A notorious bandit, identified as Auta Yankuzo, has reportedly shared a photo on TikTok showing a large sum of cash allegedly obtained from kidnap ransom payments.

The claim was made by conflict journalist, Bakatsine in a post on X on Wednesday.

According to Bakatsine, the image was uploaded to Yankuzo’s TikTok account on Tuesday.

“Bandits TikToker Auta Yankuzo has posted a ransom payment on his account yesterday. The picture appears to be from previous payment as the ground looks too dry to be of recent days,” Bakatsine wrote.

Bakatsine, who is known for reporting on conflict and insecurity in Nigeria’s North-West, suggested that while the image was recently posted, it may have been taken during an earlier ransom payment.

The development comes amid growing concerns over the activities of armed bandit groups on social media.

Recall that a video showing armed bandits flaunting large sums of cash allegedly obtained from ransom payments recently surfaced online, triggering fresh concerns about the worsening security situation in Nigeria.

Kidnapping for ransom remains one of Nigeria’s most serious security challenges, particularly in the North-West and parts of the North-Central, where armed groups have repeatedly targeted communities, travellers, schools and farmers.

Despite sustained military operations against criminal gangs, attacks and abductions continue to be reported across several states.

At least 23 people have lost their lives in two separate road accidents in Kebbi State, throwing families and communities in both Kebbi and Sokoto states into mourning.

The victims included five youths from the Ambursa area of Birnin Kebbi who died while travelling to a friendly football match, and 18 travellers from Sokoto State who were returning home from Lagos when their commercial bus was involved in a fatal collision.

According to information obtained by DAILY POST, the two accidents occurred days apart but shared a common outcome, multiple fatalities and scores of grieving families.

In the Ambursa tragedy, a Toyota Sienna vehicle conveying 18 youths reportedly lost control and somersaulted along Airport Road in Birnin Kebbi. Five occupants died, while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries.

The victims were said to be travelling to participate in a friendly football match when the accident occurred.

The incident sparked widespread grief in the community, with residents describing the deceased as promising young men whose lives were cut short.

The tragedy drew a response from the Kebbi State Government, which dispatched a delegation led by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Abubakar Umar Dutsinmari, to Ambursa to convey Governor Nasir Idris’ condolences to the victims and their families.

According to state officials, the governor witnessed the accident and immediately directed emergency measures to assist the injured.

Days later, another tragedy struck along the Sokoto–Yauri Road in Kebbi State when an 18-seater commercial bus carrying passengers from Lagos to Sokoto collided head-on with a trailer.

Eighteen of the 20 occupants died at the scene, while two others survived with injuries.

Findings showed that most of the victims had travelled to Lagos in search of economic opportunities and were returning home when the accident occurred.

A member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Bello Muhammad, said rescuers arrived at the scene in the early hours of Tuesday only to find the commercial bus completely destroyed by the impact of the collision.

Rescue workers and community members who participated in the evacuation described the crash as devastating, with several bodies badly mutilated by the impact of the collision.

The victims were from different communities across Sokoto State, including Shagari, Yabo and Gada Local Government Areas.

Road safety experts have repeatedly warned that stricter enforcement of traffic regulations, improved vehicle maintenance and better road infrastructure are necessary to reduce the frequency of deadly crashes.

The Adamawa State Police Command has arrested 33 suspects for alleged offences, including armed robbery, drug-related crimes and other forms of criminality.

The command said the suspects were arrested during raids on locations notorious for harbouring young criminal gangs known as Shila Boys.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Nguroje, said on Monday that a joint operation involving Divisional Police Officers was conducted on Saturday, June 27, at identified criminal flashpoints.

He identified the locations as Bamgel Mafias Quarters, Yolde Pate Junction/New Road, behind LCCN Church, Shagari Phase II, Sabon Fegi, Unguwan Burauba, Mbamoi, Hayin Gada, Anguwan Tsamiya, Anguwan Fulani, Sokoto Street and Yola Market in Yola South and Girei local government areas.

He said the operation led to the arrest of 33 young men suspected of involvement in various criminal activities.

“The suspects are currently undergoing screening and profiling. Those found culpable will be charged to court in accordance with the law, while investigations continue to determine their involvement in other criminal activities,” Nguroje said.

He added that the operatives recovered exhibits, including one cutlass, one knife, 10 razor blades, substances believed to be banned, and dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.