Terrorism

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigeria Police Force has warned of possible coordinated terrorist attacks on schools, places of worship, NYSC orientation camps and other vulnerable locations across the country.

The warning follows intelligence reports indicating increased mobilisation of terrorist elements and surveillance of potential targets, particularly ahead of the resumption of the 2026/2027 academic session.

In a security alert circulated to police formations nationwide, the Force said intelligence available to its Department of Operations had revealed an “increased mobilisation of terrorist elements for possible coordinated attacks” on vulnerable locations.

The alert was sent to Assistant Inspectors-General of Police overseeing Zones 1 to 17, Commissioners of Police across the states, Mobile Police formations, counter-terrorism units and other specialised formations.

The police also reported the movement of armed elements from Katsina through Kaduna towards Plateau State.

“There is an increased mobilisation of terrorist elements for possible coordinated attacks on places of worship, schools, NYSC orientation camps and other vulnerable locations,” it stated.

The Force further disclosed that suspected Islamic State West Africa Province operatives and their local collaborators were carrying out surveillance and reconnaissance of potential targets.

The police described the threat to educational institutions as a major concern because of the possibility that attacks could coincide with the reopening of schools.

As a result, affected commands and formations were directed to strengthen security around schools, religious centres, NYSC camps and other locations considered vulnerable to attacks.

“All personnel should maintain heightened vigilance and report suspicious persons, vehicles, movements or objects through established channels,” it added.

Commanders were also instructed to intensify intelligence-led surveillance, patrols, stop-and-search operations, access control and rapid-response arrangements around identified targets.

Police commissioners were directed to strengthen security at state borders, entry and exit routes and other strategic approaches to restrict the movement and infiltration of armed groups.

The Defence Headquarters said it was also monitoring the situation.

“We are monitoring the situation,” the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, said.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, meanwhile, said it had expanded its intelligence network across its state commands to protect schools and other educational institutions.

The NSCDC spokesperson, Babafemi Afolabi, said intelligence-based operations conducted by federal and tactical teams had prevented more than 100 attempted attacks on schools.

He said the Commandant-General had briefed state commandants and directed personnel to remain alert as schools reopened.

“All tactical squads, officers, and men of the Corps in different state commands — the Commandant General has already briefed them through their commandants. So, now that schools have resumed, they’ve doubled their intelligence network, and I’m very sure that nothing of such will happen,” he said.

Afolabi appealed to parents to allow their children to return to school, while urging communities to cooperate with security agencies.

“I would advise parents and their wards to just let them free to go to school. Nothing of such will happen. That’s why we’ve been able to work in collaboration with other stakeholders, even the community leaders,” he said.

“This is the time we have to work and we have to do it all together because security is a collective responsibility. When they notice anything going on in their area, they should quickly alert us and let us know.”

He said the NSCDC was also working with private security personnel across the country to strengthen intelligence gathering.

“Not only Civil Defence are doing this; we work together with other sister agencies, and also the private guards. We have millions of them all over the federation,” he said.

“So, part of the training we are giving to them is to put their ear on the ground and to furnish us with any information—whatever that is going on in their area—that they should furnish us and let us know.”

Ex-Security Chiefs Urge Vigilance

Former Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Ali Amodu, described the security alert as part of the responsibility of law enforcement agencies to gather intelligence, warn citizens and prevent attacks.

He urged Nigerians to take the warning seriously and remain alert to suspicious activities.

He said, “Whichever department must have actually ignited or sent the alert is going to serve one and the same purpose. And it is a good thing; it’s a responsibility of the law enforcement, not only to enforce law but to gather intelligence and send alerts so that citizens can always be alert.

“Citizens can always be ready. They cannot take things for granted. When such an alert is given, from experience, you discover that everybody will sit up.

“Security is everybody’s business. I must be very frank with you, over the years, we Nigerians have taken things for granted. It is now dawning on us that there is a need for us to be very cautious in what we do and to be alert.”

