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Troops Arrest Chinese National, Five Others In Borno Over Terrorism Links — DHQ

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The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Friday confirmed the arrest of a Chinese national and five others in Borno State over suspected involvement in terrorism-related activities.

The arrest, which occurred during ongoing counterterrorism operations in the North-East, was made by troops of the Nigerian Armed Forces operating in Kukawa and Ngala local government areas of Borno State, as well as Geidam Local Government Area in Yobe State, between June 5 and 7, 2025.

Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, disclosed this during a media briefing in Abuja, where he provided updates on military operations across the country.

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According to Kangye, the five Nigerian suspects were identified as logistics suppliers and collaborators for terrorist groups, while the Chinese national, who claimed to be a miner, was arrested under suspicious circumstances.

READ ALSO: 800 Repentant Boko Haram Terrorists Undergoing Deradicalisation – DHQ

Troops arrested five terrorist logistics suppliers, collaborators, and a Chinese national claiming to be a miner during well-coordinated operations. Items recovered include a vehicle, a motorcycle, mobile phones, a Chinese international passport, and the sum of N10,000,” Kangye said.

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The senior military officer questioned the foreigner’s presence in a conflict zone under active military surveillance.

Anyone caught in such an area must be properly scrutinised. Criminals typically deny involvement, but the real question is: what brought him to that location during an ongoing military operation?” Kangye asked.

He confirmed that the Chinese national is currently in custody and undergoing interrogation.

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READ ALSO: DHQ Vows To End IPOB Reign, Sit-at-home In S’East

A thorough investigation is underway. Once concluded, the public will be informed of his reasons for being there, the circumstances surrounding his arrest, and any possible links to terrorist groups,” he added.

‘Troops not slow to respond’

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Responding to allegations that troops are often slow in responding to distress calls, especially in remote communities, Kangye described such claims as misleading and lacking context.

People must understand that troops are not stationed in every village. Many incidents occur 10 to 15 kilometres from the nearest military base. Before a response can be initiated, a unit must be designated, a commander identified, and logistics secured. These take time,” he explained.

Drawing an analogy, he compared the military’s operational challenges to a hospital triaging multiple patients with different levels of urgency.

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READ ALSO: Why Military Hasn’t Gone After Asari-Dokubo – DHQ

You might feel neglected if you don’t understand the internal priorities, but that does not mean we are not taking action. Let’s not be quick to label our troops as slow. They are working under extremely difficult conditions and remain committed to responding to every call,” he said.

‘Military operations yield more gains’

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Kangye reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ commitment to securing the nation and upholding its sovereignty through strategic and well-coordinated operations.

Our goal remains the safety of all Nigerians and the protection of their property. By adhering to the rule of law and partnering with the public through both kinetic and non-kinetic operations, we are creating an environment where citizens can thrive without fear,” he said.

Highlighting achievements in the week under review, Kangye noted that troops of Operation Delta Safe foiled attempts to steal crude oil and destroyed illegal refining infrastructure worth an estimated N146,614,380.
(TRIBUNE)

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Metro

Lagos Man Shot Dead After Fight In Nightclub

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There was panic on Friday after a man, identified simply as Alex, was shot by suspected gunmen at Iyana Isashi in the Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State.

It was learnt that the incident occurred at about 8 pm.

A resident in the community who requested not to be mentioned due to the nature of the incident had told The PUNCH that the deceased was on his way to meet a friend when two men on a bike accosted him.

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One of them was, however, said to have pulled out a gun in the process and shot him at close range.

READ ALSO:Lagos Opens Portal For Teaching Job Applications

The source said, “Alex stays at Cele Niza here in Iyana Isashi. He had just come back from his place of work when he stepped out again, probably to meet a friend. He was on his way when some men on a bike stopped him on the way and shot him. It was the sound of the gunshot that attracted people around, who rushed to the spot and found him lying in a pool of blood. The gunmen were also seen trying to escape from the area while still on the bike.”

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According to the source, Alex was immediately rushed to the hospital, where he was being attended to.

Giving an update on the incident on Wednesday, the source confirmed to that the victim succumbed to the gunshot injuries earlier in the day.

We lost him this morning. He had been in a coma since that Friday, and doctors tried all they could to save him, but he did not make it,” the source disclosed.

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Meanwhile, the victim, otherwise known as Fleximore, was said to have had an altercation with some strangers at a nightclub in the community a day before the incident happened.

