Vigilantes Foil Kidnapping Attempt in Kogi, Arrest Suspect

By: Zagazola Makama

A group of local vigilantes in Abugi, Kogi State, successfully foiled a suspected kidnapping attempt, leading to the arrest of one suspect while others remain at large.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the vigilantes had received intelligence on March 19 at about 9:00 p.m. that ten motorcycles, each carrying two riders, were moving suspiciously along Abugi Road.

Acting swiftly, Mohammed Baba Gimba, a vigilante leader from Bebu Village, mobilized his team and set up a blockade. During the operation, the team spotted a Honda motorcycle carrying two men, one of whom was armed with a rifle.

On sighting the vigilantes, the suspects diverted into Abugi Zango Market, abandoned their motorcycle, and fled on foot. Sensing an opportunity to lure the criminals out, the vigilantes set a trap using the abandoned motorcycle. By 10:30 a.m. the next day, a man identified as Sanda Mohammed from a Fulani camp in Dobo arrived at the scene, attempting to retrieve the motorcycle.

He was immediately apprehended and handed over to the Police.

Vigilantes Foil Kidnapping Attempt in Kogi, Arrest Suspect

Armed Groups Attack Zamfara Communities, Kill Several, Rustle Cattle

By: Zagazola Makama

Several people have been killed, others injured, and many displaced following a series of violent attacks on communities in Zamfara State between March 20 and 21, 2025.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that three attacks, suspected to be carried out by both armed bandits affected villages in Talata-Mafara, Bukkuyum, and Kaura-Namoda Local Government Areas (LGAs).

In Tudun-Biri village, Talata-Mafara LGA, suspected bandits stormed a Fulani settlement around 10:30 a.m. on March 20, setting houses on fire. The attack left one person dead, while several others fled their homes.

Witnesses said the assailants arrived in large numbers, torching huts and destroying properties, leaving the community in chaos. Many of the displaced residents are now seeking refuge in nearby villages.

Gunmen Raid CJTF Camp in Bukkuyum

Later in the evening, around 6:32 p.m., a heavily armed group attempted to overrun a Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) camp in Gurusu, Bukkuyum LGA. The vigilantes engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle, successfully repelling them after an intense exchange of gunfire.

Despite their resistance, three CJTF operatives and three community members lost their lives, while one CJTF member was abducted by the attackers. Additionally, four others sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed to a local medical facility for treatment. Sources in the area reported that the attackers retreated into the forest after suffering losses, but tensions remain high.

In another midnight attack on March 21, gunmen stormed Gidan Fulani village in Kaura-Namoda LGA, rustling an unspecified number of cattle before fleeing. Residents say the attackers fired warning shots to scare the villagers before making away with the livestock.

Security sources indicate that efforts are underway to track down the attackers and recover the stolen cattle. Authorities are monitoring the affected areas to prevent further violence, while local vigilante groups have stepped up patrols to protect vulnerable communities.

Armed Groups Attack Zamfara Communities, Kill Several, Rustle Cattle

Four Killed, four Injured as IED Explodes in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

At least four passengers were killed and four others injured when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detonated under a commercial vehicle in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State, the Borno State Police Command has confirmed.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on March 19, 2025, at about 2:30 p.m., when a Golf 3 vehicle driven by Wakil Fari was traveling from Kimba to Biu Town.

Upon reaching Sabon Garin Kimba Junction, the vehicle stepped on the IED, leading to a massive explosion that killed three female passengers and one male passenger on the spot.

Four other passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries and were immediately taken to General Hospital Biu for treatment. The corpses of the deceased were confirmed dead by doctors and deposited at the hospital mortuary before being released to their relatives.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the IED was planted by suspected ISWAP terrorists as against military deployment.

Military personnel have since secured the area, scanning for additional threats to ensure safe passage for road users.

Authorities have also launched community awareness campaigns on the risks of unexploded ordnance.

Four Killed, four Injured as IED Explodes in Borno