Amodu advised residents to report suspicious persons, unfamiliar movements and questionable vehicles, especially around places of worship.

He said the police, Department of State Services and military have intelligence-gathering responsibilities and should act on information received through security alerts.

“Now that election is by the corner, there’s need for everybody to be more of that alertness. The security agents are doing what they are supposed to do,” Amodu said.

Former Director of the Department of State Services, Mike Ejiofor, also urged Nigerians and security agencies to treat the warning seriously and take preventive action.

He said, “If you get such an advisory, we should take it seriously so that people are not caught unawares.”

Ejiofor stressed that preventing terrorist attacks required cooperation among security agencies, governments and members of the public.

“Now that we have preventive information, we should be sitting up. All of us—the military, the police, the state government, the Federal Government—everybody must be involved. But most importantly, the people must be security conscious,” he said.

He also urged residents to share useful intelligence with security agencies.

“The people must be security conscious, and they must also report back to the security agencies. That’s what this ‘see something, say something’ is important for,” Ejiofor said.

Parents Fear Return To School

The security warning has also raised concern among some parents, according to the National Secretary of the Uche Onyia-led faction of the National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria, Ibrahim Nabayi.

Nabayi described the situation as “an unfortunate” development and called on governments at all levels to improve security around schools.

“Parents are worried now, parents are scared of sending children back to school,” he said.

He said the government had the resources to address the security situation and should deploy them to protect schools and students.

Nabayi also called for the deployment of technology capable of detecting threats approaching schools.

“I want to implore the Federal Government as well to develop, to deploy technology whereby from about five kilometres in the radius of a school, any weapon, any danger that is approaching towards the head of the school, government should be able to watch it from a distance and contain it and avoid this situation,” he said.

According to him, many schools remain vulnerable because the security personnel assigned to them may lack the capacity to confront heavily armed attackers.

“All our schools are porous. The kind of ammunition these guys move around with is more that what the security guards in the schools have. They cannot contain them until there’s intervention of a superpower,” he said.

Nabayi recalled the Safe School Initiative introduced when Christopher Musa was Chief of Defence Staff, saying it involved mapping schools for improved surveillance, coordination and rapid response.

“When the present Minister of Defence was the Chief of Defence Staff, he rolled out a military kind of system, what he called Safe School Initiative, whereby schools were mapped out for proper coordination, for swift response and surveillance,” Nabayi said.

He said the association raised the matter with the Defence Minister during a courtesy visit about three months ago, adding that Musa promised that the Federal Government would strengthen the initiative.

“So, this is the climax of where we need him and the ministry and all paraphernalia of government to contain this situation,” he said.

Nabayi also called for stronger cooperation between security agencies, communities and parent-teacher associations.

“We want synergy between the government and the communities where schools are located. Security is not the responsibility of the government alone. The communities where schools reside should be proactive. They should say something when they see foreign objects around them,” he said.

On whether schools in areas considered highly vulnerable should be temporarily closed, Nabayi said, “Of course, that’s the best way.”

He, however, proposed moving students from high-risk areas to safer schools rather than shutting down their education completely.

“I think instead of closing down schools, they transfer to the nearby schools that are safer and more reliable in terms of security. It’s a dynamic approach,” he said.

He warned that prolonged school closures could worsen educational inequality, especially for children who lack access to online learning.

Nabayi further urged the Federal Government to involve parent-teacher associations in school security and community sensitisation programmes.

“And we implore the Federal Government to involve critical stakeholders like PTA. We can sensitise people on how to mitigate such ugly incidents,” Nabayi said.

He said NAPTAN had previously conducted sensitisation programmes for school administrators, students and other stakeholders but stopped the initiative because of funding challenges.

Nabayi expressed concern over what he described as inconsistency in government policies on school security and called for renewed attention to the Safe School Initiative.

“The most unfortunate thing in this country is the somersault in policy decision-making. And the issue of the Safe School Initiative—we have been clamoring for the Safe School Initiative right from the attack on the Chibok girls,” Nabayi said.

