Police arrest most wanted Boko Haram terrorist, 19 others

Babatope Okeowo, Akure

Detectives attached to the Ondo State Police Command have arrested, Mohammed Jaihe, described as one of the most wanted Boko Haram terrorists in the state.

Jaihe had been on the Wanted List of Department of State Security Service (DSS) over his alleged involvement in kidnapping and other heinous crime.

Jaihe was arrested with his accomplice, Jimoh Ahmed in Ago Ajayi Forest in Oba-Akoko in Akoko Southwest Local Government Area of the state. The suspect and his accomplice were arrested after the Police invaded their hideout in the Akoko area of the state.

Security sources said Jaihe relocated to the Owo/Ikare forest after he and others were dislodged in northeast geopolitical zone.

The police also arrested some suspected robbers and cultists, who were also on Police Wanted List. Aside from Jaihe, other 19 suspects were also arrested and paraded in the state.

The Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Femi Joseph, explained that the suspects were hibernating at Iroju area of Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area.

Joseph said: “Policemen from Ore Police Station immediately stormed the place and arrested some suspected robbers and cultists. The arrested suspects led the police to arrest their kingpin and a leader Mr. Salami Aliyu a.k.a General Paul, a notorious armed robber. Aliyu is also an unrepentant cultist, who had been involved in so many violent crimes within Ore and its environs.”

Joseph further said that officers from Area Commander Akure, acting on a tip-off, arrested some suspected cult members at different locations within Akure with the assistant of some youth leaders.

The image maker said: “The suspects have all confessed to being members of the Eiye and Aiye confraternities.”

Gunmen invade New Year celebration, kill four in Kaduna 

Baba Negedu, KADUNA 

At least four persons died on Sunday night after sustaining gunshot wounds in an attack by gunmen in Kutura village, Kajuru Local Government Area in the southern part of Kaduna State. 

Many more sustained injuries from the attack and are recuperating in various hospitals in the area. 

The gunmen were said to have stormed the village at about 8:00pm, Sunday night. The gunmen opened fire on youths, who were celebrating and dancing in anticipation of the New Year. 

Efforts to get further information about the attack from the Kaduna State Police Command was futile as the command’s spokesman, Yakubu Sabo, did not pick his calls.

However, President of the Adara Development Association (ADA), Mr. Awema Dio Maisamari, confirmed the attack in a telephone interview with journalists in Kaduna. 

He described the attack as unfortunate, adding that their communities no longer feel save in spite of government promise to protect them. 

His words: "It was around 8:00pm, while youths were celebrating the forthcoming New Year and dancing, that the gunmen, from nowhere invaded the community and opened fire. Four people were killed on the spot while seven others were injured.”

The ADA boss further said: “Before the attack, there was a recorded audio message, allegedly from a Fulani man, informing people about impending attacks on some communities in the area.  The recorded audio message listed the areas to be attacked, and Kutura community was one of them. The latest attack had confirmed fears being expressed about the security situation in Kajuru Local Government Area and the failure of the authorities to take proactive measures.” 

According to Maisamari: “This confirmed that all these things we had been hearing, which we called rumours are coming to pass! When the audio was circulating, we raised the issue at a meeting with government officials at the State House Kaduna. They told us that they had already taken care of the situation. We were at the meeting with the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and we brought up the issue, he told us that they were aware of it and had already taken care of the situation. Here we are! That is to say that we can no longer rely on government to protect us. They will hear, they will promise and at the end of the day our fears would be confirmed. We don't feel protected at all.”

The present attack is coming hours after the state governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai appealed to the people of the area to strive to live in peace with one another during a town hall meeting in Kasuwan Magani on Sunday.