*Gunmen, Pirates Abduct Kwara Monarch, 20 Passengers
GUNMEN suspected to be terrorists, early on Monday morning, April 20, invaded Kemanji in Kaiama Local Council of Kwara State, days after the community allegedly received a threat notice, firing indiscriminately and forcing residents to flee.
They were, however, engaged in a gun duel by security operatives, including soldiers and local vigilantes, with some soldiers and vigilante members reportedly losing their lives or sustaining injuries in the encounter.
The attackers were also said to have made away with military patrol vehicles and motorcycles before retreating.
A resident of Kaiama, while lamenting the situation, said: “It’s very pathetic and disheartening. The entire community is in a state of panic and many villagers have fled. No one can yet predict the number of victims involved.
“The terrorists came directly to the military camp and opened fire on soldiers. They killed three soldiers and injured four others (three soldiers and a local vigilante),” added a forest guard.
Another local vigilante stated that some of the attackers were killed during the battle.
It was not immediately clear whether the attackers were members of Ansaru or Boko Haram.
In a related development, gunmen, on Saturday, April 18, abduct a traditional ruler in the state.
Oba Salman Olátúnjí Aweda of Olayinka community in Ifelodun Local Council was reportedly abducted by over 10 armed men in the early hours of the day when they invaded his palace and demanded a N400million ransom.
Chairman of local government, Abdulrasheed Femi Yusuf, during his visit to the community, assured residents that efforts were underway to secure the monarch’s release.
He added: “We are deeply concerned about this incident and we are taking swift and decisive action in collaboration with security agencies.”
In Cross River State, sea pirates operating along the Calabar waterways ambushed a passenger ferry travelling from Calabar to Oron and took away no fewer than 20 passengers, including candidates in the ongoing Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) conducted Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UMTE).
This came just as security operatives in Benue State arrested seven suspected militia herdsmen linked to kidnappings along the Makurdi-Otukpo highway, including some cnadidates, who have now been rescued in a joint security operation. .
The candidates were abducted when the vehicle conveying them was attacked.
