Five soldiers and six terrorists died in a firefight between troops of the Nigerian Army and members of the Lakurawa terrorists in the Gudu LGA of Sokoto state.

Abubakar Abdullahi, the coordinator of the joint media coordination centre for operation Fansan Yamma, in a statement issued on Thursday, said the operation was carried out by the troops of the defence headquarters special operations brigade.

“On Jan 11, the troops of defence headquarters special operations brigade conducted a coordinated offensive operation against Lakurawa terrorists and made contact in Gudu local government area of Sokoto state,” the statement reads.

“Despite this success, the operation came at a heavy cost, as five gallant soldiers tragically lost their lives in the line of duty.”

Abdullahi added that the troops recovered four AK-47 rifles, 160 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and a box of 12.7mm ammunition during the operation.

He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and observant in their communities while advising them to report any suspicious activity to security agencies.

“Public cooperation is crucial for protecting lives and maintaining peace in our communities,” he added.

One year after the devastating explosion in the Bodija area of Ibadan, affected residents are still awaiting the compensation they were promised. During an interdenominational service held to mark the anniversary of the tragedy, Pastor Muyiwa Bamgbose, President of the Bodija Estate Residents’ Association (BERA), expressed the community’s ongoing struggles, with many families still displaced and properties left in ruins.

Pastor Bamgbose highlighted that several homes remain uninhabitable, overgrown with weeds and abandoned. The service, which took place at the Bodija Estate Baptist Church, was organized by BERA in partnership with the Dejo Oyelese Vigilante Group (DOVG) to honor the five residents who lost their lives in the explosion.

The deceased were identified as Mr. Fimihan Fagbemi, Mr. Toluwalase Kehinde, Mr. Ladipo Azeez Oyebamiji, Mrs. Agnus Bolanle Badmus, and Mr. Bolu Adebiyi. The explosion also left over 70 people injured and caused severe damage to more than 200 houses, leaving a permanent scar on the community.

Pastor Bamgbose called for justice for the victims and more support from authorities. He urged residents to use the tragedy as a catalyst to foster unity and resilience within the community.

Gunmen have shot dead a final-year student of the Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osura, in the early hours of Wednesday in the Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area.

The victim, identified as Prince, a Computer Science student awaiting mobilisation for the compulsory National Youth Service Corps, was killed in front of his girlfriend in his room along Abuja Street, Ikot Osurua community.

A source within the polytechnic community, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told our correspondent that the gunmen gained entry into the compound around 1 am and moved directly to the victim’s room, where they shot him in the stomach.

The source said the victim’s girlfriend immediately raised the alarm, drawing the attention of neighbours who rushed to the scene.

The victim was swiftly taken to a hospital but was confirmed dead on arrival.

“The gunmen didn’t steal anything or rob anyone in the compound. They just shot him and escaped,” the source revealed.

The source further recalled seeing the victim just hours before the attack.

He added, “I met him yesterday around 4 pm with his girlfriend. They were both wearing facemasks, and we joked about their appearance. He was a popular figure in the neighbourhood and an active member of his church’s choral group. We are all in shock over his death.”

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Timfon John, confirmed the incident but stated that the attack might be linked to both robbery and cult activities in the area.

“Information we have indicates that there was a robbery and cult-related operation in the vicinity. The assailants invaded the area and shot the student during the robbery. An investigation is ongoing,” John said.