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EXCLUSIVE: Army Operations Restore Peace as Over 25,000 Villagers Return in Sokoto but Questions Linger Over Government Neglect
EXCLUSIVE: Army Operations Restore Peace as Over 25,000 Villagers Return in Sokoto but Questions Linger Over Government Neglect
By Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Army’s intensified counter-terrorism operations along the Sokoto–Niger Republic corridor have led to the safe return of more than 25,000 internally displaced persons to their ancestral communities, many of whom fled their homes due to persistent attacks by motorcycle-riding bandits disguised as foreign jihadists known as Lakurawa.
After tears and trauma, peace has finally returned to Tsauna, Tandaza, and other parts of the Gudu–Tangaza axis in Sokoto State, thanks to sustained operations by troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA. Yet, while villagers trek home to their communities, a haunting question persists: where was the state government when bandits reigned?
From 2021 through late 2023, these remote communities bordering Niger were held hostage not by foreign fighters with grand ideologies, but by loosely organized, heavily armed criminal gangs on motorcycles. They murdered, looted, and raped at will, while the state and local governments watched from a distance, often offering conspiracy theories instead of meaningful governance. It was the Nigerian Army’s boots-on-the-ground young men and women who braved forests and perilous terrain, defying the attackers and gave residents the courage to return.
We Were on Our Own
“We were on our own,” said Malam Usman Gidado, a returning farmer in Tsauna. “We ran because there was no protection. Even our traditional leaders fled. But today, we are back, thanks to the Nigerian Army.” Gidado described how soldiers told villagers to farm freely, assuring them they could do so without fear.
Despite repeated intelligence reports of remnants of foreign-trained militants radicalized during the Libyan crisis slipping through the porous Sokoto–Niger border, the government of Sokoto State responded mostly with empty press statements. At one point, officials and some security agencies promoted the narrative that a new extremist group called Lakurawa had taken control of parts of Sokoto.
However, extensive investigations by Zagazola Media Network revealed that this was largely politically motivated posturing designed to attract federal attention. There was no evidence of a structured Lakurawa presence, no camps, no flags, just wandering motorcycle gangs of five to ten armed criminals, often exaggerated and inflated in social media and political discourse.
In Tsauna, a village they claimed was Lakurawa’s headquarters, we found nothing but 15,000 displaced residents struggling to survive. Just 15 kilometers from Illela, Tsauna had never seen a hospital, tarred road, police post or any form of government presence. The only school in the area had been shut down long ago, and the local government chairman had never visited. Yet, when violence erupted, officials and community leaders declared it a terrorist enclave.
“Since the Army Came, Peace Has Returned”
According to Magaji Garba, the Maigari (community leader) of Tsauni, who spoke through an interpreter, the village had been deserted long before the military’s intervention. “Since they came to Tsauni, peace has returned. No attacks have occurred here or in neighboring communities. We are grateful to the Nigerian Army,” he said. Garba added that the community lacked basic social amenities no school, no road, no hospital, no mosque and pleaded with the state government to implement meaningful development.
Alhaji Bashir Mai Adashe, a local resident, described the situation: “Most border villages are cut off from governance. The only government here is the soldier who sleeps in our bush.”
The Turning Point: Women and Brave Action
At the height of the violence, communities were so terrified that just two armed bandits could force hundreds to flee. Men initially refused to resist out of fear. However, a remarkable turn came when the troops instructed women to confront the bandits. They told them, “If any bandit comes again, throw stones at them.”
The women took the advice seriously. When two bandits later tried to infiltrate Tsauna, they mobilized, pelted the attackers with stones, killing one and injuring the other. Soldiers later recovered the bandits’ weapons, and the entire village erupted in celebration. Since then, Tsauna has remained peaceful.
Military Campaigns Continue
Few days later, the troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA led by one Col. Abdullahi Umar, Commanding Officer of the 248 Task Force Battalion and head of the Defence Headquarters’ Special Operations Brigade, supported by the COAS Special Intervention Battalion led the troops in a decisive operation and cleared several camps supposedly occupied by the Lukurawa terrorists. Since then, the troops had conducted at least 32 clearance Operations within Tangaza general area. The operation, code-named “Chase Lakurawas Out,” is a continuation of the military’s Operation Forest Sanity III initiative. It aims to consolidate earlier successes recorded in dismantling terrorist strongholds.
The Operation yielded positive results
Military forces destroyed 22 bandits camps, neutralized several sect members, and seized an array of weapons and ammunition.
Key areas targeted in these operations include Rumji Dutse, Sarma, Tsauna, Bauni, Malgatawa, Gargao, Magara, Kaideji, Nakuru, Sama, Sanyinna, Kadidda, Kolo, and Dancha Villages across Illela, Tangaza, and Binji Local Government Areas.
According to Col. Umar, despite recent military successes, he warned that lasting peace remains elusive unless concerned stakeholders especially at the state and local levels steps up to provide solutions to the historical mistrust between Hausa and Fulani communities in the Tangaza–Gudu–Sauna belt, which often complicates military operations. Locals sometimes give false intelligence, leading to near-disasters.
“Someone tells us there are terrorists in a house. We storm in and find women cooking. If we were not cautious, we could have killed innocents,” he said. A young Fulani girl encountered during an operation ran away in fear, assuming the military would harm her. When they caught up with her, she explained: bandits had killed her family, and now the community blamed her for surviving. These are the children at risk of radicalization not because of ideology, but because of abandonment.
“Sources also sometimes exaggerate numbers of the terrorists. Sometimes they tell us that there are about 800 Lakurawa but when we get there we will found out that they are 8 bandits and not even 80. But their initial claims would be everywhere in the media,”said Umar.
During an exclusive tour to the enclaves around the Tangaza–Gudu–Sauna, Binji and Silame, it was discovered that every time troops pass through, children, youth, and elders pour into the streets shouting ‘Inda Rabana’ Ba Wahala” meaning If there is God, there will be no problem.
For these people, the only government that they know is the troops the Nigerian Army.
“We are grateful to the Nigerian Army. They didn’t just fight, they lived with us, protected us, and gave us hope,” said Hajia Hauwa, a Tsauni resident, as she added that “What we face here is not just military. It is social collapse. Ethnic distrust, no schools, no clinics, no leadership. That’s the problem.
Zagazola Makama therefore warn that unless the governments begin to invest in infrastructure, education, and reconciliation, the fragile peace may crumble. You can’t win peace with bullets alone. You need teachers, roads, local leaders, and dialogue. If these people feel the government doesn’t care, they’ll make alliances with whoever promises protection.
The restored peace in Sokoto’s border communities is a hard-won success one built not on myths or exaggerated threats, but on ground-level courage, soldier-civilian collaboration, and a growing belief that home can once again be safe.
Despite the restoration of peace, the border remains dangerously porous, facilitating the movement of armed groups, weapons, and ammunition between Nigeria and Niger. Experts warn that without enhanced surveillance and deterrence, cross-border infiltration will continue. The government would do well to leverage technology by equipping the military with drones, long-range surveillance cameras, and additional platforms capable of monitoring vast, unmanned terrain. These tools will help cover operational gaps in areas where troops cannot be physically present.
The military has done its part by restoring peace, rebuilding trust, and enabling return. Now, it is the turn of government. But gratitude is not enough. Sokoto’s border communities deserve more than just momentary relief from terror. They deserve roads, schools, hospitals, and governance that shows up in peace not only in war. Until then, the silence of the state will remain louder than the bullets of the bandits.
Zagazola Makama is a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad Region
EXCLUSIVE: Army Operations Restore Peace as Over 25,000 Villagers Return in Sokoto but Questions Linger Over Government Neglect
Zulum Calls for More Air Power to Combat Boko Haram, ISWAP
…CAS Lauds Zulum’s Deradicalization Programme
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum has called for the deployment of additional air platforms to further degrade the capabilities of Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters in the Lake Chad, Sambisa forest l, Timbuktu triangle and Mandara mountains.
Governor Zulum made the call when he received the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Hassan Bala Abubakar, at the Government House, Maiduguri, on Tuesday.
He commended the efforts of the Nigerian Air Force in combating insecurity in the state, providing air cover to ground troops as well as humanitarian support to displaced persons.
“Notwithstanding the enormous contribution to the enhancement of peace and security in the state by the Nigerian Air Force, we still need more in terms of air power in our general Area of Responsibility (AoR), especially in the shores of the Lake Chad, Sambisa forest, Timbuktu triangle and Mandara mountains,” Zulum declared.
