Zamfara Attack: Bandits Kill Governor Dauda Lawal’s Aide While Observing Fajr Prayer

KAURA NAMODA, Zamfara State — Armed bandits have reportedly killed Nasiru Sani Kaura, a Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, during an early morning attack on Kaura Namoda town.

The incident, which occurred around the Lowcost Mosque area of the town, reportedly happened while residents were preparing for the Subhi (Fajr) prayer.

According to local sources, the attackers, who were heavily armed, stormed the community in the early hours of the morning, throwing residents into panic.

Kaura, who also reportedly held a position within the local community, was said to have been observing the dawn prayer when the assailants struck.

Details surrounding the circumstances of his death remain unclear, including whether he was specifically targeted by the attackers or killed during the assault.

His killing has triggered concern among residents and political associates, particularly given his position as an aide to Governor Lawal.

The attack has also renewed concerns over persistent insecurity in Zamfara State, where armed groups have continued to threaten communities through killings, abductions and raids.

The killing comes amid continuing security challenges across Zamfara and other states in Nigeria’s North-West, where armed bandit groups have carried out attacks on rural communities, highways and residential areas.

Despite ongoing security operations and government assurances, residents in several communities continue to face threats from armed groups.

Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration has repeatedly expressed its determination to tackle insecurity in the state, maintaining that his government would not encourage ransom payments or compromise with criminal groups.

However, the reported killing of the governor’s aide has further drawn attention to the security situation and the vulnerability of residents, including community leaders and government officials.

The killing of Nasiru Sani Kaura has reportedly thrown parts of Kaura Namoda into mourning, with residents expressing concern over the circumstances surrounding the attack.

The incident has also heightened fears among residents, particularly those living around the affected neighbourhood, who are worried about the possibility of further attacks.

As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had yet to issue an official statement detailing the incident, the total number of casualties or any arrests connected to the attack.

The circumstances surrounding the killing and the identities of those responsible have also not been independently established.

Meanwhile, residents and associates of the deceased are mourning his death as calls grow for stronger security measures to protect communities across Zamfara State.

Zamfara Attack: Bandits Kill Governor Dauda Lawal’s Aide While Observing Fajr Prayer

VIDEO: NDLEA Discovers Gun Factory in Kaduna, Arrests 45-Year-Old Owner

KADUNA — Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have uncovered an illegal firearms manufacturing factory in Kaduna State and arrested its alleged owner during an intelligence-led raid.

The operation, which took place in Sabon Garin Kangin area of the state on Monday, November 9, 2026, led to the recovery of locally manufactured firearms and materials used in producing weapons.

The NDLEA disclosed the development on Sunday through its Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, in a security update shared on his X account.

Babafemi identified the arrested factory owner as Sagiru Musa, 45.

According to the agency, operatives discovered the facility during a raid targeting criminal activities in the area.

Items recovered from the suspected gun factory included 17 locally manufactured Dane guns, two pistols, 25 Dane gun barrels and other materials used for firearms production.

The agency said the discovery exposed an illegal weapons manufacturing operation and resulted in the arrest of the person allegedly responsible for running the facility.

READ ALSO:

• OPay Faces ₦994m Regulatory Fines Over Money Laundering, Terrorism Financing Breaches
• 2027: Atiku, Makinde Move Closer to Alliance Deal to Unseat Tinubu  
• Bandits Kill Two Abducted Victims After Collecting ₦6m Ransom in Niger State

In his update, Babafemi stated that the operation uncovered finished firearms alongside materials intended for the production of additional weapons.

He said the discovery further reinforced concerns about the connection between substance abuse, drug trafficking and other forms of criminal activity.

“This reinforces the already established fact that there’s a nexus between substance abuse, drug trafficking and other forms of crime,” Babafemi said.

The Kaduna operation was among several enforcement activities carried out by NDLEA commands across the country.

In another operation along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway, NDLEA operatives reportedly intercepted a 31-year-old woman, identified as Tabara Dauda, on Friday, November 13, recovering 196 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition and N675,000 in cash.

The agency also reported other drug-related arrests and seizures as part of its nationwide operations.

The arrest of the suspected gun factory owner comes amid continuing security concerns over the circulation of illegal firearms and their potential use by criminal groups.

The NDLEA has yet to provide further details about the suspect’s alleged customers, the duration of the factory’s operation or whether additional arrests are expected.

The suspect is presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of law.

https://x.com/MobilePunch/status/2121872742454530403/video/1

VIDEO: NDLEA Discovers Gun Factory in Kaduna, Arrests 45-Year-Old Owner

Bandits Kill Two Abducted Victims After Collecting ₦6m Ransom in Niger State

KONTAGORA, Niger State — In another disturbing incident highlighting the worsening insecurity in parts of northern Nigeria, suspected bandits have reportedly killed two kidnapped residents despite collecting a ₦6 million ransom from their families.

The victims, identified as Anas and Sallama, popularly known as Babawo, were reportedly killed along Maidubu Road in Yamma Ward, Kontagora Local Government Area of Niger State.

The tragic development came after their families allegedly paid the kidnappers ₦6 million in an effort to secure their release.

The two victims were among eight residents abducted during a bandit attack in the area. Although some of the kidnapped persons were subsequently released, Anas and Sallama reportedly did not survive their ordeal.

Security expert Bakatsine disclosed the incident in a post on his official X account on Saturday, November 14, 2026.

According to the security analyst, the families of the victims had made efforts to negotiate with the kidnappers and secure the freedom of their loved ones.

However, despite the reported ransom payment, the armed men allegedly went ahead to kill the two captives.

READ ALSO:

• OPay Faces ₦994m Regulatory Fines Over Money Laundering, Terrorism Financing Breaches
• 2027: Atiku, Makinde Move Closer to Alliance Deal to Unseat Tinubu  
• Zamfara Bloodbath: 53 Killed as Vigilantes Ambush Bandits After Kidnapping Spree

The incident has once again raised serious concerns over the activities of armed groups operating in Niger State and the growing dangers faced by residents in vulnerable communities.

The killing also underscores the helplessness of families caught in the grip of kidnapping gangs, who are often forced to raise huge sums of money in desperate attempts to rescue abducted relatives.

The fact that the victims were reportedly killed despite the payment of ransom further highlights the brutality of the perpetrators and the uncertainty surrounding ransom negotiations with criminal gangs.

As of the time of filing this report, there was no further official information on the circumstances surrounding the killings or whether security agencies had launched an operation to track down the perpetrators.

The Niger State Police Command had also not issued an official statement on the incident in the report that disclosed the killings.

Bandits Kill Two Abducted Victims After Collecting ₦6m Ransom in Niger State