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Head of UN Counter-Terrorism Office Concludes Visit to Nigeria

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Head of UN Counter-Terrorism Office Concludes Visit to Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

The Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Office of Counter- Terrorism (UNOCT), Mr. Vladimir Voronkov, has concluded a week-long high-level visit to Nigeria.

During his visit which ended on Tuesday, Voronkov held a series of high-level bilateral meetings with the President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja; Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector- General of Police and President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)Commission, Omar Alieu Touray.

According to a statement by UNOCT, the visit was marked by fruitful discussions centred on enhancing cooperation on countering terrorism and violent extremism in Africa and advancing preparations for an upcoming African Counter-Terrorism Summit (“Abuja Summit”) planned in Abuja in 2024.

The statement revealed that the Abuja Summit will be organized under the auspices of the United Nations Secretary-General and the President of Nigeria. It will provide a forum for Member States, International and Regional organisations and Civil Society to review the terrorism landscape in Africa and agree on concrete priorities and measures to address this scourge in a comprehensive manner. A pre-Summit ministerial meeting will take place on 21 September on the margins of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly High-Level Week.

During the high-level visit, Voronkov signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Government, met with Nigerian Youth leaders and took part in a wreath-laying ceremony with Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu to honour the memory of 23 United Nations staff and civilians who died in the 2011 terrorist attack on the UN House in Abuja.

Voronkov also travelled to Maiduguri, Borno State, to see first-hand the impact of terrorism on the local population and the international community’s support in its rehabilitation and reintegration processes, as well as to raise international awareness about the persistent insecurity in the Lake Chad region.

In Maiduguri, he visited the Bulumkutu transit center, a UN-supported reintegration centre for women and children formerly associated with armed groups and the Joint Investigation Centre, a multi-agency hub for screening and investigating individuals detained during counter-terrorism operations in the North East and onward referral for prosecution or rehabilitation and reintegration.

Voronkov, while in Maiduguri, emphasized that UNOCT, through its Global Programme on Prosecution, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (PRR), will continue to support Borno State and Nigeria in these efforts.

The Under-Secretary-General and his UNOCT delegation return to New York from Abuja on Tuesday.

Head of UN Counter-Terrorism Office Concludes Visit to Nigeria

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Kwara Residents Call on the Federal Government to Rescue Residents Captured in Woro as a Video of Abductees Surfaces Online

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Kwara Residents Call on the Federal Government to Rescue Residents Captured in Woro as a Video of Abductees Surfaces Online

By:Bodunrin kayode

There has been urgent calls on the Federal, government with the military might to take swift action to rescue the 176 abducted residents of woro community back to safety away from captivity.

This came about after a disturbing video clip showing captured residents of the recent attack in Woro community, Kaiama council Area of Kwara State, surfaced online.

In the video, several women and young children, including infants, were paraded by the terrorists looking distressed and helpless.

A voice believed to be that of one of the attackers was heard behind the camera speaking in Hausa and questioning the victims about their numbers and were they were captured because they were quite a handful.

During the question and answer session the women and children responded that they were taken from Woro in Kaiama council so that their relations will know they are still alive.

“When asked how many they were, they answered that they were 176 in number. The same question was repeated to another woman in the video to confirm the figure.

” The person behind the camera also claimed that authorities had earlier announced a lower number of victims and said the video was proof of the actual figure.

“The victims were abducted after armed attackers invaded Woro community on February 3, 2025. During the attack, many lives were lost and homes were destroyed.

” The emergence of this video has increased fear and concern among residents and families of the victims.

“The people of the area continue to hope for the safe return of their loved ones and a lasting solution to the security challenges.” Said a source from the state.

Kwara Residents Call on the Federal Government to Rescue Residents Captured in Woro as a Video of Abductees Surfaces Online

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Five soldiers killed, three missing in clash with insurgents in Niger

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Five soldiers killed, three missing in clash with insurgents in Niger

By: Zagazola Makama

Five soldiers were killed and three others declared missing following a clash between Nigerien Defence and Security Forces (FDS) and suspected Islamic State fighters in Sanam, Tillabéri Region of western Niger.

Security sources said the incident occurred on Feb. 12, 2026, during a confrontation between troops and suspected members of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS) operating in the area.

The clash reportedly took place in Sanam Zone, a locality near the Niger–Mali border known for recurrent armed attacks by jihadist groups.

According to the sources, the soldiers were engaged in an operation when they came under heavy attack, leading to a standoff. Five personnel were confirmed dead, while three others were declared missing after the encounter.

The Tillabéri Region has remained a hotspot of insurgent activities due to its proximity to Mali and Burkina Faso, with security forces frequently conducting operations to contain armed groups.

Authorities are yet to release an official statement on the latest incident, while search efforts are reportedly ongoing to locate the missing soldiers.

Five soldiers killed, three missing in clash with insurgents in Niger

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Army, police rescue 12 kidnapped victims in Ekiti border attack

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Army, police rescue 12 kidnapped victims in Ekiti border attack

By: Zagazola Makama

A Combined Army and Police operatives have rescued 12 kidnapped victims following an armed attack by suspected kidnappers in Oke-Ako area of Ekiti State.

Sources disclosed that the incident occurred on Feb. 13 at about 9:00 a.m., when sporadic gunfire was heard near their base. Preliminary assessment indicated the gunshots were from an assault launched by suspected kidnappers in the area.

Army troops, in collaboration RRS,Anti-Kidnapping Squad (AKS), and local security outfits, swiftly mobilised to the scene. On sighting the security forces, the attackers engaged in a gun duel, but were overpowered and forced to retreat into the forest, taking two victims with them.

Through intensified operations, the security forces successfully rescued 12 victims unhurt, while one, identified as Jeremiah Gambo, sustained a gunshot injury and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital in Ikole Local Government Area for treatment.

The troops also recovered an unregistered Boxer Bajaj motorcycle, a white Nissan Cabstar pick-up with registration number EJG-96XB, and a wine-coloured Toyota Corolla with registration number KLE-575AE, all belonging to the victims.

Army, police rescue 12 kidnapped victims in Ekiti border attack

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