Metro
Court sentences Boko Haram member to death over 2015 Maiduguri attack
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced a Boko Haram member, Alkali Yarima, also known as La’ari, to death by hanging for his role in the 2015 terrorist attacks on Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice James Omotosho convicted Yarima on a seven-count terrorism charge brought against him by the Federal Government.
The court sentenced the convict to death by hanging on the count relating to his participation in the 2015 Maiduguri attack. Justice Omotosho also imposed a life sentence on count six after finding him guilty of receiving arms and weapons training in preparation for terrorist acts.
In addition, the court sentenced Yarima to 35 years imprisonment on count one, 30 years on count five, and 10 years each on counts two, three and four.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government arraigned Yarima in the case marked FHC/KNJ/CR/971/2026. The seven-count charge was filed on May 29 by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN.
According to the prosecution, Yarima, a resident of Lawanti Area in Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State, was a member of the proscribed Boko Haram terrorist group between 2009 and 2015 before his arrest.
The prosecution further alleged that he accepted the “Da’awah” of the late Boko Haram founder, Mohammed Yusuf, an offence punishable under Section 16(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, 2013.
On count six, the court held that Yarima prepared for acts of terrorism by travelling to an Arab country where he received training in arms and weapon handling, contrary to Section 21 of the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, 2013.
The death sentence stemmed from his conviction on count seven, which accused him of participating in the 2015 attacks on Maiduguri, an offence punishable under Section 2(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, 2013.
The trial, which began at Kainji in Niger State, was later concluded at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Metro
Police arrest 21-year-old for possession of human body part, firearms in Lagos
Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a 21-year-old suspect, Samson Onilewaji, after he was allegedly found in possession of a suspected human body part, firearms, axes, and items believed to have been stolen during robbery operations.
The suspect was apprehended during a routine stop-and-search operation along the Lekki–Epe Expressway when police intercepted an unregistered commercial shuttle bus conveying six occupants.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, a search of the vehicle and its occupants led to the recovery of a suspected human right hand, two locally made pistols, one live cartridge, two axes, one Point of Sale (POS) terminal machine, and five Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards.
Adebisi disclosed that the suspect confessed to recently robbing three individuals of their personal belongings, including the recovered POS terminal and ATM cards.
“The suspect confessed to having recently robbed three individuals of their personal belongings, including the recovered POS terminal machine and ATM cards. Efforts are ongoing to identify and contact the victims for the return of their recovered property,” the police spokesperson said.
She added that detectives had launched further investigations to determine the origin of the suspected human hand and the circumstances surrounding its possession.
“An investigation is also ongoing to ascertain the identity of the owner of the recovered suspected human hand, the circumstances surrounding its possession, and its intended use. Further efforts are being intensified to identify and apprehend other criminal associates connected with the suspect. The suspect will be charged in court upon the conclusion of the investigation,” Adebisi stated.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Olaiwola Fatai, reaffirmed the command’s resolve to combat violent crimes and other criminal activities across the state.
Metro
Plateau: Military task force rescues 8 kidnapped victims in Pandam forest
Troops of Sector 9 Operation Enduring Peace deployed in Namu Town, Qua’an Pan LGA of Plateau State on Wednesday, 24 June 2026, conducted a deliberate offensive operation leading to the rescue of 8 kidnapped victims at Pandam Forest in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State.
This was contained in a press statement signed by Captain Chinonso Oteh, Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace, and made available to journalists in Jos the State Capital.
According to him, “The operation, conducted at approximately 3:00am following credible intelligence regarding the presence of kidnappers in the forest, highlights the troops’ unwavering commitment to restoring peace and security as well as the protection of citizens across Operation Enduring Peace Joint Operations Area.”
“During the operation, troops engaged in a firefight with the suspected kidnappers, who fired sporadically in an attempt to withdraw.”
“Utilising the ensuing chaos, 3 of the kidnapped victims managed to escape earlier from the kidnapper’s custody.
“Subsequent exploitation and thorough combing of the forest by the troops led to the rescue of an additional 5 abducted victims, bringing the total number of rescued individuals to 8.”
“The rescued victims are currently in safe condition and efforts are ongoing to unite them with their respective families”, he explained.
Additionally, “this successful operation has been highly applauded by members of the local communities who indicated willingness to continue to provide useful information to ensure the arrest of the kidnappers.”
“Troops are currently on pursuit to apprehend or neutralise fleeing kidnappers. Operation Enduring Peace appreciates the citizens for their cooperation and calls for more support in disrupting criminal elements and restoring the desired peace across the Joint Operations Area”, Oteh maintained.
Metro
11 Boko Haram family members surrender as troops tighten grip on terrorists in Borno
No fewer than 11 family members of suspected Boko Haram fighters, comprising five women and six children, have surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Borno State.
The development was disclosed in a report by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency and security expert covering the Lake Chad region.
According to the report, the surrender took place at about 6:00pm. on June 24, 2026, at separate locations in Banki, Bama Local Government Area of the state.
Makama said four women and four children from Chongolo village voluntarily surrendered to troops of the 152 Task Force Battalion, while another woman and two children from Ladantar surrendered to troops of the 151 Task Force Battalion at Banki Junction.
The report stated that preliminary profiling conducted by the military indicated that the 11 individuals are family members of suspected Boko Haram fighters who reportedly fled insurgent enclaves in search of safety.
“Preliminary profiling revealed that all 11 individuals are family members of Boko Haram terrorists who fled insurgent enclaves in search of safety,” he said.
According to the report, after documentation and profiling by the troops, the surrendered individuals were handed over to the Internally Displaced Persons, IDP, camp in Bama for further processing and rehabilitation in line with established procedures.
Makama further disclosed that the surrender forms part of what military sources described as the continuing wave of defections from terrorist enclaves amid sustained military operations under Operation Hadin Kai.
The report added that troops remain on alert across the theatre of operations as counter-insurgency efforts continue in the North-East.
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