Crime

Displaced Borno residents recount Boko Haram invasion

Published

5 months ago

October 8, 2025

Victims of the recent Boko Haram attack on Kirawa, a community in Gwoza local government area of Borno state, have recounted the ordeals and strategies the insurgents used to seize the community.

In an interview with our correspondent on Sunday, the victims described the experience as “disastrous.”

One victim, Aji Modu, explained that the terrorists entered the community on motorcycles.

In his words, “They came with motorbikes and started shooting while gradually entering the village.

“On their way, the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and hunters tried to hold them off in a gun battle, and they exchanged gunfire.

“The CJTF held the insurgents in a gunfight that lasted for hours, slowing their advance into the community. That gave us enough time to quickly run away.”

Another victim, Mustapha Umar, added that the insurgents succeeded in killing one person and abducting a teenager.

“After many of our people crossed the border while the gun battle was ongoing, the CJTF, who were holding the terrorists at gunfire, also began to withdraw. As soon as they withdrew toward our side, the insurgents overtook the town.

“They captured and entered every corner of the town. They took over almost everywhere and began burning houses.

“Unfortunately, one young man, less than 20 years old, was caught near the immigration office. The insurgents killed him.

“There was also a child, around 13 years old, running with his mother, whom the insurgents captured and took away. So, we had one death and one hostage taken from our community,” he said.

Recounting the losses, a community member identified as Garba said properties including televisions, beds, mattresses, and farm produce were left behind.

“I couldn’t risk my life for material things. I left behind my television, mattresses, and clothes. All were burnt down,” he said.

PUNCH had earlier reported that community members called for a military base in the town following the redeployment of Cameroonian troops after a recent attack.

Days after the attack, our correspondent learned that the state governor, Babagana Zulum, mobilized troops to the community.

Speaking on the issue, Zulum said, “Yes, Cameroonian troops have withdrawn, but that doesn’t mean the Nigerian Army should leave the area vacant.

“We resettled this town about seven years ago, with the support of Cameroonian soldiers. Unfortunately, the returnees were displaced by insurgents.

Regarding the attack, the governor said he had informed the military earlier of the dangers of leaving the community without a military post.

“I duly notified the Nigerian military about the risks of leaving this town without security. This is a border community. Wilgo, Kirawa, Baga, Damasak, Malamfatori, among others, are border towns that must be protected given their strategic importance.

“Unfortunately, my request did not receive the attention it deserved, and the insurgents came on Wednesday and vandalized everything we worked so hard to rebuild.

“Lives were lost; 50 houses, heavy-duty equipment, and eight vehicles were burnt down. We thank God the casualties were not more.”

He added, “All of us have agreed that, as soon as possible, the Nigerian army will deploy soldiers to Kirawa town.”

Meanwhile, Yakubu Mabba Ali, Chairman of Kirawa Development Association, noted that the governor promised various social amenities during his visit.

“The governor said he will bring the military here. He said he is going to consider our roads, hospitals, and provide palliatives to our people,” he said.

Residents Plan to Return

Our correspondent gathered that residents have begun returning to the community after spending several days in a Cameroonian village called Sabon Kasuwa.

Speaking with Khadijat Sanni through a language interpreter, she said the state government has deployed a local security outfit in the community.

“The government deployed some members of the vigilante group called Karan-Kara to Kirawa. Their presence gave us the assurance to return,” she said.

Those who escaped the attack to Maiduguri confirmed to PUNCH that they held a meeting on Monday (yesterday) alongside their district head, who was previously displaced to Cameroon.

One of them, Aliyu Liman, said at the meeting they planned strategies to raise funds to assist the most affected families.

He added that their plan to return stems from the need to resume farming activities they left midway.

“Ninety percent of our people are farmers. Take me for instance; I left behind my bean farm. Now that I am aware peace has returned, I do not want to continue staying here in Maiduguri.”

Speaking about the meeting, Aliyu said, “We met with the district head yesterday in the Polo area of Maiduguri. Our discussion focused on how to assist our loved ones who were most affected. We are contacting organizations and people near and far across Nigeria to support the community with funds.

“Whatever we raise by the time we return will be used to cushion the effects of the attack for families in one way or another,” he explained.

According to him, many dignitaries and community members present made significant donations totaling 600,000 naira.

“In the meeting, indigenes of the community residing in Maiduguri showed us solidarity.

“As of yesterday, about 600,000 naira was raised. We intend to use the fund to support the community until the state government fulfills its pledge.”

Providing more details, he said, “More than 50 people gathered yesterday. Prominent people from our town were present, including the Chairman of Kirawa Development Association, Yakubu Mabba Ali; Barrister Abba; Former Education Secretary Muhammad Abba, among others. Many dignitaries were present.

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Crime

Baby factory: Ondo couple jailed 14 years

Published

22 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has secured a 14-year jail term for a couple, Abiodun Ogundeji and Happiness Ogundeji, for operating a baby factory in Ilutitun, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The Lagos Zonal Commander of NAPTIP, Mrs Comfort Agboko, disclosed this during a press briefing at the agency’s headquarters in Ikeja on Tuesday.

Agboko said the conviction followed an 11-year trial before a Federal High Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

According to her, the case was initially referred to NAPTIP by the Nigerian Immigration Service in January 2014, which led to a detailed investigation.

She explained that preliminary findings revealed that the convicts operated the illegal baby factory at their country home located at No. 10 Sarajo Street, Ilutitun.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the two convicts operated a baby factory at their country home, where underage pregnant girls were brought in and detained against their will, deliberately awaiting delivery of their babies for sale to customers,” Agboko said.

