Bauchi

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation Bugun Karkanda III have forced armed terrorists out of Mansur Village and nearby settlements in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

During the operation, soldiers recovered an AK-47 rifle and re-established government control in the affected communities.

Military authorities described the development as “a major breakthrough.”

The army explained that the mission targeted locations where armed groups had attempted to establish influence. According to the military, the action weakened the fighters and disrupted their activities in the area.

Officials also said the operation forms part of a wider campaign to improve security and allow residents to return to their normal daily activities. The exercise followed the formal launch of the security initiative by the General Officer Commanding 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, Major General Folusho Oyinlola.

In a statement released on Thursday in Jos, the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for 3 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Olumide Victor Olukoya, said troops moved strategically against the armed groups.

The statement said, “Following a deliberate and well-coordinated offensive, troops of 3 Division rapidly advanced into identified flash points, establishing dominance over key areas and successfully dislodging armed terrorists who had attempted to assert control over Mansur Village.”

The army added that soldiers conducted a detailed search of the area after pushing out the attackers.

“A thorough clearance of the village led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, further weakening the terrorists’ operational capacity.”

According to the statement, troops have maintained their presence in the area after the operation.

“Troops have since consolidated gains and intensified aggressive fighting patrols alongside confidence-building patrols across Alkaleri LGA to sustain presence, maintain law and order, and prevent resurgence.”

The army also said the strengthened security activities have already produced positive outcomes in the local government area.

“The renewed military posture has yielded tangible results: disrupting criminal elements, rebuilding public confidence, and creating a safer environment for citizens to resume socio-economic activities without fear,“ he added.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Security operatives have arrested two men suspected of supplying fuel to bandits who operate in parts of Bauchi State.

The arrest took place in neighbouring Gombe State during a security operation. Information about the incident appeared in a post shared on X by security analyst Zagazola Makama on Thursday.

Makama said security personnel carried out the operation on Wednesday at about 4:30 a.m. Officers conducted a stop-and-search exercise along the Kashere–Futuk Road in Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State.

He explained that the action followed intelligence about how armed groups in Bauchi obtain fuel from Gombe.

“The operation followed intelligence reports indicating that bandits terrorising parts of Bauchi were sourcing fuel from Gombe,” Makama wrote.

During the exercise, security operatives stopped a red-tinted Golf 3 vehicle with registration number GME 221 XA. The car carried 29 jerrycans filled with Premium Motor Spirit, also known as PMS.

Makama added that the driver managed to escape.

“The vehicle’s driver, 20-year-old Aliyu Usman from Futuk Village in Alkaleri LGA of Bauchi, reportedly fled the scene and escaped,” he wrote.

Two passengers inside the vehicle did not escape. Security agents arrested them at the scene. Authorities identified them as Bello Abdullahi, 52, and Sulaiman Musa, 40. Both men come from Futuk Village in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

The suspects told investigators that they bought the fuel in Billiri town in Gombe State.

Police officers seized the vehicle and the 29 jerrycans as exhibits. Authorities have opened an investigation to determine whether the suspects supplied fuel to criminal groups.

Security agencies also continue efforts to capture the driver who escaped and to uncover other members of the suspected supply network.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Residents of Gwana District in Alkaleri Local Government Area, Bauchi State, have abandoned their homes and belongings as insecurity in the community intensifies.

Families are fleeing the area in large numbers, seeking safety in neighbouring states, leaving the settlement nearly deserted.

Pictures that have gone viral on social media show people hurriedly packing their belongings, loading household items onto vehicles and motorcycles, and preparing to leave the community amid palpable fear.

Witnesses state that repeated attacks and constant threats have made it impossible for residents to go about their daily activities. Some residents said the situation has become unbearable, with many unable to sleep peacefully at night.

“The absence of an adequate security presence has emboldened criminal elements, leaving villagers vulnerable to further attacks,” one local resident said.

