Boko Haram terrorists assemble Borno farmers, open fire, 40 killed, many hospitalised

At least 40 farmers were killed in cold blood on Sunday in Borno by Boko Haram terrorists, who accused them of being informants of the military.

The incident occurred around 3pm at Dumba community in Baga, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.

Details of the heinous act came Monday evening with one of the survivors saying the death figure could be around 70 as the terrorists assembled about 1,000 of them; the children and women separated from men before opening fire on them in their farms.

They said the terrorists accused the farmers of conniving with troops despite the “permission” given them by the insurgents to carry out their farming activities.

The operation reportedly lasted about three hours and those injured currently receiving treatment at Baga General Hospital and Monguno General Hospital.

It was leant that the insurgents would usually grant permit to farmers ready to strictly follow their terms.

A fisherman, who participated in the rescue of surviving farmers, was quoted by Daily Trust as saying, “Unfortunately, these people (the victims) didn’t get clearance from the Boko Haram terrorists. So they considered them informants.

“They rounded them up in different groups, gathered them in one place and opened fire of them.”

He added, “The soldiers are stationed in Mile 4 which is less 5 kilometres from where the incident happened.”

He also said that “visiting certain places in the Lake Chad is not possible because they are mostly under the control of Boko Haram terrorists, and for more than 10 years, going there remains an invitation to death.

“To tell you the truth, the military has not reclaimed an inch from where they were stationed since the operation started in Baga 10 years back, what kind of operation is that?”, he asked.

“You cannot go to the water around Dukuri, Kwalaram, Meri, Shuwaram to catch fish. The boys are in total control of that location,” he said.

He said all the people killed in the attack were bean farmers from Gwoza, adding that “one of them, Abba Gwoza, had cultivated a vast hectares of land and harvested onions worth over N30 million.”

The Borno State Government has confirmed that 40 farmers were killed in the attack.

The state Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar, said Governor Babagana Umara Zulum condemned the attack and called on the military to track and get rid of the criminals.

“Investigation has commenced on the circumstances behind this attack.

“Initial report indicates about 40 farmers have been killed while the whereabouts of many who escaped the attack are being traced for reunion with their families,” he stated.

Kidnapped Anambra High Court judge, 2 Rev. sisters regain freedom

The two Reverend Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of Christ, Vincentia Maria Nwankwo and Grace Mariette Okoli, along with an Anambra High Court Judge, have been released after being kidnapped last week.

The Reverend Sisters were abducted while returning home from a meeting, while the judge, whose identity was not disclosed, was kidnapped on Saturday at the entrance to his home in Awka.

A source close to the judge’s family confirmed his release on Sunday, just 24 hours after the abduction.

In a statement titled “Notification of Release and Expression of Profound Gratitude,” Sr. Maria Sobenna Ikeotuonye, IHM Secretary General, announced the release of the Reverend Sisters.

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“I bring to your notice in joy that our dear Sisters Vincentia Maria Nwankwo and Grace Mariette Okoli, who were kidnapped in the evening of Tuesday, 7th January 2025, have been released unconditionally and in good health.

“We thank God and thank you all for your prayers and support all through these rough and uncertain days. May God forever be blessed through Mary our Mother,” her statement read.

The release of the kidnapped victims has brought relief to the people of Anambra State, who have been living in fear of kidnappings and other violent crimes in recent times.

Kidnapped Anambra High Court judge, 2 Rev. sisters regain freedom

Gospel singer Temileyin caught with severed head of girlfriend in Abuja

A gospel singer identified as Oluwatimileyin Ajayi has been captured by some members of a church whose name was not given, located in Orozo, a community located on the border between the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja and Nasarawa State for carrying the decapitated head of his girlfriend in a polybag while attending a church service.

The church’s Bible Study teacher and General Secretary, Caleb Umaru, revealed that this incident happened on Sunday, January 12.

He noted that the incident took place at approximately 11 am during a thanksgiving service celebrating the conclusion of a seven-day fast.

He said,”It was almost the end of service around 11am during the final pledge and prayers.

“A church member, Bro Victor, opened his eyes during prayers and saw someone passing by the river close to the church, carrying a bag and his movement was suspicious.

“That drew his attention. He called the attention of another brother, Brother Amos.

“The two men discovered Ajayi sitting at the back of the church.

“When he saw them, he threw a black nylon bag into the river.”

Umaru explained that the water level in the river was low due to the dry season.

Adding that, “They inquired from him what he threw into the river and he said nothing.

“After many questions that he didn’t answer, they left him and went back but didn’t go into the church.

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“While they were discussing outside, two bikemen came and asked the brothers if they had seen anyone pass through and they asked the bikemen to describe the person they were looking for.

“When the description matched, they told the bikemen that the person was at the back of their church.

“And the guy was still sitting there which I consider a miraculous intervention.”

“One of the motorcyclists stated that he had picked up the suspect from a nearby town, Loko-Tiye, and noticed blood dripping from the bag he was carrying.

“The motorcyclist asked the suspect about the contents of the bag, but the suspect requested to be dropped near the church.

“Not wanting to face the man alone, the motorcyclist called another rider to follow and track the suspect.

“The four men confronted Ajayi, demanding that he retrieve the bag he had thrown into the river.

“As the scene unfolded, church members gathered outside, and the pastor was notified.

“He came out to join the group before going back inside to inform the congregation about the troubling situation.

“People came outside and he was surrounded and he was repeatedly asked to open the bag.

“Ajayi suddenly started running and the men ran after him.

“It took the grace of God for the four of them to be able to catch him.

“That’s why you can see the video happened in a bushy area, like a farm. He ran very far.

“The bikemen started hitting his head with a stick but the church brothers tried to stop the bikemen from killing him because they wanted to follow the matter up.

“The guy was injured and was already weak and couldn’t talk and still no one knew what was in the bag.

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“My pastor took a bike to go bring a policeman but he couldn’t find a police officer at the station until someone called a policeman to come and that’s why you can see in the video I shared one policeman interrogating him.”

Umaru added that the suspect was also questioned about the knife wounds on his hand, and he explained that he had gotten into an argument with his girlfriend.

The Bible study teacher said the suspect explained that he took her phone and found she was texting another man, which led to them dragging the phone and the girlfriend used a knife to cut his hand which led to the injury.

Umaru stated that, “He collected the knife and stabbed her in the neck.

“Someone went to open nylon back in the church area and someone came to report to us that it was human head that was inside the nylon where we were and people started rushing to go and see for themselves.”

When asked where he was taking the head, he said, a woman told him to bring the head to her.

The Bible study teacher further stated that, “The girl is from around Mararaba, Nyanya, and he doesn’t know her relatives.

“They carried his body because he was lying down and almost half dead and they put him in the police van.They also took the head.”

Ajayi was recognized by netizens, as a gospel singer, and Umaru confirmed that a friend from Lagos had mentioned his background as a gospel musician.

When the culprit was asked about the nature of his job, he said he is into social media management and he is a content creator.

However the police spokesperson for the FCT, Josephine Adeh, clarified that the area is part of Nasarawa State and directed the inquiry to Nasarawa’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ramhan Nansel.

But, Nansel  has not made any comment regarding the issue.

Umaru stated that the incident has profoundly disturbed the church community.

“This was my first time seeing something like this physically. I only watch it.

“I have not seen something like this before,” he concluded.

Gospel singer Temileyin caught with severed head of girlfriend in Abuja