Terrorists, herdsmen on the rampage in Kaduna, Ondo, Plateau; kill 9, abduct 12 - Newstrends
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Terrorists, herdsmen on the rampage in Kaduna, Ondo, Plateau; kill 9, abduct 12

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Terrorists and herdsmen have in the last 24 hours gone on the rampage in Kaduna, Ondo and Plateau states, killing at least six persons and kidnapping several persons.

In Kaduna, a man was killed when the bandits attacked Gbagyi village on Monday night, while his  pregnant wife was abducted. 10 other persons were also taken away by the bandits.

The bandits were said to have attacked the community in several motor bikes, shooting sporadically to subdue the villagers.

Vanguard reported a resident of the community who preferred anonymity, as saying, ‘’Those on bikes were later joined by several other bandits who sneaked into the community from a river side and moved stealthily like monkeys.

“When they came into the community, people were running away but the man who looked like a vigilante stood and attempted to make a call with something like a walkie-talkie. The bandits shot him in the head, he fell and died.’’

He alleged that apart from the deceased‘s wife picked by the bandits, they also kidnapped over 10 residents of the community in an operation that lasted over an hour.

In Ondo State, five persons were killed by suspected herdsmen at Arimogija community in Ose Local Government Area of the state.

This was despite the riot act read by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and other security agencies in the state that such killings would no longer be allowed in any area of the state.

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Many others sustained various degrees of injurries during the Monday attack over the refusal of the villagers to allow the herdsmen feed on their farmland.

Attack in farm

Sources said the community youth leader, Augustine Lucky, was among those killed by the herdsmen.

Speaking on the attack, the community youth secretary, Nweke Izuchukwu Jude, confirmed the killing of the five persons in two separate attacks.

“They attacked the first set of people on the farm and killed two of them. It was those injured in the first attack that called other villagers for help.

‘’While those who went to rescue them were trying to take the injured back home for treatment, the armed herders appeared again and killed three more people.

“The herdsmen are in our bushes and farmlands, all we need is the support of security men to chase them away and arrest as many as possible.”

He lamented that “all the policemen, except one, who came to the community left with the governor on Sunday, and the only one left could not enter the bush.’’

Contacted, the state command spokesperson, Fumilayo Odunlami, confirmed the latest attack but said she was yet to get the details.

Amotekun

Similarly, the state commander of Amotekun , Chief Adetunji Adeyeye, said his men who were earlier deployed to Molege, rushed to the area.

Adeyeye pointed out that his men were still combing the forest in a bid to apprehend the killers but declined to give the number of casualties.

In Plateau

In Plateau State, gunmen suspected to be bandits, kidnapped Dorcas, wife of Silas Vem, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Deputy Governor of Plateau State.

Mrs. Vem was abducted in front of her house, close to Government House in Rayfield, Jos while returning from an outing.

Another set of armed men also abducted a Director in the State Ministry of Health, Dr. Samuel Audu, in front of his house in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of the state.

For Mrs. Vem, a source who did not want to be named, said: “For three days now, the whereabouts of the wife of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Dorcas Vem has remained unknown.

‘’She is a staff of the University of Jos. Their house is at the Little Rayfield in Jos, very close to Government House.

“The woman was just driving to their house when some gunmen accosted her in front of their gate.

“They forcibly dragged her out of her vehicle and took her away to an unknown destination. The incident happened on Sunday and since then, we have not seen her.”

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nimkong Lar, confirmed Dr. Audu’s abduction, saying the abductors had demanded N50 million ransom.

The commissioner said:  “Yesterday, (Monday) when we closed here, we went to the house of one of our staff, because we lost a deputy director in the ministry. We went for a condolence visit to the family. It was Dr. Audu that led us there, when we finished, we  parted ways.

“This was about 5.30pm, and as he got home, he asked his wife to open the door for him, and lo, the kidnappers were waiting there for him. They took him away as the wife came out.

‘’By 12 midnight, they called that they have Dr. Audu, that we should bring N50 million. Where will we get such money?”

The state police command could not confirm the incidents as calls put across to the State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, ASP Gabriel Ubah, were not connected.

However, last night, Plateau State police command confirmed the release of Mrs. Dorcas Vem and Dr. Samuel Audu.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Gabriel Uba, said:  “They have been released and reunited with their families by the joint operations of the Police and other security agencies.

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‘’They were rescued today by the joint operation, comprising the Police and other security agencies. Efforts are on top gear to apprehend the suspects.”

3 killed

In another Plateau attack on Monday night, three persons were killed, while two others were injured at Tyana community in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The deceased were said to have been ambushed and killed while returning to the community from Riyom town.

