An Assistant Superintendent of Police, Bala Wakili, has been killed while engaging suspected bandits in a gun duel in Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

Wakili, who was attached to the Kebbe Police Division, reportedly lost his life during an operation to repel armed attackers who invaded two communities in the area.

According to Daily Trust, the suspected bandits stormed Girkau and Zugu villages at about 4 p.m on Monday and allegedly made away with an unspecified number of livestock.

A source in the area said, “The security operatives engaged the bandits in a fierce exchange of fire, but the attackers were in large numbers.

“They eventually overpowered the team, killed ASP Bala Wakili and set ablaze two patrol vehicles one belonging to the police and the other to the Sokoto Community Guard Corps.”

Five suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, including four alleged bomb-making specialists and a medical officer, have reportedly died after an improvised explosive device, IED, exploded while they were assembling it in Borno State.

The incident was reported by security analyst Zagazola Makama.

According to the report, the explosion occurred at Maina Daya Village in Marte Local Government Area, situated between Sabon Tumbu and Jubilaram, about 29 kilometres east of Monguno.

Makama reported that those killed included Usman Dan Fulani, who was identified as an ISWAP medical officer, alongside two foreign Arab nationals said to be IED technicians and two other suspected ISWAP bomb-making experts.

“The explosion reportedly occurred while the group was assembling improvised explosive devices for deployment,” the report stated.

According to the report, preliminary intelligence suggested the suspected terrorists were preparing explosives for attacks along key military supply routes within the Sector 1 area of Operation HADIN KAI.

Security sources, according to Makama, believe the deaths could disrupt ISWAP’s bomb-making operations and temporarily weaken the group’s ability to carry out roadside IED attacks in the Marte–Monguno axis.

The report further stated that military authorities have directed troops to intensify patrols, cordon-and-search operations and offensive missions across Monguno, Marte and Gamboru Ngala to prevent the group from regrouping or rebuilding its operational capability.

Makama added that security operations remain ongoing across the area as authorities continue efforts to verify the incident and intensify pressure on insurgent hideouts.

At least three people have been killed while several others sustained injuries after suspected armed herdsmen reportedly attacked Abaushwa community in Ndzorov Council Ward of Guma Local Government Area, Benue State.

The incident occurred late Monday night when the attackers reportedly invaded the community, located near Gbajimba, the headquarters of Guma LGA, at about 11:30pm.

According to a security source, the suspected assailants opened fire on residents during the attack, sending members of the community into panic as they reportedly shot at people in sight.

It was learnt that among those killed were a father, his son and daughter, who reportedly lost their lives during the violent assault.

The Chairman of Guma Local Government Council, Hon. Maurice Orwough, has condemned the attack, describing the incident in Abaushwa, Ndzorov Council Ward, as unacceptable.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Personal Assistant on Communication and Strategy, Ernest Tortiv, the chairman said, “The unfortunate attack claimed the lives of innocent people, left many others injured, and caused fear and destruction in the community. Hon. Orwough described the incident as heartbreaking and unacceptable.”

Orwough sympathised with the bereaved families and offered prayers for those injured, wishing them a quick recovery.

He further disclosed that security personnel had been deployed to the affected community to restore calm, safeguard residents and their property, and forestall another attack.

The council chairman also appealed to residents to remain peaceful and work closely with security agencies by providing relevant information that could assist efforts to tackle insecurity in the area.

Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command has yet to provide an official account of the incident.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Orchia Peter Aondongu, when contacted, promised to respond to enquiries concerning the attack but had not done so as of the time of filing this report.