Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Category: Security

  • Troops arrest eight suspects tied to Gamboru market mosque suicide bombing network

    Troops arrest eight suspects tied to Gamboru market mosque suicide bombing network

    According to ThisDay, troops of Operation Hadin Kai arrested eight suspected terrorists linked to the suicide bombing at the Gamboru market mosque, describing the suspects as part of the network behind the attack.

    The report says two of those held are described as key facilitators, with the arrests following weeks of intelligence work and surveillance that led to targeted operations.

    Recovered items listed include cash, phones, IDs, ATM cards, and jewelry, with forensic examination expected to support ongoing investigations.

    The military says the suspects remain in custody for interrogation and intelligence extraction, with eventual handover for further investigation.

    BusinessDay also reported the Army “dismantled [a] suicide bombing network” tied to the Gamboru incident. Leadership echoed the same development, reporting troops “arrest 8 terrorists linked to Gamboru market mosque suicide bombing.”

    Echotitbits take: The key is prosecution quality. Track whether suspects are arraigned publicly and whether evidence handling and inter-agency coordination hold up in court.

    Source: ThisDayLive – https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/01/07/troops-arrest-eight-terrorists-linked-to-gamboru-market-mosque-suicide-bombing/  January 7, 2026
    ThisDayLive January 7, 2026

    Photo Credit: ThisDayLive

  • Police free six vigilantes after Army arrest on Edo road amid banditry fears

    Police free six vigilantes after Army arrest on Edo road amid banditry fears

    In a report by Punch, police in Kwara said they received and released six vigilante members earlier arrested by the Army, amid tensions over community security efforts around the Auchi–Ikpeshi road axis.

    The case highlights a recurring friction point: informal security groups often fill protection gaps, but can be viewed by formal forces as unauthorized or prone to abuse—triggering clampdowns and community backlash.

    Punch’s account suggests the police framed the release as procedural, but the underlying pressure remains as communities seek quick protection amid insecurity.

    Expect the debate to expand: who supervises vigilantes, what rules govern their operations, and how communities support security without creating parallel armed structures.

    Daily Post also reported police “freed six vigilantes arrested by Army,” while Radio Nigeria similarly carried the update that police “free six vigilante members arrested by Army.”

    Echotitbits take: Vigilante frameworks need clarity—registration, training, reporting lines, and accountability. Otherwise, every incident becomes a turf war and criminals exploit the confusion. Watch for states formalising community policing units with enforceable oversight.

    Source: Punch – https://punchng.com/banditry-police-free-six-vigilantes-arrested-by-army/ January 7, 2026
    Punch January 7, 2026

    Photo Credit: Punch Newspapers

  • Nigerian Air Force to Leverage US Intelligence for Enhanced Counter‑Terrorism Strikes

    Nigerian Air Force to Leverage US Intelligence for Enhanced Counter‑Terrorism Strikes

    Reporting by The Guardian indicates that the Nigerian Air Force plans to intensify operations against insurgent groups by incorporating reconnaissance data provided by the United States to better locate and strike terrorist hideouts.

    Nigerian officials say the military will integrate real‑time intelligence from US flight missions to improve target accuracy, build on recent strikes in the Northwest and Northeast, and reduce collateral damage while increasing operational effectiveness.

    The development was also reported by Vanguard and The Nation, which both highlighted the expected impact of intelligence sharing on Nigeria’s air campaign against ISWAP and bandit networks.

    Echotitbits take: The integration of US recon data addresses a long‑standing gap in actionable intelligence. If implemented well, it could help disrupt bandit leadership and logistics—provided the military maintains strong ground‑level human intelligence to avoid over‑reliance on technology.

    Source: AirForce – https://airforce.mil.ng/news/united-states-commends-nigerian-air-force-counter-terrorism-efforts1323475460 2026-01-07

    Photo Credit: Nigerian Air Force Media

  • Israel to Partner with Nigeria on Intelligence Sharing for Christian Protection

    Israel to Partner with Nigeria on Intelligence Sharing for Christian Protection

    According to BusinessDay, Israel announced a new partnership with Nigeria focused on intelligence sharing and security support aimed at preventing extremist attacks, including the provision of advanced surveillance support and tactical training.

    Israeli officials framed the initiative as part of broader cooperation on religious freedom and counter‑insurgency expertise, while Nigeria seeks improved threat detection in vulnerable regions.

    The Punch and The Guardian also reported the announcement, noting Israel’s emphasis on intelligence‑led prevention and the diplomatic context around expanding security partnerships.

