Category: Metro

The Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission says it has rescued five children allegedly being trafficked to Calabar, Cross River State, and arrested three suspects in connection with the incident.

The commission’s Chairperson, Olivia Dazyam, said the operation was carried out on Thursday in collaboration with security agencies and officials of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP). The suspects — identified as Lydia Bulus, Linda Monday and Esther Solomon — were arrested at Ngo Tallatu Jang Motor Park in Jos.

According to the commission, three of the rescued children are from Utan community in Jos North Local Government Area, while two others, who are twins, are from Irigwe Chiefdom in Bassa LGA.

Dazyam said the rescue followed a tip-off. She expressed concern that cases of child trafficking persist despite awareness campaigns across the state.

She urged residents and local government authorities to support efforts to curb human trafficking, describing it as a serious criminal offence under the law. She also advised parents to follow legal procedures in matters involving adoption or relocation of children.

Mrs. Miriam Riti, wife of the Chairman of Bassa LGA, confirmed receiving information about the case and described the incident as troubling.

Authorities said investigations are ongoing.

Residents of Danhonu II community in New Millennium City, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, on Monday staged a protest over worsening insecurity following the abduction of seven people by suspected bandits.

The protesters marched to the Millennium City Divisional Police Headquarters, briefly blocking the main access road while demanding urgent security intervention to curb repeated kidnapping incidents in the area.

The latest attack reportedly occurred around 11:30pm on Sunday, when armed men invaded the community and abducted members of two families. Those taken include Yahaya Yusuf, his wife Latifat, their sons Abdulgafar and Abdulqudus, as well as Mrs Abdulrazak Jimoh and two of her children.

Residents said the incident has heightened fear in the community, noting that at least 11 kidnapping cases have been recorded in recent months. Some alleged that the attacks mainly target non-indigenes, raising concerns about possible insider involvement.

Speaking during the protest, Chairman of the Danhonu II Landlords Association, Akoh Salifu, said residents could no longer live in peace due to persistent abductions. He added that attempts by youths to pursue the attackers after Sunday’s incident were unsuccessful.

Confirming the attack, Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, said police received a distress call and deployed operatives alongside soldiers. However, he said difficult terrain and poor road access delayed their arrival, allowing the suspects to escape after an exchange of gunfire.

Hassan added that the Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, has visited the community and assured residents that the command is considering establishing a police outpost to improve security.

President Bola Tinubu has ordered an expanded security response following the killing of at least 75 residents in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, drawing condemnation from the United Nations and the Republic of Türkiye.

Tinubu on Thursday held an emergency meeting with Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq at the State House, Abuja, after the attack on Woro and Nuku communities. The President approved the deployment of an army battalion and the creation of a new military operation, Operation Savannah Shield, to secure the area and pursue the attackers.

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, also ordered the immediate deployment of tactical, operational and intelligence units to Kaiama, confirming 75 deaths and announcing a manhunt for the perpetrators.

The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, condemned the attack and expressed condolences to the victims’ families and the Nigerian government. Türkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the killings as heinous and pledged continued support to Nigeria’s fight against terrorism.

The Northern Senators Forum said more than 130 people had been killed in recent attacks across Kwara, Katsina and Benue states, urging the Federal Government to urgently recruit more security personnel and strengthen intelligence capacity.

Governor AbdulRazaq said federal military deployments were already underway and directed emergency agencies to support victims and affected communities.

Separately, the Kwara State Police Command confirmed the release of the Oniwo of Afin, Oba Simeon Olanipekun, who was abducted in January, but denied reports of ransom payment.

The remaining worshippers abducted during a recent attack on churches in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have regained their freedom.

Armed men had invaded three churches in the community during Sunday worship services, firing sporadically before abducting worshippers and leading them into nearby forests. At least 177 people were reportedly taken during the coordinated attack, though about 80 later escaped while being moved through the bush and found refuge in neighbouring villages.

Confirming the development on Thursday, the Village Head of Kurmin Wali, Ishaku Dan’azumi, said he received information early Tuesday that the abducted worshippers had been released and were currently with government officials in Kaduna. He said details surrounding the circumstances of their release were still unclear.

The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State chapter, Rev. Ma’aji Caleb, also confirmed the release, expressing gratitude to God and commending the efforts of the Kaduna State Government. He said he was not involved in any negotiations and could not confirm whether ransom was paid.

A senior police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the remaining captives were released on Wednesday night, but did not disclose the exact number. A community source said movements of buses and motorcycles were observed late Wednesday, suggesting the evacuation of the released victims.

Security agencies had earlier launched search-and-rescue operations following the attack. The incident has renewed concerns over persistent banditry and attacks on places of worship in parts of southern Kaduna.

The head of Woro community in Kwara State, Umar Bio Salihu, has said armed bandits attacked the area for about 10 hours before security operatives arrived, resulting in dozens of deaths and the destruction of several villages.

Salihu disclosed this on Thursday during an interview on ARISE Television. He said the attackers began their operation around 5pm, but soldiers only arrived at about 3am the following day, by which time the bandits had already withdrawn.

According to him, there was no air interdiction during the attack. He added that the community had been left vulnerable after soldiers previously stationed in the area were withdrawn following an earlier assault on the military base.

Salihu said the attackers were members of the Mamuda terrorist group, alleging that the assault followed the community’s rejection of the group’s ideology. He dismissed claims that the killings were religiously motivated, noting that most of the victims were Muslims.

He further revealed that he had earlier reported a threat letter allegedly sent by the attackers to security agencies, expressing concern that sensitive information may have been compromised in the process.

