Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: Terrorism

  • 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

  • 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

  • Yobe authorities say suspect linked to Maiduguri mosque blast has been arrested

    Yobe authorities say suspect linked to Maiduguri mosque blast has been arrested

    2026-01-01 06:15:00
    According to Vanguard, authorities in Yobe confirmed the arrest of a suspect allegedly linked to the December 24 Maiduguri mosque bombing.

    In an update published by the outlet, officials said the arrest followed local vigilance and security screening, with investigators expanding the net around possible support networks.

    The development comes as the region continues to grapple with attacks targeting civilians and worship centres.

    TheCable also reported the arrest and said the suspect was transferred for questioning as investigations continued.

    BusinessDay similarly reported that the suspect allegedly confessed to being paid to carry out the attack, as authorities probed the wider network.

    Echotitbits take:

    Arrests are only step one. The credible test is independent corroboration—financing trails, logistics, handlers, and whether security agencies can prevent retaliatory or copycat strikes around high-traffic public spaces.

    Source: Vanguard — January 1, 2026 (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/01/yobe-confirms-arrest-of-suspect-linked-to-maiduguri-bomb-blast/)

    Vanguard 2026-01-01

    Photo Credit: Vanguard

  • Military reports arrest of suspected suicide bomber; 189 AK-47s recovered in NW ops

    Military reports arrest of suspected suicide bomber; 189 AK-47s recovered in NW ops

    2025-12-31 08:56:00

    In an update published by PUNCH, the Nigerian military says operations led to the arrest of a suspected suicide bomber in Borno and the recovery of 189 AK-47 rifles in the North-West, alongside ammunition seizures and kidnapping-rescue outcomes.

    The report says troops also intercepted materials described as precursors for improvised explosive device production, framing the actions as intelligence-led efforts to disrupt planning and logistics.

    In the North-West claim-set, the military also highlighted wider results under Operation Fasanyama, including recovered weapons and rescued victims across multiple states.

    Validation: Voice of Nigeria said “a potential terror attack was averted in Borno State as troops… arrested a suspected suicide bomber and intercepted materials.” and HQ Nigerian Army reported “TROOPS APPREHEND SUSPECTED SUICIDE BOMBER, INTERCEPT IED MATERIALS IN BORNO.”

    Echotitbits take: Counterterrorism reporting is increasingly contested—note the competing institutional claims and the need for independent verification. Watch for official follow-up briefings, prosecutions, and community-level impact in affected areas.

    Source: The Punch — 31 December 2025 (https://punchng.com/military-arrests-suicide-bomber-recovers-189-ak-47-rifles/)

    The Punch 31 December 2025

    Photo Credit: The Punch

  • Tinubu backs US precision strike on Sokoto terror camps as debris sparks questions

    Tinubu backs US precision strike on Sokoto terror camps as debris sparks questions

    Photo Credit: The Nation
    2025-12-28 09:00:00

    According to The Nation, President Bola Tinubu approved a US precision air strike targeting terrorist camps in Sokoto State, in coordination with Nigerian authorities.

    The report situates the operation within a broader push to degrade armed groups operating in remote border and forest areas.

    TheCable’s newspaper review said US congressman Riley Moore claimed the strikes “prevented planned Christmas attacks,” and also noted government statements that debris from precision‑guided munitions fell in parts of Sokoto and Kwara.

    Echotitbits take: Joint operations raise legitimate questions: oversight, civilian harm monitoring, and whether follow‑on operations actually degrade networks or merely displace them. Watch for casualty transparency, follow‑up arrests, and community reassurance measures.

    Source: The Nation — December 28, 2025 (https://thenationonlineng.net/tinubu-okays-us-air-strike-on-terrorists-in-sokoto/)

    The Nation 2025-12-28

  • 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

  • NSCDC Confirms Attack on Niger Outpost, Says Officers Are Safe

    NSCDC Confirms Attack on Niger Outpost, Says Officers Are Safe

    Photo Credit: GazetteNGR (NAN)
    2025-12-25 10:05:00

    In an update published by GazetteNGR (via NAN), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps confirmed a terrorist attack on its officers stationed at the Wawa area of Borgu LGA in Niger State.

