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In an impressive achievement by Nigerian military forces, Abu Iklima, a prominent commander of Boko Haram, has been apprehended alive by troops engaged in Operation Hadin Kai. Iklima was notably responsible for orchestrating terrorist operations across several regions within the Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, specifically in locations such as Gaizuwa, Mantari, Gabchari, Kashimiri, and Maimusari. The successful operation reportedly led to the elimination of hundreds of his fighters and dismantled his bases. This significant development was confirmed by counterterrorism expert Zagazola Makama. Earlier reports highlighted the important role played by precise intelligence and surveillance, particularly in successful strikes by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) as part of Operation FANSAN YAMMA. These operations targeted terrorist activities, including the recent destruction of a bandit logistics hub in Alawa Forest, Shiroro Local Government Area, Niger State. The NAF's targeted ...

  In times of great peril, some individuals rise to exemplify unparalleled courage, leadership, and sacrifice. Lt. Col. T.E. Alari was one such remarkable figure—a resolute officer who stood as a defense against terror, sacrificing his life so that others could live in peace and safety. On January 24, 2025, during a critical operation in the Timbuktu Triangle—the last and only notorious hub of terrorist activity in Damboa, Lt. Col. Alari once again demonstrated exemplary leadership. Under his command, the 149 Battalion dismantled insurgent strongholds, neutralizing numerous terrorists and forcing them into retreat. However, in a desperate attempt to retaliate, ISWAP deployed a Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) against his troops. Although his men destroyed the VBIED, the resulting explosion tragically claimed the lives of those closest to the blast shrapnel, including Lt. Col. Alari who always led from the front, exemplifying unwavering courage even in the face ...

World history is replete with accounts on men and women who brought in their exceptional bravery and guts in the defence of their society and community at critical times of danger and despair. In Nigeria, our primitive history has many hunters, as individuals or in groups, who waved off marauding wild and dangerous animals attempting to invade villages. We do not lack as well those brave warriors and rulers who fought to protect their communities from external aggression and invasion, or imposition of external influence or will by warlords from other distant or nearby community.  The early time narrations of acts of gallantry extensively centred on wars and community defence mostly dominated by the male species of the homo sapiens. In this fold, stories around great men like Napoleon Bonaparte of France were so rampant.  Shaka Senzangakona de Zulu of South Africa and other successful warriors in human history like Ozolua of Benin Empire, and Mirambo and Zaude featured frequent...

The Borno government confirmed that at least 3,000 persons who were members of the armed opposition group have laid down their arms and surrendered to the Nigerian military. Community leaders in Borno State, on Sunday, agreed to the return of repentant' Boko Haram terrorists into their communities. Accordingly, the decision was taken at a stakeholders' meeting to discuss the prevailing security situation in the state. The meeting was organised by the government of Borno State. Governor Babagana Zulum, who presided over the meeting, disclosed that apart from the 3,000 ex-terrorists' currently in the custody of the government, another 900 confirmed members of Boko Haram have surrendered to the Cameroonian forces Zulum said the stakeholders meeting became necessary following the mixed reactions that recently trailed the mass surrender of former Boko Haram fighters The governor said the government needed to involve all stakeholders in Borno in the decision making process on how...

  Nigerians Going Through Worst Hardship In Nation’s History, Says APC Senator Sani Musa The Senator representing Niger East Senatorial District, Alhaji Sani Musa has described the activities of gunmen across the country as an “abomination to human existence” saying that Nigerians are going through worst hardship in the nation history due to attacks on towns, communities and villages across the country by “these enemies of the people.” Senator Sani Musa whose entire constituency has been under siege from armed bandits in the last six years, however urged the people to remain calm and use this period of Ramadan to pray to Allah to see them through this moment of hardship, adding that “There is no consolation that will be better than having peace and our people return to their homes”. In a statement in Minna on Saturday, the Senator maintained that “Towns and villages have been under attack, with hundreds of lives lost, properties destroyed and animals rustled by some infidels band...

  By Kebonkwu Esq The Chief of Army Staff, General Attahiru Ibrahim was lured to their lair in the National Assembly chambers and brought within  killing range in  what apparently  appears to be an innocuous summon or invitation from members of the House Ad hoc Committee on Arms and Ammunition Control.  They baited him; and he swallowed the bait and the line with a dignified poise. Rather than go into the business of the day which we understand was explanation of purchases of arms and ammo during the tenure of his predecessor, the committee members demanded apologies from the General for not coming before the committee at an earlier invitation.   The General, who had explained the reasons for his inability to come earlier retorted in a calibrated language that he felt that an explanation was as good as an apology in the circumstances. The committee members who would not take such insolence were enraged and livid with wild anger and outburst.  T...

