Troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF) have rescued an abducted victim following a gun battle with suspected armed bandits in the early hours of Sunday around the Kano–Katsina border.
The operation took place around Yankwada after security operatives received intelligence on the movement of armed bandits advancing from Daurawa and Kira areas of Katsina State towards the Kano axis. Acting on the tip-off, the troops mobilised swiftly and engaged the suspects in a fierce exchange of gunfire.
It was gathered that one kidnap victim, identified as Rabiu Alhaji Halilu, 38, was rescued during the operation. Halilu, who sustained a gunshot injury to his leg, was evacuated to the JTF Faruruwa Medical Centre for treatment.
During the encounter, two motorcycles abandoned by the fleeing bandits were recovered, while an undisclosed number of cattle were also retrieved.
Confirming the development, the spokesman of the Nigerian Army’s 3 Brigade, Major Babatunde Zubairu, told journalists that the troops intercepted the bandits at Ungwan Dogo and Ungwan Tudu areas along the Kano–Katsina border.
According to him, a fighting patrol was deployed to the area, where the troops engaged the bandits and forced them to retreat in disarray towards Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Major Zubairu added that the troops remain on high alert as operations continue to secure the border communities and prevent further incursions by criminal elements.
A deadly ambush by bandits on the Dansadau–Magami highway in Zamfara State has left at least two people dead, with fears the toll could rise as more reports emerge.
The attack began when bandits detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) against travelers. As emergency responses mobilized, a second IED was detonated in what security analysts describe as a deliberate “double-tap” attack aimed at causing maximum casualties and panic. The blast sent surviving passengers scrambling for safety.
Authorities report that the attackers are actively planting additional explosives along the route in a new tactic aimed at sabotaging the military escorts assigned to protect civilian travel.
This development marks a dangerous escalation in the region’s security challenges.
Security forces have cordoned off the area for clearance operations as travel along the highway remains extremely hazardous.
Kwara State police, in a coordinated operation, have arrested two notorious bandits linked to a spate of kidnappings and violent crimes across multiple states in Northern Nigeria.
The suspects, identified as Abubakar Usman (26), alias Siddi, and Shehu Mohammadu (30), alias Gide, were intercepted on Friday along the Komen–Masallaci axis in Kaiama Local Government Area. The arrest was conducted by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID–IRT) alongside the Kwara State Police Command.
Authorities recovered significant items from the duo, including an AK-47 rifle loaded with 20 rounds of ammunition, ₦500,000 in cash described as unspent ransom money, and a brand new Honda motorcycle valued at ₦1.85 million. Investigators confirmed the motorcycle was purchased with proceeds from ransom payments.
Police investigations reveal the suspects are key figures in a dangerous gang responsible for terrorizing communities in Zamfara, Katsina, Niger, and Kwara States. The gang also allegedly supplies arms and ammunition to other criminal elements.
One of the arrested men, Abubakar Usman (Siddi), was recently identified as the individual seen in a viral social media video brazenly flaunting firearms and large sums of cash.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, praised the operatives for their professionalism and reiterated the Force’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks. The suspects are reportedly cooperating with the police to apprehend other gang members and recover more weapons.
The public is urged to continue providing timely information to support security operations.
Residents of Offa in Kwara State were gripped by fear late Thursday night after powerful explosions tore through parts of the town, leaving several homes and shops damaged.
The incident came hours after United States President Donald Trump announced that American forces had carried out airstrikes against ISIS positions in some parts of Nigeria.
It has not been confirmed whether the explosions in Offa were connected to the reported U.S. military operations or whether they were the result of an action carried out solely by Nigerian security forces.
Witnesses said fragments fell from the sky shortly after the blasts. This development raised suspicions that the explosions may have resulted from bombs delivered by unmanned aerial vehicles.
A large piece believed to be part of a drone bomb was seen on the ground near the affected area.
Information gathered indicated that at least five houses and several shops were damaged. Rubble spread across the neighbourhoods that were hit by the explosions.
Video clips also showed frightened residents appealing to the Kwara State Government to step in and assess the situation.
Some residents expressed confusion over why Offa, known as a peaceful community, would experience such an incident.“Why would they launch a bomb here?” one visibly shaken resident asked. Another added, “We saw the drone remnants after it destroyed a house.”
