Security operatives have arrested a suspected informant believed to be working with Boko Haram elements in Niger State.

The arrest was contained in a post shared on X on Tuesday by security analyst Zagazola Makama.

According to the post, troops of the 221 Battalion, working together with personnel of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), carried out the operation under Operation Savannah Shield.

The suspect was picked up around 1:00 p.m. on May 30 in Koro community, Kainji axis of Borgu Local Government Area following credible intelligence on his movements.

Security sources said the suspect was allegedly providing information and support to Boko Haram members and had links to a previous attack in Kwankoso village.

He was also said to have fled the area after the incident, first moving to Shafashi before relocating to Kaoje in Kebbi State, where he was later tracked down to Kainji in Niger State.

“The suspect was arrested during a coordinated intelligence-led operation and is currently in military custody for further investigation,” a source said.

Authorities said investigations are ongoing to determine the extent of his involvement in terrorist activities and to identify possible collaborators.

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 devastating rainstorm has destroyed about 100 houses in Tom Gangare community, Sopp Ward, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, leaving many families displaced and homeless.

The incident occurred on Sunday following a heavy downpour accompanied by strong winds, which also damaged health facilities, places of worship and other critical infrastructure in the community.

A resident, Mr. Bot Felix, said property worth millions of naira was destroyed during the disaster, while many residents lost their homes.

According to him, the windstorm uprooted several trees, many of which fell on residential buildings, worsening the scale of destruction across the community.

A community stakeholder, Dung Danboyi, described the incident as tragic and appealed for urgent intervention from the government and humanitarian organisations.

He expressed relief that no lives were lost but lamented that the destruction had left many households without shelter and exposed victims to severe hardship.

“The level of destruction is overwhelming. Many families have lost their homes and means of livelihood. We are appealing to government agencies, humanitarian organisations and well-meaning individuals to come to the aid of our people during this difficult time,” he said.

Danboyi called on the Plateau State Government, the Plateau State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, development partners and other stakeholders to provide immediate relief materials and support to affected residents.

The Councillor representing Sopp Ward, Gwong Ibrahim, also appealed to relevant authorities to urgently intervene and cushion the impact of the disaster on victims.

He stressed the need for emergency relief assistance, noting that many affected families were struggling to secure temporary shelter and basic necessities.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Riyom Local Government Council, Sati Bature Shuwa, visited the community to assess the extent of the damage and sympathise with victims.

Shuwa assured residents that efforts would be made to facilitate assistance and support for those affected by the disaster.

He added that a comprehensive assessment would be carried out to determine the extent of the losses and pave the way for appropriate intervention by government and emergency management agencies.