Crime
Boko Haram strikes again, kills 40, abducts villagers
Borno State Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof Usman Tar, confirmed the attack in a statement on Monday.
“Investigation has commenced on the circumstances behind this attack. Initial reports indicate about 40 farmers have been killed, while the whereabouts of many who escaped the attack are being traced for reunion with their families,” Tar disclosed.
This is coming barely 24 hours after two people were killed and a church was set ablaze in a similar attack on the Chibok community, in the southern part of the state.
He said Governor Babagana Zulum condemned the attack in “strong terms,” even as the governor called on the military to track and clear the insurgent elements operating in Dumba and other similar enclaves around the Lake Chad area.
Sources said the victims were attacked by the terrorists after moving beyond the security track marked by the military around the communities to prevent residents from straying into Boko Haram or ISWAP enclaves.
The Kukawa area has suffered three devastating attacks by Boko Haram since 2014 when terrorist attacks escalated in Borno State.
In December 2019, Boko Haram sacked Baga, the headquarters of Kukawa Local Government and one of Borno’s commercial hubs, following a bloody attack that lasted two days.
Nearly a dozen military troops were captured and later executed in a gruesome manner. Thousands of residents fled their homes, marking the third massive displacement in the town since 2014.
In the statement, Zulum condemned the deadly attack on farmers and fishermen at Dumba.
He expressed sorrow over the incident while asking the military to track down the killers.
Tar said that initial reports indicated that the attackers killed about 40 people, and several others fled into nearby areas while efforts were underway to trace the survivors and reunite them with their families.
He said the governor called on the armed forces to pursue and neutralize the perpetrators operating in Dumba and other enclaves in the Lake Chad area.
He assured the public that the state government was committed to ensuring justice and enhancing security.
“With deep sorrow and anguish, I received the sad news of the attack on Dumba where scores of our farmers and fishermen were killed by terrorists.
“On behalf of the government, I sympathize with the victims’ families. Let me assure the citizens of Borno that this matter will be thoroughly investigated for necessary action,” he said.
According to him, the governor noted that the victims had ventured outside the security perimeters established by the government and military into areas not yet cleared of insurgents or landmines.
He urged residents to adhere to the “safe corridors” demarcated by security agencies to avoid such risks.
“The government has clearly demarcated land for safe farming and economic activities allowing the military to focus on clearing unsafe areas. Citizens should not enter areas prone to terrorist attacks or contaminated by landmines,” he added.
The governor also commended the armed forces for their ongoing efforts to secure vast stretches of land for farming and resettlement as part of the government’s long-term strategy to manage displacement and enhance livelihoods.
“The safe corridors provide vast tracts of land for settlement, fishing, and farming under the watchful eyes of our gallant security forces.
“Straying into unsafe areas not only endangers lives but also complicates military operations against the terrorists,” the statement noted.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, has explained that the military follows strict protocols before executing any airstrike across the various theatres of operations.
He stated that the military conducts its airstrikes with precision, adding that civilians are not deliberately targeted.
Musa, who was reacting to the recent accidental killing of 16 civilians in Zamfara on Saturday, spoke during an interview on Arise News on Monday.
He said, “The issue of the airstrikes is still the same. Before we conduct any airstrike, we follow up on movements. And I can tell you, when we do airstrikes, we do it with precision.”
Musa stated that secondary explosions in areas where insurgents store weapons and explosives could have affected the citizens.
He said, “Now, we cannot rule out a secondary explosion. Why? Because again, within areas they have weapons, they have bombs, ammunition, and explosives that they keep there. So, sometimes if it goes up, you cannot rule out the aspect that civilians might be affected.
“But we do not deliberately target the civilian population, we avoid it as much as possible. We have videos that we follow up before any strike is conducted.”
The CDS noted that the accidental killing allegations might be antics to demoralise troops, adding that most of the allegations come when the military is making headways.
