Crime
Tension in North As Resurgent terror attacks unsettle Residents
Boko Haram, bandits and armed herders were said to have sacked no fewer than 250 communities in the region, with 6,000 displaced residents reported to be sleeping in religious houses in Plateau State.
On Tuesday, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State stated that hoodlums had taken over 64 communities in the state.
Gunmen had attacked communities in Hurti, Josho, Daffo, and others in Manguna, Bokkos Local Government Area of the state on April 2, killing at least 52 people.
No fewer than 383 houses were burnt and 1,800 displaced.
Similarly, the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, expressed concern over the growing influence of Boko Haram in his state.
Zulum, during a security meeting at the Government House on Thursday, said, “Renewed Boko Haram attacks and kidnappings in many communities daily without confrontation signal that Borno State is losing ground.”
The Shehu of Borno, Abubakar el-Kanemi, noted that Abadam, Marte and Guzamala LGAs were already under the control of the insurgents.
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State in January 2025 said over 1,000 households were displaced in a series of attacks on communities across the state from December 29, 2024, to January 9, 2025.
No fewer than 100 communities spread across 26 council wards in five LGAs of the state were alleged to have been occupied by bandits.
The Chairman of Agatu LGA, Melvin Ejeh, who spoke to our correspondent, claimed that the hoodlums hoisted flags after sacking the communities.
The leader of the three socio-cultural groups in the state (Mdzou U Tiv, Ochi’Kidoma and Omn’Igede), Iorbee Ihagh, a retired Comptroller of Prisons, decried the invasion of the state by hoodlums, adding that many communities were still under their control.
Ihagh, who also doubles as the President General of Mdzou U Tiv Worldwide, said, “The situation in Moon council ward is pathetic. Every public institution in the area, including schools, health centres and market places, was destroyed and many houses burnt. Personally, my house in the village was burnt. Nobody can access any community there. When my wife died last year, I couldn’t take her corpse home because herdsmen had taken over the communities.”
252 attacks on Borno in five months – Ndume
The Senator representing Borno South Senatorial District, Ali Ndume, said between November 2024 and now, there had been more than 252 attacks in Borno State alone.
Ndume stated this while appearing on Politics Today on Channels Television on Friday.
While confirming that three councils in the state were under the control of Boko Haram, he berated the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, for calling on Nigerians to ignore Zulum’s claim that Borno was losing ground to the insurgents.
Ndume attributed the renewed attacks by Boko Haram insurgents to inadequate deployment of troops in the state and lack of ammunition.
The vocal senator insisted that insecurity had remained stagnant, contrary to claims by President Bola Tinubu’s administration that things had improved.
He said, “From November last year to date, there were over 252 attacks in Borno State. We have lost more than 100 soldiers; we have lost nearly 300 civilians even though our soldiers gallantly killed over 800 of the terrorists within this period.
“No, we cannot say things are getting better, we cannot also say things are getting worse. We are in a stagnated situation because when you say we are getting it right today, tomorrow you hear another thing just like what happened in Plateau State last week. Lukarawa came in Sokoto, Kebbi and attacked two days ago, the situation is the same thing in Katsina.”
“The President should concentrate on three things — security, welfare of citizens and economy. If it is possible, he should declare a state of emergency in these three areas.”
We sleep under mango trees – IDPs
Many displaced persons in Agagbe IDP camp in Gwer West LGA of Benue State, lamented that they were ‘living in hell on earth.’
A displaced person, Terna Ibaah, said people were registering in the camp daily due to frequent attacks on communities.
He said the influx of displaced persons into the camp had overstretched the capacity of the facility.
“There are five locations in Agagbe camp, but what we are experiencing now is overpopulation, resulting in many people sleeping under mango trees. Little children who do not have any shelter to lay their heads sleep on their wrappers because they don’t have sleeping mats or mattresses,” he added.
Also speaking, a female IDP, who identified herself as Ugba-Kpa-Nyir, stated that she and her three kids, aged three, five, and seven, went to the camp three weeks ago after armed herders ransacked her village and killed seven people, including her husband.
Speaking in her local language, Nyir said, “We left our village with nothing after armed herders attacked on the first Saturday of March. Seven people were killed, including my husband.
“The whole community has been taken over by armed herders. At the time we arrived in the camp, there was nothing. I had only my three children and we rely on old inmates to survive.”
‘Over 6,000 find shelter in Plateau churches’
Bandit attacks have also ravaged many communities in Plateau State, leaving a trail of death, destruction, and displacement in their wake.
A visit to Bokkos LGA where attacks occurred on Tuesday, observed that the communities had been deserted.
Many survivors had also fled their homes, seeking refuge in nearby towns or IDP camps.
The Chairman of the Community Peace Observers in Bokkos LGA, Kefas Mallai, revealed that about 2,000 IDPs were staying at St. Thomas Catholic Church, including about 780 displaced residents from Daffo community.
