Tag: Attack

  • Troops silence terrorist kingpin in Yobe

    Troops silence terrorist kingpin in Yobe

    Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), in a renewed offensive against Boko Haram terrorists, with close air support from the Air Component, have neutralised another Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists’ kingpin, Malam Jidda, in the Ngazalgana Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State and several other terrorists in the Timbuktu Triangle.

    In a statement signed by the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations Headquarters Theatre Command Operation Hadin Kai, Reuben Kovangiya, said the terrorists’ commander, who is said to be the Ameer of Ngorgore and Malumti villages, met his waterloo alongside other terrorists, during a coordinated ground and air operations launched by OPHK on June 9, 2025.

    The statement added that during the operations in Ngazalgana, troops came in contact with the terrorists, subduing them with superior firepower, resulting in the killing of Malam Jidda, while others fled with gunshot wounds.

    “Relatedly, continued exploitation of Mallamfatori general area, in Abadam Local Government, where troops recently neutralised several terrorists, have led to the discovery of other neutralized bodies of terrorists, and recovery of assorted arms and equipment.

    “Items recovered during the coordinated offensives include; AK-47 Rifles, terrorists’ Motorcycles, large quantity of ammunition, Ak – 47 rifle magazines, Rocket Propelled Gun tubes, Hand Grenades, hand held radios and other sundry items.

    “These renewed offensives, underscore the effectiveness of the ongoing counter-insurgency efforts by Operation HADIN KAI backed by an efficient Air Component, while remaining committed to its operational objectives, to ensure the complete defeat of Boko Haram/ISWAP and the restoration of peace and security in the North-East region,” the statement added.

  • Fresh Taraba attacks leave over 30 residents dead, several injured

    Fresh Taraba attacks leave over 30 residents dead, several injured

    Over thirty persons have been killed and many others injured following an attack by suspected herders on a farming community in Munga Lelau of Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.

    The incident followed a mutual suspicion between farmers and herders as to the whereabouts of their cattle.

    This led to attacks and counterattacks by neighbours who have lived for decades as one entity.

    The victims were given a mass burial within the community as their tradition demands for anyone killed during a crisis.

    Unlike another attack, which claimed two lives in the Bandawa community after a farmer confronted the attackers for encroaching on his farm with their cattle, eyewitnesses say these assailants came on motorcycles. They shot sporadically and set some buildings in the village ablaze.

    The attacks took place over the weekend in the North-Central state.

    Residents say they have lived peacefully for decades with the Fulani tribe and alleged that it’s a case of compromise by security agencies and masterminded by their neighbours.

    One of the affected residents, Alpharis Philemon, described the incident as disheartening.

    ”It is something that we never expected. The whole people of Munga are heartbroken. From time immemorial, we lived in peace with the Fulanis, and no one can actually tell you what led to this ugly situation,” he said.

    ”We do not have a history of conflict between Munga and the Fulani. In my observation, it is an issue of land grabbing. The rainy season has started, and whenever there is a crisis, our people cannot go too far, and they’ll use their farms for grazing.

    ”The security is compromised and I can say this without any fear or contradiction because Munga Lelau and Karim, the headquarters of Karim Lamido, is just a seven-minute drive. So, if there is an incident, we expect the security to have responded.

    ”For more than two hours, the military did not come to our rescue. I think the military and the police have questions to answer.”

    Chairman of Karim Lamido local government area, Bitrus Danjos, who could not hold back his tears and was assisted out of the mass burial scene, described the incident as barbaric.

    He wondered why victims did not seek redress in the court of law but rather took the law into their own hands.

    According to him, his local government area shares a porous boundary with five states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Nasarawa, and Plateau, which makes them susceptible to attacks by bandits.

    He said many people have already been displaced and are seeking succour from the government and non-governmental organizations.

    The Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, in a press statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Digital Communication, Emmanuel Bello, described the attack as horrendous and unacceptable.

