Joint Nigeria–Niger Airstrikes Target Terrorist Enclave in Lake Chad Region

By: Zagazola Makama

The Nigerian Air Force, in a coordinated operation with its Nigerien counterpart, on Friday launched a series of precision airstrikes on suspected terrorist hideouts along the Nigeria–Niger border in the Lake Chad region.

The joint operation, which reportedly lasted for over four hours, was based on actionable intelligence gathered by Nigerien air surveillance units. The intelligence guided Nigerian fighter jets to specific locations believed to be used by terrorists for cross-border attacks.

According to initial field reports, the targeted area, described as a strategic terrorist enclave, was suspected of housing a mix of fighters, women, and children. The location had been under sustained observation for its alleged role in coordinating operations across the tri-border region of Nigeria, Niger, and Chad.

Following the bombardment, over 50 individuals were reportedly seen fleeing towards Fefewa, a remote village within the Lake Chad basin. Some of the escapees, according to unverified accounts, may have been attempting to regroup with a larger armed faction said to be fortified in nearby forested zones.

Although the casualty figures remain unclear, sources monitoring the operation, including Phantom Eye Hub, confirmed that investigations are underway to ascertain the impact and full extent of the strikes.

The joint air campaign underscores the increasing regional collaboration between Nigeria and Niger in countering insurgency threats.

Joint Nigeria–Niger Airstrikes Target Terrorist Enclave in Lake Chad Region

NAPTIP Arrests Two Suspected Masterminds of Cote D’voire Human Trafficking Syndicate, Rescues Two Victims

By: Michael Mike

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has commenced a major onslaught against organized human traffcking criminal gang in the country as its operatives have arrested two Abuja based high profile figures suspected to be the arrowhead of a trans border human trafficking syndicate operating within the West African and Gulf of Guninea regions.

According to a press statement signed by the agency press officer, Vincent Adekoye on Thursday, the suspects Emmanuel Igwe (32 years old) and Ugochukwu Christian (30 Years old) were mentioned by some of the human trafficking victims who are presently stranded in Côte d’ d’Ivoire during their conversation with the popular human rights activist and social media influencer, Martins Vincent Otse, also known as the VeryDarkMan (VDM), thereby prompting his intervention and subsequent visit to the Headquarters of NAPTIP, Abuja.

Adekoye said the suspects were arrested inside their sprawling mansion, which is located in one of the popular estates in the Lugbe Area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, adding that the tastefully furnished mansion equiped with various devices also serves as the Command Base and Residence for the gang.

He said during the operation led by the head of operations of the agency, which lasted several hours due to the high-tech facilities of the smart house that hinder free access, two suspected victims of human trafficking were also rescued.

He said preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were recruited by the suspects, subjected to an oath of secrecy already, and were undergoing marathonic sexual orientation from the suspects as they were stalked naked and in sexual romp when operatives burst into their rooms

Speaking with the operatives after the rescue, one of the victims (name withheld) disclosed that they were recruited from one of the Eastern States and were promised a highly paid job in a flourishing mall in Ivory Coast.

The victim recalled: “They told me that the Mall will be paying me in foreign currencies and that I will pay them back a total of 2.2 Million Cfas. They already took us to take an oath in one of the shrines located outside Abuja. I did not know, and I cannot recollect the location of the place. But, I know that we travelled for about three hours away from Gwagwalada to the Shrine.”

Adekoye said the arrest of the suspects followed an escalation of conversation and report from the NAPTIP Social Media platforms and subsequent credible intelligence shared by one of the partnering sister security agencies, indicating the location of the suspects.

It would be recalled that VDM had last week, Thursday, visited the Headquarters of NAPTIP to express his concern over the plight of some victims of human trafficking in Côte D’ d’Ivoire and promised to join hands with the Agency to rescue them and also create the desired awareness on the dangers of human trafficking. He also uploaded additional information through a video post on his handles on the profile of the traffickers.

In reaction to the viral video that exposed their activities, the suspects had called their victims and threatened to unleash terror on them if they reneged on their promise to engage in prostitution and pay them the agreed sum of 2.2 million cefas.

Speaking on the arrest, the Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, said the agency is poised to dismantle all human trafficking syndicates that are recruiting, trafficking, and subjecting Nigerians to various forms of exploitation anywhere around the world.

She said: “The arrest of the two suspects is a component of our well-planned onslaught against human traffickers in the country. They are members of the trans border criminal gangs operating within the West African Region, and it is good that we can lay our hands on them.

“I recalled that during the visit of VDM to the agency last week, we assured him that NAPTIP shall do the needful. We stand by our words, and in line with our mandates, we shall make it difficult for them to operate in Nigeria.

“We have also activated the necessary apparatus and initiated discussions with Partners State and Non-State Actors within the neighbouring countries and specifically in Côte D’ d’Ivoire, towards rescuing the victims stranded there.

“I sincerely thank all our Partners and stakeholders with specific reference to the VDM, for their support to the agency. He visited the agency last week, and from the discussion with him, he has a deep passion for the country. He has also demonstrated this with his support towards the evacuation of the victims.

“I wish to state that the game is over for human traffickers in Nigeria as NAPTIP is ready to choke them unless they desist from recruiting and trafficking of our citizens.”

The Director General added that full investigation on the matter has commenced and the suspects and any other persons connected to the case shall be prosecuted if found cupable at the end.

NAPTIP Arrests Two Suspected Masterminds of Cote D’voire Human Trafficking Syndicate, Rescues Two Victims

Communal Clash in Niger State Claims One Life, Several Injured

By: Zagazola Makama

One person has been confirmed dead while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries following a communal clash between youths from Gbangba and Tsado Gonna villages in Gbako Local Government Area of Niger State.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident, reportedly involved a group of armed youths from Gbangba, led by individuals identified as Alhaji Ndasabe, Alhaji Abu, Alhaji Adama, and Gbongbo. The assailants, said to be armed with cutlasses, dane guns, sticks, and other weapons, launched an attack on Tsado Gonna village at about 2 p.m.

According to a report received at the Divisional Headquarters in Kataeregi from the village head of Tsado Gonna, Alhaji Isah Abubakar, the attackers stormed his residence and violently assaulted his children Mohammed Dakachi, Abdullahi Mohammed, Mohammed Isah, Adamu Isah, Abubakar Isah (75 years old), and Fati Mahmud.

All victims were rushed to the Primary Health Centre in Kakakpangi, while some in critical condition were later referred to the Federal Medical Centre, Bida, for advanced care.

Upon mobilisation to the scene, police operatives discovered the lifeless body of one Haji Yadama, a resident of Tsado Gonna, at the compound of the village head. Also destroyed during the attack were a Bajaj motorcycle and a yam storage bin, with damages estimated at over one million naira.

Security forces have since restored calm to the area, while efforts are ongoing to arrest all suspects involved in the violent clash.

Communal Clash in Niger State Claims One Life, Several Injured