Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Category: Security

  • Shettima visits Maiduguri blast victims, promises tighter protection for worship centres

    Shettima visits Maiduguri blast victims, promises tighter protection for worship centres

    Photo Credit: The Punch
    2025-12-27 07:00:00

    According to Saturday PUNCH, Vice President Kashim Shettima visited survivors of the Maiduguri mosque bombing and assured residents that Nigeria will defeat terrorism and restore stability.

    The visit focused on victims receiving treatment after the explosion, with Shettima urging calm while promising sustained federal–state collaboration to protect places of worship and civilian centres.

    He also framed the attack as a test of national resolve, insisting that security agencies would intensify operations and improve intelligence-led prevention as communities head into the new year.

    Beyond condolences, the trip signalled a renewed political push for coordinated security measures in Borno and neighbouring hotspots, especially around markets, mosques, and other high-footfall areas.

    Reuters and the Associated Press also reported the incident, with Reuters describing it as a “suspected suicide bombing” that killed worshippers and injured others, while AP said investigators found “fragments of a suicide vest” at the scene.

    Echotitbits take:
    This is a familiar cycle in the North-East—attack, reassurance, then a security surge. What to watch next is whether the promised coordination produces visible changes: tighter perimeter control at worship centres, quicker incident response, and disruption of supply lines for IED materials.

    Source: The Punch — December 27, 2025 (https://punchng.com/nigeria-will-conquer-terrorism-says-shettima/?utm_medium=web&utm_source=rss.punchng.com)
    The Punch December 27, 2025

  • Agbekoya threatens ‘necessary action’ after three farmers killed in Igboho, Oyo

    Agbekoya threatens ‘necessary action’ after three farmers killed in Igboho, Oyo

    Photo Credit: The Punch
    2025-12-27 07:05:00

    According to Saturday PUNCH, the Agbekoya Society of Nigeria warned it may take action following the killing of three farmers in Igboho, Orelope LGA of Oyo State, as public anger rises over rural insecurity in the South-West.

    The report says Yoruba Nation activist Sunday Igboho raised the alarm and urged the federal government to respond decisively to what he described as worsening attacks on rural communities and farms.

    Agbekoya’s statement demanded investigations, prosecution of perpetrators, enhanced security for farmers, and support for families—signalling that farm security is becoming a flashpoint issue again.

    The incident adds pressure on state and federal authorities amid recurring farmer–herder violence narratives and community self-help threats.

    The Guardian reported the victims were “allegedly attacked with axes, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons,” while SaharaReporters quoted Igboho: “On Sunday, three innocent people were killed in my town, Igboho.”

    Echotitbits take:
    When farmer groups hint at self-defence escalation, it’s a warning sign for regional stability. Watch next for arrests (or lack of), community reprisals, and whether Oyo strengthens rural patrol structures and early-warning systems.

    Source: The Punch — December 27, 2025 (https://punchng.com/agbekoya-vows-action-over-oyo-farmers-killing/)
    The Punch December 27, 2025

  • Israel hits Hezbollah-linked sites in Lebanon as ceasefire strains deepen

    Israel hits Hezbollah-linked sites in Lebanon as ceasefire strains deepen

    Photo Credit: The Punch
    2025-12-27 07:06:00

    In an update published by Punch (AFP), Israel said it carried out a new wave of strikes on Hezbollah-linked targets in Lebanon, including weapons storage locations and a training complex, despite the ceasefire framework still formally in place.

    Lebanon’s media and official channels reported strikes across multiple districts, with the Israeli military framing the attacks as preventive action against infrastructure it says supports planned operations.

    The development underscores the fragility of the ceasefire environment, as both sides trade accusations while Lebanon faces pressure to accelerate disarmament efforts in the south.

    The security risk is regional spillover: repeated raids can trigger retaliation cycles, domestic political tension inside Lebanon, and wider diplomatic fallout.

    Times of Israel reported the IDF hit a “training compound” used by Hezbollah’s “elite Radwan Force,” while Euronews said the site was used for “training operatives” and “planning attacks,” citing Israeli claims.

    Echotitbits take:
    The ceasefire may be alive on paper but increasingly porous in practice. Watch whether disarmament timelines hold, whether strikes shift to higher-value assets, and whether diplomacy can prevent a wider escalation loop.

