The Nigerian Air Force has said its airstrike in the Sambisa Forest area of Borno State killed nine Islamic State West Africa Province fighters, including a key commander responsible for facilitating the movement and protection of senior members of the group.

The NAF said the operation was conducted on Saturday, August 8, 2026, following credible intelligence on the activities and movement of suspected terrorists within the forest.

The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday.

According to him, a Remotely Piloted Aircraft was deployed to conduct persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance operations, leading to the identification and tracking of a group of terrorists moving towards a suspected hideout.

He said following positive identification and confirmation of the target, the aircraft carried out a precision strike on the location.

“The successful operation, conducted on Saturday, 8 August 2026, followed credible intelligence on the activities and movement of suspected terrorists within the Sambisa Forest area. Acting on the intelligence, the NAF deployed a Remotely Piloted Aircraft to conduct persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, enabling the identification and tracking of a group of terrorists as they moved towards a suspected hideout.

“Following positive identification and confirmation of the target, the NAF aircraft conducted a precision engagement on the location. Subsequent battle damage assessment indicated significant effects on the targeted compound, with several terrorists neutralised,” Ejodame said.

He added that further intelligence received after the strike confirmed that nine ISWAP fighters were killed, while several others were wounded.

Among those reportedly killed was Abu Khalid Al Muhajir, whom the NAF described as a prominent ISWAP commander responsible for providing special security escorts for the movement of senior members of the terrorist group.

The statement said his reported knowledge of routes, terrain and tactical movements linking major terrorist enclaves within the Sambisa Forest and surrounding areas made his death a significant operational setback for ISWAP.

The NAF further said intelligence indicated that some of the terrorists affected by the strike were linked to elements suspected to have participated in the recent ambush of Nigerian troops along the Bita-Yamtage axis in Gwoza Local Government Area of the state.

It said the latest operation demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-led air operations, particularly the integration of persistent surveillance with precision strike capabilities.

According to the NAF, the operation is expected to disrupt ISWAP’s leadership protection arrangements, movement of high-value personnel and coordination of activities across its enclaves.

The service said it would continue to conduct intelligence-driven and precision air operations in coordination with surface forces to degrade terrorist capabilities, restrict their freedom of movement and improve security for communities in the North-East.

Source: punchng.com

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A young man identified simply as Azeez has been beaten to death by suspected cultists following a dispute over a missing phone at Oko-Oba in the Agege area of Lagos State.

A police source told PUNCH Metro on Sunday that the incident occurred on Monday, August 3.

According to the source, Azeez was involved in an argument with some of his colleagues over a missing phone after they attended a party.

The source said the argument later degenerated into an assault on Azeez by some of the suspected cultists, said to be his friends.

“We got a report that he passed away as a result of an assault on him by some suspected cultists said to be his friends. The argument was as a result of a missing phone,” the source said.

The source added that Azeez later succumbed to injuries sustained during the assault.

Meanwhile, an anti-cultism advocacy platform, Naija Confra, in a post on Saturday, gave further details of the incident, saying it began on Sunday night, August 2, during a birthday celebration.

According to the platform, a fight broke out at the event, during which one Abela allegedly took a phone and handed it to Azeez.

The platform said trouble started after the owner of the phone began searching for it.

It alleged that when the owner and his friends confronted Azeez after the phone was found in his possession, he told them that Abela had given him the phone to keep.

“Abela, who was sitting there, denied Azeez, even when people saw him. Azeez would never accuse Abela, an NBM leader who is also a boss to him, if it was not true,” the platform claimed.

Naija Confra further alleged that the owner of the phone and his friends, unable to confront Abela, attacked Azeez before leaving the party.

The platform added that Azeez later confronted Abela over his alleged denial of giving him the phone, leading to another argument and subsequent assault.

It alleged that Azeez was taken to another location by suspected members of the Neo-Black Movement, where the attack was carried out on him.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, could not be reached for comments as calls made to her telephone lines were not responded to.

A text message sent to her had yet to be replied to as of the time this report was filed.

Source: punchng.com

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President Bola Tinubu has urged religious and spiritual leaders to consistently speak out against terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and the misuse of religion to justify violence.

Tinubu made the call on Sunday in Kano, in a goodwill message delivered on his behalf by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, at the Grand Maulud of Sheikh Ahmad Al-Tijani.