According to indigenes, about 4,000 displaced persons were camping at the ECWA Church in Hurti community.
“Many of the IDPs are sleeping on bare floors. We have more than 5,000 people taking refuge in different camps in Bokkos alone. That is the situation following the recent attacks carried out by bandits in some communities, which left over 50 persons dead.
“The people are facing the challenge of food. They need food to eat, and they need their houses repaired because they’ve been destroyed. Also, their farm implements and foodstuffs have been set ablaze by the bandits.
“We have some communities like Josho that have been completely taken over by the Fulani. Ganda community is facing a similar situation,” Mallai added.
Our correspondents gathered that apart from Bokkos, bandits had also occupied many communities in neighbouring local government areas, including Barkin Ladi and Riyom.
The National President of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, Solomon Mwantiri, attributed the attacks to the control of rich natural and mineral resources in the affected areas.
Communities under bandit control in Sokoto
Many communities, especially in the eastern senatorial zone of Sokoto State, were also reported to have fallen under the control of bandits.
Our correspondent learnt that most of the communities were in Isa, Sabon Birni, Goronyo, Tangaza, Rabah, Gada, Illela, and Wurno LGAs of the state.
A security expert, Mahmud Abdullahi, told Saturday PUNCH that the majority of the bandits controlling the communities were linked to wanted terrorist kingpin, Bello Turji.
He said the bandits imposed taxes on their hosts before allowing access to farms and livestock.
“In many instances, you can only make use of your farm when permitted to do so — not on your terms or conditions.
“I know of a community where these people determine when and how the market should be operated. You can only go to the market on days they approve; otherwise, you will pay dearly for it. Most of these communities are known to the government, but they won’t talk about it, and they will also harass you if you try to,” he stated.
Another security expert, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the presence of bandits in some communities in the Sabon Birni LGA of the state.
“I know of some communities in that area where they still collect taxes from the people before allowing them access to farms and other activities. It is disturbing and worrisome that despite all the outcry, the government has not found a lasting solution to such problems,” he stated.
He revealed that a highly anticipated peace negotiation between four rival bandit groups failed, raising fears of continued violence and instability in the region.
The expert added, “The meeting, held in the remote village of Usu in Birnin Magaji LGA of Katsina State, brought together representatives of notorious armed leaders, including Gwaska Dan Karami, Alhaji Shingi, and Bello Turji.
“The talks were meant to ease internal conflicts and end longstanding rivalries among the groups. However, tension quickly flared as demands were tabled. Alhaji Shingi’s representatives accused Gwaska Dan Karami of encroaching on their territory and threatened retaliation. They also demanded the return of stolen cattle belonging to a resident of Safana LGA in Katsina State.
“Another contentious issue involved weapons allegedly seized from the late Sani Dangote. Gwaska Dan Karami was urged to return the guns and compensate Dangote’s family by purchasing new firearms.
“Despite initial hopes, the meeting unravelled when Bello Turji’s group refused to engage in the negotiations altogether. Turji’s faction, instead vowed to continue targeting Gwaska Dan Karami, declaring their intent to hunt him down.”
He said the collapse of the talks sparked renewed fears of escalating violence in parts of Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, and neighbouring states already grappling with insecurity.
How bandits replace imams, flog residents – Chairman’s aide
However, the Special Adviser on Security Matters to the Chairman of Tangaza LGA, Gazali Raka, denied the presence of bandits in the area.
But he admitted that the council had a growing presence of Lakurawa terrorists.
Raka said the Lakurawa agents, unlike before when they operated at night, now carry out their activities in broad daylight, regardless of the presence of security personnel.
He said, “We don’t have bandits anymore in Tangaza Local Government, and no community here is under their control. But we have more presence of Lakurawa.
“Some of the big names among the bandits have now switched to Lakurawa. We have people like Mezabo and Charambe, who were once arrested by the DSS. Though he was charged to court, he was later released. He has now become one of the strongest Lakurawa agents. We also have Alela, another top member of Lakurawa here in Tangaza.
“Do you know that they now operate even during the day, right in town? They harass people in most communities. When you go to Ruwa-Wuri, Masalaci, among other communities, they move freely, and soldiers are doing nothing to stop them.
“If they see anyone playing music on their phone or in their shop, they will destroy the device and give that person 50 strokes of the cane. They go to any mosque and summon the imam for questioning. If he fails to answer, he gets flogged and replaced.
“The most annoying part is that only the Nigerian Police Force is helping us. They come out both during the day and at night — unlike the soldiers, who have stopped operating at night,” he stated.
But the lawmaker representing Sabon Birnin West in the state House of Assembly, Almustapha Boza, confirmed that bandits had taken control of some communities in Isa LGA.
