Police arrest own inspector, brother over alleged attack and forceful seizure of corpse in Benue

By: Zagazola Makama

The Police have arrested a serving officer, Insp. Ogbu Clement, and his elder brother, Isawa Ogbu, for allegedly leading over 50 youths to seize a corpse and attack residents of two communities in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

Dr. Pius Onwe Odengle, a staff of Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, reported the incident to the Otukpo Division, stating that on Nov. 28, at about 11:00 a.m., he was conveying the body of his late mother, Mama Lucy Inogwanya, from Makurdi to Ogyoma Village for burial.

He alleged that on reaching the Ogyoma Village junction, Insp. Ogbu Clement, attached to Zone 7 Headquarters, Abuja, accompanied by more than 50 youths from Adim Village, blocked the highway, damaged a Benue State Civil Protection Guard vehicle, seized the corpse, and went on to bury it in Adim Village, claiming the deceased was his aunty.

According to the sources , at about 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, the inspector and his brother again mobilised youths from Adim Village to Ogyoma, where they allegedly attacked villagers, destroyed over 500 plastic chairs, smashed windows and doors, and inflicted varying degrees of injuries on several residents.

Police authorities said the Divisional Police Officer, Otukpo, mobilised patrol teams alongside troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, NSCDC Agro-Rangers, and the Benue State Civil Protection Guard to the scene.

Photographs were taken, and the injured victims were rushed to hospital for treatment.

The police confirmed that Insp. Ogbu Clement and his brother have been arrested, while further investigations are ongoing.

Police arrest own inspector, brother over alleged attack and forceful seizure of corpse in Benue

Naval personnel clash with staff at kubwa general hospital after colleague’s death

By: Zagazola Makama

Tension broke out late Saturday night at Kubwa General Hospital after some military personnel stormed the facility and accused hospital staff of negligence following the death of a naval officer.

Zagazola Makama report that preliminary findings revealed that a naval personnel who had been involved in an accident was rushed to the hospital but was later confirmed dead on arrival.

His colleagues, who arrived shortly afterwards, alleged that the medical staff failed to act promptly, leading to a confrontation.

In the ensuing commotion, a soldier reportedly smashed the glass window of the hospital reception with his fist.

Police operatives quickly intervened, de-escalated the situation, and persuaded the military personnel to leave the hospital premises.

Normal activities have since resumed at the facility, while further engagement with military authorities is ongoing to prevent a recurrence.

Naval personnel clash with staff at kubwa general hospital after colleague’s death

Niger republic Army convoy enters Nigeria illegally, later escorted back

Zagazola calls for Coordinated Nigeria-Niger Operations

By: Zagazola Makama

The recent incursion of Niger Republic military troops into Nigerian territory has renewed calls for closer diplomatic and security cooperation between Nigeria and Niger amid rising insecurity in the Sahel.

Security sources, told Zagazola Makama that a convoy of four Niger military gun trucks and a Toyota Jeep, led by CPT Salifou Mono, crossed into Mazanya Village, Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State on Saturday at about 2:00 p.m., firing sporadically upon entry. The convoy was heavily armed, causing panic among residents.

Joint Nigerian security Forces, including the troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA, police, DSS, and Civilian Joint Task Force, quickly traced the intruders and escorted them back to the Danmasani Border. The Nigerien commander later apologised for the unauthorized entry and pledged that such actions would not recur.

Zagazola said the illegal incursion pointed to the fragility of the Nigeria–Niger border corridor amid rising jihadist activity in the wider Sahel region. Although the Nigerian government has recently appointed ambassadors to strengthen diplomatic engagements with neighbouring countries, experts believe much more is required particularly in synchronising military operations along shared borders.

Zagazola noted that the active counter-terrorism operations on both sides, Nigeria’s Operation Farautar Bauchiya and Operation Fansan Yanma in the North-West, and Niger’s ongoing campaigns against ISGS, JNIM and other Al-Qaeda-linked networks, there is an urgent need for more structured and harmonised joint operations.

Zagazola warn that lack of coordination between the two countries’ forces could lead to civilian casualties, operational misunderstandings or unintended confrontations, as seen in the Mazanya incident.

Clearer communication lines, shared intelligence, and harmonised border operations are critical as Lakuwa Al-Qaeda and Islamic State affiliates, Boko Haram and ISWAP attempt to exploit poorly governed spaces stretching from southern Libya through Niger into the North-West region of Nigeria.

Zagazola insist that the two nations must urgently establish protocols for cross-border hot pursuit, joint patrols, and real-time information sharing to prevent mistaken incursions and strengthen the fight against terrorism.

With Nigeria and Niger facing similar security threats ranging from banditry to extremist infiltration, only a coordinated and organised approach can protect border communities and sustain regional stability.

He argue that Saturday’s incident should serve as a strong reminder that diplomacy and joint security cooperation are no longer optional, but essential tools for safeguarding both nations against the expanding networks of Sahelian insurgents.

Niger republic Army convoy enters Nigeria illegally, later escorted back