Gunmen, on Tuesday night, killed 10 security personnel — nine soldiers and one police officer — in a deadly ambush on troops in Kebbi State.

The incident occurred in the Giro Masa community, Shanga Local Government Area, where the assailants also burned two military gun trucks and reportedly left several civilians dead or injured.

Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, confirmed the attack on Wednesday after visiting victims at the Federal Teaching Hospital in Birnin Kebbi.

Describing the incident as “barbaric and unacceptable,” the governor lamented the loss of the security personnel, who he said died in the line of duty.

“This is a deeply painful and unfortunate incident. These brave soldiers and the police officer were on duty, defending our people. It is tragic that they lost their lives in such circumstances,” he said.

Idris assured that the state government would cover the medical expenses of the injured and provide support to the families of the fallen officers.

“We will not abandon the families of these heroes. The government will take full responsibility for the treatment of those injured and ensure that the families of the deceased are supported,” he added.

He also reiterated his administration’s commitment to tackling insecurity, noting that efforts were ongoing in collaboration with security agencies to restore peace in affected areas.

“We are working closely with the military and other security agencies to ensure that those behind this attack are brought to justice. We will not relent in securing Kebbi State,” the governor said.

Following his hospital visit, Idris proceeded to Giro Masa for an on-the-spot assessment as security forces intensified operations in the area.

Shanga and neighbouring local government areas have in recent months witnessed sporadic attacks linked to banditry and cross-border crimes, partly due to Kebbi’s proximity to the Niger Republic.

Security experts say the largely rural terrain and porous borders have made parts of the state vulnerable to incursions by armed groups, despite ongoing military operations.

The latest ambush is among the deadliest attacks on security personnel in the state in recent times, raising fresh concerns over the evolving tactics of armed groups, who are increasingly targeting security formations.

Residents have called for a sustained military presence and improved intelligence gathering to prevent further attacks.

A Nigerian national, Chukwuemeka Ahanonu, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of a 56-year-old woman he attacked on a street in Leicester, United Kingdom, after crashing his car while under the influence of cannabis.

PUNCH Metro gathered from a report by Leicestershire Police that the 24-year-old assaulted the victim, Nila Patel, on June 24, 2025, along Infirmary Road. Following a trial at Leicester Crown Court, he was found guilty by a jury on Monday and sentenced on Tuesday.

According to the police, Ahanonu had been driving dangerously around the city centre prior to the incident, swerving across lanes, running red lights, and veering towards pedestrians before crashing his vehicle.

After the crash, he fled the scene and attacked Patel, who had just alighted from a bus and was walking home.

At the time of his arrest, officers discovered he had been smoking cannabis, with dealer bags of the substance valued at over £3,000 and three iPhones recovered from his car.

He had earlier pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, possession of cannabis with intent to supply, and assaulting an emergency worker after biting a female police officer.

Security personnel from the nearby Leicester Royal Infirmary restrained him until officers arrived, while medical staff treated Patel for severe injuries, including a fractured skull and brain trauma. She died two days later, prompting his re-arrest on suspicion of murder on June 26, 2025.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Emma Matts, described the incident as “a horrific, violent and random attack” on an innocent woman.

“Ahanonu was unknown to the victim. She was simply walking home when she was subjected to this brutal assault,” Matts said, adding that CCTV footage of his driving before the crash was “frightening and disturbing.”

She also commended members of the public who intervened, noting that their swift actions in restraining the suspect and assisting the victim were crucial in securing justice.

In a separate development, two Ireland-based men, Francis Ogbuefi, 42, and Steven Silvester, 32, were sentenced to a combined 16 years in prison for their involvement in a global money laundering scheme.

According to Raidió Teilifís Éireann, the duo were prosecuted following an investigation by Ireland’s Garda National Economic Crime Bureau. Ogbuefi was handed a nine-year sentence, while Silvester received seven and a half years.

Authorities say the cases highlight growing concerns over transnational crimes involving some foreign nationals.