NAF Bombards Terrorist Enclaves as DHQ Names Suicide Bombing Mastermind - Newstrends
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NAF Bombards Terrorist Enclaves as DHQ Names Suicide Bombing Mastermind

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NAF Bombards Terrorist Enclaves as DHQ Names Suicide Bombing Mastermind

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has intensified its intelligence-driven air interdiction operations across the North-East and North-West, neutralising terrorist elements, destroying logistics hubs and crippling operational networks linked to Boko Haram and ISWAP.

In a statement, the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the air operations were conducted between January 1 and 2 under Operation HADIN KAI in the North-East and Operation FASAN YAMMA Sector 2 in the North-West.

Ejodame explained that the strikes followed actionable intelligence on terrorist movements, hideouts and logistics routes, with NAF aircraft engaging identified enclaves, assembly areas and transit corridors to deny the groups freedom of action.

In the North-East, precision airstrikes targeted terrorist hideouts at Abirma and Chiralia within the Timbuktu Triangle, where sustained surveillance confirmed facilities linked to IED production and attack planning. The strikes destroyed the structures, with secondary explosions indicating the elimination of explosive stockpiles.

Further interdiction missions at Guva in the Mandara Mountains dismantled additional storage and coordination points, significantly degrading the terrorists’ ability to regroup or launch attacks.

The operations were also extended to the North-West, where NAF aircraft struck terrorist elements around Karaduwa Giginya Na in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State. The terrorists, tracked moving in large motorcycle convoys, were engaged at a forested convergence point, leading to the neutralisation of several fighters and destruction of motorcycles and weapons.

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Ejodame said the sustained air operations reaffirm the NAF’s commitment to supporting ground troops and dismantling terrorist networks nationwide.

Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has identified Shariff Umar as the alleged ringleader behind recent suicide bombings and attempted attacks in the North-East, including the December 24, 2025 bombing at Gamboru Market Mosque in Maiduguri, which killed five worshippers and injured 35 others.

The Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, said investigations following the arrest of 14 suspects during cordon-and-search operations in Kalmari area of Maiduguri on December 31 uncovered a coordinated terror cell.

According to Uba, a suspected suicide bomber in custody, Ibrahim Muhammad, identified Shariff Umar—also known as “Yusuf”—as the recruiter, coordinator and dispatcher of suicide bombers, as well as the handler of IED logistics.

Investigations further linked Umar to the Gamboru Market mosque attack and a foiled suicide bombing attempt in Damaturu, while also revealing the involvement of his wife, Yagana Modu, and corroborating testimony from his stepdaughter.

“All suspects remain firmly in custody and are undergoing intensive, multi-layered investigations aimed at dismantling the entire network and recovering remaining explosives,” Uba said.

In a related development, troops of Operation HADIN KAI recovered a large cache of high-calibre ammunition in the Bulumkutu Railway area of Maiduguri, including 1,270 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, live rounds and power banks concealed in a drainage channel.

The recovery followed intelligence-led cordon-and-search operations conducted with Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams. Authorities said the area has been secured and drainage ongoing to ensure no additional explosives remain.

The military urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements, stressing that community cooperation remains critical to restoring lasting peace and security in the North-East.

NAF Bombards Terrorist Enclaves as DHQ Names Suicide Bombing Mastermind

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Kano Building Collapse: One Dead, Four Injured as Rescue Teams Respond

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Kano Building Collapse: One Dead, Four Injured as Rescue Teams Respond
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Kano Building Collapse: One Dead, Four Injured as Rescue Teams Respond

A two-storey building under construction on Sultan Road in Kano State collapsed on Friday morning, July 10, 2026, resulting in one fatality and four injuries. The incident occurred around 9 a.m. in the Nasarawa Local Government Area of the state, trapping five people beneath the debris. Emergency responders, neighbours, and passersby quickly mobilised to rescue victims trapped beneath the rubble, with the community’s swift response playing a crucial role in saving lives.

According to the Executive Secretary of the Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) , Isyaku Abdullahi Kubaraci, one of the rescued victims died from injuries sustained in the collapse. “Fortunately, four people survived, and only had one casualty. We have handed over the body of the deceased to his family members. I have to commend the neighbours and passersby who assisted in the rescue operation, and we send our condolences to the family of the deceased,” he stated. The four survivors sustained varying degrees of injuries and were rushed to the Sir Muhammadu Sanusi Hospital in Kano for medical treatment, where they are currently receiving care.

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Construction workers at the site noticed warning signs of structural failure while work was ongoing on the upper floor. One worker, Aliyu Ibrahim Baba, recounted the harrowing events: “I had just arrived and was eating my breakfast before I began work. I heard a noise and went upstairs to check. I saw the caretaker wetting the part of the building we worked on yesterday, so I left and continued eating.” He continued: “Suddenly, sand particles started raining down on me and entered my eyes. One of my co-workers went to check on the caretaker upstairs. There were three people at the door when the building suddenly gave way. We barely managed to run out, but five people were trapped under the rubble. They have all been rescued and taken to the hospital.” Another construction worker, Shuaibu Yaro, confirmed that those trapped included a security guard and a commercial tricycle rider, both of whom were among the rescued survivors.