He again advocated the use of technology to monitor activities around schools and detect possible threats before attackers reach their targets.

“We are saying that the government should be more proactive. We should evolve another strategy using technology in our schools,” he said.

On parents’ concerns, Nabayi said their fears were understandable and that government had a responsibility to provide safe learning environments.

“For parents who are apprehensive, it is a genuine fear, and I respect that. I cannot send my child where he is not safe,” he said.

He called for the Safe School Initiative to be “dusted off and implemented properly” and challenged journalists to investigate its current state in schools.

“As a journalist, go around and investigate. Conduct an independent investigation. In the schools in your community, is there any Safe School Initiative active? Who is the anchor person in that school? Who do you report to directly as the first point of contact?” he asked.

Nabayi maintained that education could not thrive without adequate security.

“Once the government can create a safe environment, education thrives. When there is fear, nothing can be learned,” Nabayi said.

The latest warning follows previous attacks on educational institutions and other public facilities across the country.

In May 2026, several students and teachers were abducted in separate attacks on schools. On May 15, armed men reportedly attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, abducting 49 pupils, teachers and a toddler. A mathematics teacher was also killed while in captivity.

The Department of State Services had also warned Muslim and Christian leaders in Osun State about an alleged plan by terrorists to attack places of worship and other public gathering centres ahead of the 2027 general elections.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit has uncovered new methods allegedly used by terrorist financiers to raise, transfer and conceal funds for operations in Nigeria.

The agency said its investigations found that terrorist networks were exploiting crowdfunding platforms, proxy bank accounts, mobile banking services and telephone numbers registered to people other than the actual account beneficiaries.

The findings were contained in the NFIU’s 2025 Annual Report, which highlighted emerging links between terrorism financing, financial technology and cross-border money transfers.

According to the report, foreign-based facilitators were using social media to solicit donations under the cover of humanitarian assistance or educational programmes before transferring the proceeds through several channels to terrorist operatives.

The NFIU said the facilitators often encouraged large numbers of sympathisers to make small payments, with individual donations ranging from $50 to $500. The amounts, it said, were deliberately kept below levels that could trigger automated anti-money laundering alerts.

“The following is a case study on Crowdfunding Network identified during the year: A foreign-based facilitator runs social-media campaigns claiming humanitarian relief or educational support and uses encrypted apps (Telegram, Signal) to share links to convincing PayPal pages or standard bank accounts.

“Hundreds of sympathiser donors contribute $50–$500 each, amounts small enough to avoid most automated AML alerts,” the report read.

The agency said the money was later consolidated in a master account controlled by a senior member of the network who resides legally outside Nigeria.

“When the pool reaches a threshold, that account becomes the hub for onward movement,” the report stated.

From the master account, the funds were divided into smaller transactions and sent through International Money Transfer Operators and remittance applications to individuals in Nigeria who served as money mules.

The NFIU listed students, small-business operators and relatives among those allegedly used for the transfers. It said the arrangement helped the financiers avoid reporting requirements and make it difficult to establish the source and destination of the funds.

“Rather than sending one large transfer, the senior member fractures the funds and sends dozens of sub-threshold payments through IMTOs and remittance apps to a network of money mules in Nigeria; students, small-business owners, or relatives, avoiding reporting triggers.

“Upon receipt, the money was either converted to cash, used to purchase dual-use items such as motorcycles, fertilisers and satellite internet equipment, or transferred through mobile banking channels to logistics managers and field operatives,” it added.

The report described the final movement of the money into terrorist activities as the “integration” stage.

The NFIU also raised concerns about what it described as gender-based proxy accounts. It said terrorist financiers were opening accounts in women’s names while male commanders or logistics officials controlled the accounts.

“Terrorist financiers are opening bank accounts in women’s names while male commanders and logistics managers secretly control them.

“They exploit cultural norms that make women less likely to be suspected by authorities, using wives, sisters, or female associates as fronts to distance illicit funds from the true operatives.

