Metro
Kaduna Gov’t Confirms Killing Of Wanted Terrorist Leader Boderi
In a heart-warming development and stemming from consistent support to security forces by Kaduna State governor, Senator Uba Sani, a major breakthrough has been recorded in Nigeria’s fight against banditry and terrorism in the North-West and North-Central parts of the country.
The notorious bandit, insurgent and ruthless killer, Boderi Isyaku, has been neutralised in a gun duel alongside some of his fighters, by troops of the Nigerian Army, around Bada/Riyawa general areas of Chikun and Igabi LGAs of Kaduna State.
A statement titled, ‘Target Acquired, Justice Served: Boderi Falls To Security Forces’, signed by the Overseeing Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, on Thursday afternoon, said this feat was confirmed to the Kaduna State Government by security forces carrying out internal security operations and diligent checks from human intelligence sources.
“Boderi, as he was simply known, had for nearly a decade propagated a reign of fear, death and destruction in Kaduna State and neighboring Niger State, with a trademark of brutal attacks, mass abductions and cruel, relentless killing. His elimination comes as the culmination of tireless efforts by dedicated troops committed to restoring peace and security in the region. The General Officer Commanding, 1 Division, Nigerian Army (and Force Commander, Operation Whirl Punch) Major General VU Okoro, coordinated the operation through meticulous planning and intelligence.
“The troops on Wednesday night, came in contact with Boderi and his fighters around Bada general area of Chikun LGA. Despite the terrorists’ well-fortified position, the troops laid a successful ambush. Boderi and his associates walked into the trap, and were cornered,” he said.
Aruwan added that in the ensuing confrontation, Boderi chose to resist the troops and engaged them in a fierce firefight.
“He was ultimately subdued, and his reign of terror ended in a burst of bullets and eternal ignominy. Two of his associates were likewise neutralized. After the operation, the troops recovered two AK47 rifles, 300 rounds of ammunition, nine AK47 magazines, one magazine carrier, one Baofeng radio set and five motorcycles.
“The elimination of Boderi Isyaku, as a notable milestone in the ongoing fight against terrorism and banditry, demonstrates the effectiveness of determined and coordinated efforts by security forces in confronting those who seek to spread fear and chaos.
“Boderi, known for his ruthlessness and cunning, had long eluded the grasp of security forces, while orchestrating the kidnappings of prominent figures, innocent civilians, school children and students with impunity. His activities not only caused untold pain to thousands of victims and families, but also posed a stiff challenge to law enforcement agents, who, at various times were only a whisker away from apprehending this menace.
“Boderi was involved in a range of deadly attacks spanning Sabon Birni, Rigasa, Buruku, Gwagwada, Rijana and Kateri general areas, the Kaduna-Abuja Road, the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road, as well as Shiroro, Alawa, and Mangoro general areas of neighbouring Niger State. His activities included vast and elaborate operations in cattle rustling and gunrunning.
He was also known to have built a close rapport with terrorist groups, collaborating with them towards establishing footholds in these areas. Recent intelligence reports revealed his plans to attack a school in his sphere of operation. Those plans have been thankfully truncated.
“It was Boderi who plotted and executed the 11th March 2021 abduction of 39 students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka, Igabi LGA. This high-profile kidnapping generated shock waves and massive panic around the country, as dozens of young students were whisked away and their families left to deal with unimaginable turmoil.
“On the 24th of August 2021, Boderi masterminded another deadly attack, this time on the Afaka campus of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Igabi LGA. Two officers were killed and another abducted. Weeks later, on 14th September 2021, Boderi led his gang of bandits in the kidnapping of the Emir of Bungudu, Alhaji Hassan Atto, around Dutse village, Chikun LGA. The Emir’s Police Detail was killed.
“These are a few highlights in the profile of a mindless monster, fueled by undiluted hate and evil, veiled underneath an apparently harmless, innocent and youthful exterior. Without a doubt, this baby-faced terror was one of the most dangerous individuals in the country, single-handedly tearing apart the lives of entire communities across several states,” he stated.
Receiving the report, Governor Sani expressed his elation at the development, which he described as a pointer to the bravery and professionalism of the troops involved.
The governor commended Major General Okoro, for his stellar leadership, and praised the troops for their assertive victory. Governor Sani went on to assure security forces in Kaduna State of his unflinching support and readiness to sustain cooperation, towards the successful achievement of their objectives.
The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the death of a police inspector, Jido Ahmed, attached to 61 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Kontagora, following his involvement in an alleged armed robbery.
In a statement released in Minna on Friday, the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, revealed that the late inspector and an accomplice, who is currently at large, had attacked a filling station behind the BCG Motor Park in Kontagora
The inspector died on Thursday at the police clinic in Minna from gunshot injuries sustained during a confrontation with a police patrol team from ‘A’ Division in Kontagora.
During the operation, they reportedly shot the station attendant after robbing him of an undisclosed amount of money.
“It was reported that the two suspected robbers used a motorcycle, went to the filling station, robbed an attendant, and shot the victim in the chest,” the statement read.
Consequently, Abiodun disclosed that the police patrol team from ‘A’ Division, Kontagora, immediately mobilised to the scene. They pursued the alleged robbers to the Dadin Kowa area of Kontagora, where a gun duel ensued.
“Fortunately, one of the robbers was shot in the leg, disarmed, and later identified as one Inspector Jido Ahmed attached to 61 PMF Kontagora. He was taken to General Hospital, Kontagora, for medical attention and later transferred to the Police Clinic, Minna,” Abiodun added.
