• Kidnap bride, maids in Sokoto

From Tijani Labaran (Lokoja),  Abubakar Auwal (Sokoto), Abdullateef Aliyu (Lagos), Salim Umar Ibrahim (Kano) & Mumini Abdulkareem (Ilorin)

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Bandits yesterday attacked a church in Ejiba Community in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, abducting the pastor, his wife and many worshipers. Daily Trust gathered that the incident occurred while the church service was going on.

The attack on the Cherubim and Seraphim Church came hours after the abduction of travellers along Isanlu-Makutu-Idofin road on Saturday in Yagba East Local Government of the state. Both attacks occurred in the same axis of the state.

Locals said the armed men laid siege on the road for hours, intercepting vehicles and abducting the occupants.

“The number of victims kidnapped along the Isanlu-Makutu-Idofin road on Saturday is not known. Daily Trust gathered that about three cars ran into the ambush and that all the occupants except one person who escaped, were taken into the bush.

“But news filtered into the community today that military men and local vigilantes tracked the hoodlums and engaged them in a gunfire, leading to the rescue of some victims,” Enimola Daramola, a resident in the community said.

Also, a report from the area on Sunday said another commercial vehicle was attacked along the Idofin Community.

“The driver of the vehicle and passengers narrowly escaped the attack. That route has become very dangerous,” said David Juwon, a resident of Isanlu Community.

The Kogi State Police Command’s spokesperson, CSP William Aya, confirmed the incident of Saturday, saying, a car was attacked while on transit in that axis of the state.

“Three people were attacked in a car while on transit between Idofin and Isanlu; one person by name, Raji Adesukami, escaped while two others were kidnapped.

“The Commissioner of Police has deployed a tactical team, comprising the Quick Response Unit, Anti-kidnapping, and PMF, to the area to ensure victims are rescued unhurt,” he said.

Also, a military source noted that troops of 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, rescued five abducted victims in a coordinated operation around the Isanlu–Egbe  area of Yagba East Local Government Area on 29th November, 2025.

According to the source, the operation followed two separate kidnap incidents.

“Upon receiving the reports, our troops immediately mobilised to both scenes, professionally engaging the kidnappers with superior firepower. The aggressive response forced the bandits to flee, abandoning all five victims who were rescued unharmed.

“The Brigade reiterates its commitment under the leadership of Brigadier General Kasim Umar Sidi, to ensuring the security of lives and property across Kogi State. Troops remain vigilant and will continue to dominate the area with robust patrols to deny criminal elements any freedom of action,” a source said.

The church attack

The attack on the church in Ejiba of Kogi State is coming weeks after an attack on a CAC church in Eruku area of Kwara State.  Kogi shares boundary with Kwara State.

Witnesses said the gunmen arrived at about 9.30 am and opened fire, making the worshipers to flee in different directions.

One Adegboyega Oguns, who was present at the church, said: “It’s a new Cherubim and Seraphim church. The pastor popularly called Baba Orlando and wife with some others have been kidnapped. It was really serious. We all ran out of the church”.

The Kogi State government on Sunday said it has intensified surveillance and patrols to get the bandits who attacked the Cherubim and Seraphim Church.

The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, said the government has reinstated its commitment to carry the fight to the bandits’ hideout to mitigate prevailing attacks on the people.

Fanwo said: “The security network, comprising the conventional security agencies and the local security architecture is currently doing what it should do.

“The authorities of Yagba West Local Government Council are working hard with the security agencies to ensure those kidnapped are rescued alive.

“The perpetrators already know that Kogi will do everything possible to secure every one of its citizens’ abducted.

“The governor of the state, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, is coordinating activities and we will keep the press updated on the operations.

“We urge the citizens to be security-conscious and also report suspicious movements and faces to security agencies. When you see something, say something.

“Worship centres in the outskirts should also reconsider worshipping in crime-prone areas for now until the situation gets better,” he said.

It would be recalled that a few days ago, the Kogi State governor, Usman Ahmed Ododo, said bandit commanders had relocated to the state. The governor who held an emergency stakeholders’ meeting with security agencies and traditional rulers at the Government House in Lokoja on Thursday, said everything possible will be done to protect people of the state.

As part of the measures, the governor ordered management of churches, mosques or event centres to streamline their activities or programmes to end by 4pm daily.

It would be recalled that the Chairman of Yagba West Local Government Area of the state, Tosin Olokun, had on the 16th of November imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew across the local government. This was contained in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Adeyemi Babarinde Sunday.

