News
ISWAP fighters express apprehension over safety of families after airstrikes in Sambisa
ISWAP fighters express apprehension over safety of families after airstrikes in Sambisa
By: Zagazola Makama
Fresh intelligence indicating apprehension among suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters over the condition of their families following recent air operations in Sambisa Forest points to growing internal strain within the group.
Security sources said the concerns emerged after Nigerian Air Force (NAF) components of Operation Hadin Kai conducted precision strikes on insurgent positions in the Sambisa axis of Borno State.
According to the intelligence, a suspected ISWAP fighter identified as Shettima, alongside associates operating around the Limanti axis along the Maiduguri–Mafa road, expressed frustration over delayed and conflicting information regarding the impact of the air operations.
He was said to have lamented that news of the strikes reached him late and questioned the accuracy of information being circulated among fighters regarding the fate of their relatives.
Another associate, identified as Abu Fatima, was quoted in the intelligence as explaining that senior commanders had discouraged the sharing of operational or casualty details with fighters and their families, warning that such disclosures could attract internal sanctions.
He further suggested that during the air operations, fighters reportedly fled from targeted locations while some of their family members, including women and children, were gathered at a separate location.
He said that NAF subsequently struck an accurate hit of fighters, resulting in casualties and injuries.
The sources also indicated that while some affected individuals were receiving treatment within insurgent-held enclaves, others had sustained severe injuries, including amputations, while a number had reportedly been treated and discharged.
Sources say the development reflects increasing psychological pressure within the group, as sustained aerial bombardments continue to disrupt its operational stability and command confidence.
The Military under Operation Hadin Kai has continued to degrade insurgent mobility, logistics and cohesion, forcing fighters to contend not only with battlefield losses but also growing uncertainty over the safety of their families.
They note that beyond physical losses, the insurgents are increasingly grappling with fear, misinformation and distrust, particularly over the fate of relatives caught in conflict zones.
They argue that such pressure may further weaken morale within ISWAP ranks and intensify internal distrust between field fighters and senior commanders, particularly over communication gaps and casualty reporting.
However, while sustained air operations are yielding operational gains, continued pressure on insurgent strongholds will require a combination of air, ground and intelligence-driven coordination to consolidate long-term stability in the North East.
urgent strongholds in Sambisa and surrounding axes, weakening morale and disrupting command confidence.
However, they caution that consolidating gains will require sustained coordination between air and ground components, as well as improved intelligence exploitation to further degrade insurgent recovery capacity in the region.
ISWAP fighters express apprehension over safety of families after airstrikes in Sambisa
News
One killed, three injured as gunmen attack Plateau community in reprisal over livestock incident
One killed, three injured as gunmen attack Plateau community in reprisal over livestock incident
By: Zagazola Makama
Gunmen suspected to be Fulani bandits have killed one person and injured three others in an attack on Shonong community in Bachi District, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, in a sustained reprisal attack linked to an earlier livestock-related incident.
Security sources said the attack occurred at about 8:40 p.m. on April 19 when the armed men invaded the community and opened fire on residents.
The sources said the assault was believed to be in retaliation over the killing of nine livestock in the area, an incident that had heightened tensions between farming and herding communities in the locality.
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) deployed in the area reportedly came under fire while responding to the attack and engaged the assailants in a gun duel, forcing them to withdraw after a heavy exchange of fire.
Reinforcement teams were later deployed and moved into the community to stabilise the situation and restore order.
According to the sources, the attackers killed a woman identified as Mrs Fibi Solomon, while three others — Mr Solomon, Master Jacob Solomon and Miss Jacobeth Solomon — sustained gunshot wounds.
The injured victims were evacuated to the General Hospital in Riyom for treatment, alongside the remains of the deceased.
Troops also rescued 12 civilians comprising three men, six women and three children, who were relocated to nearby Fang village for safety.
Security sources added that troops had intensified pursuit operations to track down the fleeing attackers, while the general area remained calm but tense.
One killed, three injured as gunmen attack Plateau community in reprisal over livestock incident
Yobe: Baba Malam Wali paid condolences to Senator Mustapha
By: Yahqya Wakili
The immediate past secretary to the Yobe State Government, Alhaji Baba Malam Wali mni, today paid a condolence visit to Senator Musa Mustapha, senator representing Yobe East in the National Assembly, following the death of his mother-in-law, the late Hajiya Fatima Mustapha Jibrin.
This was contained in a statement issued and signed by his press secretary, Alhaji Shuaibu Abdullahi, made available to newsmen in Damaturu, the state capital.
During the visit, the former secretary to the state government, Baba Malam Wali mni, offered prayers for the peaceful repose of the deceased’s soul.
He urged the bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss with fortitude, noting that death is inevitable and a path that every mortal must take.
Hajiya Fatima Mustapha Jibrin passed away yesterday, Thursday, 16th April 2026, in Damaturu, the Yobe state capital. She was buried the same day in accordance with Islamic injunction.
Baba Malam Wali further prayed to Almighty Allah SWT to forgive the shortcomings of the late Hajiya Fatima, have mercy on her, and grant her Al-Jannatul Fiddausi as her final abode.
Yobe: Baba Malam Wali paid condolences to Senator Mustapha
Troops Foil ISWAP Attack Attempt in Guzamala
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 3 Area of Responsibility have foiled an attempted attack by suspected ISWAP/JAS terrorists on Forward Operating Base (FOB) Mairari in Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State.
Sources said the incident occurred at about 1329hrs on April 19, when the terrorists attempted to infiltrate the base through Charlie/Delta Company axis.
The attackers, operating with two gun trucks, were sighted advancing toward the entrance gate of Mairari town along the Gajiram axis.
Troops immediately engaged the advancing terrorists, forcing them to abandon their mission and retreat.
Following the encounter, troops dominated the general area with patrols, while air support was also deployed and hovered over the vicinity. However, no further terrorist presence was observed after the exchange.
Security sources said exploitation and clearance operations are ongoing to prevent regrouping and to secure surrounding communities.
Troops Foil ISWAP Attack Attempt in Guzamala
Angry youths, women attack soldiers, burn military checkpoint in Plateau over killing of villager
One killed, three injured as gunmen attack Plateau community in reprisal over livestock incident
Troops destroy terrorist hideouts, arrest 9 suspected informants in Taraba
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
FAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News1 year agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Opinions4 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
