• Troops neutralise Lakurawa in Sokoto, recover weapons

Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have reportedly attacked a military formation in Mairari community of Guzamala Local Council Area of Borno State, with some undeclared number of soldiers feared killed.

Chairman of Guzamala Local Council, Umar Sheriff, and local sources told The Guardian that the terrorists attacked the military post around midnight on Tuesday in an operation that lasted over two hours, leaving some casualties on both sides.

Details of the incident were still expected from the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Mohammed Goni, as at press time.

In another development, suspected bandits reportedly killed five farmers, abducted 18 people and burnt houses and shops in separate attacks on Niger State communities.

The attacks occurred between October 9 and 12 at Fanga community in Mashegu Local Council Area, and Kigbere and Kokani communities in Borgu Local Council Area, after the residents allegedly failed to meet the attackers’ demand for millions of naira in levies.

Also, the Mishkaham Bokkos, Da Jatau Samkwar, was said to have died yesterday following Monday night’s attack by suspected gunmen on his residence at Daffo, in Bokkos Local Council Area of Plateau State.

Confirming the incident, the Chairman of the Community Peace Observers in Bokkos Council, Kefas Mallai, said the traditional ruler was shot in the leg but died yesterday after efforts to treat him at different hospitals failed to save him.

He expressed concern at the prevailing insecurity in the area, as the traditional ruler’s son had earlier been kidnapped but was released on Sunday, before his father was shot.

In the meantime, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has confirmed the death of an officer, ASI Ibrahim Babangida, following an attack by unidentified gunmen while the personnel was conducting routine surveillance patrols in Niger State.

In a statement yesterday, the NIS said the other officer, simply identified as Inspector A.K. Musa, sustained serious injuries but managed to escape and was currently receiving medical attention.

Describing his death as a loss to the organisation, the agency said it was collaborating with the Niger State Government and other security agencies to track down the attackers.

However, troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma (OPFY), have reportedly neutralised some unknown number of terrorists when they overran a Lakurawa enclave in Waria Forest, Tangaza Local Council Area of Sokoto State.

The troops also recovered weapons and five motorcycles during a clearance operation yesterday, according to a statement by the OPFY Media Information Officer, Lt.-Col. Aliyu Danja.

The statement added that during the operation, troops of Sector 2 advanced through identified terrorists’ enclaves along Alela, Bilange and Kandam villages towards Waria Forest and made contact with the terrorists, who later fled their positions during a fight.