    Governor Kefas warned that the aggressors would suffer great repercussions going forward, even as he reiterated his commitment to continue to secure the state from external attacks and other forms of aggression.

  • Insecurity! Gunmen kill Anambra resident, wife, 2 kids as police begin investigation

    Insecurity! Gunmen kill Anambra resident, wife, 2 kids as police begin investigation

    A tragic attack has occurred in Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State, where gunmen brutally killed a family of four.

    The victims, identified as Ifeanyi Okeke and his family members, were shot dead in their home in the shocking incident.

    According to eyewitnesses, the gunmen invaded the Okeke’s residence, shooting and killing Ifeanyi, his wife, and two of their children.

    The motive behind the attack is yet to be ascertained, leaving many questions unanswered and sparking widespread fear and anxiety in the community.

    The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed the incident and launched an investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the killings.

    “We are investigating the incident and working to apprehend the perpetrators,” said the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga.

    The incident has sparked widespread condemnation, with many calling for increased security measures to protect lives and property in the state.

    “This is a heinous crime, and we must work together to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice,” a community leader noted.

    The community is in shock and mourning, with many residents paying tribute to the victims and expressing sympathy for their loved ones.

    “We are shocked and saddened by this incident. We demand increased security measures to protect our lives and property,” said another resident.

    As the investigation continues, the police are urging residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice.

    The incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and cooperation between the public and security agencies to prevent and combat crime.

    The government and security agencies must work together to address the root causes of insecurity and ensure that those responsible for such heinous crimes are held accountable.

    “We will do everything possible to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure that justice is served,” the police spokesperson added.

  • Again, gunmen attack in Kwara, hijack 2 buses, kidnap passengers

    Again, gunmen attack in Kwara, hijack 2 buses, kidnap passengers

    Gunmen have reportedly kidnapped commuters travelling in two vehicles along Eleyin village, Isanlu-Isin, Isin Local Government Area of Kwara State.

    The attack is coming in the wake of a similar incident near Obbo-Aiyegunle in Ekiti Local Government of the state last week involving seven travellers heading for Offa from Abuja.

    The latest incident, it was gathered, occurred around 5:45 pm on Friday, when the armed kidnappers blocked the highway, stopped two private vehicles and forcefully matched the occupants into the forest.

    The present location of the victims said to be travelling inside Honda and Toyota vehicles were still unknown as of the time of filing this report.

    Spokesperson of the state police command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirmed the incident in a statement Saturday evening.

    She said two of the victims, Ganiyu Ajayi and Kolawole Adeyemi, had been rescued in a joint operation involving the military and vigilantes.

    She said efforts were ongoing to rescue the remaining victims and apprehend the perpetrators.

    Adetoun urged residents to remain “calm, vigilant and supportive by providing timely and credible information to security agencies.”

    “The Command has intensified security measures across the area, including aggressive bush combing, strategic patrols and intelligence-driven operations to prevent further occurrences.

    “We assure the public that robust strategies are in place to tackle criminal activities and safeguard lives and property across the State,” she added.

  • EHICHIOYA EZOMON:  Idumabi Community in Edo State convenes for reunion at Easter

    EHICHIOYA EZOMON: Idumabi Community in Edo State convenes for reunion at Easter

    By *Ehichioya Ezomon*

    This weekend of the 2025 Easter Celebrations of the death and risen of Jesus Christ, all roads lead to Idumabi Community in Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo Central of Edo State, Nigeria, for the annual Easter Convention on the platform of Idumabi Development Association (IDA) Worldwide, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registered Trustee for the Community.
      With the expected attendance of Idumabi Sons and Daughters from within and outside Nigeria, the Convention, which holds every Easter season, is a period for socialising and get-together, to take stock and discuss issues affecting the Community.
      Topmost on the agenda are the welfare of the people, and self-help and self-finance developments that have been the bedrock of the Community; while also exploring avenues to attract government’s intervention for the provision of basic amenities. 
      The Convention also offers an opportunity for the recognition of worthy Sons and Daughters, and outsiders, who have, over the years, contributed immensely to the development of the Community.
      This year’s Convention on Sunday, April 20, 2025, is unique in the sense that the last one took place in 2021, with subsequent Conventions shuttered due to the lingering economic effects of COVID-19 pandemic, and demise of several community people, thus necessitating postponement of the gatherings as a mark of last respects to the beloved departed.
      The Convention proper will be preceded by a grand reunion party on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at the Community Square, featuring a Live Band, and other side attractions, and a sumptuous entertainment of varying cuisines, the flagship being “pounded yam (iyan) and ohiele (ogbono)/ikpekpan (egusi)/edin (banga) soups,” for which Esan people of Esanland are famous and renowned globally. So, as they say in local parlance, “Rice and Stew Very Plenty (RSVP).”
      Notably, this Convention is powered by the IDUMABI DEVELOPMENT FORUM (IDF), a miniature body within the larger Association, formed to conceive fresh ideas, and add impetus and drive to whatever developmental plans are earmarked for implementation in the Community. 
      The Forum, inaugurated on November 20, 2024, has Members drawn from an array of diverse professions and backgrounds; and they are in charge of organising the Convention, so as to attain a seamless and successful outing befitting, and adequately compensating for the few lost years.
      Days to the Convention, the Organisers, who have been coordinating activities via weekly Zoom meetings with those on ground in the Community, say they are ready and good to go, with the planning, protocol, logistics and catering departments working in tandem for a memorable and an unforgettable occasion.
      For the safe arrival and departure of all attendees to the Convention, a full-month Mass has been booked with the Community-based Catholic Church, covering pre, during and post-the Convention periods.
      To our Sons and Daughters, who are coming home for the first time, or after a long absence, and the invited Guests and well-wishers, who may not be aware, Idumabi Community is host to the first cutting-edge private institution of higher learning in Esan Central – the Mudiame University, Irrua (MUI).
      Approved and established in 2021, the University is founded by Prof. Sunny Eromosele Eboh, the Managing Director of Mudiame International Limited, who is a strong pillar and an illustrious son of Idumabi Community. So, the University is a tourist destination of some sorts for the Convention goers.
      The National President of Idumabi Development Association Worldwide, who doubles as the Chairman of the Convention Planning Committee, Dr Godfrey I. Adudu, and the Committee Secretary and Vice Chairman of IDA, Lagos Branch, Mr Precious S.E. Idiake, welcome everyone to this year’s Convention with open arms of joy, friendship and fellowship. Idumabi Oyee, Oyee! Esan Oyee, Oyee!! Bhabulu! Egbe fubhare!! God bless you all!!!

  • Anger, sorrow and bitterness as Plateau Community buries 51 killed in fresh attack

    Anger, sorrow and bitterness as Plateau Community buries 51 killed in fresh attack

    It was anger, sorrow and bitterness as the Zike community of Bassa Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State laid to rest the 51 victims of the recent attacks on the area.

    The victims were gunned down early Monday when the perpetrators stormed the village and started shooting sporadically, leading to scores of deaths in what has become a recurring incident in the state.

    At the solemn event, members of the community recalled how the incident happened, describing it as “disheartening”.

    “I can tell you the situation is very disheartening,” a community leader, Davidson Malison, said, adding that “we are still searching for more corpses.”

    “Something needs to be done to put an end to this,” Davidson said.

    For a women leader, Mary Dikwa, the situation has gone out of hand.

    “They have been killing us in this our community, and several times, they will come and attack us,” the Irigwe women leader said.

    “They have been coming and killing, killing us every time. We are tired of this killing. Enough is enough. Our children are dying, our husbands are dying. Our crops have been razed down by this herdsmen,” she added.

