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Over 150 suspected terrorists drown as boat capsizes in Sokoto
Tragedy struck on Saturday evening following reports that more than 150 suspected bandits drowned after a boat conveying them capsized in the Sabon Gida area of Sokoto State.
According to multiple local sources, the ill-fated vessel was carrying a large group of armed men believed to be involved in banditry activities across parts of the North-West when it overturned while attempting to cross a body of water. The exact circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear, but early accounts suggest overcrowding and possible instability of the boat may have contributed to the disaster.
Eyewitnesses familiar with the development disclosed that the boat was heavily loaded with passengers at the time of the incident. The vessel reportedly lost balance midway through the journey, throwing all occupants into the water.
A local source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that many of the individuals on board were unable to swim, significantly worsening the situation and leading to what is feared to be a mass casualty event.
“Preliminary information indicates that a large number of them drowned almost immediately after the boat capsized,” the source said. “It was a chaotic scene, and given the number of people involved, survival chances were very slim.”
Initial reports suggest that none of the passengers survived although this has not been independently verified. As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from security agencies or government authorities confirming the number of casualties or providing further details about the incident.
The Sabon Gida axis, where the घटना occurred, is known to be one of several اin Sokoto State that have experienced persistent security challenges in recent years. Banditry, kidnapping, and violent attacks have remained a major concern across the wider North-West region, with armed groups often moving through remote اwaterways to evade security forces.
Security analysts say the reported loss of such a large number of suspected bandits, if confirmed, could represent a significant setback for criminal networks operating in the region. Over the years, bandit groups have relied on mobility and difficult terrain to sustain their operations, often crossing rivers and forests to launch attacks and retreat undetected.
However, authorities have yet to verify whether those involved in the حادث were indeed members of organized bandit groups. There are also unanswered questions about the destination of the यात्रियों and the purpose of their journey at the time of the incident.
Residents in nearby communities reportedly expressed mixed reactions to the development. While some described the incident as shocking and tragic, others viewed it as a possible turning point in the ongoing fight against insecurity in the region.
“This is something we have never seen before,” another local resident said. “If it is true that they were bandits, then it may reduce the attacks we have been experiencing.”
Despite these sentiments, experts caution against premature conclusions, emphasizing the need for official confirmation and thorough investigation. They note that misinformation can easily spread in volatile environments, especially in areas where communication infrastructure is limited and access to verified information is often delayed.
Efforts to reach local authorities and security operatives for comments were unsuccessful as of press time. It is expected that the police or other relevant agencies will provide an update once preliminary investigations are concluded.
In recent years, the Nigerian government has intensified military operations across the North-West, deploying troops and launching coordinated offensives aimed at dismantling bandit camps and restoring stability. While there have been reported successes, the region continues to grapple with sporadic attacks and security breaches.Nigeria News Updates
The reported incident in Sabon Gida adds a new dimension to the ongoing crisis, highlighting not only the scale of bandit movements but also the risks associated with their methods of transportation and coordination.
As investigations unfold, residents and observers alike are awaiting official confirmation to clarify the true extent of the tragedy and its potential implications for security in Sokoto State and the broader North-West region.
For now, the incident remains a developing story, with authorities expected to provide further details in the coming hours or days.
Iran slammed a US blockade around its ports on Monday as a “grave violation” of its sovereignty, as Washington and Tehran’s belligerent rhetoric rattled a fragile truce.
“The imposition of a maritime blockade constitutes a grave violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations Amir Saeid Iravani wrote to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, in a letter seen by AFP.
The “unlawful” blockade also “constitutes a serious violation of the fundamental principles of the international law of the sea,” Iravani added.
US President Donald Trump ordered a blockade of ships entering or leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas in the Gulf Sunday, following the failure of peace talks over the weekend, warning that any Iranian attack boats that challenged the blockade would be destroyed.
The blockade came into force at 1400 GMT Monday, despite the United States and Iran agreeing to a two-week ceasefire days earlier, with mediator Pakistan and Gulf state Qatar continuing calls for it to be respected as diplomatic efforts continue.
Guterres on Monday called on “all parties” to respect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, after Iran and subsequently the United States blocked passage through the critical waterway.
The strait, through which a fifth of global oil and gas flows, has become a key flashpoint as the US and Iran attempt to gain leverage over each other during ceasefire negotiations.
Iravani said the “unlawful” blockade “poses a grave threat to international peace and security and obviously exacerbates the risk of escalation in an already highly volatile region.”
In a second letter, the UN envoy called on Middle Eastern countries hosting US military bases to “cease their internationally wrongful acts.”
Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan should pay “compensation for all material and moral damage sustained,” he said.
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has distanced himself from recent media reports linking him to certain political aspirations, saying the comments were made without his knowledge or authorisation.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Media Adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, El-Rufai said the remarks had been attributed to an unnamed individual described in media reports as his political associate, and that he had no hand in them.
“Malam Nasir El-Rufai wishes to dissociate himself from comments regarding political aspirations which have been attributed to someone described by the media as a political associate,” the statement read.
“He did not authorise such comments.”
The disclaimer pointedly underscored El-Rufai’s reputation for speaking his mind directly, with the statement noting that he had been known throughout his public life for the frank articulation of his views.
“He is not about to outsource the expression of his political views and thoughts to others,” the statement added, warning that any future communication from the former governor would come directly from him or through his designated spokesperson.
El-Rufai did not identify the associate in question, nor did the statement specify the nature of the political aspirations that had been reported.
However, the swift and emphatic denial suggests the former governor was keen to prevent any impression that the comments reflected his current political thinking or intentions.
JAMB declares readiness for 2026 UTME, urges parents to protest admission violations
The disclaimer comes amid heightened political activity ahead of the 2027 general elections, a period in which the positions and affiliations of prominent political figures are under intense media and public scrutiny.
El-Rufai, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and two-term governor of Kaduna State, remains one of the most closely watched political figures in northern Nigeria.
His next political move — including which party platform he may adopt ahead of 2027 — has been a subject of widespread speculation.
The Yobe State Police Command said its operatives have arrested three suspected vandals involved in the destruction and theft of transformer components belonging to Yobe State Television at Garin Alkali Booster Station.
The Command, through its Public Relations Officer, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday in Damaturu.
According to the Command, the arrest was made on April 14, 2026, by its operatives stationed in Garin Alkali while acting on credible intelligence.
“The arrested suspects are Muhammad Auwali, a.k.a. Aburare, 51, Inusa Lawan, 53, and Hassan Ibrahim, 27, all of Bursari and Gashua axis, Bade LGA. One accomplice identified as Ozu, is currently at large.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects criminally conspired and vandalised a transformer located at the YTV Booster Station, Garin Alkali, Bursari LGA.
“The suspects dismantled the transformer and sold part of the metal components”, it said.
The Command added that upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime and admitted to selling some of the vandalised transformer parts to Hassan Ibrahim for the sum of N250,000, out of which N150,000 had already been paid.
“Investigation is in progress, after which the suspects will be charged in court for prosecution”, the police command said.
Commissioner of Police Usman Kamfani Jibrin, in the statement, warned scrap metal dealers against purchasing suspected stolen items and urged them to cooperate with security agencies in protecting critical public infrastructure.
He stressed that anyone found involved in such unlawful activities will be dealt with in accordance with extant laws.
Iran slams US blockade as ‘grave violation of sovereignty’
El-Rufai distances self from comments on political aspirations attributed to associate
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