Troops Repel ISWAP Attack in Borno, Recover Camcorder Said to Reveal Foreign Terror Links

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have repelled an attempted attack by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters on Cross Kauwa in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, killing several insurgents and recovering a camcorder that the military says contains evidence of foreign involvement in the group’s operations.

The military said the attack occurred at about 10:20 p.m. on Saturday, 11 July, when the insurgents attempted to infiltrate the military position under the cover of darkness.

According to a statement issued by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, troops of the 19 Brigade, Sector 3, swiftly detected the advancing terrorists and engaged them with what he described as “coordinated and overwhelming firepower.”

The military said the insurgents were forced to retreat after suffering heavy casualties, abandoning what it alleged was a plan to loot cholera medical supplies stored in the area.

It added that the attempted theft of medical items appears to support recent intelligence reports suggesting a cholera outbreak within ISWAP-controlled enclaves, as well as claims that some infected members of the group had been executed. These claims could not be independently verified.

One of the insurgents killed during the exchange was identified by the military as a cameraman. Troops recovered a Sony camcorder from the scene, which the military said contained operational footage and propaganda materials belonging to the terrorist group.

According to the statement, preliminary forensic analysis of the device indicated that the failed operation was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders alongside three foreign nationals allegedly linked to the terrorist organisation.

The military identified two of the foreign suspects as Abu Ishaq, described as a Palestinian believed to be the group’s chief trainer, and Abu Thaiba, a Moroccan medical doctor said to be working with the insurgent network. A third Arab operative was not identified.

The military said the findings reinforce its assessment that ISWAP continues to receive external support, technical expertise and assistance from transnational terrorist networks. The claims have not been independently confirmed.

Following the battle, troops conducted exploitation operations around the area and recovered several rounds of PKT and 7.62mm Special ammunition, military-style uniforms and other items described as combat equipment.

The military also said satellite imagery and intelligence reports indicated that the fleeing insurgents evacuated the bodies of some of those killed during the clash, while several others escaped with gunshot wounds.

Two soldiers were injured during the firefight and were airlifted for medical treatment. The military said both personnel are in stable condition.

Operation HADIN KAI described the failed assault as another major setback for ISWAP, saying sustained military operations across the North-east have continued to weaken the group’s ability to launch coordinated attacks.

The military reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining offensive operations against insurgents, protecting vulnerable communities and dismantling terrorist networks across the region.

Northern governors endorse state police, boost security funding

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

Facing mounting pressure to curb worsening insecurity across Northern Nigeria, governors of the 19 northern states on Wednesday endorsed the establishment of state police, reaffirmed their commitment to a regional security trust fund, and unveiled a broader strategy aimed at tackling the socio-economic drivers of violent crime.

The decisions were reached at a joint meeting of the Northern Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NNGF) and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council held at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna.

The meeting, chaired by the Governor of Gombe State and Chairman of the NNGF, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, brought together governors and traditional rulers to deliberate exclusively on the region’s security challenges amid persistent attacks by terrorists, bandits and kidnappers that continue to claim lives, displace communities and disrupt farming and economic activities.

In a communiqué issued after the meeting, the forum described the security situation in Northern Nigeria as one requiring “urgent, coordinated and decisive action” and pledged to deepen cooperation with federal security agencies through intelligence sharing, community engagement and stronger regional collaboration.

The governors also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for ongoing efforts to address insecurity nationwide and reaffirmed their support for federal security operations.

The governors renewed their backing for the creation of state police, describing it as a critical component of broader security sector reforms.

They welcomed ongoing constitutional efforts to establish state police and commended President Tinubu and the National Assembly for advancing the process.

The forum expressed confidence that state police, if professionally recruited, adequately trained, properly funded and subject to effective oversight, would improve intelligence gathering and strengthen responses to local security threats.

The debate over state policing has gained momentum recently as many states continue to contend with insecurity despite increased military deployments. While supporters believe that local policing would improve accountability and response times, critics have raised concerns about potential political interference, emphasising the necessity of legal protections and oversight in the ongoing constitutional discussions.

The meeting also reviewed the progress of the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund, which aims to mobilise additional resources for regional security interventions.

The governors commended member states for redeeming their commitment to contribute ₦1 billion monthly to the fund and urged them to sustain the payments.

They expressed confidence in the newly inaugurated board of trustees of the fund, urging its members to discharge their responsibilities with transparency, fairness and accountability.

