Crime
Terrorists Called Us For Prayer After Ki1ling Hundreds Of Our People In One Day: Kwara Massacre Survivors
Terrorists Called Us For Prayer After Ki1ling Hundreds Of Our People In One Day: Kwara Massacre Survivors
Terrorists called us for prayer after ki1ling hundreds of our people in one day: Kwara Massacre Survivors. “The soldiers arrived in the communities last Friday and spent just one hour there…Tuesday evening, the terrorists stormed the villages,” a resident told The Gazette.
Survivors of the Boko Haram terrorist attacks on Woro and Nuku communities in Kiama LGA of Kwara have decried the brazenness with which their attackers ki1led innocent residents.
Residents, who spoke to Peoples Gazette on Thursday, said the terrorists had a free day when they stormed the communities at exactly 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday and operated unhindered till the early hours of Wednesday when they called residents for morning prayer.
“No one was aware of their coming. They just entered and started shooting. What we knew was that they sent a letter to the emir, who later informed soldiers before the attacks. The soldiers arrived in the communities last Friday and spent just one hour there. Not until Tuesday evening, when the terrorists stormed the villages,” Abdulkareem Tajudeen to The Gazette.
Adamu Abdullahi told The Gazette he had become distraught, struggling to be stable emotionally since the vicious attack.
“The attack lasted for about 17 hours. No help from them (security agencies). Woro is a few minutes’ ride from Kainji and Wawa, which have military barracks. But none came for help. It is unfortunate. The police, like other security agencies, have demonstrated unprofessionalism; one that I have never seen in my entire existence,” Mr Abdullahi stated.
Funeral for 200, death toll rising
Mr Tajudeen said as of Thursday evening, over 200 dead bodies had been recovered and buried amid ongoing search efforts for more missing bodies in the bush.
“The number we count is over 200. Even to date (Thursday), they are still bringing dead bodies from the bush. The dead bodies that we buried are over 200. People burying them are even tired. There are bodies not buried yet,” he added.
Aminu Sadiku stated that the number of casualties remains uncertain, as the number of deaths kept increasing, adding that the village had been completely deserted for fear of further attacks despite the heavy presence of security.
“As for the exact number of casualties, no one can be certain for now,” Mr Sadiku disclosed to The Gazette. “The terrorists burnt houses, shops, vehicles and destroyed almost everything. As I am talking to you, several bodies have been buried. Some are still there as search efforts for more dead bodies continue.”
Meanwhile, government officials pegged the number of buried casualties to 75, citing estimates attributed to the Emir of Kaiama, Salihu Omar, during a visit to the palace by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq on Thursday.
Although the police command in Kwara confirmed the attack, it was silent about the number of people ki1led. However, a statement by police spokesperson Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi on Thursday said the command had launched a full-scale investigation into the incident.
“A joint operation involving the police, the military and the National Forest Guards has been activated in the area”, Ms Ejire-Adeyemi stated.
A failed state?
Many Kwara residents, especially in the northern parts of the state, attributed the perennial terrorist attacks to the failure of the government.
Sanusi Lafiagi, a lecturer and good governance advocate, said the recent attacks on Kiama communities showed the security challenges plaguing the North-Central state had taken a dangerous dimension.
“For quite some time now, peace and quiet appear to have returned to the communities which had hitherto suffered terrorist attacks until the recent incident,” Mr Sanusi told The Gazette on Thursday. “What this indicates is that we are not out of the woods yet on these violent attacks on innocent and peace-loving people of Kwara State.”
The academic noted that for the attackers to operate with such brazenness and for so long without being repelled or suppressed indicated the failure of the government.
“For how long will our people continue to suffer such ill-fate, and live in constant fear of attacks? The government needs to sit up and prevent these violent crimes from happening. Enough of excuses, promises, and condolence visitations. Concrete actions must be taken to forestall such occurrences in the future,” he stated.
Musa Idris Buko, who chairs the Coalition of Kwara North Groups, described the attacks as the worst of all the deadliest terrorist attacks in the state so far.
“The Tuesday 3rd February 2026 attack on Woro community of Gwanabe Ward I in Kaiama LGA remains the worst so far of all the deadly attacks in Kwara state, with over 200 deaths recovered and with certainty that it would rise,” Mr Buko stated.
He stated that some of the victims were ki1led and thrown in the river, others in the bush, while others were burnt in their houses.
“So, this is a catastrophe, to say the least. This is not the first time we recorded attacks in Kwara North,” Mr Buko stated. “From Kaiama, Baruten, to Patigi and then to Edu LGAs. Only Moro LGA has been largely peaceful.”
Global outrage
Several international bodies, including the United Nations, the African Union and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, slammed the dastardly attacks as unwarranted and unconscionable.
