Bandits Kill 3, Abduct 5 in Fresh Attacks on Kogi Communities

Armed bandits have launched fresh coordinated attacks on communities in Omala and Kabba/Bunu Local Government Areas of Kogi State, leaving at least three people dead and abducting five others in renewed violence across the region.

The incidents, which occurred in separate attacks on Sunday and Monday, have heightened fear among residents, many of whom say insecurity in the area is worsening despite repeated calls for government intervention.

In the first attack, suspected armed men invaded Odae Bunu community in Kabba/Bunu LGA on Monday, April 13, 2026. The attackers reportedly abducted five residents and killed one person during the raid, which threw the community into panic as residents fled into surrounding bushes for safety.

In a separate incident, two residents were killed in Bagaji Odo community in Omala Local Government Area on Sunday, April 12, 2026. The attackers were said to have stormed the community in the early hours of the day, opening fire on residents and causing widespread fear and displacement.

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Local sources also alleged that the Omala attack may have been carried out by suspected herders, although authorities have not officially confirmed the identity of the attackers. Several other residents were reportedly injured during the assault and are currently receiving treatment in undisclosed locations.

The two incidents have once again drawn attention to the growing wave of insecurity in Kogi State, particularly in rural communities where armed groups frequently target residents for killings, kidnappings, and ransom demands.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Kogi State Government nor security agencies had issued an official statement on the latest attacks. However, residents say security presence in the affected areas remains weak, leaving communities vulnerable to repeated assaults.

Security analysts note that Kogi, located in Nigeria’s North-Central region, has become a hotspot for violent attacks due to its forested terrain and strategic location connecting several states, which allows armed groups to move easily between rural settlements.

Community leaders have renewed calls for urgent deployment of security personnel, improved intelligence gathering, and sustained military patrols to prevent further attacks and restore confidence among residents.

The latest violence adds to a growing list of similar incidents across the state in recent months, raising concerns over the effectiveness of current security responses in addressing rural banditry and communal violence.

Bandits Kill 3, Abduct 5 in Fresh Attacks on Kogi Communities

Fresh Boko Haram Attack Leaves Colonel, Six Soldiers Dead in Borno

Less than a week after the death of Brigadier General Oseni Braimah, the Nigerian military has confirmed the killing of another senior commanding officer alongside six soldiers in a fresh terrorist ambush in Monguno, Borno State.

The incident occurred during an operation under Operation Hadin Kai, the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign in the North-East.

According to a statement by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North-East), Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, troops of Sector 3 came under attack in the late hours of April 12, 2026, during what was described as an isolated terrorist encounter.

The Army said the commanding officer was killed after his vehicle struck an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) while he was moving to assess frontline troops following initial contact with insurgents.

Six soldiers also lost their lives in the attack, while several others reportedly sustained injuries. The military confirmed that the insurgents were eventually repelled and the location secured after intense exchange of fire.

“The terrorists were put to flight, with troops maintaining control of the location,” the statement said, adding that the fallen officer displayed “exceptional courage and selfless service” while responding to the battlefield situation.

Although the Army did not officially release his identity, earlier reports identified the slain officer as Colonel I.A. Muhammad.

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The latest killings have triggered nationwide outrage, with Nigerians expressing concern over the rising toll on security personnel engaged in the fight against insurgency in the North-East.

Security analysts say the attack highlights the continued use of IEDs and ambush tactics by Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters, who remain active in remote parts of Borno despite sustained military operations.

The incident also comes amid renewed international attention on Nigeria’s security situation. The United States Department of State recently issued a travel advisory allowing voluntary departure of non-essential personnel from its embassy in Abuja and warning against travel to several Nigerian states due to insecurity.

The advisory cited threats including insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West and North-Central, and communal violence in other regions. However, the Nigerian government has downplayed the warning, insisting that most parts of the country remain stable and that security challenges are being contained.

In a related development, concerns over civilian casualties have also grown following recent military operations in Borno State, including airstrikes targeting suspected insurgent positions in the Jilli axis. The Nigerian Air Force maintained that such operations are aimed at terrorist targets, though investigations into reported civilian casualties are ongoing.

The Presidency has defended ongoing military actions, arguing that some targeted locations have been used as operational hubs by insurgents, while insisting that efforts are being made to minimise civilian harm.

Meanwhile, calls are increasing for a review of Nigeria’s counter-insurgency strategy, with experts urging greater investment in intelligence, surveillance technology, and troop welfare to reduce battlefield casualties and improve operational success.

The latest attack underscores the persistent security challenges in the North-East, where military personnel continue to face deadly encounters despite years of counter-terrorism operations.

Fresh Boko Haram Attack Leaves Colonel, Six Soldiers Dead in Borno

2027: MURIC Demands Muslim Governorship Candidates in South-West

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on major political parties in Nigeria to ensure the emergence of Muslim governorship candidates in South-West states ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that parties that ignore the demand may lose support from Muslim voters.

The organisation made the call in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, where it directly addressed leading political parties including the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and other registered parties.

MURIC specifically urged political parties to consider Muslim candidates in Oyo, Lagos, Ogun, Ekiti, and Ondo States, insisting that Muslims should not be excluded from the race for governorship positions in the South-West geopolitical zone.

The group argued that Muslims constitute a significant population in the South-West and deserve fair representation in elective offices, particularly at the governorship level. It maintained that there are qualified Muslim politicians capable of leading the affected states and contributing to good governance.

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MURIC also alleged that the current political arrangement in the South-West reflects what it described as religious imbalance, noting that governors in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Osun States are currently Christians. According to the group, this situation highlights what it considers limited political inclusion of Muslims in top leadership positions in the region.

The organisation claimed that since the 2023 general elections, Muslims in the South-West have been largely excluded from governorship positions. In its statement, MURIC said, “Although Muslims constitute the majority in Yorubaland, the political leadership space of the region has been hijacked by Yoruba Christians since 2023.” It added that Muslims have been reduced to political spectators in key electoral outcomes, stressing the need for what it described as equitable political participation and inclusion.

MURIC further stated that none of the 17 Southern states in Nigeria currently has a Muslim governor, describing the development as politically significant. The group argued that this reality contradicts claims of religious domination narratives in Nigeria’s political space. It also dismissed allegations of Islamisation of the country, describing such claims as “false and baseless propaganda.”

The statement has added to ongoing political conversations ahead of the 2027 general elections, especially around issues of zoning arrangements, religious balance, and power-sharing agreements. Political analysts say such debates often intensify during election cycles, particularly in diverse regions like the South-West where both Islam and Christianity influence voter behaviour and party strategies. Political parties are expected to consider factors such as electoral strength, internal zoning arrangements, and demographic realities as they prepare for candidate selection.

2027: MURIC Demands Muslim Governorship Candidates in South-West