The mass displacement has also disrupted farming and other economic activities. Many residents have left behind farmlands, livestock, and personal property, relocating to safer communities or seeking refuge with relatives in neighbouring states.

Authorities in Bauchi State had not issued any official statement on the situation in Alkaleri at the time this report was filed.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A cameraman with Channels Television, Kani Ben, who died after sustaining injuries in a road accident while on official duty, has been buried in Adamawa State.

The 44-year-old was laid to rest on Saturday in Kangling, his hometown in Girei Local Government Area. He was born on May 28, 1982, and died on February 15, 2026, following injuries he suffered in the crash.

The accident happened along the Yashi–Yelwan Duguri Road in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State. The media team was on assignment to cover a project inauguration by the North East Development Commission (NEDC).

A total of 14 people were involved in the crash. Thirteen of them were journalists from different media organisations, including a reporter from Daily Post. Kani Ben was the only person who lost his life.

Before the incident, the delegation had handed over a Government Secondary School project in Yelwan Duguri to the Bauchi State Government. The team was led by the Minister of State for Regional Development, Alhaji Uba Maigari Ahmadu. The Bauchi State Deputy Governor, Auwal Jatau, was also part of the entourage. The convoy was heading to inaugurate the Bara Bridge, which connects Bauchi and Gombe states, when the accident occurred.

Those who sustained injuries were first taken to Yelwan Duguri Hospital. They were later moved to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital and Bauchi Specialist Hospital for further treatment.

At the burial, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed sympathised with the family of the deceased and members of the media. The Commissioner for Information, Usman Shehu Usman, represented him at the event. He announced that the state government had approved automatic employment for Ben’s widow, Sarah, in the civil service.

The governor had earlier visited the injured journalists at ATBUTH and directed that they should receive proper medical care.

In a tribute, the governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado, described the late cameraman as dedicated and professional in the discharge of his duties.

Also speaking, Rev. Cletus Dading, Bishop of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria, Abuja Diocese, praised the Bauchi State Government for supporting the bereaved family.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed the arrival of approximately 100 United States military personnel at the Bauchi Airfield to bolster the Armed Forces of Nigeria through training and intelligence-sharing initiatives.

In an official statement on Monday, Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, clarified that the deployment follows formal diplomatic engagements and was initiated at the request of the Nigerian Federal Government.

“The deployment forms part of the deliberations during a working group engagement by the Nigerian delegation and its US counterpart,” Maj. Gen. Uba stated. He emphasized that the presence of the US personnel is a “planned and deliberate” move designed to address specific military training requirements and enhance technical support.

The DHQ stressed that the collaboration is strictly non-combative. “The US personnel are technical specialists serving strictly in an advisory and training capacity. They are not combat forces,” the statement read, adding that all activities will be conducted under the authority and control of the Nigerian government.

The joint exercises will focus on strengthening the capacity of Nigerian troops to identify and neutralize extremist threats. The partnership aims to provide Nigeria with access to specialized technical capabilities, ultimately helping to protect vulnerable communities and deter terrorist activities.

“These activities are designed to enhance the capacity of Nigerian troops to effectively identify and neutralise extremist terrorist groups seeking to destabilise the nation,” Maj. Gen. Uba added.

The Defence Headquarters reassured the public of its commitment to transparency throughout the cooperation, promising to provide clear and timely information regarding the military engagement.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Suspected bandits have abducted the wives and daughters of Imam Abubakar Muhammad Digare, the Chief Imam of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Ikamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), during an attack on Digare town in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

The incident occurred on Saturday night. The assailants reportedly invaded the cleric’s residence under the cover of darkness and took several victims away to an undisclosed location. Authorities are yet to confirm the exact number of those kidnapped.

Residents said the attack has heightened fear across the community. Many people have remained indoors, while movement within the town has reduced sharply due to safety concerns. Witnesses added that women and children were among those abducted. Neighbours described the operation as chaotic, noting that the gunmen fled immediately after seizing their victims.

