Crime
Jilted by fiancée angry soldier opens fire kills 4 at checkpoint
Twenty-four-year-old Fadila Abdulrahman narrates how a soldier jilted by a lover went on the rampage, opening fire on her 26-year-old brother, Adam, and other passengers in a bus at a checkpoint in Mafa town, Borno State
Briefly tell us about yourself.
My name is Fadila Abdulrahman. I am 24 years old. I am from Mafa town in Borno State.
What is your relationship with Adam Danna who was reportedly shot dead recently by a soldier in Borno?
He was my elder brother. He was among the people that were shot dead by a soldier on March 23, 2022. He was on his way back from a business trip. He was 26 years old. He was a businessman. He dealt in clothes, shoes and the like. He was on his way from Maiduguri, where he had gone to buy some wares for his business when he met his untimely death. He was heading back to Mafa in the Gamboru-Ngala Local Government Area both in Borno State when the incident happened.
Who broke the news of his death to you?
We got a call through his phone. The person who called my mother did not tell us he was shot. The voice said, “Your son has been involved in a motor accident. You need to come and see him at the General Hospital.” My mother and I rushed down to the hospital only to be shown his corpse. That was when they told us that it was an angry soldier that shot him in the head.
What were you told exactly transpired between him and the soldier?
From what we heard, he was in a commercial bus with other passengers when the driver said he could hear gunshots fired at him. The passengers also heard the gunshots. The driver stopped the vehicle. He could not even properly park as he saw that the gunshots were coming from the direction of the military checkpoint. As he managed to park somewhere, all the passengers began to scamper for safety; some jumped out of the bus through the window but my brother could not escape.
Why did he not run?
They said he had some loads on his legs. So, he would have to unpack them before he would be able to run. Also, the back seat where he sat did not make it easy for him to escape as there was no window there. There were two other people with him on the back seat. As they wanted to run, they were shot by the soldier. The soldier shot my brother in the head and shot the other persons in their legs or so. My brother died on the spot.
The policeman also shot some of the other passengers, who escaped with injuries. We learnt that an infant and two other women were shot and they died too. The bodies of the deceased were moved to Mafa General Hospital, which was where we found my brother’s remains.
Was it confirmed that the person who fired the gunshot was actually a soldier and not a terrorist wearing military uniform?
He is a soldier. He was in his army uniform. The incident happened at a military checkpoint. Even his colleagues traced our house and came to apologise to us. He is a soldier. They cannot tell me otherwise.
What were you told triggered the shooting by the soldier?
They said he came to a particular compound to marry a girl and found out that the girl had been married off to another person. Out of anger, he came out and opened fire, scattering the entire place. He got so upset that he was shooting at everyone and everything. His colleagues were trying to calm him down so he wouldn’t shoot his suppposed in-laws-to-be. He rushed out with that anger and targeted the moving bus and began to shoot at the bus. As the people ran towards the house where the supposed marriage was to hold, he also shot them. I don’t have the full detail of everything but I know that he shot my brother in the head for no reason, and he (my brother) bled to death.
When the soldier’s colleagues came to apologise to your family, what exactly did they tell you about the incident?
They said their colleague opened fire because his girlfriend was given to someone else to marry; they said that was what got him angry.
Have you lodged a formal complaint to the army and also reported to the police?
Yes, we did report to the police and to the army. We told everyone we were told could be of help. Later on, the army said they had arrested him. But since then, we have heard nothing. They didn’t do anything.
What kind of a person was your brother?
My brother was an easygoing person who didn’t talk too much; he wasn’t that sociable. He spoke only when he was spoken to and went about his business.
Was he married?
No, he wasn’t. He had no kids either.
How are your parents taking this sad incident?
My dad is dead. It is just me and my mother. We are just two in the family. My mother is very young. She is in her 40s. When my mom heard the news, she fainted and was hospitalised for days. She already had high blood pressure, so, the news almost killed her. I would have lost the two of them. She was just discharged from the hospital not long ago. They just killed my brother like that! Our family has been thrown into mourning. Please, help us to tell (the President, retired Major General Muhammadu) Buhari, and the army to come to our aid. We are in pain.
