The Nigeria Air Force said it had killed more than 35 jihadists in raids Saturday on militant fighters that had gathered near the Nigeria–Cameroon border following an attempted attack on ground troops.

The air strike was the latest by the Nigerian military, which is battling a resurgence of attacks in the country’s embattled northwest.

“Acting on multiple intelligence from several sources, the Air Component executed precision strikes in successive passes, engaging the terrorists and neutralising more than 35 fighters at four identified assembly areas,” said a Nigerian Air Force statement.

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It re-established communication with the ground troops that had been threatened, and they confirmed that the “situation around their location had been stabilised,” the statement added.

The strike had “intensified efforts” to dominate the battles field and “deny terrorists freedom of action,” said the statement.

While Nigeria’s 16-year-old insurgency has slowed since violence peaked around 2015, attacks have picked up since the beginning of the year.

The Air Force said the latest operation demonstrated the force’s commitment to providing close air support to ground forces, “while also disrupting terrorist logistics and movement corridors along the north east border regions.”

AFP

The police command in Kwara says it arrested a man, who allegedly dismembered the body of his pregnant sister-in-law, Mrs Esther Enemo at Egbejila Road in Temidire community, Ilorin.

This is contained in a statement by the command Spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, on Saturday in Ilorin.

According to Ejire-Adeyemi, the command wishes to inform members of the public of a tragic incident that occurred in the early hours of Aug. 21, at Temidire community in Ilorin.
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‎”At about 9 a.m., a resident of the area reported a suspected foul play within the residence of one Mrs Esther Enemo.

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“In a swift response, a team of police detectives visited the scene, where the dismembered body of Mrs Esther Enemo (aged 39 years) was discovered in the bush behind her residence.

“Further search led to the recovery of other parts of her body concealed in a sack and dumped beneath a nearby community bridge.
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‎”The suspect, (names withheld), aged 29 years, younger brother to the victim’s husband, who was seen leaving the house a few minutes before the discovery of the incident, has been arrested in connection with the crime.

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”Meanwhile, the husband has also been contacted for necessary clarification.
“The remains of the deceased have been deposited at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) morgue for autopsy.

‎”The Commissioner of Police (CP), Ojo Adekimi, has ordered a full-scale investigation into the matter, assuring that the command will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that justice is served,” he said.
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Ejire-Adeyemi expressed the command regret of the unfortunate incident and appealed to members of the public to remain calm and avoid speculations that would incite fear or tension within the community.

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He assured that the police would unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and bring the perpetrators to face the full weight of the law.

He urged the residents to continue to cooperate with the police by providing useful information that would aid ongoing investigations and security operations.

He reiterated the command to resolve to protect all residents and ensure peace prevailed in the state.

NAN

Warri, the oil city once famed for its cultural vibrancy, was thrown into chaos on Saturday as Itsekiri and Agbarha-Warri (Urhobo) youths clashed over a disputed procession tied to the fourth coronation anniversary of the Olu of Warri.

The violence erupted at midday when Agbarha youths reportedly attempted to block an Itsekiri celebratory procession moving through their territory.

Matters escalated when some of the Itsekiri youths were heard chanting “na we get Warri” (“we own Warri”), sparking outrage among the Agbarha group.

Soon, the conflict spread across the bustling Ibo Market and Okere Market areas. Traders hastily locked up their shops, while residents fled in panic as the sounds of gunshots and war cries filled the air.

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Eyewitnesses recounted scenes of young men armed with cutlasses, planks, and stones chasing one another through narrow streets.

“I had to trek all the way from the palace to Estate because the roads were no longer safe,” one resident said, adding that the tension left many stranded and fearful.

Security operatives deployed to the flashpoints fired several shots in an attempt to restore order, but in the process, several youths sustained bullet wounds and machete cuts.

Though no fatalities had been officially recorded at press time, the number of injured remained uncertain.

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The unrest has stoked fears of further escalation, as some groups of youths were reportedly planning reprisals, including threats to burn houses later in the night.

Saturday’s outbreak has, once again, reignited concerns over the fragile peace in Warri, where ethnic rivalries and territorial disputes have often flared into violence.

Only in April, during the Supreme Court–ordered delineation of the Warri Federal Constituency, both sides clashed while protesting the exercise.

Residents have criticised both the Delta State Government and Warri South Local Government Council for what they describe as “reactive” rather than preventive measures in addressing such recurring tensions.

Contacted, the spokesperson for the Delta State Police Command, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the incident but dismissed reports of deaths. “The incident is confirmed, but there are no casualties,” he said.