Metro
Troops repel coordinated ISWAP offensive on Borno military base, inflict heavy casualties
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have successfully repelled a coordinated attack by suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, on the Forward Operating Base, FOB, in Gajigana, Nganzai Local Government Area of Borno State, inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers.
The development was contained in a post shared by security analyst and counter-insurgency expert in the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, via his X handle.
According to Makama, the attack occurred at about 7:20 p.m. on Sunday, July 19, when a large number of terrorists riding several motorcycles and supported by two gun trucks launched an assault on the military base, while additional fighters advanced on foot.
He quoted intelligence sources as saying that troops of the 212 Battalion detected the advancing terrorists early and immediately engaged them with overwhelming firepower, frustrating the assault and forcing the attackers to retreat in disarray.
The report added that a reinforcement team led by the Commanding Officer of the 212 Battalion arrived shortly after the initial engagement to strengthen the troops’ position and stabilise the situation.
Makama further quoted the sources as saying that the terrorists suffered heavy casualties during the failed attack, with several bodies reportedly dragged away by their fleeing comrades.
Ttwo soldiers sustained gunshot wounds during the encounter. The injured personnel were stabilised before being evacuated to the 7 Division Medical Services and Hospital for further treatment.
The military also recorded minor equipment damage, as the body and four tyres of a gun truck were damaged by rocket-propelled grenade, RPG, fragments during the firefight.
Military sources, according to Makama, said exploitation of the battlefield would be carried out at first light to determine the full extent of the terrorists’ losses and recover any abandoned weapons or equipment.
Metro
Police arrest suspected motorcycle thief, recover 7 bikes
The Ekiti State Police Command has recorded another major breakthrough in its fight against crime with the arrest of one suspected motorcycle thief, two suspected receivers of stolen property, and the recovery of seven motorcycles believed to have been stolen.
The arrest was made on Saturday, July 18, 2026, by operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU).
According to a statement from the Command, at about 2:00 p.m., VCRU operatives on stop-and-search duty along Ilawe Road, Ado-Ekiti, acted on credible intelligence that a suspect had stolen a red Bajaj motorcycle around Olaoluwa Muslim Grammar School and was fleeing towards Ilawe Road.
The team sighted the motorcycle, gave the suspect a hot chase, and apprehended him. The suspect was identified as Mustapha Lekan, 38, from Osun State. The stolen motorcycle was recovered from him.
During interrogation, Lekan confessed to stealing two motorcycles within Ado-Ekiti.
Further investigation led detectives to Ilogbo-Ekiti and Ido-Ekiti, where two suspected receivers were arrested. They were identified as Adebiyi Blessing and Ogunbayo Adebiyi.
Consequently, operatives recovered six additional motorcycles suspected to have been stolen, bringing the total number of recovered motorcycles to seven.
The Command said investigations are ongoing to identify the rightful owners of the recovered motorcycles and apprehend other members of the criminal network.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Falade Adegoroye Michael, commended the VCRU operatives for their swift response, professionalism, and commitment to protecting lives and property in the state.
He reaffirmed the Command’s resolve to sustain intelligence-led policing and rid Ekiti State of criminal elements.
CP Adegoroye urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to aid the fight against crime.
“The Command remains resolute in its commitment to protecting lives and property. We warn all criminal elements to desist from unlawful activities or be prepared to face the full weight of the law,” he said.
The commissioner assured that all suspects would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Metro
Two arrested for allegedly stealing four-week-old baby in Niger
The Niger State Police Command has arrested two suspects for allegedly abducting a four-week-old baby in Minna, the state capital.
The suspects, identified as Chidi Johnson, 24, also known as “Yaron Pastor,” and 22-year-old Zainab Ibrahim, were apprehended following a police investigation into the incident, which occurred on July 14 around the Mobil Roundabout area of the state capital.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Wasi’u Abiodun, disclosed this in a statement in Minna.
According to him, the case was reported at the A Division Police Station, after which detectives launched an investigation that led to the arrest of Johnson.
Police said the suspect confessed that Zainab had approached him to obtain a newborn after she allegedly lost her pregnancy.
Investigators alleged that Johnson deceived a nursing mother by telling her that a benefactor wanted to give her baby food items and alms.
He reportedly persuaded the woman and her four-week-old baby to accompany him to an uncompleted building near the Mobil Roundabout.
Abiodun explained that after offering the mother and her companion snacks and soft drinks, Johnson allegedly took the baby under the guise of playing with the child before escaping through the back of the building.
According to him, “After offering them snacks and soft drinks to gain their confidence, the suspect pretended to play with the baby before escaping through the rear exit of the building on a waiting motorcycle with the child.”
The police said Zainab was subsequently arrested, while the baby was rescued and safely reunited with the mother.
Abiodun said both suspects are being investigated and will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of the investigation.
Metro
Missing Benue boy found safe in Gombe, NSCDC seeks family
A 12-year-old boy from Benue State who was reported missing has been found safe in Gombe State and is currently under the protection of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The boy, identified as Reuben Mtagher, is an indigene of Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
He was reportedly found in Amada, Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State.
According to information made available by the NSCDC, Reuben was found alive and in good health.
Reports indicate that he speaks only the Tiv language.
The agency also disclosed that the boy has three brothers identified as Suur, Mnguember, and Mmen, in a bid to assist in tracing his family.
Reuben is currently in the safe custody of the NSCDC Gombe State Command Headquarters pending his reunion with his family.
The NSCDC has appealed to Reuben’s parents, guardians, relatives, or anyone with useful information about his family to visit the Gombe State Command Headquarters for identification and collection of the child.
-
Sports2 days agoWhy Thomas Tuchel Gave Bukayo Saka Zero Minutes in England vs Argentina
-
Sports2 days agoMichael Olise ‘Broke Down in Tears’ After France vs England
-
Sports19 hours agoNicolas Otamendi and Rodri’s Post-World Cup Final Chat Revealed
-
Sports2 days agoAdrien Rabiot Slams France Teammates in Stunning Interview After England Defeat
-
Metro2 days agoArmy dismantles illegal bunkering site, arrests six suspects in Lagos
-
Sports1 day agoWorld Cup Fans Blame Argentina Loss vs Spain on Giuliano Simeone
-
Metro2 days agoLagos court arraigns tenant over alleged illegal apartment alteration
-
Politics1 day agoAPC chairman holds closed door meeting with Barau, NDC senator
