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Boko Haram Kills 11 Soldiers In Borno …NAF Neutralises 10 Bandits In Kaduna
At least, 16 people, including 11 soldiers, have been killed in jihadists’ attacks in Borno State, military and militia sources have said.
Rival factions of Boko Haram launched the attacks on military and civilian targets between Thursday and Saturday, they said.
On Thursday, fighters from the IS-aligned Islamic State West Africa Province ambushed a military convoy near Mauro village in Benisheikh district, a military source said.
“Our men on patrol fell into a terrorist ambush… which claimed 11 soldiers and wounded 16 others. Two other soldiers are still missing,” said the officer, who asked not to be identified.
He said the troops were travelling in three vehicles.
“The terrorists made away with 11 AK-47 rifles and anti-aircraft gun mounted on the gun truck,” he said.
In another attack the same day, Boko Haram gunmen opened fire on a vehicle at Frigi village, killing one person and injuring another, militia sources said.
Jihadist fighters also killed two militiamen in Gubio, 80 kilometres (50 miles) from the state capital, Maiduguri.
On Saturday, Boko Haram militants stormed a camp for those displaced by the conflict in the town of Banki near the border with Cameroon, killing two residents and injuring three vigilantes guarding the area, two militia sources said.
The decade-long Boko Haram campaign has killed 35,000 people and displaced around two million from their homes in northeast Nigeria.
The violence has spread to neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon, prompting a regional military coalition to fight the insurgents.
Similarly, rampaging Boko Haram insurgents, last Saturday afternoon burnt a section of the Emir of Jajare’s Palace in Babangida headquarters of Tarmuwa Local Government of Yobe State.
Eyewitness said the insurgents entered the town in a commando style and headed straight to the emirs palace but the Emir had left the palace two hours before the arrival of the insurgents.
Apparently, in a show of anger, the insurgents decided to burn a section of the palace and carted away with an escort Hilux van (vehicle) of the Emir.
Another resident of Babangida said that the insurgents were on a mission to eliminate the district head in a revenge mission.
The source disclosed that the district head had earlier gave an intelligent report that led to the elimination of some Boko Haram in his domain who were kidnapping locales for ransom.
Information available also indicated that the attack on the town created pandemonium in the entire town as many villagers who came to the market scampered for their lives.
It was gathered that troops in Tarmuwa have been withdrawn more than two months ago following the military recent strategy of Super Camps in Operation Lafiya Dole.
A resident, Iris Adamu, explained that the soldiers came from Dapchi an hour after the attack.
Tarmuwa is located 53km northwest away from Damaturu, the state capital.
But banditry seems not to be abating in Zamfara State despite government’s recent offer of negotiation and amnesty to gunmen troubling the state.
In the latest of their attacks, bandits numbering 300 invaded three local government areas looting foodstuffs, 300 cows, cash and other valuables.
The bandits also killed nine soldiers and then moved to the Birnin Gwari Forest in Kaduna State.
The attack is causing anxiety in the state.
A highly-placed source in the state said that the AK-47-wielding bandits rode on 150 motorcycles (at two each) and easily invaded Mayanchi and Maru from their base in Bayan Ruwa in Maradun Local Government Area.
They wreaked havoc in Sunke in Anka Local Government Area, killing nine soldiers.
The source said: “These bandits raided some parts of Zamfara on Thursday night to Friday morning. They came from Bayan Riwa and passed through Sunke, Mayanci and Maru.
“At Mayanci junction, they ransacked all the shops, collected foodstuffs, many loaves of bread and cigarettes.
“They went to a fuel station in Mayanci and filled up their 150 motorcycles apart from taking away the N300,000 sale proceeds from the staff on duty.
“The people of Mayanci were helpless because each motorcycle was ferrying two bandits with AK-47 rifles.
“They also pounced on herdsmen and loaded cattle into some trucks to their base in Birnin Gwari.
“These bandits killed nine soldiers in Sunke in Anka Local Government Area in what appeared like an ambush.
“It is unfortunate that this is happening in spite of the amnesty deal with the bandits. Most of us were left distraught because policemen were nowhere to assist us.”
Findings revealed that security agencies are already probing the incident especially alleged “no response attitude of the Nigeria Police officers and men in the affected areas.”
A reliable security officer said: “Military authorities and security agencies have started probing the invasion of some of these towns.
“The military command in Sokoto actually alerted the police in Zamfara but there was no response at all. A senior police officer merely said he was aware that the bandits were in transit to the forest in Birnin Gwari.”
Similarly, repentant bandits from Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State in the early hours of yesterday released another batch of 15 kidnapped victims after having spent 45 days in their custody.
