Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised 24 Boko Haram terrorists in coordinated operations across Borno State.
A statement by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations Headquarters, Theatre Command Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Reuben Kovangiya, on Thursday said the operations conducted between July 4 and 9 involved a collaboration between land and air components of OPHK, the Civilian Joint Task Force, and Hunters.
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According to the statement, the locations where the terrorists were neutralised includes Platari, Komala, Kawuri, Madarari, Leno Kura, Sabsawa, Ngoshe-Gava, Ngoshe-Ashigashiya, Amuda-Gava, Pambula, Tangalanga, Bula Marwa, Ngailda, Manjim, and Wulle villages.
The statement reads, “In continuation of the series of coordinated offensive operations across the North East Theatre of operations, troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), bolstered by close air support from the Air Component and collaboration with Civilian Joint Task Force and hunters, have carried out successful kinetic operations against Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in theatre between 4 – 9 July 2025, eliminating several terrorists.
“In one of the ambushes conducted at Platari on 4 July 2025, the gallant troops, while lying in wait, made contact with JAS/ISWAP terrorists mounted on bicycles moving from the Sambisa Forest axis to the Timbuktu Triangle. The terrorists were immediately subdued with heavy fire, leading to the neutralisation of three terrorists.
“Similarly, following intelligence on movements of the insurgents around Komala general area, troops sprang another ambush on the terrorists, neutralising another fighter. On exploitation of the general area, troops recovered motorcycles and spare parts, knapsack sprayers, pesticides, and terrorists’ food items.”
The statement further disclosed that troops conducted a night ambush on the same day at terrorists’ hideouts around the Kawuri general area in Konduga Local Government, where they came into contact with the insurgents.
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“Consequently, two terrorists conveying logistics were immediately eliminated, while others fled with gunshot wounds. Troops also recovered packets of salt, food seasoning, detergents, and other sundry items,” it said.
The statement added, “In the same vein, troops on 5 July 2025, intercepted terrorists attempting to access the Madarari Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Konduga Local Government Area. The troops swiftly engaged the insurgents, killing one terrorist, while others escaped with traces of gunshot wounds. Troops subsequently recovered several rounds of ammunition during the exploitation of the area.
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“In another development, troops conducted a fighting patrol to terrorists’ enclaves at Leno Kura. Resultantly, the troops came into contact with the insurgents and engaged them with simultaneous gunfire from different directions. Accordingly, three terrorists met their Waterloo, while troops continued exploitation of the area.
“Furthermore, on 6 July 2025, troops carried out a night ambush at a suspected terrorist’s crossing point along the roads Ngoshe-Gava and Ngoshe-Ashigashiya, as well as Amuda-Gava areas. Troops made contact, and an insurgent was neutralised while others fled.”
Accordingly, on July 7 2025, troops sprang another ambush following an intelligence report close to Sabsawa village.
During the operation, troops made contact with terrorists’ logistics suppliers and successfully neutralised two insurgents.
On exploitation of the area, the troops recovered bicycles, sacks of slippers, several torchlights, batteries, detergents, salt, and rubber shoes, amongst other sundry items.
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“On 8 July 2025, troops in conjunction with the Civilian Joint Task Force, under close air support provided by the Air Component of OPHK, conducted clearance operations at Bula Marwa, a known ISWAP/JAS enclave.
“In the course of the operation, the troops eliminated an insurgent and recovered a gun, terrorists’ uniforms, while their life-supporting structures were totally destroyed.
“Additionally, troops in a joint operation with hunters and the Civilian Joint Task Force conducted fighting patrols at terrorists’ hideouts at Pambula village in the Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State. During the patrol, contact was made with JAS/ISWAP terrorists, who were immediately engaged with a high volume of fire, forcing the terrorists to disperse in disarray. Consequent upon the firefight, the troops neutralised a terrorist, recovering four motorcycles and his weapon.
“The determined troops continued exploiting the general area to rid it of any terrorist activities.
“In another coordinated clearance operation conducted on 8 July 2025 at Bula Marwa, troops neutralised a terrorist fighter, while others fled. Items recovered included a gun and terrorists’ uniforms. Troops also destroyed the insurgents’ camp.
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“On 9 July 2025, troops in joint operations with Civilian Joint Task Force also conducted a clearance operation in JAS/ISWAP enclave at Tangalanga and Bula Marwa. After a heavy firefight, 3 insurgents were eliminated. Terrorists’ life-supporting structures in the camp, were also destroyed completely. Troops recovered six AK 47 rifles 47 magazines, and ninety rounds of 7.62mm ammunition during exploitation of the area.
“In furtherance of the offensive operations, troops in conjunction with CJTF conducted an ambush at Ngailda, Manjim and Wulle villages, where contact was made with the insurgents. Following the contact, troops successfully eliminated 6 terrorists while others fled in disarray. Items recovered by the troops during exploitation included motorcycles and bicycles,” it added.
