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Tag: unknown gunmen

  • Kanu Requests New Judge, Opposes Resumption of Trial

    Kanu Requests New Judge, Opposes Resumption of Trial

    Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, remains firm in his objection to the resumption of his trial, citing a lack of trust in Justice Binta Nyako. 

    He insisted that the judge should step aside, despite the Federal Government’s push for proceedings to continue under her oversight.

    The case has faced multiple twists since Kanu’s re-arrest and extradition from Kenya in 2021. Initially handled by Justice Nyako since 2015, the trial saw her step down in September 2024 after Kanu challenged her impartiality.

     However, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court reassigned the case back to her, stating her long-standing familiarity with it. 

    Kanu’s legal team contends that Justice Nyako’s decision to recuse herself still stands, making the Federal Government’s push for trial resumption improper. 

    Meanwhile, government lawyers argue that her recusal was not formalized by the required legal process and demand a trial date.  

    READ ALSO: Tinubu Visits Enugu for Project Commissioning Today

    The prolonged legal battle, involving allegations of treason and terrorism, has kept Kanu in custody under the Department of State Services, with repeated bail applications denied.

     The dispute over the judge’s role further delays proceedings, leaving the case in a state of uncertainty.

  • Gunmen Strike in Anambra, Seven Killed  

    Gunmen Strike in Anambra, Seven Killed  

    What a year of momentous tragedy. As the curtain falls on 2024, one of the horrific years of the new millennium, a bunch of daredevil gunmen are still drawing blood, killing and maiming in parts of the South East.

    In Ihiala, Anambra, gunmen launched an early-morning attack, leaving seven dead, including two bystanders. 

    The incident occurred at a location preparing for a burial ceremony, creating panic in the area. 

    Attackers also targeted a security post near the local government headquarters during their escape.  

    One victim was rescued and is receiving medical care. 

    The police commissioner has ordered a manhunt for those responsible. 

    This tragedy is the latest in a series of violent attacks in the state, including recent killings of a lawmaker and a priest.

  • Gunmen Attack Military Checkpoint In Ebonyi

    Gunmen Attack Military Checkpoint In Ebonyi

    Meanwhile, a community source, who pleaded to remain anonymous, told newsmen that a soldier was killed while one of the gunmen was also killed by the soldiers during the attack.
    The Ebonyi State Police Command has confirmed the attack by gunmen on a military checkpoint along the Amangwu axis of the Amasiri-Owutu Road in Edda local government area of Ebonyi State.
    Confirming the incident, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Joshua Ukandu said the command received information from Owutu Police Division that some hoodlums attacked the military checkpoint in the early hours of Friday, shooting sporadically.
    Ukandu said the Command was yet to be briefed if there was casualties, but affirmed that “the attack was carried out by yet-to-be-identified gunmen operating on a motorcycle.”
    Meanwhile, a community source told LEADERSHIP Weekend on grounds of anonymity, that a soldier was killed while one of the gunmen was also killed by the soldiers during the attack.
    “There was an attack this morning at the Amangwu Military Checkpoint and two persons were killed. From the information available, a soldier was killed and one of the gunmen was also killed by the soldiers,” the source said.
    The attack has caused panic and apprehension in the area as motorists and commuters plying the road spent several hours before normalcy returned to the area.
    Reacting to the attack, some elders in the Community who condemned the incident described the perpetrators as enemies of the state and the community.
    They said the criminal elements were those not happy with the peace that the community had witnessed in the last two years.
    Speaking to LEADERSHIP, an elder of the Community, Chief Orji Ama said, “We woke up this morning to hear about the attack at one of the military checkpoints in our local government. It was an unfortunate incident. It left many of us in shock as we have not witnessed any attack in our local government in the last 2 years.
    “Just recently, part of our community known for hostility celebrated seven (7) months of peace and unity. Only for some hoodlums to attack the military checkpoint. The presence of the military in our local government has brought about peace in the community and we are happy.”
    He called on the security agencies to go after the perpetrators of the dastardly act with a view to arresting and prosecuting them.
    He restated that Edda is a peaceful community, saying anyone who under the guise of unknown gunmen to cause havoc in the community must be fished out and prosecuted.
    Another Community Leader, Chief James Chima who also condemned the attack, maintained that the community will go all out to assist the security agencies to ensure the security of lives and properties of indigenes.
    Chima added that an attack on the military checkpoint was a complete sabotage to the peace and security being witnessed in the local government, adding that hoodlums cannot sabotage the peace and security in the local government.
    “The attack could best be described as sabotage. It is a sabotage to the peace and security the local government had witnessed in the last two years. Enemies of the local government want to bring about insecurity again in the community, but we will do everything to resist it.
    “The military presence has also helped immensely to ensure peace and security of the local government. That security and peace will never be truncated by those parading as unknown gunmen. The security agencies must go all out to fish out the hoodlums and ensure they face the full wrath of the law.”

