Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: Borno State

  • Federal Government Moves to Disrupt Terrorist Bomb-Making Networks

    Federal Government Moves to Disrupt Terrorist Bomb-Making Networks

    In a security update published by The Punch, the Nigerian government has launched a specialized operation to dismantle the supply chains used by terrorists to manufacture Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). The initiative focuses on tracking and restricting the flow of explosive materials, chemicals, and electronic components frequently intercepted in conflict zones. This follows a recent Boko Haram attack in Borno State that claimed the lives of five soldiers and 15 civilians, underscoring the urgent need for a more proactive counter-IED strategy.

    Security agencies have been directed to tighten surveillance at borders and monitor the sale of dual-use chemicals in the open market. The National Security Adviser’s office is coordinating with industrial chemical importers to ensure that materials meant for manufacturing and mining do not end up in the hands of insurgents. The government believes that by “choking” the supply of bomb-making materials, they can significantly reduce the lethality of terrorist operations.

    The operation was also validated by Daily Post and Premium Times. Daily Post reported that “new checkpoints are being established specifically to inspect chemical shipments,” while Premium Times noted that “intelligence sharing with neighboring countries has been intensified to track cross-border smuggling.”

    Echotitbits take:

    Choking the supply chain is a smarter long-term strategy than just kinetic warfare. However, the challenge will be doing this without hurting legitimate businesses in the mining and construction sectors that rely on these chemicals. Watch for new licensing requirements for chemical distributors.

    Source: The Punch – https://punchng.com/fg-to-disrupt-terrorists-bomb-making-supply-chains/, January 31, 2026

    Photo credit: Adobe Stock

  • Nigerian Troops Neutralize Terror Commanders in Sambisa Forest Raid

    Nigerian Troops Neutralize Terror Commanders in Sambisa Forest Raid

    Nigerian Troops Neutralize Terror Commanders in Sambisa Forest Raid

    In an update published by Daily Post, the Nigerian military’s Operation Hadin Kai recorded a significant victory against Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents in the Sambisa Forest and Mandara Mountains. During Operation Desert Sanity V, ground troops reportedly repelled an ambush, resulting in the death of 10 terrorists. Two high-ranking commanders, identified as Basulhu and Ubaida, were among those neutralized.

    The operation also led to the recovery of weapons, communication gadgets, and logistics supplies. Military sources said the encounter at Malkube was particularly intense, but that the troops suffered no casualties. The offensive is part of a renewed dry-season push to eliminate the remnants of terror cells attempting to regroup along the border with Cameroon.

    Further reporting from The Punch confirmed the military’s success, quoting a spokesperson who said forces are maintaining a high tempo to ensure no safe haven remains for insurgent elements. Leadership newspaper also validated the report, adding that civilian intelligence played a key role in tracking the movements of the neutralized commanders.

    Echotitbits take: Eliminating top-tier commanders is a major blow to insurgents’ command-and-control structures. Beyond battlefield wins, the next challenge is holding territory long enough for displaced residents to return safely. Expect increased border patrols to prevent fighters from slipping into neighboring countries.

    Source: Zagozola — https://zagazola.org/index.php/breaking-news/troops-neutralise-two-terrorists-recover-arms-in-sambisa-forest (2026-01-23)

    Photo Credit: Zagozola 2026-01-23

  • Borno Police Say 2,610 Suspects Arrested in Wide Crime Sweep, Hundreds Convicted

    Borno Police Say 2,610 Suspects Arrested in Wide Crime Sweep, Hundreds Convicted

    Figures cited by The Guardian show the Borno State Police Command said it arrested 2,610 suspects for various offences over the period under review, including cases linked to gender-based violence and armed robbery.

    Police officials also reported recoveries of arms, vehicles and drugs, adding that a large number of cases have already been prosecuted to conclusion with convictions.

    The command attributed the outcomes to intelligence-led policing and community support, as the state remains under security pressure from insurgency and cross-border crime.