    Monday’s carnage came despite reassurances from government authorities and less than two weeks after a similar dastardly killing left over 50 people dead and several others nursing injuries.

    Irked by the recurrent deadly attacks on the state, President Bola Tinubu ordered security agencies to go after the killers, describing the latest wave of assault on the North-Central state as devastating.

    “I have instructed security agencies to thoroughly investigate this crisis and identify those responsible for orchestrating these violent acts,” the president said in a statement by his spokesman Bayo Onanuga. “We cannot allow this devastation and the tit-for-tat attacks to continue. Enough is enough.”

  • Northern youths demand deployment of security agencies to parts of Benue

    Northern youths demand deployment of security agencies to parts of Benue

    A group, the Northern Nigerian Youth Leaders Forum, (NNYLF), has appealed to the Federal Government to deploy security agencies to bring an end to the spate of killings and violence in some parts of the Benue.

    This is contained in a statement on Monday jointly signed by the State Coordinator, Mr Martin Zoho and Secretary, Mr Innocent Okoh in Makurdi.

    ”We wish to register our displeasure on the deteriorating security situation in some part of Benue, which has given rise to killings, maiming, rape cases, kidnapping as well as other unwholesome crimes and criminalities.

    “As a matter of utmost priority and concern, we are appealing to the federal government to collaborate with the State Government, the Local governments as well as the affected communities to immediately take proactive measures to curb this wanton loss of lives and properties, once and for all.

    “A comprehensive approach towards mitigating these incidences should be drawn out by inculcating peace building mechanism and other good spirited measures that could bring about lasting peace and security to the affected areas.

    “In the meantime, palliatives and reliefs should be accorded to victims to cushion the effects of these unfortunate happenings on them.” they said

    The group commended Gov. Hyacinth Alia for his recent visit to some of the affected areas to commiserate with the victims of the attacks, particularly in Gwer-West and Otukpo LGAs. (NAN)

  • Bandits invade Abuja community, kidnap five

    Bandits invade Abuja community, kidnap five

    A group of not fewer than 20 armed bandits invaded Chikakore community in Kubwa, Abuja, on Sunday night, abducting five residents, including a family of three and their visitor.

    According to police sources, the assailants stormed the Health Centre extension area of Chikakore around 11 pm.

    The victims included Adesiyan Akinropo, his wife, their son and a visiting guest.

    Another neighbour was also taken, bringing the total number of abductees to five.

    During the attack, a woman sustained a head injury after being struck with a gun butt.

    She was rushed to the hospital as she bled profusely. Police operatives from the Byzahin division reportedly arrived at the scene but the bandits had already fled with their captives.

    Residents expressed frustration over the delayed police response, noting that officers arrived approximately 90 minutes after the incident.

    “The bandits have resumed attacks in Chikakore. We need a police division here in this community.

    We have land and a five-bedroom apartment already built to accommodate the police but there is no deployment yet,” a community member lamented.

    The attack adds to growing concerns about security in the Chikakore community which previously faced violence in January when fleeing bandits from Katsina State detonated explosives near an Islamic school in Kuchibuyi, Bwari Area Council. That explosion claimed two lives.

    Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the FCT Police Command, Josephine Adeh, for comments were unsuccessful as calls went unanswered.

  • Police officer killed, expatriate injured in Edo attack

    Police officer killed, expatriate injured in Edo attack

    The Police have confirmed the killing of an inspector when some gunmen attacked quarry workers in Ihivbe-Ogben area of Edo.

    The Public Relations Officer of the Police Command in Edo, SP Moses Yamu, confirmed the killing to newsmen on Sunday.

    According to reports, the officer was attached to the quarry situated in Owan East Local Government of the state.

    Sources told NAN that the gunmen on Thursday ambushed the quarry workers while going to their base camp in the evening and opened fire on them.

    According to Yamu, one officer was killed while an expatriate and another police officer attached to the expatriate were injured.