The state Governor, Hon Aminu Bello Masari received the victims at the Government House, Katsina at about 1am.
This brings to about 75 the number of kidnapped victims that have been released by the bandits in the aftermath of the recent dialogue with the state government
The 15 victims, including a day-old baby girl that was delivered in the forest few hours before the release of her mother, arrived Government House, famished and malnourished
They told newsmen that they were kidnapped from Mallamawa village 45 days ago.
According to them since that fateful day nobody knew their whereabouts.
They applauded the governor’s dialogue programme which paved the way for their release.
Fielding questions from newsmen, Masari, who could not hide his joy over the release of the innocent women and children, said the next level of the dialogue programme would be disarmament of the repentant bandits, which he and governors of Zamfara and Maradi in Niger Republic were working on.
In his remarks, Chairman Transition Committee of Jibia Local Government, Alhaji Haruna Musa Mota announced that normalcy has returned to the area since the dialogue initiative undertaken by the government
Some dignitaries at hand to receive the rescued persons include the Secretary to the Government of Katsina State, Mustapha Muhammad Inuwa; Chairman, Afdin Ventures, Alhali Dahiru Barau Mangal; and the state Chairman of the APC, Mallam Shitu S.Shitu.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says its Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD), has neutralised no fewer than 10 bandits at forests near Birnin Gwari and Janko Hill in Kaduna.
The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, who disclosed this in a statement, yesterday, in Abuja, said the operation was conducted on Saturday.
“The operation was conducted, yesterday, October 5, following the directives by the OPHD Headquarters to resume kinetic operations against camps identified as harbouring unrepentant armed bandits.
“The decision was taken in the wake of the attack on troops’ location at Sunke in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State as well as the increased migration of bandits towards the Birnin Gwari area of Kaduna State,” he said.
Daramola explained that the attack on the bandits was undertaken when a NAF helicopter on armed reconnaissance mission over the Birnin Gwari general area spotted several bandits at the location and engaged them with its guns killing some of them.
He said some bandits were similarly tracked to Janko Hill and equally neutralised.
Daramola said the objective of the renewed kinetic operations is to ramp up the pressure on the bandits with a view to ensuring the ongoing peace process is not scuttled.
“Accordingly, the Air Component OPHD will continue to dominate the general area through armed reconnaissance missions to facilitate a return to normalcy in the North-West of the country.
“All persons involved in banditry in the area are therefore strongly advised to renounce violence, surrender to security agencies and hand over their weapons,” he said.
However, the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum has engaged the services of 30 clerics to pray for the end of Boko Haram insurgency in his state.
Zulum’s spokesman, Isa Gusau, in a statement in Maiduguri, said that the governor engaged the 30 residents of Makkah, Saudia Arabia to intercede for the state affected by years of Boko Haram violence.
Gusau disclosed that the governor sealed the agreement with the selected persons who are residents of Makkah, to permanently offer daily ‘Dawaf’ (circumambulation of the holy Ka’aba) for the return of sustainable peace in Borno and the country.
He said that the 30 clerics, who hailed from Borno, Katsina, Zamfara, Kano states and other parts of the North-West, have for decades devoted themselves to spending hours at the Ka’aba daily for the purpose of worship.
Gusau explained that an old man among them was said to have been a Ka’aba devotee for the last 40 years.
Ka’aba is Islam’s holiest place located inside the grand Al-Haram ýMosque in Makkah.
“The critical move is aimed at combining different approaches that include sustained support for the Nigerian Armed Force; aggressive mass recruitment and equipping of more counter-insurgency volunteers into the Civilian Joint Task Force, hunters and vigilantes as well as socio-economic approach to enhance access to education, job opportunities and providing other means of livelihood through social protection initiatives,” Gusau said in the statement.
According to him, Zulum interacted with the devotees, last Friday, at the Ka’aba, expressed gratitude and sought for their continued prayers.
Zulum was quoted as saying, “Rather than sending anyone, I’m here, on behalf of the good people of Borno. I thank you so much for your empathy and the compassion in devoting yourselves to prayer for us every day at the Ka’aba which for us as Muslims, is the most sacred place.
“We need prayers more than ever before, we are handling our problem from different approaches. Prayer is key to everything that we seek.
“We will continue to seek prayers from many fronts. We will keep supporting our clerics of different faiths in Nigeria for prayers and we will seek the same from all of you that are always here around the Holy Ka’aba.
“I beg you to continue to pray for us towards achieving three things: first, for us to regain peace in Borno State, the North and Nigeria in general. We will have to continue to pray on a permanent basis because we need peace to be sustained.
