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Anxiety has reportedly spread through the leadership of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) following the elimination of a senior commander identified as WAL-GEGE by the Nigerian Air Force Component of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) around the Gargash axis of Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno State.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that WAL-GEGE was eliminated while riding a motorcycle along the main route near the terrorists’ Markaz, close to the Gargash hideout.

The strike, according to the sources, was conducted as part of ongoing intelligence-led air operations aimed at disrupting the movement and leadership structure of ISWAP elements operating around the Dikwa axis.

Sources said the elimination has generated concern within the terrorist group, particularly because the commander was reportedly moving through an area considered to be under the group’s control.

The incident has reportedly triggered an internal investigation among ISWAP elements, with members accusing unidentified insiders of leaking information about the commander’s movement to the military.

According to intelligence gathered by Zagazola Makama, the terrorists have become increasingly suspicious of information leaks within their ranks and are reportedly reviewing their communication and movement procedures following the strike.

The sources said the development has also prompted ISWAP elements to consider restricting the use of mobile phones among field commanders and fighters for fear that their movements could be detected through communications or other intelligence capabilities.

The reaction reflects the growing pressure on the terrorist group as Nigerian security forces intensify surveillance and precision operations against its commanders, logistics networks and hideouts across the Lake Chad Basin.

WAL-GEGE’s elimination is particularly significant because the loss of senior field commanders can disrupt the coordination of fighters, movement of logistics and execution of attacks.

Military operations in the Dikwa axis have increasingly focused on identifying terrorist concentrations and disrupting their freedom of movement before they can launch attacks against troops or vulnerable communities.

The development also highlights the importance of intelligence gathering in the counter-insurgency campaign.

While terrorist groups frequently attempt to conceal their movements through motorcycles, couriers and other forms of communication, security forces continue to employ multiple intelligence sources to identify and track key operatives.

The reported decision by ISWAP elements to reduce or abandon mobile-phone use could therefore complicate their internal communications and command-and-control arrangements.

However, security sources cautioned that the terrorists remain capable of adapting their tactics and could resort to alternative methods of communication and movement.

The elimination of WAL-GEGE comes amid sustained military pressure against ISWAP and other terrorist elements operating in Borno State, with troops and the Nigerian Air Force maintaining operations designed to degrade their leadership, logistics and operational capabilities.

The military has continued to combine intelligence-driven air operations with ground clearance and surveillance missions to prevent terrorists from establishing secure bases and freedom of movement.

Although the full operational impact of WAL-GEGE’s elimination is yet to be established, the reported reaction within ISWAP indicates that the group considers the loss of senior commanders a serious security setback.

The emerging internal suspicion over possible information leaks could further undermine trust within the terrorist network and force commanders to adopt more restrictive movement and communication procedures.

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No fewer than 40 bodies have been recovered while over a dozen people are still missing after a boat carrying farmers to their rice farms capsized in Gorau town, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, on Thursday.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed the incident, saying emergency responders had been deployed to the community to assess the situation and determine the full number of casualties.

The head of NEMA’s Sokoto Operations Office, Alhaji Tukur Abubakar, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview with LEADERSHIP in Sokoto.

“Yes, it is true that the boat has unfortunately capsized and there are reported fatalities,” he said.

According to Abubakar, the victims were crossing a stream to access their farms when the boat went down.

He said NEMA officials were on their way to Gorau alongside officials of the Sokoto State Government, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and other emergency responders.

“I am with officials of the Sokoto State Government, the National Inland Waterways Authority, and other emergency responders. So, you will get the details of the disaster much later today,” he added.

A local journalist who witnessed the incident, Sharhabilu Yahuza Kiliya, said more than 70 people were on the boat when it capsized shortly after departure.

He said about 40 bodies had so far been recovered, while six people, including the village head, were rescued.

Most of those on board were reportedly children between the ages of 10 and 15, according to eyewitness accounts.

The latest incident adds to the growing number of boat mishaps across Nigeria, particularly during the rainy season, which have resulted in numerous deaths and injuries.

Safety experts and emergency agencies have repeatedly raised concerns over overcrowding, inadequate use of life jackets and weak regulation of inland water transportation in many riverine communities.

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The Rivers State Police Command has launched an investigation into the attack on the family residence of a member of the African Democratic Congress, Isaiah Thomas, in Omuoko village, Aluu, Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Blessing Agabe, confirmed the incident to our correspondent on Thursday, saying the command was investigating the cause of the fire and the alleged attack.

