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Eight bandits killed as landmine intended for troops explodes prematurely
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At least eight suspected bandits loyal to notorious leader Dogo Gide were killed on Friday night in Niger State when an IED they reportedly planted for security forces detonated prematurely under their own motorcycles
A botched ambush by armed insurgents in Niger State resulted in the instant death of at least eight suspected bandits on the night of Friday, March 20, 2026. According to security expert Zagazola Makama, the incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. along the Lukope Road in the Shiroro Local Government Area.
The bandits, identified as loyalists of the notorious kingpin Dogo Gide, were reportedly transiting the Kurebe–Kushaka axis on motorcycles when they inadvertently rode over an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) that their own group had previously planted to target advancing government troops.
The explosion decimated the transit team, causing immediate fatalities and leaving several other fighters with critical injuries.
“The explosion occurred as the bandits were transiting the route, leading to the instant death of about eight of them and the injury of several others,” a security source confirmed. Following the blast, troops from Operation Fansan Yamma, Sector 1, were deployed to the scene to secure the corridor and conduct mop-up operations.
The military has since intensified patrols within the forest belt to disrupt any remaining insurgent cells attempting to regroup in the aftermath of the self-inflicted loss.
While the accidental detonation has temporarily thinned the ranks of the Dogo Gide faction, the event has triggered widespread panic across local communities. Residents of Kushaka, Kurebe, and Gbato are reportedly living in fear of reprisal attacks, as bandits often vent their frustrations on nearby villages following military setbacks or internal accidents.
Security forces remain on high alert in the Lukope area to forestall any retaliatory violence against civilians, as the Kurebe–Kushaka axis remains a highly volatile corridor for armed groups operating in the region.
The spokesperson of the Delta State Police Command, SP Bright Edafe, was left stunned after two suspected drug dealers requested to take a photograph with him shortly after they were arrested and interrogated.
The suspects, identified as Omini Ezeri, 46, and Chinedum Wagbara, 42, were apprehended during a stop-and-search operation while travelling in a Mercedes-Benz ML SUV with registration number AAA 604 JZ along the Agbarho-Warri Road.
A search of the vehicle and its occupants led to the recovery of two Beretta pistols, a substance suspected to be cocaine, and a dagger. The suspects are currently in police custody, while investigations continue.
As part of the investigation, Edafe interrogated the suspects. Shortly after the interview, the duo surprised the police spokesperson by asking to take a photograph with him.
In a follow-up post shared on social media, Edafe said he had never encountered such behaviour before, explaining that the suspects appeared to become excited once they realised he intended to interview them.
He added that despite being arrested with cocaine and two pistols, which they claimed were used for their drug business, they still requested to take a picture with him after the interrogation.
The Catholic Diocese of Otukpo in Benue State has confirmed the safe return of its seminarian, Kelvin Ochai, who was abducted by gunmen at Asa III in Otukpo Local Government Area of the state.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese, Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Itodo, on Saturday.
Itodo attributed the seminarian’s safe return to divine intervention and the prayers of Christians and well-wishers.
According to the diocese, the seminarian escaped from the custody of his abductors and made his way to Aliade in Gwer East Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State, where he was reunited with his family unharmed.
“Through the prayers of the people of God, Kelvin escaped from the custody of his abductors on the evening of Friday, 31st July, 2026, and made his way to Aliade, Gwer East LGA of Benue State. He has since been safely reunited with his family and is unharmed,” the statement read in part.
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, Most Rev. Michael Ekwoyi Apochi, expressed profound gratitude to priests, religious, lay faithful, and people of goodwill for their unwavering support and prayers during the period of the seminarian’s captivity.
The headquarters of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, FMBN, located in Abuja has been gutted by fire.
The fire was said to have started from the fourth floor of the building.
Speaking to DAILY POST, a personnel of Zenith Bank domiciled in the Mortgage Bank building, Anthony Ameh, said the fire is so intense.
According to him, operatives of the Federal Fire Service, who came to contain the fire have not been able to arrest the situation.
“The fire is so intense. About four trucks of Fire Service are here but they are unable to quench it,” he said.
At the time of filing this report, the cause of the fire incident cannot be ascertained.
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