A statement by Akume’s media aide, Yomi Odunuga, said the President recognised the crucial role religious leaders could play in confronting violence, extremism and the misuse of faith to justify destructive acts.

He urged religious institutions and networks to strengthen advocacy for peace education, religious literacy, scholarship and the moral development of young people.

Tinubu said religious leaders should also use their influence to promote justice, responsibility, compassion and the peaceful resolution of grievances.

The statement read, “Your voices must be raised consistently against the murder of innocent people, against terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and the misuse of religion to justify cruelty.

“Your institutions and networks must become stronger in the advocacy for peace education, religious literacy, scholarship and the formation of upright young men and women.

“You must also remind political leaders of justice, responsibility and compassion, while reminding citizens that legitimate grievances must never become permission for lawlessness or violence.

“Above all, our spiritual fathers must continue to teach that no genuine service to Allah is advanced by destroying the innocent human life that Allah has made sacred.”

The President said the gathering was taking place at a time when societies around the world were facing conflicts, uncertainty, climate and food shocks, violent extremism, terrorism, transnational crimes and the manipulation of identity and religion.

Citing a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees report, Tinubu said 117.8 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide at the end of 2025.

He said the scale of the challenges confronting the world has made spiritual leaders increasingly important.

According to him, spiritual leaders “guard the frontiers of conscience” through their ability to heal wounds, resolve grievances and address deep-seated hatred and bitterness.

Tinubu said the Tijjaniyya community, with its extensive spiritual networks across West Africa, North Africa and other parts of the world, could deploy its influence towards reconciliation, countering violent extremism, youth guidance and humanitarian support.

He said the Federal Government recognised the roles of religious and traditional leaders in promoting tolerance, countering misinformation and identity-based divisions, strengthening grassroots peacebuilding and fostering peaceful coexistence.

The President also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional cooperation, counter-terrorism, maritime security, economic integration and dialogue.

He said Nigeria’s strategic position at the intersection of West Africa, the Sahel, the Lake Chad Basin, the Gulf of Guinea and the wider Atlantic world made the country’s peace and stability important to the region.

“Our position means that peace in Nigeria has consequences far beyond Nigeria. It also means that religious communities with deep transnational connections, such as the Tijjaniyya, can be valuable partners in building an architecture of social peace that complements the work of governments and regional institutions,” he said.

Tinubu said such partnerships should promote the ethical values of truthfulness, compassion, justice, restraint, service and respect for the sanctity of human life.

He also assured that his administration would continue to uphold freedom of worship while strengthening collaboration with religious and traditional institutions to promote peace, mutual respect and national cohesion.

The President welcomed the World Khalifa of the Tijjaniyya Order, scholars, spiritual leaders and other guests who travelled from Algeria, Morocco, Senegal, Egypt and other countries for the Maulud.

He described Nigeria as a country where the Tijjaniyya tradition had established deep roots in scholarship, remembrance, service, moral instruction and peaceful community life.

Tinubu also paid tribute to the late Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, whose foundation played a significant role in organising the Maulud.

He described the late Islamic scholar, who died in November 2025, as “a teacher, a father and a voice of moderation and reason, and as an advocate of peace and piety.”

The President said preserving Sheikh Dahiru’s legacy of Qur’anic scholarship, moral instruction, devotion to Allah, respect for learning, peaceful coexistence and concern for society would be the most enduring tribute to him.

He commended the Supreme Council of the Tijjaniyya, the Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi Foundation, the Kano State Government, scholars, traditional rulers, security and emergency services, organisers and volunteers for their contributions to the event.

Tinubu added, “Nigeria is honoured by your presence, and we pray that you return to your homes safely, carrying with you the affection and hospitality of the Nigerian people. May Almighty Allah accept the prayers and acts of devotion offered at this Maulud.”

The call came against the backdrop of renewed debate over the role of religious leaders in Nigeria’s political and governance affairs.

On July 28, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, led by Archbishop Matthew Ndagoso, met with Tinubu and raised concerns over the country’s security and economic challenges.

Speaking after the meeting, former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, said some people around the President were presenting a “rosy picture” of the situation in the country.

He also warned that the government appeared determined to win future elections “by all means.”

The remarks triggered public debate over the role of religious leaders in governance and politics, with some members of the Presidency and the Federal Government accusing the cleric of partisanship.

Source: punchng.com

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