Two dreaded kidnappers Monday Mimiko and Abu Billi have been gunned down in Kogi State during intensive gun-battle with security forces and vigilantes.

Mimiko alias Aneni the law and Billi alias Don German died during crossfire with security personnel while two others escaped with gunshot wounds.

The kidnappers were said to have been operating and terrorising communities in Dekina Local Government Area of the State for long.

In the process, three kidnapped victims were rescued.

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello commended the exploit of the security forces and the vigilantes for arresting some of the notorious kidnappers.

Bello, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Onogwu Mohammed, on Sunday, said the successful fight against criminals in the state is also coming at a time when insecurity is heightened in some parts of the country.

The governor said the gang of notorious kidnappers operating in Dekina Area Council met their waterloo on Saturday on Idah Road.

He added that the repel by the Joint Taskforce of Neighborhood watch, vigilantes, hunters and other security agents led to the death of the gang members as three captives were release.

“The kidnappers, whose names were Monday Mimiko alias Aneni the law and Abu Billi alias Don German died during crossfire with security personnel while two others escaped with gunshot wounds.

“The security team also freed three persons kidnapped by the gang during operation around Egume.

“The criminals had been terrorising the Okura axis of Dekina LGA for years engaging in kidnapping and armed robbery,” he said.

Confirming the report, Dekina LGA Chairman, Mr Ishaq Okolo, said that he was aware of the operation, noting that the security operatives were acting on the instruction of the governor.

The governor had directed security agents to fish out criminal elements wherever they are in the society.

Okolo urged members of the public to give useful information about criminals to the security agencies, noting that all hands must be on deck to ensure a crime-free society.

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai (retd) was not only grossly partisan, but encouraged other Army officers to become political collaborators, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has said.

Wike spoke when he received Buratai’s successor, Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru, on courtesy visit at Government House, Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

He claimed that such political involvement was responsible for the attempt by the Army to upturn the mandate of Rivers people during the last general elections.

While appealing to Attahiru to toe a different path, the Governor said the Army led by Buratai as playing despicable role in the election.

“It was a big shame, what happened in 2019 in this State. I am sure you must have watched it on television. I am sure you must have watched where the 6 Division turned to INEC office with ballot papers everywhere.”

Governor Wike also challenged the Chief of Army Staff to be more patriotic to the country and stop the role the Army and other security agencies play in encouraging nonperformance by elected political office holders.

He said if politicians know that soldiers and police officers will not be contracted to rig elections for them, they will be more responsive to the electorate because their votes will count.


“Election in Nigeria is no longer determined by performance. It is determined by you being connected to security agencies and INEC. If it was based on performance you’ll see most politicians will change. If you don’t perform they will vote you out. ”

“We know that with the kind of experience you have, and with your level of education, the difference will be clear. Let me use this opportunity to say there is need for you to make a difference, to bring back the respect Nigerians used to have for the Armed forces.

“In those days when you see a soldier you run, these days it is difficult because soldiers have been exposed to politics. I want you to make a difference, to say your interest is to protect Nigerians; to fight bandits, to fight insurgency and not to carry ballot boxes.

Speaking further, Governor Wike acknowledged that the new Chief of Army Staff has started off his assignment well, which has begun restoring public confidence in the Army.

Governor Wike harped on the need for the withdrawal of Army officers drafted as security personnel to guard politicians because it reduces the number of officers available to protect the sovereignty of the country.

“I believe you will show difference that you are not here for politicians. You’re here to protect the territorial integrity of Nigeria. From the little you have done since you came, we are beginning to see difference, but don’t change.”

He urged him to continue on the path of professionalism, commit to fighting cultists, insurgents and all criminality, to ensure that Nigeria is safe.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru said he was in the state on assessment of 6 Division of the Nigerian Army.

Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru commended the governor for the prevailing peace and security in Rivers State and his zero tolerance for separatist groups

“I also thank you for your continued non tolerance approach against separatist groups and also your contribution in promoting peaceful coexistence among the various communities that lives in Rivers State.”

‘Nobody can stop us’ — Asari Dokubo declares Biafra government

Asari Dokubo, leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Salvation Force, has declared the formation of Biafra Customary Government (BCG).

Uche Mefor, BCG’s head of information and communications, said Dokubo also named those who would serve as leaders in the government alongside himself.

He added that they would proceed to set up provincial structures for the new government.

“We as people have resolved that as Biafra, it’s time for us to take our destiny in our hands and bring freedom to ourselves and our children and the generation of Biafrans yet unborn,” he said.

“I hesitate a little but I thank God that it’s time for us to do our duty and our service to motherland, I have accepted this role. I have dedicated my life hundred percent to play this role.

“My first act today in taking this position is to name those who would be on the driver’s seat to navigate through this period of tempest, this period of uncertainty with me.

“I want to call on our brother, George Onyibe to come on board to join as the secretary of the defacto customary government of the State of Biafra. He will take care of the administrative, day to day administration of the Biafra State.

“I also call on our brother Emeka Emeka Esiri to take care of the legal needs of this nascent government.

“My brothers and sisters, the four of us will kick start the process, others will come on board. We want volunteers who are committed, we want volunteers because there is nothing anymore. We are the people who have volunteered to salvage ourselves and the rest of us.

“I also call on Biafrans in the various province of the Biafra nations in Aba, Abakiliki, Anang, Awka, Calabar, Degema, Eket, Enough, Nsuka, Ogoja, Oji River, Okigwe, Onitsha, Opobo, Orlu, Owerri, Port Harcourt, Umuahia, Uyo and Yenegoa province.

“We are going to proceed to set up provincial structures of government starting with provincial assemblies and provincial governance and administrators.”

Dokubo also noted that although the new Biafran government would not go to war, it would not be stopped.

“Nobody can stop us. Nobody can blockade us as they did in the first war. We’re not going to fight any war with anybody, we’re walking to freedom,” he said.

“We will not shoot any gun with them, they will prepare their weapon but they will have nobody to kill with their weapon.”