Metro
Army kills 4 suspected terrorists in Abia
The Nigerian Army has announced that troops of the South-East Joint Task Force, codenamed Operation Udoka, neutralised four suspected terrorists in Abia State during a clearance operation on Sunday.
The Task Force spokesman, Lt. Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, disclosed this in a statement, noting that the operation occurred early this week.
According to him, the operation took place in a forest in Umuaku Isuochi, Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State, following credible intelligence.
The statement added that in the early hours of Monday, troops also raided a camp allegedly belonging to the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in Isiala Ngwa North LGA, along the Imo River axis, and destroyed the facility.
Unuakhalu revealed that arms, vehicles, and other items were recovered from the ESN camp and similar camps in Imo State, where additional raids were conducted.
In a related development, there was a fierce gun battle between soldiers and armed men at a border community between Abia and Imo states.
The confrontation, which reportedly occurred at Mbata, Umuchima village in Isiala Ngwa North LGA, caused panic as residents fled into the bush to avoid the conflict.
Unconfirmed reports indicated that over 15 Hilux vehicles and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) belonging to the Nigerian Army were seen in the Umuchima area as early as 6:00 am.
It was reported that soldiers stormed the area to attack and dislodge unidentified gunmen who were allegedly camping in the riverine village, which serves as a boundary between Abia State and the Mbaise axis of Imo State.
Witnesses stated that major roads leading to the village were cordoned off by soldiers, and heavy gunfire was heard in the area for several hours.
Metro
Seven injured as three-storey building collapses in Rivers
Mr Evans Bipi, Rivers Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development says no death was recorded in a collapsed three-story building that occurred in Ikwerre Local Government Area.
The Commissioner on Sunday in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Mr Emeka Idika, said that the affected building under construction collapsed on Saturday, Jan.4.
According to him, a timely rescue mission by the ministry and that of the Special Duties alongside other joint efforts averted the loss of lives as victims were taken to the hospital for medical care.
The commissioner said no fewer than seven persons sustsined various degrees of injuries in the incident.
“It is unfortunate that we are beginning the year with this tragic incident, though no life was lost, this is the 4th building collapse we are witnessing in the state since I assumed office”
“Preliminary investigation at the scene of the incident showed that the building may have collapsed due to the use of substandard materials by the builder.
“Specifically, the use of 12mm rods for decking a building is a clear violation of construction standards, unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident, as similar cases in the state had been linked to the same cause.
”The property has been sealed pending investigation into the cause of collapse,” the Commissioner said.
Metro
Several persons feared k!led as tanker falls, explodes in Agbor
Several persons are feared killed at Agbor, headquarters of Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State following the bursting into flames of a tanker laden with petrol.
According to News Net Nigeria, the incide occurred when the petrol tanker fell by First Bank while the driver was trying to make a turn on the ever-busy Old Lagos/Asaba Road that runs through Agbor main town.
From some videos seen by this medium, some residents and passersby were helpless in trying to put out the flames as firefighters were yet to arrive at the scene.
Several houses and vehicles around the scene were severely burnt, and some were still engulfed by the raging fire.
The body of a car owner who was caught up by the flames could be seen on the road.
Metro
Fear in Northern Nigeria as Boko Haram, ISWAP renew deadly supremacy battle
A recent nine-minute video released by Boko Haram’s Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad (JAS) has revealed heightened clashes with their rivals, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
The video, titled “Kill Them Wherever You Find Them: A Struggle Between the Believers and the Apostates Inside the Islamic Caliphate,” portrays fierce confrontations between the two groups.
The violent encounters reportedly occurred between December 23 and 24, 2024, in several locations within Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State, including Toumbun Gini, Toumbun Sale, Mangari, and Metele.
The footage highlights the growing intensity of the conflict between these factions, with graphic scenes of heavy fighting and significant casualties. The ongoing rivalry points to deepening divisions within the extremist landscape.
Lake Chad-based conflict analyst, Zagazola Makama has extensively documented the clashes, emphasizing the increasing fragmentation among terror groups in the region.
Analysts warn that this internal conflict could exacerbate insecurity, threatening civilian lives and disrupting humanitarian operations in affected areas.
The escalating rivalry serves as a stark reminder of the enduring security challenges faced by Nigeria and neighboring countries.
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