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Tag: Insecurity

  • FG Arraigns Retired General, Others Over Alleged Plot to Oust Tinubu

    The federal government has filed a 13-count charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja against six suspects over an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu.

    Those charged include a retired major general, a retired naval captain, a serving police inspector, and three others accused of treason-related offences.

    Charges filed

    According to court documents, the defendants are facing allegations bordering on waging war against Nigeria, treason, and acts linked to terrorism.

    The case marks the latest step in the government’s response to what security authorities earlier described as a planned coup attempt.

    How the plot emerged

    The issue first gained attention in October 2025 following the sudden cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day parade.

    While initial reports linked the decision to security concerns, the Defence Headquarters later dismissed claims of any connection to a coup plot.

    Arrests and confirmation

    Days later, reports emerged that several military officers had been arrested over the alleged plan, with others declared at large.

    In January 2026, the Defence Headquarters confirmed that investigations had uncovered involvement of some personnel in a plot to overthrow the government.

    The military said those implicated would face appropriate judicial proceedings.

    Family protests and demands

    In March, families of detained officers called on President Tinubu to allow a public trial, raising concerns about transparency.

    The protests continued in April, with relatives storming the National Assembly to demand access to the suspects and a speedy trial.

    What next

    With the case now before the Federal High Court, attention is expected to shift to the trial proceedings as the government moves to prosecute those accused.

  • Terrorists Kill Soldiers, Seize Army Gun Truck in Kwara After Hours-Long Gun Battle

    Terrorists have reportedly killed security operatives and carted away an army gun truck after a fierce gun battle with soldiers in Kemanji community, Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, in the early hours of Monday.

    The clash, which lasted nearly two hours from about 3am to 5am, comes amid fresh attacks in Plateau and Benue states where at least 11 persons were also reported killed.

    What happened

    Sources said the attackers stormed the community in large numbers and launched a direct assault on a security formation comprising soldiers, forest guards, and vigilantes.

    A former council chairman disclosed that three soldiers and two vigilantes were killed during the encounter, while several others sustained injuries.

    “They came around 3am and attacked the security post… they also took motorcycles, guns, ammunition, and even the army gun truck,” the source said.

    Weapons carted away

    Residents confirmed that the attackers overwhelmed the troops before fleeing with military equipment, including about 12 motorcycles, arms, and ammunition.

    Another source said the attackers also evacuated their injured members, raising concerns about possible local collaboration.

    Military response

    Security operatives were said to have launched a pursuit operation into nearby forests, believed to be the attackers’ hideout.

    Some injured personnel have been taken to Kaiama General Hospital, while severe cases were referred to Ilorin for further treatment.

    No civilian casualties

    Community sources and the village head, Alhaji Sanni Zikki, confirmed that residents were not attacked during the incident.

    “The terrorists came from Kainji National Park and attacked our security men. We lost three soldiers… but there was no casualty among residents,” he said.

    Wider attacks

    The Kwara incident occurred alongside separate attacks in Plateau and Benue communities, where no fewer than 11 persons were reportedly killed and several others injured.

    Efforts to get official confirmation from police authorities were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

  • Gunmen Attack Travellers on Ibadan–Ijebu Road, One Killed as Passengers Flee

    Suspected terrorists attacked travellers along the Ibadan–Ijebu road in Oyo State on Saturday evening, leaving one person dead and several others scrambling for safety.

    The incident occurred around 6 p.m. near Onigambari Village in the Idi Gbogun area.

    What happened

    Witnesses said a Toyota Corolla Sport car was leading a convoy of vehicles, including a bus, when armed men suddenly emerged from the bush and opened fire.

    Passengers reportedly jumped out of their vehicles and ran in different directions to escape the attack.

    Footage circulating on social media showed a bus riddled with bullet holes and stained with blood, highlighting the intensity of the assault.

    Police react

    The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the incident.

    According to the command’s spokesperson, Ayanlade Olayinka, the attackers attempted a kidnapping but were unsuccessful.

    “There was an attempted kidnapping, but nobody was abducted. One life was unfortunately lost,” he said.

    Rising concerns

    The attack adds to growing security concerns on Nigerian highways, where cases of armed attacks and abductions have continued to rise.

    Travellers have increasingly raised alarm over the safety of major roads across the country.

  • Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere JAMB comment

    The General Overseer of Omega Power Ministries, Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere, has called for the scrapping of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), describing the process as outdated and stressful for Nigerian students.

    He made the call during a sermon on Sunday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    Why he wants UTME scrapped

    Chinyere questioned the relevance of the examination, arguing that multiple layers of screening have made the admission process unnecessarily difficult.

    “In Nigeria, you will write WAEC; after WAEC, you will write JAMB; after JAMB, you will write post-UTME… If you don’t meet it, you wait another year and start afresh. It is very frustrating,” he said.

    He added that universities still conduct their own screening after UTME, making the central exam less meaningful.

    “JAMB has lost its relevance because universities still organise their own entrance examinations,” he stated.

    Concerns over safety and cost

    The cleric also criticised the early scheduling of the exams, particularly 6:30 a.m. sittings, which he said expose candidates to risks.

    He explained that many students are forced to travel long distances and lodge near their centres to meet the schedule, increasing financial pressure on families.

    “For all my adopted children under OPM scholarships going for JAMB, I have to give them extra money to pay for hotels,” he said.

    He further faulted the practice of posting candidates to centres far from their homes, noting that it heightens insecurity concerns.

    Reference to recent incident

    Chinyere cited reports of UTME candidates being abducted in Benue State, describing the development as unfortunate.

    “I saw something on social media that people who went to write JAMB in Benue were kidnapped. It is really very unfortunate,” he said.

    Comparison with foreign systems

    Drawing comparisons, the cleric said many countries operate more flexible admission systems without a single central examination like UTME.

    “If you want to get admission into universities outside Nigeria, you don’t need JAMB. You apply directly and get an offer,” he explained.

    His comments have added to ongoing debates about Nigeria’s admission process and the challenges faced by prospective university students.

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  • Nkem Owoh Recalls Brother’s Execution Under Buhari, Questions Retroactive Decree

    Veteran Nollywood actor Nkem Owoh has opened up on the painful loss of his brother, Bartholomew Owoh, who was executed during General Muhammadu Buhari’s military regime in 1985, describing the experience as deeply traumatic.

    The actor shared the emotional account in an old interview with Arise News TV, where he reflected on the circumstances surrounding his brother’s death.

    What happened

    Bartholomew Owoh was among three young Nigerians executed by firing squad over drug-related offences, despite the punishment not carrying the death penalty at the time the offence was committed.

    Nkem Owoh said the most troubling aspect was the retroactive application of a military decree, which altered the timeline and made his brother eligible for execution.

    “Why would it be shifted back to include people who didn’t commit the offence before the decree? It was a personal thing to me,” he said.

    Personal pain and memories

    The actor revealed that he was working at Anambra Television when the execution took place and was overwhelmed with grief.

    He described his late brother as someone he shared a close bond with, making the loss even more difficult to process.

    Background to the execution

    The incident occurred during Buhari’s time as Nigeria’s military Head of State between December 1983 and August 1985.

    The executions sparked widespread controversy at the time, particularly over the use of retroactive laws to impose capital punishment.

    Context

    Former President Muhammadu Buhari, who later returned as a civilian leader, died on July 13, 2025, at the age of 82 in London and was buried in Daura, Katsina State.

    Nkem Owoh’s remarks have renewed attention on one of the most debated moments of Nigeria’s military era.

  • Boko Haram Splinter Group Issues 72-Hour Ultimatum, Threatens to Kill 416 Captives in New Video

    A faction of Boko Haram, Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, has issued a chilling 72-hour ultimatum to the Nigerian government, threatening to execute 416 captives, mostly women and children, if its demands are not met.

    The threat was contained in a video circulating online, where a masked spokesperson announced that the countdown had begun, warning that any failure to comply would lead to mass executions.

    Ultimatum announced in video

    In the footage, the spokesperson identified the group and its leader, declaring that the message was directed at the Nigerian government and other stakeholders, including the Borno South Youth Alliance.

    He insisted that prior negotiations had already been communicated and warned that no modifications would be tolerated.

    “We are giving you seventy-two (72) hours… if you do not fulfil what we have told you, do not add or change anything,” he said.

    The group added that the ultimatum took effect from April 19, 2026.

    Threat to execute captives

    The insurgents warned that failure to comply would result in the killing of the hostages, claiming they would be “shot” if demands are ignored.

    They also cautioned against any military rescue attempt, insisting such action would worsen the situation.

    “If you attempt to recover them by force… it will only make matters worse,” the spokesperson added.

    The group further stated, “This is not a bluff… we act on what we say.”

    Government yet to respond

    As of the time of filing this report, the Federal Government had not issued any official response to the ultimatum.

    The development has heightened concerns over the safety of the captives, though the exact location and condition of the victims remain unclear.

    Local mediation efforts

    Reacting to the situation, President of the Borno South Youth Alliance, Sama’ila Ibrahim Kaigama, confirmed ongoing efforts to engage authorities for intervention.

    He appealed to top government officials, including President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, to act swiftly.

    “I am only a mediator… I went to places a lot of youths like me will never go to because I want to save lives,” he said.

    Kaigama also called on influential individuals and stakeholders to support ongoing efforts to secure the release of the captives.

  • Gunmen Kill Six, Injure Eight in Fresh Night Attacks Across Plateau Communities

    At least six people have been killed and eight others injured after gunmen launched two separate overnight attacks on communities in Barkin Ladi and Riyom Local Government Areas of Plateau State, in incidents that have once again deepened fears over rural insecurity in the region.

    The attacks, which happened within hours of each other on Sunday night, left residents in panic as armed men stormed villages, opened fire, and forced families to flee into surrounding bushes for safety.

    How the attacks unfolded

    In the first incident, gunmen invaded the Hurum Gashish community in Barkin Ladi around 10 p.m., shooting sporadically at residents.

    Sources told Vanguard that the attackers operated freely for several minutes, leaving destruction in their wake before escaping.

    In a separate but similar attack, another group of gunmen struck the Shonong Bachi community in Riyom Local Government Area at about 11 p.m., unleashing gunfire on residents.

    Casualties recorded

    Four persons were confirmed dead in the Barkin Ladi attack, while five others sustained injuries.

    In Riyom, two persons were killed and three others injured, bringing the total casualties from both attacks to six dead and eight injured.

    The injured victims are currently receiving treatment in nearby medical facilities, according to local sources.

    Community reaction and concern

    Residents described the attacks as terrifying, noting that many families abandoned their homes in the middle of the night to avoid being caught in the violence.

    The National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, Rwang Tenglong, confirmed the incidents and said the communities had been thrown into mourning.

    He condemned the recurring assaults, describing them as alarming and unacceptable.

    Security response

    As of the time of filing this report, efforts to reach the Plateau State Police Command spokesperson, SP Alfred Alabo, for official confirmation were unsuccessful.

    Security agencies are expected to intensify patrols in the affected areas as tensions remain high.

    The latest attacks add to a growing pattern of violence in parts of Plateau State, where rural communities have continued to suffer repeated deadly raids.

  • Eight Rescued Benue Kidnap Victims Identified as UTME Candidates After Initial Denial

    Eight of the passengers rescued from the Benue Links bus abduction have been confirmed as candidates of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), days after earlier claims suggested otherwise.

    Fresh details on rescued victims

    The victims were among those kidnapped on April 15, 2026, while travelling to Otukpo to sit for the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

    They regained freedom early Sunday after spending about three days in captivity, with at least three of them identified as female candidates.

    Arrival in Makurdi

    Following their rescue, the victims were taken to the Benue State Government House in Makurdi by the Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari.

    They were accompanied by their parents and guardians ahead of an official reception by Governor Hyacinth Alia.

    Sources said the victims appeared visibly exhausted as documentation processes commenced.

    How the abduction happened

    The incident occurred when gunmen intercepted a state-owned Benue Links bus on Wednesday night, abducting several passengers.

    Many of those taken were reportedly young travellers heading to Otukpo for the UTME.

    Contradiction with earlier claims

    The confirmation that some victims are examination candidates comes after earlier statements by authorities denying that any JAMB candidates were among those abducted.

    The development has raised fresh questions as investigations into the incident continue.

  • Army Arrests Over 20 Suspects, Dismantles Camps in Nationwide Crackdown

    The Nigerian Army has arrested over 20 suspected terrorists and criminals in a series of coordinated operations carried out across multiple states within 24 hours, intensifying its ongoing fight against insecurity.

    Scope of the operations

    According to an operational report released at the Army Headquarters in Abuja on Sunday, the arrests followed intelligence-led offensives conducted with support from other security agencies and local vigilantes.

    The operations targeted terrorist hideouts, kidnapping syndicates and criminal networks operating across different parts of the country.

    Arrests and recoveries across states

    In Kogi State, troops of 12 Brigade, working with police and vigilantes, arrested two suspected terrorists during raids in Kakuma Ileteju/Origa and Ijumu communities, recovering motorcycles and chainsaw machines.

    In Kaduna State, a suspected terrorist was apprehended in Afaka, where he reportedly confessed to fleeing a camp due to internal clashes among members.

    Troops in Sokoto State also cleared several villages in Tangaza LGA, destroying a terrorist camp and recovering military-style clothing.

    Rescue operations and breakthroughs

    The Army disclosed that a Nigerien national held captive for over three weeks was rescued, highlighting the cross-border dimension of criminal activities.

    In Kwara State, troops responded to a distress call, forcing kidnappers to abandon three victims, while in Edo State, security forces rescued victims, arrested five suspected kidnappers and recovered an AK-47 rifle with ammunition.

    Further operations in Delta led to the arrest of a suspected IPOB member at Umunede Junction.

    Crackdown on drugs and illegal activities

    In Akwa Ibom State, troops raided drug hideouts, arresting six suspects and recovering various hard drugs, including cannabis, methamphetamine, codeine and tramadol, along with cash.

    In Rivers State, illegal bunkering sites were dismantled, with equipment and petroleum products seized.

    Plateau State operations led to the arrest of nine suspects and the recovery of firearms, ammunition, motorcycles and mobile phones, while troops in Abia uncovered suspected stolen crude oil along the Imo River axis.

    Ongoing security push

    The Army said the operations form part of a broader strategy to disrupt criminal networks, dismantle terrorist infrastructure and improve security across the country.

     

  • Police Rescue All 13 Abducted Benue Passengers After Days in Captivity

    Joint security operatives have rescued the remaining 13 passengers abducted by gunmen in Benue State, days after the attack on a Benue Links vehicle, bringing the total number of freed victims to all those taken.

    Breakthrough in rescue operation

    The State Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, confirmed the development on Sunday, noting that the rescued victims would be transported to Makurdi for further processing.

    “Yes we’re planning a news conference this morning when they arrive Makurdi,” the police chief said.

    The latest operation followed an earlier rescue of five victims, leaving 13 in captivity before the final breakthrough.

    How the abduction happened

    The incident occurred on Wednesday night when gunmen intercepted a state-owned Benue Links bus.

    Passengers, including young men and women, were forcefully taken away by the attackers during the operation.

    Many of those onboard were reportedly travelling to Otukpo for the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

    Dispute over victims’ identity

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board had earlier denied that any of its candidates were among the victims.

    However, a relative of one of the abducted passengers disputed the claim, insisting that several of those on the bus were heading to write the examination.

    “My nephew was on that bus… most of the passengers were candidates,” the source said.

    Security concerns remain

    The incident adds to growing concerns over insecurity in parts of the country, despite ongoing efforts by authorities to curb attacks.

    Residents continue to call for stronger action as kidnappings and violent incidents persist across affected regions.