“This tactic functions as identity laundering: women’s accounts are managed by men who hold ATM cards, mobile-banking credentials, and PINs, while the women often remain unaware of the transactions and volumes,” the report stated.

The agency further said some terrorist facilitators used telephone numbers that were not registered to the actual account holders or beneficiaries for mobile banking and transaction alerts.

According to the report, pre-registered SIM cards, numbers linked to deceased persons and SIM cards associated with gender-based proxies were used to weaken the connection between bank accounts, SIM cards and Bank Verification Numbers.

“Terrorist facilitators use phone numbers for mobile banking or account alerts that are not registered to the account holder or the true beneficiary.

“They bypass the security link between SIM cards and BVNs by using pre-registered SIMs, SIMs registered to deceased people, or SIMs tied to gender-based proxies. This severs the audit trail: when a transaction is flagged, investigators trace the phone to an unrelated person, letting the real facilitator stay anonymous and continue operations,” it stated.

The NFIU also identified coded and detailed transaction descriptions as another method used to conceal terrorist financing.

It said some terrorist cells, particularly those associated with the Islamic State West Africa Province, used professional-looking descriptions for transactions as part of an internal financial management system.

“Terrorist cells, particularly those linked to ISWAP, routinely use precise, professional-sounding transaction narrations to maintain internal accounting. Operating like “shadow states” with strict bureaucratic controls, they require detailed descriptions so field commanders can justify expenses to central financial controllers. Although truthful narrations appear counterintuitive, they create an internal audit trail; analysts repeatedly observe high-frequency, logistics-related payments with accurate narrations sent from a single source to multiple recipients,” the report said.

However, the Unit said other facilitators relied on ordinary expressions, secret codes and combinations of letters and figures to conceal the purpose of transactions. Some also switched between languages to avoid automated banking filters.

“Transaction descriptions employ innocuous words, secret codes, or alphanumeric strings to conceal intent. Facilitators use this coded language, often switching languages to evade banks’ automated keyword filters that flag terms like ‘Jihad,’ ‘Arms,’ or ‘Boko.’

“This practice obscures the true purpose of transfers, preventing detection and enabling continued financing,” it said.

Beyond terrorism financing, the NFIU said its analysis showed an increasingly connected threat involving financial crimes, technology and international transactions.

The Unit identified fraud as a major underlying offence, with Ponzi schemes, fraudulent crowdfunding, cryptocurrency investment scams and hacking-related fraud among the growing threats.

It said criminals were also exploiting weaknesses in fintech account registration, including account categories with limited identification requirements, to recruit victims and move funds quickly.

The report also pointed to continued risks in public financial management, including the diversion of government funds through accounts belonging to finance officials and third parties.

It identified procurement and cash transactions as major areas of concern because large cash movements can make it difficult to establish audit trails and trace assets.

The NFIU said its findings had informed advisories, alerts and intelligence reports provided to relevant authorities, financial institutions and policymakers.

“Financial Fraud and Investment Scams: Fraud remains a dominant predicate offence, with notable growth in Ponzi schemes, fraudulent crowdfunding arrangements, cryptocurrency-enabled investment scams, and hacking-related fraud (including compromised social media and messaging accounts).

“Analytical reviews during the period examined these trends and informed internal advisories and alerts, some of which remained restricted for operational purposes.

“These schemes increasingly exploit fintech onboarding gaps, including tiered accounts with minimal identification requirements, and leverage digital platforms to rapidly scale victim recruitment and fund movement.

“Corruption and Misappropriation of Public Funds Analysis highlighted persistent vulnerabilities in public sector financial management, including the diversion of state and local government funds through accounts of finance officers and associated third parties.

“Procurement processes remain a significant risk area, while utilisation of cash transactions complicates audit trails and asset tracing efforts,” the report said.

A security expert, Chidi Omeje, urged Nigeria’s security and financial intelligence agencies to strengthen their methods as criminal networks develop more sophisticated ways of evading existing controls.

