Renewed ISWAP–Boko Haram faction clash leaves dozens dead in Abadam, Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Dozens of fighters were killed on both sides on Tuesday following a renewed violent encounter between the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and elements of the Bukura faction loyal to Abu Umaima along the Lake Chad Basin axis of Abadam Local Government Area of Borno.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the clash broke out between 6:00 a.m. and about 10:15 a.m. around Dogon Chiku Buhari village, a border settlement in Abadam LGA, barely one kilometre from the Nigeria–Niger frontier.

The sources said the Bukura faction fighters, believed to be operating from settlements around the Lake Chad Basin on the Niger Republic side, engaged ISWAP elements resident on the Nigerian side of the border.

“The fighting took place around Dogon Chiku Buhari, east of Tubum Mota and the Bosso–Diffa axis in Niger Republic. It lasted several hours and resulted in heavy casualties on both sides,” a source said.

Tubum Mota village, is located east of Malam Fatori, about 19 kilometres from the town, which has remained a flashpoint for rival extremist groups.

The renewed violence is rooted in longstanding rivalries within the jihadist ecosystem. ISWAP has sought to consolidate authority across the basin by absorbing or eliminating splinter groups, while the Bukura/Abu Umaima faction has resisted subordination, relying on cross-border mobility and local alliances.

The border’s porous nature allows fighters to shift bases quickly, complicating counterterrorism operations by Nigerian and MNJTF forces.

Renewed ISWAP–Boko Haram faction clash leaves dozens dead in Abadam, Borno

Police arrest four Liberians over alleged visa fraud in Lagos

By: Zagazola Makama

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested four Liberian nationals over an alleged visa fraud case in Ikorodu area of the state.

According to security sources, police received information at about 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 20 that some Liberian nationals were engaged in a serious dispute at their base in the Mowonla area of Ikorodu.

“Based on the report, a team of police personnel was immediately mobilised to the scene. On arrival, four Liberian nationals were arrested and brought to the station for investigation,” the sources said.

The suspects were identified as Rebecca Mollie, 30; Joseph Brisbane, 45; Bility Famba, 35; and Reina Kartec, 24.

During interrogation, Mollie alleged that in August 2025, one Patrick Charman, a 47-year-old Liberian national, lured her from Liberia to Nigeria on the pretext that he was based in Australia and could facilitate her travel from Nigeria to Australia.

She said Charman demanded and collected 1,500 dollars from her for visa arrangements.

Mollie further alleged that upon arrival in Nigeria, she was received by another Liberian national, Naomi Koso, 36, who collected an additional 1,290 dollars from her for continued visa processing.

“The complainant stated that she later realised she had been defrauded and demanded a refund of her money to enable her return to Liberia,” the security sources added.

The police said the four suspects are currently being detained, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend Patrick Charman and Naomi Koso.

Investigation into the case is in progress, the sources said.

Police arrest four Liberians over alleged visa fraud in Lagos

Bandits ambush joint security team in Zamfara, officials trapped

By: Zagazola Makama

Suspected armed bandits on Monday ambushed a joint security team, including the Chairman of Tsafe Local Government Area, along the Kunchin Kalgo–Danjibga road in Tsafe LGA of Zamfara State, the police have said.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 20.

According to the sources, the joint team was travelling to Danjibga to reunite some villagers from the Keta area who had recently regained their freedom from their abductors when the attack occurred.

The suspected bandits, who appeared to have had prior knowledge of the movement of the team, laid an ambush along the route.

The sources added that following the attack, the local government chairman and members of his entourage were trapped in Danjibga, with some persons feared kidnapped, while some vehicles were believed to have been set ablaze.

The sources said reinforcements had been dispatched to the area to secure the release of those trapped and restore normalcy.

Efforts are ongoing to ascertain the full extent of the incident, while security forces have intensified operations in the area, the sources added.

Bandits ambush joint security team in Zamfara, officials trapped