Freed Kidnap Victims Reveal Terrorist Losses, Camps in Rijana Forest After Interception by Troops

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY) have intercepted five recently released kidnap victims in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, whose accounts provided fresh intelligence on terrorist activities and the structure of armed groups operating in the Rijana Forest.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the victims were intercepted at about 2:00 p.m. on July 16 by troops of 1 Division Sub-Sector 5 deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Kajuru.

During preliminary debriefing, the victims disclosed that they had been held captive by a 34-member terrorist group operating from the Rijana Forest.

According to the victims, the group suffered heavy losses following an ambush by troops at Gwantu Village on July 8, during which 12 terrorists, including their leader identified as Doro, were reportedly neutralised.

The victims further revealed that, despite the setback, several other terrorist groups remain active within the Rijana Forest axis.

They identified three additional armed groups, each comprising an estimated 25 to 40 fighters, allegedly led by commanders identified as Mato, Hassan, and others.

Security sources said the intelligence provided by the rescued victims is being analysed and will support ongoing operations aimed at dismantling terrorist enclaves and restoring security across the Kajuru–Rijana corridor.

The victims have since been taken to a secure location for further debriefing and necessary medical and psychosocial support, while troops continue clearance operations in the area to track down the remaining terrorist groups.

Freed Kidnap Victims Reveal Terrorist Losses, Camps in Rijana Forest After Interception by Troops

DSS Rescues Abducted Nasarawa University Dean, Arrests Two Suspects

By Zagazola Makama

The Department of State Services (DSS) has rescued the abducted Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), Professor Samuel Okunsebor, less than 48 hours after he was kidnapped by armed men in Nasarawa State.

Zagazola Makama gathered that Prof. Okunsebor was abducted at about midnight on Wednesday at Mile Uku, a boundary community between Lafia and Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Areas, after gunmen invaded the area and whisked him away to an unknown destination.

Security sources disclosed that following intelligence-driven operations and sustained surveillance, DSS operatives successfully located and rescued the professor at about 3:00 p.m. on Friday without harm.

Following the operation, the DSS formally handed over the rescued academic to his family members in the presence of senior officials of the university, including the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kitso Ngbargu.

The professor was subsequently taken to the Federal University of Lafia Teaching Hospital for medical evaluation and routine medical checks after spending nearly two days in captivity.

Reacting to the development, the management of Nasarawa State University expressed profound appreciation to the DSS for what it described as a swift, professional and successful rescue operation.

A senior university official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the institution was deeply grateful to the security agency for working tirelessly to secure the dean’s freedom.

“The university is greatly indebted to the DSS for working round the clock to ensure the timely rescue of our amiable Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture,” the official said.

The official further disclosed that two suspects, identified as a man and a woman, have been arrested in connection with the abduction and are currently in DSS custody.

“We understand that the DSS have in their custody two of the persons behind the kidnap of our dear professor. Given how the DSS has been meticulously prosecuting suspects in courts, we have little doubt that both suspects will soon have their day in court,” the official added.

Security sources said investigations are ongoing to unravel the full kidnapping network and determine the roles played by the arrested suspects, while efforts have been intensified to apprehend other members of the criminal syndicate who remain at large.

The successful rescue has been hailed by residents and members of the university community as a major breakthrough in the fight against kidnapping in Nasarawa State, with many commending the DSS for its intelligence-led response and professionalism throughout the operation.

DSS Rescues Abducted Nasarawa University Dean, Arrests Two Suspects

Zulum Meets UN, British, EU, U.S. and Swiss Diplomats

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, on Friday, met with United Nations Resident Coordinator, senior diplomats and development partners behind closed doors at the British High Commission in Abuja.

The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mohamed Malick Fall, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery; the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot; the Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, Patrick Egloff; and the Chargé d’Affaires of the United States Embassy, Keith Heffern, attended the high-level meeting.

The strategic engagement was part of an ongoing effort by the Borno State Government and key international partners to strengthen the region’s recovery, stabilization, and long-term development.

Two senior officials from the British High Commission, Abigail Wood, First Secretary (Humanitarian), and Steven Robinson, First Secretary (Lake Chad Basin) also attended the meeting.

Governor Zulum has consistently worked with the United Nations and Nigeria’s international partners to support the state’s post-conflict recovery agenda, which focuses on rebuilding communities, increasing access to education and healthcare, restoring livelihoods, and consolidating peace across conflict-affected areas.

The Governor was accompanied by the acting Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr. Babagana Mustapha Malumbe and Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Professor Baba Malam Gana.

Zulum Meets UN, British, EU, U.S. and Swiss Diplomats