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Suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists attacked Kautikari village in Borno State on Saturday evening, setting two schools ablaze and forcing residents to flee for safety.

Fresh fears have gripped residents of Kautikari village in Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State after suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists launched another attack on the community, setting two schools on fire and forcing villagers to flee into nearby bushes.

According to Vanguard, the attack occurred at about 7 p.m. on Saturday, reigniting concerns over the security situation in the area, which has suffered repeated assaults by insurgents in recent years.

Sources said the terrorists stormed the village and targeted public facilities, including the community’s primary school and day secondary school. The assault triggered panic among residents, many of whom abandoned their homes and ran for safety as the attackers operated in the area.

A security operative from Kautikari, who is currently based in Maiduguri, confirmed the incident.

“Yes, I can confirm to you that our village (Kautikari) in the Chibok Local Government Area is under Boko Haram attack.

“Our people are scampering for safety, even as two schools (primary and day secondary school) are on fire,” he said.

As of press time, the number of casualties, if any, had not been confirmed. Security sources said efforts were ongoing to assess the situation and determine the extent of damage caused by the attack.

Kautikari has been a recurring target of insurgent violence, with residents repeatedly facing displacement and destruction of property due to attacks by terrorist groups operating in the region.

Attempts to obtain official confirmation from the Borno State Police Command were unsuccessful. Calls and messages to the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Kenneth Daso, were not answered at the time of filing this report.

The latest attack underscores the persistent security challenges confronting communities in Borno State despite ongoing military operations against insurgents in the North-East.

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The Enugu State Government on Friday said security operatives had arrested six suspected criminals linked to major security breaches in the state and recovered a cache of weapons and ammunition during joint operations.

Governor Peter Mbah disclosed this while inspecting the recovered arms at the Enugu State headquarters of the Department of State Services in Enugu.

The recovered weapons include 17 AK-47 rifles, one General Purpose Machine Gun, one rocket launcher, one tear-gas gun, 12 AK-47 magazines, two hand grenades, three tear-gas canisters and 1,071 rounds of ammunition.

The ammunition comprises 323 rounds of special ammunition, 270 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition and 478 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition. Security operatives also recovered uniforms and four lanyards.

Mbah, who was received by the State Director of the DSS, Humphrey Ohikhuare; the Commissioner of Police, Mamman Giwa; and the Garrison Commander of the 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Garba Suru, commended security agencies for what he described as a major breakthrough in the fight against crime in the state.

He said some of the suspects had been on the state’s security watch list and were allegedly involved in violent crimes, including attacks that claimed the lives of security personnel.

“First of all, I would like to acknowledge and salute the gallantry of our security agents. What we are witnessing here today is the triumph of vigilance, hard work and dedication to duty.

“Recall that sometime in December last year, we had an incident that took the lives of some of our officers. The state government placed bounties on the heads of the criminals. We had earlier apprehended some of those involved, but the suspects here today are those who had been on the run,” he said.

The governor reiterated his administration’s resolve to rid the state of criminal elements, stressing that offenders would be tracked and brought to justice regardless of how long it takes.

“We have always said in Enugu State that we have no room for criminals. If you commit crime here, no matter how long it takes, we will identify you, get you and ensure that you are brought to justice,” he added.

Mbah attributed the arrests and recoveries to the state’s investment in security infrastructure and technology, as well as the collaboration among security agencies.

“It is heartwarming that the investment we have made in the security sector and the cooperation of our security agencies are yielding results. The people of Enugu State can sleep with both eyes closed, knowing that we have their backs covered,” he said.

The governor also warned criminals still operating within the state to leave or face the consequences of their actions.

He further urged landlords and property owners to carry out proper background checks on prospective tenants, warning that the government would continue to prosecute erring landlords and demolish properties linked to violent crimes.

“You cannot be exculpated on the ground that you did not know. The law has placed the duty on you to know who you are giving your property to,” he said.

Mbah also commended President Bola Tinubu for supporting efforts to strengthen the security architecture across the country, including the rehabilitation of security training institutions and ongoing reforms aimed at enhancing policing.

He welcomed the recent passage of the State Police Bill by the House of Representatives, describing it as a significant step towards improving security at the subnational level.

According to him, state policing would help address security challenges more effectively by enabling states to take greater responsibility for protecting lives and property within their territories.

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Bandits suspected to be loyal to Jammo, on Friday, invaded farmlands in Goron Namaye district under Maradun local government area of Zamfara State, killing 17 farmers while injuring 13 others who were out for farming activities.

Confirming the incident, the chairman of Maradun local government area, Hon. Sanusi Dosara, said he received with shock a report that armed bandits have launched a fierce attack on Goron Namaye farmlands at Goron Namaye.

“Receiving the information, I quickly communicated to all security agencies in the area to take immediate measures with a view to preventing further damage by the criminals who embarked on criminal operations aimed at denying farmers access to farming activities,” Dosara said.

Alhaji Wada, a resident of Goron Namaye, who has a farm nearby, said; “I just heard people screaming and were running towards the town. Later, all my labourers were back and told me they were chased away by armed bandits while working on the farm.”

Another resident identified as Dan Inna Gora, said he counted not less than 17 corpses lying in farms, a few kilometres from the town, while 13 others sustained various degrees of gunshot injuries and have been conveyed to the hospital for medical attention.

Gora further revealed that they had a report that the bandits’ leader had sent a warning message that people in Goron Namaye should forget about working on their farms for the 2026 raining season.

Recall that bandit leader Jammo had imposed a levy of N100 million on farmers of Maradun LGA this season while holding on to 37 village elders abducted during a botched peace meeting.

Attempts to contact the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Zamfara State Police Command, DSP Yazid Abubakar, were unsuccessful as he didn’t answer the phone calls placed to his known phone line as at press time.