Omeje said criminal groups were constantly seeking weaknesses within the country’s security and financial systems.

He called on the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services and financial regulatory bodies to improve monitoring of financial transactions and intensify efforts to trace illicit funds.

“Every single day, these guys grow in sophistication and desperation, and we must also devise means to bring them to their knees.

“The state must ultimately deal with them. They must follow the money trail to monitor these movements and effectively tackle the situation,” he said.

Omeje said intelligence-led investigations and financial tracking were essential to preventing criminal groups from gaining an advantage over the state.

Another security analyst, Lawrence Alobi, called for stronger cooperation between security agencies and financial institutions.

Alobi said better intelligence gathering would help authorities identify fraudulent accounts and other methods used by criminal networks to avoid detection.

“It behoves us now, the security agencies, to intensify their intelligence sharing and information gathering, because it is through information that we can get some of these things.

“Security agencies need to work with the banks and also warn them. Any bank found to have connived or aided this act should be sanctioned,” he said.

He also urged banks to strengthen their identity verification systems and ensure that account holders were genuine beneficiaries rather than proxies.

“The banks themselves must sit up and ensure they properly verify every individual’s identity so that there is a real, verifiable person behind every account, not just someone acting by proxy. Intelligence agencies must go the extra mile to hold banks accountable for any loopholes exploited within their system,” he added.

By Muhammad Abubakar 

The reported emergence of Ibn Mohammed bin Shakau, the biological son of late Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, within the ranks of the insurgent group has raised fresh concerns about the possible continuation of his father’s ideological and militant networks.

Security and conflict analyst Zagazola Makama reported that Ibn Mohammed has reportedly begun taking steps into the Boko Haram insurgency, potentially following the path of his father, one of the most notorious figures associated with the group’s violent campaign in Nigeria’s North-East.

The report, however, does not independently establish the extent of Ibn Mohammed’s involvement or his current position within the insurgent organisation.

Abubakar Shekau became the leader of Boko Haram following the death of the group’s founder, Mohammed Yusuf, in 2009. Under his leadership, the insurgency intensified, with Boko Haram carrying out attacks against communities, security forces, government institutions and civilian targets across north-eastern Nigeria and parts of the wider Lake Chad region.

Shekau became particularly known for his uncompromising leadership style and frequent propaganda videos in which he issued threats, claimed responsibility for attacks and denounced governments and security forces.

His leadership was also marked by growing internal divisions within the insurgency. In 2015, Boko Haram pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, leading to the emergence of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) as a major rival faction.

Shekau was killed in 2021 after a confrontation with ISWAP fighters in the Lake Chad region. His death significantly altered the balance of power among insurgent factions and further fragmented the militant landscape.

The reported involvement of his son could therefore carry symbolic significance for Boko Haram remnants and raises questions about whether family ties and the legacy of former commanders could contribute to the recruitment and mobilisation of a new generation of insurgents.

However, the significance of the development remains unclear, and further independent confirmation would be required to establish Ibn Mohammed’s role, influence and operational involvement within the group.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A senior finance operative of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Borno State, the Nigerian Army has announced.

The Army said the insurgent surrendered alongside two male children to troops of the 3 Battalion under the 24 Task Force Brigade.

In a statement issued late Saturday, the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, described the development as another major breakthrough in ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the North-East.

According to Goni, the surrender took place at about 6:45 a.m. on July 25, 2026, along the Ladari–Jegarawa–Tunokalia axis on the Gamboru–Wulgo Main Supply Route in Borno State.

“Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have recorded another major operational breakthrough with the surrender of a senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) finance operative, underscoring the sustained impact of ongoing kinetic and intelligence-driven operations across the North East,” the statement read.

The Army spokesperson said the latest development comes amid an increasing number of terrorist surrenders, with about 46 insurgents and their family members reportedly laying down their arms in recent days.

Goni attributed the surrender to the sustained land and air offensives carried out by Operation Hadin Kai against terrorist strongholds.

