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Boko Haram kills five soldiers in attack on Borno military base
Boko Haram kills five soldiers in attack on Borno military base
Boko Haram terrorists have overrun a military base in Damboa LGA of Borno State, killing dozens of soldiers, vigilantes and carting away military weapons.
Security and local sources confirmed the incident to Daily Trust on Monday.
One of the security sources said the fighters in large numbers carried out the attack around 4pm on Saturday at the Forward Operating Base, Sabon Gari area.
He said the military put up a good fight but they were overwhelmed by the terrorists.
“The base had suffered over 100 terrorist attacks in the past, but what happened yesterday was a devastating one, many soldiers and vigilantes were killed and all the armament in the base carted away.
“Operation vehicles and buildings were also burnt this time around,” he said.
Narrating how the incident happened, he said, “They (insurgents) initially sent a big drone, which we all thought was a military surveillance before they later attacked the base.
“I cannot tell you the exact number of the soldiers and vigilantes or the identity of the officers killed but we have recovered over 12 dead bodies,” he said.
He said the insurgents were said to have coordinated their attack from the Mandara Gau in Biu Local Government Area, about 25 kilometers away from the Sabon Gari base.
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“They forcefully took over a mango plantation owned by a former commissioner in Borno State, where they currently lived as a hideout,” he said.
Another security source, who corroborated what happened, revealed that the insurgents used surveillance drones to scan their location before the deadly attack.
He said between Chibok and Damboa, in the last two weeks, Boko Haram has been using drones to do surveillance.
“In one of our bases, a day before Xmas, they attacked us and injured six soldiers.
On 24th December 2024, the terrorists launched a drone attack on the Forward Operating Base inside the Damboa LGA and injured at least six soldiers.
However, the spokesman for Defence Headquarters, Brig Gen Tukur Gusau, had during a media briefing in Abuja, described the attack as a harassment, saying it was not qualified to be called an attack.
He said the fighter drones used by terrorists in the bombardment of the Nigerian military base were “toy drones.”
Terrorist fleeing Chad onslaught regroup in Sambisa
A local source, who prefers a single name, Adamu, said that most of the terrorists that carried out the attack were fleeing insurgents dislodged by the joint military operations in Lake Chad.
“When the onslaught became unbearable to the terrorists in Lake Chad, most of them escaped and joined the terrorists here, loyal to the late Abubakar Shekau. It’s these people terrorising us now, “he said.
Months back, Chadian troops entered the Lake Chad area avenging the killing of its over 40 soldiers by the terrorists.
Also, President Mahmat Deby has stationed at least two thousand troops that are currently involved in ongoing operations in the Lake Chad general area, including on Nigerian soil.
The decade-long Boko Haram conflict, which had spread to the neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon has killed tens of thousands of people and forced millions from their homes.
Boko Haram kills five soldiers in attack on Borno military base
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Teen alleges torture by stepmother, loses hand
Teen alleges torture by stepmother, loses hand
A 19-year-old boy, identified as Friday, has accused his stepmother of subjecting him to torture that resulted in the amputation of one of his hands.
Friday’s account was made public in a viral video shared by Nigerian content creator Lucky Udu.
The teenager alleged that the incident occurred while his father was away, during which his stepmother accused him of having an inappropriate relationship with her and demanded that he confess.
He claimed she threatened him with a knife when he denied the allegation.
Friday further alleged that he was taken to a man who accused him of witchcraft and subjected him to torture, including burning his hands over charcoal.
He said his injuries later became infected, but his stepmother allegedly refused to take him to a hospital and instead forced him to continue working.
According to him, a passerby who noticed his condition alerted the police, leading to his rescue and the arrest of the stepmother.
He was subsequently taken to a specialist hospital where doctors amputated his hand due to the severity of the damage.
The incident has generated reactions on social media, with many Nigerians calling for justice and stronger protection for vulnerable children.
Authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the matter.
