Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: boko haram

  • 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

  • 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

  • Maiduguri Mosque Blast: Deaths Reported as Borno Reels Again

    Maiduguri Mosque Blast: Deaths Reported as Borno Reels Again

    Photo Credit: The Punch
    2025-12-25 09:30:00

    Police updates referenced by The Punch say an explosion at a mosque in Maiduguri, Borno State, left multiple casualties during prayers, reviving fears over insurgent-linked attacks in Nigeria’s northeast. The incident reportedly caused panic and rushed evacuations as victims were taken for treatment.

    The attack fits a long-running pattern in the region, where civilians and places of worship have been targeted amid the Boko Haram/ISWAP-linked insurgency. While responsibility is often unclear in early hours, authorities typically tighten security and launch bomb-disposal and investigation protocols immediately after such incidents.

    The broader concern is the timing: festive periods and crowded gatherings can increase vulnerability, making community vigilance and intelligence-led policing especially critical.

    Two international reports aligned on the incident details: Reuters quoted Borno Governor Babagana Zulum condemning the bombing as “barbaric and inhumane,” while the Associated Press described it as an “apparent suicide attack” after authorities found fragments consistent with a suicide vest.

    Echotitbits take: The key question is whether this marks a tactical resurgence (suicide devices returning) or an isolated breach. Watch for official forensics, arrests, and whether security agencies issue broader threat advisories for the North-East during the holiday window.

    Source: The Punch — December 25, 2025 (https://punchng.com/four-killed-14-injured-in-borno-mosque-bombing/)

    The Punch 2025-12-25

  • U.S. Ramps Up Recon Flights Over Nigeria After Trump Threat Talk

    U.S. Ramps Up Recon Flights Over Nigeria After Trump Threat Talk

    Photo Credit: The Punch
    2025-12-23 09:00:00

    A Reuters dispatch referenced by The Punch says the U.S. has been conducting surveillance flights over Nigeria since late November 2025, signalling deeper intelligence cooperation amid worsening security fears.

    The report says the flights are linked to reconnaissance priorities—tracking extremist networks and gathering actionable intelligence—while also reflecting Washington’s broader posture toward countries it deems failing on security outcomes.

    For Nigeria, the optics are sensitive: foreign surveillance can help operations, but it also exposes how international partners perceive Abuja’s capacity to contain violence.

    The development lands alongside fresh diplomatic pressure—from religious-violence narratives to travel restrictions—raising the stakes for Nigeria’s security messaging and results on the ground.

    Validation: Reuters wrote that “the U.S. has been conducting surveillance flights over Nigeria” since late November. Guardian Nigeria echoed that “The United States has been carrying out intelligence-gathering flights over large parts of Nigeria since late November.”

    Echotitbits take: Intelligence support is useful, but Nigeria still needs domestic coordination: clearer command structure, rapid response, and accountability. Watch whether this becomes a joint-task-force outcome—or just headlines without measurable security improvements.

    Source: The Punch — December 23, 2025 (https://punchng.com/killings-us-conducts-surveillance-flights-over-nigeria-report/)
    The Punch 2025-12-23

  • Borno ambush: Operation Hadin Kai disrupts insurgent logistics in Konduga corridor

    Borno ambush: Operation Hadin Kai disrupts insurgent logistics in Konduga corridor

    Photo credit: Vanguard

    2025-12-22 09:00:00

    According to *Vanguard*, troops under Operation Hadin Kai, working with local vigilantes, carried out a coordinated long-range ambush in Borno State that disrupted insurgent logistics and led to multiple fatalities among the attackers.

    The report says the action took place around movement routes between communities in Konduga LGA, a corridor often linked to insurgent resupply and tactical repositioning.

    Security sources frame the operation as part of continuing “kinetic” efforts to degrade logistics chains—targeting movement, not just fixed camps.

    While claims of battlefield success are frequent, residents and humanitarian watchers typically look for what follows: reduced attacks, safer roads, and sustained presence after the headlines.