“Yes. Investigation is ongoing to ascertain the cause of the fire and alleged attack in that community,” Agabe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, stated.

It was gathered that more than five armed men stormed the community early Wednesday and headed straight to Thomas’ family residence, demanding to see him. He was, however, not at home.

Angered by his absence, the assailants reportedly ransacked the residence and looted property belonging to the family and tenants before setting the building ablaze and fleeing the scene.

The incident occurred barely 24 hours after campaigns officially opened for the presidential and National Assembly elections.

Speaking to journalists, Thomas’ mother, Uchechi, alleged that the attackers arrived in large numbers, armed with guns, and set some buildings within the family compound on fire.

She said household property was destroyed during the attack, adding that the assailants were looking for her son, who had hosted a meeting of ADC members at the family compound the previous day.

Although she said she did not know the identities of the attackers, Thomas stated, “They asked me to tell them what was happening in the compound. They broke my son’s house. It was later that I heard that the meeting my son held with youths of Omuoko and other places was the cause of the problem.

“When I asked which meeting, they said it was an ADC meeting. They asked why my son did not join them instead of joining another party.

“They broke the house, set it on fire, and carried my mattress, television, fridge and generator. They broke other things, even my tap, and started shooting.”

Some tenants whose apartments and property were affected also recounted their experiences.

One of them, who asked not to be named for fear of being traced, said, “This thing happened around 2 am on Wednesday. They came and knocked on my door. I asked who they were and they said they were security men, so I opened the door.

“They asked where my landlord was. I told them he was not around. They started breaking the windows and doors. They then set fire to the building and started shooting.”

Another tenant, who operates a business on the premises, alleged that the assailants attacked him, stole money from him and manhandled his aged parents before setting the building ablaze.

“I operate a Point of Sale business. They took some of my money, and I have a four-month-old baby. I didn’t sleep. The place is burnt, and we don’t have anywhere to go to,” he said.

Meanwhile, in a video circulating on social media and seen by our correspondent, Thomas narrated how his house was allegedly set ablaze after he hosted a meeting of party members.

He said, “How old am I? Barely 30-something years. You want to kill me and hijack my system. It cannot work.

“Look at the level of damage done here. My tenant lives here with his wife. His second son is barely four months old. He does POS business. They collected his money, burnt part of the money and burnt my house too.

“My mother was beaten black and blue. On what grounds? For what?”

The Chairman of the Ikwerre Local Government Area, Charles Nwobodo, condemned the attack, describing it as unacceptable.

Nwobodo said that as soon as he was informed of the incident, he deployed his Chief Security Officer to the community for an on-the-spot assessment.

He assured residents that the council would work with security agencies to identify those behind the attack and ensure that they were brought to justice.

According to him, “This afternoon, my CSO called me about what happened in their community. I told him to go and find out what really happened.

“If it is political, as they said, I totally condemn that, where our people will lose their houses and other property in the name of politics.

“That is unacceptable in Ikwerre Local Government. Please, I need peace in Ikwerre Local Government. I don’t accept any form of violence, and people should do the right thing so that all of us can be safe.

“It is my responsibility as local government chairman to protect everybody in Ikwerre Local Government. But you also have to help me in terms of information and all that, so that I can act based on that.”

In a statement, the state ADC publicity secretary, Chizi Enyi, condemned what he described as a targeted attack on party members in the course of their lawful activities.

Enyi said the party’s governorship candidate and state chairman had visited the scene to assess the damage, while calling on the police and other security agencies to identify those behind the attack.

The statement read, “Our members have been threatened, intimidated and attacked for exercising their constitutional right to associate and participate in political activities.

“In the latest and particularly disturbing incident, the residence of our member, Mr Thomas Madubochi, was attacked in the early hours of Wednesday following a political meeting held the previous day.

“The premises were ransacked, property was looted, and the house was subsequently set ablaze. There are eyewitness accounts relating to the incident which should form part of a thorough investigation by the security agencies.”

Enyi said the ADC was a peaceful and law-abiding political party that neither advocated violence nor encouraged retaliation, reprisals or vigilantism.

“We shall continue to conduct our political activities peacefully and in accordance with the Constitution and laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We call on the police and other security agencies to immediately carry out a thorough investigation into the attack on Mr Madubochi’s residence, including the ransacking and looting of the premises and its subsequent burning,” he added.