Crime
Borno missing children rise as Boko Haram steps up recruitment
Some residents who spoke on Sunday recounted the agony of their missing loved ones and expressed the fear that the rise in child disappearance cases in the state may be linked to insurgent recruitment efforts.
The development comes as the #BringBackOurGirls movement renewed calls for the Nigerian government to release the findings of the fact-finding committee on the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction.
With 78 girls still unaccounted for more than a decade later, the group urged transparency and accountability in the search for those still missing.
A video of a boy, around 10 years old, confessing to undergoing arms training along with approximately 30 other yet-to-be-identified children in a forest near Ajiri in Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State, went viral on social media at the weekend.
The video, posted by Zagazola Makama on X and reportedly recorded on January 22, 2025, captured the boy demonstrating his knowledge of handling firearms.
He confessed that he and other children of similar age were receiving military drills deep inside the forest.
“They are training us on weapons handling. Ali Shehu, Umar, Alhaji, and Malam Oro are the ones training us. We are at least 20 to 30. We are all young boys; some are bigger than me, while I am older than some of them,” the boy stated.
To support his claims, the child was handed an AK-47 rifle, which he expertly stripped and reassembled with near-perfect precision.
He also unloaded and reloaded a magazine, displaying an alarming level of proficiency in handling the weapon.
Some of the residents lamented the increasing rate of missing children in the state, an occurrence they alleged might be connected with the trending video.
One of the residents and a mother of two in Mafa, a location close to the Ajiri forest allegedly said to be the camping area for the children, Aisha Ali, confirmed the disappearance of her six-year-old child for over three years without trace.
“Around February 2022, my last born, Mustapha went missing. At the time, he was just six years old. It was during the late evening. All of a sudden, his whereabouts could not be traced, the last thing I remembered was seeing him eating while I was going to a friend’s place around 3 pm.”
She added, “Upon my return, I learnt he stepped out. We searched and searched. Just like a joke, we could not find him again. In fact, we just concluded he is dead because his whereabouts remain a mystery we can’t explain.”
Another resident in Maiduguri, the state capital, Muhammad Mamman, expressed concern as he narrated a recent experience.
“Around early last year, my brother lost his child, not that the baby girl died. She was just four years or so at the time. She just went missing. We immediately announced on the radio, yet she was nowhere to be found to date. Either dead or alive, we can’t explain,” he said.
To corroborate these experiences, an announcer in one of the popular radio stations in Borno State, who pleaded not to be identified because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, said in two weeks, at least one announcement on a missing child would be made.
“We have always announced cases of missing children. I can say at least we see such cases once every two weeks. This is alarming,” he said.
Other residents called on the government for immediate action, by combing the surrounding forests for missing children.
“With that video, security agencies must rise to the task. These places are not unknown. It may and may not, but we can’t continue to hear cases of missing children on local radio and a boy came out to say that he and others have been camped in a forest receiving training, yet the government will be comfortable,” Umar Abdulrahman, a resident said.
When contacted, the state police command said there had been at least one reported case of missing children every week in the state.
In an interview, the spokesperson of the command, Nahum Daso, said many such cases had been resolved in the past with a few still ongoing.
“Yes, there have always been cases of missing children. In aggregate, we can say at least one per week.
“Often, we do get the children back. I don’t have the current statistics with me, but we have reunited many missing children with their families.
Reacting to the video, Daso dismissed the recency of the claims, saying the act of using children as foot soldiers was in the past.
“You know, some of these clips are mostly old ones. From us, we don’t have any threat in regards to maybe children being used as child soldiers, but it used to be in the past. For over a decade, we have not recorded any cases like that,” he said.
Also reacting, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Brig Gen Abdullahi Sabi Ishaq (retd.), said such operations were usually perpetrated by members of the Islamic State of West Africa.
“What you saw on that video is not part of the known activities of Boko Haram. That is the trademark of ISWAP.
“They take small almajiri children who are suffering and malnourished, get them to the bush, feed them and take care of them before training and turning them into combatants.
“Does that boy look malnourished? No. It is the evidence of good living they are having there,” he said.
