By Uche Onyeali
Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, has expressed deep concern over reports of an attempted military coup in Benin.
The ECOWAS Commission described the development as a grave and unacceptable assault on the democratic will of the people.
In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday, it condemned the unconstitutional action and called for the full respect of the country’s constitution.
It also commended the efforts of the government and the Republican Army in bringing the situation under control.
ECOWAS warned that the leaders of the plot, both individually and collectively, would be held responsible for any loss of life or property resulting from their actions.
The commission affirmed that it would support the government and people of Benin including the potential deployment of the regional standby force, to defend the constitution and territorial integrity of the country.
Bandits Demand N2m ‘Levy’ In Katsina Community Despite ‘Peace Deal’
Bandits on Saturday stormed Unguwar Bugau community in Dayi Ward, Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State, demanding a levy of N2 million from residents.
The incident, which happened at about 3pm, was contained in a post shared by security analyst, Bakatsine on X, yesterday.
According to the analyst, the attackers entered the community, told residents that they must pay the N2 million within one week and then left without abducting or harming anyone.
“At about 3pm on Saturday afternoon, armed bandits stormed Unguwar Bugau community in Dayi Ward, Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State. They demanded a levy of N2 million within one week and then left without abducting or harming anyone. Notably, Malumfashi is among the councils that previously entered a peace deal with these bandit groups,” Bakatsine wrote.
A separate attack was also reported in Sokoto State, where bandits raided Shallah community in Turba ward, Isa Local Government Area, on Saturday night.
The attackers killed one person, injured another and burnt several homes and grain silos during the invasion.
Bakatsine, who also posted the information on X yesterday, said the same bandit group later moved to Barkeji community in the same local government area.
There, they abducted two residents before escaping into the surrounding bush.
“Yesterday night, armed bandit groups reportedly raided Shallah community. They killed one person, injured another and burned homes and silos. They later moved on to Barkeji community where two residents were abducted,” Bakatsine wrote.
Authorities are yet to issue an official statement regarding the incidents.
Police Escorts Withdrawn From VIPs In Kwara
Agency Report
There is a massive withdrawal of police escorts protecting Very Important Personalities, VIPs, in Kwara State.
The exercise is in compliance with the order issued by President Bola Tinubu to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Mr Kayode Egbetokun.
The Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, disclosed this in a chat with journalists yesterday in Ilorin.
He said “the compliance is massive”, adding that no defaulter has been arrested yet.
Informed sources within the police command disclosed that aside the governor and his deputy, who retained their police escorts, other political office holders have had their escorts withdrawn.
Sources informed the media that requests for protection are now being directed to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, Command in Ilorin.
However, it was gathered that NSCDC is also faced with shortage of personnel, hence its inability to meet the massive demand for security escorts.