“Secondly; we need prayers for us to achieve our ambitious plan for Borno State and lastly for Allah to make us remain focused and not to get carried away by power.”
News
Decentralizing Pipeline Surveillance Poses Greater Dangers To Niger Delta …. Group Warns
A group of Eminent persons from the Niger Delta region under the aegis of The Niger Delta Watch Dog has warned the Federal Government against yielding to the call to decentralize pipeline surveillance in the region.
The Eminent persons who said this in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt said those calling for decentralization of pipeline surveillance are ignorant of the dangers it poses to the peace and stability of the Niger Delta.
.They argued that the proposal poses significant risk to the peace security and economic stability of the region.
According to the release” While decentralization is often perceived as a means of promoting inclusivity and local participation, in this specific context it poses significant risks to peace, security, and economic stability.
It further said”evidence from community dynamics across the region suggests that decentralization will cause more harm than good, leading to increased conflict, fragmentation of authority, and heightened threats to critical national infrastructure.
“By contrast, the centralized model currently implemented by Tantita Security Services under the leadership of Government Ekpemupolo Tompolo has demonstrated measurable success in stabilizing the region, reducing conflict, and safeguarding Nigeria’s economic lifelines”
While describing the Niger Delta region as the backbone of Nigeria oil and gas, it added that any changes in policy will lead to crisis in the region.
“The Niger Delta region remains the backbone of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, hosting extensive pipeline networks that are vital to national revenue and economic sustainability.
“Given the sensitive nature of this infrastructure, the framework through which pipeline security is managed must prioritize stability, coordination, and conflict prevention.
“Any policy shift particularly toward decentralization must therefore be carefully evaluated in light of the region’s socio-political realities”
It said
The release jointly signed by Chief Idowu Asonja ,Ellington Pokumo the Public Relations officer of the group Comrade Douye kojo Isoun and others,
said decentralization will lead to escalation of Inter-Community land dispute, intensifies rivalry between groups as well as heightens the struggle against Territorial control among others.
“Decentralizing pipeline security will likely intensify existing disputes between neighbouring communities as many communities in the Niger Delta have been involved in conflicts over Land ownership and territorial boundaries as well as Control of natural resources and
“Claims over oil pipelines passing through their territories” adding
“Such instability not only disrupts social harmony but also directly endangers pipeline infrastructure, increasing the risk of vandalism, sabotage, and production losses”
It said the gains recorded so far by the present centralization policy should be preserve as any shifts could wrecked havoc in the region.
“Any policy shift must preserve these hard-earned gains. At this time, decentralization presents a significant risk, while the current system continues to offer stability, security, and economic assurance for the nation.
“It is therefore strongly advised that the Federal Government of Nigeria carefully scrutinize and ultimately disregard calls for the decentralization of pipeline security contracts. “Available evidence and prevailing realities suggest that such calls may not be driven by the broader national interest, but rather by narrow, self-serving agendas that could reignite conflict within the region, this we know the Government does not need” the group said
News
RSIPA DG Unveils New Rivers Investment Pathway At BRACED Commission
The Director-General of the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency (RSIPA), Dr. Chamberlain Peterside, has used the platform of the revived BRACED Commission to unveil investment opportunities and plans in Rivers State.
The BRACED Commission just bounced back and has already held a roundtable in Port Harcourt preparatory to an economic summit in the near future.
The roundtable featured the investment promotion agencies of the cooperating states: Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo, and Delta states.
Dr Peterside not only chaired the roundtable but made presentations for Rivers State economic landscape.
He hailed the rebound of the BRACED Commission which did well at the onset. “The governors of the region were one and united for one cause. Then, politics came and everything scattered. The agenda is simple, to integrate the economy of the region into one strong bloc.”
He admitted that Rivers State’s investment promotion agency is very young, plus six months in the limbo of state of emergency. “This thus is a very unique opportunity to get resurgent momentum.”
He listed the achievements of RSIPA in the short period since its establishment, saying it has received numerous investment proposals.
“We’ve engaged actively with the private sector, both those currently operating in the state and those intending to invest. We do realize the fact that investment begins from domestic investors. and you have to guide them.
“Through outreach programmes and establishment of a One-Stop-Center (OSC), we have created a streamlined system for addressing investor needs, supporting their business operations. For the first time in Rivers State, prospective investors and small and medium enterprises now have a centralized hub that can address their challenges and find solutions that enable them to thrive.”
He outlined the plans ahead thus: “One of our cardinal focuses at RSIPA is to enhance the operating climate and improve the ease of doing business.
“We are committed to creating a vibrant and business-friendly environment that attracts and retains investment. We are also working closely with other ministries, departments, and agencies to harmonize our activities.