He said, “Maybe a question we should ask is; Why is it that while we are succeeding, that’s when you keep on hearing this accidental airstrike here and there? For us, I think this is just a way of demoralising the troops, demoralising our air force, and making it look as if we don’t know what we’re doing.”
Musa called for patience and cooperation in verifying such incidents, urging communities to wait for the outcome of military investigations into the incident.
Also, speaking on the tactics employed by terrorists in their bid to perpetuate violence, the CDS disclosed that the terrorists systematically impregnated women to create a new generation of fighters.
According to Musa, terrorists previously relied on capturing communities and forcibly recruiting men, but the loss of their territories had forced them to adopt a different approach.
The CDS added that this was evident in the number of those who surrendered to troops, noting that out of 120,000 fighters, half were children.
Musa said, “Over 120,000 terrorists surrendered. Out of this number, over 60,000 are children. Now, what were the terrorists doing in the past? They used to capture communities and then force men, especially adults, in to join them, whether they like it or not. If you refuse, they behead you, so you had no choice.
‘’But now that it became difficult, that they don’t have any territory, they don’t have a means of doing that, they now decided to start impregnating the women repeatedly. If a woman gives birth, four months after, they impregnate her again. They were trying to produce a new set of terrorists.”
The CDS expressed concern that such children would be more brutal and perpetrate heinous crimes than their parents if not tamed.
He said, “Those kids, growing up in a society where killing, beheading, and all sorts of heinous acts are rampant, will lack empathy and sympathy. They see these acts as normal.”
Speaking further, Musa said the Federal Government was collaborating with international organisations such as the United Nations and the European Union to disrupt terrorism financing in Nigeria.
Musa also revealed that multiple government agencies, including the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the National Intelligence Agency, and the Department of State Services, were actively working to trace the sources and movement of funds that sustain terrorist groups.
“We have raised these observations, and the relevant agencies have moved into action. What we are also doing is reaching out to the international community to trace the funds and their movement. If we’re able to do that, we’ll cut off the oxygen that keeps them going, which is very, very vital,” he said.
The defence chief noted the complexity of the funding networks, which include both international and local sources.
“It’s a very dangerous and high-value network that has made it difficult for them to be traced. Locally, we believe they are funded through taxes, levies, kidnapping, and other illegal activities.
‘’We have reached out to the UN, the EU, and other international organisations to assist in tracking the funds. For me, if we’re able to do that, we’ll mitigate this issue significantly and stop them. This is what keeps them going,” he said.
The army chief also said the military is preparing to take legal action against Reuters following its report alleging the forced termination of 10,000 pregnancies during counter-insurgency operations in the North-East.
The Reuters report, published in late 2022, accused the Nigerian military of running a secret and systematic abortion programme for women impregnated by insurgents.
The National Human Rights Commission in 2024 exonerated the military after it investigated the allegations.
Musa expressed disappointment that Reuters failed to retract or apologise for the report, which he said had maligned the country and its armed forces.
“After one and a half years of investigation, it was found that it was a complete lie. I was expecting Reuters to come in and apologize for it, but they did nothing. They did not even respond. After maligning the whole country, they have shown no accountability. I think it’s very important that Nigeria takes up this issue,” he stated.
Musa revealed that discussions have been held with the Attorney-General of the Federation to initiate legal proceedings.
“I’ve discussed this with the Attorney -General and I think it’s important that Nigeria addresses this. We will not allow anyone to demoralise our troops or malign the country,” he said.
He also criticised the timing of such allegations, suggesting they were part of efforts to undermine the military’s successes in the fight against terrorism.
“What we realise is that any time we’re making progress, international organizations take it upon themselves to demoralize the country and our troops. We have refused to be demoralized and we will not be demoralised,” he vowed.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Committee on Army has assured the Nigerian Army of adequate financial allocation in the 2025 budget proposal to tackle the challenges of insecurity in the country.