Teen alleges torture by stepmother, loses hand
metro
Cars Torched as South Africans Protest Alleged Nigerian ‘Igbo King’ Coronation
Cars Torched as South Africans Protest Alleged Nigerian ‘Igbo King’ Coronation
Violence erupted on Monday in KuGompo City, Eastern Cape, South Africa, following the reported coronation of a Nigerian national as a traditional king, prompting the Nigerian High Commission to issue a 10-point safety advisory urging Nigerians in the country to prioritise safety and maintain a low profile.
According to the advisory titled “Advisory to All Nigerians Living in the Republic of South Africa,” citizens were urged to exercise caution, limit movement, avoid interactions with unfamiliar persons, and suspend socio-cultural activities to reduce the risk of becoming targets amid rising tensions. The circular also advised Nigerians to respect local laws and customs and refrain from posting inflammatory content on social media that could escalate the situation.
What began as a peaceful protest over the alleged installation of Solomon Eziko as Igwe Ndigbo quickly escalated. Videos and images of the coronation circulated widely, sparking anger among residents and civic groups. Protesters torched vehicles, vandalised properties, and clashed with law enforcement. Police reportedly deployed teargas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowds, while fire services worked to contain the blazes.
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A man was stabbed during the unrest and taken to hospital. Authorities clarified that the victim was not linked to the demonstration, though some civic groups claimed one of their members was injured and also struck by a vehicle.
Several groups, including ActionSA, the Patriotic Alliance, and the civic movement March and March, joined traditional leaders in condemning the alleged coronation as illegal and unconstitutional.
- Athol Trollip, ActionSA Eastern Cape leader, said: “There is no constitutional provision for any foreigner, legal or illegal, to coronate themselves in the Eastern Cape. We support existing local kings, not Nigerian kings.”
- Steve Motale, Patriotic Alliance spokesperson, said: “We condemn this fake coronation. Even the Nigerian High Commissioner has denounced it.”
The Royal House of AbaThembu also denied involvement, calling social media claims linking King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo to the coronation false and misleading.
The unrest follows recent anti-migrant protests in South Africa, where residents demanded stricter immigration policies targeting Nigerians and other foreign nationals. Analysts say the protests reflect broader xenophobic tensions and concern over foreign influence on local traditional structures.
The Federal Government of Nigeria continues to monitor the situation closely, urging citizens in South Africa to remain law-abiding, cautious, and vigilant until stability returns.
Cars Torched as South Africans Protest Alleged Nigerian ‘Igbo King’ Coronation
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El-Rufai Alleges Plot to Arrest Brother to Force Negotiation
El-Rufai Alleges Plot to Arrest Brother to Force Negotiation
Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai has alleged that security operatives planned to arrest his elder brother, Bashir El-Rufai, if he returned to Nigeria for their mother’s burial — reportedly as a tactic to pressure him into negotiations.
In a video statement, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain said Bashir avoided attending the funeral to prevent detention. “My elder brother Bashir El-Rufai couldn’t make it because we learned there was a plan to arrest him… they believe if they get him, I will negotiate,” he revealed.
El-Rufai’s mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, passed away in Cairo, Egypt, on Friday. Her remains were flown to Abuja and buried on Sunday. The burial coincided with El-Rufai’s ongoing legal troubles, including his arrest and detention by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over allegations of corruption and money laundering.
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The former governor was arraigned before a Federal High Court in Kaduna on March 24 on a 10-count charge. His case was adjourned until March 31, 2026, for hearings on pending applications, including his bail request. He was granted temporary release from ICPC custody to attend his mother’s funeral.
Observers say El-Rufai’s claims highlight concerns over the alleged use of family members as leverage in political and legal disputes, sparking debate over the conduct of anti-graft agencies in Nigeria. Analysts also note the potential political implications as El-Rufai continues to assert his innocence and challenge the legal proceedings against him.
El-Rufai Alleges Plot to Arrest Brother to Force Negotiation
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