A member of the local vigilante group who visited the affected areas confirmed that the first explosion occurred around midnight.“I got there after 12 a.m. I called the Balogun (war chief), and he came immediately. We went to the hotel where one of the explosions occurred, but I won’t mention the hotel’s name. The hotel was damaged. Another explosion happened around the prayer ground near Ijagbo in Offa,” he said.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised the Federal Government over what it described as poor public communication surrounding reported United States military strikes against terrorists in parts of northwest Nigeria.
The opposition party urged the Tinubu administration to adopt a more proactive and transparent method of addressing sensitive national security matters.
Reports had earlier emerged that on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025, former United States President Donald Trump announced that American forces carried out what he called “numerous precise strikes” against terrorist elements in northwest Nigeria. He claimed that the targets were militants responsible for attacks on Christians in the region.
Trump stated that the operation took place under his authority as Commander-in-Chief. He said the strikes focused on ISIS-linked fighters who have operated for years in areas affected by violence and insecurity.
According to him, the militants had been “viciously killing, primarily innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even centuries.” He also said he had earlier warned the groups to halt the killings or face consequences.
The Nigerian government later acknowledged that strikes had taken place in parts of northern Nigeria through the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Authorities, however, did not disclose details about the operation or clarify the level of Nigeria’s involvement.
In a statement issued on Friday, December 26, 2025, by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the PDP said Nigerians first became aware of the reported operation through verified social media accounts linked to Trump and other American officials. The party said this happened long before any formal reaction came from Nigerian authorities.
The party noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs only released what it described as a “vague statement” several hours later. The statement, according to the PDP, merely offered passive confirmation that Nigeria was aware of and cooperated in the operation.
“While international cooperation in the fight against high crimes like terrorism is very much appreciated, the Peoples Democratic Party is deeply concerned about a communication structure where foreign powers break the news of security operations in our country before our government does,” the statement read.
The PDP warned that such an “inverted communication approach” does not protect the interests of Nigeria or its citizens. The party referred to reports that the United States military had in the past entered Nigerian territory and carried out operations without the prior consent or knowledge of Nigerian authorities.
The opposition party said the Federal Government ought to have taken the lead in informing the public about the operation. It added that such an approach would have helped in properly sensitising Nigerians instead of waiting to confirm information that was already circulating widely.
“The government should not be in a position of merely reacting to foreign announcements on security operations within its territory, unless it was taken unawares like the rest of the citizens,” the party stated.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed that 11 passengers lost their lives and 12 others sustained injuries in a single-vehicle crash along the Ringim-Sankara-Beguwa road in Ringim Local Government Area of Jigawa State.
Ado Adamu, Acting Commander of the FRSC unit in Ringim, told the News Agency of Nigeria that the accident occurred at about 4:45 p.m. on Thursday. The Volkswagen vehicle involved was carrying 23 passengers seven males and 16 females when it was involved in the crash.
According to Adamu, preliminary findings indicate that the crash was caused by a tyre burst aggravated by excessive speeding, which forced the vehicle off the road.
Eleven of the passengers five males and six females died as a result of the accident, while 12 others, comprising seven males and five females, were injured and taken to Ringim General Hospital for treatment.
The FRSC Sector Commander for Jigawa, Mr. Umar Matazu, has extended condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.
Adamu also said the victims were traveling from Bauchi State toward Kankia Local Government Area in Katsina State when the crash occurred.
U.S. President Donald J. Trump has claimed that the United States carried out a “powerful and deadly” military strike against ISIS targets in northwest Nigeria.
In a statement released on Thursday night, Trump said the operation was conducted under his direction as commander in chief and targeted ISIS fighters accused of killing civilians, particularly Christians. He described the strikes as highly successful and warned that further military action would follow if the violence continues.
There has been no independent confirmation of the operation from U.S. defense officials, and no details have been provided regarding the exact locations, casualties, or scope of the strikes.
As of the time of this report, the Nigerian government has not issued any official statement responding to or confirming the claims.
