The Nigerian military on Monday narrated how troops of Operation FASAN YAMMA, supported by Nigerian Air Force, rescued Mrs. Amina Abubakar, wife of the late Major General Rabe Abubakar, a former Director of Defence Information (DDI), from the den of bandits.

The rescue came after weeks of gruelling search-and-rescue operations launched after Mrs. Abubakar was abducted along with her husband by armed bandits, the military said.

The military said the troops continued to pressure the criminal group through a series of offensive operations and intelligence-driven missions to locate the kidnappers and free the victim.

Director Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, said troops made contact with the bandits at Tunga Village during one of the operations, which was the breakthrough.

The military said the bandits shot Mrs Abubakar and left her behind before fleeing when the troops closed in on their position and came under overwhelming pressure from the security forces.

The troops immediately cordoned off the area and rescued the victim, thereby ending her ordeal of captivity.

She was evacuated from the scene and taken to a military hospital for urgent medical care.

Mrs Abubakar is responding well to treatment and remains under close medical supervision, the Armed Forces said.

The military leadership has further assured that all the required support is being extended to her and her family to ensure her complete recovery.

The late Major General Rabe Abubakar, a former Defence spokesman and a senior military officer, and his wife were abducted in an incident that raised concerns and condemnation across the board.

Following the abduction, troops of Operation FASAN YAMMA intensified efforts to track down the kidnappers with ground operations, aerial surveillance and support from the Nigerian Air Force.

The armed forces would intensify their operations to track down and neutralize those behind the abduction and continue to rid Katsina State and other parts of the country of terrorists and bandits, the Armed Forces said, quoting Major General Uba.

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Armed bandits have once again attacked Odo-Ere, the headquarters of Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, killing a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officer and abducting his daughter.

Our correspondent gathered that the attack occurred on the evening of Monday, June 8, 2026, when heavily armed men invaded the community, throwing residents into panic.

The dead officer, known only as Mr Ayo, was said to have been shot in the head during the attack as residents fled for safety.

The victim was taken to a medical facility but was pronounced dead on arrival, a community source said. His body was taken to a morgue.

The attackers also took away his first daughter when they fled, which further heightened residents’ fears over the deteriorating security situation in the area.

The latest attack comes just a week after a similar attack in Aiyegunle-Igun, Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, where the bandits reportedly killed two persons and kidnapped about 30 others.

Three days after the attack, armed men stormed Ikoyi community in Ijumu Local Government Area at about 7 p.m. during a burial ceremony, killing three persons and abducting several others.

As at the time of filing this report, none of the victims abducted in the earlier attacks, residents said, had been rescued, just as fear and uncertainty continued to grip communities across Kogi West Senatorial District.

The fresh attacks have sparked renewed concerns over the worsening security situation in Kogi West, with residents calling on security agencies and the state government to take urgent and decisive steps to stem the tide.

Security agencies had not yet released an official statement on the latest incident as of the time of filing this report.

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Bandits have reportedly abducted no fewer than 50 elderly residents of Magamin Diddi village in Magami/Faru ward of Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State on a reconciliation mission.

It was gathered that the victims were whisked away by a bandit kingpin named Jammo who is said to have control of Muntsira Forest in Maradun Local Government Area.

The Chairman of Maradun Local Government Area, Bello Dosara, confirmed the incident according to Daily Trust saying the victims went to meet the bandit leader without the approval or clearance of the government.

The state government, Dosara said, had always been opposed to any form of reconciliation with bandits, adding that Governor Dauda Lawal was not in support of such arrangements.

“We are against reconciliation with the bandits and Governor Dauda Lawal never supported that, but unknown to us the people chose to go on with it,” Dosara said.

Dosara stated that the bandit kingpin had previously blocked the village’s access to the market, but added that the council had been providing weekly security cover for residents to travel to the market and return safely.

He expressed concern that the residents still opted to approach the bandit leader despite the government’s opposition to negotiations with criminal groups.

“I wonder why, how they go and meet their rivals, they block access to the market and I support them with security every week,” he said.

The council chairman confirmed that 11 of the abducted persons had been released while 39 others were still being held.

