Crime
PHOTOS & VIDEOS: Thailand and Cambodia start war with at least 11 d3ad
A dangerous escalation unfolded on Thursday as Thailand launched airstrikes on Cambodian military targets near their disputed border, following a series of deadly clashes that have claimed at least 11 civilian lives.
The conflict, which threatens to spiral into a broader regional confrontation, follows the injury of a Thai soldier in a landmine explosion on Wednesday. The incident prompted Thailand to shut down all border crossings with Cambodia.
Thailand’s northeastern 2nd Regional Military Command announced via Facebook that F-16 fighter jets had been deployed and claimed two Cambodian military support units were “destroyed.” Army spokesperson Col. Richa Suksuwanont confirmed the strikes were aimed solely at military targets.
Cambodia’s Ministry of Defense responded by condemning the airstrikes, which reportedly occurred near the UNESCO-listed Preah Vihear temple. The ministry described the action as “brutal, barbaric military aggression” and a violation of international law.
“Cambodia reserves the right to lawful self-defense and will respond decisively,” the statement warned. “Our armed forces are fully prepared to defend the kingdom’s sovereignty—whatever the cost.”
Military officials confirmed that armed clashes broke out at six locations along the disputed border earlier on Thursday. Civilians were among the casualties, with homes, livestock, and public infrastructure damaged.
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health confirmed 11 civilian deaths and at least 35 injuries. Among the victims was an 8-year-old boy, the Thai military reported.
A Cambodian rocket reportedly struck a busy gas station in Kantharalak, Sisaket province, killing six people and injuring ten others. Geolocated video footage shows a damaged 7-Eleven store, smoke, and wounded individuals lying outside.
Thailand further accused Cambodian forces of firing BM-21 Grad rockets into civilian areas in Surin province, including at a local hospital. Footage aired by Thai PBS showed residents running for cover amid gunfire and sheltering in bunkers.
“The Royal Thai Armed Forces condemns these inhumane attacks on civilian targets and is prepared to respond to protect our sovereignty and citizens,” a military statement read.
Thailand also accused Cambodia of planting landmines inside Thai territory, another breach of international law.
Acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai described the situation as “delicate” and emphasized that any response must remain within the bounds of international law.
Meanwhile, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council to “stop Thailand’s aggression.”
The latest clashes follow the injury of five Thai soldiers in a landmine explosion on Wednesday. In response, Thailand downgraded diplomatic ties with Cambodia—recalling its ambassador and expelling Cambodia’s envoy from Bangkok.
The two nations share a complex relationship, with decades of both cooperation and tension. Their 800-kilometer border, drawn by French colonialists during their rule of Cambodia, has long been a flashpoint.
In 2011, skirmishes near the Preah Vihear temple left at least 20 people dead and displaced thousands.
This latest flare-up reportedly began early Thursday when Cambodia deployed a drone near the Ta Muen Thom temple—located near the border in Thailand’s Surin province. Thailand claimed Cambodian troops fired on a Thai army base, triggering the exchange of gunfire with small arms and heavy weapons.
Cambodia, however, disputes this account. Defense Ministry spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata insisted their forces were responding to “an unprovoked incursion” by Thai troops.
Prime Minister Hun Manet also accused Thailand of attacking Cambodian army positions at several temple sites, urging citizens to remain calm and unified. The landmine attacks, which cost two Thai soldiers their legs in the past week, have only intensified the situation.
Tensions have spilled into domestic politics. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended earlier this month after a leaked phone call with Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen—Hun Manet’s father—surfaced, in which she appeared to question her own army’s conduct.
According to Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political science professor at Chulalongkorn University, the conflict “is likely to get worse before it gets better,” warning that further escalation may be imminent.
🚨 Heavy artillery and Grad rocket shelling reported along the Cambodia–Thailand border.
Thai MFA urges citizens in Cambodia to leave immediately and advises against all non-essential travel until tensions ease. https://t.co/pgv4lEWZDs pic.twitter.com/kN4712S8Cp
— BigBreakingWire (@BigBreakingWire) July 24, 2025
[Breaking] The Second Army Region reports that BM-21 rockets fired from the Cambodian side have hit a PTT gas station in Ban Phue, Kantharalak District, Sisaket Province, leaving many students and civilians injured.#Thailand #Cambodia #ไทยกัมพูชา #ชายแดนไทยกัมพูชา pic.twitter.com/3moE6Jwqjm
— Thai Enquirer (@ThaiEnquirer) July 24, 2025
A new war is approaching: Heavy fighting broke out on the border between Thailand and Cambodia, — CNN.
