The death toll from the communal crisis in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State has risen from 10 to 18 following fresh attacks linked to the lingering land dispute allegedly between Fulani and Kamuku communities in the area.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said “the crisis is linked to a longstanding dispute between the two tribes”.

According to him, a report received on June 30 indicated that at about 11:30 p.m. on June 29, armed men invaded Godoro village in Katako District and shot dead 25-year-old Ibrahim Musa.

He explained that the killing sparked a reprisal attack by members of a local vigilante group, popularly known as Yansakai, who blocked a road and killed 28-year-old Bashir Mazi.

Abiodun further disclosed that another report received at about 10 p.m. on July 1 revealed that 15 people were burnt to death inside a two-bedroom apartment at Angwan-Baago, via Godoro village, while another person was killed at a separate location, bringing the total number of deaths in the crisis to 18.

He said the attacks are believed to be connected to the protracted land dispute between the affected communities.

The police spokesman added that a reconciliation committee headed by officials of the Rafi Local Government Council is working with community leaders and security agencies to restore peace.

He said joint police and military patrols have been intensified across the affected communities to prevent further attacks, maintain law and order, and ensure the protection of lives and property, while investigations into the incidents are ongoing.

A suspected fighter of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) trained as a gunboat operator has surrendered to troops of the Nigerian Army in Damasak, Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno State.

The development was contained in a post shared on X on Thursday by security analyst Zagazola Makama.

According to the post, the suspect surrendered to troops of the 5 Brigade at about 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday.

Preliminary findings showed that the fighter escaped from an ISWAP camp in Barra Village, located in the Lake Chad region near Dogon Chukwu. The camp was said to be under the control of a terrorist commander identified as Abu Ubeida.

“During an initial debriefing, the surrendered insurgent reportedly told troops that he had been trained to operate gunboats and also handled a Dushka heavy machine gun during terrorist operations around the Lake Chad area,” Makama wrote.

He said he decided to flee the camp because of sustained military air strikes on terrorist hideouts, which he claimed had disrupted the group’s activities and made it increasingly difficult for members to survive.

Following his surrender, the suspect was placed in quarantine in line with military procedures. He was also given food and medical attention.

The report added that he remains in military custody, where he is undergoing profiling, intelligence debriefing and other administrative procedures.

Troops of Operation UDO KA have raided a  forest in Imo State and arrested a suspected key armourer and logistics courier linked to attacks on oil installations and security forces.

The Nigerian Army disclosed this in a statement posted on its official X handle on Thursday, noting that it also recovered a substantial cache of arms and ammunition during an intelligence-led operation.

The statement disclosed that acting on credible intelligence, troops conducted a deliberate search and raid operation along the Akpe Aggah–Egbema Forest axis in the early hours of 1 July 2026, leading to the arrest of a suspected armourer and logistics kingpin at Obiakpu Forest.

According to the statement, preliminary findings indicate that the suspect served as the principal armourer for the criminal group responsible for attacks against oil installations and troops deployed in the Ohaji–Egbema area.

The army further revealed that the operation led to the recovery of a significant cache of weapons and ammunition, including one AK-47 rifle, one M4A1 carbine, one M16A2 rifle, six magazines, five pump-action guns, a locally fabricated pistol and a large quantity of assorted ammunition.

“The recovery represents a major disruption to the group’s operational capability and logistics chain.

“The suspect is currently in custody and will undergo further investigation to facilitate follow-on operations aimed at identifying, apprehending and dismantling other members and collaborators of the criminal network,” the army said.