The Troops of Sub-Sector 4, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, ambushed bandits and neutralised three of them off the Kaduna-Abuja highway.

Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Lt-Col. Musa Yahaya, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Wednesday in Kaduna.

Yahaya said, “In a well-coordinated operation on Tuesday, troops of Sub-Sector 4, Operation FANSAN YAMMA successfully neutralised three Violent Extremists and Insurgents (VEIs) in an ambush at an area near Ngwagi Hill, Gwagwada Community, off the Kaduna – Abuja highway in Chikun LGA of Kaduna State.”

The spokesman said that the success of the operation was based on acting on credible intelligence that the VEI was sighted near Ngwagi Hill.

He said that troops were immediately deployed on long-range fighting patrol to the likely road-crossing point of the insurgents.

According to him, the troops got to the location at about 5.30 p.m. on the same date. They successfully launched the ambush, which effectively neutralised three armed members of the criminal group.

“During the operation, troops also recovered a cache of arms and ammunition, including two AK-47 rifles, eight AK-47 rifle magazines, 374 rounds of 7.62mm x 39 special ammunition and 88 rounds of 7.62mm x 54 NATO ammunition.

Other items recovered were one Infinix mobile phone, medical supplies, clothing, and dry rations, ” Yahaya said.

He said the operation’s success was a testament to the troops’ high fighting morale and combat efficiency.

“This achievement is also due to the effective collaboration between the military and intelligence agencies, which provided credible intelligence that informed the operation.

He said the General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Nigerian Army, and Commander Sector 1 Joint Task Force Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Maj.-Gen. Mayirenso Saraso, commended the troops for their resilience and successful conduct of the operation.

He charged the troops not to relent on their oars until all criminal elements operating in the Division and the Sector’s area of operational responsibility were neutralised.

NAN

Tragedy struck in Oron, Akwa Ibom State, on what is now dubbed a Black Monday, after a pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) allegedly butchered his wife to death over suspicions of infidelity.

The suspect, Victor Okoh, aged 42, was arrested by the Akwa Ibom State Police Command following a distress call by shocked neighbours. Officers arrived at their residence around 5:20 am to meet a gruesome scene — the mutilated body of his wife, Victoria Okoh (38), lying in front of their home.

Preliminary investigations reveal that the suspect attacked his wife with a machete, in what many described as an unprovoked and barbaric act. In a failed attempt to escape justice, the pastor was found hiding in the ceiling of the house, but was swiftly apprehended by the police.

The weapon used in the crime has been recovered, and the body of the deceased has been deposited at the General Hospital Morgue for autopsy. Investigations are ongoing.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, has strongly condemned the act, vowing that justice will prevail. He further warned against domestic violence and advised residents to seek peaceful means of settling disputes rather than resorting to bloodshed.

The Command also encouraged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities promptly to law enforcement authorities.

In what seems to be an act of revenge after the death of their leader, Maigemu, at the hands of a combined security force in Kebbi, suspected Lakurawa terrorists launched a brutal attack on Birnin Dede village on Sunday, claiming the lives of 13 people.

Sources reveal that the assailants also set fire to at least eight surrounding villages near Birnin Dede, all located within the Arewa Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The attack is believed to be in direct retaliation for the killing of the Lakurawa leader by security forces, with reports noting that the attackers spared only one village, which was under Army protection.

A local resident, speaking by phone, expressed fear and sought divine protection from the violent group, “We seek protection from Allah against this dreaded group.”

The Chairman of Arewa Local Government, Sani Aliyu, confirmed the deadly assault to Channels Television.

This attack comes in the wake of security forces’ successful operation, with the backing of Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris, that led to the killing of Maigemu, the notorious leader of the Lakurawa militants, in their ongoing efforts to curb the region’s rising violence.

Despite repeated attempts, the spokesperson for the Kebbi State Police Command, SP Nafiu Abubakar, did not respond to calls or messages for further information on the incident.