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Major Border Offensive: Over 200 Terrorists Killed as Troops Crush Camps Along Nigeria-Benin Corridor
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A major military offensive along the Nigeria–Benin Republic border has led to the killing of more than 200 suspected terrorists in Banana, a border community in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, according to security and local sources.
The operation, codenamed Operation Savannah Shield, lasted five days and is being regarded as one of the most significant successes against armed groups operating in the region in recent times.
However, the operation recorded a casualty with the death of the Babanna vigilante commander, popularly known as Bature OC, who was killed while supporting security forces during the mission.
The joint operation was launched last Tuesday by troops of the 22 Armoured Brigade stationed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Babanna. By Sunday, the troops had reportedly inflicted heavy losses on the terrorists, neutralising more than 200 fighters and destroying several of their camps.
Sources revealed that security personnel also recovered a large cache of weapons and ammunition, in addition to more than 300 motorcycles believed to have been used by the terrorists for mobility and attacks across the area.
No military casualties were reported during the operation.
According to sources familiar with the mission, the coordinated offensive involved Nigerian troops, local vigilantes, and security operatives from the neighbouring Benin Republic.
The operation covered several notorious terrorist routes stretching from Dekara Road through Gidan Zana to Rafin Korama within the vast Kainji Lake National Park forest.
“The operation is still ongoing,” a source close to Banana told Daily Sun. “Security forces have continued to maintain pressure on the criminals and are pursuing fleeing elements across the affected corridors.”
The military success sparked widespread celebrations across Borgu Kingdom, where residents have endured repeated attacks, kidnappings, and movement restrictions over the past year.
On Sunday, hundreds of residents took to the streets of Babanna, singing, dancing, and cheering Nigerian soldiers, local vigilantes, and Beninese security personnel for what many described as a major breakthrough in the fight against insecurity in the area.
For many residents, the operation has renewed hope after months of living under the threat of terrorist activities.
“We have suffered for too long,” said Alhaji Mohammed Usman, a resident of the area.
“For more than a year, farmers could not safely access their farms, traders struggled to reach markets, and travellers lived in constant fear of abduction or death. These criminals made life unbearable for our people.”
Residents expressed optimism that sustained military operations would restore peace, revive economic activities, and enable displaced communities to return to their homes and livelihoods.
Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, has ordered the indefinite suspension of four of his political aides with immediate effect.
The directive was contained in a government statement issued on Monday and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Bala Ibrahim.
The statement was made available to journalists in Dutse through the Public Relations Officer in the SSG’s office, Ismaila Dutse.
“The suspension takes immediate effect,” Ibrahim stated.
The affected aides include Abbas Makama, Senior Special Assistant on Flood Control I; Salisu Muhammad, popularly known as Rosy Auyo, Special Assistant on Entrepreneurship; Ibrahim Yunusa, Special Assistant on Basic Education Monitoring III; and Umar Abdulkadir, also known as Alhaji Bullet Auyo, Special Assistant on Cluster Farming.
However, the statement did not give any reason for their suspension.
The action may be linked to alleged anti-party activities.
The Jigawa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, on Monday, suspended a member of the House of Representatives for Hadejia/Auyo/Kafin Hausa Federal Constituency alongside six other party officials over alleged anti-party conduct following the party’s primary election.
However, neither the state government nor the affected aides have officially confirmed any link between the suspension and party politics.
The Federal Government on Monday re-arraigned Tukur Mamu, the alleged terrorists’ negotiator during the Abuja-Kaduna train attack hostages in 2022, on an amended 17-count terrorism charge.
Mamu, who was re-arraigned before Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja, pleaded not guilty.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mamu, who was arrested on Sept. 7, 2022, by the Egyptian security officials at the Cairo International Airport, was earlier arraigned on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism financing.
However, the prosecution amended the counts by adding more offences, including unlawful possession of firearms without a valid licence and money laundering charges.
When the case was called on Monday, David Kaswe, an Assistant Director at the Federal Ministry of Justice, informed the court that an amended charge had been filed and served on the defence counsel.
