Ex-Convict Bandit Leader Returns to Northwest Nigeria…Nigeria, Germany Team Up to Drive Investment and Job Creation…Army Seize 70,000 Liters of Stolen Fuel in Oil Theft Crackdown…Police Pursue Kidnappers After Bus Ambush
- Feared Bandit Leader Returns to Nigeria After Jail Term in Niger Republic
A notorious bandit leader, Kachallah Bammi Yarma, has returned to northwest Nigeria after serving a nine-year prison sentence in the Niger Republic, according to Zagazola Makama.
Bammi Yarma, once considered one of the deadliest bandits in the region, was arrested in 2015 while smuggling arms with camels in Katsina State. Authorities seized 1,000 livestock linked to his network, disrupting a key supply chain. He was also infamous for eliminating rival kingpins.
There are concerns that his reappearance could escalate violence across Katsina, Zamfara, and Sokoto states, where he previously led mass kidnappings and deadly attacks. Already, top allies across bandit factions are paying him homage, with some gifting him firearms.
- Nigeria, Germany Partner to Boost Investment, Jobs
Nigeria is strengthening its economic ties with Germany, aiming to attract investment and create jobs, especially through vocational training and skilled migration.
On Tuesday, Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment Dr. Jumoke Oduwole welcomed a German business delegation, expressing excitement about their plans. “We are repositioning to scale up Nigerian youth in terms of services, vocational training, and managed skills migration,” she said as quoted by The Punch.
Matthias Leder, president of the Giessen Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the impact of their training programs in Abuja, Abeokuta, and Lagos cities. “More than 95 percent of the apprentices in these three locations received job offers,” he noted.
The partnership includes structured migration pathways and investment opportunities. Both sides see this as a long-term collaboration that benefits businesses and young professionals in both countries.
- Nigerian Troops Crack Down on Oil Theft, Seize Over 70,000 Liters of Stolen Fuel
Nigerian Army troops have seized more than 70,000 liters of stolen fuel and dismantled multiple illegal refining sites in a weeklong crackdown on oil theft in the Niger Delta, The Guardian reports.
The operation, conducted between January 27 and February 2 by the 6 Division in collaboration with other security agencies, resulted in 16 arrests, the destruction of 12 illegal refineries, and the seizure of six boats used for smuggling, according to Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah.
Troops also intercepted vandalized pipelines, confiscated stolen crude, and discovered storage facilities packed with illicit petroleum products. “Troops discovered over 102 sacks filled with over 5,100 liters of stolen AGO and premium motor spirit,” Jonah added.
- Police Launch Manhunt After Gunmen Kidnap Travelers in Ondo State
Police in Ondo State, Southwest Nigeria have launched a manhunt for gunmen who ambushed a commercial bus and kidnapped passengers on a rural highway over the weekend.
Reports say the bus was traveling from Akwa Ibom State when it was intercepted. “There were 10 of them kidnapped on the Owo-Ipele road on Saturday morning at about 12:00 a.m. local time,” a source confirmed to Nigerian media.
Owo-Ipele road is a key route connecting Owo, a major town in Ondo, to Ipele, a smaller community. The highway, often used by travelers heading toward the state capital, Akure, passes through dense forests, making it a hotspot for criminal activity.
Police spokesperson Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya confirmed the attack but said only seven people were abducted. “Our men are already making efforts to rescue the victims from the kidnappers and arrest the perpetrators,” she said.
What’s News Today? February 5, 2025, compiled by Ezinwanne Onwuka for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