She added that a search of the premises uncovered several items, including hospital cards, eight cars with their keys, two bungalows, N4m in cash found in the trunk of one of the vehicles, a poultry farm and various domestic animals.

Agboko disclosed that NAPTIP obtained a court order on May 12, 2014, from the Federal High Court in Akure to seal and seize the properties found within the premises.

She further stated that after years of prosecution, Justice F. A. Olubanjo found the defendants guilty on a 10-count charge bordering on unlawful detention of victims and deprivation of personal liberty, contrary to Section 19(c) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Law Enforcement and Administration Act, 2003.

“The convicts, Ogundeji Happiness Ayodele (female) and Prince Ogundeji Abiodun (male), were on Thursday, February 26, 2026, sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment without an option of fine by the Federal High Court in Akure,” she said.

The court also ordered the forfeiture of the eight cars and two bungalows traced to the convicts as proceeds of crime to the Federal Government of Nigeria through NAPTIP.

Agboko added that the N4m recovered during the investigation was also forfeited to the Federal Government.

“The court further ordered that the properties of the convicts be auctioned and directed that N1m each be paid as restitution to the three victims who testified during the trial,” she said.

Describing the judgment as a landmark achievement, Agboko said it would serve as a strong deterrent to human traffickers.

“This is a landmark conviction that sends a clear warning to perpetrators of human trafficking that, no matter how long it takes, they will eventually face the full wrath of the law,” she said.

She commended the judiciary, the Nigerian Immigration Service, the Nigeria Police in Akure and other stakeholders for their support in securing the conviction.

The conviction adds to a growing list of successes recorded by NAPTIP in its fight against human trafficking nationwide.

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Crime

Two shot dead in renewed cult violence in Lagos

Published

2 days ago

March 3, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

Two suspected cultists, identified simply as Monday and Efe, have been shot dead in a fresh wave of cult-related violence in the Ojo area of Lagos State.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the killings occurred on Sunday at different locations within the community.

A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the incident, said the victims were discovered with gunshot wounds.

“Two bodies were found in the community on Sunday with gunshot injuries. We later learnt that the killings were carried out by suspected cultists in what appeared to be a reprisal attack by rival groups. The police subsequently evacuated the bodies,” the source said.

An anti-cultism platform, Confra Naija, alleged in a post on X that one of the victims, Monday, was a former chairman of the Neo Black Movement in Alaba International Market, and was also described by some as a long-time leader of the Aye confraternity in the area.

The platform claimed that Monday had been a target for some time and that a close associate of his, also said to be a former Aye leader, was killed in March last year.

Confra Naija further alleged that the second victim, Efe, was another NBM leader in Ojo, though he was said not to be a regular presence in the area.

According to the platform, Efe was reportedly attacked while outside charging his phone during a power outage. The post alleged that suspected members of a rival group accosted and killed him.

In a video seen by PUNCH Metro, one of the victims was lying in what appeared to be an electronics shop, while gunshots were heard. Another clip showed a man lying motionless with visible gunshot wounds.

Reacting to the incident on X, a user, Roland Inuedo, expressed concern over the spate of violence in Ojo and surrounding areas.

As of the time of filing this report, the Lagos State Police Command had yet to officially confirm the incident. Calls and a text message sent to the state Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, were not responded to.

Cult-related violence has persisted in parts of Lagos despite ongoing efforts by security agencies to curb the menace.

In September 2025, PUNCH Metro reported that residents of Orita Adeba in Lakowe and Sangotedo were thrown into panic after suspected cult clashes left two young men dead in separate reprisal attacks.

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Crime

DSS nabs teacher claiming responsibility for Obi’s attack

Published

2 days ago

March 3, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Department of State Services has arrested a 26-year-old man, Udeme Stephen, for allegedly claiming responsibility for the recent attack on the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi.

Stephen was apprehended following a threat he posted on his X account, @stevetom788, shortly after armed men fired gunshots at the African Democratic Congress secretariat and Chief John Odigie-Oyegun’s residence in Benin, Edo State.

Present at the event were Obi, Odigie-Oyegun, former President of the Nigeria Bar Association, Olumide Akpata and some ADC leaders.

In his post, Stephen claimed responsibility for the incident and issued further threats against Obi.

He wrote that Obi was fortunate to have survived the Benin attack and warned that he would not be “that lucky next time,” alleging that his associates would target the former presidential candidate during a planned visit to Rivers State.

“We warned Obi against his entrance into Edo State, but he mistook our resolve for his Obidiots online noise.

“Thank his stars he (Obi) survived this one… I learnt he’s going to my Rivers State… Na my men go handle that one and dem no dey miss target…

“Speak no peace to a bastard and wish him no long life, for he’s destined to die,” Udeme posted.

Speaking on Monday, a top security source disclosed that the DSS immediately launched a covert investigation after the threat was issued.

The source added that operatives deployed forensic analysis to track the suspect.

He identified Stephen as a teacher at Jessica High School in Eliozu, located in the Umuehere Community of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

“No sooner had Stephen issued the threat than DSS operatives began a covert investigation, deploying forensic analysis to track and arrest him.

“The suspect is 26 years old, called Udeme Monday Stephen, and teaches at Jessica High School in Eliozu, Rivers State, at Umuehere Community, in Obio-Akpor LGA of the state.

“I strongly believe that the outcome of the agency’s forensic investigations implicated the suspect.

“Stephen is currently in custody and will soon be charged in court,” the statement said.

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