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.

Troops of operation Fansan Yanma have killed two “notorious bandit leaders” identified as Yusuf Gwamna and Malam Ashiru in Dutsin-Ma LGA of Katsina state.

Zagazola Makama, a counterinsurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, reports that the operation, carried out late Friday night, was led by a joint security task force comprising the military, police, and other security agencies.

Makama added that acting on intelligence, the forces ambushed the bandits at a key location, engaging them in a gunfight that left several suspected terrorists dead.

A security source quoted in the report said Gwamna and Ashiru were behind multiple deadly attacks in Dutsin-Ma, Danmusa, and Matazu LGAs.

“This operation is a major breakthrough in our efforts annihilate bandits operating in Katsina state,” the source said.

“These bandits had been on our watchlist for a long time, and their elimination will significantly degrade their group’s operational capacity.”

The duo were reportedly responsible for kidnappings, cattle rustling, and armed robberies that had terrorised communities in the region.

Makama said security forces are continuing clearance operations in the area, tracking down fleeing bandits and working to secure local communities.