Baba credited the swift response of residents for saving lives: “People rushed to help us even before the fire service arrived, and that made a huge difference in getting the victims out alive.” Authorities are yet to determine the official cause of the building collapse, though investigations are expected to commence. The incident has once again raised concerns about construction safety standards and regulatory enforcement in Kano State, with many calling for stricter oversight of building projects to prevent future tragedies. Rescue operations at the site have since concluded, with all victims accounted for, as the community mourns the loss of one life while expressing relief that four others survived.

Kano Building Collapse: One Dead, Four Injured as Rescue Teams Respond

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Imo Pastor Gets Life Imprisonment for Raping Minor Living With Him

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Imo Pastor Gets Life Imprisonment for Raping Minor Living With Him

Imo Pastor Gets Life Imprisonment for Raping Minor Living With Him

An Imo State High Court has sentenced Samuel Ehirim, a 42-year-old pastor, to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of sexually assaulting a minor who lived under his care. The judgment was delivered by Justice C.O. Chukwumaeze, who held that the prosecution proved its case “beyond reasonable doubt” and established the defendant’s guilt through credible and consistent evidence. The case has been hailed as a landmark ruling in the enforcement of child protection laws in Imo State, demonstrating the judiciary’s commitment to safeguarding vulnerable members of society.

Ehirim was arraigned on a five-count charge bordering on sexual assaultassault with intent to commit an unnatural offenceindecent treatment of a girl under the age of 13, and assault, contrary to the provisions of the Imo State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law No. 8 of 2021 and the Criminal Code. In her judgment, Justice Chukwumaeze said the evidence before the court “overwhelmingly” showed that Ehirim committed the offences. The judge held that the defence failed to discredit the prosecution’s witnesses or create any reasonable doubt during the trial, noting that the testimonies of the victim and other witnesses were consistent and credible.

Imo Pastor Gets Life Imprisonment for Raping Minor Living With Him

Samuel Ehirim

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The court further found that the victim, who had been living with the convict, was subjected to repeated sexual abuse over a period of time. The judge noted that the pastor had abused his position of trust and authority, preying on a vulnerable child who had been placed under his care. Although defence counsel S.E. Ibechem, who held the brief of D.O. Agbo, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, the judge convicted Ehirim on all five counts and handed down a life sentence, stating that the severity of the offences demanded the maximum penalty permitted by law.

Speaking after the judgment, Ikenna Obi, counsel to the Imo State Ministry of Justice, described the conviction as a significant milestone in the enforcement of the state’s Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law. Obi said the ruling demonstrated the state’s commitment to protecting children and other vulnerable persons from sexual and gender-based violence, and should serve as a strong warning to perpetrators of such crimes. The prosecutor also commended the court for its firm stance, expressing confidence that the decision would strengthen ongoing efforts to combat gender-based violence in the state, while also encouraging more victims to come forward and report abuse without fear of stigma or retaliation. The case reinforces the state’s resolve that no one, regardless of position or title, is above the law when it comes to the protection of children.

Imo Pastor Gets Life Imprisonment for Raping Minor Living With Him

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MURIC Demands Release of El-Rufai’s Personal Physician, Condemns ICPC Arrest

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Appeal Court Hijab Verdict 'Travesty of Justice', MURIC Vows to Fight On

MURIC Demands Release of El-Rufai’s Personal Physician, Condemns ICPC Arrest

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to immediately and unconditionally release Professor Bello Abubakar, the personal physician to former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, describing his arrest as arbitrary and inconsistent with democratic principles.

The Islamic human rights organisation made the demand in a statement issued on Friday by its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, following reports that the ICPC arrested the medical doctor over alleged false statements.

MURIC expressed concern over the arrest, arguing that medical professionals occupy a protected position globally because of the ethical responsibilities attached to their profession.

According to the group, the detention of a physician raises fears that he could be pressured to disclose confidential information about his patient, contrary to the ethics of medical practice.

“We condemn this arrest. It is arbitrary, alien to global best practices and absolutely uncalled for. This arrest stands in contradistinction to democratic principles. We therefore demand the unconditional release of the doctor with immediate effect,” the statement read.

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The organisation further noted that even in conflict zones, medical personnel are generally accorded special protection because of their humanitarian role in providing care to the sick and injured.

MURIC argued that subjecting a physician to detention could undermine patient-doctor confidentiality, warning that such a development may set a dangerous precedent.

The group also questioned the basis for the arrest, insisting that the explanations provided so far by the anti-graft agency were insufficient to justify the action.

“We are not convinced that the doctor had committed any offence and the explanations given by ICPC can hardly scratch the surface. Nigerians need more to be convinced,” Akintola stated.

The ICPC had reportedly arrested Professor Abubakar on Wednesday in connection with allegations of making false statements. However, the commission has yet to issue a detailed public response to MURIC’s demand for his release.

 

MURIC Demands Release of El-Rufai’s Personal Physician, Condemns ICPC Arrest

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