CRIME
Boko Haram: Army, Borno Gov. on War Path Over New Strategy
The Nigerian Army and the Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum of Borno State logger heads over a new method being employed by the Army in fighting insurgency in the north.
The Army yesterday said it had deployed new strategies to counter resurgence of Boko Haram insurgents’ attacks in some communities in Borno.
Maj.
-Gen. Olusegun Adeniyi, the Theater Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, made this known when he led a team of journalists on a visit to Magumeri, Gubio and Benisheik, headquarters of Magumeri, Gubio and Kaga Local Government Areas of the state.He stated this while addressing the troops at the 5th Brigade Battalion in Gubio community, during a visit.
He dismissed as “misleading’’ reports indicating that the army had withdrawn its personnel from the affected areas which exposed the communities to insurgents’ attacks in recent weeks.
Adeniyi frowned at social media reports on troops’ withdrawal, noting that such misinformation created fear in the society and aided the insurgents’ atrocities.
The commander explained that the army, as part of its new strategy, set up “Super Camp”, shifted trenches and mobilized troops on mobile patrols to counter insurgency as well as protect lives and property in the theatre of operation.
“Nigerians need to understand that the army did not withdraw from Magumeri, Gubio and other locations in Borno and the northeast, as erroneously insinuated.
“The troops are now on mobility operation instead of staying in trenches in one location; the mobile troops would be moving to take the fight to the insurgents, protect roads and communities so that people can go about their normal life without fear.
“The new measure will enable the troops to dominate everywhere; deny the insurgents freedom of movement, enhance rapid response and render assistance to their colleagues when called upon in good time.
“It is true that the insurgents attacked Magumeri and Gubio; there were no loss of lives on troops and civilians, unfortunately a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) was killed and six other persons sustained injuries, either from stray bullets, or while trying to escape.
“The insurgents torched some targeted residential homes and public buildings in response to the owners’ allegiance to the government and the nation.
“Markets stores are stock with food items and other essential commodities but they were not looted or destroy by the insurgents.
“Gubio and Maguemri are under full military control, the troops repelled the insurgents’ incursion in the communities and people resumed their normal lives. We will continue to protect and provide necessary security to the people,” Adeniyi said.
He said the army had deployed additional patrol vehicles and equipment to facilitate smooth execution of the war against the insurgents.
While calling on the communities to remain calm and cooperate with the troops, Adeniyi pledged sustain military presence in the areas, just as he called on the troops to be disciplined and dedicated, to ensure total defeat of the insurgents.
However, in faulting the strategy, Governor Zulum said the new strategy could put some communities that would not be where the super camps are located in great danger. Fielding questions on why it was easy for the militants to operate especially as it was reported that the terrorists struck at about 6am without any resistance by the security apparatus, he fingered the new policy as a possible reason.
He said: “Well, the most important thing is that there is ongoing military strategy, according to the military authorities, what they called establishment of super camps. “That entails that all other smaller units in various villages and towns shall be collapsed to form part of the super camps in some critical major local government areas.
“In our thinking as laymen not as military personnel, we thought this decision is not wise. We must ensure there is military presence in all the locations. We are very much aware of their numerical strength but nonetheless, their absence can create serious vacuum and that has informed the recent attacks.
“However, I heard that the military is now trying to re-establish the military formations in those areas and that they should not form part of the super camps.”
Also commenting on the formation of Civilian Joint Task Force, he said, “Honestly speaking, the civilian JTF are working but the most important thing is that they don’t have the heavy weapons that they can use to conveniently face the terrorists.
“So the absence of the Nigerian military in a particular place will create a vacuum in such a way that the civilian JTF and hunters cannot perform effectively. “I have told Mr. President and he has listened to our complaints, he has done a lot for the people of Borno State and it is our sincere hope that this time around, he will take necessary steps to forestall future occurrence.
“During our first economic council meeting, the president did mention that the governors should go back to their home and discuss with their traditional rulers and look into the possibility of resolving issues at their own levels. That entails empowering the traditional rulers, the civilian JTF and hunters and ensuring that dialogues are being held between the traditional rulers and repentant Boko Haram. “I hope by doing so we can succeed.
There is a renewed effort in this direction and very soon I will be having a meeting with the operation safe corridor team to ensure that this is put in place.” He explained that he was at the State House to see the President with respect to the recent happenings especially the attacks in Gubio and Magumeri local government areas in northern Borno and other localities in the state,” he said.
From Francis Sadhere, Delta
Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against kidnapping in the state, with the arrest of five suspected kidnappers and recovery of N5 million ransom from the criminal gang.
In a press release issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, stated that the arrests were made during a series of coordinated operations carried out by the Command’s Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Squad and the CP’s Special Assignment Team.
According to the statement, on July 12, 2025, at about 6:30 am, operatives led by Godwin Osadolor tracked and apprehended one Sanusi Abdulahi at a hideout in Ogwashi-Ukwu, Oshimili North Local Government Area.
Abdulahi was reportedly found in possession of ₦5 million, believed to be part of a ransom paid by a recent kidnapping victim.Preliminary investigations linked the gang to multiple kidnapping incidents in Ibusa, Ogwashi-Ukwu, Obulu-Okiti, Isele-Uku, and Isele-Asagba. The gang was also fingered in the abduction of a young woman in Ogwashi-Ukwu on July 9, 2025. Based on intelligence provided by Abdulahi, police raided hideouts in Second Deputy and Oko, both in Asaba, leading to the arrest of four other members of the gang.
Meanwhile, in a separate sting operation on July 9, 2025, along the Patani-Ughelli Expressway near the Unenurhie axis, operatives of the CP’s Special Assignment Team stormed the hideout of a notorious gang led by one Solomon Danisco, alias “Picolo.”