He promised to provide details but had not responded as of the time of filing this report.
When contacted, the Special Adviser on Security Matters to the Sokoto State Governor, Col. Ahmed Usman (retd.), denied knowledge of any community being under the control of bandits.
While admitting there were security challenges, especially in the eastern senatorial district of the state, he said security agents, in conjunction with the state Community Guard Corps, were working to tackle the problem.
The Enugu State Police Command has impounded 195 vehicles for various registration and number plate violations as it commenced enforcement of the nationwide ban on unregistered vehicles and improperly identified automobiles.
The enforcement operation, led by the Commissioner of Police, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, took place across the state on Tuesday in compliance with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, the affected vehicles were impounded for offences including operating without registration, using covered, defaced, obscured or unauthorized number plates, improperly affixed number plates, and displaying only one number plate instead of the legally required two.
The police said owners of the impounded vehicles would be arraigned in court and prosecuted in accordance with the National Road Traffic Regulations and other relevant laws.
Speaking during the exercise, CP Giwa commended officers for conducting the operation professionally and urged motorists to comply with vehicle registration and number plate regulations.
He warned that the command would sustain the enforcement exercise to enhance public safety and ensure that offenders are prosecuted.
The commissioner noted that the enforcement followed the recent directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, mandating all state commands to strictly enforce the ban on unregistered vehicles and prosecute violators due to the security risks such vehicles pose and their frequent use in criminal activities.
CP Giwa also cautioned police personnel against extortion, harassment or any other form of misconduct during the operation, warning that any officer found culpable would face severe disciplinary action.
He further urged owners of unregistered vehicles and those using covered, defaced, obscured, unauthorized or improperly affixed number plates to immediately regularise their documents and comply with all applicable laws.
President Bola Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the activities of the alleged fictitious Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) and submit its findings within 30 days.
The directive was conveyed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, titled “President Tinubu Orders ICPC to Investigate Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.”
According to the Presidency, the PFIPC was never established by the Federal Government and has no legal basis, presidential approval, executive instrument or any lawful authority to operate.
President Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate the alleged use of forged appointment letters and other official government documents by Adeniyi Adeyemi Mathew, who presented himself as the Director-General of the council and falsely claimed to be a presidential appointee.
The investigation will also examine allegations that Adeyemi used the purported appointment to seek official recognition and diplomatic support, including visa facilitation, and opened multiple bank accounts in the names of government agencies using allegedly forged documents.
The President further instructed the anti-corruption agency to determine how the fictitious body gained an appearance of legitimacy and identify any public officials, private individuals, financial institutions or intermediaries who may have facilitated or participated in the alleged scheme.
According to the statement, the probe will cover the origin and use of the alleged forged documents, the processes through which official recognition or diplomatic support may have been sought or obtained, the opening and operation of related bank accounts, the source and movement of any funds involved, and any institutional failures that enabled the operation.
Tinubu also directed the ICPC to identify weaknesses in government procedures that were exploited and recommend measures to prevent a recurrence.
He ordered all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government to cooperate fully with the commission by providing all relevant records and information required for the investigation.
“The integrity of the Presidency and the institutions of the Federal Government must be protected against impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity and the exploitation of weaknesses in the public service. All persons found culpable are to be treated strictly in accordance with applicable law,” the President stated.
The directive follows weeks of public scrutiny over the alleged operation of the PFIPC, which reportedly maintained offices at the Federal Secretariat Complex, opened accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria, appeared in the 2026 Appropriation Act with a budgetary allocation of N1.3 billion, and engaged diplomatic missions despite lacking any legal backing.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), counsel to Adeyemi, had earlier questioned how the council was included in the national budget if the appointment letter was forged. He also called for an investigation into both Adeyemi and the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The Presidency, however, denied any link between Gbajabiamila and the alleged scheme, stating that police forensic analysis confirmed that the signature on the disputed appointment letter was forged.
Onanuga said the Nigeria Police had completed its investigation before filing charges at the Federal High Court.
“The police investigated the suspect, carried out forensic analysis of the Chief of Staff’s signature and established that it was forged. They also found that all the documents he was parading were fake,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has released Adeyemi’s father after questioning him over his son’s whereabouts.
A neighbour, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the elderly man was interrogated for several hours before being released.
“He was questioned about his son’s whereabouts, and the police also copied the contacts on his phone before allowing him to leave,” the source said.
The arrest of Adeyemi’s father on Monday had drawn criticism from Falana, who questioned the legality of the action.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has alleged that former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, violated the conditions attached to a court-approved medical visit while in the commission’s custody.
The anti-graft agency also announced the arrest of El-Rufai’s personal physician, Professor Bello Abubakar, over alleged false statements made during the incident.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson and Head of Media and Public Communications, John Odey, the ICPC said it approved El-Rufai’s medical visit in compliance with a Kaduna State High Court order and in keeping with its obligation to respect the rights and welfare of persons in its custody.
