News
NCYP and Digital Imam Urge Review of Bandit Peace Deals to Prevent Rising Insecurity
NCYP and Digital Imam Urge Review of Bandit Peace Deals to Prevent Rising Insecurity
By: Michael Mike
The Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) has called on the Federal Government to urgently reevaluate the peace deals currently being entered into with bandits in the North West, warning that such agreements may worsen insecurity rather than resolve it.
This position was made known during a courtesy visit by the NCYP national delegation, led by its National Chairman, Isaac Abrak, to the Chairman of the Islamic Research and Da’awa Foundation, Sheikh Muhammad Nuru Khalid—fondly known as the Digital Imam—at his residence in Karu, Nasarawa State.
Speaking during the visit, Abrak noted with concern that while clerics and community leaders are engaging with bandits in states such as Katsina, Zamfara, and Kebbi, attacks in these areas continue to rise.
He stressed that while community involvement is important, negotiations with armed groups should be led by state security agencies such as the military and the DSS, with clerics and local leaders playing a supportive role.
On the recurring farmers–herders conflict in the North Central region, Abrak urged stakeholders to draw lessons from Rwanda’s experience. He explained that Rwanda was able to break cycles of revenge between Hutus and Tutsis—who lost over 800,000 lives during the genocide—through the virtues of forgiveness and reconciliation. He cautioned that Nigeria must also embrace forgiveness to avoid a similar tragedy, while highlighting Rwanda’s remarkable post-conflict recovery and development as a model.
In his response, Sheikh Nuru Khalid reiterated his longstanding call for interreligious tolerance between Muslims and Christians as the foundation for peace, good governance, and national development. He endorsed NCYP’s call for the review of peace deals, stressing that while peace is desirable, government must not appear weak or give preferential treatment to criminals. According to him, the current form of negotiations risks sending the wrong message—that government cannot hold bandits accountable for their crimes.
The Sheikh further cautioned against elevating the status of bandits above that of affected communities, warning that this could embolden potential criminals. He commended Nigeria’s security forces for their commitment, particularly the Chief of Defence Staff, whom he described as dedicated to securing the country.
Sheikh Khalid also expressed appreciation to the NCYP for the visit and assured them of his support and guidance in their pursuit of peace and justice across the nation.
NCYP and Digital Imam Urge Review of Bandit Peace Deals to Prevent Rising Insecurity
Troops Arrest Three Suspected Cattle Rustlers in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 212 Battalion deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Tuba have arrested three suspected cattle rustlers during an operation in Karnuwa general area of Borno State.
Security sources said the operation followed intelligence provided by a local resident, Malam Muhammadu Ardo, concerning alleged cattle rustling activities within the area.
The troops reportedly mobilised to Karnuwa at about 12:30 p.m. on May 4, 2026, where they apprehended the suspects identified as Mallam Mohammad Abatcha, 28; Mallam Mamman Bukar, 18; and Malam Modu Hassan, 30.
According to the sources, the suspects were intercepted while using a pickup vehicle with registration number WW 806 GZ Delta, allegedly employed in transporting stolen cattle.
The rustled cattle were recovered and immediately handed over to their rightful owners at the scene of the arrest.
Items recovered from the suspects included a bow and arrow, three mobile phones, five national identity cards and the sum of N20,650.
Preliminary investigation reportedly revealed that the suspects admitted to repeatedly stealing and selling rustled cattle to buyers in Maiduguri.
Security sources further disclosed that investigators suspect possible links between the suspects and members of the Islamic State West Africa Province or Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad due to alleged inconsistencies observed in their statements during interrogation.
Troops Arrest Three Suspected Cattle Rustlers in Borno
Troops Discover Illegal Refinery Site, Recover 600 Litres of Stolen Crude in Rivers
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 29 Battalion operating under the Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), have uncovered an illegal refining site and recovered about 600 litres of suspected stolen crude oil in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Security sources said the discovery was made at about 10:00 a.m. on May 12, 2026, during ongoing anti-illegal bunkering operations in the Niger Delta region.
The troops reportedly discovered the illegal refining site around Asa community, where a large cooking pot loaded with stolen crude oil was found stockpiled in sacks.
Military authorities said the recovered products and equipment were handled in accordance with operational directives guiding anti-crude oil theft operations under Operation Delta Safe.
The operation was conducted without any confrontation or security incident.
The Nigerian military has continued to intensify operations against crude oil theft, illegal refining and other forms of economic sabotage across the Niger Delta region.
Troops Discover Illegal Refinery Site, Recover 600 Litres of Stolen Crude in Rivers
Troops, NDLEA Raid Drug Hideout in Katsina, Arrest Suspected Supplier to Terrorists
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Malumfashi at Kafur, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, have raided a suspected drug peddlers’ hideout in Kafur Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Security sources said the operation was conducted at about 12:30 p.m. on May 12, 2026, at Huguma village following intelligence on illicit drug activities within the area.
During the raid, troops apprehended one suspect identified as a major supplier of illicit drugs and other substances to terrorists and criminal elements operating within Kafur Local Government Area and surrounding communities.
Items recovered during the operation included 146 grams of suspected cannabis and 16.5 grams of a substance identified as Exol-5.
The suspect and the recovered drugs have since been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation and necessary legal action.
Troops, NDLEA Raid Drug Hideout in Katsina, Arrest Suspected Supplier to Terrorists
Troops Neutralise Two Terrorists in Night Ambush Operation in Borno
Troops Arrest Three Suspected Cattle Rustlers in Borno
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