The command further noted that the inspector was confirmed dead on Friday. “Further investigation into the unfortunate incident is ongoing, and effort to arrest the fleeing suspect is intensified,” the PPRO stated.
The Benue State Police Command says that two abducted passengers from a commercial bus earlier this week have managed to escape their captors, while efforts intensify to rescue the remaining passengers.
About 14 candidates travelling to Otukpo for their examination centres in the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) were abducted.
According to a statement issued by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Udeme Edet, on Friday, investigations revealed that the vehicle involved was a Toyota Hiace bus with registration number BGT 234 S4 belonging to Benue Links Limited.
Police also confirmed that one suspect has been arrested in connection with the incident.
However, Edet disclosed the driver reportedly violated company policy by embarking on an unauthorised late-night journey.
The driver is said to have picked up passengers randomly along the route without issuing a formal manifest, contrary to standard operating procedures.
Initial reports suggesting that all passengers were students travelling for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) have also been clarified as inaccurate.
She also said security operatives have since launched a coordinated operation to locate and rescue the remaining victims.
“The Command has deployed several tactical teams, including the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, and is working with other sister agencies to track down the perpetrators and ensure the safe return of the victims,” the statement said.
Authorities have assured the public that the situation is being closely monitored and that efforts are ongoing to bring all those responsible to justice.
Driver Undergoing Interrogation
The incident took place between 7–8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15, along the Benue Burnt Bricks in Otukpo, Otukpo Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State.
Conflicting figures emerged regarding the number of victims.
While some sources gave estimates that about 17 passengers were abducted, the police confirmed 14, noting that one individual managed to escape at the time of the attack.
According to sources, the assailants waylaid the bus and robbed the occupants of their belongings before whisking them away into the bush.
An eyewitness, who spoke to journalists on the condition of anonymity, said the Benue Links bus, which was conveying about 18 passengers, ran into the kidnappers at about 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday night.
“The passengers were mainly young persons heading to Otukpo to sit for the JAMB examination scheduled for Thursday.
“Two people, the driver and one passenger, managed to escape. Incidentally, the passengers were mainly young men and women who travelled to sit for the JAMB examination scheduled for today (Thursday),” he said.
When contacted, the General Manager of Benue Links, Mr Alexander Fanafa, confirmed the incident, noting that the driver of the bus is presently undergoing interrogation at the police station in Otukpo for violating the company’s safety policy not to travel beyond 6:00 p.m.
He said, “As I speak with you, the driver has been arrested and is under investigation for travelling against company directive. I have warned all drivers to stop night journeys, as they would be held as first suspects if anything unfortunate happens.”
The General Manager further stated that the driver took his vehicle and loaded the passengers who were heading to Otukpo after official hours when the park manager, Mr Amedu, had closed, and ran into trouble, so he has been arrested.
The Executive Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Council, Prince Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the incident, saying that it occurred between 7 and 8 p.m. on Wednesday.
Leadership Failure
Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, on Friday, criticised the nation’s security priorities, describing the incident as a reflection of deepening insecurity and a failure of leadership.
Obi accused authorities of prioritising electoral interests over citizens’ safety.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain said the abduction of the students was both “heartbreaking” and indicative of a systemic breakdown in governance.
“The news of the abduction of innocent UTME candidates in Benue State is not just heartbreaking but a damning indictment of the failure of leadership and the collapse of security in our nation,” he said.
He further lamented the impact of insecurity on education, noting Nigeria’s already low rate of tertiary education attainment compared to peer countries.
“Young Nigerians striving for an education are being met with terror. In a country where the share of tertiary graduates is already painfully low (about 1%), which is far below peers like Indonesia (about 13%) and South Africa (around 10%). This is unacceptable. We cannot afford to lose even one more student to violence,” he said.
“Those entrusted with protecting these young students appear increasingly preoccupied with the next election, projecting strength and power to rig elections, rather than deploying that same power and agencies to secure our roads, prevent these crimes, and rescue the abducted children who should not be in the hands of criminals but in examination halls.”
The ex-presidential candidate warned that the incident reflects a broader national emergency.
“This is no longer an isolated tragedy. It is a pattern. It is a national crisis. And it demands urgent, decisive, and responsible action, not excuses, not silence, but leadership that matches the scale of the emergency this deserves. A nation that abandons its youth abandons its future. This cannot continue.”
Troops of 22 Brigade under Operation Savannah Shield have repelled suspected terrorists, arrested two suspects, and recovered motorcycles during an offensive operation in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
Security sources said the operation was conducted at about 11:09 a.m. on April 14 by troops deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Babanna, in collaboration with Combat Support Infantry Battalion XVI and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).
According to the sources, the troops carried out coordinated clearance operations across Dekara, Dongoru, Bakimba, Jigga, Gidan Kambarawa and Masaka villages.
During the operation, troops made contact with the terrorists along the Masaka–Dekara road, forcing them to flee and abandon their motorcycles.
The sources added that the troops subsequently encountered an ambush but successfully fought through the attack, recovering additional motorcycles.
“In total, nine motorcycles were recovered during the operation, while two suspects were apprehended,” the sources said.
They noted that two tyres of a Combat Support Vehicle (CSK APC) were damaged during the encounter.
The suspects and recovered items are currently in military custody for further investigation, while operations are ongoing to track fleeing members of the group.
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