Category: Security

 

The Special Military Task Force in charge of maintaining peace in Plateau State otherwise known as Operation Safe Haven has confirmed that eight vigilantes were killed in last Sunday’s ambush by bandits in Kanam Local Government Area of the state.

 

The spokesman for the taskforce, Major Samson Zhakom, made the disclosure in a statement on Wednesday.

 

The statement which narrated how the incident occurred read,

“Following recent media reports alleging the killing of 70 vigilantes in Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State, Headquarters Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) wishes to clarify the incident.

 

“While OPSH confirms the occurrence of the event, certain details circulating are inaccurate. Below is an official account of what transpired.

 

“On 6 July 2025, a large group of vigilantes mobilised from Kanam LGA with the intent to conduct an independent operation without notifying OPSH troops. Upon arriving at Kukawa community, where they had temporarily halted for administrative purposes, the vigilantes engaged in a confrontation with some residents. Reports indicate that they attacked civilians and looted several provision shops in the area.

 

“Additionally, the vigilantes allegedly seized over 20 motorcycles from Kukawa residents, claiming they were finalising administrative procedures before proceeding to Odare Forest for their mission.

“However, while advancing toward the forest, the group was ambushed by armed bandits, resulting in the death of eight vigilantes, with others still missing. The remains of the deceased have been recovered and buried, while troops from Sector 2 OPSH in Wase are conducting search and rescue operations to locate the missing individuals”

 

The statement warned vigilante groups against conducting unauthorised operations without prior coordination with security forces and emphasized that independent actions without OPSH’s approval endanger both the operatives and innocent civilians.

 

“In light of this incident, OPSH strongly advises all vigilante groups and individuals within the state against conducting unauthorised operations without prior coordination with security forces.

 

“While we recognise the vigilantes’ intent to protect under served areas, independent actions without OPSH’s approval endanger both the operatives and innocent civilians.

 

“OPSH remains committed to maintaining peace and security in Plateau State and will take decisive action against any individual or group undermining these efforts, regardless of their motives.

 

“We urge the public to continue supporting security agencies by providing actionable intelligence and reporting suspicious activities within their communities,” it added.

 

Oyo State Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Social Inclusion, on Tuesday, swore in ten state coordinators and 33 Local Government Commanders to enhance the security architecture of the state.

 

The ministry’s commissioner, Toyin Balogun, administered the oath of office and swearing-in of the committee members at the Local Government Staff Training Centre, Secretariat in Ibadan, the state capital.

 

She said, “The event became necessary to enhance grassroots security towards fostering community-based security across the 33 local government areas of the state.”

 

Balogun, therefore, advised them to understand that true security extends beyond patrols and checkpoints, stressing the importance of building trust within communities and addressing the root causes of social unrest.

 

The commissioner urged the committee “to incorporate gender sensitivity in their engagements and collaborate actively with social and women-focused groups to tackle domestic violence, human trafficking, child abuse, and other societal vices.”

In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mofoluwake Ibitoye, emphasized that security is anchored on equity and justice.

 

She also charged the newly appointed officers to demonstrate quality leadership, uphold integrity, and remain vigilant in the discharge of their duties.

 

In his acceptance speech, the Commandant of the committee, Olabanji Abiodun, expressed profound gratitude to the State Government, the Governor, and the ministry for their continued support.

 

He pledged that “the committee would uphold its mandate and work assiduously to improve safety and order at the local level.”

 

The Nigerian Air Force on Saturday, July 6, 2025, launched coordinated precision airstrikes targeting key Boko Haram enclaves in the Mandara Mountains of Borno State

 

The operation, executed under Operation Hadin Kai, focused on Wa Jahode and Loghpere, two long-established strongholds of the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad faction of Boko Haram.

 

The area, known for its difficult terrain along the Nigeria-Cameroon border, had recently seen a surge in terrorist activity, including reports of a logistics buildup and the presence of senior JAS commanders.

 

A statement on Monday by the Director of Public Relations and Information at NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the strikes were carried out after intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions confirmed the presence of terrorist infrastructure.

 

Ejodame said, “In a major blow to insurgent networks in Nigeria’s North-East, the Nigerian Air Force under OPHK, launched precision air strikes on 6 July 2025 against key terrorist strongholds nestled in the Mandara Mountains, located in Borno State.

 

“The high-profile targets, Wa Jahode and Loghpere, have long served as fortified enclaves for the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad faction of Boko Haram.

“The locations, known for their rugged, mountain-covered terrain along Nigeria’s border with Cameroon, had recently witnessed increased terrorist activity, including reports of a logistics build-up and the presence of senior JAS Commanders.

 

“The strikes followed confirmatory Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance missions revealing clusters of structures fitted with solar panels, black flags, and fortified compounds, clear signs of insurgent resurgence and preparations for coordinated attacks. In response, NAF strike aircraft executed a series of well-coordinated air interdictions, targeting and destroying high-value terrorist infrastructure including logistics warehouses, command centres, and defensive shelters.”

 

He said many terrorists were killed during the operations.

 

“Several terrorists were neutralised in the operation, effectively disrupting their supply chain and diminishing their capability to sustain further offensives.

 

“The Nigerian Air Force remains resolute to sustain the ongoing onslaught against terrorists and restore lasting peace to all troubled regions across the Country, ” Ejodame said.

 

 

Police blocked roads in a show of force to deter anti-government marchers from the deserted streets of Kenya’s usually bustling capital on Monday, with small groups of protesters clashing with officers on Nairobi’s outskirts.

 

Many people appeared to be staying home rather than attend the annual so-called Saba Saba Day, meaning Seven Seven, marches to commemorate July 7, 1990 when Kenyans rose up to demand a return to multi-party democracy after years of autocratic rule by then-president Daniel arap Moi.