Former presidential aspirant, Tunde Bakare, on Sunday said the state of Nigeria does not reflect President Muhammadu Buhari that he knows. In his State of the Nation address to commemorate the 2021 Easter celebrations, Bakare said he is forced to speak out owing to what he described as Buhari’s legacy being confined to the unsavoury side of history. “I am compelled to speak out because the state of the nation does not represent the Buhari I knew when we took that solemn journey towards rebuilding Nigeria,” he tweeted. “I am compelled to speak out at this point because, given the state of the nation, the legacy of President Muhammadu Buhari is in grave danger of being confined to an unsavoury side of history. I am indeed compelled to speak out because Nigeria is in a state of emergency.” He added that Nigeria is in a state of emergency over a series of security challenges ranging from terrorism to banditry, kidnapping to militancy, cultism to human trafficking among several others. Past...

The herder-farmer dispute has taken on acute and violent dimensions. It has cost too many innocent lives while destroying the property and livelihoods of many others. It has also aggravated ethnic sentiment and political tension. Despite the efforts of some of those in positions of high responsibility and public trust, the crisis has not significantly abated. Sadly, others who should know better have incited matters by tossing about hate-tainted statements that fall dangerously short of the leadership these people claim to provide. We all must get hold of our better selves to treat this matter with the sobriety it requires. Because of the violence that has ensued and the fretful consequences of such violence if left unabated, we must move in unison but decisively to end the spiral of death and destruction. Only when the violence and the illogic of it are halted can logic and reason prevail. Until the violence is rolled back, we cannot resolve the deep problems that underlie this confli...

Following the blocking of foodstuff by northern traders to Southern part of Nigeria, It was gathered that the traders have lost over 10 Billion Naira within one week. Members of the Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria across the Northern part of the country have started diverting their goods and all consumables to the neigbouring countries of Niger Republic and Cameroon. They have also begun blocking trade routes to the South by stopping food item-laden trucks from going south at Jeba. It's gathered from one of the Northern  trader, Alhaji Musa Tijani that they have lost over N10 Billion in just one week and pleaded with the group to allow them bring their foodstuff to their market base in the Southern part of the country.  According to him, "most of the perishable foodstuff have spoiled because even the countries that we are moving the goods to have the items".  "So, what happens is that when we get there, they won't buy most of the food...

  By Wole Olaoye It is impossible to ignore Sheik Ahmad Gumi’s attempt to divide the Nigerian armed forces on religious lines. There are already so many discordant tunes at play on the national stage, but this undisguised ploy to destroy the only institution believed to still have a modicum of national cohesion is frightening. Gumi, a medical doctor, is a cleric, scholar and former captain in the Nigerian Army. He is the eldest son to late Sheik Abubakar Gumi, who was once Grand Khadi of the Northern Region of Nigeria, and head of Sultan Bello Central Mosque in Kaduna. He is credited with paving the way for the founding of the Izala sect in Jos, Plateau State, in 1978. Izala has since grown in influence and number in most parts of northern Nigeria and spread to countries like Niger, Chad and Cameroon, where Boko Haram also operates. He has, over the years, jealously courted controversies under the pretext of defending the rights of Muslims. When he appointed himself the negotiator-...

The recent abduction of 27 pupils and 15 workers of Government Science College, Kagara, Niger State by armed bandits is another demonstration of the dilapidated state of security in Nigeria and the Nigerian state’s failure to secure the lives and ensure the safety of her citizens. According to news reports, the bandits demand N500m to release the abducted students and workers held in a forest that connects Kebbi, Zamfara, Niger and the Kaduna States. Kaduna-based Islamic cleric Ahmad Gumi is said to be negotiating with the bandits. Niger State Governor Abubakar Bello Sani has vowed to do everything within his powers to ensure the students are released unhurt. This incident comes at the heels of the heinous abduction of about 400 government secondary school students, Kankara in Katsina State by bandits last December. Many Nigerians scoffed at government claims that it did not pay any ransom for the Kankara boys’ release. Interestingly, there are no records of any official inquest, arres...