The Nigerian army troops of operation Hadin Kai have frustrated an attempt to attack repentant insurgents in Damboa LGA of Borno State by the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP). This was revealed in a statement released on Sunday and signed by Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, who said the terrorists made a futile attempt to access the facility housing the surrendered Boko Haram members but retreated when confronted with the superior firepower of Nigerian troops. Nwachukwu said the attempted attack by ISWAP was to discourage the terrorists who had recently surrendered to the troops. “The Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP), confronted with the obvious reality of defeat embarked on a desperate move to undermine the unprecedented depletion in its fighting force, have resorted to attacks on surrendered Boko Haram members and their families,” the statement reads. “This antic of terror within terror is being employed by ISWAP to discourage intending surrendering terrorists in their ranks. The latest strategy is not unconnected with the frustration of the group as top-ranking commanders and members denounce violent agitation to embrace peace in recent times.

The Federal Capital Territory, FCT Police Command, yesterday, confirmed the arrest of dozens of suspected members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) also known as Shi’ites who stormed the Gwarimpa area of the nation’s capital on Tuesday morning. The outlawed group was having a religious procession in the nation’s capital when they were intercepted by security to stop them because they had been causing “unnecessary hardship to motorists” along the Abuja-Kubwa expressway. In a statement by the police 57 of the members were after the members attacked the police with petrol bombs and stones. The Shi’ites had embarked on its annual Arbaeen Symbolic Trek causing tension and traffic gridlock on the Kubwa-Kaduna express on Tuesday. The Police revealed that items recovered from the suspects include, a vehicle, flags, petrol bombs, weapons, mobile phones, charms, and other exhibits. However, contrary to earlier reports, the police in the statement said there was no casualty recorded during the incident, stressing that the security team was able to foil attacks launched on them. Many passengers were stranded between Gwarimpa and Kubwa as both the service lanes and expressway were blocked.

The husband of late ex-DG of NAFDAC, Professor Dora Akunyili has been murdered by unknown gunmen on Tuesday while on his way from Onitsha. Dr. Chike Akunyili, was reportedly killed in the late hours of Tuesday after attending a memorial in honour of his late wife in Abuja. Though details are still sketchy a family source who confirmed the development expressed immense sadness. He said just yesterday the deceased was at Sharon Hall, All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha, for an occasion of University of Nigeria Nsukka Alumni Association (UNAA), Onitsha branch event where they honoured late Professor Dora Akunyili.

Suspected Boko Haram terrorists, on Sunday evening, attempted to infiltrate Babbangida, the headquarters of Tarmuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State. Babbangida, which is 50km northeast of Damaturu, the state capital, has suffered series of terrorist attacks in the past. Reports revealed that the attackers who were in a convoy of gun trucks, approached the town in the evening, but their move was intercepted when troops of Sector 2 Operation Hadin Kai advanced and engaged them in a gun battle. It was gathered that while the troops engaged the terrorists on the outskirts of the town most of the inhabitants had fled, seeking refuge wherever they could find it.

Suspected bandits have attacked the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Gavaciwa in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, gunning down a worshipper while several others sustained various degrees of injuries. The attack, which occurred while the church Sunday service was ongoing remain sketchy however, the commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, confirmed the incident in a statement. According to Aruwan, security agencies reported the attack to the state government, adding that one person was killed while other worshippers were seriously injured and have been taken to hospital for medical treatment. Aruwan who quoted El-Rufai to have said that the attack on the worshippers was a divisive intent of the criminals who play on religious sensitivity, revealed that scores of the injured worshippers were immediately rushed to hospital. The statement said Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has condemned the attack against the worshippers “In strongest terms.” “Security agencies reported to the government that the attack occurred at ECWA Church, Gabaciwa in Kachia LGA.

The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to identify and secure the release of Nigerians illegally imprisoned in countries across the globe. At plenary on Thursday, the House adopted this motion moved by Rep. Dennis Idahosa, titled: ‘Need to Ascertain the Number of Nigerian Citizens Being Detained in Foreign Prisons.’