 

From around midday, AFP saw running battles with groups of anti-riot police who fired teargas at small gatherings, with some of the crowd throwing rocks at officers and engaging in destructive looting.

 

Young Kenyans, frustrated over economic stagnation, corruption and police brutality, are once again engaging in protests that last month degenerated into looting and violence, leaving dozens dead and thousands of businesses destroyed.

 

Protesters accuse the authorities of paying armed vandals to discredit their movement, while the government has compared the demonstrations to an “attempted coup”.

 

On Monday, the streets of central Nairobi were quiet after police mounted roadblocks on the main roads, restricting entry to areas that were the epicentre of previous rallies.

 

Many businesses were closed for the day.

 

“I have never witnessed the city centre like this,” security guard Edmond Khayimba, 29, told AFP.

 

While the centre remained deserted, groups gathered on the outskirts in the afternoon with AFP reporters witnessing two people wounded, as well as looting and vandalism.

 

Protesters on a major highway clashed with police blocking their entry into the city, with the small crowds chanting: “Ruto Must Go”, a popular rallying cry against President William Ruto, and “wantam” meaning “one term”.

 

Again, AFP saw looting and property destruction in the surrounding area.

 

With much of Nairobi at a standstill, an interactive map showing at least 20 suspected police roadblocks was shared online and through WhatsApp groups.

 

Local TV stations also showed gatherings, some violent, in several towns across the country.

 

– ‘Ruto Must Go’ –

Social media and rising economic expectations have fanned anger over inequalities in a country where around 80 percent are trapped in informal, poorly paid jobs.

But a crackdown by the police — at least 80 people have died in protests since June last year while dozens have been detained illegally — has scared many off the streets.

 

On Sunday, men, some armed with sticks, forced their way into the compound of the Kenyan Human Rights Commission during a press conference calling for an end to “enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings”.

 

Nairobi motorbike driver Rogers Onsomu, 32, told AFP that while the town was deserted, he hoped demonstrators would come out later, and criticised Ruto’s government.

 

“What he has promised the country, (he) is not delivering,” Onsomu said.

 

“The youths are protesting because of many things, like healthcare.”

 

“As the constitution say, the power belongs to people,” he said. “So this slogan of ‘Ruto Must Go’. We will not relent and we will keep it going each and every day.”

 

– ‘The world is different’ –

 

Since being elected in 2022, Ruto has forged an uneasy alliance with the main opposition leader Raila Odinga, leaving no clear challenger ahead of the next vote in 2027.

 

But each violent crackdown fuels further unrest, said activist Nerima Wako.

 

“Every time people organise a protest, they kill more people, so it just continues to feed off itself,” she said.

 

The previous demonstration on June 25 — intended to mark the peak of last year’s deadly anti-government rallies — turned violent and left 19 people dead, according to rights groups.

 

Police made hundreds of arrests.

 

Gabrielle Lynch, an African politics expert at Britain’s University of Warwick, said the government appeared to be recycling tactics from the 1990s.

“But we’re not in the nineties,” she said. “They don’t seem to have realised the world is different.”

 

AFP

 

The Ogun State Police Command says it is set to clamp down on any form of cult-related activity across the state on the “777” cult anniversary.

 

The “777” date observed on the seventh day of the seventh month is reportedly celebrated by some cult groups and has been associated with violent clashes in the state in the past.

 

In a public advisory issued on Sunday, the command spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, disclosed that it had picked up intelligence indicating that members of secret cult groups were planning to mark the annual celebration on July 7.

 

Odutola said, ”The Command has reinforced security operations across all Divisions and Area Commands to ensure peace and public safety.”

 

She warned that any unlawful gathering, procession, or anniversary celebration linked to cultism would be disrupted, and those involved dealt with decisively.

 

“Any attempt to stage unlawful gatherings, processions, or anniversary events linked to cultism will be met with swift and decisive police action,” Odutola said.

The command also cautioned youths against loitering or forming clusters in public places during the period, saying such conduct could draw law enforcement attention.

 

“Young people are strongly urged to avoid loitering or forming clusters in public places,” the advisory warned.

 

Parents and guardians were advised to keep close watch on their wards and educate them on the dangers of cultism.

 

Odutola further warned that anyone found in possession of firearms during the anniversary period would be arrested and prosecuted.

 

She also urged residents to remain alert and report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station.

 

The Nigerian Army has confirmed the arrest of one of its personnel, Lance Corporal Ahmed Aminu, in connection with the death of a phone repairer, Alkasim Ibrahim, in Mayo Belwa Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

 

The incident, which occurred on Friday has triggered widespread public concern and demands for accountability.

 

A statement issued on Saturday by the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations of the 23 Armour Brigade, Yola, Lieutenant Adebayo Adewumi, noted that the soldier has been taken into custody and a thorough investigation is ongoing in the case.

 

“The Nigerian Army acknowledges the reported incident with deep concern and wishes to inform the public that the said soldier has since been taken into custody.

 

“A thorough investigation has been initiated to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident,” the statement read.

The Brigade spokesman said that the Nigerian Army’s commitment to professionalism, discipline, and the rule of law cannot be compromised.

 

He pointed out that any form of misconduct among its personnel cannot be tolerated.

 

He further assured the public that the outcome of the investigation would be made public to ensure transparency, accountability, and justice.

 

The Army also urged citizens to remain calm and avoid spreading speculation or engaging in acts that could disrupt public order, pledging to uphold its core values of integrity and national service.

 

Meanwhile, the killing has sparked outrage among residents and human rights groups, who are calling for a fair and impartial investigation into the circumstances leading to his death.