Troops dislodged bandits camp as security forces rescue hostages in coordinated FCT operations

By: Zagazola Makama

A coordinated joint operation by the Nigerian Army, police and the Department of State Services (DSS) has led to the dislodgement of kidnappers’ camps and the rescue of multiple abducted victims across communities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), following a series of overnight attacks by armed criminals.

Zagazola Makama gathered that the operation, which unfolded between Dec. 5 and 6, was initiated after gunmen invaded Zone D community behind LEA Primary School, Ushafa, at about 11:30 p.m., abducting Mrs Patience Uzor, 49, and her 27-year-old son, Mr. Friend Obinna John.

In a swift response, a combined troops swiftly mobilised to the scene, rescuing Mrs Uzor as the kidnappers fled into the bush with Obinna.

But the gang continued its onslaught, storming a Fulani settlement owned by Mallam Jibrin Usman at the outskirts of Zuma I and Zuma II villages around 1:30 a.m., where they abducted four other residents identified as Abubakar Ibro Jibrin, Lukman Ali Jibrin, Ibrahim Jibrin Sale and Abdussalam Idris.

Upon receiving the report, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, directed the Commander of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit to lead a joint operation comprising the Police and DSS to ensure the victims’ safe rescue.

Acting on credible intelligence, operatives tracked the kidnappers to the Mpape Daji Forest via Kagarko LGA, bordering Bwari, where the criminals opened fire on the security team upon sighting them behind the Mpape hills.

During the gun duel, operatives successfully rescued Abubakar Jibrin.

The team immediately reinforced and sustained the pursuit, following the kidnappers’ trail through difficult terrain. Hours of coordinated pursuits led the operatives to Kweri Forest, where another fierce engagement ensued.

The encounter resulted in the rescue of the remaining three victims Lukman Jibrin, Ibrahim Jibrin and Abdussalam Idris while the kidnappers reportedly fled with suspected bullet wounds.

Security forces thereafter dislodged the criminals’ camp, recovering the area and preventing further regrouping of the bandits. No casualties were recorded among the security team throughout the engagements.
All rescued victims were evacuated to Bwari General Hospital for medical examination before being reunited with their families.

Sources said that police authorities have urged community members and other security stakeholders to report any person seen with suspected gunshot wounds to the nearest police formation, stressing the need for timely intelligence to aid the arrest of fleeing suspects.

Meanwhile, the FCT Command has deployed strategic personnel along identified routes and vulnerable corridors to prevent further incursions by criminal elements into the territory.

The authorities assured residents of continued efforts to rescue the remaining abducted victim and to sustain offensive operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks within the FCT and neighbouring states.
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NSCDC Intensifies Anti-Corruption Fight, Inaugurates New Heads of Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit

By: Michael Mike

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has reinforced its commitment to combating corruption by inaugurating new heads of its Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) and unveiling a robust Corruption Prevention Strategy.

Commandant General (CG) of NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Audi on Wednesday charged the newly inaugurated ACTU heads to lead by example, enforce compliance without fear or favour, and resist undue pressure by upholding the values of integrity, transparency, and accountability.

The CG, represented by the Deputy Commandant General (Administration), DCG Adeyinka Ayinla, delivered the keynote address at a one-day sensitization workshop, inauguration ceremony, and integrity award event held at the Corps’ National Headquarters in Abuja.

Audi stated that the new NSCDC Corruption Prevention Strategy is designed to reduce misconduct, promote due process, and reinforce internal discipline within the Corps. He applauded the support of President Bola Tinubu, through the Minister of Interior, Honourable Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Aliyu, stressed that corruption undermines service delivery, erodes public confidence, distorts development priorities, and weakens the security architecture of a nation.

Aliyu, represented by Mr. Olusegun Adigun, assured the NSCDC of the Commission’s continued partnership in championing preventative measures across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), and appreciated the Corps for its strong anti-corruption posture.

Earlier, the Chairman of the NSCDC ACTU, Acting Commandant Audrey Obeh, described the gathering as a “transformative moment” and a testament to the Corps’ dedication to integrity and national development. She commended the Commandant General for his visionary leadership, which has provided an enabling platform for the ACTU to thrive.

“The inauguration of ACTU Heads, integrity awards, and unveiling of the NSCDC corruption prevention strategy all demonstrate how we are intentionally strengthening the pillars of accountability within our system,” Commandant Obeh stated.

A key highlight of the event was the presentation of integrity awards to deserving officers and staff.

The CG of NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Audi, received the Integrity Champion and Visionary Award.

The erstwhile Chairman of NSCDC ACTU, Commandant of Corps Remi Ekundayo, bagged the Distinguished ACTU Chairperson Emeritus Award.

Other recipients included ASCII Amanze Abraham Onyedikachi (ACTU Integrity, Ethics and Compliance Award), and CSC Aremu Rafiu (Kwara State Command), CSC Akinwande Adesola Comfort (Oyo State Command), SC Umar Abubakar Ladan (Borno State Command), and SC Yusuf Ibrahim Yusuf (Jigawa State Command), who all received the ACTU Outstanding Performance and Distinguished Service Award.

Goodwill messages were also delivered by representatives from sister agencies, including the Controller General of Immigration, the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

NSCDC Intensifies Anti-Corruption Fight, Inaugurates New Heads of Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit

17 soldiers killed as EIGS fighters launch complex attack on gendarmerie base in Niger

By: Zagazola Makama

At least 17 soldiers of the Nigerien National Gendarmerie were killed on Wednesday in a complex and coordinated attack by fighters of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS) on a security position in Garbougna, located along the Terra–Niamey axis.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the assault, launched in the early afternoon, involved heavily armed militants who overwhelmed the gendarmerie post with a combination of direct fire, improvised explosive devices and manoeuvre tactics.

The preliminary casualty report indicates that 17 personnel, including the team leader, a captain, were killed, while 34 others sustained serious injuries.

Several soldiers were also reported missing following the raid.

The attackers reportedly destroyed multiple operational vehicles and made away with others. They also seized military equipment and weapons before withdrawing from the location.

Reinforcement teams were deployed to the area shortly after the incident, while aerial surveillance was activated to track the fleeing assailants.

Wednesday’s attack adds to the rising wave of coordinated assaults by EIGS and other extremist groups operating across Niger’s tri-border region, where security forces remain heavily engaged in counter-terrorism operations.

17 soldiers killed as EIGS fighters launch complex attack on gendarmerie base in Niger