In a statement issued by the Berom Youth Moulders’ Association, the umbrella body of Berom youths, and signed by Rwang Tengwong, its National Publicity Secretary, a visit had been paid to the survivors of the attack who are receiving treatment in a hospital.

The statement read in part:  “The Berom Youth Moulders’ Association, BYM has condemned the killing of three persons from Tyana community of Riyom Local Government Area by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen.

“Five persons were ambushed on their way home on Monday, 10/01/2022 at around 9:30 pm. Three persons; Joel Yohanna, aged 27; Daniel Bitrus, 25, and Christopher Ezekiel Mwantiri, 22 were murdered while two others, Paul Luka Zam, aged 22, and Philibus Bulus Mwantep, 25 sustained severe injuries.

“According to Paul Luka Zam, they were returning from Riyom when the incident occurred. Zam said they were approaching the community when they sensed strange movement from the bush by the road.

“He said the strangers began to shoot at them and he was shot on his left leg. He added that despite the injury from the gunshot, he managed to escape but the other three who were right behind them were unlucky as the attackers came out from the bush in their numbers and shot at them directly.

“BYM President, Solomon Dalyop Mwantiri, Esq who was at the hospital to assess the state of health of the injured, condoled the families that lost their loved ones and described as unfortunate the situation where young persons continue to be targeted by the enemies of peace in Plateau State.

“Mwantiri said communities must activate the local security systems where earlier warning signs will be dictated and prompt measures are taken to avert the attack.

Kaduna

Meanwhile, a member of the 8th Senate from Kaduna Central, Senator Shehu Sani, said yesterday that bandits had become a state within a state in the north-western part of the country.

Senator Sani, who stated this in an interview on Channels Television’s Political Paradigm, said: “Virtually now, bandits in the North West have become a state within a state.

“They have been able to establish governance structure in the sense that they don’t just kidnap and extort money, it has reached a point where they even install traditional rulers and Imams.’’

While asking authorities to step up efforts against the criminals, Senator Sani said more should be done by the government to secure the lives and properties of the people.

“This is not just happening in Mars, Jupiter, or Venus; this is happening in the state of the President (Katsina).

‘’Bandits have become an authority – they kill those they want to kill, they preserve those whom they want to preserve.

“In the states of Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Niger, a large swathe of land is virtually under the control of these bandits,’’ he said.

Zamfara

According to him, the recent attacks on several villages in Zamfara were in response to the military campaign launched against the bandits.

He called on President Muhammadu Buhari to contact his old friends and neighbours to get the information on the ground.

“President Buhari should spare time, go through his old logbook, look at the numbers of those his old friends and people he has lost touch with in the last four to seven years, call them and ask what is going on,” Senator Sani said.

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Why men should marry a second wife after 25 years — Morayo Afolabi-Brown’s husband

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Why men should marry a second wife after 25 years — Morayo Afolabi-Brown’s husband

Why men should marry a second wife after 25 years — Morayo Afolabi-Brown’s husband

Nigerian lawyer and businessman Olufemi (Femi) Afolabi-Brown has sparked widespread reactions after explaining why he believes men who intend to practise polygamy should wait about 25 years after marrying their first wife before taking a second spouse.

Afolabi-Brown, who is married to media personality Morayo Afolabi-Brown, shared his views during an episode of The Brown Couch Podcast, where he discussed marriage, family dynamics and what he considers the ideal structure for a successful polygamous home.

According to him, one of the major causes of rivalry in polygamous families is marrying another wife too soon after the first. He argued that spacing the marriages by about 25 years would create a generational gap between the children, thereby reducing competition and conflict within the family.

He explained that a man who marries his first wife at the age of 25 should ideally wait until around the age of 50 before taking a second wife.

“Your first wife ought to be a lot older than your second wife. You can marry your second partner at age 50 if you first marry one at age 25.

“So the first child’s children become like the older brothers, uncles and aunts to the younger ones. They are not of the same generation, so there will never be rivalry between them,” he said.

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The businessman maintained that when children from different wives belong to separate generations, they are more likely to see one another as extended family rather than direct competitors for attention, inheritance or parental affection.

Afolabi-Brown further argued that taking another wife only a few years into a marriage often creates unnecessary tension that can destabilise the home.

“If you marry your first wife in the first year of your marriage and then marry your second wife in the third year, your home will be the centre of chaos. You cannot escape it,” he said.

He also stressed that couples should first establish a shared purpose before considering polygamy, saying such alignment often takes several years to achieve.

According to him, many marriages require at least a decade for both partners to fully align their vision, values and long-term goals.

