Lakurawa terrorists kill 13 vigilantes in Kebbi

The Lakurawa terrorist group on Sunday killed 13 members of a vigilante group as they attacked Morai community in Augie Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The 13 vigilantes were reportedly killed when they tried to resist the Lakurawa as they attacked and rustled cattle from the community.

A local, Malam Ibrahim Augie, told our correspondent that vigilante members in their numbers had come out to repel the terrorists’ attack when they were informed of their incursion into the village, but the terrorists had already encircled them and killed 13 of them.

He said, “The vigilantes hid to attack and recapture the rustled cattle, but they didn’t know the Lakurawa had already seen them and they were shot and killed,” he said.

The police spokesman, CSP Nafiu Abubakar, could not be reached at the time of filing this report as his line was not going through.

Reno Omokri, Shehu Sani, others screened for ambassadorial appointments

Former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani was among those screened by the Federal Government following the commencement of the screening process for candidates nominated for diplomatic roles in a bid to fill the vacant roles for its 76 embassies and 22 high commissions.

According to reports, nominees have been asked to report to the DSS offices nearest to them for security checks.

Some have reportedly been informed to provide personal education and work history.

It was gathered from a source that two former south-eastern governors, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Okezie Ikpeazu, have been screened for the role.

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The source also disclosed that Sani, who recently joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and former presidential aide Reno Omokri are among the nominees who have also been screened.

The source also revealed that former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Femi Pedro, and former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, have already gone through the screening process and have been cleared for their prospective national assignments.

In September 2023, President Bola Tinubu recalled all Nigerian diplomats, both career and non-career.

Nearly two years after their recall, in March 2025, the presidency stated that their replacements would be named “very soon”.

Reno Omokri, Shehu Sani, others screened for ambassadorial appointments

Nigerien Army arrests commander of terrorist group, seizes  cash, weapons

The Nigerien Army has arrested a suspected senior member of the terrorist group Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) in the Tillabéri region, recovering cash, weapons, and logistics items believed to be meant for terrorist operations.

The army, in its operations report covering April 3 to April 5, confirmed that the suspect was intercepted on April 3 at about 6:30 p.m. while traveling in a vehicle along the Torodi–Niamey route.

According to military sources, a search of the vehicle led to the recovery of a firearm, several mobile phones, and a sum of 5,032,900 CFA francs. The army believes the money was intended for the procurement of logistics to support terrorist activities.

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Further investigation led troops to a garden owned by the suspect in the village of Boborgou. The location was allegedly used as a logistical base by armed groups. Items discovered included food supplies, communication airtime credit, clothing, and black fabric believed to be used for camouflage.

In a nearby school building, security forces also uncovered a significant stock of pasta reportedly meant to sustain active terrorist elements operating in the area.

The army stated that the suspect is also strongly linked to the hijacking of two vehicles between Makalondi and Niaktiré on April 2.

Security operations are ongoing in the region as part of broader efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and restore stability.

Nigerien Army arrests commander of terrorist group, seizes  cash, weapons

(Zagazola Makama)