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Police unaware of cops’ killing of 3 in Rivers community – Spokesman

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The Police Command in Rivers says it is not aware that its personnel killed three persons during a raid on a criminal gangs’ hideout in Andoni Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, stated this in an interview with Our Correspondent on Monday in Port Harcourt.

The command was reacting to allegations that some policemen killed at least three innocent persons and destroyed houses during an anti-cultist operation in Asarama community on Saturday.

According to Omoni, the command took seriously, allegations brought to it on personnel involvement in extra-judicial killings.

“I am not aware that policemen invaded Asarama community, killed three people and destroyed houses. It’s unfortunate that those who make these allegations do not come to us.

“If anybody has any grievance, such a person should first reach out to the police rather than go to the media,’’ he said.

The spokesman, however, said that the police had recently carried out an operation in Andoni LGA, resulting in death of an unnamed alleged notorious cultist.

“If any individual has complaint against our personnel, such a person should report the matter to the Commissioner of Police, who will order investigation into the allegation,” he said.

Ms Ugbana Ubonmejit, National President, Federated Union of Asarama Students, had in a statement called on the Federal Government and other stakeholders, to urgently intervene in the affairs of the troubled community.

Ubonmejit said that activities of criminal gangs had been on the rise in the once peaceful Asarama community.

According to her, the police escalated the already tensed situation with arbitrary arrest of innocent residents during its operation on Saturday.

“The invasion by the police in Asarama community sadly led to the death of over three persons and destruction of houses.

“We are appealing to the police to immediately release over 20 innocent persons arrested during the raid.

“They should also evaluate and rebuild all the demolished houses because the destroyed properties do not belong to the suspected miscreants,” she stated.

The union leader said some of those in police custody were; Awaji-Moroinyem Inye, Thompson Sunday, Lazarus Awaji-Romsan, Jacob Ebieirne, Micheal Ikpoko-Irebiriene, Lambert Gilbert and David Gift.

She further said that the police must return all the property allegedly taken away by its personnel during the raid, and urged the command not to take sides in the communal crises.

“We want the police to release the body of Ete Ezekiel who was killed and taken away.

“We also demand that they bear the financial burden of those hit by stray bullets during the raid, especially women and children.

“To this end, we call on both Federal and State Governments to urgently intervene. We believe that their intervention will douse the already tensed situation,” she appealed.

Defence/Security

FG Lacks Clear Strategy to Tackle Insecurity, Terrorism in Middle-Belt – Ayatutu Professors

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By: Fabian Apechihin

MAKURDI: The Forum of Ayatutu Professors (FAP) in Benue State has criticised the Federal Government for failing to show any deliberate or coherent strategy to address insecurity and terrorism in Nigeria, particularly in the Middle-Belt.

In a statement signed by Prof. Tor Iorapuu (Chairman) and Prof. Simon Irtwange (Secretary) of the Forum’s Board of Trustees and Council of Management, FAP dismissed claims that the country lacks sufficient security personnel to tackle the crisis.

The group’s remarks were issued in solidarity with Prof. Zacharys Gundu, who recently came under fire from Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule. They urged the Federal Government to move beyond “mere declarations” and implement “strict securitisation and territorialisation” of Nigeria’s borders to block terrorists, bandits, and foreign invaders.

“Nigeria is under siege, and the Federal Government has failed to demonstrate the will to protect the lives of its citizens,” the statement read. “What we are witnessing is not random violence but organised mass atrocities, particularly in the North Central region.”

FAP stressed that Nigeria has no shortage of capable military generals or skilled police officers, yet the country “bleeds daily.” They warned that the consequences of inaction are “worse than war,” pointing to decades of massacres in Benue, Plateau, and Southern Kaduna, where churches, schools, and communities have become “massacre memorials.”

The Forum cited recent examples, including the June 13–14 killings in Yelewata, Guma LGA, Benue State, where over 200 people were massacred, and the attack on Jebbu community in Plateau State, which occurred just a kilometre from a major military checkpoint.

