By Lekan Adejuwon
With the kidnap of a farmer, Mr Adewuumi Babatunde on March 26, 2023 in Omu Ekiti along Ayede Road, a new wave of criminality resurfaced in the country after what appears a lull in the criminal enterprise during the general elections and cash crunch that hit the country,.
According to reports, Babatunde was abducted by unknown gunmen while returning from his farm while a ransom of N3 million was placed on his head by the kidnappers.
Facts emerged yesterday that the abducted farmer had not been released even as the Royal Father of the community,Oba Adeyeye Ogundeji lamented the incessant kidnapping of indigenes especially farmers along Omu-Ijelu-Ayede road.
In a similar vein, only yesterday armed bandits unleashed mayhem in at least five states, including Niger, Kaduna, Kogi, Adamawa and Bayelsa, killing scores of people and kidnapping no fewer than 34 people, including two police officers. They also carted away arms and ammunition.
A fresh attack on Niger communities led to the killing of 4 soldiers and 6 others by bandits
Still in Niger State, seven days after killing seven people and abducting 26 persons, bandits on Sunday evening invaded Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State. They killed two villagers and kidnapped two policemen and no fewer than 32 villagers.
The bandits were said to have gone straight to Ibbi Police station in Mashegu, attacked those on duty and whisked away two of the Policemen.
After sacking the Policemen on duty, the bandits were said to have ransacked the armoury in the station and carted away some arms and ammunition.
Reports say the incident happened about 24 hours after an unidentified aircraft hovered around the community and the police station. Some of the areas raided include Ibbi and Mazakuka towns.
In nearby Kogi State, gunmen on Saturday stormed the Oganenugu community in Dekina LGA and killed scores of villagers.
The gunmen were said to have entered the village in the dead hours of the night and started shooting at everyone in sight.
The ward chairman of All Progressive Congress, APC, Mr. James Adah, was among those shot dead.
Governor,Yahaya Bello in a reaction to the ugly development called for calm over the attacks on communities in Oganenugu Ward of Dekina LGA by suspected herdsmen.
Describing the attacks as “vile and satanic” the governor said the attacks were “calculated assault on the peace-loving people of Oganenugu who have enjoyed relative peace and security.”
Bello said his administration would continue to phase out crisis entrepreneurs from the state and ensure that those involved shall be brought to book under the laws.
He said the attacks were shocking, and that “government will never bow to the machinations of heartless elements in its resolves to rid the state of criminals.”
He commiserated with the people, particularly the families of James Adah and others affected by the “ugly and unfortunate attacks.”
Governor Bello advised the people not to take laws into their hands as security agencies had been deployed to the troubled areas to ensure safety and restore normalcy.
In Bayelsa State, suspected assassins reportedly killed a construction worker, identified as Wale, and dumped his corpse along Gloryland Drive on the outskirts of Yenagoa, the state capital.
The body of the deceased, a resident of the Akenpai suburb of Yenagoa, was said to have been found on Saturday.
Wale was reportedly ambushed by his assailants, on Friday night, on his way home, along School Road, Akenpai, and was ordered to drive them in his car to an unknown destination.
It was learnt that the deceased had earlier called his wife to inform her that he was on his way home but failed to turn up. The lifeless body of the late Wale was spotted, Saturday morning along the usually quiet Gloryland Drive expressway by passersby.
The victim was said to have been shot in the head with his arms tied to his back.
In Kaduna state, as at time of filing this report, a 24-hour curfew has been imposed by the state government on Sabon Garin Nasarawa-Tirkaniya area of Chikun LGA to restore order in the area, following clashes among local armed gangs that claimed two lives.
Concerns had been raised about the resurgence in criminality and banditry across the states of the federation after the 2023 general elections and the return of cash to the economy, a CBN’s policy which has brought great discomfort and hardship to the Nigerian pey