    **Echotitbits take:** High arrest and conviction figures signal more assertive policing, but they also underline the scale of criminality in the region. Watch for stronger joint operations and border security coordination to keep networks from regenerating.
    Source: The Guardian Nigeria — https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/police-arrest-2610-suspects-recover-arms-cash-in-borno/ 2026-01-08

    Photo Credit: Guardian Nigeria

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • Massacre of Over 70 Farmers in Nigeria a Major Tragedy – VP Osinbajo

    Massacre of Over 70 Farmers in Nigeria a Major Tragedy – VP Osinbajo

    Vice President (VP) of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo says the brutal slaughtering of at least 43 farmers, who have been buried last weekend, just outside of Borno State capital, Maiduguri last week is a major tragedy.

    The VP expressed sadness over the ugly incident in while speaking to newsmen in Abuja Wednesday.

    “We suffered a major tragedy when terrorists attacked the Borno Farming Community. As a brother, father and Nigerian, I am incredibly devastated by these acts of violence.

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    “The President and I acknowledge that we must continually review the conventional means of dealing with some of these security challenges, especially the randomness.”

    Commenting on the measure to curtail tragic occurrences as this, VP Osinbajo indicated optimism that strengthening local intelligence and community policing will be effective.

    “I have spoken to Governor Babagana Zulum and former Governor Kashim Shettima. A lot more focus will be placed on local intelligence and community policing so we receive information quickly and react faster.

    Our hearts are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the terrorist attack on the farming community in Borno State. We will ensure justice is served.

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    On Tuesday, terrorist group, Boko Haram claimed responsibility in a video for the brutal attack on the farm workers in Northern Nigeria just as the death toll rose to 76. The Commissioner for Information in Borno State, Babakura Abba Jatau confirmed the rise in the number of victims of the massacre as search for more bodies began after the burial of the initial confirmed 43 corpses.

    Gunmen on motorbikes according to villagers, attacked farmers on a rice field near Zabarmari village.

    Video:

  • Boko Haram Kills Army Colonel in Ambush

    Boko Haram Kills Army Colonel in Ambush

    Boko Haram terrorists have killed a commander of Operation Lafiya Dole in Borno State, Nigeria’s North East.

    According to the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 7 Division, Ado Isa, the murdered officer of the Nigerian Army, Colonel D.C. Bako, was killed on Sunday 20 September at about 10 a.m.

    Bako was killed as he led a patrol to clear Boko Haram terrorists from Sabon Gari-Wajiroko axis near Damboa.

    His patrol team was trapped in an ambush set by the terrorists.

    Ado Isa described Bako as a gallant and fine war hero.

    Until his death Bako was the commander of Sector 2 Operation Lafiya Dole

    A security consultant and ex-armoured crewman of the Nigerian army, by the Twitter name of Mazi Okay, described Bako as an Iroko.

    “Iroko has fallen, a very big blow to Nigeria’s fight against Boko Haram insurgency.

    “Col Bako until his death this morning was the greatest of all time since the beginning of the war against boko haram.

    “A man who crushed and destroyed all Boko Haram cells and networks around Yobe”.

    His death re-ignited social media calls for the removal of service chiefs, who have overstayed in office.

    – PMN

  • Gov. Zulum says attack on convoy a sabotage, Army launches investigation

    Gov. Zulum says attack on convoy a sabotage, Army launches investigation

    Borno state Governor Babagana Zulum has described Wednesday’s attack on his convey in Baga town, Kukawa local government area as an act of sabotage.

    The Governor made this known while briefing newsmen shortly after completing his four-day working visit to Monguno and Kukawa Local Government Areas.

    Professor Zulum was in northern Borno to officially reopen Monguno-Baga road and also assess the level of damage to Baga town devastated by Boko Haram insurgents. He disclosed that while on the assessment visit, sporadic gunshots ensued that caused pandemonium which forced him to abort his working visit to the area.

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    The Governor charged the military to rise up to the occasion in the fight against insurgency and ensure civil authority return to all liberated areas of the state.

    Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army says it has launched an investigation to unravel the circumstances that led to the attack.

    In a statement by Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sagir Musa regretted the attack and assured the public the incident will be interrogated to prevent future occurrence.