Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: Kidnapping

  • Gombe attack leaves two dead, four abducted as governor condemns violence

    Gombe attack leaves two dead, four abducted as governor condemns violence

    2025-12-29 09:00:00
    Punch reports that gunmen attacked homes in Pindiga, Akko LGA of Gombe State, killing two residents and abducting four others, prompting condemnation and pledges of action from the state government.

    Other reports add police timing and incident details, describing the raid as an early-hours attack on residential homes along the Pindiga–Kashere axis.

    The incident reinforces the persistence of night raids and abductions in parts of northern Nigeria, raising pressure on security response and community intelligence systems.

    The Guardian quotes police saying the incident occurred at “about 3:30 am,” while TVC News reports the attack happened “in the early hours of Sunday.”

    Echotitbits take: The metric is not statements—it’s prevention and rescue. Watch for swift pursuit operations, credible intelligence loops, and whether arrests/prosecutions follow (often the missing link).

    Source: The Punch — December 29, 2025 (https://punchng.com/gombe-gov-fumes-as-gunmen-kill-two-abduct-four/)
    The Punch 2025-12-29

    Photo Credit: The Punch

  • Bandit raid after Christmas: Adanla community in Kwara hit, residents report multiple abductions

    Bandit raid after Christmas: Adanla community in Kwara hit, residents report multiple abductions

    Photo Credit: The Punch
    2025-12-28 09:00:00

    Reporting by PUNCH indicates suspected bandits invaded Adanla community in Ifelodun LGA of Kwara State and abducted several residents after Christmas celebrations, leaving the area gripped by fear.

    Local leaders said the attackers moved house-to-house, firing shots and forcing residents into submission before fleeing with victims.

    Security responders were alerted, though residents demanded faster protection for rural communities facing expanding bandit routes.

    SaharaReporters quoted a community source saying, “Our peaceful community is in deep sorrow, grief and agony,” while PUNCH quoted a local security coordinator: “At about 7:30pm… bandits had entered the community.”

    Echotitbits take: Kwara sits near multiple transit corridors—security coordination must be regional, not state-siloed. Watch for whether forest-guard programs and community watch networks get better intelligence support.

    Source: The Punch — December 27, 2025 (https://punchng.com/seven-feared-kidnapped-by-bandits-in-kwara-community/)

    The Punch December 27, 2025
    https://punchng.com/seven-feared-kidnapped-by-bandits-in-kwara-community/

  • Stakeholders warn Senate against death-penalty option in kidnapping bill

    Stakeholders warn Senate against death-penalty option in kidnapping bill

    Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
    2025-12-18 17:00:00

    The Nation reports that stakeholders at a Senate hearing pushed back against proposals to introduce death penalty provisions for kidnapping, citing legal, rights and implementation concerns.

    Critics argue deterrence is unlikely if conviction rates remain low, and that reforms should prioritise investigation quality, prosecution capacity and victim protection.

    Verification: Premium Times and Channels TV also reported the public hearing and documented opposition from the AGF, NBA and other groups.

    Quotes: Premium Times: “AGF, NBA, others oppose death penalty for kidnapping…” Channels TV: “raised concerns… at the public hearing…”

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: Nigeria’s crisis is less about harsh laws and more about weak enforcement. Watch the final Senate wording and whether the bill strengthens investigations, forensics and witness protection without expanding punitive powers that can be abused.

    Source: The Nation — 2025-12-18 — https://thenationonlineng.net/stakeholders-oppose-death-penalty-for-kidnapping/

    The Nation 2025-12-18

  • Gunmen Kill 12 Miners, Abduct Others in Plateau’s Barkin Ladi Area

    Gunmen Kill 12 Miners, Abduct Others in Plateau’s Barkin Ladi Area

    2025-12-18 00:00:00

    Vanguard reports that gunmen attacked a mining community in Plateau State, killing 12 people and abducting others in an assault that adds to security concerns around mining routes and rural settlements.

    Witness accounts cited in the report suggest the attackers struck at night, with security responders later evacuating bodies and searching surrounding areas.

    The incident has renewed calls for stronger protection for communities hosting artisanal and commercial mining activity.

    Punch also reported the incident, noting that victims were miners and that the attack occurred around Barkin Ladi in Plateau State. (Punch)

    Daily Post similarly reported the fatalities and abductions, describing the incident as another sign of worsening insecurity in parts of the North-Central. (Daily Post)

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: Plateau’s repeated rural attacks highlight the need for better intelligence-led policing and tighter control of mining corridors where cash and minerals can attract violent groups. Watch for arrests, community-led early warning systems, and whether federal and state authorities deploy specialised security to mining belts.

    Source: Vanguard — December 18, 2025 (https://elanzanews.ng/gunmen-kill-12-miners-abduct-three-in-plateau/)

    Photo credit: Elanza News

  • Safe School Project plans more deployments as kidnapping risks persist

    Safe School Project plans more deployments as kidnapping risks persist

    Photo Credit: A school classroom session – Facebook/Nigerian Teachers
    2025-12-14

    According to The Punch, the National Safe Schools Response and Coordination Centre says more security personnel will be deployed to schools to strengthen protection and deter attacks amid kidnapping concerns.

    Officials say the approach blends intelligence-led operations with visible security measures to reduce school vulnerability in high-risk locations.