    Channels TV reported the operation “successfully disrupted a terrorist logistics operation,” while AllAfrica’s recap also described a “well-coordinated ambush” that neutralised insurgents—echoing the operational account carried by Vanguard.

    **Echotitbits take:** Tactical wins matter, but civilians measure security by continuity. Watch whether follow-on operations clear and hold the corridor, whether displaced communities can return safely, and whether authorities communicate transparently about casualties and recovery.

    Source: Vanguard — December 22, 2025 (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/12/again-troops-of-operation-hadin-kai-kill-17-terrorists-in-coordinated-ambush/)

  • Troops uncover roadside bomb in Borno and arrest suspected insurgent logistics suppliers

    Troops uncover roadside bomb in Borno and arrest suspected insurgent logistics suppliers

    Photo Credit: The Punch
    2025-12-20 12:00:00

    A statement relayed by Punch says troops under Operation Hadin Kai discovered an improvised explosive device planted along the Damboa–Komala road and arrested suspects described as logistics suppliers for insurgents.

    The report says the IED was located during a patrol and safely detonated, while a separate intelligence-led operation intercepted a vehicle allegedly transporting supplies believed to be destined for terrorist networks.

    Military officials say disrupting supply lines is critical to weakening insurgent capability, and the arrested suspects have been handed over for further investigation.

    The Nigerian Army’s official release said: “TROOPS OF OPHK DISCOVER IED… ARREST SUSPECTED TERRORIST LOGISTICS SUPPLIERS IN BORNO,” while TVC News also reported troops “have uncovered an Improvised Explosive Device” and arrested a suspected logistics supplier.

    Echotitbits take:
    The immediate win is supply-chain disruption. Watch for follow-on arrests of financiers and middlemen, and whether security operations tighten without choking legitimate local trade.

    Source: Punch — December 20, 2025 (https://punchng.com/photos-troops-uncover-bomb-on-borno-road-arrest-terror-logistics-suppliers/)
    Punch 2025-12-20

  • Military foils Mandara Mountains infiltration attempt near Bitta

    Military foils Mandara Mountains infiltration attempt near Bitta

    Photo Credit: Channels TV / File
    2025-12-18 11:00:00

    Vanguard reports that Nigerian troops under Operation Hadin Kai thwarted an early-morning infiltration attempt by insurgents operating from the Mandara Mountains, with multiple fighters neutralised.

    The incident involved surveillance-led detection and a rapid response that prevented militants from gaining a foothold around the Bitta axis.

    Verification: Channels TV and The Sun also reported the operation and described it as a foiled attack/infiltration attempt.

    Quotes: Channels TV: “thwarted an early-morning attempt… to infiltrate Bitta…” The Sun: “neutralising a top commander… and others.”

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: Tactical wins matter, but communities judge security by reopened roads, safe farms and fewer abductions. Watch for holding operations and civilian protection—not just headline casualty figures.

    Source: Vanguard — 2025-12-18 — https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/12/troops-kill-top-boko-haram-commander-foil-terrorists-infiltration-in-bitta-mandara-mountains/

    Vanguard 2025-12-18

  • US Expands Entry Restrictions: What Nigeria’s New Partial Limits Mean for Your Visa Plans

    US Expands Entry Restrictions: What Nigeria’s New Partial Limits Mean for Your Visa Plans

    Photo Credit : Andrew Caballero-Reynolds / AFP via Getty Images through NBC News
    2025-12-17 09:00:00

    In a new U.S. presidential proclamation aimed at strengthening national security, Washington says it is expanding entry restrictions for nationals of countries it believes have persistent gaps in screening, vetting, and information-sharing. The policy is presented as a data-driven move to reduce public-safety risks and to push foreign governments to improve cooperation with U.S. immigration and law-enforcement requirements.

    The proclamation keeps full entry restrictions on nationals from 12 previously listed countries and adds five more to that “full restriction” category, while also tightening limits for some travel documents and updating partial restrictions for other nations. The U.S. says key concerns include unreliable civil or criminal records, poor birth registration, limited information-sharing, high overstay rates, and in some cases instability and extremist activity that complicate background checks.