Other gang members include Nelson Jacob, Oruma Saturday, Olise Jude, Precious Urhobowin, and Whisky Rufus, also known as “Asawana,” a native of Ewu community.
The suspects reportedly engaged the police in a fierce gun duel. Six of them sustained severe gunshot wounds and were later confirmed dead at the hospital, while two others are receiving treatment under police custody.
Items recovered from the scene include four locally-made guns and 19 rounds of live cartridges.
Edafe reaffirmed the Command’s commitment under the leadership of Commissioner of Police Olufemi Abaniwonda to rid Delta State of criminal elements and ensure the safety of residents.
He also called on the public to continue supporting the police by providing credible information that could lead to the arrest of criminals.
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From Jude Dangwam, Jos
No fewer than 20 people were killed on Monday night in an attack by gunmen in the Bindi village, Ta-Hoss District of the Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The assault, which also left many injured, is the latest in a series of violent incidents that have plagued the state’s rural communities.
According to eyewitnesses, the attackers stormed the village while residents were asleep, launching a coordinated house-to-house onslaught.
Women, children and the elderly were among the victims, as many were unable to flee the violence in time. Survivors described the assailants as heavily armed.
Senator Pam Dachungyang, representing Plateau North, condemned the killings and expressed concern over what he described as a “War situation.
”In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Eric Dung, the Senator said the recurring attacks, including previous ones in Jol and Rim villages, point to a deliberate effort to terrorize and displace farming communities.
“This cycle of daily, unprovoked attacks is an indictment on all of us. The situation in Bindi (Jebu) last night is beyond tragic and stands to be condemned by all. These are people whose primary occupation is farming, and the continued violence is not only destroying lives but also threatening food security and livelihoods,” Dachungyang said.
The Senator further disclosed that he had reached out to the leadership of the National Assembly to push for a more practical and coordinated military response aimed at dislodging the armed elements behind the attacks.
He also called for an urgent review and strengthening of the state’s security architecture, especially the Special Task Force (STF) responsible for peacekeeping in the area.
Also reacting, the Coalition for the Protection of Democracy (COPDEM), Riyom Chapter, issued a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Gideon Manjal and Publicity Secretary, Gadu Dong, condemning the attack and calling it part of a broader campaign to displace indigenous people and seize ancestral lands.
“This assault occurred despite the visible presence of security forces in and around the area, including armored military assets. The identities and hideouts of these attackers are known to authorities, yet no meaningful action has been taken to dismantle them,” the group stated.
COPDEM accused both the state and federal authorities of negligence, stressing that repeated attacks on communities like Ta-Hoss, Jol, Rim and Bachi have occurred without adequate protection or justice.
The group called on President Bola Tinubu and Governor Caleb Mutfwang to authorise a full-scale military operation to flush out terrorist elements from Plateau’s regions.
It also urged the government to provide urgent humanitarian aid, trauma counselling and reconstruction support for the affected communities.
From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu
In a bold and coordinated crackdown on organised human trafficking, the Nigeria Police Force have dismantled two major syndicates operating within the country, rescuing multiple victims, including children, pregnant women and foreign nationals, while arresting a total of 11 suspects across two states.
Recently, acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Zone-13 Police Command executed a precision-led sting operation, targeting a deeply rooted child trafficking and baby factory network.
The operation led to the arrest of eight suspects from various locations, including Uzoamaka Ani (27), Joy Madu (52) and Victoria Onodu Akasike (56).These individuals, during interrogation, confessed to active involvement in child theft, abduction, illegal adoption schemes, and the operation of unlicensed medical facilities functioning as baby factories. Their criminal activities were strategically spread across Enugu and Anambra States, targeting vulnerable women and children for exploitation and sale.
The victims rescued during the operation include a seven-month-old infant, a four-year-old child, and two heavily pregnant women, all held under captivity in a remote village. Both pregnant women, identified as indigenes of Ebonyi State, were reportedly lured and held for the purpose of forced births and subsequent sale of their newborns. The rescue was swift and executed without harm to the victims, who are now in safe custody and receiving necessary care.
Meanwhile, in a statement sent by the force public relations officer, force headquarters Abuja, Olumuyiwa Adejobi said that efforts have intensified to apprehend other members of the syndicate who managed to escape during the sting.
In a similar development, operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have successfully rescued a Ghanaian national, David Angerinya, who was trafficked into Nigeria under false pretenses. This operation was launched following a formal petition from the Interpol Liaison Office at Force Headquarters, Abuja, calling for immediate police intervention in a suspected case of transnational human trafficking.
Acting swiftly, the operatives initiated a targeted investigation that led to the arrest of three suspects: Hayford Nyamekye, Awine Alex, and Kojo Felix. Investigations revealed that these suspects are part of a wider international trafficking syndicate that specialises in deceiving individuals, particularly from neighbouring West African countries, with fake promises of employment and travel visas to countries like Canada.
During the operation, an additional thirty-nine Ghanaian nationals were discovered to have fallen victim to the same group. Many of them lacked valid travel documentation, while those in possession of passports presented expired papers, further underscoring the depth of exploitation. The victims were found in distressing conditions and are currently undergoing medical treatment.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, commends the gallantry of all operatives involved in these successful operations, which further underscores the firm stance of the Nigeria Police Force against all forms of human trafficking, child exploitation, and transnational crimes.
Members of the public are encouraged to maintain vigilance and support ongoing efforts by reporting any suspicious individuals or movements to the nearest police station or command. The Force remains resolute in its duty to protect the vulnerable and bring perpetrators to justice, reinforcing the message that such crimes will not be tolerated under any guise.
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