    Source: The Punch — December 26, 2025 (https://punchng.com/israel-attacks-hezbollah-targets-in-lebanon/)
    The Punch December 26, 2025

  • Russia unleashes huge drone-and-missile barrage on Ukraine as diplomacy accelerates

    Russia unleashes huge drone-and-missile barrage on Ukraine as diplomacy accelerates

    Photo Credit: Reuters
    2025-12-27 07:08:00

    According to Reuters, Russia launched a large-scale drone and missile assault on Ukraine just before Zelensky’s expected meeting with Trump, striking energy and civilian infrastructure as temperatures dropped.

    The report said the attack involved waves of drones and missiles, intensifying pressure on Kyiv and sending a signal about Moscow’s readiness to escalate even as peace discussions gather pace.

    Ukrainian officials linked the barrage to negotiation manoeuvres, arguing that infrastructure targeting is used to shape political outcomes by raising humanitarian costs.

    With diplomacy and warfare now running in parallel, the risk is that any peace framework becomes hostage to real-time battlefield escalations.

    The Washington Post said the assault left “a third of the capital without heating,” while The Guardian reported Zelensky is moving into talks insisting the plan is “90% ready,” but with core territorial issues unresolved.

    Echotitbits take:
    This is coercive bargaining—strike hard, then negotiate from a position of fear. Watch whether talks produce immediate de-escalation steps (like grid-protection commitments) or whether infrastructure attacks continue to force concessions.

    Source: Reuters — December 27, 2025 (https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-drones-missiles-pound-ukraine-before-zelenskiy-trump-meeting-2025-12-27/)
    Reuters December 27, 2025

  • Five killed in Maiduguri mosque blast as officials warn of revived suicide-attack risk

    Five killed in Maiduguri mosque blast as officials warn of revived suicide-attack risk

    Photo Credit: Reuters
    2025-12-27 07:09:00

    In an update published by Reuters, an explosion during prayers at a mosque in Maiduguri killed worshippers and injured others, with authorities treating the incident as a likely suicide bombing as investigations continue.

    The blast reinforces a troubling security pattern: even as the frequency of suicide attacks had reduced compared with earlier years, insurgent networks appear capable of reactivating tactics when pressure eases.

    Authorities urged calm and vigilance while bomb disposal and investigative units worked the area, and leaders renewed calls for tighter protection around worship centres during festive periods.

    The incident adds urgency to hospital readiness, trauma support, and intelligence coordination in Borno—given Maiduguri’s long-standing position as a focal point of the insurgency.

    AP reported officials found “fragments of a suicide vest” at the scene, while Nigeria’s State House said the federal government “remains resolute in its duty to protect lives and property” following the bombing.

    Echotitbits take:
    The immediate story is casualties; the deeper story is capability. Watch for who claims responsibility, whether arrests follow, and whether security upgrades at mosques and markets become visible and sustained beyond a short post-attack surge.

    Source: Reuters — December 25, 2025 (https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/five-killed-nigeria-mosque-attack-police-say-2025-12-25/)
    Reuters December 25, 2025

  • Christmas-day U.S. strike jolts Sokoto as Abuja tightens counter‑terror coordination

    Christmas-day U.S. strike jolts Sokoto as Abuja tightens counter‑terror coordination

    Photo Credit: The Punch
    2025-12-27 06:00:00

    According to Punch, residents in parts of northern Nigeria reported heightened anxiety after U.S.-linked strikes were announced against suspected ISIS camps in Sokoto State, with local authorities urging calm and continued vigilance.

    The report said the operation was framed as a coordinated effort with Nigerian authorities amid concerns about cross‑border militant movement from the Sahel and the growth of terror logistics in forest corridors.

    Security analysts quoted in the coverage warned that kinetic operations can disrupt camps but also trigger displacement of fighters, making intelligence‑driven follow‑up and community protection measures critical in the weeks ahead.

    Echotitbits take:
    Beyond the headline drama of “Christmas‑day” strikes, the key story is the evolving Abuja‑Washington security alignment. Watch for: official briefings on targeting safeguards, clearer rules for joint operations, and what Nigeria does next on ground‑holding after air action.

    Source: The Punch — December 27, 2025 (https://punchng.com/trumps-christmas-missiles-strike-fear-in-northern-nigeria/)
    The Punch December 27, 2025

  • NAF fast-tracks 24 M‑346 fighters and new helicopters as air power upgrade accelerates

    NAF fast-tracks 24 M‑346 fighters and new helicopters as air power upgrade accelerates

    Photo Credit: The Nation
    2025-12-27 06:00:00

    Reporting by The Nation indicates the Nigerian Air Force is intensifying plans to acquire 24 M‑346 fighter ground‑attack aircraft alongside helicopters and additional UAVs to strengthen operational readiness.