The UN secretary-general António Guterres, in a statement, expressed solidarity and readiness to support President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to combat terrorism.
“The secretary-general reiterates the solidarity of the United Nations with the Government and people of Nigeria in their efforts to fight terrorism and violent extremism and stresses the importance of bringing the perpetrators to justice,” the statement said.
Similarly, the AU Commission’s chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, on Thursday, described the attack as barbaric and heinous.
Bandits
“It constitutes a grave violation of human rights and an unacceptable assault on peace and security,” stated Mr Youssouf. Mr Youssouf expressed the African Union’s “full solidarity with the government of Nigeria and the authorities of Kwara State during this difficult time”.
The OIC, in a statement on Thursday, also commiserated with families of victims, the Nigerian government, as well as the Nigerian people, declaring its support for the Nigerian government in combating the spate of terrorism in the country.
How to stop the terrorists
Amid efforts to curtail insecurity across different parts of the country, residents advised governments at all levels to investigate the root causes of the killings and change tactics for successful outcomes.
Mr Buko, a former Baruten/Kaiama federal constituency House of Representatives candidate, stressed the urgent need for the governments to embrace a holistic approach in combating terrorism beyond the usual kinetic strategies.
“Beyond the kinetic measures of bombing, killing the terrorists and then they attack again, while authorities act reactively, it is very important to look into the root causes and change tactics,” the politician explained. “In order to ensure the safety of lives and properties in a sustainable manner, governments should adopt a holistic policy approach to decisively deal with the root causes of insecurity in Nigeria. I am afraid much has not been done in this regard.”
Mr Lafiagi also reminded the government to live up to its responsibility to protect lives and property, as required by the constitution.
The academic advocated, among others, the need to improve our intelligence gathering by working closely with the locals; equip the locals with technological devices that will enable them to report security threats in their area promptly to security operatives for quick response and intervention; and equip local vigilantes with sophisticated weapons to protect their communities and repel attacks while waiting for military intervention.
EFCC Arraigns Former SKye Bank Chairman, Tunde Ayeni For N15.6b Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, May 4, 2026, arraigned a former Chairman, Board of Directors of the defunct Skye Bank Plc, Tunde Ayeni before Justice Jude Onwuzuruike of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Apo, Abuja.
Ayeni was arraigned on a 17-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, misappropriation and conversion of investors’ funds to the tune N15,665,085,429 (Fifteen Billion, Six hundred and Sixty five Million, Eighty five thousand, Four Hundred and Twenty-nine Naira (N15,665,085,429).
Prosecution counsel E.E. Iheanacho, SAN, informed the court that the matter was slated for arraignment and prosecution ready for trial.
“We have before the court 17-count charge dated April 28, 2026, we humbly apply that the charge be read to the defendant”, he said.
Eereporter.com
Count three of the charge reads: “That you, Tunde Ayeni, whilst being the Chairman, Board of Directors of the defunct Skye Bank Plc between 21st of October, 2014 and 19th November, 2014 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court and having dominion over depositors funds domiciled in the defunct Skye bank Plc’s Suspense Account, committed criminal breach of trust when you dishonestly misappropriated the aggregate sum of Three billion, Two hundred and One million, Five Hundred and Thirty Five Thousand, Four Hundred and Twenty Nine Naira, Forty two kobo(N3,201,535,429.42) by transferring same to Misa Limited’s account No: 1011295717 and 1011295718 domiciled with Zenith Bank in Violation of the Prudential Guidelines and other regulations and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 312 of the same Act.
Count five of the charge reads: “That you Tunde Ayeni, whilst being the Chairman, Board of Directors of the Defunct Skye Bank Plc on or about 27th November, 2014, at Abuja within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court and having dominion over depositors’ funds domiciled in the defunct Skye bank Plc’s Suspense Account, committed criminal breach of trust when you dishonestly misappropriated the sum of Five Billion, Seventy Eight million, Five hundred and Fifty thousand Naira(N5, 078,550,000) by transferring same to Union Registrar Limited’s Account No: 0003490559 domiciled with Union Bank in violation of the Prudential Guidelines and other Regulations and thereby Committed an offence contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code and Punishable under Section 312 of same Act.”
Fraud
Ayeni pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to him.
In view of his “not guilty” plea, Iheanacho prayed the court for a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in a Correctional Centre.
Defence counsel, Ahmed Raji Bashir, SAN, informed the court that the charge was given to the defendant on a public holiday adding that he considered it imperative to inform the court. He also prayed the court to release the defendant to him or return him to the custody of the EFCC.
Justice Onwuzuruike adjourned the matter to May 13, 2026, for hearing of the bail application, while the defendant was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending determination of bail application.
EFCC Arraigns Fake BDC Operator For Alleged N78. 2m Fraud In Onitsha
The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned one Okeke Ejike Callistus, a fake Bureau De Change operator before Justice D. A. Onyefulu of the Anambra State High Court sitting in Onitsha, Anambra State.
Callistus was arraigned on a ten-count charge bordering on forgery and stealing to the tune of N78, 295, 000 (Seventy-eight million, Two hundred and Ninety-five thousand Naira).
Count one of the charge reads: “Mr. Okeke Ejike Callistus (trading under the name and style of Nwachimereze Amen Resources), sometime on the 2nd of May, 2024, at Onitsha, within the jurisdiction of the High Court of Anambra State, did commit a felony to wit: stealing by fraudulently converting to your personal use the sum of N62, 745, 000. 00 (Sixty-two million, Seven hundred and Forty-five thousand Naira) being property of Ezegwu Leonard Chinedu trading under the name and style of Leatez Enterprises and thereby committed an offence”.
Eereporter.com
Count two of the charge reads: “That you, Okeke Ejike Callistus (trading under the name and style of Nwachimereze Amen Resources), sometime between the 3rd to the 7th of May, 2024 at Onitsha, within the jurisdiction of the High Court of Anambra State, did commit a felony to wit: stealing by fraudulently converting to your personal use the sum of N15, 550, 000. 00 (Fifteen million, Five hundred and Fifty thousand Naira) being property of Ezegwu Leonard Chinedu and thereby committed an offence”.
The offence contravenes Section 342 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 36, Anambra State and punishable under Section 353 (12) of the same Law.
The defendant pleaded “not guilty” to the charges preferred against him by the Commission and in view of his plea, counsel to the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE II Rotimi Enitan Ajobiewe prayed the court for a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded at the facility of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
However, defence counsel, Hypolite Ohaneche informed the court about a pending bail application before it, moved it and prayed the court to admit his client to bail.
Ajobiewe opposed the bail application on the ground that “there is likelihood of the defendant jumping bail due to the fact that he previously jumped bail granted him by the Commission”.
After listening to both sides, Justice Onyefulu granted the defendant bail in the sum of N50million with two sureties. One of them must have a tax clearance certificate. The sureties must be related to the defendant, live within the jurisdiction of the court and have a National identification Number.
EFCC
The defendant was arrested when a petitioner, Ezeugwu Leonard Chinedu, claimed that he gave him the sum of N78, 295, 000 for onward transmission to his business partner in China.
Instead of remitting the money, the defendant remitted some and sent telex copies of “ABA Bank of Cambodia” for the outstanding amount, which upon presentation to the partner in China, were found to be fake.
During the course of investigation, the defendant admitted receiving the said sum but added that he diverted part of the money for his personal use.
Nigerian Navy Storms Dayspring Island, Routs Militants, Demolishes Hideout In Cross River
The Nigerian Navy has escalated its offensive against criminal elements in the maritime domain, delivering decisive blows to militant networks operating along the Calabar–Oron channel in Cross River State.
In a series of aggressive clearance operations, personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) VICTORY and Forward Operating Base (FOB) IBAKA stormed Dayspring Island following the recent surge in kidnappings and related criminal activities.
The operation was anchored on the establishment of a forward security outpost at Idung 1 (Peacock Crossing), providing a tactical foothold for sustained dominance of the creeks and adjoining waterways.
The rapid offensive forced suspected militants to abandon their positions and flee upon contact with advancing naval troops. Maintaining relentless pressure, Nigerian Navy personnel, in conjunction with troops of the Nigerian Army 13 Brigade, secured key waterways and denied the criminals freedom of movement.
Eereporter.com
Exploitation of the area led to the discovery and destruction of a militant hideout linked to a notorious suspect known as “Juju” in the Idung axis. The suspect fled in disarray, abandoning two boats fitted with outboard engines, which were immediately seized. The hideout was subsequently demolished to eliminate its future use as a criminal sanctuary.
Further tightening the noose, troops tracked and apprehended one suspected informant providing support to the militant network. The suspect is currently in custody, undergoing interrogation and will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for prosecution.
Nigerian Navy
To consolidate operational gains and choke criminal activity, a 13-hour restriction on maritime movement from 5:00 pm to 6:00 am has been enforced within the operational area.
Prior to the intervention, militant elements operated with impunity, conducting kidnappings and extorting riverine communities. The sustained naval onslaught has now degraded their operational capability, disrupted their logistics, and confined their activities deep within the creeks.
The Nigerian Navy remains resolute and will sustain this aggressive posture, ensuring that all criminal elements are flushed out and the maritime environment remains secure for lawful activities.
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