Reuben said the neutralisation of 24 insurgents with close air support underscores the determination, collaboration, and concerted efforts by the troops of OPHK to ensure terrorists are placed on the back foot and create a conducive environment for socio-economic activities to thrive in the Northeast region.
A yet-to-be identified man was, this evening (Friday, 11 July, 2025) shot dead at Uselu Share, Benin City, in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State.
The man, who should be in his late 50’s was a staff of the Federal Psychiatric Hospital, Benin.
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He was reportedly trailed by two vehicles – GLK Jeep and a red car – as he drove out from the hospital premises after the close of work.
According to our source, the two vehicles had packed in a nearby place waiting for the man’s vehicle, adding that immediately he drove out, he was trailed to a point where he was caught up and shot at a close range on the head.
Our source who does not want his name mentioned, said: “He works at Psychiatric Hospital. He closed for the day’s work and was about driving home, but unfortunately he drove in less than one minute when he was gunned down.
“It happened around 5pm this evening. We were at a nearby fast food restaurant when we heard the gunshot. It didn’t take the guys one minute to gun him down.
“After they killed the man, they were still shooting as they moved. The guys in the two vehicles were more than five.
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“He’s an advance person, but we don’t know why he was killed,” he added.
According to source, security operatives comprising the Nigeria Police, officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Nigerian Army arrived the scene promptly, adding that before they arrived the assailants had left.
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Our source added that the security personnel immediately evacuated the body from the scene.
Our source, who lamented that “three days ago, they came to rob a beer parlour and Baba Ijebu Shop in this same area,” urged the authorities to draft security personnel to the area.
Contacted on the phone by INFO DAILY, Police Public Relations Officer, Edo State Command, Moses Yamu, said he was yet to be informed of the incident, promising to make his founding.
Gunmen on Thursday night attacked the Catholic Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary School at Ivianokpodi, Agenebode in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State and killed a member of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) attached to the school.
The gunmen also abducted three students of the school.
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This is coming barely ten months after an attack was carried out in the area. Two people including a priest were kidnapped and one killed during the attack.
The Directorate, Social Communications, Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Rev. Fr Peter Egielewa confirmed the incident on Friday
He said that the gunmen attacked the school at about 9:00 pm at night.
Egielewa expressed displeasure over the persistence attack on the Catholic school, personnel and its facilities.
“This is the second time in 10 months that the school had been attacked
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“10 Months ago, a priest was kidnapped.
“And now three seminarians were abducted and a civil defense corps is killed, while a local vigilante sustained gun injuries
“We call on the government to protect the lives of all those who work in Catholic institution and our diocese.
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“We hope the security agencies at the local, state and federal level take up the responsibility on that, so our people can be in peace and safety,” Egielewa said
A 38-year-old pastor, Simeon Okehielem, of the Synagogue Prayers Ministry has been arraigned before an Edo State High Court for allegedly raping a married woman, Mrs Isoken Vivian Aigbedo.
The pastor, who was accused of engaging in sexual relationships with married women within his congregation, was docked before the court in Benin City, on Thursday.
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The charges against Pastor Okehielem followed a year 2022 incident in Uholor Community of Benin City where the cleric allegedly drugged and raped the woman leading to the birth of a child.
Recent DNA results reportedly confirmed the pastor as the biological father of the child, which prompted the Nigerian Police to re-arrest and formally arraign him.
The presiding judge, Justice Erhabor, granted an ex-parte order to remand the suspect at the Benin Correctional Custodial Centre for 14 days, pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Ministry of Justice, Edo State.
The State Prosecutor, P.O. Odion, told the court that the alleged offence occurred in February 2022.
Okehielem was slammed with two-count charge on alleged rape and administering a stupefying substance with the intent to commit a felony.
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The charge sheet, marked Suit No: BLOD/2323M/2025, reads: “That you, Okehielem Simeon ‘m’, in or about the month of February 2022, in Benin City within the Benin Criminal Division, did rape one Mrs Isoken Vivian Aigbedo and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 4, punishable under Section 5(1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2021.
“That you, Okehielem Simeon ‘m’, in or about the month of February 2022, in Benin City within the Benin Criminal Division, with intent to commit a felony, administered a substance to stupefy one Mrs Isoken Vivian Aigbedo, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 256 of the Criminal Law of Edo State, 2022.”
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Speaking to journalists after the court session, the victim’s legal counsel, Clinton Ogbebor, applauded the Police for its diligence.
“We are in court today over the alleged rape of my client, Mrs Isoken Aigbedo, by one Pastor Simeon Okehielem,” he said.
Ogbebor confirmed that the case file would now be forwarded to the office of the DPP for legal advice, after which the trial will proceed accordingly.
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The development has stirred debates across Benin City, with residents and religious leaders expressing shock and calling for justice.
The case has been adjourned pending further legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution.