Tension in Awka as suspected cultists kill popular mobile advertiser, one other

Anambra State Police launch manhunt for gunmen who shot two victims at separate locations in the state capital

A wave of fear has swept through residents of Awka, the Anambra State capital, after suspected cultists shot dead a well-known mobile advertiser and media personality, Isaac Nwosu — popularly called Aiza — along with another unidentified person in a brutal attack on Sunday, August 30, 2026. The two separate shootings, which occurred within hours of each other, have left the community in shock and reignited concerns over cult-related violence in the state capital. As of Monday morning, the Anambra State Police Command had launched a full-scale manhunt for the perpetrators, while the motive for the killings remains unclear.

According to eyewitness accounts and preliminary police reports, Nwosu was trailed from his residence by assailants travelling in a silver-coloured Toyota Corolla with heavily tinted windows. The attackers reportedly double-crossed his vehicle along S.M. Okeke Street, Amaikwo, before opening fire on him at close range. Nwosu, who was behind the wheel of his Toyota Hilux van — a vehicle he famously used for mobile advertising, public announcements, and playing music across Awka — was found slumped in the driver’s seat with multiple bullet wounds. His body was later recovered by police operatives, and the vehicle’s sound system was still blaring music when responders arrived at the scene. In a separate incident along Capital City Road, Amaenyi, gunmen believed to be part of the same gang shot another unidentified victim in the head. The body of the second victim was discovered on the roadside, and his identity has yet to be established.

Isaac Nwosu, known by his stage name Aiza, was a household name in Awka. He built a reputation as a versatile entertainer, working as a disc jockey (DJ) and master of ceremonies (MC) at high-profile events, weddings, and parties. He also occasionally presented programmes on local radio stations, earning a loyal following. His signature mobile advertising truck — fitted with powerful loudspeakers — was a familiar sight on the streets of Awka, where he would drive around making announcements, playing music, and promoting businesses. His flamboyant and theatrical style made him one of the most recognisable figures in the city’s entertainment and advertising scene. Colleagues and friends have since flooded social media with tributes, describing him as “unforgettable,” “larger than life,” and “a man who brought energy to every room.”

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Sources close to the deceased revealed that Sunday’s attack was not the first time Nwosu had come under threat. He reportedly survived previous assassination attempts, though the details of those incidents remain unclear. In one past incident, Nwosu was involved in a controversial accident while carrying out a public address function with his vehicle — an accident that nearly left him crippled. Friends say he had been cautious in recent months, but the latest attack proved fatal.

The Anambra State Police Command has condemned the killings in the strongest terms and assured residents that efforts are being intensified to track down the attackers. In an official statement issued on Monday, the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident and provided updates on the investigation. He stated that the Police condemns in the strongest terms the gunshot attacks carried out by unidentified gunmen in Awka on Sunday, 30th August 2026, which resulted in the deaths of two persons, and that the Command has consequently intensified the ongoing manhunt for the perpetrators while calling for the support and cooperation of members of the public to assist in bringing the suspects to justice. According to Ikenga, three unidentified persons travelling in a silver-coloured Toyota Corolla — whose registration number is yet to be ascertained — allegedly carried out the two shootings at different locations. Upon receiving distress calls, police operatives were immediately deployed to the scenes. The bodies of the victims were recovered and taken to a hospital, where medical personnel confirmed them dead. Items recovered from the crime scenes include ₦7,550 in cash, one Moniepoint ATM card, and one pair of slippers.

The Commissioner of Police for Anambra State, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, has strongly condemned the killings, describing them as “unacceptable” and “a direct affront to the peace and security of the state.” He has ordered the immediate transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) , Awka, for a discreet and comprehensive investigation. CP Ama also directed that security patrols, surveillance, and intelligence-gathering be intensified across Awka and its adjoining areas to prevent further attacks and reassure residents of their safety.

The police command has appealed to community leaders, residents, motorists, business owners, and anyone with credible information about the suspects, their movements, or the vehicle used in the attacks to come forward. SP Ikenga assured the public that all information would be treated with the utmost confidentiality, emphasising that community partnership remains critical to effective policing. He urged residents to provide timely information that could assist in apprehending the perpetrators and preventing further attacks.

The killings have sent shockwaves through Awka, a city with a long and troubled history of cult clashes and gang violence. Residents and members of the entertainment industry are demanding answers and calling on the government to take decisive action to curb the rising tide of insecurity. Many have taken to social media to express their grief and outrage, with some questioning the effectiveness of security measures in the state capital. Others have called for a state-wide crackdown on cult groups and improved intelligence gathering to prevent future tragedies. As of Monday evening, no arrests have been made, and the motive for the killings remains under investigation.

If you have any information that could help the police in their investigation, please contact the nearest police station or the Anambra State Police Command via their official channels. Your identity will be protected, and your information could be crucial in bringing the perpetrators to justice.

Tension in Awka as suspected cultists kill popular mobile advertiser, one other

Sokoto bandit attack: Eight farmers killed, five injured in alleged reprisal

At least eight farmers have been killed and five others injured after suspected bandits attacked Ghandi community in Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State, with residents alleging that the assault was carried out in retaliation for recent security operations against armed groups in the area.

The attack occurred on Sunday afternoon, August 30, when the assailants reportedly stormed the community at about 3pm and opened fire on farmers, triggering panic among residents.

The spokesman for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, confirmed that eight farmers were killed and five others sustained gunshot injuries.

Rufai said the command was aware of the incident and was gathering additional information to establish the full circumstances surrounding the attack.

“Yes, we are aware of the attack. Eight farmers were killed while another five were injured. We will make it public once we are done with the information being gathered on it,” the police spokesman said.

A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity said the attackers arrived in the community around 3pm and began shooting at people.

The resident said no fewer than eight farmers were killed, while at least five others sustained gunshot wounds during the attack.

The source alleged that the assault was a reprisal attack, claiming that some members of the armed group had recently been killed during security operations in the area.

“We believe this was a retaliatory attack because some members of the group were killed by security personnel in the last few days,” the resident said.

The alleged motive has not been independently confirmed by the police, which said investigations and information gathering were still ongoing.

The latest violence has heightened concerns among residents of Ghandi and neighbouring communities, particularly farmers who depend on access to their fields for their livelihoods.

The attack also came amid heightened military activity in the area.

The Nigerian Army said troops operating under Operation FANSAN YAMMA foiled an attempted advance by armed terrorists towards Ghandi town on Sunday.

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According to the Army, troops of Sector 2 received intelligence about the movement of an armed group towards the area and deployed to strategic positions around Ghandi Bridge.

The troops subsequently engaged the attackers, forcing them to retreat after coming under military fire.

The Army said several members of the armed group sustained gunshot wounds, while some reportedly attempted to escape by jumping into a nearby river.

The military did not establish a direct link between the operation and the attack on farmers in its initial account.

It also did not state whether the armed group confronted by troops was responsible for the earlier attack on the farming community.

The sequence of events has nevertheless raised concerns about a possible escalation of violence in Rabah LGA, particularly if the attack was indeed connected to recent security operations.

There have also been differing accounts of the number of people killed in the wider violence.

While the Sokoto police confirmed eight farmers killed and five injured in the Ghandi attack, another account citing a security source put the number of deaths at five across Ghandi and nearby Gidan Kare communities.

That account alleged that three people were killed in Ghandi and two in Gidan Kare, while some houses were reportedly set ablaze.

The conflicting casualty figures have not been independently reconciled, but the police confirmation remains the clearest official account available on the Ghandi attack.

The incident adds to the growing security challenges confronting farming communities across Sokoto State and Nigeria’s North-West.

Bandit groups operating in the region have been accused of carrying out killings, kidnappings, cattle rustling, attacks on villages and assaults on farmers.

The persistent insecurity has also affected agricultural activities, with some farmers reluctant to travel to remote farms because of the risk of being attacked or abducted.

For communities such as Ghandi, the security situation creates both an immediate humanitarian concern and a longer-term economic threat.

Farmers who are unable to safely access their fields may lose crops and income, while repeated attacks can worsen food insecurity and deepen economic hardship.

The alleged reprisal nature of the attack is also significant because retaliatory violence can create a cycle in which security operations against armed groups are followed by attacks on civilians perceived to be vulnerable.

Security agencies have continued to intensify operations against armed groups in the North-West, including Sokoto, as part of efforts to protect communities, disrupt criminal networks and restore access to rural areas.

However, the latest Sokoto bandit attack demonstrates the continuing difficulty of protecting dispersed farming communities from armed groups operating across large rural areas.

Authorities are expected to provide further information as investigations continue and security agencies assess the situation in Ghandi and surrounding communities.

For now, the Sokoto State Police Command has confirmed that eight farmers were killed and five others injured, while the claim that the attack was carried out as a reprisal remains an allegation pending further confirmation.

The latest incident has renewed calls for sustained security operations and stronger protection for farmers and rural residents in Rabah Local Government Area, particularly as agricultural communities continue to face threats from armed groups.