“The safety of our people remains our top priority. This curfew is a proactive step to strengthen ongoing operations and prevent criminal infiltration across our communities,” he said.

He said the measure became necessary to restrict movement of people during vulnerable hours in order to enable security agencies carry out coordinated patrols, surveillance, and clampdowns without obstruction.

Ten days after, precisely on 26th November, bandits attacked Aiyetoro Kiri settlement in the local government, killing two residents in the process.

Bride, maids, 8 others abducted in Sokoto

Also, bandits, in the early hours of yesterday attacked Chacho village in Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State, abducting a bride-to-be and her bridesmaids just hours to her wedding ceremony.

The attackers reportedly stormed the community around 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, whisking away the bride-to-be, her friends, and eight other residents.

All of the abducted victims were women, except for one man. It was also gathered that one person was injured during the invasion.

A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the incident as devastating.

“We are saddened by the development. The girl’s wedding was supposed to take place this morning, but she was abducted along with her friends who were to serve as her bridesmaids,” he said.

He added that seven other women and one man were also taken during the attack. While no serious fatality was recorded, the injured victim is currently receiving treatment at a hospital.

The resident expressed frustration over the response time of security agencies, noting that operatives were alerted but did not arrive until about 2:30 a.m.—an hour after the assailants left the area.

“We are appealing to our government to live up to its responsibility of protecting the lives and property of its people in line with their oath of office,” he said.

The spokesman for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, confirmed the incident, saying details of the attack were still sketchy.

Daily Trust could not get additional information as of press time.

Bandits kill 60-year-old woman, kidnap four in Kano

And in Kano State, bandits shot dead a 60-year-old woman on Saturday in Yankamaye village, Tsanyawa Local Government Area.

A source from the village, who preferred to remain anonymous due to possible threats, added that three other members of the community were abducted in the attack.

The bandits reportedly stormed Yankamaye village around 11 p.m. on Saturday, shooting the woman after she pleaded with them not to take her son.

According to the source, the assailants invaded the community on motorcycles.

“A woman was shot dead when she attempted to prevent them from taking away her son. She pleaded with the kidnappers, who rather than heed her plea, killed her and took the young man away,” the source said.

Meanwhile, the troops of Operation MESA have confirmed the repelling of bandits’ incursion and rescue of seven victims who had been kidnapped from the village.

In a statement, Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 3 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Captain Babatunde Zubairu, on Sunday, confirmed the killing of the 60-year-old woman by bandits.

According to Captain Zubairu, “The gallant troops of Operation MESA, comprising personnel of 3 Brigade Nigerian Army in conjunction with the Nigerian Air Force and Nigerian Police, while on fighting patrol on 29th November, 2025, at about 2300 hours, received a distressed call from Yankamaye Cikin Gari village in Tsanyawa Local Government Area on bandits’ activities.

“The troops, who responded swiftly, made contact with the bandits and successfully rescued seven victims from the bandits, who had already killed a 60-year-old woman in the area.

“Upon receiving the information, the troops pursued the bandits along their withdrawal route towards Rimaye, engaged them with a high volume of fire, and swiftly rescued the abducted victims. However, four of the kidnapped victims are still unaccounted for.

“The bandits fled towards Kankia LGA in Katsina State, and efforts are ongoing to track their location. The Commander, 3 Brigade, commended the troops for their bravery and prompt response and urged members of the public to continue to cooperate with security agencies by providing timely and credible information that could assist ongoing operations,” the Brigade spokesman said.

Meanwhile, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, has called on security agencies to go after the bandits and end their activities.

Reacting to the bandits’ attack in Yankamaye village in Tsanyawa LGA on Saturday night, Senator Barau appealed to the security agencies to double their efforts and take the fight to the criminal elements.

Senator Barau, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, stated that the incursion of criminal elements into the two LGAs must stop forthwith.

“I have received the distressing report of the killing of a woman and the kidnapping of three persons in Yankamaye village in Tsanyawa LGA of Kano State by marauding bandits from neighbouring states on Saturday night when the villagers had retired to bed.

“This incident occurred a few days after a similar one in Biresawa village, also in Tsanyawa LGA. I, therefore, call on our security agencies, who have engaged the criminals on many occasions in the axis, to double their efforts to rescue these innocent persons and tackle the elements. They should take the fight to them.

