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How Bandit Leader Turji Escaped NAF Bombings

Published

4 years ago

September 19, 2022

Zamfara bandit leader, Bello Turji

Details have emerged as to how notorious Zamfara bandit leader, Bello Turji, narrowly escaped being trapped in aerial bombings by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets on his enclave located at Fakai in Shinkafi LGA, Zamfara State.

Reports from the area said there was heightened tension over the weekend among Turji’s men and residents, who feared possible attack in response to the military operation.

Daily Trust reports that NAF troops, acting on intelligence on the convergence of bandits at Turji’s home, bombed the locations using two fighter jets on Saturday afternoon.

The crowd was said to have gathered for the naming ceremony of a baby born to Turji’s family.

While details of the extent of the damage inflicted on the camp remain sketchy, Daily Trust gathered that Turji and most of his close associates escaped the attack, having left the spot to observe the afternoon prayer (zuhr) just before the strikes.

“He (Turji) directed that they should observe the prayers. Those who didn’t leave for the prayers were hit by the bombs,” a source in Shinkafi told our reporter.

The escape on Saturday was the second time the bandit leader had escaped such an assault. In December 2021, a NAF bomb targeted at his camp hit some of his fighters, wounding many and killing at least one person.

The bomb was said to have been dropped moments after Turji had left his house.

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A source from the nearby village of Dangondi, who was among those who escaped the Saturday airstrike, told Daily Trust that many people were killed but did not give figures. He said those killed were buried after the commotion from the attack died down.

“Some young men were killed. There were also women and children who had gathered for the ceremony,” he said.

Turji is notorious for his role in the banditry challenge in Zamfara and beyond.

He maintains a large gang of gunmen who for years have terrorised residents in Shinkafi and Zurmi local governments of Zamfara, and Isa and Sabon Birni local governments of Sokoto State.

Late last year, the bandit leader told Daily Trust on Sunday in an exclusive interview that he was laying down his arms. The ceasefire deal between him and the local communities led to renewed peace in the area, with many hitherto sacked farming communities returning to their farms this farming season.

But a security source said Turji’s repentance was doubted by security agencies as he allegedly continues to acquire more weapons.

Another source said the attack could be because Turji’s name kept cropping up in security reports for engaging in gunrunning.

How rival gang ‘snitched’ on Turji

Daily Trust gathered that the attack on Turji is suspected to have been made possible through information provided by his arch-rivals from nearby Maniya community.

Turji has for long being in a fierce rivalry with the Maniya gang, with the two sides clashing on some occasions.

Daily Trust recalled that in June, this year, Turji led his men to attack the enclave of the bandits in Maniya, killing one of the leaders in the area known as Dullu.

The attack by Turji followed a series of warnings to the gang in Maniya to desist from waylaying travellers and attacking villagers, after he had struck a ceasefire deal with the locals.

“The strong suspicion is that the Maniya boys snitched on him when they heard of the gathering. You know, the two sides have been at each other’s throats.

“Even about three weeks ago, he sent them a warning about some things happening around the area,” a source in Shinkafi who declined to be named said.

Residents panic over possible reprisal

“People are in a panic,” a resident of Shinkafi, Alhaji Murtala Wadatau, told Daily Trust by phone on Sunday afternoon. He said there was an uneasy calm in Shinkafi and surrounding villages as residents were worried over what could follow the airstrikes.

Bandits are known to have retaliated against attacks by security agents on local communities.

He said the relative peace enjoyed in the area, since Turji announced a ceasefire last year, has accorded people the opportunity to farm and also travel on the hitherto dangerous roads at any time.

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“We are looking for a permanent solution to this problem. Everyone in this town now has his heart in his mouth, including women at home, because we know any attack could be a provocation that could thwart the peace we currently enjoy.

“We don’t have sufficient security at the moment here, and residents have been disarmed after the last ceasefire deal. Now that people are disarmed who can defend us from these people?” he said.

Wadatau said though Turji has not surrendered his arms, which could make his repentance insincere, he has thus far allowed residents to live peacefully and even provided some protection to locals.

