue to yield results.

“This has led to recovery of different calibers of arms and ammunition in different parts of Plateau.

”Specifically on June 10, OPSH Tactical Team raided a suspected criminal hideout at Manguna village in Bokkos local government area and during the operation, troops recovered one G3 rifle, two revolver rifles and one magazine with rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

”We also recovered a quiver with 20 arrows and 47 herds of cattle, while a total of six bandits and cattle rustlers were captured with the rifles and ammunition,” he said.

The commander further stated that his troops also raided the Pandam forest in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area of the state and recovered various weapons and ammunition.

”Similarly on June 12, troops, acting on credible intelligence, conducted clearance operations at suspected bandits’ hideouts at Pandam forest in Qua’an.

”During the operation, troops recovered two AK-47 rifles, two AK-47 magazines and 13 rounds of 7.62mm special.

”Troops are currently sustaining operations in the area to intercept and neutralise the fleeing terrorists,” he added.
Abubakar said that the troops also arrested 29 suspected members of a cult group known as Sara-suka, with fabricated rifles, pistols and other assorted dangerous weapons recovered in Jos.

The commander, who thanked the personnel for their efforts, assured residents of the state of the operation’s readiness to secure their lives and property.

Gunmen have kidnapped an Anambra State-based priest of the Catholic Church, Reverend Father Christian Ike.

Ike was said to have been taken away by the assailants on Sunday, along Amagu junction, Ndiokpaleke in Ajali community in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The reason for the incident has yet to be ascertained, but eyewitnesses in the area said the priest was returning alongside two other persons from an early morning Mass at St. Michael Catholic Church, when the vehicle he was moving in, was double-crossed by the assailants.

The source said, “The priest and two other persons were returning from St. Micheal Catholic Church, where they attended morning service.

“On getting to Amagu Junction, their vehicle was double-crossed by armed men operating in three vehicles, while the other two other persons escaped the scene, the criminals took away the priest and some personal belongings of the occupants in the vehicle.”

The latest abduction will be the second incident in two months as it would be recalled that another priest, Reverend Father Basil Gbuzuo, was kidnapped near Onitsha, on May 15, by unknown gunmen.

Gbuzuo was later released some weeks later after some undisclosed amount of ransom was paid to his captors.

Confirming the incident, the Anambra State police spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the command has heard about the incident and has deployed its intelligence and operational assets for his possible rescue unhurt.

Ikenga said, “Anambra State Police Command received the information of the abduction of Rev Father Christian Ike and has deployed its intelligence and operational assets of the Command for possible rescue unhurt.

“Eyewitness account revealed by 10:30 am on 16/6/2024, the priest and two others were returning from St. Micheal Catholic Church Ndiokpaleke where they attended morning service, along Amagu Junction, they were double-crossed by armed men operating in three vehicles, while the other two escaped the scene, the criminals took away the priest and some personal belongings of the occupants in the vehicle.

“To this end, the Command has activated its intelligence and operational assets for possible arrest of the assailants and rescue unhurt of the priest.”

He added that further development shall be communicated as it unfolds.