From Jude Dangwam, Jos and Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

At least five residents and a soldier were killed on Monday when suspected bandits attacked the Zurak community in the Bashar district of Plateau State.

Residents said three soldiers were still missing after a fierce gun battle with the attackers.

The troops had been deployed to the area to curb persistent banditry and kidnapping.

It was gathered that the assailants had earlier attacked Sabon Gari community, also in Bashar district, where they set several houses ablaze before advancing to Zurak.

A youth leader in Wase, Shapi’i Sambo, who confirmed the attacks on Tuesday, said the body of the slain soldier was taken to Jos on Tuesday morning.

A resident, Jibrin Isa, also confirmed the incident, explaining that the bandits arrived in large numbers, overwhelming security personnel stationed in the area.

“The incident happened around 3 p.m. The assailants first attacked the military checkpoint in Sabon Gari before moving to the commercial area, where they looted almost all the shops, carting away food items and other valuables,” he said.

Jibrin added that after the Sabon Gari attack, the bandits proceeded to Zurak, where they again targeted a military checkpoint. “During the attack in Zurak, they killed five residents and one soldier. Three soldiers are still missing,” he said.

Describing the assault as devastating, Jibrin revealed that the Zurak community has been completely deserted, with residents fleeing to neighbouring villages for fear of further attacks.

When contacted, the Media Information Officer of Operation Enduring Peace, Captain J.A. John said he would investigate the incident and provide details. He had not responded as of press time.

Communities in Wase Local Government Area have endured years of banditry and kidnapping, resulting in numerous deaths and abductions. On December 21, 2025, about 28 travellers from Zak community were abducted while travelling to attend a Maulud celebration in Sabon Layi community, Bashar district.

Kogi Shuts Schools till February 16 over Looming Attack

The Kogi State Government has said that the temporary closure of schools across the state was a preventive decision, taken on the basis of credible intelligence and the overriding need to put protective measures in place around schools to safeguard pupils, students, and teachers.

Speaking to newsmen in Lokoja on Tuesday, the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, explained that the decision was not borne out of panic, but of responsibility, stressing that the government chose to act proactively rather than wait for avoidable incidents.

He said, “Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has directed all relevant agencies to immediately deploy necessary modalities to ensure that schools resume academic activities as soon as it is safe, so as not to disrupt the state’s academic calendar.”

Fanwo commended the security agencies for their timely and actionable intelligence, noting that such cooperation underscores the effectiveness of the state’s security architecture.

He reassured the people of Kogi State that the government is fully on top of the situation, adding that security agencies are already working around the clock to identify, locate, and decisively deal with criminal hideouts.

“The safety of our children, teachers, and educational institutions remains non-negotiable. This administration will always prioritise lives while ensuring continuity in governance and education,” Fanwo said.

Meanwhile, a message from the Kogi State Chairman of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Pastor Reuben Jimoh, to his members stated that the state government has decided to fast-track the midterm break into the emergency lockdown.

‎”The midterm break for school has been fast-forwarded and we shall be resuming back on 16/02/2026. ‎Therefore, there will be no school tomorrow until 16th/02/2026.

“No school should go against this adjustment,” Jimoh said.

From Dan Amasingha, Minna

Agwara, the headquarters of Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, was thrown into panic in the early hours of Sunday after rampaging bandits stormed the town, setting a police station and a branch of the United Methodist Church in Africa (UMCA) ablaze, abducting members of a family and killing an elderly woman.

The attackers, believed to be operating from the Kainji National Park axis, struck late Saturday and operated until daybreak on Sunday.

Residents said the bandits moved freely for hours before encountering resistance from local hunters and vigilantes around the Kabe community.

Eyewitnesses told DAILY ASSET that the gunmen invaded the residence of the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in the local government, Mallam Ahmed Burade, and abducted his wife—a nursing mother—and their four children.

Burade reportedly escaped during a gun duel between the attackers and vigilantes.

Sources said that after the confrontation, the bandits set the local UMCA church on fire before retreating toward the Sokonbate community near Kabe at about 6:00am. In Sokonbate, they allegedly ransacked homes, carting away foodstuffs and valuables, and killed an elderly woman.

The Niger State Police Command later confirmed the attack. In a terse statement on Sunday afternoon, the Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, said armed bandits invaded Agwara at about 3:40am, attacked the police station and engaged officers of a tactical team on duty.

“They overpowered the team and used suspected dynamite to set the station ablaze,” Abiodun said. “The terrorists later moved to the UMC church in the community, burnt part of the church, proceeded to other areas and abducted about five persons whose identity is yet to be ascertained. Monitoring continues, further development will be communicated.”

The latest attack has revived painful memories of previous assaults on Agwara communities. On November 21, 2025, students and pupils of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, were abducted, while in December, bandits attacked Kasuwan Daji in the same local government, killing 42 residents.

Residents called for an urgent security overhaul in the area, warning that repeated attacks have left communities vulnerable and traumatized.

From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

Troops of Sector 2,  Joint Task Force codenamed Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), on Monday uncovered an illegal arms manufacturing factory in Agwatashi, Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, recovering at least six arms.

Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters JTF OPWS, Lt.

Ahmad Zubairu, confirmed this significant fit in a statement he issued and made available to newsmen on Monday in Makurdi.

In the  statement, Zubairu explained that troops deployed to Forward Operating Base (FOB) Idadu during routine patrols uncovered a concealed location suspected to be used for the illegal manufacturing of locally fabricated weapons.

“Some persons fled the area upon seeing the troops approaching the site.

“However, one suspect, Baba Ogar, a 26-year-old from Arusu Village in Kokona Local Government Area who hid on top of a tree to evade arrest, was apprehended.

“A thorough search of the site led to the recovery of six locally fabricated pistols, assorted tools and instruments believed to be used in the production of illegal weapons, the sum of ₦40,500, and a mobile phone, which was found on the suspect.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that the location served as an illegal arms manufacturing site supplying criminal elements with firearms within and beyond the area.

“The arrested suspect is currently in custody, while investigations have been intensified to track down and apprehend other fleeing accomplices connected to the criminal activity.

“The Force Commander, OPWS, Maj.- Gen. Moses Gara, has commended the troops for their professionalism, vigilance and sustained operational pressure, which culminated in the discovery of the illegal arms production facility”, Zubairu stated.

“Major General Gara charged the officers to continue maintain momentum and continuing to rely on intelligence-driven operations to dismantle criminal networks within the Joint Operations Area”, the statement concluded.