Niger Police gun down bandits’ chief informant Buba Baromi

The operatives of the Police anti-banditry team in Niger State have gunned down a notorious bandits’ informant, Buba Baromi.

Baromi was killed at his hideouts in Damba Forest, in the state.

PRNigeria gathered that local hunters led the Police to the hideouts of Baromi where he was recuperating from a gunshot wound, he had sustained in previous encounters with security personnel.

An intelligence officer involved in the operation told PRNigeria that Baromi was not only an informant but also led bandits to targets of attacks and kidnapping. “Shehu Buba Baromi was notorious in providing information to bandits, as well as leading them to targets of attacks, abductions and cattle rustling.

“In the middle of August 2021, he led bandits to rustle cattle and launch attacks on villages at Dogon Fadama, where innocent lives were also lost.

“It was in one of the encounters with policemen that he sustained a bullet wound and escaped to Damba Forest, where he was being treated.

“However, the police on Tuesday, stormed the forest and engaged the bandits protecting him, and gunned him down.

“His corpse has been deposited in the hospital so that his victims and those who knew his notoriety would be satisfied with his death,” he said.…

N110m ransom Demanded by Bandits for Tegina Islamiyya schoolchildren

Bandits, who abducted children attending Salihu Tanko Islamiyya School in Tegina town in Rafi Local Government of Niger State, have demanded N110m ransom for their release.

The school headmaster, Alhaji Abubakar Alhassan, disclosed this on Tuesday.

He said the bandits made contact with the school on Monday to demand for the ransom.

Alhassan told reporters the bandits claimed to have 156 children in their custody, adding they threatened to kill them if the ransom is not paid.

It was gathered that parents of the children and the community have started soliciting funds for release of their children.

Niger Deputy Governor Ahmed Ketso has stated the government would not pay ransom for the release of the children.

He said the government believes that negotiation would work like it did during Kagara boys abduction.

Nigerians demonstrate over rise in kidnappings

Hundreds of angry protesters in Nigeria have burnt tyres and blocked a major road leading from Niger State to the capital Abuja to condemn a rise in kidnappings in the area.

The residents of Gauraka town north-west of the capital called on the government to offer better protection and demanded the immediate release of 12 hostages who had just been seized by men on motorbikes.

The protest blocked dozens of vehicles including fuel trucks.

Local media in Nigeria reported that at least 14 people were kidnapped in nearby towns last week.

President Muhammadu Buhari has been under increasing pressure to address the country’s numerous security challenges, including frequent mass kidnappings for ransom.…