“A few weeks ago, he went to dislodge a market around Bafarawa where they sold stolen cattle and ordered that the market be returned to its schedule as a weekly market. He seized the money with which the cattle rustlers transacted.”

Wadatau called on the government to implement a more sustainable campaign that would bring a permanent end to the banditry problem, rather than a one-off operation.

We’ll sustain the tempo – DHQ

Responding to the people’s fears and plea for sustained operation, Director of Defence Information, Major General Jimmy Akpor, said the military “will continue to maintain the heat” on the bandit groups.

“Operations are going to be sustained both by air and ground troops,” he told Daily Trust Sunday night.

“”Government institutions have a constitutional responsibility to keep the environment safe and that we must do,” he said.

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Explosion kills ISWAP bombmakers, foreign IED experts in Borno

Published

6 hours ago

August 5, 2026

Trends Admin

Explosion kills ISWAP bombmakers, foreign IED experts in Borno

Five suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), including a medical officer and four alleged improvised explosive device (IED) specialists, have reportedly been killed in a premature explosion while assembling explosives in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State.

Security sources said the explosion occurred at Maina Daya village, located between Sabon Tumbu and Jubilaram in the Marte axis, an area within the wider Lake Chad region where ISWAP has maintained a presence.

According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, those killed included an ISWAP medical officer identified as Usman Dan Fulani, two foreign nationals described by the sources as Arab IED technicians, and two suspected bomb-making specialists.

The identities and nationalities of the foreign nationals had not been independently confirmed as of the time of filing this report.

Sources said the suspected ISWAP members were assembling improvised explosive devices when the explosives detonated unexpectedly.

The group was reportedly preparing the devices for possible deployment along strategic military supply routes in Sector 1 of Operation HADIN KAI, raising concerns that the explosives may have been intended for attacks on security forces or vehicles operating in the area.

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The explosion reportedly destroyed the location where the devices were being assembled and prevented the suspected explosives from being deployed.

Security analysts said the deaths of experienced bombmakers could represent a significant setback to ISWAP’s IED network, particularly in the Marte-Monguno axis, where explosive devices have been used to target military patrols, security convoys and major transport routes.

However, analysts also noted that the long-term impact of the incident would depend on the group’s ability to replace the personnel and restore its technical capacity.

The development comes amid sustained military operations aimed at disrupting terrorist networks, destroying logistics facilities and limiting the movement of insurgents across Borno State and other parts of the North-East.

ISWAP has continued to use roadside bombs and other improvised explosive devices as part of its campaign against military formations, security personnel and civilian targets in the Lake Chad region.

Military sources said troops under Operation HADIN KAI had been directed to take advantage of the development by intensifying patrols, intelligence gathering, cordon-and-search operations and targeted offensives across the Monguno, Marte and Gamboru Ngala areas.

The operations are expected to focus on preventing surviving members of the suspected network from regrouping, relocating their activities or rebuilding their IED-manufacturing capacity.

Security forces are also expected to strengthen surveillance along routes that have previously been targeted with explosive devices.

The Nigerian military has continued to carry out intelligence-led air and ground operations against suspected ISWAP camps, logistics hubs and movement corridors across Borno.

While the latest explosion may temporarily disrupt the group’s operations, security analysts said sustained military pressure, improved intelligence gathering and continued collaboration with local communities would be necessary to prevent ISWAP from rebuilding its explosives network.

As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian military had not issued an official statement confirming the incident, the identities of those killed or the reported involvement of foreign IED technicians.

Explosion kills ISWAP bombmakers, foreign IED experts in Borno

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Alleged Coup Mastermind Suggested Approaching Wike for Funding, Court Documents Show

Published

6 hours ago

August 5, 2026

Trends Admin

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike

Alleged Coup Mastermind Suggested Approaching Wike for Funding, Court Documents Show

FCT Minister’s name surfaces in alleged 2025 coup conspiracy testimony, yet records confirm he was never contacted or aware of the plan

The name of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has surfaced in court documents linked to the alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration. However, investigation records indicate there is no evidence that the minister was contacted or that he had any knowledge of the alleged plan. This distinction is crucial as the trial of six defendants continues before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the alleged 2025 coup conspiracy against the Nigerian government.