“He released some to just brief the people on the unfortunate incident,” Dosara said.

Bello Husseini, the Councillor representing Magami/Faru ward, said the bandit leader had earlier requested reconciliation after one of his men was killed during a recent military operation at Kandare village.

He said the request was accepted by members of the affected communities themselves, despite the state government’s policy of no negotiation with bandits.

He said the communities sent a delegation of 50 men to meet the bandit leader but Jammo allegedly betrayed them and abducted the delegation.

Husseini said 11 members of the delegation were later released, while the other 39 remained in captivity.

He said the bandit leader was also demanding ₦24m for the release of three rifles, which the bandits were said to have carted away during previous confrontations.

Husseini said that Jammo and his men had an earlier confrontation with the Zamfara State security outfit, Askarawa, in which two of the bandit leader’s men were killed and their rifles seized.

The bandits later launched a reprisal attack during the last Ramadan period, killing two Askarawa personnel and taking away their rifles, he said.

“We are one to one, you see, they killed two of us and took their rifles and we also killed them and took possession of their firearms in the beginning,” Husseini said.

The latest reconciliation move was started by the bandit leader himself. “He said he was tired of banditry and wanted peace,” said the councillor.

“We are against any kind of reconciliation, because we know they are not trustworthy; they can tell one true thing against a hundred lies,” he said.

“The people he held hostage were elderly and he had no reason to hold them hostage; he betrayed them by saying he is tired of banditry and chose reconciliation,” Husseini added.

Officials Urge Military Action
Husseini who also said he relocated from his ward over insecurity, maintained that reconciliation with bandits would not resolve the security crisis in the area.

He and the council chairman called on the government and security agencies to carry out operations in Dajin Natsira, which they said was a major bandit enclave.

They said the area has not witnessed serious confrontation by security forces since the beginning of banditry in Zamfara State.

“They have never been attacked by any security forces and we are optimistic that if the government wants to help these people, one patrol five kilometres away from the village will give a very good positive result,” they said.

They said security operations in the forest would restore peace to several local government areas including Talata Mafara, Bakura, Anka, Gummi, Bukkuyum, Maru and Bungudu.

They said, “Whenever the forest is bombed, six out of the 14 local government areas in the state such as Talata Mafara, Bakura, Anka, Gummi, Bukkuyum, Maru and Bungudu will definitely be peaceful.”

The officials called on Governor Dauda Lawal and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to urgently intervene and rescue the remaining victims.

Jammo was the overall leader of Dajin Nritra, which Husseini said covers Bayan Ruwa, Kwargwaro, Aljumma Fulani, Gidan Dawa and Kyetare, although each area has its own local leader.

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President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that his administration will step up efforts to ease the economic hardship facing citizens while remaining resolute in tackling insecurity and securing the release of all persons held captive across the country.

The assurance was given by Tinubu in a message delivered by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, at the National Inter-Denominational Church Service held on Sunday in Abuja as part of activities marking the 2026 Democracy Day celebration.

The service, with the theme, “God of Hope, Actualise Our Dreams”, was attended by prominent government officials, religious leaders and other dignitaries.

Others in attendance were Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation Didi Walson-Jack.

Akume told Nigerians that the 27 years of unbroken democratic rule since 1999 was a tribute to their resilience, commitment and sacrifices in the struggle for the restoration of democracy.

He paid tribute to pro-democracy activists and patriots of the June 12 struggle, saying many suffered persecution, injuries and death in the quest for democratic governance.

The SGF said the President was still committed to fulfilling his constitutional responsibility and would double his efforts to ensure that the socio-economic challenges facing Nigerians were substantially reduced through the delivery of sustainable democratic dividends.

He recognised the hardship many households face, including insecurity, kidnappings and displacement in some communities.

“Government is sensitive to all these pains. Government shares in these pains. Government has heard you cries,” Akume said.

He says Tinubu is spearheading efforts to tackle the challenges with compassion and a strong sense of responsibility.

On security, the SGF said the safety of Nigerians remained the Federal Government’s top priority, noting that the recent attacks and abductions were painful reminders that more work needed to be done.

He assured citizens that the safe return of all persons in captivity remains a national priority, adding that security agencies were being provided with the necessary support and resources to protect lives and property.

