Herdsmen attacked a school in Oyo state. Community Grammar School, in Alaropo Nla, Oriire Local Government Area, was invaded by gunmen, during which attack students and teachers were injured. About 20 men herding their cattle rampaged the school, injuring students and teachers with sword and machete cuts, and even breaking some of the victim’s legs and hands. Attempts to resist them resulted in even more grievous injuries, including to one Mr. Paul Olabode. The school principal, Mrs. Grace Alamu, confirmed the violence, saying, “I was on my way to the school when I received the news of the invasion. Policemen are coming to the school this morning.” however, the local police command has claimed the incident did not happen. SP Adewale Osifeso stated that no such incident happened at the school, and no injuries have been reported to the police. He claims the herdsmen were grazing their cattle outside the school gates when the people inside the school raised a false alarm and claimed an attack. To confirm which of these reports is accurate, the state commissioner of police, CP Adebowale Williams says he has sent the Divisional Police Officer in the local area to the school, who reported that the incident really did not happen. The school insists the police have it wrong: “It was very unfortunate the report is being twisted from various quarters. We have done what we could do and if they insisted there was no such occurrence, so be it. Regarding the number of casualties involved, the head of TESCOM in the Ogbomoso zone will be able to talk about that. I don’t want to make any further comments again. I want to be on the safe side.” the Commissioner of Education in Oyo State, Mr. Raman Abdulraheem refused to give official comment, saying, “I can’t make any official statement now until I get proper fact.” https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/03/students-teachers-injured-as-suspected-herdsmen-storm-oyo-school/
Various incidents of violence have erupted in various states, including Niger, Kaduna, Kogi, Adamawa and Bayelsa, in which tens of peoples have lost their lives and scores more injured. At least 34 have been kidnapped also in these incidents, including two police officers. Bandits have also stolen arms and ammunition. In Mashegu Local Government Area, Niger State, two villagers were killed; two police officers kidnapped, and at least 32 locals along with them. The gunmen, after attacking and kidnapping the policemen on duty, ransacked the police station armoury and stole firearms and ammunition. The abducted villagers were shuttled into Ibbi forest. “This incident happened about 24 hours after an unidentified aircraft hovered around the community and the police station. Some of the areas raided included and Mazakuka towns. statistics show that 15 of those abducted are from Mazakuka town, while nine are from Ibbi town and all of them, including the policemen abducted, were led into the forest and they are yet to be traced till now,” according to a local source. Local groups of armed people from Mokwa and New Bussa followed the kidnappers into the forest, with the aim of waylaying them, engaged in a pitched gun battle that lasted for a few hours. In the ensuing battle however, the leader of the vigilantes was shot and killed by the kidnappers. The locals also managed to kill a few of the kidnappers from their side.
In Kogi state, gunmen attacked the community of Oganenugu, in Dekina Local Government Area, killing locals there also. The gunmen entered the village at night and started randomly shooting indiscriminately. The ward chairman of the APC part, Mr. James Adah, was among those shot dead. describing the attacks as “vile and satanic”, Governor Bello vowed not to surrender to the attacks, instead calling for calm in the affected communities, ensuring them that security forces have been activated to being back order and restore normality in the areas, while admitting that the attacks are a “calculated assault on the peace loving people of Oganenugu who have enjoyed relative peace and security. (The) government will never bow to the machinations of heartless elements in its resolves to rid the state of criminals.”
In Yagba Federal Constituency of Kogi state, the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise, Elder Leke Abejide, has expressed his anger at the attacks that have happened in Oganenigwu. He has called the attacks “satanic”, highlighting that the people of Edede, Aloo, Ojapata and other surrounding communities in Oganeniugu in the area have lost their lives and properties in the constant barrage of attacks. “This is the reason I’m clamouring for local government to be given full autonomy to be able to secure their environment and know who are within the community and more importantly, those living within their farms and forests. If the resources are with them, they should have adequate number of those in town, bushes, and farms and forests Vis a local census to determine immigrants into the communities and farms, with the help of traditional rulers and chiefs. They will issue permits and mode of operation within their domain on how to live in peace both within and outside the community. Whoever breaches the agreement will know there is a problem for him or she and this can be perfected with the state government. I urge the state government to fish out the perpetrators, at least to give a bit of comfort to the families of the bereaved.” https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/04/return-ofbandits-gunmen-terrorise-niger-kaduna-kogi-bayelsa-adamawa/
This week Monday, gunmen kidnapped 10 people from the Government Day Secondary School in Awon, Kachia Local Government Area, and Kaduna State. According to State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, the students were on their way home after school, when they encountered the bandits, who had also abducted other residents. “The Government can confirm that eight students of the Government Secondary School, Awon in Kachia LGA were kidnapped on Monday in the general area, along with other citizens.” the school has the list of students taken. “The management of the school has submitted the names and classes of the kidnapped students” Governor Nasir El-Rufai has condemned the attacks, and assured the local citizenry of all efforts being taken to rescue the eight students and two locals. Further to this, the state government relaxed a previously imposed 24 hour curfew that was imposed on Sabon Garin Nasarawa-Tirkaniya, in Chikun LGA on Monday. According to Mr. Aruwan, relative stability has returned to the area, due to interventions by security forces. “With effect from tomorrow, Wednesday 5 th April 2023, the curfew will be in place from 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM, while residents of the area can go about their activities between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM. the government advises residents of the community to comply with the curfew and maintain orderly conduct as security agencies continue to work in the affected areas.” https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/04/update-eight-student-kidnap-with-other-citizens-kaduna-govt/
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