Sokoto bandit attack: Eight farmers killed, five injured in alleged reprisal

Nigerian Army X account hit in second military cyber breach in two weeks

The Nigerian Army has reported an attempted unauthorised access to its official X account, marking the second reported cyber incident involving a major Nigerian military social media platform in about two weeks.

The incident occurred on Saturday, August 29, 2026, after a series of unusual posts, including memecoin-related content, appeared on the Army’s official X account.

The suspicious posts reportedly began appearing at about 3:50pm, while the Army said it detected and began responding to the attempted unauthorised access at about 5pm.

The development was confirmed by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, in a statement published through the Army’s official Facebook account.

“The Nigerian Army has detected and is actively responding to an attempted unauthorised access to its official X (formerly Twitter) account,” Anele said.

She said the Army had immediately activated technical and protective measures to secure the account, prevent further unauthorised access and safeguard the integrity of information disseminated through the platform.

According to the Army, efforts were also underway to fully secure the affected account and restore exclusive administrative control.

“The Nigerian Army assures members of the public, the media and other stakeholders that appropriate measures are underway to fully secure the affected account and restore exclusive administrative control,” Anele said.

The appearance of cryptocurrency and memecoin-related posts on the account was particularly unusual because the platform is an official communication channel used by the Army to publish information about military operations, security developments, recruitment and other activities.

The Army therefore urged members of the public, journalists and other stakeholders to exercise caution and disregard any suspicious, unauthorised, misleading or unverified content posted through the affected account.

The military warned that such content should not be regarded as representing its official position.

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It also advised media organisations and members of the public to verify information through its other official communication channels until the situation is fully resolved.

The Army identified its alternative official platforms as its Facebook accounts, @hqnigerianarmy and @nigerianarmyinfo; Instagram accounts, @hqnigerianarmy and @nigerianarmyinfo; YouTube accounts, @hqnigerianarmy and @nigerianarmyinfotv; and the X account @nigerianarmyinfo.

It was not immediately clear whether the Army had completely regained control of the affected X account or whether any sensitive information had been accessed during the incident.

The Army did not identify the person or group responsible for the attempted breach and did not disclose the technical method allegedly used to gain access.

There was also no immediate indication that the incident involved a wider compromise of the Army’s internal computer networks or classified military systems.

However, the incident has raised concerns because official military social media accounts have become important channels for communicating security-related information to Nigerians and the international community.

A compromised military social media account could potentially be used to circulate false information about security operations, military deployments, recruitment exercises, security alerts or other sensitive issues.

It could also be exploited to promote fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes, malicious links or other deceptive content to followers who assume that posts from a verified military account are genuine.

The latest incident is particularly significant because it came only about two weeks after the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) experienced a similar breach involving its official X account.

On August 15, the DHQ disclosed that its X account had been compromised and warned the public against relying on suspicious content posted through the platform.

The Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, said at the time that appropriate technical measures had been implemented to secure the account and prevent further unauthorised access.

The DHQ account was subsequently recovered, with the military thanking members of the public for their patience and support.

The earlier incident also involved the appearance of cryptocurrency-related posts on the official Defence Headquarters account, despite the platform being primarily used for official military communications.

The recurrence of similar incidents within a short period has heightened concerns over the cybersecurity of Nigerian military communication platforms.

However, there is currently no official confirmation that the Army and DHQ incidents were connected or that the same individuals were responsible.

The Nigerian Army has also not disclosed whether the latest incident resulted from compromised login credentials, a phishing attack, an administrator account breach or another form of unauthorised access.

Cybersecurity incidents involving official social media accounts can create significant risks even when military networks themselves are not compromised.

Government accounts with large audiences can be used to rapidly spread misinformation, impersonate officials or direct followers towards fraudulent schemes.

The incidents have therefore renewed calls for stronger protection of official government social media platforms, including robust authentication systems, multi-factor authentication, secure administrator access and rapid response procedures when suspicious activity is detected.

For the Nigerian Army, the immediate priority remains securing the affected account and ensuring that only authorised personnel can publish content through it.

The military has urged Nigerians and the media not to share or rely on unusual information appearing on the affected platform without verification.

The public has instead been advised to use the Army’s alternative official communication channels for verified information while the X account security incident is being addressed.

The Army also assured Nigerians and other stakeholders that it remains committed to maintaining information integrity, operational security and responsible strategic communication.

The latest incident underscores the growing importance of cybersecurity for government institutions as social media continues to play a central role in official communication.

With the Nigerian Army X account now the second major military social media platform to face a reported cyber breach in about two weeks, pressure is likely to increase on Nigeria’s defence and security institutions to strengthen the protection of their digital communication infrastructure.

Nigerian Army X account hit in second military cyber breach in two weeks