Salihu said at least 75 people had been buried, adding that the death toll could rise as more bodies were being recovered from surrounding bushes. Several villages, including his residence, were reportedly razed.

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has visited the affected communities and ordered the deployment of security personnel. President Bola Tinubu has also approved the immediate deployment of an Army battalion to the area.

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, have killed a senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commander and disrupted multiple terrorist and criminal activities in Borno and Adamawa states.

In a statement on Saturday, the force’s Media Information Officer, Lt Col Sani Uba, said intelligence confirmed that ISWAP commander Julaibib was killed during an encounter around Kimba in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State on January 30, 2026. He said the operation targeted ISWAP elements operating within the Gujba axis of the Timbuktu Triangle.

According to the statement, several other fighters were neutralised during the operation, dealing a significant blow to ISWAP’s command and control structure in the area.

The force also reported that troops, working with the Civilian Joint Task Force, killed three terrorists during an ambush between Ngazalgana and Lamusheri communities in Borno State, recovering two AK-47 rifles. In a separate operation on January 29 at Tsokorok in Gwoza LGA, troops engaged Boko Haram/ISWAP elements, killing one terrorist and recovering two motorcycles.

In Adamawa State, troops foiled an armed robbery attempt in Barama community, Mubi North LGA, arresting two suspects and recovering cutlasses, laptops, mobile phones and other items. One suspect sustained a gunshot wound and was taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Mubi.

Operation HADIN KAI said security across the theatre remains stable, reaffirming its commitment to dismantling terrorist networks and protecting lives and property.

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have foiled a Boko Haram ambush and killed several insurgents, including two senior commanders, during operations along the Sambisa Forest and Mandara Mountains axis of Borno State.

In a statement on Thursday, the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North East, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, said the encounter occurred on January 22 under Operation Desert Sanity.

He said the insurgents attempted a coordinated ambush using roadside improvised explosive devices and heavy gunfire, but troops of Sector 1 responded with superior firepower, neutralising 10 terrorists. Two senior commanders, identified as Basulhu and Ubaida, were among those killed.

Uba said follow-up exploitation led to the recovery of arms and logistics, including AK-47 rifles, a pump-action rifle, motorcycles, hand grenades, communication radios, magazines, RPG accessories and other IED-related materials.

He added that troops also made contact in the Malkube area, where additional weapons were recovered and two more terrorists were killed, while another unit repelled an attempted infiltration by Boko Haram/ISWAP elements from Cameroon near Galakura.

According to the statement, the operations denied insurgents freedom of movement and further degraded their operational capability.

The military high command commended the troops for their performance and directed them to sustain the offensive across the North East.

The army also acknowledged recent casualties during earlier clearance operations in the Timbuktu Triangle, but said morale remained high and operations would continue to dismantle terrorist strongholds in the region.

Keywords: Operation Hadin Kai, Boko Haram, Sambisa Forest, Mandara Mountains, Borno security operations

The Taraba State Police Command has launched an investigation into the alleged razor blade attack on a 17-year-old girl in Donga Local Government Area of the state.

The victim, identified as Iwasen Terhemba, was reportedly injured on Wednesday at her residence after an altercation linked to claims of persistent harassment by a married man. Community sources said the teenager had repeatedly rejected the man’s advances.

According to residents, tensions escalated after the man’s wife became aware of the situation. The wife, identified as Ramatu Abbas, is alleged to have confronted the minor and later attacked her with a razor blade, causing facial injuries. The allegations have not yet been established in court.

The girl’s guardian, Jemila Wanga, said she had reported the matter to the police and expressed concern over alleged threats to discourage the family from pursuing the case. She said the victim is receiving medical treatment and appealed for support to ensure the girl’s safety and access to care.

Confirming the incident, the Taraba State Police Command spokesperson, Victor Mshelizah, said the victim had made a statement and that investigations were ongoing.

“The case file is being compiled and will be charged to court,” Mshelizah said, adding that police would not be deterred by attempts to pressure the family into withdrawing the complaint.

Police urged members of the public to report similar incidents and assured that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in line with the law.

Keywords: Taraba assault, Donga LGA, minor attack, razor blade assault, Taraba Police

At least five Nigerian soldiers were killed on Wednesday after a suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a military convoy in Borno State, according to the Nigerian Army.

The troops were returning from a clearance operation in the Timbuktu Triangle, a known insurgent stronghold, when the attack occurred. Military sources said the operation had earlier dislodged several insurgent camps.

Confirming the incident, Operation HADIN KAI spokesperson, Lt-Col Uba Sani, said one of two Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs) was neutralised, but the second breached the defensive position, damaging logistics platforms and causing casualties.

He said some soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force were killed, while others sustained injuries. The wounded were evacuated by Nigerian Army Aviation helicopters to a military medical facility in Maiduguri.

Lt-Col Sani added that troops later discovered mass graves containing an estimated 20 bodies of insurgents killed during recent encounters, describing this as evidence of heavy terrorist casualties during ongoing operations.

Military authorities said troops have continued their advance across key locations in the Timbuktu Triangle, including Tergejeri, Chiralia and surrounding areas, as part of sustained efforts to degrade insurgent networks.

The attack comes amid renewed concerns over suicide bombings in parts of Borno State, following similar incidents in recent months targeting both security forces and civilians.

Keywords: Borno suicide bombing, Operation Hadin Kai, Nigerian Army, Timbuktu Triangle, insurgency in Northeast Nigeria