“The terrorist surrendered to troops of 3 Battalion under 24 Task Force Brigade at about 6:45 a.m. on 25 July 2026 along the Ladari–Jegarawa–Tunokalia axis on the Gamboru–Wulgo Main Supply Route,” he said.

He disclosed that preliminary investigations identified the suspect as the chief finance operative of the ISWAP enclave at Jubillaram.

“Preliminary profiling indicates that the terrorist served as the Chief Finance Operative of the ISWAP enclave at Jubillaram, where he was responsible for managing the group’s financial activities and logistics. He surrendered alongside two male children,” he stated.

The Army said troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, four magazines, 101 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition, one motorcycle and ₦40,000 from the surrendered suspect.

According to Goni, the suspect is currently in custody for further profiling and interrogation.

“The individual is currently undergoing detailed profiling and interrogation to exploit actionable intelligence that will support ongoing operations and facilitate the targeting of remaining terrorist elements across the Theatre,” he stressed.

The Army said the surrender of such a senior finance operative represents another major setback for ISWAP and reflects the weakening of the group’s command structure, operational capacity and logistics network.

“Coupled with the increasing number of recent surrenders, this development confirms deepening disillusionment within terrorist ranks and points to an accelerating wave of defections from terrorist camps,” he emphasised.

Goni reaffirmed the commitment of Operation Hadin Kai to restoring lasting peace and security across the North-East.

“The Theatre Command therefore calls on all remaining terrorists to take advantage of the Federal Government’s non-kinetic initiatives by laying down their arms before it is too late,” he added.

He also urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information to strengthen ongoing counter-terrorism operations.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A former commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Dr. Isma’il Tanko Wudilawa, has raised concerns over what he described as the growing involvement of women in terrorist operations across northern Nigeria. He said insurgent groups now rely on women for logistics, intelligence gathering, and other forms of support.

Wudilawa said sustained military operations have pushed many terrorists into remote hideouts. As a result, he explained, the groups now depend heavily on civilian networks, particularly women, to maintain communication channels and transport supplies.

According to him, some women convey food, clothing, medicines, weapons, and, in certain cases, other women to terrorists hiding in forested areas.

His remarks followed recent arrests of women allegedly linked to terrorist logistics in Borno State.

One of the suspects, Hauwa Abulazeez, 65, was reportedly arrested in Askira Uba Local Government Area with 14 compressed blocks of cannabis allegedly destined for terrorists.

In another case, security operatives arrested Kellu Abba, 50, in Kukawa Local Government Area. She was allegedly transporting food items and personal belongings to her son, who has been identified as a suspected member of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Commenting on the trend, Wudilawa said women have long played different roles within terrorist networks, especially in intelligence gathering.

> “All these atrocities are committed with the support of women from the very beginning.

“All the things we do, we do with women. They know our routines.

“Till today, women are used as informants. They provide information about the movements of targeted individuals within and outside communities.”



He said terrorist groups exploit the trust communities place in women. He noted that the groups often use them as couriers and intelligence sources.

The security expert attributed the involvement of some women to poverty, illiteracy, greed, and the pursuit of financial gain. However, he stressed that not all of them participate willingly.

According to him, some women are threatened or compelled to assist terrorist groups. He said he witnessed such situations during his years of fighting the Boko Haram insurgency.

Wudilawa also expressed concern that some members of the public interfere with security operations. He said some people confront or even attack security personnel while they carry out lawful arrests and investigations.

He urged Nigerians to support security agencies with timely and credible information to strengthen the fight against terrorism and other violent crimes.

The former JTF commander also called on the government to improve economic opportunities and address the social conditions that make criminal activities attractive. He said better livelihoods would help reduce recruitment into banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism.

By Uzair Adam

The Federal Government has arraigned three men before the Federal High Court in Abuja over their alleged involvement in the abduction of pupils and teachers from schools in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, as well as terrorism-related offences.

