Troops gun down kidnapper, recover locally fabricated rifle made in Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 6, Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP), have neutralised a suspected kidnapper during a gun battle with a group of kidnappers at Angwan Boka in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The troops, who were deployed in the area, engaged the suspected kidnappers at about 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, following a report of their activities in the area.

During the encounter, the troops brought their superior firepower to bear, neutralising one of the kidnappers, while others fled into the surrounding area.

The troops subsequently exploited the area and recovered one locally fabricated AK-47 rifle loaded with six rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that troops are currently conducting clearance operations in the area to track down and neutralise other fleeing members of the kidnapping gang.

The operation is part of ongoing efforts by troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE to disrupt criminal activities and improve security across Plateau State.

Troops gun down kidnapper, recover locally fabricated rifle made in Plateau

Mailantarki table tennis camp opens in Abuja

The highly anticipated high-performance table tennis training camp has officially commenced in Abuja, featuring six carefully selected young talents. The intensive program is being spearheaded by certified International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) High-Performance Coach, Nasiru Bello, who has taken charge of preparing these rising stars for upcoming international championships.

This is contained in a press statement issued to journalists by Mr Adamu Usman Ahmed, Mailantarki’s media aide.

The highly organized camp, fully sponsored by the NTTF Vice President, Honourable Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki, further underscores his unwavering commitment, passion, and continuous philanthropic gestures toward sports development in Northern Nigeria and the country at large.

Speaking on the opening day of the camp on Tuesday, Hon. Mailantarki expressed absolute confidence that the veteran coach will equip the players with the elite skills required to compete successfully on the global stage.

“I am deeply delighted to get this camping exercise underway in order to prepare our young talents to attain the highest level of the game,” Hon. Mailantarki stated.

“The choice of Coach Nasiru Bello, who happens to be the former NTTF Technical Director, will massively benefit these players. He has exactly what it takes to ensure they are fully prepared for international championships when the opportunity arises.”

The NTTF Vice President also hinted at massive plans for the future, adding; “We are just starting, we still have other developmental programs in the pipeline across various zones in the country.”

The high-performance camp which is well attended by young upcoming global stars Mathew Fabunmi, Mustapha mukhtar, Joseph Marvelous, Dominion Joseph, Joseph victor and Harison Jacob, is scheduled to run for one week, concluding with a grand closing and award ceremony on Monday, 14th September 2026.

Mailantarki table tennis camp opens in Abuja

Nigeria Condemns Fresh Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has condemned the latest attacks by Houthi forces in Yemen on Saudi Arabia, warning that the renewed hostilities pose a grave threat to regional stability and could further endanger civilians and disrupt global energy supplies.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, said the attacks, which occurred on Monday, September 7, 2026, injured scores of civilians and damaged civil infrastructure in the Kingdom.

Nigeria described the development as a serious threat to the security and sovereignty of Saudi Arabia, as well as a potential source of wider instability across the Middle East.

The government urged all parties involved in the conflict to respect international law and exercise maximum restraint, stressing that further military actions could worsen the situation and place more civilian lives at risk.

Nigeria also warned against actions capable of disrupting the flow of global energy supplies, highlighting the wider economic consequences that prolonged instability in the Middle East could have on countries dependent on the region for energy.

The latest attacks come against the backdrop of the protracted conflict in Yemen involving the Iran-aligned Houthi movement and forces supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government.

The Houthis, formally known as Ansar Allah, seized control of Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, in 2014, triggering a wider conflict that drew in Saudi Arabia and a coalition of Arab states. Saudi Arabia subsequently led a military intervention in Yemen in 2015 in support of the Yemeni government.

The conflict has since developed into one of the Middle East’s most complex security crises, with repeated missile and drone attacks by the Houthis targeting Saudi territory at various points during the conflict.

Although Saudi Arabia and the Houthis have pursued dialogue and de-escalation efforts in recent years, tensions in and around Yemen have remained closely linked to broader regional conflicts and security developments.

The Houthis have also emerged as a significant actor in regional maritime security, particularly following attacks launched against commercial shipping in the Red Sea amid the wider Middle East crisis. The developments have raised concerns over international trade, shipping routes and energy supplies.

Against this background, Nigeria urged all sides to avoid steps that could trigger further escalation.

The Federal Government said renewed violence could undermine ongoing efforts to promote peace and stability in the region while exposing more civilians and critical infrastructure to danger.

Nigeria expressed solidarity with the government and people of Saudi Arabia and wished those injured in the attacks a speedy recovery.

The government also reiterated its commitment to supporting peace processes and conciliatory frameworks capable of promoting regional peace, international security and stability.

It stressed that diplomatic efforts remain essential to preventing further escalation and creating conditions for lasting peace, shared prosperity and development in the Middle East.

Nigeria Condemns Fresh Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia