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Over 30 suspected kidnappers killed in Enugu

Published

2 years ago

August 21, 2024

Over 30 suspected kidnappers killed in Enugu

No fewer than 30 kidnappers, including members of the Biafra Auto Pilot, also known as Unknown Gunmen, a notorious breakaway faction of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) loyal to the Finland based, Simon Ekpa, which terrorised Enugu and its environs had been gunned down in shoot-outs with security operatives at various locations across the state in the past two weeks, a police detective has disclosed.

This was contained in a statement on Wednesday morning by Governor Peter Mbah’s media office which quoted a Police Superintendent, SP Onochie Ezeh, who led a joint security operation to rescue some kidnap victims at Ugwuogo Nike-Opi Road in the early hours of Wednesday.

The operation led to the killing of a seven-man gang kidnappers at Ogbeke Nike where the kidnappers used a large poultry farm to hide their hostages.

The police chief explained that Wednesday’s successful operation was part of the sustained operations in the state to flush out criminals operating from other neighboring states, including kidnappers, unknown gunmen and other unscrupulous elements.

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“We were on the trail of these kidnappers for more than three months now. They had been operating within this axis where they kidnapped their victims and kept them at a large poultry farm at Ogbeke Nike until ransoms are paid.

“So, on a tipoff from members of the public who suspected the strange movements in the area and the accounts of some of the victims of these criminals, we swung into action. On sighting us, these men of the underworld opened fire on my men, and we quickly retaliated and overpowered them with our superior firepower,” he stressed.

Speaking further, SP Ezeh disclosed that the combined security task force, set up by the Enugu State governor, Mr Peter Mbah, as a tactical squad against kidnappings and activities of unknown gunmen, had recorded milestones in policing the state and flushing out criminal elements.

“This is a gallant crack squad with the mandate to eliminate every form of threat in the state. We have recorded huge successes over the past months. You know our role is not to rush to the media to tell our story but to ensure that every citizen and resident of the state has peace.

“I can tell you that we have already neutralized over 7 criminal gangs who were mostly kidnappers and unknown gunmen. We are going after them. We are taking the battle to their doorsteps because the governor said we should not come back home if we don’t completely rid the state of threats.

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“So we are on it. In fact, during our operations, we identified many criminal hideouts that serve as rogue premises where kidnap victims and dangerous weapons are kept. These places include New Artisan Market, Akwuke community, Akegbe-Ugwu, Four Corners, Awgu, Mgbowo, Emene, Eke and Afa in Udi and some parts of Isi Uzo local government. During rescue operations, we were able to neutralize over 30 of the kidnappers and recovered guns and valuables,” the police chief added.

One of the rescued kidnap survivors, Dr Kate Pamela, said she was traumatised by the ugly experiences at the hands of the kidnappers.

“Each time I pass through that poultry, I feel I have been denied justice by still allowing it to operate. They kidnapped us and kept us there for five days. They even killed two of the victims because their families could only afford ten million naira each against the fifty million naira demanded. Notwithstanding that I was able to identify the bodies of three of the kidnappers when they were killed, I still feel that the area should be cleared.

“Government must ensure justice by turning that place to a landfill,” Dr Pamela fumed.

Over 30 suspected kidnappers killed in Enugu

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Gunmen Storm Gbugbu in Kwara, Residents Flee as Panic Spreads

Published

57 minutes ago

February 23, 2026

Trends Admin

Public Relations Officer, Kwara State Police Command, SP Adetoun Ejire‑Adeyemi

Gunmen Storm Gbugbu in Kwara, Residents Flee as Panic Spreads

Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State was thrown into panic on Sunday night after suspected gunmen launched a violent attack on Gbugbu community, firing indiscriminately and forcing residents to flee into bushes and nearby safe zones. The assault is the latest in a string of violent incidents deepening insecurity in Kwara and neighbouring areas.

According to witnesses, the gunmen stormed the town shortly after 8:00 p.m., opening fire and creating chaos. One resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “The bandits stormed the community immediately after Isa’i, shooting non-stop and throwing residents into panic. Everyone ran indoors or fled into the bush.” As of the time of reporting, there were no official confirmations of casualties or the number of abducted residents.

The attack has heightened fears in Edu, Patigi, Ifelodun, and Oyun local government areas, where residents have reported rising attacks by armed groups in recent weeks. Days earlier, similar raids were reported in Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama LGA, resulting in the killing and abduction of several villagers.

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While the Kwara State Police spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, was unavailable for comments, local sources said security forces were mobilized to pursue the attackers and secure the community. Reports also indicate that some families spent the night outdoors, fearing a repeat of the violence.

The spate of attacks comes as the Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, recently launched Joint Task Force Operation Savannah Shield to combat insecurity in Kwara and parts of Niger State. The operation aims to target terrorists, bandits, and criminal gangs responsible for kidnappings, armed raids, and killings in rural communities.

Community leaders and residents have called for urgent intervention by security agencies to rescue any abducted villagers, restore peace, and prevent further escalation of violence. Analysts warn that without sustained military and police engagement, armed attacks could spread further across the state, destabilizing vulnerable communities and hindering local development.