The forum also called on traditional rulers, civil society organisations, development partners, the media and citizens to support the initiative, noting that tackling insecurity requires collective action.

The governors acknowledged that military operations alone cannot end the region’s security crisis.

They identified poverty, unemployment, illiteracy and the growing number of out-of-school children as major drivers of insecurity and pledged greater investment in education, agriculture, youth empowerment, vocational training and job creation.

As the farming season gathers momentum, the forum also urged governments and security agencies to strengthen protection for farmers, particularly in communities affected by violence and communal tensions.

It further resolved to work with traditional institutions and local governments to prevent conflicts while promoting livestock transformation and other initiatives aimed at improving peaceful coexistence, modernising agriculture and protecting livelihoods.

Beyond security, the governors agreed to adopt a coordinated regional approach to development by strengthening collaboration in education, healthcare and agriculture.

According to the communiqué, the states will develop a common framework to pool resources, share technical expertise and implement policies capable of delivering long-term development across Northern Nigeria.

The communiqué was signed by Mr Yahaya, who said the forum would reconvene on a date to be announced.

Northern Nigeria remains the epicentre of several security crises, including the Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgency in the North-east, armed banditry across the North-west, violent communal conflicts in parts of the North-central and widespread kidnapping for ransom. The violence has displaced millions of residents, disrupted agricultural production and deepened humanitarian and economic challenges across the region.

The decisions made in Kaduna show that northern governors are increasingly trying to support federal security efforts by introducing changes to institutions, working together regionally, and investing in long-term solutions to tackle the root causes of insecurity.

Gombe Police Rescue Abducted Eight-Year-Old Boy, Arrest Four Suspects

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

An eight-year-old boy abducted in Gombe State has been rescued unharmed by the Nigeria Police Force, bringing relief to his family after a two-day intelligence-led operation that also led to the arrest of four suspected kidnappers.

The Commissioner of Police, Umar Ahmed Chuso, announced the breakthrough on Wednesday during a press briefing in Gombe, where he outlined the command’s recent achievements in tackling kidnapping, armed robbery, cybercrime and other criminal activities.

Mr Chuso said the child’s father reported his disappearance to the Akko Divisional Police Headquarters on 28 June after the boy failed to return home, having left the previous evening.

He said detectives immediately launched an intelligence-driven investigation, which led operatives to the suspects’ hideout on 30 June.

According to the commissioner, the police first arrested Abdullahi Mohammed in Jauro Musa Quarters, Kumo, whose confession led investigators to three other suspects identified as Mohammed Magaji, Sale Sale and Walida Ya’u.

“The victim was rescued unharmed from the suspects’ custody and has since been reunited with his family,” Mr Chuso said, adding that investigations were continuing and the suspects would be prosecuted after the conclusion of the investigation.

The police commissioner also announced the dismantling of an eight-member criminal syndicate allegedly involved in armed robbery and internet fraud across several communities in Gombe State.

He said the investigation followed complaints by two residents of Wuro Birji in Akko Local Government Area, whose mobile phones were stolen by hoodlums. The suspects allegedly used information obtained from the devices to gain unauthorised access to the victims’ bank accounts, withdrawing ₦296,790 and obtaining an additional ₦205,205 through a Quick Loan facility.

Mr Chuso said investigators traced one of the fraudulent transactions to a Moniepoint account, leading to the arrest of the alleged ringleader, Mustapha Kabiru, popularly known as “Musty Bobo”, a 19-year-old student of the Federal Polytechnic Kaltungo.

He said the suspect’s confession led to the arrest of seven other members of the syndicate, which police believe is responsible for more than 13 similar attacks in Wuro Birji, Riyal, Bomala and Jauro Jatau communities. Efforts, he added, are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing suspects.

As part of efforts to curb crime, the commissioner said police on 7 July carried out coordinated raids on identified criminal hideouts across Gombe metropolis, resulting in the arrest of 44 suspects. Some of those arrested were allegedly found with offensive weapons, Indian hemp and other intoxicating substances.

Mr Chuso also disclosed that the command had intensified enforcement against vehicles operating without registration number plates or with concealed, altered or defaced plates. Since the exercise began on 16 June, the police have impounded 121 vehicles and prosecuted 114 motorists for violating the National Road Traffic Regulations and the Road Traffic Act.

He urged residents to continue supporting the police with timely and credible intelligence, saying effective policing depends on strong collaboration between security agencies and the public.