Troops Arrest Herder Over Alleged Farm Destruction in Plateau

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 1, Operation Enduring Peace , have arrested a herder following the alleged destruction of a farmland in Jos East Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the troops of Sub-Sector 12 responded at about 12:30 p.m. on Aug. 4 to a report of farmland destruction belonging to Matthew Ezekiel at Kerker Community.

On arrival at the scene, the troops arrested Yusuf Zakariah, 17, a herder suspected to be connected with the incident.

The sources said efforts are underway to resolve the dispute peacefully, with both parties currently engaged in negotiations alongside the Ardo, Muhammad Zakariah, under the supervision of security personnel.

Operation Enduring Peace said it would continue to promote peaceful coexistence between farming and herding communities while ensuring that individuals found culpable for acts capable of disrupting public peace are brought to justice.

Troops Arrest Herder Over Alleged Farm Destruction in Plateau

Troops Rescue Injured Farmer, Seize 27 Cattle After Violent Herders’ Attacks in Plateau

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 8, Operation Enduring Peace have rescued an injured farmer and confiscated 27 cattle following separate incidents involving suspected violent herders in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the first incident occurred at about 4:05 p.m. on Aug. 3 when troops deployed at Komtul responded to a distress call over an attack on a farmer, Kopdi Istifanus, at his farmland in Maraban Village, Pushit District.

The sources said the troops’ swift intervention forced the suspected herders to flee, while the injured farmer was rescued and evacuated to Miton Clinic, Pushit, for medical treatment.

In a related development at about 6:57 p.m. the same day, troops responded to another report of herders allegedly attacking farmers across the Bwor River in Mangu LGA.

On arrival, the troops reportedly sighted some herders chasing farmers away from their farmlands while armed with knives.

According to the sources, the situation became violent when the herders allegedly attempted to attack the troops with a knife during efforts to restore order.

The troops consequently fired two rounds of 7.62 x 39mm special ammunition to subdue the assailants, who abandoned the knife and fled the scene, leaving behind their livestock.

Security personnel recovered the knife and confiscated 27 cattle belonging to the fleeing herders for further necessary action.

Troops are maintaining dominance in the general area, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and prevent further attacks on farming communities.

Troops Rescue Injured Farmer, Seize 27 Cattle After Violent Herders’ Attacks in Plateau

Five ISWAP Bomb Experts Killed in Premature IED Explosion in Borno

By Zagazola Makama

Five suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists, including an alleged medical officer and four improvised explosive device (IED) specialists, have reportedly been killed in a premature explosion while assembling explosives in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at Maina Daya Village, located between Sabon Tumbu and Jubilaram, about 29 kilometres east of Monguno.

According to the sources, the explosion killed Usman Dan Fulani, described as an ISWAP medical officer, alongside two foreign Arab IED technicians and two ISWAP bomb-making experts.

The sources said the incident occurred while the terrorists were allegedly preparing improvised explosive devices for deployment, suggesting the group was planning further attacks along key military supply routes in the Sector 1 area of Operation HADIN KAI.

Security analysts believe the loss of experienced bomb-makers is a significant setback to ISWAP’s IED network and could temporarily weaken the group’s capability to carry out roadside bomb attacks in the Marte-Monguno axis.

Military sources disclosed that troops have been directed to exploit the development by intensifying patrols, cordon-and-search operations, and precision offensive actions around Monguno, Marte, and Gamboru Ngala to prevent the terrorist group from regrouping or rebuilding its IED capability.

Five ISWAP Bomb Experts Killed in Premature IED Explosion in Borno