The Chairman of the Committee, Aminu Balele (APC, Katsina state) made the pledge during the 2025 budget defence organised by the committee on Monday.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Commander of Operations for Agunechemba Security Squad Chief Chinenye Ihenkor has described his 30 Years of fighting insecurity in Anambra state as tough and hell on earth.
Ihenkor who disclosed this shortly after receiving the Peace and Security Legend Award presented to him by the management of Nigerian Radar in Awka Anambra state noted that in the past 30 that he has been in the job of fighting insecurity in the area it has been tough and hell on earth.
“This 30 years since my life has been committed to the security of lives and property in Anambra state but I must tell you that my days in the past 30 years has not been easy ”
“It has been tough 30 years of policing in Anambra state but with God all things are possible”
“We have passed through hell and through so many attacks and challenges to make sure that people of Anambra state and the residents sleep with their two eyes closed ”
“I have passed so many challenges but not withstanding the major thing is that I am alive ”
“I have had so many worse days in Anambra state and they are uncountable to tell you the truth”
“Any time or day that I go for operations it is a worse day to me any day that I deploy my personnel is a worse day so that is about 30 worse days” he said.
Reacting to the award , Ihenkor noted that though he wasn’t expecting it , he wasn’t surprise that it came which according to him is an indication that Anambra people are aware of his duties in the area.
“I cannot say that I wasn’t expecting the award because it has gone to show that the world is awear of what I am doing.”
“This award is a success story for the Udo Ga Chi and Agunechemba Security Squad specifically”
“I thank the organization that presented this award to me and charge them to keep it up in the discharge of their duties.l”
“Iwant to thank our Governor Charles Soludo because without him we would not have been here today doing this job and appreciate the Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Security Prince Kenneth Emeakayi for his leadership qualities in the fight against insecurity in Anambra state”
“This is because the job of security is not for one person alone and it is everyman’s duty no matter your position or level in the society” he noted .
Presenting the award the Publisher Chief Executive Officer of The Radar Magazine , Mr Anthony C Okwunebe explained that the organization has 50 outstanding personalities that have distinguished themselves in various fields of endeavour which have impacted positively of the lives of people a d the society adding that Ihenkor is one of them .
He charged men and women in positions of responsibility to see their respective positions as service to the masses and the society at large noting that their individual and collective efforts would serve as multiplayer effects on the country at large .
Senor Special Assistant to Governor on Security Mr Okechukwu Dominic described the award as a great tonic and impetus for the security operatives in the state to put more action in the discharge of their duties.
“We are not surprise that people are commending us for the job that we are doing and we are proud of the Director of Operations and the Special Adviser to Soludo on Community Security Prince Kenneth Emeakayi for his leadership roles in fighting security and above all we all thank Mr Governor for finding us warthiy to work under his administration” he said.
The abductors, who attacked schools in Esinele, Yawota and Alawusa communities on May 15, are said to be demanding the release of detained terrorist commanders, payment of ransom, two Hilux vehicles and the implementation of Sharia-related law.
The two commanders whose release is reportedly being sought are Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a or Abbas Mukhtar, and his deputy, Abubakar Abba, alias Isah Adam or Mahmud Al-Nigeri, also called Mallam Mamuda.
The duo are leaders of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimeena Fii Bilaadis Sudan, JAMBS, also known as Ansaru — a breakaway faction of Boko Haram — and are alleged to have aided and abetted acts of terrorism in the country between 2013 and 2015.
They are also linked to the 2022 Kuje prison break.
They were arrested between May and July 2025 and are currently standing trial on terrorism charges before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/464/2025, with their trial commencing on January 15, 2026.
Usman was sentenced to 15 years in prison by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on September 11, 2025, after pleading guilty to one count of illegal mining — which he admitted he used to fund arms procurement for terrorism and kidnapping.
He denied 31 other counts and remains in DSS custody pending trial on those charges.
Other reports indicate the ransom demand stands at ₦1bn, to be paid into a bank account in the Republic of Benin. PUNCH Online could not independently verify this figure.