    For Nigerians, the most important update is that Nigeria is included among countries facing partial restrictions—particularly affecting immigrants and nonimmigrants in common visitor and education-related categories (such as B-1/B-2 and F/M/J). In the text outlining the decision, Nigeria is linked to security challenges in parts of the country and to overstay-rate figures cited for certain visa classes.

    On the ground, partial restrictions can translate into tougher scrutiny, slower processing, and more unpredictable outcomes for students, exchange visitors, tourists, business travelers, and families planning trips. Nigerians with legitimate travel plans may need stronger documentation, clearer ties to home, and more careful compliance—while employers, schools, and diaspora networks could see knock-on effects through delayed mobility for study, work, medical trips, and business engagements.

    Echotitbits analysis: Nigeria’s inclusion reads as both a security narrative and a systems test: identity management, document integrity, and cross-border data cooperation. For citizens, the safest short-term move is to keep applications “clean”—consistent records, credible documentation, and strict visa compliance. For policymakers, the fastest way to reduce the stigma is measurable improvements in civil registration, anti-fraud enforcement, and cooperation that produces verifiable results.

    Source: U.S. Presidential Proclamation -https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/06/restricting-the-entry-of-foreign-nationals-to-protect-the-united-states-from-foreign-terrorists-and-other-national-security-and-public-safety-threats/

  • Insecurity in Nigeria: President Buhari Replaces Service Chiefs

    Insecurity in Nigeria: President Buhari Replaces Service Chiefs

    Amidst rising insecurity in Nigeria and the clamour by citizens for the sack of heads of the nation’s security agencies, President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday accepted the immediate resignation of the Service Chiefs, and their retirement from service.

    Those involved are the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.

    READ ALSO:

    Fire Razes Sunday Igboho House Days After Giving Fulanis Ultimatum to Leave Oyo

    Presidency spokesman, Femi Adesina in a statement Tuesday afternoon said: “President Buhari thanks the outgoing Service Chiefs for what he calls their “overwhelming achievements in our efforts at bringing enduring peace to our dear country,” wishing them well in their future endeavours”.

    The new Service Chiefs are: Major-General Leo Irabor, Chief of Defence Staff; Major-General I. Attahiru, Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral A.Z Gambo, Chief of Naval Staff; and Air-Vice Marshal I.O Amao, Chief of Air Staff.

    The President congratulates the new Service Chiefs, and urges them to be loyal and dedicated in the discharge of their responsibilities.

  • Jihadists Kill Six Nigerian Soldiers in Borno State

    Jihadists Kill Six Nigerian Soldiers in Borno State

    Six Nigerian soldiers have died during an attack by jihadists who rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into them during a clash in Borno state, Nigeria’s North East.

    Two military sources on Tuesday disclosed to AFP that the suicide bombing by a member of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) group occurred Monday as the soldiers were conducting a raid of the group’s stronghold in the village of Talala.

    They said scores of jihadists have been killed in the operation launched last week on ISWAP’s second largest camp.

    “Our men dominated the terrorists, killing dozens, and out of frustration they sent a suicide bomber who killed six soldiers,” one of the officers said.

    They said the troops overran the Talala camp despite the bombing.

    On Saturday 13 soldiers were killed in an ISWAP ambush near the town of Gujba in the neighbouring state of Yobe, according to military sources.

    ISWAP, which split from the mainstream Boko Haram in 2016, has become a dominant group, focusing on military targets and high-profile attacks, including against aid workers.

    The jihadist group has in recent times stepped up attacks on troops and frequently abduct travellers at bogus checkpoints along the highway linking the Borno capital Maiduguri and Damaturu, the capital of Yobe.

    No fewer than 36,000 people have been killed in the conflict since 2009 with around two million displaced in the northeast, according to the UN.

    Ravaging neighbouring countries – Chad, Niger and Cameroon, the endless violence prompted a regional military coalition that would bring the deadly activities of the jihadist groups to an end.