“Collaboration for us is key; we see Rivers State as a single ecosystem where all stakeholders work together to support investment inflow and build a favorable environment for businesses to flourish.”
For the region, he lamented the situation whereby “the carpet is shifting under our feet. The IOCs (international oil corporations) have moved offshore. The issue before us now is how should the region act now. We should target big ticket investment proposals. This is because some proposals will involve other states. There is thus need to collaborate.”
He gave examples of projects that cannot be for one state. “Railway system is not for one state. At the moment, there is no railway line that links Benin to Port Harcourt to Calabar. BRACED can push this agenda.
“There is an oil route from Opobo to Akwa Ibom where Sterling Oil is operating. It’s a route of interest. Governor Sim Fubara wants us to synergise with other states economically. The best time is now because all the governors are now in one political party.”
He called on all the agencies in the BRACED states to sell the idea to their governors.
“Let the governors know that BRACED task is not a competition but as a collaboration. We have the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the South-South Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (SSCCIMA), the Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines, and Agriculture (NDCCITMA), etc. This is the ripest time to strike the iron.”
The Director General of the Bayelsa Investment Promotion Agency (BIPA), Mrs. Patience Ranami Abah, also shook the floor when she presented what she termed ‘Closing the Value Capture Gap’.
She showed how the states will win bigger by playing together to present an economic front.
David Franklin, a deputy director, who represented the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Abuja, said investment in people is the beginning of prosperity.
“The South-South is the hub of power of Nigeria due to the hydrocarbon industry, blue economy, agriculture, tourism, etc.”
The Director General, BRACED Commission, Amb.Joe Keshi, in his welcome remarks, said the roundtable was themed around synchrosnising investment frontiers in a strategic framework for south-south economic integration.
The roundtable ended with a communique that recommended setting up a monitoring committee, and other organs to drive integration and investment.
Some of the key resolutions in the Communique issued at the end of the two-day symposium included the call for a BRACED Investment Promotion Charter with a harmonized Regional Investment Promotion Framework and a roadmap.
The Communique called for infrastructure alignment, uniform economic reforms, human capital development plan, and a technical oversight group.
The communique urged state governments, investors, and development partners to collaborate in transforming the BRACED states into a beacon of economic dynamism.
News
Easter: DHQ Orders Troop Alert, Confirms US Support
The Defence Headquarters has placed troops on nationwide alert ahead of the Easter celebrations, assuring Nigerians of tightened security.
The DHQ also reaffirmed that ongoing support from the United States is strengthening counter-terrorism operations, with a visible impact expected in the coming weeks.
Addressing journalists during the end-of-the-month briefing on Tuesday in Abuja, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Michael Onoja, assured citizens of heightened vigilance by troops during the Easter celebrations.
Onoja said the Armed Forces had already placed personnel on alert nationwide to prevent any security breach during the holiday period.
He added that similar measures were implemented during previous festive seasons, including Christmas and Eid-el-Fitr, and would be sustained.
“We know that festive seasons usually have heightened security activities. The military command gives instructions to ensure all personnel are on alert. This time will not be different,” he said.
He emphasised that security agencies would not relax despite the celebrations, noting that adversaries often attempted to exploit such periods.
“I can assure you that we will always be on alert, particularly at this period of festivities, because we know that the threats expect us to relax.
“But we are not going to relax. Everything will be okay for this Easter,” he added.
Speaking on the ongoing collaboration with the US forces, Onoja said the impact of the collaboration may not be immediately visible due to the nature of military engagements, but expressed confidence that the benefits would become evident in the coming weeks and months.
He said the U.S. support to Nigeria’s operations had been significant, particularly in the areas of intelligence sharing and training, noting that the assistance was being provided on favourable terms to strengthen ongoing counter-threat operations.
According to him, “You are aware that they are bringing intelligence and training support to us, which we need. They are giving that to us on very favourable terms. There are lots of things I cannot say because of confidentiality.”
He added that the intelligence being provided included information on the location of threats and hostile elements, stressing that Nigerian troops would act accordingly.
“All we can say is that these things take time. There is a gestation period when we are conducting military operations.
“You will not see it immediately, but in the next few months or weeks, you will feel the difference in the impact of the assistance that the U.S. is providing,” Onoja stated.
On February 16, 2026, DHQ confirmed the arrival of approximately 100 US military personnel and equipment at Bauchi Airfield.
According to the military high command, the personnel, who are not combat troops, were in Nigeria strictly for technical assistance, training, and advisory roles in counter-terrorism efforts.
However, insecurity has continued to surge in several parts of the country since their deployment, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the collaboration.
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