Several people have been killed in fresh attacks on communities in Karim-Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State by suspected armed militia, residents and local sources have said.

The violence reportedly began three days ago in Didango village, where gunmen ambushed a group of youths returning home after watching an English Premier League match at a viewing centre. Two young men were said to have been killed in the attack.

Residents said the violence later spread to Gaita, Loba and Lewatha villages in what appeared to be coordinated assaults, forcing many villagers to flee into nearby bushes to escape the attackers.

A resident of Mayo-Gauro village, located a few kilometres from Didango, Dauda Bulus, told journalists that the attacks were coordinated and allegedly carried out by armed militia from a neighbouring community.

According to him, the affected communities have suffered repeated attacks over the years, resulting in loss of life, the displacement of residents and the destruction of property.

Another resident of Didango alleged that the attackers ambushed a group of farmers returning from their farms, leaving several people injured.

He further claimed that the assailants subsequently launched attacks on other communities, leading to additional casualties and forcing residents to abandon their homes.

Sources in the area also disclosed that the attackers attempted another assault on Gurum village near the Kodai area on Tuesday night. However, the attack was reportedly repelled by local vigilante groups and community members who had intensified security patrols in response to the recurring violence.

A resident, Abubakar Adamu, expressed concern over the continued attacks, warning that the recurring violence poses a serious threat to peace and stability in Karim-Lamido Local Government Area.

He lamented that despite several peace meetings and dialogue initiatives involving the affected communities, the attacks have persisted.

“The attacks often occur during the farming and harvest seasons, disrupting agricultural activities, which remain the major source of livelihood for many people in the area,” he said.

As of the time of filing this report, security authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the latest incidents, while efforts to ascertain the exact number of casualties were ongoing.

Four members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and two others were burnt to death in a tragic road accident involving a military gun truck and a commercial bus in Adamawa State.

According to the Adamawa State Police Command, the fatal crash occurred on Wednesday at the Narehi area in Girei Local Government Area along the Girei-Song Road.

Suleiman Nguroje, the command’s spokesman, in a statement explained that, “The accident involved a military gun truck travelling from Gombi to Yola and a commercial Hummer bus conveying five passengers from Yola to Mubi.”

Preliminary investigations, according to Nguroje, revealed that both vehicles were involved in a head-on collision, leading to the commercial bus to somersault and burst into flames.

The statement explained, “Preliminary findings reveal that both vehicles were involved in a head-on collision, resulting in the commercial bus flipping over and bursting into flames.”

It said all five passengers aboard the Hummer bus were burnt to death after the vehicle caught fire following the collision, stressing that preliminary identification showed that four of the deceased were serving NYSC members posted to Adamawa State.

Suleuman Juliet and Usman Shuaibu, both indigenes of Kaduna State, were identified as corps members, while efforts were ongoing to identify the remaining victims.

The command also confirmed that a military personnel attached to the gun truck died in the accident, saying that the corpses have been evacuated to the Specialist Hospital, Yola, while efforts are ongoing to identify the remaining bodies and locate their families.

The Commissioner of Police in Adamawa State sent his condolences to the bereaved families, the Nigerian Armed Forces, the NYSC and all those affected by the tragedy.

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested one Mr. Johnson Elleh for producing and circulating a misleading video falsely alleging kidnapping and banditry activities along the Owode-Idiroko axis of Ogun State.

The Command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, made this known on Wednesday.

Babaseyi noted that upon citing the viral video, the command immediately subjected the contents to scrutiny and commenced a swift investigation to verify the claims contained.

According to him, findings revealed that the video was false, misleading and deliberately designed to create fear, panic, and anxiety among members of the public.

“Extensive investigation and verification further established that there was no kidnapping or banditry incident as portrayed in the video within the Owode-Idiroko axis or its environs.

“Further investigation revealed that the suspect was featured in the video and was subsequently identified by detectives, leading to his arrest.

“Preliminary findings indicate that he deliberately fabricated and circulated the false narrative for attention and content creation purposes,” the police spokesperson said.

He further stated that the suspect’s action was capable of causing unnecessary public alarm, disrupting social order, and undermining public confidence in the security architecture of the State.

Babaseyi added that the suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigation.

The Command also warned individuals and groups deliberately spreading false security alerts to desist from doing so or be prepared to face the law.

“The Command will continue to identify, arrest, investigate, and prosecute all persons found culpable, irrespective of status or motive.

“Residents are encouraged to remain calm, continue their lawful activities without fear, and rely solely on verified information disseminated through official channels,” Babaseyi added.