“Before a husband and wife can consolidate in purpose, it may take 10 years.

“Once they identify that purpose and both of them have keyed into it, if the man goes to marry a second wife because of the purpose, the first wife will overlook it,” he added.

The comments have generated mixed reactions on social media, with some Nigerians agreeing that a wider age gap between wives and children could minimise rivalry in polygamous homes, while others argued that harmony in marriage depends more on mutual respect, fairness, communication and responsible leadership than the timing of additional marriages.

In Nigeria, polygamy is recognised under customary and Islamic law but is not permitted under statutory marriages conducted under the Marriage Act. Family experts have consistently maintained that successful polygamous families rely on trust, financial responsibility, effective communication and equitable treatment of spouses and children.

The remarks have also reignited conversations about modern marriage, family values and the realities of polygamous marriages in contemporary Nigerian society.

Why men should marry a second wife after 25 years — Morayo Afolabi-Brown’s husband

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Nnamdi Kanu Accused of Recruiting Igbo Youths from Prison to Fuel Violence – Uwazuruike

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Nnamdi Kanu Accused of Recruiting Igbo Youths from Prison to Fuel Violence – Uwazuruike
Founder of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike

Nnamdi Kanu Accused of Recruiting Igbo Youths from Prison to Fuel Violence – Uwazuruike

Founder of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, has leveled a heavy accusation against the incarcerated leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, claiming he is directing deadly violent activities from his prison cell. Uwazuruike alleged that Kanu, who is serving a life sentence for terrorism at the Sokoto Custodial Centre, has continued to actively recruit impressionable Igbo youths from inside the facility, and that this ongoing recruitment pipeline directly drives the rising body count of young people across the Southeast region. The MASSOB founder, who has consistently advocated for a non-violent approach to the Biafran agitation, expressed deep concern that young men are being deceived into violence that ultimately costs them their lives.

In a widely circulated video broadcast on YouTube, the MASSOB founder expressed deep worry over the situation. He urgently appealed to prominent Southeastern leaders and the leadership of the apex pan-Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, to intervene immediately. He urged them to form a high-powered delegation to travel to the Sokoto prison facility to confront Kanu with a strict warning to stop pulling young men into fatal operations. Uwazuruike emphasized that the time for silence had passed and that Igbo leaders must take a stand against the continued loss of youth to a violent struggle that he believes is being orchestrated from behind prison walls.

Expressing his frustration, Uwazuruike said: “I hate violence, and anyone who knows me will agree that I do not have anything to do with violence. How can someone who was sentenced to prison remain there and be recruiting our youth to go into violence? He has been sentenced, he should remain in prison and serve his jail term in peace and not recruiting more people into violence. Everyday, our young men are killed because they are being deceived into engaging in violence by Nnamdi Kanu, who is recruiting them from prison.” His emotional appeal highlighted the growing frustration among some separatist veterans who feel that the movement has been hijacked by violent elements that are leading young people to their deaths without any clear path to victory.

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He further pushed for a paradigm shift toward peace and rehabilitation, drawing a sharp contrast with how the federal government handles armed actors in northern parts of the country. “In the north, we hear things like repentant terrorists and bandits, and federal government spend money to reintegrate them into society, so why can’t we have repentant IPOB members here? Why can’t the people who have been in violence renounce it and come out and seek amnesty, so that the federal government can rehabilitate them?” Uwazuruike lamented. He questioned why young Igbo men must be initiated deeper into violence instead of being given the opportunity to embrace amnesty and reintegration, as is being done with repentant terrorists and bandits in other parts of Nigeria.

The strong remarks from the MASSOB pioneer follow an increase in alarming video clips emerging on various social media platforms. These videos feature numerous masked, armed individuals asserting their allegiance to Kanu and identifying themselves as functional wings of IPOB. Filmed deep within thick forests and unidentified locations across the region, the militants can be heard chanting solidarity anthems for Kanu while threatening a massive wave of armed unrest in the Southeast if the federal authorities fail to release him. The emergence of these videos has heightened concerns about the militarization of the separatist movement and the potential for large-scale violence in the region.

Tensions within the separatist movement have been boiling over for some time. Reports indicate that Kanu recently issued directives from detention to dissolve the powerful Directorate of State (DOS), which had long served as the administrative core of IPOB. Alongside stripping his closest confidants and allies of their administrative powers, Kanu reportedly initiated a new governance structure. He is also alleged to have launched a recruitment drive for 100 individuals under a secretive initiative tagged the “100-man-project,” though the definitive operational mandate and duties of these specific recruits remain highly ambiguous. The restructuring has created confusion and division within the movement, with some members loyal to Kanu and others opposing what they view as overreach from a detained leader.

