Author: Vanguard News

The Imo Police Command says it has dismantled a notorious robbery syndicate in a successful operation that led to the detention of five suspects and the recovery of 450 allegedly stolen motorcycles.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Henry Okoye, disclosed this at a news briefing in Owerri, on Sunday.

Okoye said “the breakthrough followed a successful operation” that targeted armed robbery, attempted murder, and vehicle snatching across the state.

He paraded the suspects before newsmen on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Mr Audu Bosso.

He said that the operatives also recovered N6.4 million cash and different number plates.

Okoye said that the operation was conducted by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, led by ACP Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa.

“The investigation began on April 6, after a commercial shuttle bus driver, Mr Paul Ohaka, who left home for work on April 5, was declared missing.

“Subsequently, the driver was found abandoned unconscious at Irete on the Onitsha Road axis, while the vehicle had been forcefully taken by unknown assailants.

“The assailants had attacked him on April 5, assumed he was dead and fled with his vehicle,” Okoye said.

He said the victim was immediately evacuated to a hospital, where he was said to be currently receiving medical attention.

He said that detectives tracked the stolen bus to a workshop in Orlu.

“During a coordinated operation, the vehicle was recovered just as the suspects were allegedly preparing to repaint it to hide its original identity,” Okoye said.

He said that two suspects, identified as Olagoke Jelili and Godday Ezike, were apprehended at the workshop.

He said that their detention provided “the lead needed to capture three additional members of the criminal gang”.

According to the PPRO, the suspects reportedly tried to bribe the police with N5 million to escape justice.

“However, the operatives rejected the cash, upholding the command’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption,” he said.

He said that charms and other incriminating exhibits were also seized from the gang’s various hideouts.

Okoye further said that the suspects were unable to provide valid proof of ownership of the recovered motorcycles.

He said that the syndicate attempted to hide the bikes in bushes, where they were recovered.

He said: “The Commissioner of Police has ordered a full-scale prosecution of all individuals involved.

“The command remains committed to ensuring that criminal elements found no safe haven within the state,” Okoye said.

The post Police smash robbery syndicate, recover 450 motorcycles in Imo appeared first on Vanguard News.

The Nigerian Air Force has launched an investigation into reports of alleged civilian casualties following an air strike in Jilli.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Air Force said it had received claims that a strike conducted on Saturday, may have impacted a local market, resulting in possible harm to civilians.

The service states that it treats all reports of civilian casualties with “utmost seriousness and empathy,” noting that the protection of innocent lives remains a core priority of its operations.

According to the statement, the Chief of the Air Staff has ordered the “immediate deployment of the Civilian Harm Accident and Investigation Cell (CHAI-Cell) to the affected area to carry out a fact-finding mission.”

The Air Force reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, accountability, and transparency, adding that it would collaborate with relevant authorities and community representatives to establish the facts surrounding the incident.

While the investigation is ongoing, the service urged the public and media to avoid speculation and allow due process to take its course.

It also reassured citizens of its resolve to balance national security objectives with the protection of civilian lives, stressing that all credible concerns would be addressed with diligence.

Air Force Investigates Reported Civilian Deaths In Jilli Operation is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Properties worth millions of naira have been destroyed as a result of fire that ravaged a residential building and shop in Oyo State.

The two incidents occurred in Ibadan on Sunday.

The residential building is located beside C.A.C Oke- Ayo, Idi- Obi Junction, Agugu Area in Ibadan.

Properties worth millions of naira were affected.

No casualty was recorded during the incident.

Chairman of Oyo State Fire Service, Hon Maroof Akinwande, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

Akinwande in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday said, “On getting there, it was a five-bedroom flat at the upper floor of a storey-residential building well alighted and covered with thick smoke.

“We swiftly got into action and the fire was restricted from gaining momentum.”

Akinwande also confirmed the second incident.

He said that the shop located at No C12, Ajomole Compound Olukoyi Street, Oja Oba in Ibadan was ravaged by fire on Sunday.

He said, “Upon arrival, we met a prefabricated shop well alighted and covered with thick smoke.

“Our officers quickly launched a coordinated attack and restricted the fire from spreading to the other nearby shops”.

Fire ravages residential building, shop in Ibadan

Veteran Nollywood actor and broadcaster, Patrick Doyle, and his wife, Funmilayo Doyle, have lost their newborn daughter just hours after her birth. Doyle announced the development in a Facebook post on Sunday evening, revealing that the baby, Omayinuwa Mayen Harriet Doyle, died barely a day after she was born. “Omayinuwa visited us briefly at about […]

The Nigeria National League, NNL, clash between Osun United and Sporting Lagos has been postponed.

The encounter was billed to be played on Wednesday 15th April, will now take place on Thursday 16th April, 2026 in Osogbo.

The reason for the shift in date wasn’t stated by the Sporting Lagos.

“Our game against Osun United formerly scheduled for Wednesday 15th April has been moved to Thursday 16th April,” Sporting Lagos wrote on their social media.

Sporting Lagos must win the encounter to secure promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL.

The modest club are being trailed by Akwa United who will take on Solution FC in their final game of the season.