    Echotitbits take: Intelligence support is useful, but the “Christian protection” framing could be politically sensitive in a multi‑religious state. Nigeria may need to present the partnership as broader counter‑terrorism cooperation to avoid inflaming sectarian narratives.

    Source: BusinessDay — https://www.google.com/amp/s/businessday.ng/world/article/israel-says-christian-protection-plan-for-nigeria-will-focus-on-intelligence-sharing/ 2026-01-07

    Photo Credit: BusinessDay

  • Security Forces Launch Manhunt After Deadly Market Attack in Niger State

    Security Forces Launch Manhunt After Deadly Market Attack in Niger State

    According to ABC News and AP (cited in major Nigerian feeds), gunmen launched a brutal raid on a village in Niger State, killing at least 40 people and abducting scores of others, including children. The attackers targeted a local market and set numerous houses ablaze, leaving the community in ruins. This incident is part of a resurgence of violence that has plagued the North-Central region in the early days of 2026.

    Survivors reported that the attackers opened fire indiscriminately, catching traders and shoppers off guard. While the police claim to have deployed security forces to the area to rescue the kidnapped victims, local residents have expressed frustration over the perceived delay in the arrival of reinforcements during the hours-long assault.

    The attack was also corroborated by The Punch and Premium Times. The Punch reported that ‘terrorists kill over 40 in Niger market raid,’ while Premium Times noted that ‘death toll rises to 50 in Niger state market attack’ as more bodies were recovered from the surrounding bushes.

    Echotitbits take: This attack exposes the fragility of the security gains claimed during the 2025 holidays. Market raids are particularly devastating because they destroy the local economy and food supply chains. The government’s response in the coming days will determine if this remains an isolated incident or the start of a new wave of insurgency in the North-Central.
    AfricaNews – https://www.africanews.com/2026/01/05/nigeria-death-toll-rises-to-50-in-niger-state-market-attack/ January 6 2026

    Photo Credit: AfricaNews

  • Federal High Court Denies Bail to Bauchi Finance Commissioner in Terror Probe

    Federal High Court Denies Bail to Bauchi Finance Commissioner in Terror Probe

    According to The Guardian, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has refused bail to Yakubu Adamu, the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, and three others facing charges of terrorism financing and money laundering. The court’s decision follows an arraignment on a 10-count charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The EFCC has dismissed claims by Governor Bala Mohammed that the trial is a political witch-hunt. Wilson Uwujaren, the commission’s Director of Public Affairs, stated that the agency operates independently and is not acting on political instructions, despite the governor’s allegations that he is being targeted for refusing to defect to the ruling party. The case was also covered by Premium Times and Daily Post. Premium Times detailed that the ‘defendants were arraigned on Wednesday, December 31, 2025,’ while Daily Post reported that the court has ‘adjourned the case till January 6’ for further hearing on the substantive matter.

    Echotitbits take: This case is a high-stakes legal battle that tests the independence of the EFCC. If the prosecution proves terrorism financing, it could have massive political ramifications for the Bauchi state government. Watch for the evidence presented in the next hearing to see if the ‘political harassment’ narrative holds weight.

    Source: ThePunch  – https://punchng.com/terror-financing-court-denies-bauchi-commissioner-bail-cites-national-security/ January 6 2026

    Photo Credit: ThePunch

  • Military Arrests Eight Suspects Linked to Market Suicide Bombing Network

    Military Arrests Eight Suspects Linked to Market Suicide Bombing Network

    Reporting by TVC News (as cited in Channels TV feeds) indicates that troops of Operation Hadin Kai have successfully apprehended eight individuals in Adamawa State linked to the network behind the Gamboru Market Mosque suicide bombing. The operation, conducted in Mubi South Local Government Area, led to the capture of two principal suspects believed to be the primary facilitators of the attack. During the raid, security forces recovered cash, mobile phones, and identification documents currently undergoing forensic analysis. Military sources confirmed that an earlier suspect in custody provided the intelligence that led to the identification of these individuals as the suppliers of materials for the improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The counter-terrorism breakthrough was also reported by Daily Post and The Punch. Daily Post noted that ‘Troops seize terror supplies,’ while The Punch reported that ‘Sokoto strikes provide momentum’ for the military to expand operations across the North-East and North-West.

    Echotitbits take: The arrest of facilitators is often more critical than neutralizing foot soldiers, as it disrupts the supply chain for IEDs. This success in Adamawa suggests improved intelligence-sharing between captured insurgents and the military. The focus will now shift to the forensic analysis of the seized mobile phones to track further cells.