“These areas are very difficult to be manned effectively by ground troops alone, we need a heavy air power in order to eliminate the insurgents and address insecurity in the general area,” he added.
Governor Zulum acknowledged the deployment of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and other platforms to the state and region, assuring to provide all the needed support to enable the service to succeed.
“I wish to assure you that Borno State government remains fully committed to working in partnership with the Nigerian Air Force and other stakeholders to consolidate the gains we have achieved and address the gaps that persist,” Zulum added.
The governor also commended the synergy between the Nigerian Air Force and other services in the counter insurgency operations, noting that it contributed to the recent operational successes.
…CAS Lauds Zulum’s Deradicalization Programme
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Hassan Bala Abubakar, has applauded governor Babagana Zulum’s deradicalisation and reintegration programme, describing it as successful.
Air Marshall Abubakar also commended the leadership style of the governor which, according to him, has strengthened local governance, foster community resilience and improving critical infrastructure which has contributed greatly to the improvement of the security landscape in the state.
“Let me at this juncture join many others that have commended the Borno model, which is a community-driven non-kinetic strategy developed by the Borno State government to address terrorism and the attendant humanitarian crises in the state. Undoubtedly, it has yielded positive results over the years, most evidently in the Disarmament, Demobilization, Deradicalization programme,” Air Marshall Abubakar remarked.
“The model has been largely successful with the active participation of community-based groups, coupled with its focus on healing and reconciliation rather than punishment, especially for those forced into terrorism. These efforts have positively impacted the security situation across Borno and other states in the North East Zone and should be sustained,”.
“The Nigerian Air Force remains fully committed to ensuring peace and security in the North East, particularly in Borno State. The air component of Operation Hadin Kai has, this year, intensified its tempo of operations to an unprecedented level,” he stated.
Zulum Calls for More Air Power to Combat Boko Haram, ISWAP
Lagos Tech Hub Backed by Israel to be Opened in Lagos
By: Michael Mike
Lagos Tech Hub will soon be opened by Innov8, an Israeli backed technology innovative centre in the country.
Already Innov8 has been involved in building innovators across the country at its facilities in Abuja for some years now.
The Centre has selected no fewer than 40 start-ups (persons) for the fourth rounds of recruitment exercise to be trained and mentored on basics of in innovation.
Innovate8 is an Israeli sponsored technology hub which acts as a focal point for Innovation Start-up Incubation, Technology Transfer, Knowledge & Skill Impartation, Prototype Development and Fabrication.
The not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation , has a mandate to enhance socio-economic growth and human capital development in Nigeria and beyond; through innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship, capacity building and venture creation. As well as to inculcate the culture and instigate the process of innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship and venture creation.
The hub has worked with 132 innovators since its inception in the country.
Speaking on the next plan of the centre, the Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister, Sharren Miriam Haskel-Harpaz, disclosed that the initiative has been able to attract millions of dollars investment into the country.
Haskel-Harpaz said it is part of the efforts to build bridges and people to people connections across the globe.
The Deputy Minister while commending Nigerian youth for their creativity and resilience in the face of all odds, said: “And with the investment of the Tech Fund today that was announced, of a few more millions that were invested in this project, we are happy to announce that we are now opening this project for another 40 startups that will be able to apply now for a new programme and a new internship.
“And I invite the Nigerian brilliant and creative minds to apply to this programme. Where now instead of 20, we’ll have 40 startups that will be able to be chosen. Some of the top ones to make their dream come true.
“To learn the skills on how to develop it and how to produce what they want to advance humanity and to advance your country. I think that this is part of what we’re talking about. The relationship, the government to government, people to people.
“This is what’s building the bridges and strengthening the bonds. It’s important for me also to state and to mention, I’m very happy to come here.”
On the Direct Foreign Investment the initiative has been able to attract, the visiting Foreign Minister said Samsung has invested $250 million on one of the startups, while another one attracted $250,000.
“Yes, we got directly to Tetra, a project called FGCI, it’s $250,000. This is just one project with $250,000, just one of it. You were talking about the graduates. Yes, the graduates and how much investments they were able to bring in. Yes, the graduates, we put, for example, Samsung. Samsung, it’s worth $250 million.
“Samsung bought them. And how much did they invest in it? $250 million. $250 million. Just for another, just one graduate.
“ So I think this is how you need to see it. The investments that we put here in the internship and in teaching them on how to develop their product and how to market it and what comes next.
Three terms, okay, of 20 startups. Okay, now we’re opening the fourth one with the help of the Tetfund and the Minister of Communication. Another 40 startups, but just one that was bought by Samsung brought into this country $250 million, just one of them.
“So it’s remarkable and the sky’s the limit with what is, with innovation and with technology, with healthcare, recycling and building and fashion.”
On expanding the initiative to other part of the country, the Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister said plans are already on going to establish one in Lagos.
She said “So this is the negotiation with the Minister of Technology and Innovation. And we’ve been discussing it. This is a product that’s up and coming.”
Lagos Tech Hub Backed by Israel to be Opened in Lagos
NAPTIP, Shippers’ Council Collaborate to Arrest Human Trafficking on Waterways
By: Michael Mike
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) are to commence a collaborative move aimed at combating human trafficking through Nigeria’s waterways and coastal areas
The Management of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) on Tuesday promised robust cooperation, effective collaboration, and sustained synergy with NAPTIP.
The promise was made during a courtesy visit of the Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Bello, to the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Dr. Akutah Ukeyima, at the Council’s office in Abuja.
The visit was part of the strategic engagement of the Director General of NAPTIP with critical Agencies of Government and partners across the Country aimed at enhancing inter-agency collaboration in the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria.
Speaking during the visit, the NAPTIP boss, who described the Nigerian Shippers’ Council as a critical partners, disclosed that due to the intense operation heat on traffickers on the land borders by operatives of NAPTIP, some of the traffickers have now resorted to using the waterways to traffic their victims.
She said, “ As a maritime regulatory body, the NSC oversees critical gateways to the nation’s trade and transportation systems, gateways that are unfortunately also exploited by traffickers to move victims clandestinely via vessels and other maritime routes.
“The shipping, ports, and logistics sectors can play a pivotal role in early detection, prevention, and reporting of trafficking activities, making collaboration between NAPTIP and NSC not only strategic but essential.
“NAPTIP is proposing to deepen engagement with the maritime sector in the fight against human trafficking, especially in sensitisation for identification of potential trafficking cases along the waterways and timely reporting to relevant authorities.
“We propose a collaboration targeting port workers, shipping agents, freight forwarders, crew members, and other maritime stakeholders to identify and report suspected trafficking activities using NSC’s outreach structures, the Nigerian Port Process Manual (NPPM) platforms, and Port Standing Task Team (PSTT) channels to integrate anti-trafficking awareness.
“ Bearing in mind that the fight against human trafficking requires a united, multi-sectoral approach, and that the maritime sector under the regulatory leadership of NSC is a critical partner in closing the trafficking supply chain, NAPTIP expresses its readiness to formalise collaboration through an MoU or agreed action plan for sustained engagement.
“NAPTIP and NSC can strengthen Nigeria’s maritime security, while protecting vulnerable persons from exploitation”, the NAPTIP DG stated.
In his response, the ES/CEO of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, described human trafficking as one of the most heinous transnational organized crimes that requires the collective effort of all stakeholders and partners to combat.
According to him, the evolving nature of the crime, coupled with the various dimensions and scope, has made it more dangerous, with attendant consequences on innocent victims.
While acknowledging the achievements of the Agency under the watch of the Director General, Binta Adamu Bello, the NSC Boss said, “ It is very important that we partner together and fight this menace. This is a kind of crime that does not give a good image to the Country abroad. It leads to other criminal activities”.
“The maritime sector is not be left alone in this fight to combathuman trafficking in Nigeria. You talked about a stowaway; this is a veritable means of transporting victims to other countries”, he disclosed.
Also speaking, the Board member, MMS, Women of Fortune, Hall of Fame Initiative (WoFHoF), Hajia Lami Tumaka, expressed the readiness of the organization to partner with NAPTIP to combat human trafficking in the Country.
The high point of the visit was the setting up of an interim inter–agency committee to work out the modality and establish the necessary framework for the new counter trafficking collaboration.
NAPTIP, Shippers’ Council Collaborate to Arrest Human Trafficking on Waterways
Zulum Calls for More Air Power to Combat Boko Haram, ISWAP
Lagos Tech Hub Backed by Israel to be Opened in Lagos
NAPTIP, Shippers’ Council Collaborate to Arrest Human Trafficking on Waterways
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