Bandits Kill Three, Burn Houses in Niger Community

The Niger State Police Command has confirmed that suspected bandits attacked Pissa village in Borgu Local Government Area, killing three residents and setting several houses on fire in a morning assault that has heightened security concerns in the area.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, the attackers invaded the community at about 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, unleashing violence that left residents fleeing for safety.

He said preliminary reports indicated that three people were killed during the attack, while multiple houses were torched by the armed assailants before security reinforcements arrived.

“The report received indicated that suspected bandits invaded Pissa village in Borgu LGA. Three persons were reportedly killed during the attack and some houses were set ablaze,” Abiodun stated.

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He further disclosed that military personnel responded swiftly and engaged the attackers in a gun duel, although details of the encounter were still unclear at the time of the briefing.

“The military responded and engaged the terrorists, but further details are still sketchy,” he added.

Security sources said the attackers operated in large numbers, causing panic in the rural community as villagers reportedly fled into nearby bushes for safety. Some residents were also said to have been displaced following the destruction of property.

The latest attack underscores the continuing insecurity in parts of Borgu LGA and other border communities in Niger State, where armed groups have repeatedly carried out raids, killings, and arson attacks despite ongoing military operations.

Authorities have assured that security operatives are actively pursuing the attackers, while efforts are ongoing to stabilise the affected community and prevent further violence.

The police also urged residents to remain calm, vigilant, and to provide credible intelligence that could assist ongoing investigations and security operations in the area.

Bandits Kill Three, Burn Houses in Niger Community

Islamic New Year: Sultan Calls on Muslims to Observe Muharram Crescent

The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has called on Muslims across Nigeria to participate in the sighting of the Muharram crescent, a significant religious exercise that will determine the commencement of the Islamic New Year 1448AH.

The directive was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs of the Sokoto Sultanate Council, Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu.

According to the statement, Monday, June 15, 2026, corresponding to the 29th day of Zulhijjah 1447AH, has been designated as the official day for observing the new moon of Muharram 1448AH, the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar.

“This is to inform the Muslim Ummah that Monday 15th June, 2026, which is equivalent to the 29th day of Zulhijjah 1447AH, shall be the day to look for the new moon of Muharram 1448AH,” the statement read.

The Sultan urged Muslims throughout the country to observe the crescent immediately after sunset and report any confirmed sighting through the established traditional channels.

He advised those who sight the moon to communicate the information to the nearest District Head or Village Head for onward transmission to the Sultanate Council, where reports will be collated and verified before an official announcement is made.

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The moon-sighting exercise remains a central tradition in Islam and is used to determine the beginning and end of lunar months, including Ramadan, Shawwal, Zulhijjah, and Muharram.

As the first month of the Islamic calendar, Muharram occupies a special place in Islam and is recognized as one of the four sacred months mentioned in the Holy Qur’an. The month marks the beginning of the Hijri calendar, which guides the timing of major Islamic religious activities and observances worldwide.

Islamic historians trace the Hijri calendar to the migration (Hijrah) of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE, an event regarded as a turning point in Islamic history.

In Nigeria, the Sultan of Sokoto traditionally announces the commencement of Islamic months after consultations with moon-sighting committees, Islamic scholars, traditional rulers and religious leaders across the country.

The Sultanate Council explained that all reported sightings would undergo verification before a formal declaration is made regarding the start of Muharram 1448AH and the beginning of the new Islamic year.

If the crescent is successfully sighted and authenticated on Monday evening, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, is expected to be declared the first day of Muharram. However, if no credible sighting is recorded, the month of Zulhijjah will complete 30 days, and Muharram will begin the following day in accordance with Islamic tradition.

Beyond the moon-sighting exercise, the Sultan urged Muslims to use the occasion to pray for peace, unity, security and economic prosperity in Nigeria.

The commencement of Muharram is often marked by reflection, increased acts of worship and renewed commitment to faith, as Muslims across the world welcome a new year in the Islamic calendar.

The Sultanate Council is expected to issue an official announcement after receiving and verifying moon-sighting reports from different parts of the country.

Islamic New Year: Sultan Calls on Muslims to Observe Muharram Crescent

11 Feared Dead as Boat Carrying Mourners Capsizes in Benue

A tragic Benue boat accident has left at least 11 people feared dead, including a pregnant woman and six children, after a boat carrying mourners capsized on the River Benue in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State.

The incident occurred on Saturday evening between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. as passengers were returning from a burial ceremony in Wadata to Daududawada community, an island settlement located behind the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering (NASME) Barracks in the North Bank area of Makurdi.

Witnesses said the boat overturned during a heavy rainstorm accompanied by strong winds, throwing dozens of passengers into the river.

Confirming the incident, Commander of Operation Shara (Sweep), a local vigilante group operating in the North Bank area, Nura Umar, disclosed that the victims included a pregnant woman, six children and four other adults.

According to Umar, the passengers were returning home after attending the burial of a woman from their community who died earlier on Saturday while receiving treatment at a private hospital in the North Bank area.

He explained that the deceased woman had been transported from Daududawada to the hospital for medical treatment but later passed away. Following her death, relatives and community members gathered in Wadata for her burial before embarking on the return journey by boat.

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Umar said the decision to travel by water was influenced by the shorter distance between Wadata and Daududawada compared to the road route.

He recounted that shortly after the journey began, adverse weather conditions struck the area, causing panic among passengers before the vessel eventually capsized.

“There were over 40 passengers on board when the rain and strong winds started. The boat overturned midway through the journey, leaving many struggling in the water,” he said.

According to him, at least 11 persons are feared dead, while several others were rescued by local divers and volunteers who immediately launched a search-and-rescue operation.

He revealed that four bodies had been recovered and buried, while efforts were still ongoing to locate the remaining victims.

One of the most heartbreaking aspects of the tragedy involved a woman who survived the accident but lost her baby during the struggle to stay alive.

According to Umar, the woman had strapped the child to her back before the journey. However, amid the chaos that followed the capsizing, she lost hold of the baby while trying to swim to safety.

Despite efforts to rescue the child, the baby reportedly drowned after swallowing a large amount of water.

The latest boat mishap in Benue State has once again highlighted growing concerns over the safety of water transportation in riverine communities, where boats remain the primary means of movement for thousands of residents.

Stakeholders have repeatedly raised concerns about inadequate safety measures, overcrowding of boats, lack of life jackets and the dangers posed by extreme weather conditions on inland waterways.

Benue State has recorded several fatal boat accidents in recent years, prompting calls for stricter enforcement of safety regulations and increased government investment in water transport infrastructure.

Earlier incidents in parts of the state led authorities to advocate compulsory use of life jackets and improved monitoring of boat operations. However, many communities continue to face challenges in accessing safety equipment and reliable transportation alternatives.

As of the time of filing this report, local divers and emergency volunteers were still searching the River Benue for the remaining missing passengers, while state authorities had yet to issue a detailed official statement on the tragedy.

The incident has thrown the Daududawada community into mourning, with families anxiously awaiting news about loved ones who remain unaccounted for.

11 Feared Dead as Boat Carrying Mourners Capsizes in Benue