Was your brother educated?
He finished secondary school before he started his business. He was the breadwinner of the home since my father’s passing. Even before our father’s passing, he had been the one acting as both husband and son to my mother. He was the one also paying my school fees. Since his death, I don’t even know how to cope. I am confused. Who would take care of us? We have nothing. We are empty. We need the government to help us.
Has he been buried?
Yes, he has. He was buried on the same day according to Islamic rites. When I saw his corpse on that day, you cannot imagine the feeling that went through my mind.
What do you want the government to do in this matter?
My only brother is dead. What would they do? He is dead and the person that murdered him would soon be set free to roam the streets of Maiduguri again. Perhaps, his gun would be handed back to him. The government needs to come to our aid and help us. We have suffered so much. If I show you the picture of his remains, you would not be able to sleep. It is gory. The bullet went through his skull and opened it. You could see the inside of his skull. What did he do? Nothing. He just wanted to make ends meet. The government needs to take care of us. My mom and I need the government’s intervention. We are hopeless.
Since the news broke, has any government official come to see you?
Apart from the soldiers who came to see us empty-handed, nobody from the government has come to see us. They only came with promises, but as I speak to you now, nothing has been done. Nothing! Since March 23 till date, nothing has been done.
Are you in school now?
I am in Bayero University, Kano. I am just beginning a Microbiology degree after my diploma in Science Laboratory Technology.
Who would pay your school fees?
(Sobs) Exactly the question I have been asking myself! Who would pay my school fees? Is it from his grave? I have no uncle or aunty that would help me. I have reached out to everyone I know, but there is no help in sight.
PUNCH
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.”
Ogunleye was arraigned on Wednesday alongside three other suspects before a Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
The Ekiti State Police Command said the suspects were brought before the court after the conclusion of investigations into the matter.
The prosecutor, Akinwale Oriyimi, informed the court that the case file had been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice.
Oriyimi subsequently requested the court to remand the defendants pending further directives from the DPP.
Ruling on the application, the Chief Magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun, ordered that Ogunleye and the other defendants be remanded at the Ado-Ekiti Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.
Kano Times recalls that Ogunleye was declared missing on May 20 after her vehicle was reportedly found abandoned along the Ipere–Iludun Ekiti Road.
Reports at the time indicated that she was allegedly abducted by suspected gunmen shortly after leaving the local government secretariat.
She was later found unharmed during a joint operation involving security agencies.
However, police investigations later alleged that the kidnapping was staged in a bid to raise money to offset financial obligations and outstanding political commitments.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government Area, Pius Dada, condemned the alleged act.
Dada described the incident as embarrassing and unacceptable, warning that such actions could undermine public confidence in government officials and security agencies.
He further stated that no public office holder would be protected from prosecution if found culpable of any wrongdoing.
The Enugu State Police Command has arrested three suspects linked to alleged armed robbery, kidnapping, and drug trafficking in separate intelligence-led operations across the state.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed this in a statement on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, who reaffirmed the Command’s determination to sustain its crackdown on criminal activities through proactive policing and intelligence-driven operations.
According to the statement, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) on May 30, 2026, at about 7:30 p.m., stormed a drinking spot along the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway following credible intelligence and arrested two suspected armed robbers and kidnappers identified as Ogbonna Chinonso, 22, and Nnachi Cypril, 35.
Items recovered from the suspects included a locally made revolver pistol, a locally made cut-to-size double-barrelled gun, six rounds of 9mm ammunition, and one live cartridge.
Enugu CP
In a separate operation conducted earlier the same day at about 4:30 p.m., VCRU operatives raided a suspected criminal hideout in Trans-Ekulu, Enugu, where they arrested a suspected drug dealer, Izunna Ani, 36.
The police said large quantities of substances suspected to be “Loud” and “Kolos” were recovered from the suspect.
The Command noted that investigations into the cases are ongoing and that the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigations.
Commending the operatives for their professionalism and vigilance, CP Giwa reiterated the Command’s commitment to ridding Enugu State of violent crimes and other forms of criminality. He also urged residents to remain security-conscious and continue providing useful information to assist the police in combating crime.
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