The Royal Cambodian Army shelled several Thai border towns with multiple rocket launchers.
In response, Thailand closed its border with Cambodia because of these attacks.… pic.twitter.com/HwJVxxfipp— Jürgen Nauditt 🇩🇪🇺🇦 (@jurgen_nauditt) July 24, 2025
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The Niger State Police Command has arrested a 10-man syndicate in Minna suspected of specialising in the international trafficking of unsuspecting victims, along with 36 undocumented youths of different nationalities.
According to the command’s spokesman, SP Wasiu Abiodun, the syndicate operated under false pretences as travel agents, engaging in the extortion of their victims.
Abiodun revealed that the suspects were arrested on July 18, 2025, at about 12:30 pm, following credible intelligence received about their activities along 123 Quarters, Minna.
Those arrested include Sokou Doumbia, Thiarno Balbe, Hashimu Dauda Kolo, Usman Doumbia, Musa Konate, Lamine Watara, Acine Diouf, Adamu Zarbu, Alhassan Konde and Dango Aminatu.
They were discovered to be nationals of various neighbouring West African countries and primarily spoke French, except for their Nigerian collaborator, Hashimu, who provided accommodation for the syndicate in Minna.
The operation led to the rescue of 36 undocumented youths from countries such as Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea.
He disclosed that, during interrogation, they claimed to have come to Nigeria for an online business.
All the suspects and victims have been transferred to Interpol for further investigation and other necessary actions.
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The only female among the suspects said her only connection to the illegal miners was her proficiency in speaking Mandarin, a widely spoken language in China.
At least seven Chinese and four Nigerians have been arrested for alleged illegal mining of ilmenite in Akwa Ibom state.
The suspects were arrested by men of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Dele Oyewale, EFCC Head, Media and Publicity, said Monday, July 28, that Operatives of the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the anti-graft agency apprehended the suspects on Thursday last week, July 24, at Emem-Asuk, Eastern Obolo Local Government Area (LGA) of the State.
Oyewale said, “The Chinese suspects are Yang Chaobao, 32, Zhong Dun Yi , 33, Cheng Jiang , 35, Zhong Dun Long , 37, Pan Peiming , 33, Lai Yiping, 37 and Zhu Lekun, 35.
“Their Nigerian accomplices are: David Israel, 18, Jonah Bartholomew Jim , 24, Samuel Samuel Timothy, 20, and a female translator named Comfort Gabriel Ajaga , 23.
“They are operating in the Eastern Obolo area, where they were arrested whilst setting up mining equipment at a second location. They were already engaged in the illegal activities at their first location, mining ilmenite, locally called black sand.”
The only female among the suspects said her only connection to the illegal miners was her proficiency in speaking Mandarin, a widely spoken language in China.
“I am a student studying Chinese language at a Learning Centre in Anambra State and I only work with them as a translator,” she said.
“The suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation,” Oyewale disclosed.
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The suspect allegedly sold one of the stolen televisions for N40,000.
A 22-year-old carpenter, Auwal Mohammed has been arrested for stealing.
Men of the Bauchi State Police Command arrested Mohammed for allegedly stealing four brand new plasma televisions from his client’s house.
The spokesperson of the command, CSP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, who disclosed this in a statement on Monday, July 28, 2025 said the suspect allegedly sold one of the stolen televisions for N40,000.
“On July 26, 2025, at about 16:00 hours, the Bauchi State Police Command apprehended Auwal Mohammed, a 22-year-old carpenter residing in the Sabon Railway area of Bauchi metropolis, in connection with the theft of four 43-inch plasma televisions,” the statement read.
“Auwal Mohammed, who was working as a carpenter at the residence of an unidentified individual, allegedly discovered the new televisions in one of the rooms of the premises.
“It is reported that he subsequently relocated the televisions to a concealed area within the house, where they remained for around two weeks. Following this period, he is said to have taken the televisions to the residence of a neighbor for safekeeping and received a sum of N50,000 as credit.
“Further investigation has indicated that the suspect later sold one of the stolen 43-inch televisions to an individual known to deal in stolen goods for N40,000. Efforts are currently being made to apprehend his accomplice and recover the stolen property.
“The investigation is ongoing, and upon its conclusion, Auwal Mohammed will be formally profiled and charged to court of law.”
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