    The report linked the planned fleet upgrades to persistent security pressures, including banditry and insurgent threats, where faster surveillance-to-strike cycles and better air mobility can be decisive.

    Defence watchers say the real test will be sustainment—training pipelines, spares, maintenance contracts, and mission availability rates—so the announced numbers translate into predictable air support in hotspots.

    Echotitbits take:
    Nigeria’s airpower plan sounds ambitious, but procurement alone doesn’t win campaigns. Track timelines, basing, pilot/crew training, and whether maintenance funding is ring‑fenced. Also watch how UAV integration changes intelligence and civilian‑harm mitigation.

    Source: The Nation — December 27, 2025 (https://thenationonlineng.net/naf-to-acquire-24-new-aircraft-uavs-to-boost-operational-readiness/)
    The Nation December 27, 2025

  • Nigerian Army flags fake DSSC 2026 recruitment form and warns against online scammers

    Nigerian Army flags fake DSSC 2026 recruitment form and warns against online scammers

    Photo Credit: The Punch
    2025-12-27 06:00:00

    In a statement reported by Vanguard, the Nigerian Army asked the public to ignore a circulating advert claiming the Direct Short Service Course (DSSC) 29 application form for 2026 is available.

    The Army said the message is fraudulent and warned Nigerians not to fall victim to scammers who often demand payments, personal data, or bank details under the guise of “recruitment processing.”

    Security officials urged citizens to rely only on official Army communication channels for recruitment notices and to report suspicious posts to relevant authorities.

    Echotitbits take:
    Recruitment scams spike during festive periods and economic stress. A practical next step for readers is to verify announcements on official military platforms before sharing—and to treat any “payment request” as a red flag.

    Source: The Punch — December 26, 2025 (https://punchng.com/army-disowns-fake-recruitment-advertisement/)
    The Punch December 26, 2025

  • OPay disowns festive ‘cash giveaway’ rumor and urges users to stop sending money to strangers

    OPay disowns festive ‘cash giveaway’ rumor and urges users to stop sending money to strangers

    Photo Credit: The Punch
    2025-12-27 06:00:00

    Reporting by Punch indicates fintech platform OPay issued a public warning against a viral claim suggesting it is distributing money to users during the festive season.

    The company cautioned users not to transfer money to strangers and not to share sensitive personal data such as BVN, PINs, or OTP codes, describing the circulating message as a scam vector.

    Fraud analysts say the season’s spike in “giveaway” narratives is a predictable social‑engineering tactic, and rapid public debunking can reduce victims’ losses.

    Echotitbits take:
    This is a reminder that the weakest link is often human behaviour, not the app. Watch for more coordinated anti‑fraud messaging from banks/fintechs, and push for faster takedowns of scam accounts on social platforms.

    Source: The Punch — December 26, 2025 (https://punchng.com/opay-debunks-viral-cash-giveaway-claim-warns-users-of-scammers/)
    The Punch December 26, 2025

  • Abuja Confirms U.S. Strikes on Terror Cells in Northwest Nigeria

    Abuja Confirms U.S. Strikes on Terror Cells in Northwest Nigeria

    Photo Credit: Worldstagenews
    2025-12-26 06:00:00

    According to *PUNCH*, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it has formally acknowledged U.S. military strikes that targeted suspected terrorist enclaves in the country’s northwest, describing the action as part of a wider counter-terror push.

    The ministry’s statement framed the episode as a security partnership step, while also emphasising Nigeria’s sovereignty and the need for coordinated action against armed groups operating across hard-to-police terrain.

    The development comes amid heightened regional security concerns, with officials stressing that insurgent and terror-linked violence is no longer a “local” problem but one with spillover risks for trade routes, border communities, and internal displacement.

    In Abuja, the confirmation is likely to renew debate about the rules, scope, and accountability of foreign military assistance—especially as public pressure grows for visible gains against violent networks.

    Reuters also described the action as “a joint operation” to “target terrorists,” while The Associated Press quoted the U.S. president describing a “powerful and deadly strike.”

    Echotitbits take: This is a security milestone and a political risk at once—helpful if it degrades networks, controversial if civilians are harmed or if sovereignty questions resurface. Watch for operational details, casualty clarifications, and whether Nigeria formalises a clearer framework for foreign kinetic support.

    Source: Worldstagenews — Dec 26, 2025 (https://www.worldstagenews.com/nigeria-tinubu-confirms-approval-of-successful-precision-strikes-on-foreign-isis-elements/)

    Photo credit/source: Worldstagenews
    Worldstagenews 2025-12-26