By David Torough, Abuja

Renewed attacks by armed groups and intensified military counter-operations defined the security situation across parts of northern Nigeria over the weekend, with a deadly bandit raid reported in Sokoto State even as troops recorded successes against kidnappers and cattle rustlers in Taraba and Benue states.

In Sokoto, suspected bandits attacked Mallamawar Yari village in Rabah Local Government Area in the early hours of Sunday, killing one resident and abducting five others.

The Sokoto State Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that the attackers stormed the community in large numbers and opened fire sporadically.

Police spokesperson, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, dismissed reports circulating on some online platforms that the attackers disguised themselves in women’s hijabs during the operation.

“It is not true that the bandits dressed in women’s hijabs to carry out the attack. They invaded the village in large numbers and began shooting sporadically,” he said.

According to him, one person was confirmed dead, while five others, three women and two men — were taken away by the gunmen.

A security source disclosed that the assailants arrived on about 30 motorcycles, each carrying three armed men, making it difficult for security personnel in the area to confront them.

“Our colleagues informed us about the attack and we attempted to lay an ambush, but their number was overwhelming,” the source said, adding that only five officers were initially available to respond.

The source noted that security operatives later sighted the attackers moving with their captives but could not engage them due to the numerical disadvantage. He added that a similar attack in a nearby village a few days earlier had been repelled by security forces, who killed one of the attackers and recovered a weapon.

Meanwhile, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) rescued two kidnapped bank workers during an intelligence-driven operation in Taraba State.

The OPWS spokesperson, Lt. Ahmad Zubairu, said the victims were freed during a search operation conducted in Gborgbor Village in Wukari Local Government Area following credible intelligence about the presence of kidnappers in the area.

Zubairu said the troops initially searched suspected hideouts without success but intensified the operation after receiving fresh intelligence that the kidnappers were still operating within the general vicinity.

Additional troops led by the sub-sector commander expanded the search to neighbouring settlements, including Tse Anaka village.

According to him, the sustained pressure forced the kidnappers to abandon their captives and flee.

The rescued victims were identified as Marwan Abubakar, 40, and Leng’en Cakop, 37, both staff of Unity Bank in Zaki-Biam, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.

Although the troops did not encounter the fleeing kidnappers directly, a motorcycle believed to have been used by the criminals was recovered along the route to Tse Anaka village.

In Benue State, OPWS troops also foiled cattle rustling attempts and killed two suspected terrorists in separate operations in Agatu and Guma Local Government Areas.

Zubairu said troops of the Chief of Army Staff Special Intervention Battalion IX arrested three suspected cattle rustlers during a patrol around Obagaji in Agatu Local Government Area on March 3.

The suspects; Mamuda Hussein, 28; Sunday Moses, 35; and Teny Musa, 22, were intercepted while transporting three fully grown cows in a Sienna bus bearing a fake Kogi State Government number plate.

Preliminary investigations indicated that the cattle had been rustled and were being transported for sale.

In another operation on March 4, troops of COAS Intervention Battalion XV laid an ambush at Abuja Village in Agatu following intelligence on terrorist movements.

During the encounter, one armed criminal was killed while others fled, and a round of 7.62mm special ammunition was recovered from the neutralised suspect.

Zubairu added that troops stationed in the same area came under attack again on March 5 but successfully repelled the assault, killing another suspected terrorist.

On March 7, troops of the OPWS Maritime Component in Gbajimba, Guma Local Government Area, intercepted suspected cattle rustlers attempting to escape by boat with stolen cows. One suspect was arrested after warning shots forced the criminals to stop.

The Force Commander of OPWS, Major General Moses Gara, commended the troops for their professionalism and reiterated the task force’s commitment to protecting lives and property across Benue, Taraba and neighbouring states.

He also urged residents to continue providing credible and timely information to security agencies to support ongoing operations against criminal elements.

Determined to end terrorism and other related criminal activities in Nigeria, the Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS) has created a special department known as Counter – Terrorism in the office of the Commander General of the Service.

The department, set up as a proactive approach to security, aimed at combating crime and ensuring national safety would be formally launched on Saturday, March 28, at its office in Kubwa, Abuja.

The Keynote Speaker at the Grand Opening ceremony will be the Commander General of NFSS, Dr.

Adewole Joshua Osatimehin and the theme of the programme is “Intelligence – Driven Security: Countering Terrorism Proactively.”

The Commander, Counter – Terrorism.

Mayor Innocent Solomon said that the Department of Counter – Terrorism was created in the Headquarters of the NFSS to address widespread criminal and terrorists activities in Nigeria.
According to him, the department of Counter – Terrorism is aimed at strategically curbing Terrorism from its roots through intelligence gathering for active approach, apprehending of elements and destruction of criminal networks, thereby protecting both life and infrastructure.
Commander Innocent, who is the host, disclosed that the Special Guest of Honour Dr. John S. Gabaya, the Executive Chairman, Bwari Area Council, and the Guest Speaker, AVM. AI Adamu, the Chairman, Military Pension Board, have confirmed their participation at the Grand Opening event.

Equally expected at the occasion among other dignitaries is another Guest of Honour, Mr. Emmanuel Godswealth from the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).

Commander Innocent also said that HRH. Chief Adamu Sarki (Chief of Gbagyi) is the Royal Father of the Day while the ACP. Fatima Gimbal, Area Commander, Phase 4 Police Station, Kubwa is the Guest of Honour.

From Muhammad Muhammad Al-amin, Maiduguri

Residents of Ngoshe have raised serious concerns over the fate of elderly people and corpses allegedly left behind following a deadly attack by suspected Boko Haram insurgents.

Survivors of the attack, which occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, said they fled their homes in panic without taking any belongings as the attackers stormed the community.

The terrorists reportedly invaded the town around 1:00 a.

m., first attacking a military formation before moving into residential areas where civilians were targeted.

Eyewitnesses said the attack lasted for several hours until the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai responded and forced the insurgents to retreat into nearby forests.

The spokesperson of the Borno State Police Command, Nahum Daso, confirmed the incident, noting that several civilians were affected and some remain missing.

He said the exact number of casualties had not yet been determined, adding that some residents may have been abducted and taken toward the Mandara Mountains.

Speaking to journalists, the District Secretary of Ngoshe, Shuaibu Dabawa, alleged that more than 300 residents were abducted during the attack.

According to him, residents fled into surrounding bushes for safety after hearing heavy gunfire.

“When they attacked, we heard sporadic gunshots and fled into the bush where we spent the night,” he said.

Dabawa also expressed worry that some elderly residents were unable to escape and were left behind in the town alongside several corpses.

“Our immediate concern is that some elderly people are still trapped in the community together with dead bodies. Many of us escaped with nothing except the clothes we were wearing. The community is now deserted,” he said.

He added that many families were separated during the chaotic escape while several residents are still unaccounted for.

Displaced persons are now scattered across nearby communities, with some taking refuge in open spaces while others are sheltering at Central Primary School Pulka.

The community leader appealed to authorities for urgent military reinforcement and humanitarian support, particularly food assistance for displaced families.

Another survivor, Amina Halidu, also called for urgent intervention, saying many displaced persons are facing severe hardship.

She said many of those currently taking shelter at the school are women and children who are battling hunger and cold weather.

“As we speak, many people are staying at Central Primary School Pulka under difficult conditions. They are mostly women and children who lack food and proper shelter,” she said.

Efforts by journalists to obtain further updates from the spokesperson of Operation Hadin Kai, Sani Uba, were unsuccessful as calls to his phone went unanswered, while the military has yet to release an official statement regarding the incident.