Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: Insecurity

  • Tension in Edo State as Gunmen Kidnap Police Officer and Four Others

    Tension in Edo State as Gunmen Kidnap Police Officer and Four Others

    According to Daily Post reporting from Benin City, a wave of panic has gripped Akoko-Edo Local Government Area following the brazen abduction of five individuals, including a Police Inspector. The victims were taken in separate incidents, with two individuals snatched from the Makeke Primary Health Centre. The Police Inspector, Segun Obanowa, was reportedly kidnapped from his residence alongside his daughter, while his wife was released to source a N100 million ransom.

    The surge in kidnappings has turned the local government area into a high-risk zone, prompting traditional rulers and council authorities to impose a strict curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Community leaders have expressed frustration over the deteriorating security situation, noting that abductions have become a “daily routine.” The Movement for the Advancement of Akoko Edo People has issued a statement calling for urgent state and federal intervention to secure the release of the victims.

    Local residents are currently living in fear, with many staying indoors even before the curfew begins. The Edo State Police Command has reportedly deployed a tactical team to the area to track the kidnappers into the surrounding forests. However, no arrests have been made as of Thursday morning, and the kidnappers have maintained communication with the families to demand hefty ransoms.

    Further validation comes from Vanguard, which reported, “The Akoko-Edo axis has become a flashpoint for criminal elements fleeing operations in neighboring states.” Channels TV also provided coverage, featuring a local witness who stated, “We are helpless; even those meant to protect us are being taken away.”

    Echotitbits take: The kidnapping of a police officer in his own home signals a dangerous level of audacity among criminal gangs in Edo State. The curfew might offer temporary relief, but without a coordinated “forest-clearing” operation, these gangs will continue to use the rugged terrain as a safe haven.

    Source: Daily Post -https://dailypost.ng/2026/02/12/tension-in-edo-as-gunmen-kidnap-police-officer-four-others/, February 12, 2026

    Photo credit: Daily Post

  • Army Recovers Hundreds of Cattle After Fierce Katsina Gunfight

    Army Recovers Hundreds of Cattle After Fierce Katsina Gunfight

    According to reports from Premium Times, troops of the Nigerian Army’s 17 Brigade have successfully recovered 529 rustled livestock following a violent encounter with terrorists in the Kafur Local Government Area of Katsina State. The criminals, reportedly led by a relative of the notorious bandit kingpin Ado Aliero, engaged the troops in a prolonged shootout before fleeing.

    The operation is part of an intensified effort to dismantle the economic backbone of banditry in the Northwest, where cattle rustling is a primary source of funding for armed groups. The Nigerian Army stated that the recovered animals are being processed for return to their rightful owners in the local community.

    The success of the 17 Brigade is being hailed as a tactical victory, though residents remain cautious as many communities in the region have historically relied on non-state armed groups for protection—a phenomenon known as the “Jibia Peace Model.”

    Supporting reports from Leadership and The Nation confirm the engagement, with Leadership stating, “The neutralization of bandit logistics is key to restoring peace in Katsina,” and The Nation quoting a military spokesperson: “We will not rest until the last of these economic saboteurs is brought to justice.”

    Echotitbits take: While recovering cattle is a win, the long-term solution lies in replacing the “Jibia Model” with permanent state security presence. Watch for how the military handles the “non-state enforcers” who currently fill the security vacuum.

    Source: Premium Times – https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/nwest/855104-gunfight-in-katsina-as-troops-battle-bandits-official.html?tztc=1 , February 8, 2026

    Photo credit: Premium Times

  • Security Alert: Terrorists Deploy Booby-Trapped Corpses in Niger State

    Security Alert: Terrorists Deploy Booby-Trapped Corpses in Niger State

    Reports indicate terrorists killed six people in Niger State and planted improvised explosive devices (IEDs) under the victims’ bodies in Borgu Local Government Area—apparently targeting those attempting recovery.

    Response: A bomb expert reportedly neutralized the devices. Local leaders are appealing for immediate reinforcement and heightened security presence in the affected communities.

    Why it matters: The use of booby traps suggests a more lethal phase of insurgent tactics, increasing risk to first responders, civilians, and security forces.

    Echotitbits take: This is a tactical escalation consistent with guerrilla playbooks seen in other conflict zones. Expect heightened pressure on security agencies to expand IED detection, training, and community intelligence networks in rural corridors.

    Source: Facebook/ITV – https://web.facebook.com/itvradiong/posts/combating-terrorism-troops-kill-scores-of-terrorists-in-adamawa-borno-statesin-a/1290902703071605/?_rdc=1&_rdr# (January 25, 2026)

    Facebook/ITV 2026-01-25

    Photo Credit: Facebook/ITV

  • Security Crisis: Outcry Over Mass Abduction of Worshippers in Kaduna

    Security Crisis: Outcry Over Mass Abduction of Worshippers in Kaduna

    Security Crisis: Outcry Over Mass Abduction of Worshippers in Kaduna

    The Arewa Consultative Forum and ECWA have condemned the abduction of over 170 worshippers in Kurmin Wali, Kaduna, as political and community leaders criticize initial official denials that they say delayed rescue efforts.

    Additional coverage across Nigerian media and stakeholder reactions indicate that the implications of the development will be closely watched in the coming days as policy, security, and market signals evolve.

    Echotitbits take: The disconnect between official security reports and the reality on the ground in Kaduna is reaching a breaking point. Expect increased pressure on Governor Uba Sani to overhaul the state’s security intelligence network.