    On its official platform, the NSSRCC describes its work as enhancing security for schools through coordination with security agencies and rapid response mechanisms.

    The Guardian Nigeria has previously highlighted gaps in school protection and warned that many schools remain exposed despite funding announcements, keeping pressure on implementation.

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: School protection announcements are common—execution is the real test. Watch for state-by-state coverage, quick-response effectiveness, and whether community early-warning systems and safe transportation measures actually reduce abductions and attacks in the next quarter.

    Source: The Punch — 14 Dec 2025 (https://punchng.com/kidnapping-safe-school-project-to-deploy-more-security-personnel/)

     

  • South-West Security Summit Pushes State Police, Ranching and Tougher Kidnap Penalties

    South-West security stakeholders endorsed state police and stronger penalties for kidnapping, alongside a regional enforcement push against open grazing. The communique emphasised coordinated crime prevention across the zone.

    Participants advocated legislation to accelerate ranching, reinforce border security and deepen collaboration among state and community security structures.

    2025-12-10

    Vanguard

    2025-12-10

  • Bago Details Wider Papiri Kidnap Toll

    Niger State officials say the Papiri school raid involved a broader abduction toll than first understood, with reports indicating staff and other persons were also taken alongside pupils. The return of 100 pupils was described as a major milestone.

    Authorities say operations continue to reconcile figures and account for those still missing, while families and community leaders await further updates.

    2025-12-08

    The Nation

    2025-12-08

  • Bandits abduct foreign national, Nigerian in Niger State- Police confirms

    Bandits abduct foreign national, Nigerian in Niger State- Police confirms

    A foreign national and a Nigerian have been abducted by suspected bandits between Yankila and Regina village in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger state.

    The Police Commissioner in the state, Adamu Usman confirmed the abduction on Tuesday in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

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    Usman said on Aug. 17 at about 11.05 hours information was received that armed bandits attacked and kidnapped two staff of Transparent Construction company.

    He said that the victims were on handling the rehabilitation of the bad portion of the federal road in the area.

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    “They have not informed the command of their operations in the state. We only knew their presence in the state due to this incident.

    “We have already deployed a team of armed security personnel to rescue the victims,” Usman said.

  • Kidnapping: Femi Falana demands AGF Malami to produce indicted Soldiers for trial

    Kidnapping: Femi Falana demands AGF Malami to produce indicted Soldiers for trial

    The attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami has been demanded to produce in court for trial, soldiers indicted for the brutal murder of three policemen over suspected kidnap kingpin Bala Hamisu.

    The demand was made in a personal statement by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and human rights lawyer, Femi Falana on Sunday.

    The human right czar noted that the military’s court-martial lacks the competence to try the soldiers for terrorism offences committed against police personnel or other members of the public.

    He argued that the terrorism offence allegedly carried out by the soldiers is not provided for in the Armed Forces Act.

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    Falana explained that: “With respect, the offence of terrorism allegedly committed by the indicted soldiers are not provided for in the Armed Forces Act.

    “To that extent, a general court-martial or special court-martial lacks the jurisdictional competence to try the offence of terrorism committed against police personnel and other members of the public by soldiers who are subject to service law.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, Section 32 of the Terrorism Prevention Act 2011 as amended by the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act 2013 provides that “The Federal High Court located in any part of Nigeria, regardless of the location where the offence is committed, shall have jurisdiction to (a) try offences under this Act or any other related enactment; (b) hear and determine proceedings arising under this Act,” he stated.

    SEE FULL STATEMENT HERE

    A COURT-MARTIAL LACKS THE COMPETENCE TO TRY OFFENCES OF TERRORISM

    The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami SAN was reported to have said that the soldiers indicted in the brutal murder of 3 policemen who arrested a suspected kidnap kingpin, Bala Hamisu (alias Wadume) could be tried by a court-martial. According to the Minister, “They are military personnel. First, they are to go through the in-house processes. There are two options – either to charge them before the court-martial which is a special court established by law for the trial of soldiers or in the alternative for the military after consummation of the in-house processes should consider handing them over for trial.”

    With respect, the offence of terrorism allegedly committed by the indicted soldiers are not provided for in the Armed Forces Act. To that extent, a general court-martial or special court-martial lacks the jurisdictional competence to try the offence of terrorism committed against police personnel and other members of the public by soldiers who are subject to service law. For the avoidance of doubt, Section 32 of the Terrorism Prevention Act 2011 as amended by the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act 2013 provides that “The Federal High Court located in any part of Nigeria, regardless of the location where the offence is committed, shall have jurisdiction to (a) try offences under this Act or any other related enactment; (b) hear and determine proceedings arising under this Act”.

    Hence, the indicted soldiers were properly charged with terrorism along with other suspects in the only competent court in the land. However, since the military authorities did not release the suspects to the Police for the purpose of arraigning them in court the learned trial judge, the Honourable Justice Binta Nyako rightly ordered the Chief of Army Staff to produce them to answer to the heinous charge of terrorism and allied offences. Even though the Attorney- General withdrew the charges against the indicted soldiers the order that they be produced in court for arraignment has not been vacated or quashed either by the trial court or the Court of Appeal. Therefore, the Attorney-General is duty-bound by to ensure full and unconditional compliance with the valid and subsisting order of the federal high court in accordance with section 287 (3) of the Constitution.

    Femi Falana SAN