News
Boko Haram: Truth Alliance takes counter-narrative drama to North East communities*
Boko Haram: Truth Alliance takes counter-narrative drama to North East communities*
•Drama aims to expose recruitment tactics of terrorist groups
By: Michael Mike
In a continued effort to counter extremist ideologies, The Truth Alliance has launched a community drama series under its “Time to Tell the Truth” campaign, aimed at exposing the recruitment tactics used by terrorist groups in Borno State.
This was contained in a statement on Tuesday by the group’s Spokesperson, Mr. Ahmed Mustapha. The event, which took place from June 24th to 25th, was staged across various communities, including Baga Road, Bolori, Bulumkutu, Gamboru, Hausari, and Showkari in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.
Drama has long served as a powerful medium to convey the truths about life and its challenges. This particular drama was staged in accessible, community-based locations such as marketplaces, view centers, and other strategic places within Maiduguri, ensuring maximum reach and impact.
The play, based on a true-life story, narrated the harrowing experience of a woman who was deceived into joining Boko Haram due to dire economic needs. The narrative, told through a friend’s perspective, highlighted the woman’s predicament: choosing between leaving Boko Haram and facing poverty and stigma, or returning to the chaos within the sect.
According to the play, the woman had been deeply involved in Boko Haram before realising the group’s deceit. Her story is one of grief, survival, hopelessness, and ultimately, a new beginning as she managed to escape. The drama underscored that terrorist organisations manipulate and exploit individuals, hiding the truth and valuing human lives insignificantly.
The community response to the drama was overwhelmingly positive. Many attendees expressed that the play enlightened them in both a playful and powerful way.
Kabiru Muhammad, a community stakeholder in Bolori, stressed the need for collaborative efforts to expose these recruitment strategies to prevent future occurrences. “This is a call to all of us to understand the deceiving strategy extremist groups use to recruit people to their ranks. I also call on all to use this story as an example and encourage the stakeholders to promote peace,” he said.
Ali Habib, a young resident from Showkari, urged his peers to be cautious when choosing friends, noting that bad influences can easily lead one astray, especially in the absence of employment opportunities. “Choosing a friend determines what future you want to have for yourself because when you choose someone that is into something bad, he or she would introduce you to it, especially when you are jobless,” he stated.
A woman from the Hausari community, who preferred to remain anonymous, highlighted the importance of parental responsibility and community support. She blamed both parental negligence and the lack of community assistance for those in need.
The drama was performed in both Hausa and Kanuri languages, ensuring it was accessible to a wide audience within the region.
Mustapha in the statement also assured that The Truth Alliance remains committed to implementing localized initiatives that benefit the community through active engagement and education in combating extremist ideologies and fostering a culture of peace.
He stated: “The Truth Alliance is committed to unmasking the truth behind violent and extremist groups and empowering communities to resist tyranny and violence. Through education, outreach, and collaboration, the Truth Alliance strives to build a safer, more resilient society for all.
“In a campaign tagged ‘Time to Tell the Truth’, the Truth Alliance has come together to expose the truth behind how violent extremist groups draw young people into their ranks. Their message is simple: These groups manipulate, they deceive, they Control, they kill, they kidnap, they destroy, and their movement as well as ideology is inherently weak.”
Boko Haram: Truth Alliance takes counter-narrative drama to North East communities*
News
Two Forest Security Guard Members arrested in Ogun for extortion, illegal possession of firearms
Two Forest Security Guard Members arrested in Ogun for extortion, illegal possession of firearms
By: Zagazola Makama
Two men claiming to be members of the Nigeria Forest Security Services (NFSS) have been arrested in Sagamu, Ogun State, for illegal possession of firearms and extortion of motorists.
Zagazola Makama report that the arrest was made on Dec. 28, 2025, at about 8:32 p.m. following a report that three men dressed in security uniforms were sighted along Ikenne Road, near the NYSC Orientation Camp, collecting money from motorists while visibly armed with hunter-style guns.
Upon receiving the information, operatives from the Sagamu Division raced to the scene and apprehended two suspects: Emmanuel Idu, 55, and Sunday Moses, 35. A third suspect, identified as Oyilo David, 35, fled the scene and is currently at large.
During preliminary interrogation, the arrested men claimed to be attached to the Sagamu NFSS unit operating along Agbele Road by Otunba Gbenga Daniel Market. They also stated that the locally fabricated guns recovered from them were issued by a Commander Kehinde Joseph, allegedly supervising their operations.
In addition to the firearms, security operatives recovered one unexpended cartridge and the sum of ₦1,000 in ₦200 denominations from the suspects.
Authorities disclosed that one of the suspects had previously been implicated in a motorcycle theft case in Abeokuta, where the stolen motorcycle was recovered, and charges were filed in court.
The suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Abeokuta, for further investigation.
Two Forest Security Guard Members arrested in Ogun for extortion, illegal possession of firearms
Troops neutralise key Boko Haram commanders in Bama airstrikes
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, supported by Nigerian Army and Nigerian Air Force platforms, have neutralised several key Boko Haram terrorist commanders during coordinated airstrikes in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the airstrikes were conducted on Dec. 25, 2025, following actionable human intelligence on terrorist movements in the area.
According to the sources, no fewer than 10 Boko Haram terrorists were killed in the initial airstrike. Those neutralised included Abul Kaka, Ibn Mu’azu, Abu Muhammad, Ba Alhaji, Bakura, Modu, Abu Hassan, Kaka Alai, Abba Yakariye and Bamusa.
The sources further disclosed that another terrorist, identified as Ubaida, sustained serious injuries during the strike.
The sources added that a subsequent follow-up strike by Nigerian Air Force assets led to the instant killing of three additional terrorists.
Security sources confirmed that the majority of the neutralised fighters were loyal to Bafu, a notorious Boko Haram commander operating in the Bama axis.
An assessment of the operation indicated a significant degradation of Boko Haram’s fighting capability in Bama, particularly among elements under Bafu’s command, as a direct outcome of the sustained air campaign.
The sources noted that while the general security situation in the area remains calm, it is still considered unpredictable due to the fluid nature of insurgent activities.
Troops neutralise key Boko Haram commanders in Bama airstrikes
IPOB attack Enugu police patrol team, kill two officers and seize firearms
By: Zagazola Makama
Two police inspectors have been killed and three rifles stolen following an attack on a Distress Response Squad (DRS) patrol along Zik Avenue by Good Shepherd Specialist Hospital in Enugu State.
Zagazola gathered that the incident occurred at about 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 27, 2025, when six armed men, suspected to be members of IPOB/ESN, operating in an ash-coloured Lexus RX 350 SUV, attacked and set ablaze the patrol Hilux vehicle.
The sources identified the slain officers as Inspectors Valentine Iheme and Ani Anayo, both members of the DRS team. The assailants carted away three AK-47 rifles with 30 rounds of live ammunition each.
According to the sources, all tactical teams and assets of the command have been activated and deployed in pursuit of the suspects, with a view to neutralising them and recovering the stolen firearms.
The sources said that the Enugu State Police Command has vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.
IPOB attack Enugu police patrol team, kill two officers and seize firearms
Notorious drug peddler killed during police raid in Katsina
Two Forest Security Guard Members arrested in Ogun for extortion, illegal possession of firearms
Troops neutralise key Boko Haram commanders in Bama airstrikes
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