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Owo Massacre: Amotekun Officer Identifies 2nd Defendant As Gunman

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An officer of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun, has told a Federal High Court Abuja, that he engaged in a gun battle with one of the attackers behind the June 5, 2022 massacre at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, and later identified the man in court as the second defendant.

The witness, code-named SSG, an Assistant Commander with Amotekun and a resident of Owo, said he and his team encountered the fleeing attackers in the bush shortly after the church shooting, following intelligence from eyewitnesses.

According to SSG, he was initially responding to a separate kidnapping incident at Shagari Village in Owo when he received a call from his commander to abort the mission because an attack had just occurred at St. Francis Catholic Church.

Continuing his testimony, he said he saw spent AK-47 shells scattered on the ground, and inside the building, he met lifeless bodies of men, women and children, as well as several injured worshippers, when he got to the church.

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He said the injured were taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, while the corpses were deposited at St. Louis Hospital.

SSG told the court that he later gathered intelligence from a corn seller and a motorcycle rider, who said the assailants escaped in a blue Nissan vehicle towards the Achievers University axis along Ute Road.

He said his team chased the attackers and found the vehicle abandoned along the road at Ijebu area.

He noted that the vehicle was blue, with registration number AKR 895 AG. He added that they found sachet water inside the car.

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The vehicle was taken to the Amotekun office in Owo, after which the team tracked the suspects’ footprints into the bush.

At a cocoa farm area, SSG said the trail became unclear, and while observing the surroundings, he noticed movement in a nearby bush.

“I saw the mouth of an AK-47 rifle pointed at me,” he said.

He explained that as he tried to respond with his pump-action gun, he realised it was on safety mode. After disengaging the safety, a gun battle ensued.

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During the exchange, the witness said the other attackers escaped into the bush, while one hid behind a tree and shot the hunter accompanying the team, killing him on the spot.

He added that he was focused on evacuating the dead hunter to the mortuary at FMC, Owo.

SSG was asked in court to identify the person he saw during the shootout. He pointed at the second defendant and reaffirmed his identification during cross-examination.

He said the suspect was later arrested through the joint efforts of the police, civil defence, the DSS and other security agencies.

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The witness also identified photographs of the recovered vehicle and told the court that the car is still in the custody of security agencies.

Earlier, a pathologist, code-named SSF, testified that he conducted post-mortem examinations on victims of the Owo church attack in June 2022.

He said he was invited by the Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Awo Ajaka, and carried out the autopsies in Owo.

SSF told the court that all the bodies examined showed multiple gunshot injuries from firearms fired from different directions, leading to massive internal bleeding and death.

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He identified several victims by name and body numbers in the forensic report tendered in evidence, and said the original copy was submitted to the Ondo State Government.

During cross-examination, he said he could not determine the exact type of gun or bullets used, explaining that he is a pathologist and not a ballistic expert.

The court upheld the prosecution’s objection, and the witness was discharged.

The trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite Subsequently adjourned the case to February 11, for continuation of trial.

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Troops neutralize Alhaji Tukur notorious terrorist commander, brother to terror kingpin, recover arms in Zamfara

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Troops of the Joint Task Force North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA (JTF NW OPFY) have neutralized a notorious terrorist commander Alhaji Tukur, younger brother of terrorist kingpin Alhaji Shehu Bagiwaye, while responding to an attack on farmers around Dogon Kade in Zamfara State.

Several other terrorist fighters sustained gunshot wounds and fled the area during the battle.

This followed as troops thwarted coordinated terrorist attack in the state, recovering arms and other combat equipment.

According to the Nigerian military in a statement, troops of Sector 2 responded swiftly to credible intelligence indicating an impending terrorist attack on communities in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

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The statement said, working alongside local security volunteers, the troops engaged the terrorists in a fierce gun battle and repelled the assault, forcing the attackers to retreat with several casualties.

The statement noted in a separate operation the same day at Sabon Gari, also in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, troops mobilized swiftly following reports of terrorist activities. On sighting the advancing troops, the terrorists abandoned their mission and fled into nearby bushes. A subsequent exploitation of the area led to the neutralization of one terrorist and the recovery of a motorcycle used by the fleeing terrorists.

In Katsina State, troops of Sector 2 on a fighting patrol engaged terrorists along the Danmusa–Yantumaki axis in Danmusa Local Government Area. The troops overwhelmed the terrorists, forcing them to abandon their position and flee. A follow-up exploitation of the area led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, two magazines loaded with 25 rounds of ammunition, and one motorcycle.

In a further show of the Theatre’s air-land synergy, the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted a large group of terrorists numbering about 300 on motorcycles moving from the Sunke – Kumbo axis towards Bayazaki riverine area to Gummi, with the intention of unleashing mayhem on innocent civilians. Three air platforms were deployed along the terrorists’ axis of advance. On sighting the air assets, the terrorists attempted to flee for cover under trees but were successfully engaged and neutralized with precision airstrikes, thwarting their nefarious plan.

