Suspected bandits have attacked a Forward Operating Base (FOB) of the Nigerian Army in Mandaragira, Borno State, killing five soldiers and carting away some major equipment useful to military operations. 

The attack occurred at about 3:00 a.m. on Friday. It also claimed the lives of three members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), while those wounded in the crossfire were airlifted by the Air Component Command for medical treatment.

Lieutenant Colonel Haruna M. Sani, Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, disclosed this in a statement.

He said troops neutralised scores of insurgents during the attack, adding that troops of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Mandaragira under 25 Brigade, Sector 2, Operation HADIN KAI, had taken all necessary measures to protect communities and sustain relentless pressure on the insurgents through the deployment of additional troops and critical combat enablers across the North-East theatre.

The statement further revealed that, “Troops remain firmly in control of the FOB and continue to dominate the general area, while exploitation operations are ongoing for consolidation.”

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has dismantled a suspected human trafficking and abduction syndicate in Lagos State, rescuing 24 victims and arresting three suspects during a coordinated operation in the Badagry area of the state.

The operation, carried out by operatives of the Lagos State Command in Badagry West, followed months of intelligence gathering and community-based investigations conducted between January and March.

Speaking while parading the suspects at the NSCDC Badagry Divisional Headquarters in Ibeko on Friday, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Oluwaseun Abolurin, said investigations led security operatives to an alleged illegal detention facility where victims were reportedly confined and exploited.

Abolurin disclosed that those rescued included citizens of the Republic of Benin and Togo, as well as a Nigerian from Imo State, indicating that the suspected criminal network operated across national borders.

He revealed that some of the victims had been missing for up to three years, while others had disappeared for periods ranging between six and nine months before they were eventually rescued.

The NSCDC spokesman further disclosed that one of the female victims gave birth to a baby girl while in captivity, while two others were found to be pregnant at the time of their rescue.

According to him, many of the victims appeared unable to recall how they ended up at the facility.

“The victims have suffered memory loss to the point that they cannot remember how they got into those confinements,” Abolurin said.

He alleged that the suspects used food substances mixed with unidentified materials to manipulate and control those held in captivity.

Abolurin noted that several families had spent years searching for missing relatives, visiting churches, mosques and traditional worship centres in a desperate bid to locate them, unaware that they were allegedly being held at the illegal camp.

“We have been able to smash this criminal syndicate,” he stated.

While withholding the exact location of the facility for operational reasons, the NSCDC spokesman said investigations were continuing and urged families with missing relatives to contact the Lagos State Command.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the Corps to collaborating with other security agencies and community stakeholders to tackle human trafficking, kidnapping and related crimes.

“We will do everything within our capacity to synergise with relevant stakeholders to ensure that Lagos is not a safe haven for criminals,” Abolurin added.

The operation is regarded as one of the most significant breakthroughs against suspected human trafficking networks in Lagos in recent months and has renewed concerns over the activities of criminal groups operating within border communities.

Ogun State Police Command has arrested two suspected kidnappers wanted in a murder case in Okada area of Edo State.

The suspects, Muhammed Sanni, aged 20 and Gafaru Adamu, aged 25 are members of a seven-man kidnapping gang.

The police spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, in a statement on Saturday, said they were nabbed on Thursday by personnel of the Nigeria Forest Security Service and handed over to the command.

Babaseyi noted that on investigation, it was discovered that the suspects are wanted in connection with an ongoing investigation into a kidnapping and murder case reported in Edo State.

Items recovered from them include one pair of Police camouflage uniform and three mobile phones.

“Following extensive profiling and investigation, the suspects were identified as Gafaru Adamu, ‘m’, aged 25, and Muhammed Sanni, ‘m’, aged 20. Preliminary findings revealed that the suspects are wanted in connection with an ongoing investigation into a kidnapping and murder case reported in the Okada area of Edo State.

“Further intelligence gathered by the Command indicates that the suspects are alleged members of a seven-man kidnapping syndicate linked to the incident under investigation.

“During the course of the investigation, operatives recovered one pair of Police camouflage uniform and three mobile phones from the suspects. The exhibits have been properly documented and taken into custody to aid further investigation,” Babaseyi stated.

The command’s image maker noted that since the alleged offenses under investigation occurred outside Ogun State, the suspects and all recovered exhibits will be transferred to the Edo State Police Command for further investigation and other necessary legal processes.

Meanwhile, the Ogun State  Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, commended the professionalism, diligence, and intelligence-gathering capabilities of the operatives whose swift actions led to the identification of the suspects and the recovery of critical exhibits.

The CP reiterated that the command remains resolute in its determination to prevent criminal elements from using Ogun State as a hideout or transit point for unlawful activities.

He assured residents that the Command will continue to deploy intelligence-led strategies, proactive policing measures, and strategic inter-state collaboration to strengthen public safety and security across the state.

Ojajuni also encouraged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information that will assist law enforcement agencies in the fight against crime and criminality.