Security analyst Bakatsine spoke on the development, stressing the implications for security in the area.

He said, “The attack on the residence of Imam Abubakar Muhammad Digare is a clear indication of the growing audacity of criminal gangs in the region. Such acts are designed to instil fear and demonstrate the weakness of local security arrangements.”

He also warned about the broader social impact of targeting religious leaders.

According to him, “Abductions targeting prominent religious leaders are particularly alarming because they can destabilise communal trust and provoke tensions within the community.”

Bakatsine called for urgent government intervention to curb the trend.

He said, “Authorities need to respond swiftly and effectively to prevent further escalation. This incident underscores the urgent need for coordinated security strategies in Bauchi and surrounding states.”

The latest raid adds to a string of violent incidents recorded in parts of Bauchi State in recent times. Communities across the state have reported kidnappings, armed robberies, and other attacks, which continue to raise concerns about public safety.

By The Daily Reality

The Commanding Officer of the 133 Special Forces Battalion in Azare, Bauchi State, Lt. Col. A.K. Kachalla, has come under allegation from soldiers who accused him of protecting a lance corporal said to have absconded with funds belonging to colleagues and business partners.

The claims, raised by whistleblowers who spoke to SaharaReporters on Friday, revolve around 15NA/74/3376 L/Cpl Usman Umar Kao’oje, who is reported to be serving in the unit.

Sources alleged that the soldier was declared absent without leave around September 2025 after he allegedly disappeared with money contributed for business ventures.

One insider said: “He disappeared with between N40 million and N50 million meant for business deals. People trusted him with their money.”

The matter reportedly drew public attention after it appeared on SaharaReporters’ social media platforms on September 30, 2025.

According to insiders, L/Cpl Usman later returned to the unit after about three months. Upon his return, the commanding officer allegedly ordered that he be held in the guardroom pending an orderly room trial or further investigation.

However, sources claimed that while in detention, the soldier threatened to expose senior officers and institute legal action over alleged unpaid debts he said contributed to his financial troubles.

A source alleged: “When the CO (commanding officer) heard about the threat, he quickly ordered his release and assured him that nothing would happen to him. He said he would be protected.”


The soldier was said to have regained freedom after three days.

Another insider claimed that the commander later constituted a Board of Inquiry, which he alleged was meant to suppress the case.

He said: “He was charged and tried at the command level, but since then nothing has been done. A soldier who went AWOL for three months received no punishment. Instead, he was allowed to move freely in the barracks,”

Whistleblowers, according to a report by SaharaReporters, further alleged that the soldier was subsequently posted to Operation Whirl Stroke in Taraba State despite the unresolved accusations.

Sources also claimed that the lance corporal allegedly directed those demanding refunds to the commanding officer.

One source said: “The soldier wouldn’t have been so bold without the support of the CO,”

Insiders added that before he was declared AWOL, the soldier allegedly acted as an intermediary for the commanding officer. They claimed he collected “returns” from military checkpoints in Azare.

The whistleblowers further alleged that part of the disputed funds was used to acquire properties, including a heavy-duty truck reportedly valued at N24 million and deployed for transport business, alongside houses and other assets.

They questioned why due military procedures were not followed in handling the absence and financial allegations.

One whistleblower asked: “How can a soldier be away for three months and the AWOL not be forwarded to the Army authorities? Why was his account not blocked? Why was he not properly tried and punished?”

They argued that the handling of the case suggested complicity within the command structure.

Another source alleged: “This clearly shows that the CO supported the soldier to defraud his colleagues.”

The development, according to the whistleblowers, has angered many personnel within the battalion, who believe the situation has hurt morale and the reputation of the Nigerian Army.

A source said: “Nobody owns the Army. Neither the CO nor the soldier is above the law,”

They called on the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, alongside the Army Intelligence Corps and the Military Police Provost, to open an independent probe into the matter.