Sporting Lagos occupy the top spot on the NNL Conference B table with 33 points while Akwa United are on 32 points.

NNL: Osun United vs Sporting Lagos get new date

Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orbán has conceded defeat to Péter Magya, the opposition leader and candidate of the Tisza Party.

On Sunday, parliamentary polls were held to elect 199 National Assembly members; 100 are seats required for a simple majority government, and 133 seats for a two-thirds supermajority.

According to the National Election Office, the Tisza Party is projected to win a two-thirds majority in parliament based on majority election results.

Speaking on the projection, Viktor Orbán said although the election result is not yet complete, the outcome “is understandable and clear.”

Orbán told supporters he had congratulated the winning party, saying “The responsibility and opportunity of governance were not given to us.”

Thank you Hungary!” Péter Magyar posted on Facebook, adding that Orbán had “congratulated me on the phone on our victory.”

45-year-old Magyar, who serves as the president of the Tisza Party, has been a member of the European Parliament since 2024.

Orbán, also a lawyer, has been the 56th PM of Hungary since 2010. He was previously in power from 1998 to 2002, and was re-elected in 2014, 2018, and 2022.

Orban, 62, was defeated despite endorsements from the United States President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, observed that the results of the elections show Hungary has chosen Europe.

“Europe has always chosen Hungary,” the German diplomat wrote in a post on X. “A country reclaims its European path; the Union grows stronger.”

Hungary election: Péter Magyar defeats Viktor Orbán after 16-year rule

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Borno on Sunday expressed its determination to contest and win all elective positions in the state in the 2027 elections.

The ADC Chairman in Borno, Alhaji Kolo Bukar, made the announcement shortly after the inauguration of the party’s executives in the state, in Maiduguri.

“We know the terrain, we know the topography of the state, we know the people, and we know how to confront them.

“The message we have for the people of Borno is that we are going to bring succour, good governance, and multiple changes in the State.

“The ruling party is a complete failure. They have failed this country; they have failed Borno State. They have brought insecurity, poverty, and a lot of challenges people are facing.

“So we are trying to get to that point and the moment ADC gets into power, we are going to ameliorate these challenges,” the chairman, who was also a former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman in the state, said.

Also speaking, one of the party’s chieftains, Alhaji Kashim Matawalle, said their priority was not just taking over power at all levels but providing good governance.

“We want to take over governance in Borno and Nigeria. We want to establish a government that will tackle security challenges and address the needs of the poor,” Matawalle said.

The post ADC express readiness to win 2027 general elections in Borno appeared first on Vanguard News.

 The Nigerian Army and former Chief of Army Staff Gen Tukur Buratai rtd have justified the mass bombing of a market in Yobe which left over 50 people dead 

The Army in a statement issued on Saturday also claimed the market is being used by Boko Haram as a hub , a claim also supported by Buratai 

These were the two statements issued by them 

THAT AIRSTRIKE AT JILLI MARKET: A NECESSARY BLOW AGAINST A TERRORIST HUB..TUKUR BURATAI 

I have followed with serious concern reports of the airstrike at Jilli Market along the Borno–Yobe border, where over fifty persons lost their lives, and many others were injured. Any loss of innocent life is deeply unfortunate and painful. However, I must state clearly that I commend the Nigerian Air Force and the intelligence community for the courage and professionalism displayed in this operation. 

The strike was a targeted military action based on credible intelligence that Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists were using the weekly market at Jilli to collect illegal levies, procure supplies, and plan further attacks. The public should understand the history ofJilli Market. It has long been a notorious terrorist logistics hub. 

The Nigerian Army repeatedly raided and shut it down. In 2018, during Operation LAST HOLD, our troops occupied the area and engaged in multiple clashes with insurgents. Despite several closures, the terrorists continued to operate the market with the cooperation of some individuals who patronised and supplied them. It is deeply regrettable that innocent lives may have been caught in the strike, but the sole responsibility rests with the terrorists who deliberately embed themselves within civilian spaces as human shields. 

No military wishes to harm civilians, but when a market is dominated by terrorist logistics and warnings have been ignored for years, the military has a duty to act. I appeal to the people of Geidam, Gubio, Damasak, and Ngamdu to cooperate with the military. Stop patronising or supplying goods to any market where terrorists establish or frequent. Communities that continue to trade with insurgents will inevitably find themselves in harm’s way.  

The armed forces deserve our support. They acted on solid intelligence and struck a legitimate target. While we mourn innocent lives lost, we must not weaken our resolve against an enemy that shows no mercy. Victory is certain with continued military action and civilian cooperation. May the souls of the departed innocent rest in peace, and may the injured recover swiftly.

Ambassador Lt Gen Tukur Buratai Rtd CFR

Former Chief of Army Staff, Nigeria

Sunday, 12th April 2026

OPERATION HADIN KAI: AIR COMPONENT NEUTRALISES TERRORIST LOGISTICS HUB AND ENCLAVE IN PRECISION AIR STRIKE AT JILLI, GUBIO LGA OF BORNO STATE*

The Air Component of Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), in a carefully planned and intelligence-driven operation, has successfully conducted a precision air strike on a known terrorist enclave and logistics hub located near the abandoned village of Jilli in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State. The successful strike, executed on 11 April 2026, followed sustained intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions over the Bindul–Jilli axis, an area long identified as a major terrorist movement corridor and convergence point for Islamic State West Africa Province terrorists and their collaborators.