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Making this disclosure in the statement, Media Information Officer Joint Task Force (North West)Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja said the Theatre commends the Nigerian Air Force for this decisive and timely air interdiction, which further degraded terrorist capabilities.  The spokesman further said, the Joint Task Force North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA remains resolute in sustaining offensive operations against terrorist and criminal elements across the theatre, and reassures residents of its unwavering commitment to denying terrorists freedom of action, protecting lives and livelihoods, and restoring lasting peace and security across the North West.

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Two Boko Haram Commanders Surrender In Yobe

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Two senior Boko Haram commanders have surrendered to troops of the North East Joint Task Force, Operation HADIN KAI, in Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State, marking another development in the military’s campaign against insurgents in the North-East.

The development was made public on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, by the Acting Media Information Officer of Headquarters Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni. He said the two commanders surrendered to troops of Sector 2 on July 4 before they were taken to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

According to the military, the two men were identified as “Munzirs,” a title used by senior figures within the Boko Haram leadership structure. They are currently being held by the military, where they are undergoing profiling, questioning and intelligence assessment.

The military said early findings from the interrogation showed that the two men held key positions within the terrorist group. Because of their roles, they are believed to have detailed knowledge of the group’s operations, command system, movement of supplies and other internal activities.

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Security officials said information gathered from the two commanders is already helping ongoing intelligence work. The details are expected to support military operations aimed at locating remaining terrorist camps, disrupting their activities and weakening their networks across the North-East.

The military believes the surrender is another blow to the terrorist group and a sign that continued military operations are affecting its strength. According to the statement, sustained attacks by ground troops, air operations and intelligence efforts have reduced the ability of the insurgents to move freely and coordinate their activities.

Operation HADIN KAI also said the continued pressure on Boko Haram fighters has forced more members of the group to abandon the insurgency instead of remaining in the battlefield.

The military added that the latest surrender reflects the gradual weakening of the terrorist organisation as security operations continue across the theatre of operation.

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It assured Nigerians that troops would maintain the current pace of operations by acting on useful intelligence, carrying out more offensives and working closely with other security agencies and partners until the remaining terrorist groups are defeated and lasting peace is restored across the North-East.

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Alleged Motorcycle Theft: Mob Burns Man to Death in Kano Community

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A young man identified as Ahmad Dankoli was allegedly lynched and set ablaze by an angry mob after he was accused of attempting to steal a motorcycle in Balare community, located in Ajingi Local Government Area of Kano State.

Naijapunchnews gathered that the tragic incident occurred around 9 p.m. on Sunday during the community’s weekly market, a period when the area is usually crowded with traders, buyers and residents carrying out commercial activities.

According to reports, Dankoli was accused of attempting to steal a motorcycle belonging to one of the traders at the busy market. Witnesses said the accusation quickly drew the attention of a large crowd, which reportedly chased the suspect after he allegedly tried to flee from the scene.

The mob eventually caught up with him, allegedly subjected him to a severe beating and later set him on fire.

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The Councillor representing Balare Ward, Shu’aibu Abdulmumin Yalo, confirmed the incident, explaining that the deceased was accused of attempting to steal a motorcycle before the crowd turned violent.

According to Yalo, the suspect made an unsuccessful attempt to escape after being confronted by residents.

“The crowd accused him of attempting to steal a motorcycle. Although he tried to escape, they caught up with him and set him on fire,” the councillor said.

Yalo further disclosed that security operatives responded after receiving reports of the attack, but they were unable to rescue the suspect because of the overwhelming number of people gathered at the scene.

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“Security operatives came to intervene, but the number of people at the scene was too much for them to control,” he added.

The councillor attributed the incident to growing frustration among residents over repeated cases of motorcycle theft at the weekly market.

According to him, several motorcycles had reportedly been stolen from traders and visitors in recent months, creating tension within the community and possibly contributing to the mob’s violent response.

However, he did not confirm whether anyone had been arrested or was under investigation for participating in the lynching.

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Meanwhile, residents described the deceased as an active supporter of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)’s Kwankwasiyya movement on social media.

His death has generated widespread reactions online, with many Nigerians condemning the resort to mob justice regardless of the allegations against him. Several commentators stressed that criminal allegations should be investigated by law enforcement agencies and suspects allowed to face trial in accordance with the law.

Others also called on security agencies to carry out a thorough investigation into the incident and ensure that those responsible for the killing are identified and prosecuted.

The incident adds to the growing list of cases of jungle justice recorded across Nigeria in recent months, raising renewed concerns over the increasing rate of extrajudicial killings.

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Only days earlier, a woman identified as Ummulkhairi was reportedly lynched and burnt to death by a mob in Maraban Jos, Kaduna State, after she was falsely accused of attempting to steal a child.

Authorities later confirmed that the allegation against the woman was unfounded, prompting fresh calls for stronger public awareness campaigns against mob violence and for stricter enforcement of laws against those who participate in extrajudicial killings.

The latest incident in Kano has once again reinforced appeals by security experts, human rights advocates and community leaders for members of the public to hand over suspects to the police instead of taking the law into their own hands, warning that mob justice often results in the death of innocent people and undermines the country’s justice system.

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