DSS Arrests ESN Commander Who Killed 5 policemen and 11 others

By: Michael Mike

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested a suspected notorious commander of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), Sabastine Odo Odam, who allegedly killed 11 labourers and five police officers in a series of violent attacks in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State.

The DSS also arrested Ejike Daniel, a suspected member of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), during the intelligence-led operation carried out on Friday, March 6, in Eha-Amufu and Umuhu communities.

Security sources say the arrests followed months of surveillance over the suspects’ alleged involvement in attacks on police stations and the carting away of weapons used in subsequent assaults.

According to the sources, the suspects have confessed to masterminding several attacks, including the February 26 killing of 11 labourers, as well as the murder of five police officers between December 24, 2025 and January 26, 2026.

Residents of Isi-Uzo Local Government Area have welcomed the arrests, expressing hope that the development will help restore peace to communities affected by repeated violence.

Both suspects are currently in the custody of the DSS and are expected to be arraigned in court soon.

DSS Arrests ESN Commander Who Killed 5 policemen and 11 others

VP Shettima To Insurgents: We Will Not Be Cowed By Attempts To Undermine Our Collective Peace

By: Our Reporter

Following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reaching out to the government and people of Borno State regarding the latest insurgency attack in the State, Vice President Kashim Shettima has assured that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not be cowed by despicable acts of cowardice and a doomed attempt to undermine the collective peace of the nation.

Deploring the attacks, including the abductions in Ngoshe and the coordinated assaults on military formations in Konduga, Marte, Jakana, and Mainok, the Vice President reaffirmed that the administration remains resolute in its duty to protect the lives and properties of all Nigerians.

In a statement on Saturday, Senator Shettima emphasised that the Federal Government is already deploying additional tactical assets and intelligence-driven reinforcements to the affected areas.

“The events of the past few days are a painful reminder of the shadow that persists, but let it be known: we choose light over shadow, and hope over despair. Our difference as a nation is the distance between the ruin of anarchy and the promise of order.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been briefed and has already directed a swift and total mobilisation of our security architecture. The Federal Government will not tolerate any sanctuary for those who seek to displace our people or occupy an inch of Nigerian soil,” he said.

The Vice President assured that the perpetrators of these beastly crimes would face the full wrath of the law.

He continued: “We are not just fighting a war. We are defending the very soul of our humanity against those who preach a toxic rhetoric of hate, and we will not be cowed by their gory acts.

“Our hearts bleed for the families in and the brave soldiers who paid the supreme price in the line of duty. This administration will not rest until abducted citizens safely reunite with their families.”

VP Shettima commended the resilience of the people and government of Borno State under Governor Babagana Zulum and praised the gallantry of the troops on the frontlines.

“We remain one nation, tied to a common destiny. The sanctity of human life is non-negotiable. This madness will be brought to an end, not with empty words, but with the decisive and overwhelming force of the Nigerian State,” he further assured.

VP Shettima To Insurgents: We Will Not Be Cowed By Attempts To Undermine Our Collective Peace

Two miners killed, five injured in clash at Zamfara mining site

By: Zagazola Makama

Two miners have been killed and five others injured following a clash at a mining site in Abare area of Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara.

Police sources said the incident occurred on March 5 at about 8:30 a.m. at a mining site in the community.

The sources said the crisis was triggered when a member of an outlawed vigilance group, locally known as Yan Sakai, allegedly stormed the site and attempted to enforce observance of the ongoing Ramadan fast among Muslim miners.

According to the sources, the suspect, identified simply as Kaura, allegedly arrested some of the miners, accusing them of refusing to observe the fasting period.

He was also said to have imposed compulsory levies on those arrested.

The action was reportedly resisted by some miners who objected to the arrest and the alleged illegal levies.

The suspect was said to have retreated from the site following the resistance but later returned with other members of the outlawed group and attempted to effect further arrests.

This led to a confrontation between the two groups, resulting in panic and tension across the mining site.

During the clash, two miners were killed while five others sustained injuries.

Security forces were immediately deployed to the scene after receiving the report.

The injured victims were taken for medical treatment, while investigations have commenced to identify and apprehend those responsible.

No arrest had been made as of the time of filing the report.

Two miners killed, five injured in clash at Zamfara mining site