The emergence of Wike’s name came from the statement of retired naval captain Erasmus Victor, one of the defendants currently standing trial. Victor admitted that he was aware of discussions surrounding the alleged plan but maintained that he repeatedly advised the alleged mastermind, Army Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, to abandon the idea. His testimony has become a focal point in the proceedings, though investigators have been careful to distinguish between mere mention and actual complicity.

According to investigation records, Victor said Ma’aji approached him because of their long-standing relationship dating back to their time at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA). Victor explained that the two had remained in contact after their military careers crossed paths at the academy, where he once served as commanding officer of the Burma Battalion while Ma’aji worked as his adjutant. This existing trust and familiarity reportedly made Victor a natural confidant for the embattled colonel.

Victor told investigators that Ma’aji became deeply frustrated after he failed to secure a promotion around 2023. He said he reached out to encourage the officer and urged him to focus on retirement instead of allowing the disappointment to consume him. “He was very devastated,” Victor reportedly said. According to Victor, Ma’aji rejected the advice and instead declared that he was prepared to do “anything necessary,” even if it cost him his life. Victor said he interpreted the comment as a sign that the officer intended to pursue an unconstitutional takeover of government and claimed he consistently discouraged him from doing so.

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The retired naval officer also disclosed that Ma’aji later began searching for wealthy individuals who could allegedly provide financial backing for the operation. Victor said several influential Nigerians were mentioned during their discussions, and among them was the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Explaining why his name came up, Victor said he had previously served as chairman of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area in Rivers State during Wike’s tenure as governor. “I have been a local government chairman for Ogu/Bolo LGA under Nyesom Wike, and I left office in 2021,” he stated. “He suggested I bring Nyesom Wike into the plan in order to seek funds from him.”

Victor insisted that despite the request, he never approached Wike or any other individual for financial assistance. He said he only informed Ma’aji that his efforts to secure sponsors had failed. He further stated, “I was not under compulsion to tell Col Ma’aji I was going to get him sponsors.” This admission is critical because the investigation records reportedly do not suggest that Wike was aware of the alleged plot or took part in any discussion connected to it. The absence of any evidence linking the FCT Minister to the conspiracy has been a recurring theme in official briefings on the matter.

Security agencies launched investigations after the alleged conspiracy was uncovered in September 2025. Prosecutors alleged that the suspects planned to assassinate President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, service chiefs and other senior government officials before taking over power. Investigators further alleged that different roles had been assigned to members of the group, including military operations, logistics, recruitment of financiers, intelligence gathering, propaganda and spiritual consultations. The scale and audacity of the alleged plot have drawn significant public attention, with many Nigerians closely following the court proceedings.

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Victor is standing trial alongside serving and retired military officers accused of participating in the alleged conspiracy. In his statement, the retired naval officer said he eventually began to doubt whether Ma’aji genuinely intended to stage a coup. “I suspected it was 419,” Victor reportedly told investigators. He explained that he wondered whether the officer was simply trying to obtain money from wealthy individuals under the guise of planning a takeover, arguing that anyone who voluntarily funded an illegal operation would likely be unwilling to report the matter to security agencies if the money disappeared. This skepticism, he claimed, was part of the reason he never took active steps to support the plan.

The investigation also revealed that Victor admitted communicating with Ma’aji through Zangi, an encrypted messaging application. According to him, the platform was recommended because it offered more secure communication than regular phone calls. He said he only downloaded the application to communicate with Ma’aji and another defendant, Lieutenant Colonel Shamsuddeen Bappah. Investigators alleged that Bappah received ₦5 million on September 27, 2025, from funds linked to the alleged operation, though Victor denied taking part in any financial arrangement. The use of encrypted communication has been a point of interest for investigators, who are working to piece together the full extent of communications among the alleged conspirators.

The retired naval officer also acknowledged discussions about possible appointments if the alleged coup had succeeded. According to his statement, Ma’aji once asked him what position he would like in the proposed administration. Victor claimed he jokingly reminded the colonel that he had earlier promised to make him Chief of Staff to the President, but the officer instead replied that he would appoint him as a minister. Victor insisted the conversation was never serious and should not be interpreted as support for the alleged conspiracy, framing it as casual banter rather than a genuine planning session.