    “The injured expatriate and the police officer are receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital,” a sources said.

    Yamu, however, said that investigation into the incident was ongoing.

    “The police in collaboration with the military are on the trail of the suspects,” the police spokesperson said.

  • Edo in panic mode over alleged attack on Oshiomhole, Minister

    Edo in panic mode over alleged attack on Oshiomhole, Minister

    The camp of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP governorship candidate in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo is expressing concern over an alleged plot to intimidate voters in the state in the guise of staged attacks on All Progressives Congress, APC chieftains including Senator Adams Oshiomhole.

    The plot according to PDP sources, follows feelers of a plot by the APC to engineer a police state ahead of the governorship election the PDP officials claim, will allow the APC to manipulate the election.

    Credible sources in the PDP allude to what they say as feelers of reports that Senator Adams Oshiomhole and the minster of Niger Delta, Hon Abubakar Momoh were recently attacked in Edo State.

    A PDP source while denying the claim said that Oshiomhole was neither attacked nor harassed as being claimed.

    “We are hearing that Oshiomhole and the minister of Niger Delta were attacked in Edo North. We are shocked to hear such a fabrication as we know that nothing like that happened, so the rumour or whatever it is, is a complete fabrication.

    “At best we know that it is all part of the plot by the APC to instigate a police state that will allow them to manipulate the election.

    “You remember that a former APC vice-chairman, Chief Francis Inegbeniki who recently dumped the APC because of their candidate has also reealed that while he was in the APC that the party had been plotting to rig the election. We believe that this is part of the plot.

    “We can assure Oshiomhole and the few people following him that Edo is safe and we challenge his candidate to go anywhere to speak on what he wants to do for Edo.”

    Speaking on Arise News television on Thursday evening, Mr Ighodalo had expressed concern over what he alleged as the bias by the police against his supporters.

    He alleged that several of his supporters had been arrested some for weeks without being charged to court.

    “In the last couple of weeks, the police have been arresting our supporters without basis. The principle of the law is that if you arrest somebody you should charge them to court within 24 hours and if you don’t find anything to charge them, you release them.”*Apprehension in Edo over alleged attack on Oshiomhole, Minister*

     

    The camp of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP governorship candidate in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo is expressing concern over an alleged plot to intimidate voters in the state in the guise of staged attacks on All Progressives Congress, APC chieftains including Senator Adams Oshiomhole.

    The plot according to PDP sources, follows feelers of a plot by the APC to engineer a police state ahead of the governorship election the PDP officials claim, will allow the APC to manipulate the election.

    Credible sources in the PDP allude to what they say as feelers of reports that Senator Adams Oshiomhole and the minster of Niger Delta, Hon Abubakar Momoh were recently attacked in Edo State.

    A PDP source while denying the claim said that Oshiomhole was neither attacked nor harassed as being claimed.

    “We are hearing that Oshiomhole and the minister of Niger Delta were attacked in Edo North. We are shocked to hear such a fabrication as we know that nothing like that happened, so the rumour or whatever it is, is a complete fabrication.

    “At best we know that it is all part of the plot by the APC to instigate a police state that will allow them to manipulate the election.

    “You remember that a former APC vice-chairman, Chief Francis Inegbeniki who recently dumped the APC because of their candidate has also reealed that while he was in the APC that the party had been plotting to rig the election. We believe that this is part of the plot.

    “We can assure Oshiomhole and the few people following him that Edo is safe and we challenge his candidate to go anywhere to speak on what he wants to do for Edo.”

    Speaking on Arise News television on Thursday evening, Mr Ighodalo had expressed concern over what he alleged as the bias by the police against his supporters.

    He alleged that several of his supporters had been arrested some for weeks without being charged to court.

    “In the last couple of weeks, the police have been arresting our supporters without basis. The principle of the law is that if you arrest somebody you should charge them to court within 24 hours and if you don’t find anything to charge them, you release them.”