According to the commission, the Kaduna State High Court had fixed July 6, 7 and 8, 2026, for the accelerated hearing of criminal charges against the former governor. However, El-Rufai was absent when proceedings commenced on the first day.
The ICPC said its prosecution team informed the court that when officers arrived to convey El-Rufai to court, he declined to accompany them, insisting on seeing his personal physician.
The commission stated that no prior request had been made for the medical consultation and that when questioned by its medical doctor, El-Rufai reportedly said he had no immediate medical complaints but explained that his wife, Asia El-Rufai, who is also one of his legal counsel, requested that he consult his personal physician, Professor Bello Abubakar.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter until July 15, 2026, to hear El-Rufai’s application seeking the trial judge’s recusal and to await the decision of the Kaduna State Chief Judge on a petition seeking the transfer of the case.
Despite the adjournment, the ICPC said it approved the hospital visit in line with the court’s directive.
The commission said its medical and security personnel accompanied El-Rufai to the private wing of the National Hospital, Abuja, on Tuesday and remained outside the consultation room at the request of his family members while he was being attended to by an oncologist.
However, the ICPC alleged that it later discovered photographs posted on Facebook by one of El-Rufai’s political associates, Isa Ashiru Kudan, showing the former governor receiving several visitors, including Professor Abubakar, during the period designated for the medical consultation.
According to the commission, the photographs suggested that the hospital visit was used for activities beyond the purpose approved by the court.
“The images and post by Isa Kudan indicated that the arranged medical visit was utilised for activities outside the scope contemplated by the court and the ICPC. This is a clear violation of the court order,” the statement said.
The commission said it had treated El-Rufai and other suspects in its custody with professionalism, patience and courtesy, but alleged that its goodwill had been abused.
It added that it would bring the alleged violation of the court order to the attention of the court.
The ICPC also announced that Professor Bello Abubakar had been taken into custody for further investigation over alleged false statements.
The commission reaffirmed its commitment to operating within the law, warning that it would not tolerate any abuse of its goodwill or disregard for court orders.
The controversy surrounding the alleged N1.3 billion Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council scandal deepened on Monday following the reported arrest of the father of the council’s embattled promoter, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force.
Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, is currently standing trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges bordering on conspiracy, forgery and impersonation. The Federal Government has listed the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and 10 others as prosecution witnesses.
The arrest of Adeyemi’s father reportedly took place at the family’s residence in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, on Monday. According to Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, police officers stormed the residence and took the elderly man into custody.
“The father has been arrested. There is no legal basis for substituted arrests. The young man has promised to appear in court, so why arrest his father?” Falana said.
Eyewitnesses alleged that police officers arrived in four vehicles, prevented neighbours from intervening, and took the elderly man to a police station. A family friend who was visiting the residence was also reportedly arrested, while Adeyemi’s aged mother was left in a state of shock.
The development has sparked concerns among legal practitioners and human rights advocates over the legality of the arrest.
President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe, cautioned against drawing conclusions without knowing the reasons behind the arrest.
“If a person is arrested solely to pressure a suspect to surrender, such an arrest is unlawful,” Osigwe said. “However, if the father is himself a suspect or a person of interest in the investigation, then the law permits his arrest.”
Similarly, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Sam Erugo, maintained that arresting a parent for an offence allegedly committed by a child is unlawful.
According to Erugo, Section 7 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, expressly prohibits arrest by proxy or in lieu of another person.
He, however, urged the Nigeria Police Force to clarify the circumstances surrounding the arrest, stressing that the public deserves a clear explanation from the authorities.
The Nigeria Police Force had yet to issue an official statement on the reported arrest as of the time of filing this report.
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Nigeria’s foreign ministry said on Sunday one man was killed in front of his shop in the northeastern city of eMalahleni by unidentified criminals.
It gave no more details on the incident, which it said took place on Sunday, June 28 — on a weekend when tensions were building up ahead of nationwide anti-migrant rallies last week.
Vigilantes have attacked foreign nationals and looted foreign-owned shops on numerous occasions in the last few months, as South Africans blame immigrants for problems such as crime and unemployment. Migrant rights groups say foreigners are being used as scapegoats for deep-rooted problems.
Ghana said last week one of its citizens was fatally wounded in a shooting during the anti-immigrant demonstrations. South Africa said his killing was not related to the protests and accused Ghana of spreading misinformation.
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned the attacks against migrants. Police said they arrested 900 people during last week’s protests.
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Nigeria’s foreign ministry said on Sunday: “We wish to place the Government of South Africa on notice that if the situation continues to persist, all options remain on the table, some of which will be activated if the uncultured and provocative trend of intolerance… against foreigners is not addressed.”
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