FAP drew parallels to the United States’ response to the September 11 attacks, urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to “use all necessary and appropriate force” to neutralise those behind the violence. They also challenged Governor Sule to clear himself of allegations of complicity, including claims of pressuring a Myetti Allah leader to form a militia and engaging in land grabs from Tiv communities.

The group condemned what it called the government’s “over-focus on political moments and elections” while citizens face existential threats. “Citizens need freedom and security, not political rhetoric,” the statement said.

FAP called on the Federal Government to:

  • Compensate all victims of attacks in Benue, Plateau, and Southern Kaduna.
  • Include affected areas in the country’s Humanitarian Response Plan.
  • Empower the proposed North Central Development Commission to restore livelihoods and protect farmers.
  • Invite international agencies to investigate decades-long “deliberate annihilation” in Central Nigeria.

“The time for rhetoric is over. Nigeria must act decisively, or continue to watch its people be uprooted, humiliated, and slaughtered,” the Forum declared.


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Defence/Security

Air Force Jets Bombard Bandit Wedding Ceremony Dozens Killed

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A major blow was dealt to criminal elements in Zamfara State as the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) launched a successful airstrike on a large gathering of armed bandits attending a wedding ceremony at Asaula Hills, in Yankuzo Ward, Tsafe Local Government Area.

Zagazola Makama gathered that the precision strike, carried out in the afternoon of Tuesday, August 5, was based on credible intelligence from local sources and Human Intelligence (HUMINT) operatives.

The sources said that the intelligence revealed that scores of bandits from different enclaves were converging at Asaula Hill a rugged, elevated terrain for a mass wedding ceremony.

The sources said that at exactly 1444 hours, field reports confirmed the presence of a large number of heavily armed bandits, some on over 100 motorcycles, assembled at the location.

“In response, the air component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, under the Nigerian Air Force’s Sector 2 Command, immediately deployed a fighter jet to engage the target,” the source said.

The strike was executed at about 1600 hours and caught the criminals by surprise at the peak of the celebration.

“The wedding brought together bandit factions from Faskari and Kankara LGAs in Katsina State, and other enclaves across Zamfara. Dozens were neutralised instantly, while many others were critically injured. The survivors were seen evacuating the wounded to Yankuzo village for treatment,” the source added.

Zagazola gathered that further reconnaissance and follow-up intelligence indicated that at least 10 identifiable bodies were recovered by the evening of the strike, while several others were burnt beyond recognition.

Local informants reported that no fewer than 33 injured bandits were receiving makeshift treatment at the Comprehensive Health Centre in Yankuzo and in nearby hamlets.

It is believed that the number of fatalities may be higher, considering the scale of the gathering and the intensity of the bombardment.

“Some of the injured bandits are being secretly treated by unqualified health workers. It is recommended that ground troops conduct mop-up operations both at the strike site and at suspected recovery points like Yankuzo village,”said the sources.

Operation FANSAN YAMMA, launched earlier this year, is a renewed joint military offensive across the North West, targeting known terrorist enclaves, logistics hubs, and command structures of bandit groups operating in Zamfara, Katsina, Kebbi, and Sokoto States.

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Troops arrest suspected Boko Haram logistics supplier in Maiduguri

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The troops of Operation Hadin Kai in collaboration with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), have arrested a suspected Boko Haram logistics supplier in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

Zagazola Makama gathered that the suspect, identified as Mr. Ahmadu Mohammed Dogo, was apprehended at Muna Garage at about 11:50 a.m. on Monday, following credible human intelligence.

According to preliminary investigations, the suspect was intercepted while allegedly attempting to convey Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) concealed in Fearless energy drink plastic bottles and packed in 12 sacks.

The suspect reportedly confessed during interrogation that he was transporting the fuel to Gamboru-Ngala, a border town in Borno State, believed to be a major logistics route for insurgents operating along the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin.

Items recovered from his possession included the PMS-filled plastic bottles, charms, suspected hard drugs, rings, syringes, and several personal effects.

Security sources said the arrest forms part of ongoing counter-terrorism efforts to cut off Boko Haram’s logistics and financial networks in the North East .

The suspect is currently in military custody and undergoing further interrogation.

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