In his Christmas address, Pope Leo appealed for an immediate end to violence and renewed efforts toward peace in the Gaza Strip. Speaking to worshippers during the traditional Christmas message, he expressed deep concern over the humanitarian suffering caused by the ongoing conflict.
The Pope called on world leaders and all parties involved to choose dialogue over confrontation, stressing the need to protect civilians, especially children and other vulnerable groups. He urged the international community to work tirelessly for a just and lasting peace in the Gaza Strip and across the broader Middle East.
He also lamented reports of continued killings of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, noting that violence has persisted despite announcements of a ceasefire. The Pope described the situation as deeply troubling.
He called on Israel and all parties to respect international humanitarian law, honour ceasefire commitments, and take concrete steps to end the suffering of civilians caught in the conflict.
Concluding his message, Pope Leo emphasised that the spirit of Christmas is rooted in compassion, reconciliation, and hope, values he said must guide global responses to conflict and human suffering.
The launch of Kano State Security and Neighbourhood Watch Guard on December 23 by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is a timely and reassuring response to growing concerns about insecurity across the state.
At a moment when residents were increasingly raising alarm over safety in their communities, the governor chose action over silence.
In recent months, reports of petty crimes and organised disturbances have unsettled many neighbourhoods, threatening Kano’s long-held reputation as one of the more peaceful states in the North.
These concerns were not distant headlines but daily experiences discussed in markets and almost everywhere in Kano state. Acknowledging this reality, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration moved swiftly to confront the challenge.
Central to the initiative is the deployment of 2,000 security personnel, carefully drawn from all local government areas of the state. This structure ensures broad representation, local knowledge, and community trust key elements in effective crime prevention. By embedding security personnel within familiar environments, the government strengthens early detection and rapid response.
The neighbourhood watch guard complements existing security agencies rather than replacing them. It is designed to close the gaps where formal policing alone may struggle, particularly at the grassroots. This layered approach reflects a practical understanding that modern security requires cooperation, intelligence sharing, and community participation.
Beyond physical protection, the initiative delivers psychological reassurance. Visible security presence restores confidence, discourages criminal behaviour, and reassures residents that the government is attentive to their fears. Insecurity thrives where people feel abandoned; decisive leadership reverses that narrative.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf deserves commendation for the timing of this intervention. Launched during a period of heightened social and economic activity, it demonstrates foresight and sensitivity to public safety risks. It also reinforces the principle that governance must be proactive, not reactive.
However,as implementation unfolds, sustained training, accountability, and respect for human rights will be essential to long-term success. If properly managed, the neighbourhood watch guard can become a durable pillar of community safety.
In taking immediate steps to safeguard lives and property, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has sent a clear message: the security of Kano’s people is paramount. This initiative stands as a strong example of responsive leadership in challenging times.
The Vice-President if Nigeria, Sen. Kashim Shettima has said the Federal Government is deploying more tactical teams to Maiduguri, Borno State, following a terrorist attack in a mosque to track down and apprehend the perpetuators.
The Daily Reality reports that, suspected terrorists blasted one Al-Adum Mosque in Gamboru Market, Maiduguri, on Wednesday when worshippers were observing prayers.
The Vice President, in a statement on his X page on Thursday, condemned the explosion that claimed five lives and left several others injured, describing it as “a despicable assault on innocent citizens and the peace of the nation.”
Shettima said that, “President Bola Tinubu has ordered an immediate intensification of security operations in Borno State following the incident.”
He added that “The Federal Government is working closely with state authorities and local security agencies to ensure protection of vulnerable communities and critical infrastructure across the North East and other regions.”
“The Federal Government will not tolerate any attempt to undermine the peace and security of our nation. Our security agencies are working round the clock to ensure that perpetrators of this heinous crime are brought to justice immediately.” Shettima emphasized.
Shettima expressed confidence that the existing security framework would not only apprehend the perpetrators but also unravel the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
He assured Nigerians that the Tinubu administration is commitment to national security, anchored in constitutional duty.
“Since President Bola Tinubu assumed office in 2023, this administration has consistently reaffirmed commitment to safeguarding the security, unity, and stability of our nation,” he said.
Shettima reiterated that “We will continue to provide our security agencies with all necessary resources and support to decisively defeat terrorism in all its forms.”
