The Senate approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to deploy troops to the Republic of Benin after an attempted coup reportedly disrupted public order in Cotonou. Lawmakers framed the move as part of Nigeria’s regional responsibility under ECOWAS.
Some senators reportedly sought fuller debate, but leadership argued emergency procedures justified swift approval given the potential regional spillover.
2025-12-10
Punch Newspapers
2025-12-10
About 307 students have escaped being abducted by bandits who attacked Government Science Secondary School, Ikara in Kara Local Government Area in Kaduna in the early hours of Sunday.
The attack was confirmed by state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, who noted that: “307 students were rescued unhurt” by troops who foiled the attempted kidnap.
Aruwan said: “Between the late hours of Saturday night and the early hours of today, suspected bandits stormed the Government Science Secondary School, Ikara, Ikara local government area, in an attempt to kidnap students.
“Fortunately, the students utilized the security warning system in place and were thus able to alert security forces in the area.
“The security forces comprising the troops of the Nigerian Army, Police and some security volunteers moved swiftly to the school and engaged the bandits, forcing them to flee.”
The Commissioner told reporters on Sunday all the 307 students were verified safe and present after the botched kidnap attack.
“The military and police are still on the trail of the armed bandits.
“Following a head count by the school management, the Kaduna State Government can confirm to you that all 307 students have been verified safe and present.
“The attempted kidnap was foiled completely and no student was taken from the school.
“The images provided by the Nigerian Army can attest to this, and will be shared with you,” he said.
I another statement over the attack, Aruwan, at another wing of the Kaduna International Airport said: “Similarly, around Ifira village in Igabi local government area, bandits attempted to attack a senior staff quarters around the Kaduna Airport general area.
“This attempt was also foiled as troops of the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Army engaged and repelled them, with several escaping with gunshot wounds.
“The Kaduna State Government acknowledges the efforts of the security agencies in the recent rescue of 180 students in the vicinity of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka. These efforts have been mentioned in interviews given by some of the rescued students.
“By virtue of access to the facts of the event, the Kaduna State Government extends its unequivocal solidarity to the Military, Police, Department of State Services and other security agencies, whose swift intervention prevented the bandits from abducting more persons.
“The Kaduna State Government maintains a clear focus at this time, and that is to ensure the safe return of the missing students, and to consolidate intelligence gathering and security vigilance towards forestalling possible attempts on other facilities or institutions.”
Nigerian troops of Operation Hadarin Daji have killed an armed bandit and arrested two others when they engaged the criminals with superior firepower during a night patrol at Bakinruwa Riverside in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
In a statement on Saturday, by the Coordinator, Media Operations, Defence Headquarters (DHq), Major General John Enenche, troops engaged the criminals who fled in disarray due to troops’ overwhelming superior firepower. During the encounter, one of the armed bandits was neutralized, while 2 of them were arrested. One AK-47 rifle and a loaded magazine were also recovered from the criminals.
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“On 17 December 2020, troops of Forward Operating Base Shinkafi, while on night patrol, came in contact with some armed bandits at Bakinruwa Riverside in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State” the General said.
In a related development, on 18 December 2020, troops deployed at Shinkafi arrested one Zainab at Shinkafi town in Shinkafi Local Government of Zamfara State.
According to General Enenche, the suspect was found roaming the town in police uniform.
He explained that: “A preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect is from Birnin Magaji Local Government Area of the State and has been involved in defrauding unsuspecting members of the public. All arrested suspects have been handed over to appropriate prosecuting agency for necessary action” Enenche stated.
The DHq chief attributed the latest efforts of the Nigerian military to its committment to forestall banditry and other criminal activities in the North Central Zone of the Country. He added that troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI have sustained its aggressive fighting posture in the Zone.
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Troops of Operation ACCORD on Sunday 15 November 2020 while on Night patrol at Yar Tasha village made contact with armed bandits and engaged them in firefight, Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Defence Headquarters, Major General John Enenche said in a statement on Monday.
“During the encounter, 3 armed bandits were neutralised while others escaped with various degree of gunshot wounds. Equally, 3 AK 47 rifles were recovered during the operation.
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In another development, the defence chief said: “following credible intelligence on movement of bandits, troops conducted fighting patrol to Natsinta and Dawanna villages in Jibia Local Government Area along Katsina-Jibia road.
“In the course of operation, 10 suspected bandits migrating with rustled livestock were arrested. Upon interrogation, suspects claimed that they migrated from Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State to Niger Republic.
“Suspects were arrested with 88 cows and uncomfirmed number of sheep.
“Suspects are currently in custody undergoing further investigation.”
Similarly, troops deployed at Ungwan Doka on 15 November 2020, rescued one kidnapped victim named Adamu Yahaya.
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According to General Enenche, preliminary investigation revealed that the victim was kidnapped at Unguwar Sa’ida village in Faskari Local Government Area.
“The victim has been reunited with his family. Currently, the gallant troops have continued to dominate the general area with patrols to provide security for locals and deny bandits freedom of action”, General Enenche stated.
He added that the Military High Command commends the gallant troops for their professionalism and encourages them to intensify the onslaught against the criminal elements in the country.
Nigerian Troops of Operation Sahel Sanity have shot dead two suspected bandits and arrested 150 others in Bukuyyum and Anka councils of Zamfara State.
This was made known by the Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brig-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, during a press briefing at the Nigeria Army Special Super Camp IV in Faskari Council of Katsina State.
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Onyeuko who noted that the troops also recovered ammunition, including AK-47 rifles and Dane guns during the operation, added that the 150 suspects were arrested at an illegal mining site in Bukuyyum Council, reportedly used as a hideout. He said following the arrest, one of the suspects tried to escape, but was shot in the process.
The mining site is suspected to be harnessed and proceeds used to finance activities of bandits in the state, he added. His words: “On August 23, 2020, troops conducted a well-coordinated intelligence-based operation leading to the raid of an illegal mining site along Gadan Zaima/Zuru road in Bukuyyum, which also serves as bandits’ hideout.
“During the operation, troops arrested 150 suspects and recovered 20 locally-fabricated Dane guns. One of the suspects was neutralised while trying to escape.”
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He said further that preliminary investigation reveals that aside sabotaging the nation’s economy, banditry is being financed through illegal mining activities.
“During the encounter, one of the bandits was neutralised while others escaped. Troops recovered one AK-47 rifle and magazine loaded with five rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and two motorcycles from the fleeing bandits,” the army chief stated.