When asked how the state government would address the claims by the suspect that other children were still undergoing training, he said, “You know, the war is still on and the state is using the non-kinetic model while the army is carrying out operations.
“We must acknowledge that the army is doing its best. However, I must tell you that one thing the army is seriously considering is the issue of collateral damage.
“If the Air Force visits these locations and detonates bombs, considering the little children there, the whole of Nigeria will rise and say that they have burned children. So these are some of the challenges.
“As for us, we rely on the army for this type of operation. Our Civilian Joint Task Force cannot handle it, especially as it concerns ISWAP. We relied more on military strength,” he added.
Highlighting the challenges to tackling the uprising, he said the use of traditional methods in fighting the insurgency was a serious setback.
“War is no longer fought as it was in the olden days. There is a need for technology that will prevent the soldiers from moving about in the bushes with legs and vehicles, to minimise casualties,” he added.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its spokesperson, Jeff Okoroafor, the #BringBackOurGirls movement criticised successive governments for withholding the report on the abducted Chibok girls.
“The #BringBackOurGirls movement wishes to remind President Bola Tinubu’s administration of its constitutional duty to protect all citizens.
“To this effect, the administration has a duty to provide an account of the status of the rescue of the remaining Chibok girls to their families and the Nigerian people.
“We reiterate the importance of bringing closure for the families of the remaining 78 missing school children.
“Critically, the Tinubu administration has, like their predecessors, failed to release the Sabo fact-finding committee report, despite our movement’s request including through an FoI process,” the statement read.
The group recalled that on the night of April 14, 2014, 276 schoolgirls were abducted by terrorists from Government Secondary School, Chibok, in Borno State.
Following global outrage and mounting pressure, then-President Goodluck Jonathan set up the Sabo committee on May 6, 2014, to investigate the incident.
The committee’s report, submitted on June 20, 2014, confirmed the abduction, noting that while 57 girls escaped, 219 remained missing at the time.
More than a decade later, BBOG reported that 141 of the originally missing girls had regained freedom, with many resuming their education.
It, however, said 78 girls remained unaccounted for, with concerns that some may have been assimilated into terrorist enclaves.
Okoroafor also urged citizens to join the BBOG to demand comprehensive public disclosure of the tragedy and release of all investigations conducted into the abduction of the Chibok girls on April 14, 2014.
Crime
Enugu Forest Guard Rescues Kidnap Victim, Arrests Native Doctor, Others in Intelligence-Led Operation
A coordinated operation by the Enugu State Forest Guard has led to the rescue of a kidnapped man and the arrest of four suspected criminals, including a man allegedly linked to ritual activities connected to the abduction.
The intelligence-driven operation was carried out in the Ette axis of Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area following credible information that a young man, identified as Samson Eleje Abah, had been lured into a forest and abducted by suspected criminals.
Acting swiftly on the intelligence, operatives of the Forest Guard stormed the location, rescued the victim unharmed, and arrested three suspects identified as Reuben Okwudili, Reuben Gebechukwu Chinoso, and Reuben Emeka.
The suspects have been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The Forest Guard said further intelligence gathered during the operation led to the arrest of John Agbo, a resident of Ofante Egberi in Kogi State, who allegedly travelled to the community to perform ritual activities believed to be connected to the kidnapping. He has also been transferred to the police to assist with ongoing investigations.
According to the agency, preliminary findings, supported by consultations with community leaders, revealed that residents had previously raised concerns about the alleged criminal activities of some of the suspects and had consistently provided intelligence to security agencies.
Community leaders condemned the incident and reaffirmed their commitment to partnering with security agencies by providing timely and credible information to combat crime. They also announced the imposition of traditional sanctions on the family of the principal suspects in accordance with local customs, stressing that criminality would not be tolerated in the community.
Describing the operation as another major breakthrough in its intelligence-led security campaign, the Forest Guard reiterated its commitment to tackling kidnapping, violent crime, and other security threats across Enugu State.
The Commander of the Enugu State Forest Guard, Dr. Akinbayo O. Olasoji, commended the operatives for their professionalism, courage, and swift response.
