Army, DSS arrest notorious cultist, gunrunner in Cross River, recover weapons

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of 13 Brigade, in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS), have arrested a suspected cultist and gunrunner during a raid operation in Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State.

Security sources said the operation was carried out at about 1:10 a.m. on April 3 along Effangha Spring Road in Ikom.

The sources disclosed that the suspect, who hails from Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, was apprehended during the coordinated raid.

According to the sources, troops recovered one revolver pistol, one sword, two laptops, four mobile phones, one digital camera, one wristwatch, three identity cards, and a sack of garri allegedly used to conceal the weapon.

The suspect and recovered items have since been handed over to the DSS for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Security authorities said the operation is part of ongoing efforts to curb cult-related violence and illegal arms circulation in the South-South region.

Army, DSS arrest notorious cultist, gunrunner in Cross River, recover weapons

Three soldiers injured in road accident during pursuit of bandits in Kaduna

By: Zagazola Makama

Three soldiers have sustained injuries following a road traffic accident during an encounter with suspected armed bandits in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Security sources said the incident occurred at about 3:00 p.m. on April 2, when troops of 2 Battalion deployed at Forward Operating Base Dogon Dawa were returning from an administrative patrol.

The sources explained that the troops reportedly sighted a group of armed bandits attempting to block the road at Ngede Allah and engaged them, forcing the criminals to flee.

During the pursuit, however, three soldiers fell off a military gun truck and sustained varying degrees of injuries, including fractures to the hand and leg.

The injured personnel were immediately evacuated to the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna, where they are currently receiving treatment and responding positively.

Security operations in the area have continued as troops maintain pressure on criminal elements within the axis.

Three soldiers injured in road accident during pursuit of bandits in Kaduna

Cleric decries ‘false narrative’ against Muslims in Plateau, demands justice for all victims

By: Zagazola Makama

A Muslim cleric, Imam Tajuddeen Muhammad Adigun, has strongly condemned what he described as a persistent false narrative portraying Muslims as perpetrators of violence in Plateau, insisting that the religion does not condone killings and that its adherents have also been victims of repeated attacks.

Speaking during a Khutba at MCC Masjid in Wuse Zone 3, Abuja, the cleric said it was “very unfair and unfortunate” that Muslims were often blamed whenever violence occurred in the state.

“It is always being implied these days that whenever anything happens, the finger of accusation is pointed at Muslims. It is very unfair, it is unfortunate,” he said.

He alleged that such narratives were driven by bias and power imbalance, stressing that Muslims in Plateau lacked political control and could not be responsible for orchestrating violence at the scale often alleged.

“If Muslims want to be brutal in this country, it is not about where they take charge, it is about where they have the strength and control, where they have the guns, where they control commissions and policies.

“But in Plateau State, which strength do you have as a Muslim? The governor is a Christian, the deputy is a Christian, all commissioners, all advisers — that is where the power lies,” he said.

The cleric maintained that Muslims had instead been subjected to marginalisation, attacks and killings, without adequate justice for the victims.

“After marginalising them, after brutalising them, after killing innocent Muslims, then you turn around and raise accusations against them. It is unjust,” he said.

He cited the killing of a senior military officer, identified as retired Maj.-Gen. Alkali, as an example of unresolved violence, questioning the outcome of investigations.

“He was killed in Plateau. It became a national issue. They constituted a committee, a powerful committee, to investigate the issue. Because a General in any nation is a General. He had given his life to serve that nation. He shouldn’t be killed like that innocently, like a rat.

“But he was killed in Plateau. Investigation was carried out, even with intelligence. The investigation led to the discovery of a pond where the General was found, and dozens of vehicles from Gombe Line, Borno Express, and many other Muslim victims were killed and thrown into the pond in Plateau.

“But where are the results? Where are the judgments? The criminals behind these assassinations — were they caught? Were they punished? When are they going to be punished? When are they going to be punished? When are they going to be punished?” he said.

“And you open your mouth to tell an intelligent Muslim that Muslims are killing Christians in Plateau? That is not correct. When do we have power? When do we have control of the state that we will oppress anybody? We will never do that. The Qur’an has given us responsibility and we will never abuse it,” he added.

Emphasising Islamic teachings, the cleric stated that the religion forbids injustice and the killing of innocent people.

“A Muslim will never call for hiding a criminal Muslim. We will never do that. It is against the Qur’an. We are people that follow the Qur’an. When we have power, we will not oppress anybody,” he said.

The cleric stressed that Muslims across Plateau had suffered losses from violent attacks and deserved justice like any other group.

“So many innocent Muslims have been killed, but there is no expression, no justice. Why are the perpetrators not being prosecuted?” he asked.

“The blame should go to the government — both state and federal — to investigate and act. Anybody found guilty should be dealt with,” he said.

The cleric also referenced broader insecurity challenges in the country, including killings of Muslims by bandits in Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara and other states, urging authorities to respond with fairness and urgency.

He concluded with prayers for peace, justice and unity in the country.

Cleric decries ‘false narrative’ against Muslims in Plateau, demands justice for all victims