Heavy fighting has reportedly broken out between suspected Lakurawa fighters and armed bandits in the Tapkin Giyayya axis of Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State.

A security expert, Zagazola Makama, who disclosed this in a report on his official X handle, said both sides recorded casualties.

He said the clash began after a group of armed bandits allegedly moved from forests in Zamfara State through the Tudun Magaji area into the Mashegu Forest.

Residents said several fighters were reportedly killed during the confrontation, while others were seen fleeing the area with gunshot wounds.

The exact number of casualties could not be independently verified as of the time of filing this report.

Security authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

The Osun State Police Command has arrested three suspects over an alleged assassination attempt on the Director-General of the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship campaign, Oluwole Oke.

The arrests of the suspects is coming after an incident in Ipetu-Ijesa, Oriade Local Government Area of Osun State on Tuesday.

Addressing journalists on Thursday at the command headquarters, the Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, CP Ibrahim Gotan, represented by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said the arrests were part of the command’s sustained operations against cultism, political thuggery and other violent crimes across the state.

The police identified the suspects as 24-year-old Olamilekan Oriyomi, 44-year-old Ayotunde Ikupolati Ojo and 31-year-old Fakinleye Femi. 

The command said investigations were ongoing and that all those found culpable would be prosecuted.

According to the police, “the incident occurred on Tuesday, 30 June 2026, when Oke and other members of his political party paid homage to the Ajalaye of Ipetu-Ijesa, Oba Agunbiade Oke, before proceeding to the town hall for a meeting with party supporters.”

The police said that “shortly after the meeting, a group of individuals suspected to be political thugs and members of the Eiye Confraternity allegedly blocked the exit route of Oke’s entourage.”

The Command alleged that Oriyomi produced an English Beretta pistol loaded with four rounds of live ammunition and was about to point it at Oke before the Divisional Police Officer intervened and subdued him, an action that reportedly caused panic at the venue.

Police officers deployed to provide security at the event immediately arrested Oriyomi and recovered the firearm and ammunition, while other suspects reportedly escaped from the scene.

The Command said intelligence-led operations by its Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU, later resulted in the arrest of Ayotunde Ikupolati Ojo and Fakinleye Femi on July 1, 2026 at Ipetu-Ijesa.

According to the police, “Oriyomi confessed during interrogation that he obtained the firearm from one Busuyi Akinwole Ikupolati, also known as Omo-Akin, who remains at large.”

The police added that his statement allegedly implicated other influential individuals who are currently under investigation.

“Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects. Investigations would continue until all those connected with the alleged offence were brought to justice,” the Commissioner said.

The Commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to eliminating criminal activities in Osun State, saying, “The Osun State Police Command will not hesitate to deploy all lawful means to apprehend and prosecute anyone found engaging in criminal activities before, during and after the forthcoming elections.”

He also appealed to residents to remain peaceful and law-abiding, assuring them that their safety remained the command’s priority. 

“We urge residents to continue to provide credible and actionable information to the security agencies while we work to sustain peace and security across Osun State,” he said.

Troops of the Nigerian Army have foiled a suspected kidnap attempt by sea pirates along the Oron–Ibaka waterways in Akwa Ibom State, rescuing 37 traders and crew members without casualties.

This was made known in a post on X by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency and security expert in the Lake Chad region.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on Tuesday at Akpa Aron Creek in Oron Local Government Area.

Makama, citing intelligence sources, said troops of the 2 Brigade operating under Sector 4 of Operation Delta Safe responded swiftly to a distress call over a suspected kidnap incident involving sea pirates operating along the waterway.

According to the report, the suspected pirates who were travelling in a speedboat, on sighting the troops, reportedly engaged the soldiers before abandoning their kidnap attempt and fleeing the scene under pressure.

The troops successfully rescued 37 traders and crew members who were aboard a wooden market boat targeted by the attackers.

The rescued victims were subsequently escorted safely to the Oron Jetty, where they were handed over for further necessary action.

“The operation is part of ongoing efforts by security forces to secure Nigeria’s inland waterways and protect residents and commercial activities from criminal elements operating in the coastal region,” Makama added.