The defendants — Abdulrazak Umar, also known as Abu Khalifa or Abu Khalid, Yunusa Musa (also known as Yunusa bin Musa), and Shamsu Adamu Sani (also known as Abu Itisar) — were charged on Friday in a 10-count charge filed by the Federal Government.

The charges stem from the May 15, 2026 attack in which gunmen invaded three schools in Oyo State and abducted several pupils and teachers.

One of the victims, teacher Michael Oyedokun, was killed while in captivity, while the remaining hostages regained their freedom after spending 56 days in the forest during a security operation.

According to the charge sheet, the three suspects, all residents of Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, allegedly conspired with three other suspects — Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab — between January and May 2026 to carry out the kidnapping.

The prosecution further alleged that the defendants aided the abduction by supporting those responsible for the attack and deliberately withheld information about the identities and activities of the alleged masterminds despite having prior knowledge of the plot.

They were also accused of failing to alert security agencies about both the planned kidnapping and those behind it, an offence said to contravene the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

In another count, the Federal Government alleged that the three men professed membership of Darul Salam, described in the charge as an affiliate of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru), a proscribed terrorist organisation in Nigeria.

The charge further singled out Abdulrazak Umar, accusing him of operating a WhatsApp group titled “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace,” through which he allegedly provided training and instructions to terrorists and incited members to commit acts of terrorism.

Umar was also accused of engaging in illegal gold mining activities in streams located in Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area between 2024 and 2026 without lawful authority.

The offences are said to violate provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, and the Miscellaneous Offences Act.

By Dahiru Kasimu Adamu

The Kebbi State Police Command has dismissed widespread reports about the emergence of a terrorist group known as “Sai Mallam” allegedly imposing illegal levies on communities in Argungu and Zuru Emirates, describing the claims as a gross misunderstanding of criminal activities by a cybercrime syndicate.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, clarified that investigations have established no such terrorist organisation exists within the state.

Instead, what residents mistook for a terrorist group’s activities was traced to a sophisticated cybercrime network locally known as “Yan Vocal,” operating within the Argungu Local Government Area and specialising in hacking and online extortion schemes targeting individuals and prominent personalities.

According to police findings, the syndicate comprises young individuals aged 19 to 24 who use advanced digital techniques to defraud unsuspecting victims.

The group’s operation involves hacking social media accounts, creating fake identities, and using sophisticated video editing tools to manipulate pre-recorded nude footage. Victims are deceived into believing they are engaged in live video calls with women, only to be blackmailed with threats of public exposure unless financial demands are met.

The victims, police said, include high-profile individuals such as politicians, traditional rulers, religious leaders, business owners, and other prominent figures.

Between June 26 and June 29, 2026, the command’s coordinated operation resulted in the arrest of thirteen suspects linked to the syndicate.

Those arrested include:

Ahmed Nasir, Rabiu Sani, Sadiq Umar, and Umar Nasir, all from Argungu, who allegedly conspired to obtain nude images of a female victim and demanded ₦1,000,000 from her.

Faisal Muhammed and Abbas Baraye were arrested for online extortion using nude pictures.

Abdullahi Abubakar, Abdulhamid Mukhtar, and Al’amin Aminu were accused of defrauding a victim of ₦3,000,000 after manipulating a video to falsely portray the victim in a compromising position. Haliru Bashar, Abubakar Faruk, Almustapha Munnir, and Saifullahi Nata’ala, who allegedly obtained a nude video of a female acquaintance through a sex-related Snapchat group and threatened to expose her.

Commissioner of Police, CP Umar M. Hadejia,  issued a stern warning that cybercrime constitutes a serious offence with grave consequences.

He called on parents and guardians to closely monitor their children’s online activities and discourage involvement in fraudulent schemes.

“We urge members of the public to exercise caution on social media, protect personal information, avoid suspicious online interactions, and promptly report cases of cyber extortion to the nearest police station,” CP Hadejia stated.

The police command has provided emergency contact numbers  09039911876 and 07081074395  for reporting cyber-related crimes.

All arrested suspects will be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate.