Another resident who identified himself simply as Quadri and made this known to The PUNCH on Wednesday said, “Some of his friends who went to a club in the area with him said he had a serious fight with some guys there. They said it started with an argument that later resulted in a confrontation.

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“Although they tried to settle it but that is very unusual of him. You hardly hear anything of such about him. Alex is an easy-going person and does not make trouble, but we don’t know the kind of person he had issues with at the nightclub, and that is why some people said the attack was most likely a result of what happened at the club.”

According to Quadri, arrangements are ongoing to bury the late Alex.

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The state Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, said she was not aware of the incident.

“I am not aware of the incident, but I will call the DPO in the area to confirm,” she said.

Communities in the Iba Local Government Area and adjoining communities along the Lagos–Badagry Expressway have, over the months, witnessed a series of cult-related attacks. The resident had also called for the intervention of the police authorities.

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Gunmen Invade Ex-Ogun LG Chairman’s Residence

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An armed gang on Thursday morning invaded the residence of former Ijebu-Ode Local Government Chairman, Alhaji Emilola Gazal, carting away valuables, cash, and his vehicle.

Gazal, who is also the publisher of The Roots Magazine, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview.

The three armed men broke into my residence at Ijebu-Ode GRA at about 2 a.m. They collected all the cash with me after which they forced me to open my bank apps on my phone and transfer everything there to an account they provided. They left only N5,000 in my account.

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READ ALSO:Police Foil Robbery On Sagamu-Benin Expressway, Recover Stolen Tricycle In Ogun

“They also made away with my wife’s trinkets and with my ash-colour car. They actually told me they would be going away with my car. I am just going to report the incident to the police at Igbeba and Obalende, Ijebu-Ode”, Gazal told our correspondent.

According to The PUNCH, that this incident comes amid a spate of violent robberies and home invasions reported across Ogun State, particularly in the Ijebu area.

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For example, earlier this year, the Ogun State Police Command killed a suspected armed robber in a gun duel along the Sagamu–Ijebu Ode Expressway.

READ ALSO:Police Foil Robbery On Sagamu-Benin Expressway, Recover Stolen Tricycle In Ogun

The command, on September 12, 2025, also recently arrested a man linked to a burglary and armed robbery in Ayetoro, amounting to about N1.5 million in stolen goods.

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Meanwhile, the regional security network, Amotekun Corps, has in past operations engaged criminal gangs in shootouts, neutralising suspects in Ogun’s border zones.

Details later…

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Edo Police Kill Two Suspected Kidnappers In Gun Duel

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Operatives of the Edo State Police Command neutralised two suspected kidnappers in a gun duel in Ubiaja, Esan South East Local Government Area on September 30.

The command’s spokesperson, Moses Yamu, confirmed this on Wednesday in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin.

According to Yamu, other suspects escaped with varying degrees of injury in the course of the gun battle, while guns and mobile phones were recovered from the scene.

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READ ALSO:Edo Activist In Police Net Over Alleged Assault On Abure

He said, “On 30th September, 2025 at about 09:50hrs, acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Amedokhian Tactical Division, in synergy with local Hunters and the Vigilante group, led by SP Peter Ogah, embarked on a bush combing operation along the railway track leading to Ubiaja in Esan South East Local Government Area.

“During the operation, the team encountered a gang of suspected kidnappers who opened fire on the operatives. In the ensuing gun duel, two of the suspects were neutralised, while others escaped with varying degrees of injuries.

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“One AK-47 rifle with breech number 4148, 33 rounds of live ammunition, and two mobile phones were recovered at the scene. The neutralised suspects were immediately taken to the hospital where they were confirmed dead.”

READ ALSO:Police Rescue Mother, Baby, Five Others From Kidnappers In Kwara

The command’s imagemaker also disclosed that on the same date, operatives of the same Tactical Division recovered an English-made double-barreled shotgun with breech number 03273286 and two live cartridges in the forest around Idumogun community in Ukoni area of Esan South East LGA during a bush combing operation.

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He said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the gallantry of the operatives, hunters, and vigilante groups for their swift response and synergy in combating crime.

Agbonika assured members of the public that the Command remains resolute in its commitment to rid the State of criminal elements.

He urged members of the public to support the command’s Community Safety Partnership initiative and informal policing efforts in ensuring a safer Edo State.

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