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CAN Decry IDPs Conditions, Urges Christians To Base Christmas On Spiritual Preparation

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CAN Decry IDPs Conditions, Urges Christians To Base Christmas On Spiritual Preparation

By Francis Okoye

The Chairman Christian Association of  Nigeria (CAN), Borno State Chapter, Most Rev. John Bogna Bakeni, who is the Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic dioceses of Maiduguri has called on Christians in the state to base the Christmas celebration coming ahead on spiritual preparation and not purely on materials things. 

Bishop Bakeni who noted that what is more important in the Christmas celebration is the disposition of the heart , reconciliation with one another, added that joy and happiness doesn’t come from how much one has, but how much gratitude one has even for a little. 

The CAN Chairman said these while sharing his Christmas message to  Christians in the state in an interview with Journalists on Wednesday in Maiduguri. 

He enjoined Christians to see the Christmas as celebration of hope rather than material things not withstanding the economic challenges faced by all in the country. 

He decried the worrisome condition of internally displaced persons ( IDPs ) residing in Christian camps at CAN Centre Wulari, Shuwari as well as those in Catholic Centre and host communities in the state, and said even though government doesn’t recognise them because the camps are said to be unofficial, more could be done to see that they are equally treated as those in the recognised camps that has been closed down and the people resettled, since majority of them are also citizens of Borno State. 

Bishop Bakeni said “, The IDPs are Nigeria citizens and citizens of Borno State. They are supposed to be directly under the care of the government even though they are in camps not recognised by government, but at the same time the Christian community and the church have been taking care of them as as much as their resources can allow  them.

” The plight of the IDPs was one of the issues we discussed at pastor’s meeting held on Tuesday. How to carry them along this festive season,  so there are plans on the way by all churches and Christian community to collect items such as foods, cloths among others to celebrate with them. They are very dear to us , but there are certain things that are beyond us in terms of resettlement and going back to their ancestral homes.

” My desire is that they should all be back to their various communities.  Officially, the government does not recognise the camps, but we can have conversation with the government authority to see how these IDPs in the care of the church can benefit from the government like other displaced persons,” the Bishop said.  

He described the relationship between the Christian community and the state government as cordial, saying that the Governor has been reaching out to the churches in several occasions. 

He commended the state government, the Nigeria military and other security agencies for the relative peace the people are enjoying in the state now compared to what was obtained before. 

” Having witnessed gradual return of peace in the state, we give thanks to God , and men and women in uniform and all other agencies who are working round the clock to ensure that peace is restored in Borno State  and the North-East in general. 

” So my message to all Christians in the state is to use this moment of grace to celebrate, pray , share gift and reconcile with one another so that graces set aside for this sacred season will abide with everyone,” Bishop Bakeni said. 

CAN Decry IDPs Conditions, Urges Christians To Base Christmas On Spiritual Preparation

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Troops Arrest Three Suspects in Rayfield in Jos

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Troops Arrest Three Suspects in Rayfield in Jos

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 1, Sub-Sector 12, Operation Enduring Peace, have arrested three suspects during a raid on a reported hideout of suspected miscreants around the residence of retired Gen. H. Umar in Rayfield, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Security sources said the operation was conducted at about 1:10 a.m. on Oct. 2, following reports about the suspected hideout.
The suspects were identified as Grace Festus Edang, 25; Zoya Alabi, 23; and Ishaya Pierre, 60.

During the operation, troops reportedly recovered substances suspected to be cannabis sativa.

The suspects were subsequently handed over to Keystone Anglo Jos for further investigation and necessary action.

However, during the transfer, one of the female suspects allegedly bit a soldier, identified as X21930 OS Hussaini Ephraim, on the hand.
The injured soldier was evacuated to a nearby hospital, where he received medical attention and was later discharged.

The circumstances surrounding the suspects’ alleged activities and the recovered substances are expected to be established through further investigation.

Security sources said troops would continue operations aimed at addressing criminal activities and maintaining security across their area of responsibility.

Troops Arrest Three Suspects in Rayfield in Jos

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Troops Arrest Two Suspected Armed Robbers, Kidnappers in Plateau

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Troops Arrest Two Suspected Armed Robbers, Kidnappers in Plateau

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 6, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), in collaboration with local residents, have arrested two suspected armed robbers and kidnappers in Ganawuri town, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Security sources said the suspects, identified as Kabiru Mohammed and Abdul-Hamid Yusuf, were arrested at about 10:30 p.m. on Oct. 1, 2026.

Preliminary investigations reportedly indicated that the suspects were allegedly linked to a criminal syndicate suspected of carrying out armed robbery and kidnapping activities in Riyom and neighbouring communities.

The sources said the suspects remained in custody and were undergoing interrogation to establish their alleged roles in the criminal activities and identify other members of the suspected network.

The arrest forms part of ongoing security efforts to track down criminal elements and address threats to lives and property across Plateau State.

Security agencies are expected to sustain investigations and take further action based on the findings.

The suspects’ alleged involvement in the crimes has yet to be established through a judicial process.

Troops Arrest Two Suspected Armed Robbers, Kidnappers in Plateau

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Troops Foil Fulani Bandits Kidnap Attempt, Rescue Gunshot-Wounded Victim in Kaduna

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Troops Foil Fulani Bandits Kidnap Attempt, Rescue Gunshot-Wounded Victim in Kaduna

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 7, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), have foiled a kidnapping attempt by Fulani Bandits along the Godogodo–Gidan Waya road in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State, rescuing a victim who sustained gunshot wounds.

Security sources said the incident occurred at about 12:09 a.m. on Oct. 2, 2026, when troops deployed at Godogodo responded to a report of an attempted abduction involving a man identified as Baba.

The troops’ swift intervention reportedly disrupted the operation, forcing the suspected kidnappers to abandon their mission and flee the scene.

The victim, who sustained gunshot wounds during the incident, was rescued by the troops and immediately evacuated to General Hospital, Gidan Waya, for medical attention.

Security sources said efforts were ongoing to track down and apprehend the fleeing suspects.
The incident highlights the importance of rapid security response in protecting commuters and residents along vulnerable routes in Kaduna State.

Security agencies have continued operations to prevent kidnappings, rescue victims and bring suspected perpetrators to justice.

Authorities have yet to disclose further details about the circumstances of the attack or the victim’s condition.

Troops Foil Fulani Bandits Kidnap Attempt, Rescue Gunshot-Wounded Victim in Kaduna

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