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Troops intercept foreign courier carrying drugs, alcohol to terrorists in Borno

Published

2 months ago

July 10, 2026

Troops intercept foreign courier carrying drugs, alcohol to terrorists in Borno

Operation HADIN KAI troops have intercepted a suspected foreign courier allegedly transporting a large consignment of illicit drugs, alcoholic beverages and other prohibited substances believed to be destined for terrorist groups operating in the Lake Chad Islands of Borno State.

The successful operation was carried out by troops of Sector 3, Joint Task Force North East, during a coordinated search mission along the Maiduguri–Monguno highway on Thursday, July 9, 2026. Military authorities said the suspect was intercepted while travelling towards Kwatan Doron Baga in Kukawa Local Government Area, an area close to the Lake Chad Basin that has remained a strategic route used by insurgents and their logistics networks.

According to the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, the suspect was identified as Mrs. Rachael Samuel, a 48-year-old Chadian national from Kelo, Chari-Baguirmi Province, Republic of Chad.

Captain Goni disclosed that preliminary investigations indicate the prohibited items were being transported to locations within the Lake Chad Islands, an area that has long served as a stronghold for Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Items recovered during the operation included seven compressed bundles of suspected cannabis sativa weighing approximately 30 kilogrammes, two 10-litre containers of hydromercuric chloride, popularly known as “Suck and Die,” 48 bottles of dry gin, 61 bottles of herbal alcoholic beverages, one mobile phone, two Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards, cash and other personal belongings.

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Military authorities said the recovered exhibits are valued at millions of naira, adding that the suspect is currently in military custody while the seized items have been secured pending handover to the appropriate law enforcement agency for further investigation and prosecution.

The military described the interception as another major success in ongoing efforts to dismantle the logistics and supply chains that sustain terrorist operations in Nigeria’s North-East.

According to the statement, intelligence gathered over the years has consistently shown that terrorist groups often rely on illicit drugs, alcohol and other intoxicants to stimulate fighters, suppress fear and sustain violent attacks against both civilians and security personnel.

By intercepting the consignment before it reached its intended destination, the troops disrupted what the military described as a critical support network used by terrorist elements operating within the Lake Chad Basin, a region spanning parts of Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon that has witnessed years of insurgency.

The latest operation adds to a series of recent offensives by Operation HADIN KAI targeting terrorist logistics, weapons supplies and cross-border movements. Nigerian troops, supported by the Nigerian Air Force, have intensified coordinated land and air operations across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, leading to the destruction of terrorist enclaves, recovery of weapons, rescue of kidnapped victims and the surrender of several insurgents and their family members.

Security analysts have repeatedly warned that disrupting terrorist logistics remains one of the most effective strategies for weakening insurgent groups. Beyond military offensives, cutting off access to drugs, food supplies, fuel, weapons and financial support significantly reduces the operational capability of armed groups.

The Theatre Command commended the troops for their vigilance, professionalism and commitment to protecting national security. It reaffirmed that operations against terrorists and their collaborators would continue until lasting peace is restored across the North-East.

The military also urged residents to continue providing credible and timely intelligence to security agencies, stressing that public cooperation remains crucial in identifying suspicious movements, dismantling criminal networks and sustaining the gains recorded in the fight against terrorism.

Troops intercept foreign courier carrying drugs, alcohol to terrorists in Borno

Related Topics:Borno foreign courier Terrorists Troops

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Police vow to arrest killers of 10 officers slain in Kebbi gun battle

Published

4 minutes ago

August 24, 2026

Trends Admin

Police vow to arrest killers of 10 officers slain in Kebbi gun battle

The Nigeria Police Force has intensified efforts to track down the armed criminals responsible for the killing of 10 police officers in Kebbi State, assuring the families of the fallen personnel that the Force will not relent until those behind the attack are brought to justice.