“We commend our operatives for their professionalism and prompt action in rescuing the victim and apprehending the suspects,” Olasoji said.
He urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with credible intelligence, emphasizing that public cooperation remains vital in the fight against crime.
“The Forest Guard will sustain aggressive patrols and deepen collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to ensure criminal elements have no safe haven in Enugu State,” he added.
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has disclosed how suspected internet fraudsters, popularly known as Yahoo boys, stole more than ₦7.2 million from the bank account of a serving judge in a midnight cyberattack.
Olukoyede made the revelation during the public presentation of two books authored by retired High Court judge, Justice Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye.
According to the EFCC chairman, the judge contacted him around 1 a.m. after receiving multiple debit alerts from her bank account. She told him that about ₦7.2 million—money she had saved over six years for her child’s education—had been fraudulently withdrawn.
He said the commission immediately swung into action and, despite legal restrictions limiting certain investigative activities in the state where the incident occurred, successfully recovered the entire sum before the close of business that same day.
Olukoyede said the incident underscores the increasing threat of cybercrime in Nigeria and warned that many people only appreciate its devastating impact after becoming victims.
He called for stronger collaboration among security agencies, the judiciary and the public to combat internet-related crimes more effectively.
The EFCC boss also urged the National Assembly and legal experts to review existing laws to accommodate the use of artificial intelligence in criminal investigations, noting that current legal provisions make it difficult for AI-generated evidence to be admitted in court.
Also speaking at the event, former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Kanu Agabi (SAN), urged anti-corruption agencies to intensify efforts to recover stolen public funds traced to foreign countries.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Prosecution witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC) has cleared former Minister of Labor and Employment Senator Chris Ngige of allegations of ground to the tune of N80 Million.
Ngige was charged on 5 counts of conferring UNDUE advantage to 5 companies said to belong to his Associates and 3 counts of receiving monetary gifts of N38m ,and N42m through his Sen Chris Ngige Foundation Scholarship scheme and Sen Chris Ngige Campaign Organisation respectively.
Recall that on the strength of this matter the former Anambra state Governor was last year remanded at kuje Correction Center for three days and later granted bail.
Sen Ngige pleaded not guilty to the charges and pleads his innocence. Political observers believes the Minister is being witch hunted.
The EFCC prosecution witness at a Federal capital territory Court presided by Justice Marian Hassan again told the court that there was no undue influence,nor interference by the former Minister of Labour & Employment, Senator Dr Chris Ngige during the 12 months period that the NSITF Procurement was domiciled in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment between 2021and 2022.
The Procurement activities in the Parastatal’s Tenders board PTB and the Ministerial Tenders Board MTB performed their activities with due process and no hindrance.
The witness; Dr Maduka Onwusoro,now a Permanent Secretary said he served as Director of Procurement in the Labour Ministry 2019 up to 2023,with his Deputy Ms Joyce Akponor who was later deployed to NSITF on their request to man the needs of the various Departments ,collate bids and forward for PTB and MTB awards between 2021 and 2022.
Under Cross Examination by Lead defence Counsel PIN Ikwueto SAN the witness took a look at an Exhibit tendered by the Prosecution, he then affirmed that the approval annotation made on the document were his and affirmed that all the companies recommended and approval by the MTB in the document were done on merit and that there was no UNDUE interference or influence by anyone.
The Ex -Minister was being accused of conferring undue advantage Messrs Zitacom Ltd,Shale Atlantic ,and Olde English Consolidated ltd were on the list with many other companies.
The witness said as overall supervisor of Procurement activities no pressure was brought on him in connection with the 3 companies.
Earlier during his appearance last Thursday the same witness was emphatic that two other Companies Messrs Cezimo Ltd and Jeff & Xris Ltd also passed through due process and got their contracts on merit because there were pre- qualified and gave lowest bids.
Thereafter the defence sought to tender through the Bar some documents which were approvals and directives given to the then Secretary to the Government of the Federation( SGF )and the former Minister, Ngige by the former President Muhammadu Buhari but the Prosecution opposed and pointed out that the certification of the documents by the Federal Ministry of Labour Human Resources Department were not properly done in accordance with a past Supreme Court ruling on certification of documents.
