Metro

Nine Soldiers Feared Dead In Borno IED Explosion

Published

5 months ago

January 5, 2026

Photo: File copy

No fewer than nine soldiers have been confirmed dead following the detonation of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) along the 85km Maiduguri-Gubio road in Borno.

Confirming the incident on Monday in Maiduguri, military and Civilian JTF sources revealed, “Our investigations indicated that the explosive devices were planted along the road last night by Boko Haram terrorists to cause havoc on the soldiers,” stating that the troops were travelling from Maiduguri via Gubio town for an operation in the Sasawa Forest, located in the neighbouring state of Yobe, when the incident occurred.

The source explained that the soldiers were travelling from Maiduguri when the incident occurred near Gubio, the council headquarters of Gubio Local Government Area (LGA).

According to the source, the troops had initially stopped at a military outpost along the roadside on Saturday and eventually planned to continue their journey the following day, Sunday.
“While travelling from Maiduguri on Saturday, the soldiers stopped at a military camp at the roadside before proceeding with their journey on Sunday,” said the source.

The senior military officer added that some soldiers also sustained injuries from the shrapnel of the bomb blasts, including burns to their limbs and heads.

While clarifying the circumstances that led to the IED explosion, the source stated, “The Sunday attack on our troops was not an ambush by gunmen or terrorists but was caused by an IED planted along the road in the night by Boko Haram insurgents.”

The affected troops were said to be from the 145 Battalion, Damasak, under 5 Brigade of the Nigerian Army at the Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri.
The explosion reportedly occurred on the evening of Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army is yet to issue an official statement on the IED explosions, including investigations and casualties sustained from the road blasts.
Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists have continued to target troops using gun trucks and improvised explosive devices along key routes and patrol areas of the Sambisa Forest and Lake Chad region.

In November last year, suspected ISWAP terrorists were also reported to have attacked a military convoy in the region, resulting in multiple casualties among soldiers and members of the Civilian JTF, who are assisting the military in ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the Lake Chad region and forest.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

17 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.

Metro

Police Arrest Private Chef Over Alleged N150m Theft, Drugging Of Employer, Burglary

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a chef, John Cosmos Govi, over his alleged involvement in a burglary operation at a residence in Abuja, where luxury items and valuables worth about N150 million were reportedly stolen.

The arrest was announced on Monday, May 25, 2026, by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, who said the suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) after investigations into allegations of criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, theft, malicious damage and administering harmful substances.

According to police findings, Govi, who allegedly gained employment as a chef at the residence, was said to have studied the movement of occupants, internal routine and security setup before allegedly carrying out the operation on April 23, 2026.

Investigators said he reportedly worked with two accomplices identified as Peter and Moses, who are currently on the run.

Police alleged that food prepared in the house was laced with a suspected sedative substance to weaken the occupants and security personnel.

After they reportedly became unconscious, the suspects allegedly broke into the property, damaged CCTV installations and stole 20 luxury wristwatches valued at about N150 million, alongside other valuables.

Speaking on the development, DCP Anthony Placid said the suspect was intercepted around the Gwagwalada axis of the Federal Capital Territory while attempting to flee to Lagos. He added that an iPhone 17 Pro Max, believed to belong to the victim, and a suspected chemical substance were recovered.

“We remain committed to dismantling organised criminal networks and ensuring that all fleeing accomplices are brought to justice,” Placid said.

Police said efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and conclude investigations into the case.