By Uzair Adam

Unknown gunmen have abducted the wife and twin children of the younger brother of former Minister of Power and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Adelabu.

The victims were reportedly kidnapped on Wednesday morning at Elewura in the Challenge area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Confirming the incident, one of Adelabu’s media aides, Femi Awogboro, said the woman, identified as Laide, and her twin sons, Peter and Paul, were travelling within the city when they were intercepted and taken away by the attackers.

According to Awogboro, the family was heading from Elewura to connect to the expressway when the gunmen struck.

“Adelabu’s younger brother’s wife, Laide, together with her twins, Peter and Paul, was kidnapped this morning by unknown gunmen at Elewura, Challenge, Ibadan,” he said.

He added that the victims were forcefully taken away by the kidnappers during the attack.

When contacted, the spokesperson of the Oyo State Police Command, CSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said he could not immediately confirm the development.

“I cannot independently verify this for now. Please hold on,” Ayanlade stated.

Further details were still being awaited as of press time.

By Uzair Adam

The United Nations has expressed concern over the recurring attacks on schools by terrorist groups in Nigeria.

UN Spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, stated this while responding to questions from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) regarding the recent coordinated assaults on schools across the country.

According to NAN, armed groups attacked schools in Oyo State over the weekend, with dozens of students and teachers reportedly abducted during the incident.

Two teachers were also said to have been killed by the attackers.

“We are, of course, very concerned. We have continued to witness attacks on children and educational institutions in Nigeria by extremist groups,” Dujarric said.

He noted that the attacks continue to have devastating effects on affected communities.

Dujarric further disclosed that the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, is also worried about the growing activities of terrorist groups in parts of Nigeria, especially following recent joint U.S.-Nigerian military strikes targeting ISIS hideouts.

The UN spokesperson added that the organisation, through its country team in Nigeria, has been supporting efforts aimed at improving the safety of schools and protecting students from repeated attacks.

“The UN country team in Nigeria, across its various agencies, has been working closely with the government in affected areas to strengthen school safety and ensure better protection for students,” he said.

He added that the UN would continue collaborating with authorities to address the security challenges facing schools in the country.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Five people lost their lives on Monday after two teenage shooters opened fire at the Islamic Centre of San Diego in California, United States, authorities said.

The incident, which investigators believe may have been motivated by hate, claimed the lives of three victims and the two teenage suspects.

Police identified the attackers as youths aged 17 and 18. Authorities said they arrived at the mosque complex around 11:40 am local time. A security guard and two other men outside the worship centre were shot dead during the attack.

Officials later discovered the two suspects dead inside a vehicle. Investigators believe they died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.

The Islamic Centre of San Diego is considered the largest mosque in San Diego County.

San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl disclosed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation and local security agencies had launched a hate crime investigation into the shooting.

According to police, the mother of one of the suspects contacted authorities about two hours before the attack. She reportedly informed officers that her son, whom she described as suicidal, had left home with three firearms and her vehicle.

Authorities said the teenager was with another youth, and both suspects wore camouflage clothing.

Wahl explained that officers had already started searching for the pair near a shopping mall and the suspect’s high school before emergency reports emerged from the mosque.

Investigators also recovered a note from the teenager’s residence, although police declined to disclose its contents.

“We have never experienced a tragedy like this before,” the mosque’s imam and director, Taha Hassane, told reporters.

“It is extremely outrageous to target a place of worship,” he added.

Authorities stated that dozens of officers responded to the active shooter alert within minutes. Television footage showed armed tactical teams surrounding the mosque complex as helicopters monitored the area from above.

Police confirmed that officers did not discharge their weapons during the operation.

Investigators linked the mosque attack to another nearby shooting in which a landscaper survived after a bullet reportedly struck his safety helmet.

Children at the Bright Horizon Academy, an Islamic school located within the mosque complex, were evacuated safely. Authorities confirmed that no students were harmed.

The shooting happened only days before Muslims around the world prepare to observe Eid al-Adha and embark on the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.