    The report says the incident involved an assault on the NSCDC post, with attackers carting away a rifle and personal items during the raid, triggering immediate security concerns around remote outposts.

    Crucially, the NSCDC’s Niger command said the personnel involved were not missing after all, stressing that “officers involved in the attack had been accounted for and were safe.”

    Other outlets also reported the same incident, including Daily Post and Daily Trust, as the security services intensify efforts to secure border-adjacent and hard-to-reach communities in Niger’s northern corridors.

    Echotitbits take: The “accounted for and safe” clarification is important, but the bigger signal is vulnerability of lightly manned outposts—especially where attackers can seize weapons. Watch for whether NSCDC escalates joint patrols with police/army, and whether Niger’s security architecture shifts toward better early warning and rapid response.

    Source: GazetteNGR (NAN) — December 24, 2025 (https://gazettengr.com/terrorists-attack-nscdc-officers-at-niger-lg-cart-away-rifle-belongings/)

    GazetteNGR (NAN) 2025-12-24

  • NCTC warns Sahel coups are intensifying security pressure on Nigeria

    NCTC warns Sahel coups are intensifying security pressure on Nigeria

    Photo Credit: The Nation
    2025-12-24 07:55:00

    Reporting by The Nation indicates Nigeria’s counterterror leadership is linking Sahel instability to worsening insecurity at home, citing cross-border extremist networks and spillover effects.

    Officials argue that coups and the resulting security gaps in Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali have increased militant mobility, deepened recruitment, and complicated joint operations.

    The warning reinforces that Nigeria’s security challenge is increasingly transnational—requiring regional diplomacy, intelligence fusion, and stronger border controls.

    Major General Garba Laka said: “We have these countries facing these threats and we think we will see peace in Nigeria? No.” He added: “As long as those countries keep on facing this threat, Nigeria will continue facing the brunt.”

    Echotitbits take: Nigeria cannot stabilize fully if the Sahel remains a revolving door for armed groups. Watch for concrete steps on border surveillance, regional coordination, and local stabilization in frontline states.

    Source: The Nation — December 23, 2025 (https://thenationonlineng.net/nctc-boss-coups-in-mali-niger-burkina-faso-worsen-security-in-nigeria/)
    The Nation 2025-12-23

  • Nigeria steps up push to remove terror-linked social media accounts

    Nigeria steps up push to remove terror-linked social media accounts

    Photo Credit: The  Punch
    2025-12-24 06:36:00

    Speaking in an end-of-year security briefing cited by Punch, Nigeria’s counter-terror coordination officials say they are working with major social media platforms to identify and take down accounts tied to terrorist recruitment, propaganda, and coordination.

    Authorities argue that extremist networks have shifted tactics—from purely physical coordination to digital messaging, financing cues, and disinformation aimed at confusing communities and pressuring authorities.

    The government’s focus is on disruption: removing visibility, breaking distribution networks, and reducing the “viral” spread of extremist content while investigations continue offline.

    Officials also signalled the effort requires speed: platform cooperation and rapid verification are key, because terror-linked accounts can reappear under new names within hours.

    TVC News reported Nigeria is “collaborating with major social media companies” to remove terror-linked accounts, while The Point similarly referenced the push to “identify and remove accounts linked to terrorist activities.”

    Echotitbits take: Content takedowns are useful but not sufficient—terror networks will migrate. Watch for whether Nigeria pairs takedowns with digital evidence preservation (for prosecutions) and community-based counter-messaging to reduce recruitment pull.

    Source: The  Punch — December 24, 2025 (https://punchng.com/fg-orders-takedown-of-terrorists-social-media-accounts/)
    The  Punch 2025-12-24