The source added: “The CO and the soldier should be investigated. This attitude is tarnishing the image of the Army,”

Efforts to obtain official responses were unsuccessful. Attempts to reach Lt. Col. Kachalla did not go through as his phone line was unavailable at the time of filing this report.

Similarly, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Onyinyechi Appolonia Anele, neither answered calls nor replied to a text message seeking comment as of press time.

By TDR

Soldiers attached to the 133 Special Forces Battalion in Azare, Katagum Local Government Area of Bauchi State, have accused their Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. A.K. Kachalla, of compelling troops stationed at checkpoints to remit weekly financial “returns” of as much as ₦500,000, with the threat of redeployment for those who fail to comply.

The allegations were disclosed by several military sources who spoke with newsmen on condition of anonymity on Wednesday.

According to SaharaReporters, one of the sources said soldiers are frequently posted to checkpoints on major routes such as Kano Road, Maiduguri Road, Dambam, and Jama’are, where they are allegedly expected to collect money from motorists and passengers.

“Soldiers will be deployed to a checkpoint to be collecting money from passengers and a commanding officer will be waiting for return of ₦500,000 every week,” the source alleged. “If the soldiers didn’t meet up with the demands, they will change them immediately from the checkpoint and bring new soldiers.”

Another source described the alleged practice as entrenched, adding that it started shortly after Lt. Col. Kachalla assumed command of the battalion.

“Since this CO took over, things have gone from bad to worse,” the source said.

The same source complained about deteriorating living conditions within the barracks, particularly irregular power supply.

“Apart from the extortion at checkpoints, we don’t have regular electricity supply anymore. We only have light for about four hours out of 24 hours.”

The soldiers also alleged that water supply in the barracks has broken down, which they said has created serious hardship for their families.

“There is no water in the barracks. Women are suffering seriously just to get water for daily use,” one soldier said.

They compared the current situation with conditions under a former commander, Lt. Col. P.O. Mukoro, who is now a colonel.

“We remember during Lt. Col. P.O. Mukoro, now Col. P.O. Mukoro, we enjoyed 24 hours light and water everywhere,” a source said. “He is one of the best commanding officers the unit has ever had, and we are still missing him till now.”

The soldiers called on the military authorities to step in without delay.

“We are calling on the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, for the removal of Lt. Col. A.K. Kachalla as the Commanding Officer of 133 SF BN,” one source said.

They also urged the military high command to order an independent investigation into the alleged extortion linked to checkpoint postings.

“The issue of checkpoint deployment return must be properly investigated,” another source said. “This is damaging the image of the Army and destroying morale among soldiers.”

By Uzair Adam

A prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, has died.

A family source confirmed the scholar’s passing to journalists on Thursday morning.

More details to follow.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Suspected bandits attacked Zalau, a village in Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State, late on Saturday, November 22, 2025. In the raid, they killed Alh. Muhammad Bakoshi, an Islamic cleric.

The attackers, whose numbers could not be confirmed, targeted the home of the late cleric, who served as the Discipline Officer of the Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS) in Zalau.

According to reports, the cleric was killed, while his wife—who gave birth just two weeks ago—and their five-year-old daughter were abducted and taken to an unknown location.

A resident said the attackers arrived between 11 p.m. and midnight, firing shots into the air before heading straight to Bakoshi’s house.

He added that the incident has left the community gripped by fear and sorrow, as residents feel increasingly vulnerable to repeated bandit attacks.

The resident also expressed the community’s hopes, stating, “Bandits and kidnappers in Nigeria do not target only Christians. These criminals go after anyone they see as vulnerable, regardless of religion. Let’s focus on safety and unity, not divide ourselves by faith.”

Local residents are praying for the safe return of the victims and for strength for the bereaved family during this difficult time.

As of the filing of this report, the Bauchi State Police Command had not issued any official statement.