He said, “The government will never bow to terror, banditry or any form of criminal intimidation.

Political activities slowly picking pace ahead of the 2027 general elections, Akume has urged Nigerians to shun violence, hate campaigns and divisive rhetoric.

He also cautioned young people against involvement in thuggery, political violence, misinformation, ethnic abuse and religious intolerance.

“Don’t sell your conscience for money, drugs, political patronage or online applause. “Your future is more precious than any politician’s momentary convenience,” he said.

As the nation gears up for yet another election cycle, the SGF urged religious leaders, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, the media and families to promote tolerance, peaceful coexistence and responsible conduct.

He reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to democratic governance, interfaith harmony and peaceful engagement with the international community, assuring that Nigeria’s democratic institutions were strong and resilient in the face of current challenges.

Akume praised members of the Armed Forces and other security agencies for their sacrifices in defending the nation and sustaining democratic rule.

He urged Nigerians to honour the sacrifices of the heroes of June 12 by working for a country where elections are peaceful, leaders are accountable, communities are safe and citizens live with dignity.410

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The former Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Turkur Buratai, has said that the Nigerian military has the capacity to locate bandits if they can locate ordinary citizens of the country.

Buratai made this known on Monday while responding to questions during an interview on TVC.

He was speaking on the capacity of the Nigerian troops to rescue the abducted Oyo schoolchildren and teachers.

Recall that gunmen kidnapped school children and teachers in Oyo State and beheaded one of the teachers.

“I don’t believe security agencies cannot find bandits if they can find ordinary citizens and social media influencers.

However, I would not like to say a capacity building challenge but I think they may have their reasons but what I know is that there must be capacity building of all the security agencies.

“We need more troops to be recruited, more operatives, more policemen to be recruited, trained and retrained,” he said.

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Bandits have killed the Director of Planning in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Jamilu Sani, and the councillor representing Jangebe Ward in an attack along the Jangebe to Talata Mafara road.

The victims were reportedly kidnapped on May 18, 2026, while they were travelling from Jangebe to the Talata Mafara Local Government headquarters.

Reports said the attackers attacked the victims when they were said to have been travelling with the Area Revenue Officer for Pilgrims Affairs in the local government area to make preparations for the pilgrimage exercise.

It was gathered that the Chairman Talata Mafara Local Government Area, Hon. Yahaya Yari, confirmed the incident, describing it as tragic and unfortunate.

Yari said the council made several efforts to secure the release of the abducted officials but the bandits refused to negotiate for ransom.

He said the attackers threatened to kill anyone abducted from Jangebe community.

Bandits told us that whoever they kidnapped from Jangebe community would be killed. “They made it clear that they were not interested in collecting ransom,” Daily Trust quoted Yari as saying.

The council chairman said the development had thrown the local government area into mourning especially among residents of Jangebe and staff of the council that knew the victims.

Five Persons Ambushed On Road
A resident of Jangebe and close associate of the victims who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the five people were in the vehicle of the Area Revenue Officer, Sama’ila Ladan when ambushed.

The source said the victims were heading to Talata Mafara when the bandits attacked them at a notorious danger point on the road.

“They were waylaid by the bandits at a notorious flashpoint on their way to Mafara. The source said, “The village head was killed on the spot after he resisted being taken away.”

The source said the assailants also shot the Area Revenue Officer on the hand.

“They also shot the Area Revenue Officer in the hand and thought him dead apparently. The source said the attackers also abducted the Director of Planning, Jamilu Sani, while two occupants of the vehicle escaped into nearby bushes.”

The source expressed worry over the deteriorating security situation in Jangebe and neighbouring communities, saying residents now live in fear because of repeated attacks on roads and villages.

He said travelling outside Jangebe had become dangerous especially for residents moving towards Talata Mafara and other parts of the state.

The security situation in our area is continuing to deteriorate. Once you have gone about three kilometres out of Jangebe you are pretty much on your own.

“Our only relatively safe route is the Mayanchi-Anka-Gummi road, but even that has now become a dangerous corridor,” he bemoaned.