Security analysts have warned that releasing the commanders would pose serious risks to national security.
A retired Brigadier-General, Bashir Adewinbi, speaking with Saturday PUNCH said the situation had put the government in a tight corner, warning that paying ransom or releasing terrorist commanders would embolden criminal groups and fund further attacks.
Another retired Brigadier-General, Peter Aro, urged the government to first establish proof that the abductees were still alive before taking any decision, noting that prolonged captivity posed serious risks, particularly for young children.
The Oyo State Government has declined to comment on the demands or the state of negotiations, with the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, saying it would be “unhelpful” to disclose the government’s strategy while efforts to secure the victims’ release were ongoing.
On May 17, two days after the attack, the abductors released a video showing the beheading of one of the kidnapped teachers, Michael Oyedokun, a mathematics teacher at Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele.
Governor Seyi Makinde confirmed the killing in a statement on Monday, May 18, describing it as deeply painful.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
A total of eight suspected fake Pastors were on Friday arraigned before the Awka High Court in Anambra state.
Recall that Governor Charles Soludo had at a church service in Awka announced that some suspected fake Pastors are already under the custody of the state government for activities that are unbecoming of their roles as servants in God’s Vineyard.
Recall also that at the peak of the clampdown on fake Native Doctors, the affected Native Doctors protested that the Anambra state government has been neck deep in selective justice contending that the fake Pastors obtain their powers from Native Doctors.
They queried why their colleagues are being arrested while their clients who are Pastors are left to walk the streets freely.
It was against this backdrop that the Anambra state government beamed it’s searchlight on the activities of some Pastors which led to the arraignment of eight suspected fake Pastors.
It was gathered that the alleged fake pastors violated the 2025 Homeland Security law established by the administration of Prof Charles Soludo.
The Senior Special Assistant to Soludo on New Media Sir Ejimofor Opara who confirmed the development said the Homeland security law was passed in February 2025 and it frowns at certain forms of religious practices that are deemed inimical to the public, especially as it pertains to creation of illegal wealth.
Last year, some native doctors who were promoting get-rich-quick practices (Okeite rituals) were also arrested and prosecuted accordingly with some of them serving jail terms while othere are currently undergoing trial.ls.
The names of those arraigned before the High Court include; Peter Chukwu, Chinedu Egwuonwu, Bishop Emeka Nwankpa, Ebele Nnachukwu and Ekeleme Chris Ugochukwu.
Others are Ndubisi Nnachukwu,
Miracle Iruoma and Chukwukadibia Ogwuama.
The State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, is leading the prosecution.
The Muslim community in Oyo State has condemned the Sharia-related demands reportedly made by terrorists holding teachers and pupils abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area, declaring that the criminals do not represent Islam or Muslims.
The position came as public and private schools across Oyo State’s 33 local government areas shut down in solidarity with the abducted victims.
Also, security analysts in separate interviews, offered differing views on how the Federal Government could respond to the terrorists’ demands.
The abductors, who attacked three schools in Esinele, Yawota and Alawusa communities on May 15, reportedly demanded the release of detained terrorist commanders, payment of ransom, two Hilux vehicles and the implementation of Sharia-related law before freeing the captives.
In a statement issued on Friday and jointly signed by its Chairman, Alhaji Ishaq Sanvni, and Secretary-General, Alhaji Murisiku Siyanbade, the Muslim community in Oyo State described the terrorists’ action as criminal and contrary to Islamic teachings.
The group said attempts by the abductors to justify their actions through religious rhetoric amounted to a distortion of Islam.
“Islam forbids kidnapping, terrorism and the extortion of innocent citizens. Legitimate Sharia promotes justice, peace and the sanctity of human life, values that stand in direct opposition to the activities of criminal groups,” the statement said.
The organisation added that terrorists could not claim to speak on behalf of Muslims.
