Bandits Kill Chief Imam, Two Others in Coordinated Sokoto Village Attacks

Suspected bandits have killed the Chief Imam of Talluje village and two other residents during coordinated attacks on Talluje and neighbouring Chofi communities in Bodinga Local Government Area of Sokoto State, forcing hundreds of residents to flee their homes amid renewed insecurity in Nigeria’s North-West.

The attacks, which occurred on Wednesday in Danchadi District, lasted for about two hours as heavily armed assailants stormed the communities, firing indiscriminately, looting livestock and sending terrified residents scrambling for safety. The latest violence underscores the persistent bandit attacks in Sokoto State, despite ongoing security operations across the region.

According to community sources, the attackers invaded both villages simultaneously at about 4:00 p.m., catching residents off guard. During the assault, the Chief Imam of Talluje was killed alongside two other residents whose identities had yet to be officially confirmed at the time of filing this report.

“The attacks started around 4 p.m. and continued until about 6 p.m. The bandits killed the Chief Imam of Talluje and two other persons before fleeing,” a community leader in Danchadi District said.

Residents said the attackers operated freely for nearly two hours before escaping with a large number of rustled cattle and other livestock. Although the exact number of stolen animals has not been confirmed, locals described the losses as significant.

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The attacks also triggered fresh displacement, with many families—particularly women, children and elderly residents—fleeing to Bodinga town and neighbouring communities in search of safety.

“As I speak, many displaced people are arriving with their belongings after escaping from the affected villages,” the community leader added.

According to residents, the gunmen entered the communities on motorcycles through Duma village, which borders Tureta Local Government Area, before launching the coordinated attacks.

A senior police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment publicly, confirmed the attack and said security personnel had been deployed to the affected communities.

“We have received reports of the attack and mobilised our anti-kidnapping unit because there are fears the bandits may return,” the officer said.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, said he had not yet received a detailed briefing on the incident but promised to provide updates after making the necessary inquiries.

The latest killings mark the third reported killing of a Chief Imam in Sokoto State within recent weeks, highlighting the growing threat posed by armed groups operating across rural communities in the state.

Only days earlier, suspected bandits reportedly attacked Kuda-Kuda village in Goronyo Local Government Area, killing Chief Imam Liman Audu, three other residents and abducting several people, including women, while rustling livestock. Another recent attack in Illela Dawagware also claimed the life of an imam and three other residents, raising fresh concerns about the security situation in the state.

Despite intensified military and police operations aimed at dismantling criminal camps across Sokoto State and the wider North-West, residents say attacks have continued, disrupting farming activities, forcing repeated displacement and leaving many communities living in fear.

Community leaders have renewed calls on the Federal Government, the Sokoto State Government and security agencies to strengthen security in vulnerable rural communities, establish more permanent security posts and sustain operations against armed criminal groups.

The latest attack adds to the growing humanitarian crisis in parts of Sokoto State, where recurring bandit attacks have continued to claim lives, destroy livelihoods and displace hundreds of families.

Bandits Kill Chief Imam, Two Others in Coordinated Sokoto Village Attacks

Alleged Coup Plot: DSS Arraigns Five Over Concealment of Ex-Gov Timipre Sylva

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five alleged associates of former Bayelsa State Governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, over allegations that they concealed his whereabouts after he was declared wanted in connection with an alleged plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

The five defendants—Reuben Ayuba, Musa Mohammed, Friday Paul, Paganengigha Anagaha, and Ayebaifie Suobite—were arraigned before Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and allegedly concealing the whereabouts of a fugitive.

According to the DSS, the defendants became accessories after the alleged offence by concealing Sylva’s whereabouts on or about April 28, 2026, despite allegedly knowing that he had been declared wanted by the Federal Government.

The security agency alleged that the defendants committed offences contrary to Sections 516 and 519 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN), 2004.

When the charges were read in court, all five defendants pleaded not guilty.

Following their pleas, counsel to the DSS, Emmanuel Orubor, urged the court to remand the defendants and fix a date for trial, stating that the prosecution was prepared to call witnesses to establish its case.

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However, defence lawyers, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Sunusi Musa, alongside Ibrahim Imadegbelo, I.G. Kelubia, and E.C. Sogo, applied for bail on behalf of their clients.

The defence informed the court that the defendants had remained in DSS custody since October 25, 2025, and urged Justice Lifu to admit them to bail on liberal terms pending the determination of the case.

In his ruling, Justice Lifu held that the offences contained in the charge are bailable and consequently admitted each defendant to ₦5 million bail, with two sureties in like sum.

The court directed that each surety must depose to an affidavit of means, provide evidence of payment of tax for the preceding three years, demonstrate a legitimate source of income, submit recent passport photographs, and undergo verification by the court registrar.

Pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, Justice Lifu ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.

The matter was subsequently adjourned until July 22, 2026, for the commencement of trial.

One of the charges alleged that the defendants concealed the whereabouts of Timipre Sylva, whom the DSS described as “a fugitive of the law,” thereby becoming accessories after the commission of a felony.

The arraignment forms part of a broader investigation into an alleged coup plot against the administration of President Bola Tinubu. According to court filings, security agencies allege that Sylva fled Nigeria before details of the investigation became public and was subsequently declared wanted.

Authorities have also initiated legal proceedings seeking the forfeiture of some properties allegedly linked to the former governor as part of the ongoing investigation.

The allegations against Sylva and the five defendants remain before the court. Under Nigerian law, they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.

The case is expected to attract significant public attention as the Federal Government continues its investigation into the alleged coup plot and related offences.

Alleged Coup Plot: DSS Arraigns Five Over Concealment of Ex-Gov Timipre Sylva

Presidency Dismisses Allegation Against Gbajabiamila, Says Accuser Is an ‘Impostor’ Facing Trial

The Presidency has dismissed allegations linking the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, to bribery or the appointment of the head of a purported presidential agency, describing the claims as false and the accuser as an impostor currently facing criminal prosecution.

In a statement issued on July 1, 2026, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the Office of the Chief of Staff had, as far back as October 2025, alerted security agencies to the activities of Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, whom it accused of impersonation, forgery and operating a fictitious government agency.

According to the Presidency, Adeyemi falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the non-existent Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, also referred to as the Presidential Economic Advisory Council, using forged appointment letters purportedly issued in the name of the Chief of Staff.

The statement explained that the Office of the Chief of Staff first raised the alarm after officials of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) reported that another organisation was operating as though it were a legitimate federal agency.

On October 17, 2025, Gbajabiamila’s office formally petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force, requesting an investigation into individuals allegedly forging presidential appointment letters and impersonating government officials.

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According to the petition, the suspects allegedly used forged documents bearing fake signatures, official seals and reference numbers to create the impression that the agency had presidential backing. The Presidency said the group also held meetings with foreign diplomats and Nigerian stakeholders and even sought a diplomatic note verbale from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to facilitate United States visas for its members.

Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi

The statement further revealed that before the petition to security agencies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had written to both the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Office of the Chief of Staff seeking clarification about Adeyemi’s status.

The ministry’s inquiry followed a meeting allegedly organised by Adeyemi with ambassadors at the Wells Carlton Hotel and Apartments in Abuja on October 10, 2025, without notifying or involving the ministry. According to the ministry, the meeting violated established diplomatic protocols.

Subsequently, the Office of the National Security Adviser contacted the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), which also sought clarification from the Chief of Staff regarding the purported appointment.

The Presidency said Gbajabiamila categorically denied appointing Adeyemi or authorising the creation of the agency, stressing that appointments of that nature fall within the constitutional responsibilities of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, not the Chief of Staff.

Police later arrested Adeyemi on October 27, 2025, at an office located within the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja, where he allegedly operated the fake agency. Searches conducted at his office and residence in Suleja, Niger State, reportedly led to the recovery of forged documents and other exhibits linked to the alleged operation.

During interrogation, Adeyemi reportedly claimed that one Dolapo Babatunde Tanimola assisted him in obtaining the forged appointment letter. However, investigators later established that Tanimola had died in a fire incident at Kachi Hotel in Abuja on October 22, 2025, several days before Adeyemi’s arrest.

According to the Presidency, police investigations concluded that the agency Adeyemi claimed to head never existed and that he forged appointment letters and other official documents to impersonate a presidential appointee.

Investigators also alleged that he fraudulently opened 34 bank accounts, including nine in the names of fictitious organisations such as the FCT Investment Promotion Agency and Public Private Partnership (FIPA-APP).

The police further alleged that Adeyemi used forged documents to open a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) account after misleading the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation. Authorities, however, said no government funds were transferred into the account.

Police reportedly concluded that Adeyemi’s actions amounted to forgery, criminal impersonation and obtaining by false pretence, adding that the alleged activities brought the Presidency into disrepute.

Based on the outcome of the investigation, police filed an eight-count charge against Adeyemi and two other suspects at the Federal High Court, Abuja, on November 27, 2025. The case is scheduled to resume on July 27, 2026.

The Presidency noted that although Adeyemi was granted police bail, he later resurfaced with fresh allegations claiming that Gbajabiamila personally appointed him to head the fictitious agency. It described the claim as contradictory to the statement he earlier made during police investigations.

Onanuga urged politicians and members of the public not to rely on Adeyemi’s allegations or politicise the matter while the case remains before the court.

He further claimed that Adeyemi has a history of making false representations, recalling that in 2016 he allegedly presented himself as the President-General of the World Youth Organisation, which he claimed was affiliated with the United Nations, before the UN reportedly denied the existence of such an organisation.

“The case of Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew is a clear case of a con artist who appears to have built a web of false claims to deceive unsuspecting government officials and the public,” the statement read.

The Presidency maintained that the allegations against Femi Gbajabiamila are without merit and urged Nigerians to allow the ongoing judicial process to take its course.

Presidency Dismisses Allegation Against Gbajabiamila, Says Accuser Is an ‘Impostor’ Facing Trial