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.

Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas and Benue State Governor, Hycienth Alia on Monday visited IDPs on the border communities of the two states.

Alia said the Benue government was committed to strengthening collaboration with Taraba in tackling insecurity.

He stressed the need for coordinated action to secure lives and property on border communities.

Kefas, in his remarks, described the joint security engagement as a strong demonstration of both administrations’ determination to end recurring conflicts and restore lasting peace in the region.

He announced the formation of a joint committee to oversee the implementation of resolutions reached at the meeting and ensure sustained follow-up on agreed security strategies.

He also said that the visit was part of efforts to address the persistent security challenges affecting border communities between the two states.

The Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse, urged stakeholders to prioritise dialogue and peaceful coexistence among communities in Taraba and Benue, noting that unity remained essential for development.

The Aku Uka of Wukari, His Royal Highness Manu Ishaku, expressed optimism that the discussions would produce positive outcomes and prayed for sustainable peace in the affected areas.

The meeting brought together senior government officials, security agencies and traditional rulers from both Taraba and Benue to explore practical and sustainable solutions to the crisis.

The governors also visited IDPs in Abako, Chanchanji and Amadu, where they assured them of improved security measures, safe return plans, and provision of relief support to alleviate hardship.