    Source: Premium Times – https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/850908-police-finally-admit-mass-abduction-of-worshippers-in-kaduna.html (2026-01-22)

    Photo credit: Premium Times

    2026-01-22 12:00:00

     

     

  • Troops Neutralize 20 Terrorists in Fierce Northern Encounter

    Troops Neutralize 20 Terrorists in Fierce Northern Encounter

    Troops Neutralize 20 Terrorists in Fierce Northern Encounter

    Troops say they killed 20 terrorists during a clearance operation in the North-West, though several soldiers were also lost in the engagement.

    Further reporting across multiple outlets indicates the development is drawing heightened attention, with stakeholders watching for next steps from relevant authorities and institutions.

    Echotitbits take: While the military is scoring tactical wins, the loss of personnel remains a heavy burden. The focus must now shift from clearing forests to holding the liberated territories to prevent the ‘recycled’ presence of bandits.

    Source: ThisDay – https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/01/21/troops-eliminate-20-terrorists-as-soldiers-pay-supreme-price-during-fierce-encounter/ (2026-01-21)

    Photo credit: ThisDay

    2026-01-21 16:00:00

     

     

  • Kwara Palace Raid: Gunmen Abduct Seven Relatives of Traditional Ruler

    Kwara Palace Raid: Gunmen Abduct Seven Relatives of Traditional Ruler

    Figures cited by The Punch indicate armed men invaded a palace in a Kwara community and abducted seven members of the monarch’s family.

    The incident mirrors a broader rural security pattern: targeted raids, hostage-taking for leverage, and delayed response where policing is thin.

    Local safety concerns now shift to rescue efforts, deterrence, and preventing copycat attacks in nearby communities.

    Vanguard summarized it as “Seven persons were abducted in Kwara,” while The Legal Observer also reported attackers “abducted seven members of the royal family.”

    Echotitbits take: Watch rescue strategy and prosecution follow-through—if raids end in payouts, the kidnapping business model expands.

    Source: The Punch – https://punchng.com/how-bandits-walked-into-kwara-palace-kidnapped-monarchs-seven-family-members-vigilante-leader/ January 10, 2026

    The Punch 2026-01-10

    Photo Credit: The Punch

  • 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

  • Niger State extends school shutdown in high-risk areas, sets new resumption date

    Niger State extends school shutdown in high-risk areas, sets new resumption date

    Reporting by The Nation indicates the Niger State government has kept schools in security-affected areas closed, directing only institutions in safer locations to resume based on official guidance.

    Officials warned that any private school resuming without clearance may face sanctions, as authorities try to manage learning continuity without compromising student safety.

    The decision underscores how insecurity is increasingly shaping education administration, with partial closures becoming a crisis-management tool in vulnerable zones.

    Echotitbits take: Education disruption is becoming a secondary crisis of insecurity. Watch for ward-by-ward safety classifications, how exam schedules are protected, and whether alternative learning options are funded for students in closed areas.

    Source: SaharaReporters — January 4, 2026 (https://saharareporters.com/2026/01/02/niger-government-warns-private-schools-shelve-resumption-threatens-sanctions)

    SaharaReporters January 4, 2026

    Photo Credit: SaharaReporters

  • Kidnappers Demand N450 Million Ransom for Abducted Kwara Monarch

    Kidnappers Demand N450 Million Ransom for Abducted Kwara Monarch

    According to The Guardian, kidnappers who abducted the Oniwo of Aafin, Oba Simeon Olaonipekun, along with his son and other villagers, have demanded a ransom of N450 million. the traditional ruler was taken from his community in Kwara State during a late-night raid that has left the local population in a state of panic.

    The abduction highlights the persistent ‘Kidnap Terror’ that has returned to parts of the North-Central and North-West regions. Security forces have reportedly been deployed to the area, but no rescue has been affected as of Saturday morning.

    Vanguard described the situation in its special report, noting that ‘from Abuja to North, communities live in fear again’ as abduction cases spike in the new year. The Cable also tracked the incident, adding that the Kwara State government is currently in emergency talks with traditional rulers to bolster local vigilante groups.

    Echotitbits take: Targeting traditional rulers is a deliberate tactic to break community morale. The high ransom demand suggests that kidnapping has remained a ‘profitable’ enterprise despite the government’s efforts to track financial flows through the NIN-SIM linkage.

    Source: The Guardian — https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/kidnappers-demand-n450m-to-release-kwara-monarch-son-others/

    The Guardian January 3, 2026

    Photo Credit: The Guardian

  • Lawmakers warn Lake Chad–Niger border insecurity needs deeper Nigeria–Niger military coordination

    Lawmakers warn Lake Chad–Niger border insecurity needs deeper Nigeria–Niger military coordination

    2026-01-02 06:00:00
    According to Vanguard, concerns are rising about security threats around the Lake Chad basin and the Nigeria–Niger border corridor, with calls for stronger military coordination and intelligence-sharing between both countries.

    The argument is that cross-border insurgency and organised crime networks exploit weak surveillance gaps, making unilateral action costly and less effective.

    Advocates of deeper cooperation say joint patrols and harmonised border management can reduce safe havens and disrupt logistics routes used by armed groups.

    A Reuters briefing on regional security pressures has repeatedly described the Lake Chad basin as a hotspot where militants exploit porous borders, while humanitarian monitors warn instability in the wider Sahel continues to spill across frontiers. Regional security watchers also note coordination among neighbouring states remains a key determinant of whether insurgent movements can be contained.

    Echotitbits take: Nigeria’s border security challenge is regional by default. Expect renewed focus on joint task forces, surveillance tech, and the political trust needed for intelligence cooperation. Watch for concrete steps—shared command protocols, joint operations schedules, and measurable outcomes in affected communities.

    Source: ZAgazola — January 1, 2026 (http://zagazola.org/index.php/breaking-news/diplomatic-ties-between-nigeria-niger-safer-stronger-together)
    ZAgazola 2026-01-01

    Photo Credit: ZAgazola