Oshodi will represent Africa’s interest at WTT, says Mailantarki

The Vice President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Hon. Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki, has hailed the appointment of Nigeria’s foremost table tennis administrator, Wahid Oshodi to the Board of World Table Tennis (WTT).

Hon. Mailantarki described the appointment as a “round peg in a round hole,” noting that Oshodi’s elevation to the game’s apex commercial body is a testament to his track record of excellence.

Oshodi, who is the current President of the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF) and Executive Vice President of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), was appointed as a Director to represent the ITTF on the WTT Board alongside ITTF President Petra Sörling.

“This is a proud moment for Nigeria and a victory for the African continent,” Mailantarki stated.

“Barrister Oshodi has risen through the ranks from the national level to the continental stage with a vision that has transformed the sport.

“Having him as a decision-maker at the highest level of World Table Tennis ensures that African interests are well-represented.”

The NTTF Vice President further congratulated the Nigerian sports community, emphasizing that Oshodi’s presence in the WTT inner circle will serve as a catalyst for the continued growth and commercialization of the game globally.

Oshodi will represent Africa’s interest at WTT, says Mailantarki

Troops rescue six kidnapped victims after gun battle with terrorists in Kaduna

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the 1 Division Nigerian Army under Operation FANSAN YANMA have rescued six kidnapped victims after engaging suspected terrorists in a gun battle in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the rescue operation followed credible intelligence on the movement of armed terrorists suspected to be transporting abducted victims through forest routes in the area.

According to the sources, troops deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Gurara, under Sub-Sector 4 of Operation FANSAN YANMA, responded swiftly to the intelligence at about 7 a.m. on March 14.

The troops subsequently laid an ambush at a suspected crossing point used by the terrorists around Sabon Kurutu Village in Kachia LGA.

“During the operation, troops made contact with the terrorists and engaged them in a fierce gun battle. The criminals, overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the troops, fled into the surrounding bush, abandoning some items,” the source said.

Following the engagement, troops combed the general area and successfully rescued six kidnapped victims. However, a seventh victim, a minor, was reported to have died during the crossfire between the troops and the fleeing terrorists.

Troops also recovered three motorcycles believed to have been used by the terrorists during the movement of the abducted victims.

Preliminary interrogation of the rescued victims revealed that they were abducted earlier on March 14 from Janjala Village in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The victims said they had been moved through forest routes by the terrorists before the troops intercepted them.

The rescued victims and the body of the deceased minor were evacuated to Katari Hospital for medical attention and other necessary procedures.

Military sources said families of the rescued victims had been contacted.

The Military said the troops 1 Division Operation FANSAN YANMA and other task force has continued sustained offensives and intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling terrorist and bandit networks across the North-West region.

Troops rescue six kidnapped victims after gun battle with terrorists in Kaduna

Death of Zamfara bandit commander Alti sparks rivalry among armed groups in North-West

By: Zagazola Makama

The reported death of a notorious forest bandit commander known as Alti has triggered fresh tensions among armed groups operating across Zamfara and Katsina States, following volatile internal rivalries shaping banditry in Nigeria’s North-West.

Security sources and local informants said Alti, who operated mainly in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, was killed recently in Katsina State during what is believed to have been a coordinated ambush by rival fighters and later ambushed by troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA.

Alti had emerged as a prominent bandit leader following the death of another notorious commander known as Dan Isihu, who was killed about a year ago during the Islamic fasting period.

Following Dan Isihu’s death, Alti reportedly assumed leadership of the faction and vowed to expand the group’s violent operations across several rural communities.

He was also said to be related to the infamous bandit kingpin Ado Aleiro, one of the most prominent figures in the Zamfara bandit networks.

Sources described Alti as one of the most feared commanders in Tsafe LGA, responsible for repeated attacks on villages including Dan Jibga, Kunchin Kalgo, and Hayin Kanggana, among others. Beyond conventional bandit attacks, Alti was also linked to the increasing use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by criminal groups in the region.

Local sources alleged that he recently travelled to Libya, where he reportedly acquired explosive devices which he later deployed along the Zaria–Gusau highway. One such device was said to have detonated against a truck transporting cement, creating panic among motorists and enabling the bandit group to abduct several travellers during the chaos.

The adoption of such tactics marks a dangerous shift in the operational methods of bandit groups in the North-West, bringing them closer to insurgent-style warfare.

According to intelligence sources, Alti’s death occurred after he and members of his group were lured into an ambush by a rival faction believed to be linked to another notorious bandit commander known as Isiya Kwashen Garwa.

The clash reportedly resulted in multiple casualties among Alti’s fighters. Again, on the same day, troops ambushed and neutralized more fighters after engaging with the Alti group.

The development has intensified tensions among armed groups in the forests straddling Zamfara and Katsina, with reports suggesting that Alti’s relative, Ado Aleiro, has already launched reprisals.

Sources said Aleiro’s fighters allegedly killed the father of Kwashen Garwa in what appeared to be a retaliatory attack. The tit-for-tat violence signals a growing internal conflict among bandit groups competing for territory, influence, and access to criminal networks.

Despite Alti’s death, several fighters previously under his command are believed to remain active in the forests around Tsafe. Among them is a commander identified as Umar Kachalla, who sources say has continued to operate with remnants of the group.

Another bandit figure known as Babalo, who had long been associated with criminal activities in the region, was also reportedly killed recently after sustaining injuries during a confrontation with security forces. According to local sources, Babalo had been receiving treatment for a gunshot wound in Marde area after being injured during an earlier clash.

However, troops reportedly tracked him to the location and killed him along with four associates.

Residents of several communities in Tsafe LGA say the deaths of key bandit leaders have brought a measure of relief after years of violent attacks, kidnappings, and extortion.

While security agencies continue operations to dismantle the criminal networks, locals say the elimination of influential commanders has significantly disrupted bandit activities in parts of the area. However, the fragmented structure of bandit groups means new leaders could quickly emerge to fill the vacuum.

Nonetheless, the deaths of figures like Alti represent a critical opportunity for security forces to intensify pressure on remaining armed groups and consolidate gains in the fight against banditry in the North-West.

Death of Zamfara bandit commander Alti sparks rivalry among armed groups in North-West