Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: North-East

  • Troops arrest eight suspects tied to Gamboru market mosque suicide bombing network

    Troops arrest eight suspects tied to Gamboru market mosque suicide bombing network

    According to ThisDay, troops of Operation Hadin Kai arrested eight suspected terrorists linked to the suicide bombing at the Gamboru market mosque, describing the suspects as part of the network behind the attack.

    The report says two of those held are described as key facilitators, with the arrests following weeks of intelligence work and surveillance that led to targeted operations.

    Recovered items listed include cash, phones, IDs, ATM cards, and jewelry, with forensic examination expected to support ongoing investigations.

    The military says the suspects remain in custody for interrogation and intelligence extraction, with eventual handover for further investigation.

    BusinessDay also reported the Army “dismantled [a] suicide bombing network” tied to the Gamboru incident. Leadership echoed the same development, reporting troops “arrest 8 terrorists linked to Gamboru market mosque suicide bombing.”

    Echotitbits take: The key is prosecution quality. Track whether suspects are arraigned publicly and whether evidence handling and inter-agency coordination hold up in court.

    Source: ThisDayLive – https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/01/07/troops-arrest-eight-terrorists-linked-to-gamboru-market-mosque-suicide-bombing/  January 7, 2026
    ThisDayLive January 7, 2026

    Photo Credit: ThisDayLive

  • Army task force identifies Shariff Umar as alleged suicide-bombing network coordinator in North East

    Army task force identifies Shariff Umar as alleged suicide-bombing network coordinator in North East

    According to Vanguard, Operation Hadin Kai’s joint task force has identified Shariff Umar as the alleged coordinator of a suicide‑bombing network operating in Nigeria’s North East.

    The announcement signals ongoing efforts to dismantle insurgent logistics and recruitment chains, while security analysts emphasise the need to protect civilians and improve intelligence-led prevention.

    THISDAY reported the same development under the headline “Joint Task Force Names Shariff Umar as Coordinator of Suicide Bombing Network in North-east,” while Premium Times’ security reporting also tracked the task force’s claims about the suspect’s role.

    What to watch next is the evidence trail: charges, prosecutions, and whether the disclosure leads to further arrests that disrupt the broader network.

    Echotitbits take: What to watch next is the evidence trail: charges, prosecutions, and whether the disclosure leads to further arrests that disrupt the broader network.

    Source: Thisdaylive — January 4, 2026 (https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/01/04/joint-task-force-names-shariff-umar-as-coordinator-of-suicide-bombing-network-in-north-east/)

    Thisdaylive January 4, 2026

    Photo Credit: Thisdaylive

  • Nigerian Air Force claims 2,351 terrorists killed in 2025 air campaign

    Nigerian Air Force claims 2,351 terrorists killed in 2025 air campaign

    2026-01-01 07:30:00
    Figures cited by Punch show the Nigerian Air Force says it neutralised 2,351 terrorists in 2025 through sustained air interdiction operations across multiple theatres.

    The service said repeated sorties were aimed at severing supply chains, disrupting movement corridors, and weakening leadership structures across key conflict zones.

    Beyond counter-terror missions, the NAF also highlighted operations targeting oil theft infrastructure in the Niger Delta.

    The Whistler quoted the NAF describing the campaign as “Sustained precision strikes” that “disrupted supply chains.”

    The Guardian Nigeria also reported targeted strikes led to the destruction of illegal refining reservoirs and related assets.

    Echotitbits take:

    Headline numbers need verification. Watch whether 2026 sees fewer mass abductions and attacks in high-risk corridors, and whether air gains are matched by ground holding operations and community intelligence.

    Source: The Punch — January 1, 2026 (https://punchng.com/2351-terrorists-killed-in-2025-air-raids-naf/)

    The Punch 2026-01-01

    Photo Credit: The Punch

  • Borno and Kano top national Qur’anic recitation contest as Maiduguri hosts cultural showcase

    Borno and Kano top national Qur’anic recitation contest as Maiduguri hosts cultural showcase

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

    According to Punch, Borno State emerged overall winner in the male category of the National Qur’anic Recitation Competition, while Kano produced the top female winner.

    The contest, hosted in Maiduguri, drew participants from across the country, with organisers presenting it as religious scholarship and a platform for unity.

    For Borno, the hosting and win carry symbolism, projecting a narrative of cultural confidence and stabilising civic life after years of insecurity.

    Leadership reported that “Borno, Kano” emerged overall winners, while Legit.ng wrote that “Musa Ahmed Musa of Borno” and “Hafsat… of Kano” clinched top prizes.

    Echotitbits take:
    Watch how states leverage this: scholarships, religious education funding, and youth talent pipelines. Also note the security messaging—big events in Maiduguri are increasingly used as ‘return to normal’ signals.

    Source: Punch — December 20, 2025 (https://punchng.com/borno-kano-win-national-quranic-competition/)
    Punch 2025-12-20

  • Zulum Offers Cash Incentives to Nigerian Refugees in Cameroon to Return Home

    Borno Governor Babagana Zulum visited Nigerians in Cameroon’s Minawao camp and announced financial and livelihood support for those willing to return home, including assistance for rebuilding and agriculture.

    The state says improved security in some communities underpins the voluntary return push, even as humanitarian agencies stress the importance of safety and sustainability.

    2025-12-10

    Punch Newspapers

    2025-12-10

  • Nigerian Government Acquires More Fighter Aircraft to Combat Insurgency

    Nigerian Government Acquires More Fighter Aircraft to Combat Insurgency

    The Federal Government of Nigeria says it is expecting some hardwares to reinforce efforts of the Air Force in combatting insurgency in the Nation’s North-East.

    A statement posted on the Nigerian Goverent twitter page quoted Chief of air staff, Air Marshall, sadique Abubakar stating that: “We are expecting 3 JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft from Pakistan, 12 A-29 Super Tucano from the United States, and one Mi-171E. Out of the 12 Super Tucano from the US, six are almost here, as those to handle them have been sent on training for that purpose.

    “A total of 200 Nigeria Air Force personnel are receiving training in 9 different countries of the world on handling combat aircraft. They will soon join their colleagues in the fight against insecurity and in particular, insurgency in the North East”, the statement read.