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Violent extremism, terrorism, biggest threat to ECOWAS subregion —Commandant, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre

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Violent extremism, terrorism, biggest threat to ECOWAS subregion —Commandant, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre

By: Michael Mike

The Commandant, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), Maj. Gen. Richard Gyane has described violent extremism and terrorism (VET) as the biggest threat to the ECOWAS subregion, Africa and humanity.

Gyane stated this in Abuja during a chat with journalists during a mobile training course on women, youth, and VET, organized by KAIPTC on Wednesday.

The Commandant said that the security challenges in West Africa had informed KAIPTC’s decision to organize the capacity building for women and youth to build their resilience to tackle terrorism.

He said that the training, organized in collaboration with the Norwegian Government, would empower women and youth with the requisite knowledge about terrorists’ operations and build their resilience against VET threats.

Gyane said: “If you look at our subregion now, violent extremism is a big threat to us; If you look at the Sahel nations, most of these countries are virtually taken over by violent groups.

“If you look at Nigeria and the Boko Haram group, and the movement of these groups southwards, it is worrisome.

“Why are we particular about women and youth? They become vulnerable. These are the most vulnerable groups in our society, who are subject to radicalization by VETs.

“The aim is to engage these women and youth especially and let them understand the issues, the recruitment and all that about these groups who want to destroy our humanity within the subregion,” he said.

He noted that KAIPTC engages and empowers women and youth through its training programs because when people are empowered, it becomes difficult for VET groups, whose aim is to radicalize the people and take over their countries, to do so.

He however noted that no country could tackle VET alone, and stressed the need for collaboration among all stakeholders beyond the security space in order to curb VET’s surging scourge in West Africa and Africa at large.

Gyane said that, given the porous borders of ECOWAS countries, and the need for them to cooperate and share intelligence, ECOWAS member states should do everything possible to bring on board Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, who are threatening to quit the bloc.

“It is not good for the subregion to have a divided front, and I think whatever we need to do to bring on board these countries, who want to separate themselves from the subregion, is very necessary.

“ECOWAS has done well in certain areas, especially the free movement of persons protocol and I think within the continent of Africa, ECOWAS has done so well.

“But I think we need to collaborate more beyond even the security space. I would want to see us one day using the same currency and all that.

“We should work more as one homogeneous subregion to ensure that people should be free to live and work wherever they are and do business.

“When we do that, it can help us to control violent extremism and terrorism,” Gyane added.

Violent extremism, terrorism, biggest threat to ECOWAS subregion —Commandant, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre

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Troops Eliminate Notorious Bandit Leader Kachalla Bello Kaura in Zamfara

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Troops Eliminate Notorious Bandit Leader Kachalla Bello Kaura in Zamfara

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA ave neutralised a notorious bandit leader, Kachalla Bello Kaura, in a successful operation carried out in Goburawar Dawan Jiya village, located in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Reliable intelligence sources, told Zagazola Makama that the operation occurred during the weeklong offensive campaign resulting in the death of Kaura and several of his fighters during a tactical raid on their hideout.

Zagazola understand that Kachalla Bello Kaura was identified as a key terror figure responsible for numerous deadly attacks across Zamfara, Kebbi, and Sokoto States.

He was also linked to the terror group Ansaruddin, and was believed to have facilitated the group’s incursion into Bagega Forest and the Gando Game Reserve, where he reportedly received training in the assembly and use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Born in Sunke village in Anka LGA, Kaura was the younger brother of late Kachalla Alhaji Shadari, another infamous bandit kingpin who was eliminated by security forces in January 2023 during an operation in the Sunke Forest.

Following Shadari’s death, Kaura assumed leadership of the group and continued to orchestrate violent attacks, particularly in Anka, Bukkuyum, and Gummi LGAs of Zamfara State. He was also responsible for cross-border assaults in parts of Kebbi and Sokoto States, often attributed to Lakurawa by security agencies.

Security sources confirm that the operation was carried out after weeks of surveillance and coordinated intelligence efforts, resulting in a significant blow.

Authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining pressure on terror and bandit networks in the North West zone and called on residents to continue providing credible intelligence to support ongoing military and security operations.

Troops Eliminate Notorious Bandit Leader Kachalla Bello Kaura in Zamfara

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Troops Launch Operation Munzo, Neutralize Terror Kingpin Mati, Several FightersAnd Recover Weapons in Zamfara

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Troops Launch Operation Munzo, Neutralize Terror Kingpin Mati, Several Fighters
And Recover Weapons in Zamfara

By: Zagazola Makama

The Troops under the Headquarters Operation Forest Yakin (HQOPFY) have commenced “Operation Munzo,” a special clearance operation targeting terrorist camps in Zamfara State.

Zagazola Makama gathered from intelligence sources that the operation kicked off from Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bagega in Anka Local Government Area, with troops advancing through Tibuki and Sabuwar Tunga villages to the notorious Mati terrorist camps.

The sources said heavy resistance was encountered as the terrorists engaged the advancing troops with light and support weapons, including rocket-propelled grenades. However, the troops responded with superior firepower, neutralising scores of the insurgents in the process.

Intercepts suggest that the terror kingpin known as Mati, believed to be the mastermind of several attacks in the area, was killed along with several of his fighters during the fierce exchange.

A soldier attached to the Special Boat Service (SBS) sustained a gunshot wound to the lower rib and has since been stabilised and evacuated for treatment.

Items recovered from the scene include one PKT rifle with two belts and 90 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, five AK-47 rifles, and 12 magazines containing 487 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

Also recovered were three Baofeng radios with chargers, military and police uniforms, and other combat gear. Three motorcycles belonging to the terrorists were destroyed on site, while rustled cattle found at the camp were also eliminated.

All terrorist life-support structures in the Mati camp were completely burnt and destroyed during the operation. However, two tyres of a combat support vehicle were damaged, and another vehicle sustained a broken lower arm.

In a separate movement, logistics vehicles advancing from FOB Bagega to FOB Dan Gulbi at about 9:15 a.m. came under ambush near a bridge. The troops promptly repelled the attack.

While casualty figures on the side of the attackers remain unconfirmed, one soldier sustained injuries and is reported to be in stable condition.

“Operation Munzo” is expected to continue in the coming days as troops intensify efforts to dismantle terrorist enclaves across Zamfara’s forested zones.

Troops Launch Operation Munzo, Neutralize Terror Kingpin Mati, Several Fighters
And Recover Weapons in Zamfara

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Military and Civilian Joint Task Force Ambushed by Armed Bandits, Two Bandits Killed, Several Injured

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Military and Civilian Joint Task Force Ambushed by Armed Bandits, Two Bandits Killed, Several Injured

By: Zagazola Makama

A team from Operation Fansar Yamma (OPFY), alongside members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CPG), came under heavy gunfire on April 6, 2025, as they responded to a distress call along the Doka-Agama Lafia Road in Tsafe Local Government Area.

The military personnel and CPG members were ambushed by unknown armed bandits, resulting in a fierce gun battle.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that two armed bandits were shot dead during the engagement.

However, three military personnel and one CPG member sustained gunshot injuries. The injured victims were swiftly evacuated to the General Hospital Tsafe for medical treatment.

Military and Civilian Joint Task Force Ambushed by Armed Bandits, Two Bandits Killed, Several Injured

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