Troops repel terrorist infiltration attempt near Bitta, kill key fighter

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have decimated terrorists from the Mandara Mountains during an early-morning attempt to infiltrate Bitta community in Borno.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 12:30 a.m. on Thursday when troops, operating surveillance systems, detected the movement of the terrorists advancing toward the area.

According to the sources, the troops tactically allowed the insurgents to enter a designated killing range before unleashing coordinated defensive fire, neutralising several of the attackers, including a top terrorist fighter and his cameraman.

The sources added that follow-on precision strikes were subsequently conducted by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, further decimating the fleeing insurgents.

Items recovered from the scene included a camcorder, AK-47 rifles, bandoliers, hand-held radios, PKT machine guns, several belts of PKT and GPMG-linked ammunition, as well as motorcycles and bicycles.

During exploitation of the area, troops reportedly traced several blood trails and discovered shallow graves, indicating additional casualties inflicted on the terrorists during the encounter.

Troops repel terrorist infiltration attempt near Bitta, kill key fighter

Eight police personnel injured in road accident in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Eight police personnel and eight other passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries in a motor vehicle accident along the Rann–Maiduguri axis in Borno State.

Zagazola Makama report that the incident occurred at about 5:00 p.m. on Sunday at Musene village in Ngala Local Government Area.

The source said the accident involved a Toyota Hilux patrol vehicle conveying police personnel escorting electoral materials and officials of the Borno State Independent Electoral Commission (BOSIEC) from Rann to Maiduguri, and a Sharon car.

According to the source, the vehicles had a head-on collision due to poor visibility caused by heavy dust along the road.

The injured police personnel were all attached to Kal-Balge Division.

The source added that eight passengers in the Sharon car, including an immigration officer whose identity was not disclosed, also sustained injuries.

Following the incident, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Ngala led a Motor Traffic Department (MTD) team to the scene, where photographs and relevant measurements were taken.

The sources said that all the injured victims were evacuated to the General Hospital, Ngala, where they are currently receiving treatment and responding positively, the source said.

The case is under investigation.

Eight police personnel injured in road accident in Borno

10 livestock shot dead 12 inured in attack on Fulani in Gero village as another reprisal in Plateau deepen

By: Zagazola Makama

Tension heightened in Gero village, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau, following the killing and injury of livestock in an attack against Fulani allegedly carried out by Berom militias, an incident residents warned could trigger another round of reprisals across the state.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on Sunday when armed men stormed grazing areas around Gero village and opened fire on cattle belonging to Fulani herders.

According to the sources, no fewer than 10 cattle were killed on the spot, while 12 others sustained fatal injuries and were later abandoned.

Community leaders described the attack as part of a growing pattern of unreported violence against pastoral communities in Jos South and adjoining local government areas.The attack at Gero is not an isolated incident. Similar cases have been happening quietly, a community leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.

The sources alleged that repeated complaints to authorities had yielded little response, accusing the Plateau State Government of reacting mainly to incidents from one side of the conflict.

Zagazola reports that the Gero incident came amid heightened tension following a series of violent episodes across Plateau in recent days, particularly in Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Jos East Local Government Areas.

In one of the most disturbing incidents, four children were killed on Thursday in Dorong village, Foron District of Barkin Ladi LGA, in a reprisal attack linked to earlier assaults on pastoral communities and large-scale cattle rustling.

The victims were identified as Precious Joshuah, 17; Isa’ac Joshuah, 9; Mary Joshuah, 7; and Eve Sambo, 3.

The reprisal followed coordinated attacks in which more than 160 cattle were reportedly rustled in Barkin Ladi and Jos East LGAs, while several others died after grazing on poisoned substances in Riyom LGA.

Zagazola report that concern of recent narratives suggesting bandits were planning fresh attacks ahead of the Christmas season failed to reflect the realities on the ground. Many of these reprisals are being triggered by killings, cattle rustling and livestock poisoning that go largely unreported, some allegedly involving government-supported militias,” another source said.

Zagazola warned that unless the government intervened decisively by investigating all attacks, arresting perpetrators irrespective of affiliation and addressing grievances on all sides, Plateau would continue to slide into more violence.

“We fear another round of reprisals if these issues are ignored. Innocent people, especially women and children, who dont know anything always pay the price,” the source added.

As of the time of filing this report, the Plateau State Government and security agencies were yet to issue an official statement on the Gero village incident.

10 livestock shot dead 12 inured in attack on Fulani in Gero village as another reprisal in Plateau deepen