He further disclosed that Ma’aji estimated the operation would require about ₦2 billion to execute. Victor said he warned that such a plan would be difficult to execute because of modern surveillance systems and communication technology, adding that those realities convinced him the operation would fail. This practical assessment, he claimed, was part of his ongoing effort to discourage the colonel from pursuing what he saw as a doomed enterprise. Although he admitted forwarding some revolutionary-themed social media materials to Ma’aji through WhatsApp, Victor maintained that he consistently advised against the alleged plot and denied participating in any effort to overthrow the government. He also admitted he never reported the alleged plan to security agencies despite knowing about it, claiming he attempted to reach the then-Rivers State Sole Administrator but was unable to get through.

The trial is expected to continue as the Federal High Court considers evidence presented by the prosecution and the responses of the defendants. The defendants have pleaded not guilty to all charges, and legal experts anticipate a lengthy judicial process given the gravity of the allegations. As the proceedings unfold, the distinction between names mentioned in testimony and individuals with actual involvement will remain a critical factor in determining the outcome of the case.

Alleged Coup Mastermind Suggested Approaching Wike for Funding, Court Documents Show

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Adeleke challenges EFCC over freezing of Osun government account

Published

7 hours ago

August 5, 2026

Trends Admin

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke

Adeleke challenges EFCC over freezing of Osun government account

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has demanded an explanation from the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, over the freezing of an account belonging to the Osun State Government.

Adeleke, who spoke with journalists at the Government House in Osogbo on Wednesday, described the action as unlawful and warned that it could disrupt government activities and affect the delivery of essential public services across the state.

The governor said the state government received a letter from its bank indicating that the EFCC had directed the financial institution to place a restriction on the government account.

According to Adeleke, the action was taken without a court order, adding that the state government would challenge the decision through legal means. (TheCable)

“We are supposed to be in a democracy where the rule of law must always prevail,” the governor said.

Adeleke argued that federal agencies must operate within constitutional and legal boundaries, insisting that the rights and powers of state governments should be respected.

He called on Olukoyede to publicly explain the reason for the account restriction and provide evidence to support the action.

“All I ask is for the EFCC chairman to explain to the good people of Osun State and Nigerians in general why he froze the Osun State Government account and show proof to support whatever reason he presents,” Adeleke said.

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The governor alleged that the development was part of a wider effort to intimidate his administration ahead of the August 15, 2026 Osun governorship election.

He also accused former Osun State governor, Gboyega Oyetola, of being behind what he described as political attacks against his administration. The allegation was not independently established in the reports reviewed.

Adeleke maintained that his government would not accept actions it considered unconstitutional or politically motivated.

He subsequently directed the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, SAN, to institute legal action against the EFCC at the Federal High Court in Osogbo. (Vanguard News)

Jimi-Bada said the state government received a “Post No Debit” communication linked to the EFCC’s directive to the bank where the affected government account is domiciled.

The Attorney-General said the state government was prepared to challenge the restriction, arguing that while the anti-graft agency has the power to investigate financial transactions, it must act within the limits of the law.

He said the restriction could affect the day-to-day operations of the state government but expressed confidence that the matter would be resolved through the courts.

Osun State Commissioner for Finance, Sola Ogungbile, also raised concerns about the possible impact of the account restriction on government operations and the welfare of residents.

Ogungbile denied claims that the Adeleke administration was using state funds to finance its re-election campaign and urged the EFCC to consider the potential consequences of restricting access to government funds.

Earlier, Adeleke had raised the alarm over an alleged plan to freeze additional Osun State Government accounts and the accounts of some senior government officials.

In a statement issued through the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the governor alleged that the planned action was intended to paralyse government activities ahead of the governorship election.

Adeleke maintained that there was no legal basis for freezing the state government’s accounts and insisted that the anti-graft agency must follow due process in carrying out its investigations.

The development has heightened political tension in Osun ahead of the governorship election, with the state government insisting that it will seek judicial intervention while demanding a public explanation from the EFCC.

As of the time of filing this report, the EFCC had not publicly released detailed reasons for the account restriction or responded to the allegations made by the Osun State Government.