  • Attempted Jailbreak?: Gunshots In Imo Capital

    There was pandemonium in Owerri, the Imo State capital yesterday as sporadic shooting was heard across Owerri, the state capital.
    While some wondered if the gunshots were a result of an attempted jailbreak, a security Eons Intelligence in post shared on X attributed the shooting to unknown gunmen.
    It wrote: “At 1130 am today 31st July, 2024, Owerri Prison under attack by Unknown gunmen as prison armed Squad in gun duel.
    “Reinforcement from military and other security formation ongoing.”
    It further tweeted, “Report of sporadic shooting across Owerri Municipal by UGM. Suspected Hoodlums also attacked the UBA bank at Wetheral Road.
    “Avoid the area until normalcy is restored.”
    While some witnesses attributed the gunshots to unknown gunmen, sources from Imo State capital, who witnessed the incident told SaharaReporters that the shooting could not be from unknown gunmen.
    According to one of Sahara Reporters sources, the shooting is simultaneously going on at the Okigwe road, World Bank, Control, in front of Government House, Onitsha road, Amaku-Ohia – Akwaku road, and Aba road and Wetheral Road.
    The source said: “We believe that the Governor Hope Uzodimma and his administration were behind the shooting to scare and send fear to the people who might be planning to come out tomorrow to participate in the nationwide ‘Day of Rage’ protests against hunger and misgovernance in Nigeria, and in the state.”
    “You must have seen the video of Owerri, the State capital, it has been completely deserted. In those videos do you see security agencies moving around to contain it. That shows you that the shooting was government plan to scare would be protesters from coming tomorrow. That’s is the main agenda.
    “Police, military and other security agencies are resided in the capital, with increased checkpoints in every streets in Owerri, from where did the so called gunmen came in from.”
  • Bandits Invade Kaduna Primary School, Kidnap Scores Of Students

    Bandits Invade Kaduna Primary School, Kidnap Scores Of Students

    Chaos ensued in Kuriga town, Kaduna State, unknown gunmen stormed LEA Primary School, Kuriga (1) on Thursday, kidnapping numerous students.

    Although the exact number of abducted individuals remains unverified, local residents estimated it to be around 100.

    The victims reportedly included the head teacher of the school and some other staff members.

    The incident occurred at 8:20 am immediately after the morning assembly, leaving the school community in shock and distress.

    It was revealed that most pupils managed to flee from their classes upon sighting the armed bandits on the school premises.

    The LEA Primary School, Kuriga (1), relocated its junior and secondary sections to the town’s inner building a few years ago due to security concerns, abandoning the former school building outside the city.

    A resident named Shitu confirmed the abduction, saying that many pupils fled their classes upon realizing the presence of bandits.

    Another resident, Lawal Kuriga, mentioned that the kidnapped victims were forcefully taken into the nearby forest.

    As of the time of reporting, there has been no official statement from the state government.

  • Park Ownership Dispute: Unknown gunmen trigger pandemonium in Anambra

    An unsettling situation unfolded on Wednesday in Nkpor, situated within the Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

    The cause of the upheaval was the contentious matter of park ownership, which escalated to the point of armed masked individuals purportedly assuming control of the parks.

    In the midst of this dispute, chaos ensued, leading to the reported injury of at least five individuals due to the commotion caused by gunshots fired by the armed intruders.

    Emmanuel Idemili, the Chairman of the Amafor Nkpor community, addressed the media regarding the unfolding situation.

    According to him, his team was duly authorized by the state government to manage and generate revenue from the parks.

    He revealed that he was away on official business in Awka when he received a distressing call from his staff at the parks.

    They reported that a group of masked and armed individuals had forcefully entered the scene under the fly-over bridge, immediately resorting to gunfire and driving his team away.

    Idemili expressed his concern for the wellbeing of his staff, mentioning that he was uncertain whether any of his members were among the injured. The intensity of the shooting triggered a stampede, causing traders at the Nkpor New Auto Spare Parks and Nkpor Relief Markets to hastily close their shops and seek safety.

    In an attempt to verify the unfolding events, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, was contacted. However, he stated that he had no knowledge of the incident, leaving the situation shrouded in uncertainty.

    This alarming incident in Nkpor, Anambra, underscores the potentially volatile nature of disputes over public spaces and their management.

    The clash over park ownership not only led to injuries but also disrupted the local commercial activities, highlighting the need for swift and effective resolution to maintain order and safety in the community.