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In a significant development that has thrown the separatist movement into deeper turmoil, the proscribed IPOB announced the indefinite suspension of the Office of its Leader, Nnamdi Kanu, and the position of the Director of Radio Biafra. The decision followed a full-house meeting of the IPOB Directorate on June 17, 2026, where the leadership reviewed intelligence reports concerning communications from Nnamdi Kanu within Sokoto prison. The leadership organ clarified that IPOB was “formed and nurtured by a group of Biafrans in the Diaspora (not by any singular individual)” and emphasized that no single individual has the authority to dissolve the Directorate of State, which remains the apex leadership structure. This marked a dramatic escalation in the internal power struggle within IPOB.

The group stated that it acted after becoming “mindful that certain unguarded communications from Sokoto prison to those in Biafraland has caused unnecessary arrests and death of IPOB family members.” The leadership expressed concern that Kanu’s communications were being intercepted by security agencies and were leading to the targeting and killing of IPOB members. The statement noted that the suspension will “prevent unchecked actions, reckless assumption of authority and unguarded utterances from resulting in the reckless arrests, torture and needless death of Biafran youths.” It declared that any criminal activity carried out in the name of the suspended office will no longer be blamed on the group, adding that “IPOB shall hence forward not be held accountable for actions of individuals or group of Individuals not holding any active position within IPOB.”

In a counter move, Nnamdi Kanu has rejected the suspension, declaring that the dissolution of the 3rd Administration is constitutionally valid and binding on all IPOB structures worldwide. Through his spokesperson, Emma Powerful, Kanu insisted that the power to appoint, suspend, or dismiss principal officers vests exclusively in the leader of IPOB, citing the group’s Code of Conduct. The statement emphasized that “the same authority that appoints possesses the authority to remove.” Kanu further argued that none of the members of the dissolved 3rd Administration are founding members of IPOB, and they occupied their offices solely by virtue of appointments made under his authority, which he maintains gives him the sole power to remove them.

The IPOB leader has inaugurated a 4th Administration of the DOS, appointing US-based Mazi Chris Nwaogu as the new Head of the Directorate, while the Chika Edoziem-led faction insists its suspension of Kanu is valid. The conflicting claims have deepened the leadership dispute within IPOB, with both factions asserting legitimacy and authority over the organisation’s affairs. This internal rift has significantly weakened the separatist movement and raised questions about its future direction and cohesion.

The IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, was convicted on all seven charges he faced on November 19, 2025, including terrorism, treason, and involvement with an outlawed movement. Justice James Omotosho sentenced him to life imprisonment on multiple counts, with the sentences to run concurrently effective from November 20, 2025. The judge noted that Kanu had made a series of broadcasts to incite violence and killings as part of his campaign for a separate Biafran state. The decision to relocate him to the Sokoto Custodial Centre has also attracted criticism from Igbo leaders and youth groups who have expressed concern over his safety in the volatile region.

Nnamdi Kanu Accused of Recruiting Igbo Youths from Prison to Fuel Violence – Uwazuruike

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DSS Arrests Seven Boko Haram, ISWAP Commanders Returning from Hajj

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DSS Arrests Seven Boko Haram, ISWAP Commanders Returning from Hajj

DSS Arrests Seven Boko Haram, ISWAP Commanders Returning from Hajj

Nigeria’s security operatives have arrested seven suspected senior commanders of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) after they returned from the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, in what officials have described as a major counter-terrorism breakthrough. The suspects were apprehended last Thursday at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport in Katsina State shortly after landing from Mecca, and were immediately transferred to the Department of State Services (DSS) for interrogation and further investigation. The arrest operation, which unfolded at the airport’s arrival terminal, has been hailed as a significant victory in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against terrorism and a testament to the effectiveness of the government’s new digital identity integration system.

Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed the development on Friday shortly after President Bola Tinubu signed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act, 2026, into law at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. According to the minister, the arrests highlight the impact of the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms in identity management and national security coordination. He emphasized that the success of the operation demonstrates how technology and inter-agency collaboration can be leveraged to enhance national security and protect citizens from terrorist threats. Tunji-Ojo explained that the country previously operated a weak and disconnected data system, making intelligence gathering and threat detection difficult across multiple agencies. “We inherited a fragmented identity management system where government databases operated independently. Today, our immigration database is fully integrated with NIMC and linked to Interpol’s 24-hour security network,” he stated. He recalled that the Senate President had previously raised alarm over how terrorists managed to go on pilgrimage, questioning how they crossed Nigeria’s borders without detection.

