Attack on BIR Post in Bargaram Leaves One Soldier Dead, Five Wounded

By: Zagazola Makama

At least one soldier was killed and five others wounded during a night attack on a Battalion of the Rapid Intervention Brigade (BIR) post along the Cameroon-Nigeria border in Bargaram.

Zagazola learnt that the incident occurred between the night of Feb. 18 and the early hours of Feb. 19 at approximately 01:00 a.m., when armed assailants launched an assault on the military installation.

The attack resulted in the death of Private Second Class WAKOM Spkassa Barthélémy (Service No. T2024/53715), while five soldiers sustained injuries, including one reported in critical condition.

Security forces reportedly engaged the attackers, neutralizing five terrorists and recovering a significant cache of weapons and ammunition. Items seized include eight AK-47 rifles, a PKM machine gun, one anti-personnel rocket, two anti-tank rockets, a grenade launcher, 11 AK-47 magazine boxes, 242 rounds of 7.62 x 54 mm ammunition, 121 rounds of 7.62 x 39 mm ammunition, a motorcycle, and a camera.

The wounded soldiers were evacuated to the District Hospital of Mada for medical treatment, while the body of the fallen soldier was transferred to the mortuary of the Regional Hospital of Maroua.

Authorities have been urged intensified security measures along the border region to prevent further attacks and maintain operational readiness.

Attack on BIR Post in Bargaram Leaves One Soldier Dead, Five Wounded

Nigerian Army decimates bandits, rescues captives in Niger State

By: Zagazola Makama

The Nigerian Army has successfully neutralised armed bandits and rescued numerous captives in a recent operation across Eriya and A’ure communities of Mariga Local Government Area, as well as border areas of Magama LGA in Niger State.

According to sources, the operation targeted bandits who had migrated from the Ibbi–Zugurma sector of Kainji National Park. While relocating from their former camp in Ibbi Forest, the criminals reportedly attacked civilians along their route, killing some and abducting others, while transporting previously kidnapped victims.

Troops from Warari Forward Operating Base (FOB) and Gulbin Boka FOB, Kontagora Barracks, engaged the criminals in a series of coordinated assaults, neutralising a significant number of terrorists. Several fleeing bandits sustained gunshot injuries, diminishing their capacity to regroup or carry out further attacks.

The operation also led to the successful rescue of men, women, and children who had been held in captivity. Military officials described the intervention as a demonstration of superiority, discipline, and unwavering commitment to protecting innocent lives.

The military sources lauded the bravery and professionalism of the troops, highlighting their contribution to restoring peace and confidence in the affected communities.

Efforts to sustain operational pressure on bandits in the region continue, with the sources urging communities to cooperate with security agencies to ensure lasting peace and stability.

Nigerian Army decimates bandits, rescues captives in Niger State

JUDGE’S INTERVENTION SAVES IGP EGBETOKUN FROM COMMITTAL TO KUJE PRISON

By: Michael Mike

The committal proceedings instituted against the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun by Mrs Nnena Anozie, the traumatized and frustrated wife of abducted and missing Mr. John Anozie came up for hearing on Tuesday, the 17th February 2025 before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

At the beginning of the proceedings, Mrs Anozie’s Counsel, Vincent Adodo, recounted the facts of the case from the abduction of Mr. John Anozie from his Lekki Lagos residence on 15th June 2017 by police officers from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Akwuzu, Anambra State, two separate orders made by the Anambra State High Court directed at the Police to charge Mr. Anozie to court or release him unconditionally, and another directing the police to release his corpse for burial following the claim by the police that Mr. Anozie had died in their custody.

Following an investigation conducted by the IGP X-Squad of the Police Force Headquarters based on a petition presented by Mrs Anozie in 2018, the investigation report indicted four officers in the crime whose names are: ASP Anthony Ikechukwu Obiozor, Sgt. Emeana Uzozhukwu, SP. Sunday Okpe, John Eze and Oriole all from SARS, Akwuzu, Anambra State.

Investigation also revealed that the named officers made heavy withdrawals from Mr. Anozie’s bank account just about 4 days after his abduction.

Despite the issuance of a legal opinion by the then Commissioner of Police in Charge of Legal, CP Tuesday Emienbo recommending the named officers for dismissal from service, arraignment and prosecution, nothing was done to bring the culprits to justice. Another petition written in 2023 by Falana and Falana Chambers led to the re-opening of investigation in the matter which was led by one Chinedu from the IGP-Monitoring Unit.

The refusal of the police authorities to arraign and prosecute the culpable officers despite the avalanche of evidence indicting them in Mr. Anozie’s disappearance prompted Mrs Anozie to request under the Freedom of Information Act 2011 for the certified true copies of the two investigation reports and the legal opinion of Mr Emienbo and for same to be forwarded to the office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation. The request also included a demand to the IGP to handover the officers to the AGF for prosecution. The police authorities failed to honour the request, further prompting the institution of an action before the Federal High Court under the Freedom of Information Act in SUIT NO: FHC/ABJ/CS/865/2025: Mrs Nnena Anozie v. Inspector General of Police to compel the release of the case files and the officers for prosecution.

On 24th September 2025, the Federal High Court, Abuja presided over by Hon. Justice B.F.M. Nyako delivered judgement in the case ordering the IGP to, among others, release the investigation reports and legal opinion to Mrs Anozie and the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation while also awarding the sum of #2,000,000.00 as damages against the police.

Despite service of the judgment with Form 48 on him, the IGP failed to obey the judgment, prompting the service on him of form 49 and subsequently a motion to commit the IGP to Kuje prison for contempt.

At the proceedings on Tuesday, the 17th February 2026, Stanley Nwodo appearing for the IGP informed the court of the receipt of the judgment and that he filed a counter Affidavit to the committal motion. The presiding Judge, Justice Nyako after listening to Mrs Anozie’s story offered to intervene in the matter with a view to obtaining a lasting result on the case. Consequently, the court adjourned the contempt proceedings to the 23rd April 2026 for hearing.

JUDGE’S INTERVENTION SAVES IGP EGBETOKUN FROM COMMITTAL TO KUJE PRISON