This prompted the defence team to withdraw the application to tender them ,to enable them do the needful.
Thereafter the Judge adjourned the matter to October 14 2026 for further hearing.
The Enugu State Police Command says it has recorded major operational successes in its ongoing border security operations under the Inspector-General of Police’s “Handshake Patrol” initiative.
The operations, carried out at different border locations across the state, led to the foiling of an attempted armed robbery, the neutralisation of one suspected armed robber, the arrest of four other suspects, and the recovery of two firearms, suspected illicit drugs and other incriminating exhibits.
According to the Command, operatives attached to the Amechi-Idodo Division, working with members of the Neighbourhood Watch, foiled an armed robbery attempt along the Enugu–Abakaliki Road at about 6:15 a.m. on June 28, 2026.
The police said the gang had blocked a section of the highway to rob commuters but was confronted by security operatives in a gun battle. The gang, which was already on the Command’s watchlist for a series of armed robberies along the border route, was forced to flee.
Its alleged leader, Ifesinachi Kenneth, sustained gunshot injuries during the exchange of fire and was arrested. Information obtained from him reportedly led to the arrest of another suspect, Izuchukwu Nwanga, who allegedly kept the gang’s proceeds of crime. Kenneth was taken to hospital but was later confirmed dead.
In a separate operation at about 5:30 p.m. the same day, operatives from the Umumba Division, acting on credible intelligence, raided a suspected criminal hideout at Umumba Ndiagu in Ezeagu Local Government Area, near the Anambra State border.
The operation led to the arrest of two suspects, identified as Uwah Ifesinachi Sunday, 23, and Chinonso Okafor Paul, 25. Police recovered a locally fabricated pistol, a knife, a pair of scissors and quantities of substances suspected to be Indian hemp.
Also on June 28, at about 10:00 a.m., operatives of the Command’s Distress Response Squad (DRS), during a stop-and-search operation along the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway at Ugwuoba in Oji River Local Government Area, intercepted a commercial tricycle carrying passengers.
A search led to the recovery of a locally made cut-to-size gun allegedly belonging to 21-year-old Ifediri Nwobu. Police said the suspect attempted to escape by jumping into a nearby river but was successfully apprehended.
The Command said investigations are ongoing to arrest other fleeing suspects, while all those arrested will be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, commended the professionalism and bravery of the operatives and members of the Neighbourhood Watch, reaffirming the Command’s commitment to strengthening border security and combating violent crime through intelligence-led policing. He also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue supporting security agencies with credible information.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has explained the circumstances surrounding the public arrest of former Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, saying the action followed his repeated failure to honour invitations and a valid court order.
The explanation appears to validate earlier media reports that Nnaji was arrested at the airport, following initial denials from some quarters.
In a statement issued on Thursday, ICPC spokesperson John Odey said the commission obtained a court warrant authorising Nnaji’s arrest after he allegedly ignored several invitations for questioning over allegations of certificate forgery.
According to the commission, Nnaji was arrested on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, upon his arrival at the Abuja airport with the assistance of the Department of State Services (DSS) and was subsequently taken to the ICPC headquarters for interrogation.
The anti-graft agency also disclosed that it had secured a 14-day remand order to keep the former minister in custody while investigations continue, adding that the detention could be extended if necessary.
Odey said the commission had earlier sent formal invitations to Nnaji through a letter dated May 15, 2026, referenced ICPC/HC/CSTF/GUN/GBT/T.1/VOL.V16, which were delivered to his known addresses in Abuja and Enugu as well as via email. However, he allegedly failed to appear for the scheduled investigative interviews.
Following his refusal to honour the invitations, the ICPC approached the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1160/2026, where it obtained an order on June 11, 2026, authorising his arrest to facilitate investigation.
The commission said the investigation centres on allegations that Nnaji submitted forged academic credentials, including a degree certificate purportedly issued by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a National Youth Service Corps discharge certificate during his 2023 ministerial screening.
“The Commission assures the public that the matter will be pursued diligently in accordance with the law,” the statement said.
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