Giving more details on the operation, the minister said, “I’m happy to tell you that even last week, Thursday, seven of the known commanders of Boko Haram and ISWAP, at the point of coming back from Mecca, were arrested in Katsina at the airport and were handed over to the DSS.” He attributed the success to the integration of the NIMC database with the Nigeria Immigration Service and international security platforms, noting that “this is only possible because NIMC’s ID is already connected with the immigration database, and it’s already speaking to even the Interpol 24/7, and we have been able to automate this.” The minister’s comments underscore the transformative impact of digital identity reforms on Nigeria’s security architecture, suggesting that similar arrests could become more frequent as the system becomes more entrenched.

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The minister did not disclose the identities of the suspects, whether they had been on security watchlists before travelling to Saudi Arabia, how they obtained travel clearance, or whether they have been formally charged. He also did not indicate whether the suspects travelled independently or received sponsorship for the pilgrimage. The announcement has raised fresh questions about how suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP commanders were able to obtain travel documents and leave Nigeria undetected before eventually being intercepted on their return. These unanswered questions have sparked calls for greater transparency from security agencies and a thorough investigation into how the suspects managed to navigate Nigeria’s border controls in the first instance.

The revelation comes days after allegations circulated that the Katsina State Government sponsored Hajj pilgrimages for some bandit leaders. The Katsina State Government has denied the allegations, describing them as false, baseless, and politically motivated. In a statement, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Mua’zu, said the allegation was “entirely baseless, unfounded and devoid of any factual basis,” adding that it was a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and undermine ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity in the state. The minister did not suggest that the seven suspects were among any government-sponsored pilgrims, nor did he link their arrests to the allegations against the Katsina State Government. However, the timing of the arrests has fueled public speculation and drawn attention to the broader challenges of monitoring pilgrimages and preventing terrorists from exploiting religious travel.

President Tinubu signed the NIMC Act, 2026, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja in the presence of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi, NIMC Director-General Abisoye Coker-Odusote, House Leader Julius Ihonvbere, and other senior government officials. Tunji-Ojo described the new legislation as a significant reform aimed at strengthening the harmonisation of Nigeria’s identity management systems, improving the integrity of the National Identification Number (NIN) system, and enhancing collaboration among security and intelligence agencies. He noted that the Act provides a legal framework that will accelerate the integration of databases and ensure that no Nigerian citizen can obtain official documents without proper verification through the NIMC system.

The newly signed law is expected to play a major role in strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture by accelerating the harmonisation of identity databases and improving cooperation among security and government agencies. Government officials say the legislation is designed to eliminate long-standing gaps in Nigeria’s identity management system. The law is also expected to strengthen the integrity of the NIN, improve data sharing, and enhance the tracking of criminal activities including terrorism financing, identity fraud, cybercrime, and cross-border offences. Officials believe that the Act will serve as a deterrent to criminals and terrorists who have historically exploited weaknesses in the country’s identity verification processes.

The minister further explained that the integration has also improved the passport application process, noting that no Nigerian passport can now be issued without proper identity verification through the NIMC database. “When Mr President came on board, we had a disconnected system within our identity data management system. At that time, getting a passport and getting a driving permit were completely disconnected from our identity database. But today, you can’t get a Nigerian passport without pulling data from NIMC,” he stated. This reform has not only enhanced national security but has also reduced instances of identity fraud and document forgery, which were previously rampant under the disconnected system.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Senate President Akpabio welcomed the presidential assent, describing the legislation as a reflection of the National Assembly’s commitment to enacting laws that address Nigeria’s changing security and development needs. He said the Act would strengthen public confidence in the country’s identity management framework and aligns with President Tinubu’s reform agenda. Similarly, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu described the legislation as a transformative reform that would improve governance, promote accountability and support national development through a credible identity management system, noting that the previous NIMC Act of 2007 had become outdated and ill-suited to the demands of a digital age.

NIMC Director-General Abisoye Coker-Odusote said the Act represents a significant step towards building a trusted and inclusive digital identity ecosystem, reinforcing the National Identification Number as the cornerstone of identity verification in Nigeria while introducing reforms that will strengthen the country’s digital public infrastructure and improve access to government and private-sector services. The development comes as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to strengthen national security, improve border surveillance, and curb the movement of terror-linked individuals across the country. Security analysts have welcomed the arrests as a positive development, but many have also cautioned that technology alone cannot solve Nigeria’s security challenges without sustained investment in intelligence gathering, community policing, and addressing the root causes of extremism.

DSS Arrests Seven Boko Haram, ISWAP Commanders Returning from Hajj

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