Six suspects arrested over alleged child abduction for ritual in Gombe

By: Zagazola Makama

Six persons have been arrested by the police in Gombe in connection with the alleged abduction of a six-year-old boy, Habibu Appolos, from Nyuwar Village in Balanga Local Government Area of Gombe State.

According to sources, the boy was abducted in August 2025 by unknown hoodlums. On January 22, 2026, he was found in the custody of a 14-year-old girl, Zubaina Abubakar, of Kumuru via Nyuwar.

During interrogation, Zubaina implicated Oborona Obidah, 28, who allegedly delivered the victim to her grandparents, and Habiba Isa, 45, of Lafiya, Lamurde in Adamawa State, who reportedly instructed her to take the child to Gidado Ibrahim, 30, of Sibo Village.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the suspects conspired to abduct the child for ritual purposes. Among those arrested is Yunusa Kura, 45, of Kumtur Village, identified as the alleged ritualist.

The police confirmed that the suspects remain in custody as investigation into the case continues.
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Five Boko Haram terrorists, three vigilantes killed in Gwoza ambush in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

At least five suspected Boko Haram terrorists and three local vigilantes were killed on Friday following an ambush along the Ngoshe–Pulka Road in Gwoza Local Government Area.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the attack occurred at about 2:30 p.m. when unknown gunmen engaged members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and Hunters Group on a routine patrol.

In the ensuing gun battle, five terrorists were killed, while three CJTF members Yunusa Ali Ananicha, Adamu Zakari, and Daddy Ali, also lost their lives.

The bodies of the CJTF members were evacuated to Gwoza General Hospital, certified dead on arrival, and subsequently released to their families for burial according to Islamic rites.

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI maintained a cautious alert along the axis following the incident while vigilance and reinforced patrols in the area was encouraged to prevent further attacks.

Five Boko Haram terrorists, three vigilantes killed in Gwoza ambush in Borno

Six farmers killed in night attack on Wawa Village

By: Zagazola makama

At least six farmers were killed late Thursday night when armed assailants stormed Wawa Village and opened fire on residents working on their farms.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the attackers, who arrived in large numbers at about 10 p.m., shot the victims at close range before fleeing the area.

Those killed were identified as Bahbe Bokobe, Luku, a member of the local vigilante group, Bahgado Bohboh, Naziru Kidebe, Abdulrahman Kidebe, also known as “Ogede,” and Bashiru Dahtobeh, all males from the same community.

Sources said the scene was cordoned off shortly after the incident by security forces and the bodies were evacuated to the General Hospital, Wawa, where they were deposited for autopsy.

Zagazola noted that while such attacks have often been classified as banditry, emerging intelligence and operational patterns suggest a deeper shift. What began years ago as criminal cattle rustling and opportunistic raids in the North-West and parts of the North-Central has increasingly taken on the characteristics of a hybrid jihadist campaign.

The operational signatures we are seeing execution-style killings, prolonged presence in communities, coordinated movements and structured withdrawal into forest sanctuaries are inconsistent with ordinary banditry.

They align more closely with the doctrine previously associated with Boko Haram’s JAS faction, now adapting to new theatres.

The Wawa axis, is of particular strategic concern. It sits along key corridors linking Niger, Kwara and the Benin Republic, and offers access to critical infrastructure, including military installations in the area. The Kainji National Park, encircled by recent night attack sites including Nuku, Durumma, Woro, Wawa and Babanna, has become a rear base for insurgent groups operating along the Niger–Kwara corridor.

This geographic depth makes it attractive to violent groups seeking mobility, supply routes and escape paths across state and national boundaries.

Recent incidents in Niger and adjoining states including coordinated village attacks and high profile abductions are reinforcing fears that extremist networks are entrenching themselves beyond their traditional strongholds in the North-East.

The Wawa killings underline the urgent need for a recalibrated security response that goes beyond treating such incidents as isolated crimes.

Six farmers killed in night attack on Wawa Village