The officers, who were serving with the Special Intervention Squad (SIS) and other tactical formations, were killed on August 10, 2026, during a fierce encounter with suspected bandits along the Rafin Makuku axis of Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

According to the police, the confrontation began at about 9:25 a.m. when security operatives intercepted a heavily armed group reportedly moving between Zamfara and Kebbi states.

The encounter developed into a prolonged exchange of gunfire, resulting in the deaths of 10 police officers. Two other officers were injured, while two civilians were also killed during the incident.

The police, however, said the operation inflicted significant casualties on the attackers. According to the Force, 17 suspected bandits were neutralised, while four motorcycles used by the group were destroyed.

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, expressed grief over the deaths and described the fallen personnel as officers who paid the ultimate price while performing their constitutional duty of protecting lives and property.

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Disu assured the families and colleagues of the deceased officers that their sacrifice would not be forgotten and pledged that the police would pursue those responsible for the attack.

“We shall not be intimidated, we shall not relent, and we shall not allow the sacrifices of our fallen heroes to be in vain,” the IGP said.

The police leadership also moved to strengthen security operations in the affected communities following the attack. A delegation led by Deputy Inspector-General of Police Umar Shehu Nadada visited Kebbi State to engage the state government and assess measures required to prevent further attacks.

During the visit, Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris expressed condolences over the death of the officers and pledged government support for their families.

The governor also reaffirmed the state’s commitment to supporting security agencies in their efforts to protect communities and counter banditry and other violent crimes.

The police delegation assured the state government that operations would be intensified to identify, track and apprehend members of the criminal group responsible for the attack.

As part of efforts to improve security in the state, the police also announced plans to establish a police squadron in Kebbi. The proposed formation is expected to increase police presence and strengthen the Force’s capacity to respond to security threats, particularly in vulnerable areas.

The deadly confrontation has once again highlighted the security challenges along the Kebbi-Zamfara axis, where armed groups have continued to exploit remote communities and difficult terrain.

The police have vowed to sustain operations in the affected area and prevent the attackers from regrouping after the encounter.

The Force also stressed the importance of cooperation between security agencies, state governments and local communities, particularly through timely intelligence sharing that could help security personnel detect and disrupt criminal activities.

For the families of the 10 officers killed in the line of duty, the incident represents a devastating loss. For the Police Force, the deaths have reinforced its determination to confront armed criminal groups and protect communities across the country.

The IGP maintained that the police would continue to pursue the perpetrators and ensure that those responsible for attacks on security personnel and civilians are brought to justice.

Police vow to arrest killers of 10 officers slain in Kebbi gun battle

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Midnight Inferno Devastates Oranyan Market: 300 Shops, Billions Lost in Ibadan Fire Disaster

Published

9 minutes ago

August 24, 2026

Trends Admin

Midnight Inferno Devastates Oranyan Market: 300 Shops, Billions Lost in Ibadan Fire Disaster

A devastating midnight fire has swept through Oranyan Market in Ibadan, destroying an estimated 300 shops and reducing millions of naira worth of goods—including gold, furniture, and second-hand clothing—to ashes in the latest of a series of market disasters to hit Oyo State.

IBADAN, Nigeria – A fierce fire outbreak has gutted the popular Oranyan Market in Ibadan North-East Local Government Area of Oyo State, destroying approximately 300 shops and leaving hundreds of traders in despair as they count their losses. The blaze, which erupted around midnight on Sunday, August 23, 2026, quickly spread through the densely packed market, consuming businesses that included jewellery shops, furniture outlets, second-hand clothing stores, and other commercial enterprises. Witnesses described scenes of panic as traders rushed to salvage what they could from the raging inferno, but the speed and intensity of the flames left little room for recovery.

According to eyewitness accounts, the fire began in the middle of the market with a loud explosion before spreading rapidly to adjacent shops. A trader who identified herself as Iya Alia told reporters that the fire started around midnight and that those affected included gold sellers, furniture shops, second-hand clothes shops, and many others, with the number of affected shops almost reaching 300. Another eyewitness, who requested anonymity, described the incident as devastating, stating that the destruction was huge and that close to 300 shops were destroyed, adding that he did not even know how to explain the magnitude of the loss.

