Troops of the 177 Guards Battalion have arrested five suspected illegal miners and recovered explosives and other mining equipment during an operation in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

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

Zagazola stated that the suspects were arrested at about 12:00 p.m. on June 1 during a long-range patrol conducted by troops deployed at Forward Operating Base, FOBm Tattara and Patrol Base Zango under Operation MESA.

He said that the operation targeted an illegal mining site located at Tattara community in Karu LGA, where the suspects were allegedly engaged in unauthorized mining activities.

According to him, the troops recovered seven explosive devices, one detonating cord, detonators, a pumping machine, a generator and three motorcycles during the operation, adding that the recovered explosives and equipment were believed to have been used in mining operations at the site.

“The suspects were arrested at the illegal mining location and are currently in military custody alongside the recovered items pending further investigation,” he said.

The security expert further revealed that the operation formed part of ongoing efforts to curb illegal mining activities, which authorities say pose security, environmental and economic risks to host communities and the nation.

“Investigations are ongoing, while the suspects are expected to be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action upon the conclusion of preliminary inquiries,” he added.

A man and his wife, identified as Mr Titus Brigade and Mrs Rahab Titus Brigade, as well as one other person, Mrs Laitu Pius, were on Monday, killed by gunmen suspected to be Fulani militia who attacked the Tukur village of Kinat in Mangu Halle District of Mangu Local Government Area, Plateau State.

A youth leader in the attacked community, Markus Lonkat who confirmed the incident in a telephone chat with DAILY POST on Tuesday, said the terrorists attacked the victims on their farm as they were cultivating their land.

“Fulani bandits attacked and killed the victims on their farm on Monday afternoon. Those killed were an elder, Mr. Titus Brigade, and his wife, Mrs. Rahab Titus Brigade, and another woman, Mrs. Laitu Pius. About five other people were injured by the bandits,” Lonkat said.

“To the best of our knowledge, the attack was unprovoked and we wonder why the barbaric act from the Fulani people who have lived with us here in Tukur for several years. 

“We condemn this violence completely and call on security agencies especially the Operation Enduring Peace to be proactive in stamping out these attacks by the Fulani bandits,” he said.

In a related development, the Chairman of Mangu Local Government Area, Emmanuel Bala Mwolpun, has strongly condemned another attack on Gwomjang Community in Kadunu Ward in Gindiri District of the council by suspected Fulani gunmen on Sunday, 31st May 2026, which claimed the lives of eight residents while about 15 others were injured.

According to the youth leader of the community, Sunday Ezekiel, the attackers invaded the community around 7:30pm, opened fire on residents sporadically before fleeing into the bushes. 

“The assault claimed the lives of eight persons, four women and four men, while 15 others sustained various degrees of injuries. The injured are currently receiving treatment at a clinic near the community,” Ezekiel said.

In a statement issued on Tuesday on his behalf by his Director of Press and Publicity, Jeremiah Dakahap, Mwolpun described the violence as barbaric and inhumane, and vowed that the perpetrators of the dastardly act will be brought to book.

While commiserating with the bereaved families and survivors, Mwolpun urged residents to be proactive about their security and to work closely with security agencies.

“We must not wait for the government alone to come to our rescue. Let us wake up and be our own security. Report any suspicious movement or activity to security agencies immediately so that prompt action can be taken,” he said.

He assured that he has directed that the injured victims be immediately taken to the University of Jos Teaching Hospital, JUTH, for specialized care while the local government would take full responsibility for their medical bills.

Lagos State Police Command has dismissed viral social media reports alleging that armed bandits had invaded communities in Ibeju-Lekki, Imota, Oke-Afo and other parts of the state, describing the claims as false and deliberately designed to incite fear among residents.

In a statement issued on Monday by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, the police said there was no security threat, invasion or coordinated attack on schools and communities anywhere in Lagos State.

“The Lagos State Police Command categorically states that the claims contained in the circulating posts are false, misleading, unfounded, and intended to create unnecessary fear, panic, and apprehension among residents,” the statement said.

The command reassured residents that schools across the state remained safe and that security agencies had maintained adequate surveillance and security presence in communities.

“There is currently no security crisis, invasion, or coordinated attack on any school or community in Ibeju-Lekki, Imota, Oke-Afo, or any other part of Lagos State,” the police stated.

The command, however, disclosed that the circulation of the false alarm had led to the death of a 24-year-old commercial motorcyclist, identified as Kulaha Ayuba.

According to the police, some youths in the community allegedly acted on unverified reports of a bandit invasion and wrongly identified Ayuba as a Fulani bandit before attacking him.

“Regrettably, the spread of this false alarm has already resulted in a tragic and avoidable loss of life. One Kulaha Ayuba, male, aged 24 years, a commercial motorcycle rider, was allegedly labelled a Fulani bandit by some youths of the community and fatally assaulted,” the statement added.

The police said Ayuba’s motorcycle was reportedly stolen, while his body was later discovered in a swamp within the community.

Following swift intervention by security operatives, 15 suspects were arrested in connection with the incident and are currently assisting with investigations.

“Following the swift Police intervention, fifteen suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident and are currently under investigation. The Command assures the public that all those found culpable will be made to face the full weight of the law,” the police said.

The command condemned the spread of unverified information capable of causing public disorder, ethnic profiling and mob violence, warning residents against sharing unconfirmed reports on social media.

“The Command condemns the deliberate dissemination of unverified information capable of causing chaos, inciting public disorder, and promoting ethnic profiling, mob action, or hatred against any group of people,” the statement noted.

The police also warned that individuals found responsible for originating or deliberately circulating false and inflammatory information capable of causing panic, ethnic tension or violence would be investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Fatai Tijani, urged Lagos residents to remain calm and continue their lawful activities without fear.

He encouraged members of the public to report suspicious activities through official security channels rather than relying on unverified social media content.

“The Command remains fully committed to the protection of lives and property and assures all Lagosians that adequate security measures have been emplaced across the state to sustain the peace and security currently being enjoyed,” the statement added.