He said the charge was dated and filed on May 26.
Kaswe, who said the prosecution had incorporated additional counts in line with the evidence already placed before the court, prayed the court to allow the defendant to enter his plea to the amended charge.
Mamu’s lawyer, Johnson Usman, SAN, did not oppose the application and Justice Umar directed that the amended charge be read to the defendant.
Mamu, however, pleaded not guilty to the 17 counts after they were read to him and the prosecution commenced its cross-examination of the accused, who had earlier opened his defence and testified as the sole defence witness.
Mamu opened his defence on April 23 after the Federal Government closed its case by calling seven witnesses in the ongoing trial.
In the count one of the charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/96/2023, the defendant was alleged to have, sometime about March 28, 2022, in Kaduna, given support to the Boko Haram terrorist group.
He was alleged to have instigated the terror group to boycott the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Committee set up by the Federal Government to negotiate the release of the hostages (victims) of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack to enhance his role as the negotiator for the payment, receipt and delivery of ransom payment from the families of the hostages.
In count two, he was alleged to have undermined and obstructed the CDS Committee set up to negotiate the release of the hostages of the attack.
Count three accused him of receiving ransom payments in the sum of $120,000.00 on behalf of the terrorist group from families of victims of the attack, contrary to Section 21(3)(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
He was also alleged to have committed an offence preparatory to or in furtherance of an act of terrorism when he exchanged voice note communications in relation to acts of terrorism with Baba Adamu, the Boko Haram spokesperson.
Mamu was accused of dealing in terrorist funds in the sum of $269,200.00 and N25,690,500 in counts six and seven, which were allegedly found in his possession.
He was said to have committed an offence of dealing in terrorist property contrary to Section 23 (1) (a) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition).
The defendant was also alleged to have been dealing in terrorist funds in the sums of 1840 Indian Rupees, 1700 Egyptian Pounds and 115 UAE Dirham, as set out in counts 11, 12 and 13, which were found in his possession.
Counts 14 and 15 accused Mamu of money laundering offences in the sum of N25, 690,500 and $269,200.00 allegedly found in his possession.
In count 16, the Federal Government accused him of unlawful possession of firearms when he allegedly had in his possession a Delta Magnum pump action firearm without a valid licence.
Mamu was also accused of unlawful possession of firearms when he had in his possession about 47 cartridges (ammunition) without a valid licence sometime on March 28, 2022.
The offences are contrary to Section 3 of the Firearms Act CAP F.28 LFN, 2004 and punishable under Section 28 of the Firearms Act, CAP F.28 LFN, 2004.
Shortly after the counts were read to him, the prosecution lawyer began cross-examination, and the judge adjourned the matter until June 8 for its continuation.
Member of the Kano State House of Assembly representing Makoda Constituency, Hon Muhammad Ahmad Tomas, has defected from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Tomas announced his defection on Monday during a visit to the the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, at his residence in Abuja.
He was accompanied by the Chairmen of Makoda and Dambatta Local Government Areas, Alhaji Isa Currency and Alhaji Jamilu Abubakar Dambatta.
Receiving him, Senator Jibrin described the lawmaker’s move as “timely and commendable,” noting that his foresight to rejoin the APC demonstrated commitment to progress and good governance.
“Today, I had the honour of receiving back Hon. Muhammad Ahmad Tomas to our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). Together, we will continue to work tirelessly for the growth and success of our party, Kano North Senatorial District, Kano State, and Nigeria as a whole,” Jibrin wrote on his official Facebook page.
The Deputy Senate President assured the lawmaker of equal opportunities within the APC, stressing that the party remains the largest political platform in Africa.
The lawmaker’s defection is coming few weeks after losing return ticket in NDC.
He joined the party from APC earlier and was received by one of its leaders, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Jigawa gov suspends four aides indefinitely
CBN targets 95% financial inclusion in new payment system goal
2022 train attack: FG re-arraigns Tukur Mamu on amended terrorism charge
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