“Terrorists do not represent Islamic values and cannot speak for Muslims,” it stated.
Quoting Chapter 5 Verse 32 of the Holy Qur’an, the community stressed that Islam places a high premium on the protection of human life and urged security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue those in captivity.
The development came amid growing concerns over the fate of the abducted teachers and pupils.
A traditional ruler in one of the affected communities, the Eleshi of Esiele, Oba Tajudeen Abioye, appealed to the government to secure the release of the victims.
“We are aware of the ransom demands of the terrorists, but we are helpless. We are looking up to the government and pleading for intervention,” he said.
Schools shut in 33LGAs
Findings by revealed that the management of private schools issued a statement on Wednesday directing all schools to shut down from Friday, June 5.
One of the internal memos obtained by our correspondent in Ibadan, the state capital, on Wednesday read, “Due to the situation at hand and the ongoing protest in the state, all pupils and students should stay at home until further notice. No school for now until further notice.”
Also, a message circulated to private schools by the Ibadan District Chairman of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Joshua Olaoluwa, and obtained by Saturday PUNCH, read, “Good day, all school owners/administrators. Due to the recent kidnapping of teachers and students in Oriire LGA and rising security concerns, all NAPPS member schools in Ibadan District will be closed on Friday, June 5, 2026, as a mark of solidarity and for prayers for the victims’ safe release and the protection of all schools.
“If anyone tries to disrupt school activities before or after Friday, please record a video if it is safe to do so, report to the nearest police station, and inform your NAPPS LGA coordinator and the district office immediately.”
The state Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Fatai Hassan, had earlier disclosed that all public secondary and primary schools would remain closed until the abductees are rescued alive.
Speaking in Ibadan, the chairman of the Parents-Teachers Association of one of the affected schools, who requested anonymity, said, “We had already held a meeting over the closure of the school. You know this is more or less a remote area. It is not that remote, but we cannot compare schools in this environment with those around the Agbowo-UI, Bodija, Sango or Mokola axis.
“But we had to consider those students writing their terminal examinations. Otherwise, we would have joined the public protest since Monday. We eventually shut down the school on Wednesday,” the source said.
It was gathered that the bandits entered the community at about 1am, shooting sporadically to scare residents. They reportedly destroyed two houses before picking up the victim and whisking him away to an unknown destination. The boy, identified as Oluwatobi, is said to be the son of a pastor in the community, Isaac Olaosebikan.
A source said that, on hearing the sporadic gunshots, residents of the community fled their homes and ran to neighbouring communities for safety.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi, who confirmed the incident in a WhatsApp message, said efforts were ongoing to rescue the victim and apprehend the perpetrators.
He said, “The Ondo State Police Command has commenced an intensive manhunt for suspected kidnappers who abducted a nine-year-old boy during a violent attack on residents of Ugbosi Quarters, Idogun, in Ose Local Government Area of the state.
“The incident was reported in the early hours of Friday, 5th June 2026, at about 2:30 a.m. by Mr. Olaosebikan Isaac and Mr. Joel Owalekan, both residents of Ugbosi Quarters, Idogun. According to their reports, at approximately 1:30 a.m. on the same day, a group of armed men invaded the community, firing gunshots sporadically and causing panic among residents.
He added that personnel of the command and the Amotekun Corps had been mobilised to the scene and had launched a coordinated search-and-rescue operation.
“Security operatives combed the surrounding forests and likely escape routes in a bid to rescue the abducted child and apprehend the perpetrators,” the PPRO stated.
Jimoh also noted that investigations had commenced while relevant exhibits had been recovered and documented to determine the circumstances surrounding the attack and track down those responsible.
“The State Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, CP Felix Ohagwu, has directed all tactical teams, intelligence units and other relevant security assets to intensify efforts toward the immediate rescue of the victim unhurt and the arrest of the perpetrators.
“The Command is also working closely with other security agencies and local vigilante groups to ensure that the criminals are brought to justice.”
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