Troops neutralize armed criminal in Benue, arrest suspect in Nasarawa

Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke have neutralized an armed criminal during an ambush operation in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State, and arrested another suspect in Nasarawa State.

The operation, conducted on Wednesday, took place east of Ayilamo in Tombo Council Ward, Logo LGA, where troops made contact with the criminal elements.

During the encounter, one of the suspects was neutralized, while others escaped with gunshot wounds. Items recovered from the scene included one AK-47 rifle, a magazine, and 14 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

The troops maintained domination of the general area after the operation and continued patrols to reassure residents and bolster public confidence.

In a separate operation, troops of Sub-Sector 2 deployed at Maraba Udege Community in Nasarawa Local Government Area of Nasarawa State arrested a suspect found in possession of a locally fabricated pistol.

The suspect, identified as Mr. Ramanu Elizabeth, was apprehended at Maraba Market following a distress call from members of the community. The suspect and the recovered weapon are currently in custody for further investigation.

The Force Commander, Operation Whirl Stroke, Maj.-Gen. Moses Gara, commended the troops for their professionalism, discipline and tactical proficiency during the operations.

He urged them to sustain the tempo of operations to ensure a safe environment for law-abiding citizens to go about their businesses without fear.

Gara reiterated the commitment of the joint task force to protect innocent lives, disrupt criminal networks and restore peace and stability across the joint operations area.

Troops neutralize armed criminal in Benue, arrest suspect in Nasarawa

Bandits abduct passengers, villagers in Niger, set vehicle ablaze

By: Zagazola Makama

Armed bandits have reportedly abducted several passengers and villagers during attacks on communities in Magama Local Government Area of Niger State.

The incident occurred on Wednesday morning when a commercial Toyota Corolla vehicle conveying six passengers from Kontagora to Yauri, Kebbi State, ran into the assailants at Anaba village along the Kontagora–Yauri road.

All occupants of the vehicle were abducted, while the attackers moved on to raid Libale, Iteri and Isana villages, where they kidnapped two residents identified as Oro and Jamilu, set a vehicle ablaze, and rustled an unconfirmed number of cattle.

One person was said to have sustained gunshot injuries during the attack.

A combined team of troops and local vigilantes has been deployed to the area and are currently on the trail of the bandits to rescue the victims.

Bandits abduct passengers, villagers in Niger, set vehicle ablaze

Plateau: 13 die in Barkin Ladi after deadly reprisal by Bandits over killing of three Fulani

By: Zagazola Makama

The vicious cycle of violence in Plateau State has taken another deadly turn, as 13 people were confirmed killed in separate attacks on Rachas and Rawuru villages of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, in what security sources described as a reprisal by suspected bandits.

Zagazola Makama report that the latest attacks, which occurred late Tuesday, followed the killing of two Fulani women and a young boy along the Mangu Road by suspected members of a Berom militia. The victims were reportedly travelling in a commercial vehicle near the NYSC orientation camp when they were stopped and shot dead in cold blood.

Residents and community leaders have condemned both incidents, warning that the recurring pattern of attacks and reprisals between Fulani and Berom communities risks plunging the state back into large-scale conflict reminiscent of the 2018 crisis.

Speaking during the mass burial of the 13 victims in Rachas village, the Executive Chairman of Barkin Ladi Local Government Council, Hon. Stephen Gyang Pwajok, described the killings as “unprovoked and deeply regrettable.”

He sympathised with the affected families and assured that government was intensifying efforts to restore peace through enhanced security deployment and dialogue among stakeholders.

“The government will not relent in its determination to end these needless killings. We are engaging both traditional and community leaders to promote genuine reconciliation,” he said.

Similarly, the District Head of Heipang, Da Paul Tadi-Tok, lamented the continued targeting of innocent villagers, calling for decisive steps to prevent further bloodshed.

He urged authorities to restrict herders from grazing in areas where they are not resident, arguing that such a measure could help reduce infiltration by attackers who disguise as herders to carry out assaults.

“We must strengthen local vigilance and revive Operation Rainbow so that communities can respond promptly to distress situations,” the traditional ruler added.

The Security Adviser to Governor Caleb Mutfwang and Coordinator of Operation Rainbow, Brig.-Gen. Shippi Gakji Goshwe (Rtd.), disclosed that the state’s community security outfit was undergoing recruitment and training to reinforce operations in vulnerable areas.

“Government is not relenting. The new recruits will be properly equipped to complement conventional forces in protecting rural communities,” he said.

However, tension remains high in Barkin Ladi and neighbouring Mangu, Riyom, and Bokkos LGAs following recurring attacks and reprisals that have claimed dozens of lives in recent months.

Zagazola recalled that Leaders of the Fulani community have accused the authorities of selective silence, alleging that killings of their members often go unreported or unpunished.

“Our people have been victims of serial attacks without any arrests. Each time there is retaliation, it is only then that the authorities act. This selective justice is fuelling anger and worsening the crisis,” he said.

The killings point to the fragility of peace efforts in Plateau State, where inter-communal distrust, land disputes, and allegations of bias in security responses continue to hinder reconciliation.

Security analysts warn that unless government enforces equal protection for all and prosecutes perpetrators from both sides, the state risks sliding into another phase of tit-for-tat violence that could destabilize the region.

The Plateau State Government and Police Command were yet to issue official statements as of the time of filing this report.

Plateau: 13 die in Barkin Ladi after deadly reprisal by Bandits over killing of three Fulani