The incident in Gbugbu underscores the ongoing security challenges in Nigeria’s middle belt, where banditry and terrorism continue to disrupt livelihoods, schools, and local economies. Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant, cooperate with security forces, and report suspicious movements in their communities.

Gunmen Storm Gbugbu in Kwara, Residents Flee as Panic Spreads

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FG to Launch Monthly Revenue Transparency Dashboards to Improve Fiscal Accountability

Published

1 hour ago

February 23, 2026

Trends Admin

Dr. Doris Uzoka‑Anite, the Minister of State for Finance and FAAC Chairman

FG to Launch Monthly Revenue Transparency Dashboards to Improve Fiscal Accountability

The Federal Government (FG) has announced plans to launch monthly revenue transparency dashboards to enhance fiscal accountability and provide public visibility of government income and expenditure across the three tiers of government. The initiative was disclosed by Dr. Doris Uzoka‑Anite, the Minister of State for Finance and FAAC Chairman, during the recent Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting in Abuja.

Dr. Uzoka‑Anite explained that the dashboards are necessary due to expected increases in government revenue following recent structural reforms, including a Presidential Executive Order (EO) on oil and gas revenue and expanded tax collections under the new Tax Act. These reforms are expected to significantly boost FAAC distributable funds, improve revenue discipline, and reduce leakages in the management of oil proceeds and tax inflows.

The planned dashboards will provide monthly, real-time access to detailed data on government revenue, including oil and gas receipts, tax collections, and other federal revenue streams. Citizens, policymakers, and analysts will be able to monitor allocations, track inflows, and scrutinize expenditure, promoting transparency and accountability across federal, state, and local governments.

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Dr. Uzoka‑Anite urged all tiers of government to prioritize capital expenditure over recurrent spending, invest in sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, energy, and productive enterprises, and avoid unsustainable wage growth or consumption spikes. She also emphasized the importance of using incremental revenue inflows to reduce debt burdens, clear arrears responsibly, and fund growth-enhancing projects.

The minister highlighted that a portion of one-off payments from the EO on oil revenues could be retained in a Stabilisation Fund, released gradually to support macroeconomic stability and prevent excess liquidity from driving inflationary pressures. She further said that production-to-remittance reconciliation reporting and detailed reporting of incremental gains from tax reforms and EO-driven inflows would be implemented to improve fiscal monitoring.

“The revenue outlook is changing, and structural reforms are expected to materially strengthen Federation revenues,” Dr. Uzoka‑Anite told state finance commissioners. “Improved revenue performance requires improved fiscal coordination. A sudden liquidity injection across all tiers of government could create inflationary risks and reduce the real value of allocations. Structured mechanisms and phased disbursements are therefore critical to safeguard macroeconomic stability.”

The introduction of these monthly revenue dashboards aligns with the FG’s broader commitment to open data, fiscal transparency, and responsible revenue management, ensuring that rising inflows from oil, gas, and taxes are tracked, reconciled, and used efficiently to promote economic growth and stability across Nigeria.

FG to Launch Monthly Revenue Transparency Dashboards to Improve Fiscal Accountability

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Troops Repel Coordinated Attacks in Borno, Kill 25 Terrorists, Soldier Dies

Published

1 hour ago

February 23, 2026

Trends Admin

Nigerian military troop

Troops Repel Coordinated Attacks in Borno, Kill 25 Terrorists, Soldier Dies

Nigerian troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have killed 25 suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters, lost one soldier, and wounded several others while repelling coordinated terrorist attacks in Limankara and Kukawa, Borno State, military sources confirmed. The intense clashes, which erupted on the night of February 20, 2026, underscore the growing pressure on insurgent camps, logistics networks, and leadership in the region.

Lt. Col. Sani Uba, Media Information Officer of JTF OPHK, said that troops also conducted precision operations in Lamusheri Village, Gujba Local Government Area, a known terrorist hub and logistics base. Supported by air surveillance and intelligence gathering, troops destroyed defensive structures, neutralised 15 insurgents, and recovered or destroyed weapons, ammunition, and vehicles. Several militants fled with gunshot injuries.

Earlier, terrorists attempted to infiltrate the Forward Operating Base (FOB) at Limankara, but alert troops engaged them in a fierce firefight. Combined ground and air support forced the attackers to retreat, leaving behind casualties and abandoned equipment. No soldiers were injured during this engagement.

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In Kukawa, insurgents launched a multi-pronged assault using gun trucks, motorcycles, and foot soldiers, approaching from multiple axes. Troops mounted a determined defence, supported by air strikes, which destroyed a gun truck, five motorcycles, and neutralised ten additional fighters. Recovered items included rifles, loaded magazines, radios, stretchers, and shallow graves left by fleeing insurgents.

While one gallant soldier lost his life, others who sustained gunshot injuries are receiving treatment and are in stable condition, military sources said. Lt. Col. Uba commended the troops for their discipline, courage, and operational excellence, noting that the operations have significantly degraded the capacity of terrorist groups in the North-East.

The officer emphasized that sustained air-ground coordination continues to deny insurgents freedom of movement, disrupt logistics routes, and force them into chaotic withdrawals, enhancing the safety of local communities. Analysts say these operations reflect a growing reliance on intelligence-driven, technology-supported counter-terrorism strategies to dismantle insurgent networks in Borno State and the wider North-East region.