It will be recalled that in January 2026, troops moving from Gubio towards Damasak came under a major Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack along the road at Bindul, resulting in the tragic loss of eight soldiers, while several others were wounded in action. More recently, on 9 April, coordinated attacks were recorded in Ngamdu and Benisheik, supported by the same terrorist logistics network. Consequently, the Theatre intensified overhead surveillance and intelligence gathering across the area in response to persistent reports of terrorist movement and logistics activity.

On 11 April 2026, multiple reports were received of ISWAP Gun Trucks(GT) and Motorcycles (MC) moving along the axis. Consequently, ISR coverage over the area was immediately intensified. During the surveillance mission, a contingent of motorcycles was observed moving in the direction of Jilli, followed shortly by the movement of several additional vehicles, all converging on the same location. These suspicious movements were subsequently corroborated by credible human intelligence sources, confirming that the converging elements were terrorists, their collaborators, and logistics handlers. In line with established operational procedures, a rigorous and professional targeting process was undertaken. Target fidelity was confirmed through multiple credible Human Intelligence sources, supported by persistent aerial surveillance. Upon final validation, the Air Component executed a series of precision strikes on the objective, while Surveillance platforms maintained continuous overwatch for real-time battle damage assessment.

Post-strike assessment confirmed that the target area was struck with high accuracy, resulting in the destruction of the identified terrorist logistics enclave. Scores of terrorists were neutralised in the strike, with their vehicles and technicals destroyed, while surviving elements were observed fleeing in multiple directions. Intelligence further indicates that the neutralised elements were in the final stages of receiving logistics from couriers, for coordinated attacks on troop locations within the Gubio axis. This decisive action has therefore significantly disrupted imminent terrorist plans and degraded their operational capability within the Theatre.

Instructively, on 12 April 2026, a terrorist logistics courier identified as “Turja Bulu”, was arrested at Ngamdu Town, and upon preliminary investigation confessed that he took part in the attack at 29 Bde location on 9 April 2026 at Benisheik and had been dispatched by ISWAP from Jilli where most of his fellow terrorists were hibernating to provide food items for another group of terrorists currently hibernating around the Magumeri-Gubio General Area.

This successful strike is yet another demonstration of the resolve and operational capability of OPHK to sustain relentless pressure on terrorist elements, disrupt their logistics networks, and deny them freedom of movement within the Theatre.

The Theatre Command also wishes to reiterate that the use of motorcycles remains strictly prohibited across the North East operational theatre, particularly in Borno and Yobe States, due to their established and continued use by terrorist elements for movement, logistics, and attack operations. Any such movements in restricted areas are therefore treated with the utmost seriousness in line with existing operational directives.

The Joint Task Force (North East) OPHK assures the good people of the North East and indeed all law-abiding Nigerians, that ongoing operations will continue with renewed intensity until all terrorist enclaves are dismantled and lasting peace is restored to the region.

SANI UBA

Lieutenant Colonel

Media Information Officer

Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East)

Operation HADIN KAI

12 April 2026

…warns against aiding Boko Haram insurgents…says Borno govt closed Jilli markets five years ago Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has warned residents against aiding, harbouring, or providing logistical support to Boko Haram insurgents. The Governor declared that anyone implicated in such acts will be treated as an insurgent and dealt with in accordance […]

Security forces operating under Operation Hadin Kai have arrested a 15-year-old suspected logistics courier linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) during an operation in Borno State.

The development was contained in a post shared on X on Sunday by security analyst Zagazola Makama.

According to the report, troops arrested the teenager in Ngamdu while he was allegedly attempting to source logistics supplies for insurgents operating along the Ngamdu–Benisheik axis.

The suspect, identified as Tijjani, was said to have confessed during preliminary questioning that he had participated in recent attacks on Benisheik and Ngamdu.

“My name is Tijjani. I am 15 years old. I was arrested today in Ngamdu. I was among the terrorists that attacked Benisheik and Ngamdu,” he was quoted as saying.

He also reportedly disclosed that the attackers mobilised from Jilli, a known insurgent hideout in Gubio Local Government Area, before carrying out the operations and later returning to the area.

“Before the attack we came from Jilli and returned there after the attack,” he said.

The suspect further claimed he was later sent out again with money to purchase supplies for other fighters.

“I was sent from Jilli yesterday with N850,000 to collect some logistics from Ngamdu, but I was arrested by troops,” he reportedly added.

Military sources said the arrest provides further insight into how insurgents use young couriers to move money and supplies across different locations in the region.

The report also noted that recent airstrikes had targeted the Jilli axis, which is believed to serve as a logistics and coordination hub for insurgent activities.

Authorities say investigations are ongoing to track other members of the network and disrupt remaining supply routes used by the group.

15-year-old ISWAP logistics courier arrested in Borno