The resident called on security agencies and the Zamfara State Government to intensify patrols and restore confidence among communities ravaged by banditry.

DSP Yazid Abubakar, the spokesperson for the Zamfara State Police Command, also confirmed the incident.

The latest attack comes amid rising concerns over insecurity in parts of Zamfara State, where bandits have continued to attack communities, abduct residents and disrupt movement along major roads.

Residents in the area have called for urgent security intervention to prevent further attacks and to protect travellers using the Jangebe to Talata Mafara route.

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At least three worshippers have been killed and 15 others abducted in a remote prayer ground attack by armed bandits believed to be terrorists in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The attack was carried out Friday night at Ori-Oke Ajaiye, on the outskirts of Ikiran Village in the southern part of the state.

The incident occurred during a night vigil and sent the normally peaceful agrarian community into panic as residents fled for safety.

According to sources familiar with the incident, the gunmen stormed the prayer gathering at about 8:30 pm and opened fire on the worshippers.

Reports said the attackers sporadically shot and whisked some of the victims into the bush.

Residents said the armed men stormed the secluded prayer camp where the worshippers were attending a night prayer session.

The attack came so suddenly that some of the vigil-goers ran in different directions and others were caught by the assailants.

The names of the victims who died had not been officially released as of the time of filing this report.

“Ekiti, Ikiran Village and other surrounding communities are gripped with fear after the attack,” local sources said.

Some residents appealed to the government and security agencies to intensify surveillance around isolated worship centres, farming settlements and border communities in the area.

They said the prayer ground’s location made it vulnerable especially as it is situated at the outskirts of the village.

Security operatives were said to have been deployed to the area shortly after the incident while search efforts were extended into the nearby forests in a bid to locate the abducted worshippers.

The Kwara State Police Command confirmed the incident on Sunday, saying one Pastor Adebayo Abiodun reported the attack.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the state, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, had ordered the deployment of tactical and intelligence teams to the area.

The rescue operation involved operatives of the Police Mobile Force, intelligence teams, the Police Drone Unit and other security personnel, she said.

The command directed the teams to comb the forests around the area and ensure safe rescue of the abducted victims.

The deployment of tactical assets, including drones and intelligence personnel, was part of a coordinated operation to locate the abductors and prevent further attacks in the area, it said.

The attack was “barbaric, callous and unacceptable,” police said, and rescue efforts were continuing to free the abducted worshippers and bring the perpetrators to justice.

“The incident was reported on the 24th of May, 2026 by Pastor Adebayo Abiodun of Ijo Ajaiye Ati Igbala, Ekerin Village, Ekiti LGA, Kwara State who said while conducting a night vigil with members of his congregation at Ori-Oke Ijaye via Ekerin village on the 23rd of May, 2026 at about 2030hrs, armed hoodlums invaded the prayer ground, firing sporadically, killing three persons and abducted fifteen others to an unknown destination.

“Upon receiving the distress report, the Divisional Police Officer, Ekiti Division, mobilised operatives to the scene.

The statement said that the state Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, had ordered a full tactical and intelligence-led operation involving the Police Drone Team, PMF personnel, intelligence units and other operational assets for a coordinated rescue mission.

The command also implored residents to remain calm and give useful information to help security agencies in the manhunt for the gunmen.

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Residents of Garin Lamido and Yan Shuni communities in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State are in panic over alleged imposition of a fresh levy of ₦10 million on each community by bandits loyal to a notorious armed leader, Isiya Kwashen Garwa.

The two communities have reportedly reached previous peace agreements between local authorities, community leaders and representatives of armed groups operating in the area, but still demanded ₦20 million.

The development has renewed concerns about security situation in parts of Katsina State especially in rural communities where residents continue to live under the threat of armed groups.

The development was revealed in a post on his 𝕏 handle by security analyst and crisis journalist, Bakastine, who raised alarm over continued exposure of rural settlements to bandit attacks and intimidation.

He said the new levy has created fear among residents with many families said to have abandoned their homes out of fear that the armed group might attack them if the money is not paid.

It was understood that the demand had heightened tension in the affected communities, where residents have often complained of poor security presence and repeated threats from bandits.