“We will not allow these marauding criminals, who are on the run from neighbouring states, following military operations, to destabilise our communities. This incursion into the area must stop forthwith. The security of our people’s lives and properties is paramount. No stone will be left unturned in achieving this,” he said.

Musa Lawan, a farmer in the area said, “We couldn’t sleep last night. The gunshots kept echoing from Yankamaye side. We are tired of living in fear like this. These bandits come from the bush, attack us, and disappear. We need more security presence because we no longer feel safe.”

Also speaking, Amina Sani said, “It is heartbreaking that a woman was killed and people were kidnapped again. This is not the first time. We are afraid to even come out of our homes. Government should deploy more soldiers and police to protect us.”

On his part, a community leader in the area said, “What happened is unacceptable. Tsanyawa used to be peaceful. The bandits keep exploiting the border routes between Kano and Katsina. Security agencies must intensify patrols and block their escape routes. Our villages cannot continue like this.”

Kwara: Traditional ruler, 4 others abducted in fresh attack

A traditional ruler in Bayagan community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, the Ojibara of Bayagan, Oba Kamilu Salami, has been abducted by gunmen.

The traditional ruler was kidnapped on Saturday morning while working on his farm.

The assailants were said to have abducted four additional persons in a nearby community as they fled the area.

The latest incident occurred just days after 11 persons, including a pregnant woman, were kidnapped in Isapa, Ekiti Local Government Area of the state.

The victims of the Isapa incident are still in custody of their abductors.

Confirming the latest incident on Sunday, the lawmaker representing the constituency in the Kwara State House of Assembly, Ganiyu Afolabi Salau, told Daily Trust that the traditional ruler contacted them earlier in the day from the kidnappers’ den.

According to him, “He only called this morning that he is in the custody of the kidnappers. No demand for ransom has been made. Security agents, including the police and DSS, have mobilised to the area.

“And when the bandits were taking our monarch away amid sporadic shootings, what we learnt now is that they kidnapped additional four people from the next community,” he added.

A family member, however, told Daily Trust that the gunmen stormed the farm and whisked him away on a motorcycle.

A farmer, who said he shared boundary with the Oba, said he witnessed the incident but was afraid to assist the Oba for fear of being kidnapped also.

It was the farmer from the neighbouring village that later alerted other farmers in the area before a search team was launched.

Meanwhile, the kidnappers have contacted the community, demanding N150 million ransom.

“Oba Ojibara was asked by the bandits to speak with members of his community to convince them that he was in their custody.

“He urged the community to come to his rescue by negotiating with the bandits for his quick release.

“He said they took him on the motorcycle into the thick forests along with others kidnapped and that it took over five hours before they arrived at a destination from where they communicated with the community,” a source added.

Speaking on the incident, the spokesperson of the state police command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the police were aware of the monarch’s abduction and had begun rescue efforts.

She confirmed that no arrest had been made but assured residents of their safety.

Rise in banditry, height of government’s failure – Bakare

The Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church (CGCC), Pastor Tunde Bakare, has described the surge in banditry and terrorism across Nigeria as “the height of government’s failure,” blaming it on decades of unresolved political, structural and moral crises.

Speaking during his State of the Nation address titled “The Darkness Before Dawn” in Lagos, Bakare said Nigeria is facing its most dangerous moment since the Abacha era, with insecurity spiraling and foreign powers openly questioning the competence of the Nigerian state.

His comments follow United States President Donald Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and threats of intervention over alleged persecution of Christians. Bakare said the escalating attacks — from school abductions in Kebbi and Niger to the killing of soldiers in Borno — are consequences of long-standing political denial.

He blamed the rise in banditry on the government’s failure to resolve disputes between Hausa farmers and Fulani pastoralists and allowing local tensions to evolve into entrenched criminal networks. According to him, Nigeria has been “boiling like the experimental frog,” with leaders preoccupied with politics instead of governance.

Bakare criticised what he called the government’s reactive posture, saying the sudden response following Trump’s remarks exposed years of neglect. He also faulted what he called the secrecy surrounding negotiations with bandits and the withdrawal of security forces before major attacks.

He warned that Nigeria cannot overcome insecurity without confronting “The Nigeria Question” — the political, ethnic, legal and security foundations destabilising the country.

Bakare challenged President Bola Tinubu to embark on holistic security and governance reforms, saying piecemeal actions will not restore peace despite the recent declaration of a nationwide security emergency.