News
Obasanjo urges holistic approach to end Boko Haram, insecurity
Obasanjo urges holistic approach to end Boko Haram, insecurity
By: Zagazola Makama
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called for a whole-of-society approach to tackle Boko Haram insurgency and other security challenges in Nigeria.
Obasanjo made the call on Thursday in Abuja while reviewing the book “Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum,” authored by retired Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor.
The former president, who wrote the foreword to the book, said the insurgency which has lasted more than 15 years under four administrations had become a major threat to the stability of the nation.
He recalled Nigeria’s past security challenges, including pre-independence militancy, the Tiv riots, and the 30-month civil war, stressing that Boko Haram had now become one of the most protracted security issues the country had faced.
“In 2011, after the UN House attack in Abuja, I went to find out who these people were and what they wanted. I found that they were not really aiming for anything political or religious. In short, they were looking for a better life.
“Have we understood that? Have we taken the right steps? Should we accept this menace as part of our lives? If not, what should we do? How proactive have we been in dealing with this monster within our country?” Obasanjo asked.
He commended Irabor for the courage to document his experiences and perspectives on the insurgency, noting that the book would enrich ongoing national dialogue on peace and security.
Obasanjo said Nigeria must not shy away from interrogating its past in order to understand what was disrupting the present and shaping the future.
“The life of any nation has the good, the bad and the ugly. What is important is for us to confront our challenges honestly, look at our past and present, and when it is time to proffer solutions, we must look beyond the ordinary,” he said.
The former president also warned against treating Boko Haram and banditry as separate problems, stressing that both had become intertwined.
“Those who have things to say about Boko Haram do not even know when Boko Haram stops and banditry starts. They are all mixed together. We must begin to do something about it, and we must do it collectively,” he said.
The event was attended by former President Goodluck Jonathan, Minister of Defence Muhammad Badaru, service chiefs, royal fathers, senior military officers, members of the National Assembly and the diplomatic community.
Obasanjo urges holistic approach to end Boko Haram, insecurity
News
Two Forest Security Guard Members arrested in Ogun for extortion, illegal possession of firearms
Two Forest Security Guard Members arrested in Ogun for extortion, illegal possession of firearms
By: Zagazola Makama
Two men claiming to be members of the Nigeria Forest Security Services (NFSS) have been arrested in Sagamu, Ogun State, for illegal possession of firearms and extortion of motorists.
Zagazola Makama report that the arrest was made on Dec. 28, 2025, at about 8:32 p.m. following a report that three men dressed in security uniforms were sighted along Ikenne Road, near the NYSC Orientation Camp, collecting money from motorists while visibly armed with hunter-style guns.
Upon receiving the information, operatives from the Sagamu Division raced to the scene and apprehended two suspects: Emmanuel Idu, 55, and Sunday Moses, 35. A third suspect, identified as Oyilo David, 35, fled the scene and is currently at large.
During preliminary interrogation, the arrested men claimed to be attached to the Sagamu NFSS unit operating along Agbele Road by Otunba Gbenga Daniel Market. They also stated that the locally fabricated guns recovered from them were issued by a Commander Kehinde Joseph, allegedly supervising their operations.
In addition to the firearms, security operatives recovered one unexpended cartridge and the sum of ₦1,000 in ₦200 denominations from the suspects.
Authorities disclosed that one of the suspects had previously been implicated in a motorcycle theft case in Abeokuta, where the stolen motorcycle was recovered, and charges were filed in court.
The suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Abeokuta, for further investigation.
Two Forest Security Guard Members arrested in Ogun for extortion, illegal possession of firearms
Troops neutralise key Boko Haram commanders in Bama airstrikes
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, supported by Nigerian Army and Nigerian Air Force platforms, have neutralised several key Boko Haram terrorist commanders during coordinated airstrikes in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the airstrikes were conducted on Dec. 25, 2025, following actionable human intelligence on terrorist movements in the area.
According to the sources, no fewer than 10 Boko Haram terrorists were killed in the initial airstrike. Those neutralised included Abul Kaka, Ibn Mu’azu, Abu Muhammad, Ba Alhaji, Bakura, Modu, Abu Hassan, Kaka Alai, Abba Yakariye and Bamusa.
The sources further disclosed that another terrorist, identified as Ubaida, sustained serious injuries during the strike.
The sources added that a subsequent follow-up strike by Nigerian Air Force assets led to the instant killing of three additional terrorists.
Security sources confirmed that the majority of the neutralised fighters were loyal to Bafu, a notorious Boko Haram commander operating in the Bama axis.
An assessment of the operation indicated a significant degradation of Boko Haram’s fighting capability in Bama, particularly among elements under Bafu’s command, as a direct outcome of the sustained air campaign.
The sources noted that while the general security situation in the area remains calm, it is still considered unpredictable due to the fluid nature of insurgent activities.
Troops neutralise key Boko Haram commanders in Bama airstrikes
IPOB attack Enugu police patrol team, kill two officers and seize firearms
By: Zagazola Makama
Two police inspectors have been killed and three rifles stolen following an attack on a Distress Response Squad (DRS) patrol along Zik Avenue by Good Shepherd Specialist Hospital in Enugu State.
Zagazola gathered that the incident occurred at about 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 27, 2025, when six armed men, suspected to be members of IPOB/ESN, operating in an ash-coloured Lexus RX 350 SUV, attacked and set ablaze the patrol Hilux vehicle.
The sources identified the slain officers as Inspectors Valentine Iheme and Ani Anayo, both members of the DRS team. The assailants carted away three AK-47 rifles with 30 rounds of live ammunition each.
According to the sources, all tactical teams and assets of the command have been activated and deployed in pursuit of the suspects, with a view to neutralising them and recovering the stolen firearms.
The sources said that the Enugu State Police Command has vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.
IPOB attack Enugu police patrol team, kill two officers and seize firearms
Notorious drug peddler killed during police raid in Katsina
Two Forest Security Guard Members arrested in Ogun for extortion, illegal possession of firearms
Troops neutralise key Boko Haram commanders in Bama airstrikes
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