Some residents also complained of what Bakatsine said was a repeated cycle of negotiations, temporary calm and intimidation by armed groups.

They questioned the effectiveness of the peace deals previously brokered in the area, saying the latest demand showed the agreements had failed to ensure lasting safety.

The situation has again raised questions about the sustainability of peace arrangements between communities and armed groups in parts of the North-West.

Despite security operations in Katsina State, the bandits are said to still be active in several rural areas, leaving farming communities vulnerable.

Many of the affected farmers are also said to be afraid of accessing their farmlands, a development that could worsen hardship in communities already battling insecurity and displacement.

“Paying levies to bandits had become dangerous in some parts of the region,” a source said.

Such arrangements, often called ‘peace deals’ locally, have not resulted in lasting security but have created a cycle of intimidation and forced compliance, Daily Post quoted the individual as saying.

Security analysts have warned that the continued payment of levies to armed groups could further embolden bandits and increase their control of vulnerable communities.

They said if these demands were not curbed, criminal groups could extend their influence into more rural settlements.

Bakastine also questioned the effectiveness of existing security strategies, asking whether there are enough enforcement mechanisms to protect communities still under threat of attacks.

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Suspected bandits attacked a Police Mobile Force camp in the early hours of the day at Tenebo community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, killing three officers and injuring two others.

According to the report, the incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, May 2, 2026, when the attackers stormed the camp around 3 a.m. The armed men came unexpectedly and took the officers on duty unawares and opened fire on them, reports said. The attack spread panic in the community as residents woke up to the sound of gunshots and many fled their homes for safety.

The attackers appeared to be organised and completed the operation quickly before fleeing the scene. The injured officers were left behind and the bodies of the dead officers were recovered after the attack.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Ejide Tohun said: “The command is aware of the attack and is working to gather full details which will be shared later.

This incident is one in a string of violent incidents in parts of Kwara State recently. Earlier in the week, two farmers were killed and two women abducted when armed men attacked a farming community in Ifelodun Local Government Area. The victims were said to have been farming when the attackers struck.

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People in the Gidan Mai Jimina and Garangozai communities in the Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State are scared because suspected bandits demanded a motorcycle and a N5 million levy, threatening serious consequences if their demands are not met.

It was learned that the most recent event happened just a few hours after the attackers kidnapped Malam Habibu, the head of the village of Gidan Mai Jimina, on Monday. They let him go after giving him a motorcycle and N100,000.

The gunmen then went to the Garangozai community, where they are said to have kidnapped another village head, Malam Sule.

Residents said on Tuesday morning that the bandits had come back and were camped along roads connecting Gidan Tulluwa, Gangaren Rafi, and Gindin Mangwarori. They were heavily armed and making new threats.

Villagers say that the armed men have told people in the affected areas that they must pay N5 million and give them a new motorcycle by 2 p.m. on Tuesday. If they don’t, they will face serious consequences.

The situation has caused a lot of fear, with many residents saying they are worried about their safety and don’t know what will happen if the demands aren’t met.

Reports of similar levies and mass kidnappings in different parts of the state show that armed groups in the North-West are using extortion as a way to get what they want.

Bakastine, a security analyst and crisis journalist, posted about the event on his X handle and asked why attacks on rural communities are still happening.

“How many more innocent people have to die before something is done?” He asked the authorities to put proactive security measures and timely protection for vulnerable groups at the top of their lists.

He also said that social and economic factors, not ideology, are the main reasons for banditry in the North-West.

“In the North-West region, banditry is less about ideology and more about poverty, broken rural economies, weak governments, cycles of revenge, cattle rustling economies, and easy access to weapons.”

Many people join to stay alive, stay safe, or make money. He said that forest hideouts, local informants, ransom payments, and the constant recruitment of young people keep them strong.

Even though security operations are still going on in some parts of Katsina State, the bandits are said to still be in charge of many rural areas, which makes residents, especially farmers, even more scared.

Farmers in the affected areas said that if nothing is done quickly, the ongoing violence could severely disrupt farming, threaten crop production, and make food less secure.

They asked both the state and federal governments to step up their security efforts to bring back trust and keep people safe and their jobs across the region.

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