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Confirming the incident on Monday morning, Morof Akinwande, the Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Fire Reforms and Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Services, stated that firefighters were able to bring the situation under control by 1 a.m. Akinwande confirmed that the fire occurred and started in the middle of the market with an explosion, whether from gas or other sources, and noted that once a gas explosion occurs, it tends to spread quickly. However, he cautioned that the exact number of shops destroyed and the full value of goods lost cannot yet be confirmed, as these figures will be determined through a post-fire investigation and inventory assessment, making it too early to provide an accurate count.

This latest disaster is part of a worrying trend of market fire outbreaks in Ibadan. In 2024, a similar fire incident at the herbal section of the same Oranyan Market destroyed over 200 shops, leaving many traders bankrupt and struggling to rebuild their livelihoods. Just days before this incident, on Saturday, August 22, 2026, another fire outbreak razed nine locked-up shops at the Nigerian Railway Shopping Complex along the popular Aleshinloye Market in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area, where one trader reported losing goods worth approximately 21 million naira, further underscoring the recurring nature of these commercial disasters.

For many affected traders, the fire represents a total loss of livelihood. Gold dealers, who typically keep high-value inventory in their shops, are believed to have suffered some of the heaviest losses, while furniture makers and second-hand clothing sellers also saw their entire stock consumed by the flames. As of the time of filing this report, the cause of the fire remains unknown, and authorities have launched an investigation to determine whether the explosion that triggered the blaze was caused by a gas cylinder, electrical fault, or other factors, with findings expected to guide future preventive measures.

The recurring nature of these market fires has reignited calls for improved fire safety measures in Ibadan’s commercial districts. Traders and community leaders are urging the Oyo State Government to conduct safety audits of major markets, enforce building codes, and provide better firefighting equipment and emergency response systems to prevent future tragedies, as the emotional and financial toll on affected traders continues to mount.

Midnight Inferno Devastates Oranyan Market: 300 Shops, Billions Lost in Ibadan Fire Disaster

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Seven killed, seven injured in Bida-Kutigi road crash

Published

3 hours ago

August 24, 2026

Trends Admin

Seven killed, seven injured in Bida-Kutigi road crash

Seven people have died and seven others sustained injuries in a fatal road crash involving a Mazda car and a Toyota Sienna bus along the Bida-Kutigi Road in Niger State.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed that the crash occurred at about 11:30am on Sunday at Shebe Village, a few kilometres from Kutigi. A total of 18 people were involved in the accident, with four others escaping without injuries.

The Niger State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Corps Commander Aishatu Sa’adu, confirmed the casualty figures, saying seven people were killed, seven injured and four rescued without injuries.

According to reports, the Mazda vehicle was travelling from Minna towards Mokwa Local Government Area, while the Sienna bus was travelling from Lagos towards Minna when the vehicles collided.

The Mazda was reportedly carrying eight people and had departed from the Mobil Motor Park. Reports said the vehicle entered a blind corner before colliding head-on with the Sienna.

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An earlier account circulating about the crash had suggested a higher death toll, but the FRSC subsequently confirmed that seven people died. The official casualty figure should therefore be used in reporting the incident.

The FRSC said the seven injured victims were evacuated to Kutigi General Hospital for treatment, while the remains of the seven people who died were deposited at the hospital’s mortuary.

The identities of the deceased and injured victims had not been officially released at the time of filing this report.

The immediate cause of the crash has not been officially established by the FRSC. However, reports indicate that the collision occurred after the Mazda entered a blind corner, while investigations are expected to determine the full circumstances surrounding the accident.

The latest Bida-Kutigi road crash adds to concerns over road safety on major highways in Niger State, particularly routes linking Bida, Kutigi and Mokwa.

Motorists are expected to exercise greater caution around bends and other potentially hazardous sections of the highway, while authorities continue efforts to reduce road accidents in Niger State.