Crime / News / Transportation

I was shot by terrorists in captivity — Abuja-Kaduna train passenger

One of the Abuja-Kaduna train passengers who regained freedom after more than four months in captivity, Sidi Aminu Sharif, has revealed that he was shot by the terrorists while in captivity.

He revealed this when he spoke at the office of Kaduna-based Publisher, Tukur Mamu, who facilitated their release.

Sharif was one of the five freed by the terrorists on Tuesday.

He said: “I am one of the passengers of the train attacked in Kaduna on its way from Abuja.

I could remember how it happened when the train was conveying us to Kaduna.

“As we were sitting on the train, I could remember I praying when we heard a loud sound….

“I was shot on my stomach in captivity.

“A doctor tried to remove it but he could not.

“He used my clothes to manage the blood, which flowed to my knees.

“He used gloves and searched my stomach to pull out the bullet, but couldn’t find.

“He later used scissors, but still couldn’t find any bullet in my stomach.

“Up till now, we didn’t see the bullet.

“I don’t know if it’s still in my stomach.

“I hope now that we are free, I can go to the hospital for x-ray if the bullet can be found.”…

News / Security

Bwari attack: Troops eliminate 30 terrorists who attacked soldiers – DHQ

The Defense Headquarters says military troops have eliminated 30 of the terrorists who attacked troops of the Guards Brigade in Bwari area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on Sunday.

The Director, Defense Media Operations, Major General Bernard Onyeuko, made this known on Thursday in Abuja.

Onyeuko, who spoke at the bi-weekly news conference on military operations, said the operation was conducted by troops of 7 Guards Battalion and 167 Special Force Battalion in conjunction with the air component of “Operation Whirl Punch” between Sunday and Tuesday.

He said the troops successfully cleared Kawu and Ido villages, neutralizing the terrorists and destroyed their enclave and hideout.

According to him, the ground troops also recovered six motorcycles, two AK47 rifles, one fully loaded LMG magazine amongst others during mob up.

Onyeuko said: “The hierarchy of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies wishes to re-assured Nigerians of its commitment and pact with all Nigerians.

“With the recent operations carried out between from July 23, we wish to assure residents of FCT in particular that we are undaunted and unrelenting in our efforts to ensure the safety of lives and properties.

“People should go about their normal business as their safety is guaranteed.

“The support and cooperation of all Nigerians is hereby solicited as security is everybody’s business.

“Citizens are encouraged to report any unusual persons in your community to security agencies.

“If you see something say something.”

On his part, the Director Defense Information, Major General Jimmy Akpor, urged media to continue to support the military in ensuring that the enemies of the nation were defeated.

On the voice note being circulated on social media purportedly belonging to a soldier involved in the attack, Akpor said that enquiries to know its authenticity was unnecessary.…

News / Security

Terrorists attack Military checkpoint in Abuja, kill soldiers in shootout

An unknown number of soldiers were said to have been killed on Thursday night by Boko Haram terrorists stormed an Army checkpoint around Zuma Rock, the border between the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and Niger State.

Sources said the terrorists arrived Zuma Rock on the axis of Madalla and Suleija along the Abuja-Kaduna highway at about 8:30pm and took the soldiers by surprise, opening fire from different angles.

“They were shooting continuously at the checkpoint for more almost one hour, and soldiers at the checkpoint were fighting back. But after a while, the shooting stopped,” a source said.

The sources said the terrorists later abandoned their mission of moving into Abuja and retreated towards Kaduna axis.

While retreating, the bandits who were said to be in several motorbikes, reportedly attacked some villages and shops in Madalla and carried foodstuff on their motorbikes before bolting.

Following the retreat of the terrorists, more troops and equipment from the Army base in Zuma Barracks were deployed for reinforcement to the scene.

Another source said a joint security operatives team were going on patrol around the axis when sounds of gunshot erupted and they moved towards the scene only to discover that it was an ongoing battle between soldiers and bandits.

The source said the security operatives immediately radioed the Army Barracks at Zuma Rock, resulting in the deployment of reinforcement to the scene.

The fighting reportedly caused severe traffic jam, as motorists remained trapped on the Abuja-Kaduna Highway.

The attack comes barely six days after terrorists carried out an ambushed a patrol team of Presidential Guards team along the Bwari-Kubwa Road resulting in the death of six soldiers and officers following intelligence report that they were planning to attack the Nigerian Law School in Bwari.

The attack and other kidnapping incidents have resulted in heightened tension in the FCT, with schools closed.

The management of Federal Government College, Kwali asked parents to evacuate their children from the school as a result of an attack by bandits in a neighboring community 24 hours earlier.…

Education / News / Security

Terrorists ambush Guards Brigade in Abuja, forces closure of schools

Barely 24 hours after terrorists, who hijacked the Kaduna-bound train released a video, where they threatened to kidnap President Muhammadu Buhari and Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, insecurity fears heightened at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), leading to the immediate closure of all unity schools in Abuja.

This was after three soldiers sustained injuries in an ambush by Boko Haram terrorists in Bwari Area Council of the FCT. The soldiers from the elite Guards Brigade guarding the FCT as well as the presidential seat of government were ambushed along Bwari Kubwa road, while on patrol of Bwari Area where the Nigerian Law School and the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) is located.

The Guards Brigade is in charge of the security of the President, his entire family, the Vice President, Very Important Personalities (VIP), the Federal Capital Territory and its surrounding states. This would be the first direct encounter between terrorists and the Brigade of Guards in Abuja.

The soldiers from 7 Guards Battalion, who have been carrying out patrol in the town following intelligence report of an impending attack on the Nigerian Law School, came under heavy fire around the Kubwa-Bwari road.

The wounded soldiers have been moved to the 7 Guards Medical center, where they are currently receiving treatment and are in stable condition.

The signal message on the attack reads: “Troops on routine patrol along Kubwa-Bwari were ambushed by suspected terrorists. Three soldiers were injured during the attack. The soldiers have been evacuated for medical attention. Details on the extent of their injuries are still under confirmation. The ambush attack happening within the general area of Bwari shows that the terrorists are actually within the location and possibly preparing to carry out their plans to attack the law school in Bwari as earlier reported.”

When contacted, the spokesperson of the Guards, Captain Godfrey Anebi Abakpa, confirmed the attack but declined further comments.

It was earlier reported that while responding to potential terror attacks in the nation’s capital following a security alert by the FCT command of the …

News / Security

Terrorists kidnap Catholic priest, kill aide in Kaduna

Terrorists on Sunday night attacked Ikulu Fari, a Catholic parish located in Chawai, in the Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The terrorists kidnapped the parish priest, Rev Fr Joseph Shekari, and killed a yet-to-be-identified cook working in the parish house during the attack.

The cook was killed when the marauders stormed the place at 11:30pm on Sunday.

Details later……