    Source: TheCable – https://www.thecable.ng/troops-arrest-eight-suspects-linked-to-borno-mosque-bombing/ January 6 2026

    Photo Credit: TheCable

  • Schools Reopen in Kebbi and Kwara After Successful Security Review

    Schools Reopen in Kebbi and Kwara After Successful Security Review

    Reporting by The Punch indicates that the governments of Kebbi and Kwara states have ordered the reopening of several public schools that were previously shut down due to banditry threats. The decision follows a ‘successful security review’ and the deployment of the ‘Safe Schools Initiative’ guards in vulnerable border communities. Parents have been urged to return their children to classes as the new academic term begins.

    In Kebbi, where students were recently abducted from a federal college, the government has built new perimeter fences and installed solar-powered CCTV cameras in several boarding schools. In Kwara, the reopening is focused on the northern districts where ‘bandit incursions’ from neighboring states had caused a temporary halt in educational activities late last year.

    Further reporting from Channels TV and Daily Post validates the resumption. Channels TV reported that ‘local vigilantes have been integrated into the school security architecture,’ while Daily Post quoted a Kebbi educator: ‘The children have lost too much time; we are happy to have them back.’

    Echotitbits take: Reopening schools is a major ‘psychological victory’ against bandits. However, ‘perimeter fences’ are only as good as the response team that monitors them. The real test will be whether the government can sustain the funding for these security guards beyond the first few months of the term.
    Source: The Punch – https://punchng.com/kwara-directs-school-to-reopen-monday/ January 5, 2026

    Photo Credit: The Punch

  • Troops Neutralize Eight Terrorists in Borno and Kogi Operations

    Troops Neutralize Eight Terrorists in Borno and Kogi Operations

    According to The Punch, the Nigerian Army has successfully neutralized eight terrorists during coordinated raids in Borno and Kogi states. In Borno, troops ambushed a Boko Haram supply route, killing five insurgents, while a separate operation in Kogi led to the death of three kidnappers who had been terrorizing travelers along the Lokoja-Abuja highway. Three civilians were also rescued during these operations.

    Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, stated that the raids were based on actionable intelligence from local communities. He noted that a significant cache of weapons, including AK-47 rifles and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), was recovered from the scenes. The military has vowed to maintain the ‘offensive momentum’ as the dry season provides better mobility for ground troops.

    Validation of these victories was reported by Channels TV and Daily Post. Channels TV noted that ‘air support played a crucial role in the Borno operation,’ while Daily Post quoted a resident: ‘We feel a bit safer seeing the soldiers actively patrolling the highway again.’

    Echotitbits take: Neutralizing eight terrorists is a tactical win, but the geographical spread—from Borno to Kogi—shows that the insurgency and banditry remain decentralized. The rescue of three civilians is the real highlight here, as it boosts public confidence in military ‘intelligence-led’ operations.
    Source: Zagazola – https://zagazola.org/index.php/breaking-news/troops-kill-8-boko-haram-terrorists-including-2-commanders-in-borno-clash January 5, 2026

    Photo Credit: Zagazola

  • Former Attorney General Aondoakaa Demands US Air Strikes on Benue Bandits

    Former Attorney General Aondoakaa Demands US Air Strikes on Benue Bandits

    According to The Punch, former Attorney General of the Federation, Michael Aondoakaa, has made a controversial call for the Nigerian government to invite US military air strikes against bandits terrorizing Benue State. Aondoakaa argued that the local security apparatus has been overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the gangs and that international intervention is now required to prevent a total collapse of order in the Middle Belt.

    The senior lawyer suggested that the US could deploy precision drones similar to those used in counter-terrorism operations elsewhere. His remarks have sparked a fierce debate over national sovereignty and the effectiveness of current military strategies. Critics argue that foreign intervention could complicate the local conflict, while supporters believe it is a necessary ‘shock therapy’ for the escalating violence.

    Validation of these remarks appeared in Daily Post and Leadership. Daily Post reported that ‘Aondoakaa’s proposal has divided the legal and security community,’ while Leadership quoted a security analyst who warned: ‘Inviting foreign strikes on your own soil is a dangerous precedent that rarely ends well.’

    Echotitbits take: This is a desperate call that reflects the level of frustration in Benue State. While highly unlikely to happen—as the US rarely intervenes in internal banditry—it puts immense pressure on the Nigerian Air Force to show more ‘precision’ in their own operations. Watch for a defensive statement from the Defence Headquarters in response to Aondoakaa.
    Source: The Punch  – https://punchng.com/ex-agf-aondoakaa-calls-for-us-air-strikes-in-benue/ January 5, 2026

    Photo Credit: The Punch