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Troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued 23 kidnapped victims, foiled terrorist attacks, and arrested four suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group in separate operations across Sokoto State.

The Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, disclosed this to newsmen in a statement issued on Monday.

The operations, conducted on September 20, 2026, also resulted in the recovery of six cattle allegedly rustled by terrorists.

In Wurno Local Government Area, troops responded to an attack on Sabon Gari, where terrorists had invaded the community and opened fire, forcing residents to flee.

The troops engaged the attackers and forced them to withdraw from the area, rescuing six kidnapped victims in the process.

A civilian who sustained a gunshot wound during the attack was evacuated to a medical facility for treatment.

In another operation along the Sabon Birni–Takatsaba Road in Sabon Birni Local Government Area, troops acted on intelligence that terrorists were attempting to cross the road around Chabe Biyu.

The troops established an ambush along the terrorists’ suspected route and engaged them with firepower after sighting them, forcing the terrorists to flee.

Troops subsequently dominated the area to prevent the terrorists from regrouping or gaining freedom of movement.

Similarly, troops responded to a distress call over terrorist activities along the Isa–Kwanar Isa–Shinkafi Road in Isa Local Government Area.

According to the military, the troops made contact with the terrorists and engaged them, forcing them to withdraw in disarray.

A subsequent search of the area led to the rescue of 17 kidnapped civilians.

One of the rescued victims, who sustained a fracture, was evacuated to the General Hospital, Isa, for medical treatment.

In a separate intelligence-driven operation in Illela Local Government Area, troops intercepted suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group allegedly moving a herd of rustled cattle from Sarma Village towards Illela.

The troops established a snap checkpoint along the suspected route, leading to the arrest of four suspected Lakurawa members and the recovery of six cows.

The suspects and recovered livestock are currently in military custody for further investigation, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the group.

Lieutenant Colonel Danja said the latest operations demonstrate the effectiveness of intelligence-driven and proactive military operations in disrupting terrorist activities and rescuing kidnapped civilians.

He added that the troops remain committed to sustaining pressure on terrorist elements and protecting communities across the Joint Operations Area.

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The Osun State Police Command has warned individuals or groups planning to disrupt public peace to have a rethink, saying its operatives will not allow miscreants to engage in criminal activities.

The warning was contained in a statement signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, and made available to journalists on Sunday.

The statement followed a notice of protest purportedly issued by a group which the police said was identified through intelligence as the “Congress of Cultists” and allegedly associated with the Neo-Black Movement, also known as Black Axe.

The command said its operatives would respond decisively and appropriately to any action capable of threatening the peace and security of the state.

Advising individuals or groups with grievances or disputes to seek lawful means of resolving them, the police said no person or group should take the law into their own hands or resort to violence, self-help or reprisals.

The statement read, “The attention of the Osun State Police Command has been drawn to a notice of protest purportedly issued by a faceless group identified through intelligence as the ‘Congress of Cultists’, allegedly associated with the Neo-Black Movement, also known as Black Axe.

“The command is using this medium to warn any individual or group planning to cause chaos, disturb public peace or engage in any form of criminality to have a rethink.

“The police and other security agencies will not fold their hands and allow miscreants to use any opportunity to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere and destroy lives and property. Our operatives will respond decisively and appropriately to any action capable of threatening the peace and security of the state.”

Giving an update on a recent killing in the state, the command said a thorough and discreet investigation had commenced into the incident.

The police said the investigation had yielded useful leads, while some suspects identified in connection with the incident were still at large.

It appealed to members of the public, particularly those with useful information about the killing, to come forward, assuring them that such information would be treated confidentially.

The command vowed not to relent until all those found to be involved in the incident were arrested and brought before the appropriate authorities to face the law.

The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Zungura, also called on parents, community leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders and other responsible members of the public to prevail on youths and others in their communities not to participate in acts capable of destabilising the state.

“Members of the public are urged to remain calm, law-abiding and vigilant, and to promptly report suspicious activities or movements to the nearest police station or other security agency.

“The Osun State Police Command remains committed to protecting lives and property and maintaining peace and public order across the state,” the statement added.

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Gunmen have killed and beheaded the village head of Lafagu community in Bagudo Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, confirmed the killing in a text message, saying the incident occurred on Sunday.

Usman, however, did not disclose the identity of the deceased traditional ruler.

He said the police had arrested some suspects in connection with the incident and would provide further details after investigations.

“Yes, it is true the village head was killed in Lafagu under Bagudo Local Government. We have made some arrests in respect of the incident and will provide details later,” the PPRO said.

Meanwhile, findings by our correspondent suggest that the killing may be linked to an armed ethnic militia operating in the area rather than bandits or Lakurawa insurgents.

A source, Tukur Kaoje, who spoke to PUNCH Metro on Sunday, said members of the Fulani, Kambarawa and Bargawa communities had lived together in the area for decades until the recent escalation of insecurity, allegedly associated with cattle rustling and kidnapping.

According to him, following the alleged infiltration of some communities by Lakurawa fighters, some residents of the Bargawa and Kambarawa communities reportedly accused Fulani residents of being behind the attacks and subsequently formed armed groups to confront them.

Kaoje alleged that the militia recently attacked Boya village, where scores of Fulani were reportedly killed.

He said, “Yes, the village head was beheaded in Lafagu, but we are not sure whether the killers were bandits or Lakurawa. There are allegations that it was carried out by an armed ethnic militia.”

He described the situation in Lafagu and neighbouring communities as tense, urging the government to urgently intervene to prevent further escalation.

He warned that failure to address the situation could lead to a wider cycle of communal violence and make the crisis increasingly difficult to contain.