Police foil bandit attack on police station, Juma’at prayer in Zamfara

The police command in Zamfara said its operatives repelled bandits who attacked the Divisional Police Station in Zurmi Local Government Area of the state. The command said it also arrested a 35-year-old suspected female informant. The Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Yazid Abubakar disclosed this at the weekend at a media briefing in Gusau. Abubakar said police operatives attached to the police station acted on credible intelligence that a group of armed bandits was planning to carry out the attack. “The police operatives mobilised, confronted the bandits, and engaged them in a gun battle which lasted for hours. “As a result of this, one of the bandits was neutralised while the others escaped to the bushes spilling blood on their paths because of the wounds they sustained. “Police investigation that followed the incident resulted in the arrest of a 35-year-old female suspected to be an informant from Rukudawa village. “The suspect confessed that she has been working with bandit kingpin Dankarami Gwaska as his informant and has given her the task of monitoring activities at the police stations for him. “Two handsets containing bandits’ telephone numbers were recovered from her,” Abubakar said. “On July 28 Police Tactical Operatives attached to 34 PMF, deployed to Magarya community in the same Zurmi local government area acted on an intelligence report that suspected armed men were on their way to attack Muslims during Juma’at prayers at Kwata village in Magarya district. “The police operatives confronted them and succeeded in foiling the attack and the bandits escaped to the bushes. “Two AK47 rifles, four rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and Bajaj motorcycle were recovered at the scene while the command is still pursuing the suspects with a view to arresting and prosecuting them. “On July 27 at about 1330hrs, Police Tactical Team attached to Area Command Gusau acted on intelligence that led to the arrest of two suspected bandits and kidnappers terrorizing the Saminaka area in Gusau Metropolis,” the command’s spokesman added. 

Tinubu, subsidy, NLC and Nigeria’s economic turbulence

On May 29, 2023, during his inaugural speech, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu made a momentous decision to scrap Nigeria’s fuel subsidies, citing pressing budgetary concerns. However, this move triggered a staggering surge in fuel prices, widespread panic-buying of fuel, and a sharp increase in the cost of various essential commodities. The ramifications of the fuel subsidy removal have struck fear in the hearts of millions of Nigerians, particularly low-income earners who worry about their ability to afford transportation, education, food, and healthcare and other social amenities. In response to the government’s decision, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), entrusted with the responsibility to protect and defend workers’ rights and well-being, vehemently opposed the move. Joe Ajaero, the NLC President, criticized Tinubu’s decision, asserting that it lacked careful consideration and predicted it would cause the country’s economy to regress by more than 50 percent within the coming weeks. In light of their objections, the Congress issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the reversal of all “anti-poor” policies, including the petrol price hike. The NLC accused the government of showing disdain and contempt for the Nigerian people and declared a war of attrition on workers and the masses. Citing the strength of Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, the NLC announced on June 7 their intention to launch a nationwide protest on August 2, 2023, against the fuel subsidy removal. In response, the Federal Government took legal action, seeking to stop the union from proceeding with the proposed strike. The government argued that such industrial action could severely impact society and the nation’s overall well-being. In a ruling on an ex parte application, Justice O.Y Anuwe ordered the unions not to embark on any industrial action or strike pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice, dated June 5, 2023. The court highlighted the potential disruptions to economic activities and essential sectors. Unfazed by the court’s injunctions, lengthy negotiation meetings, and warnings from the Federal Ministry of Justice regarding contempt of court, the NLC stood firm on their threat and flooded the streets with protesters on August 2. The demonstrations aimed to voice opposition against the recent fuel price hike, tuition fees increase in public schools, and the withholding of salaries for university lecturers and workers. Meanwhile, the government, through the Solicitor General of the Ministry of Justice, accused the NLC leaders of treating the order of the National Industrial Court (NIC) with contempt. Justice Beatrice Jedy-Agba asserted twice that the organized labour’s industrial action was illegal, as there was a subsisting interim order restraining the NLC from engaging in any industrial action. The government prayed the court to hold NLC President Joe Ajaero, Deputy Presidents Audu Aruba, Prince Adeyanju Adewale, and Kabiru Sani, General Secretary Emmanuel Ugboaja, TUC President Engr Festus Usifo, and Scribe/Chief Executive Nuhu Toro in contempt of court and commit them to prison. In response, the NLC condemned the industrial court and the Justice Ministry as “anti-democracy” agents, and they demanded the withdrawal of the lawsuit or face mass strike. Following discussions at the NLC’s NEC meeting in Abuja, the union issued a stern ultimatum, warning that failure to comply with their demand could result in a nationwide strike on August 14, 2023. This ongoing saga showcases the deep-seated tensions and concerns about the impact of the fuel subsidy removal on the lives of Nigerian citizens and the overall health of the nation’s economy. As both sides engage in a legal battle and the NLC continues its protests, the future remains uncertain, and the fate of Nigeria’s fuel subsidy hangs in the balance, even as ordinary Nigerians continue to bear the brunt.