Although Nigerians are still mourning the death of four army personnel, comprising two officers and two soldiers, killed during a terrorist attack on a military base in in Benisheikh, Borno State,

Last Wednesday night, no fewer than 15 people were murdered by suspected bandits and kidnappers across the country at the weekend, indicating that the efforts of Nigeria’s security forces at addressing the insecurity menace still falls short.

Although the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has recorded some gains in tackling insecurity, it appears that the ‘enemies of Nigeria’ will not relent from waging their unholy war against innocent citizens, calling for a new strategy from the Federal Government towards beating them in their game; more so with all the reported attacks occurring at night.

Reacting to the development, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on President Tinubu to take decisive steps towards “securing the lives and property of Nigerians following renewed deadly attacks by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province in the North-East.”

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has denied claims that Brigadier General Oseni Braimah died as a result of an unserviceable vehicle during the attack on the military base.

It also dismissed reports that 17 soldiers were killed, stating that four personnel died in the attack, adding that any report suggesting higher casualties lacked credibility.

On Thursday night in Ondo State, gunmen invaded Igushin community, Ala axis of Akure, Ondo State capital, killing two individuals identified as mother and daughter.

It was gathered that the gunmen, suspected to be kidnappers, had stormed the community with the intention of abducting some residents and began to shoot sporadically on arrival.

The deceased woman, who was said to be the owner of poultry in the community, was allegedly shot along with her daughter in their residence.

According to a source, who craved anonymity, residents had initially thought that the woman and her daughter were kidnapped only to realise that they had been shot dead.

“The kidnappers were about five in number and fully armed. It was the sudden sound of gunshots that alerted everyone that there was trouble. I was discussing with my friend in front of his house, and we immediately scampered for safety.

“After a few minutes, we thought that the woman and her daughter had been kidnapped. Later we heard loud cries, and when we rushed there, the two of them were dead.”

While confirming the incident, the police spokesperson in the state, Abayomi Jimoh, stated that investigations had commenced towards apprehending the perpetrators.

Jimoh, who disclosed that two persons were rescued, urged residents of the state to be vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by providing timely and actionable information.

He said: “The Ondo State Police Command strongly condemns the heinous violent incident at Igushin via Ala, Akure, which led to the tragic loss of two innocent lives.

“While two victims were successfully rescued through a swift and coordinated operation, the command expresses deep sorrow over the unfortunate deaths recorded.

“The Command assures the people that adequate security measures have been put in place to ensure security of lives and property while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators, and the Command also assures the public that those responsible will be brought to justice.

“Residents are urged to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by providing timely and useful information.”

Also, armed bandits reportedly killed five forest guards and destroyed several million naira worth of properties during an attack on Nuku village in Kaiama Local Council of Kwara State on Friday.

According to reports, the assailants arrived at the community at 3:00 a.m., shooting sporadically. It was reliably gathered that the invaders arrived in large numbers and operated for hours without any resistance.

“They entered through their usual route in large numbers in the early hours of today, April 10, 2026, at Nuku and started shooting sporadically and within a short time killed several innocent people, including the newly recruited forest guards.”

It was gathered that in addition to the lives lost, several properties were destroyed during the assault.

“The motorcycles belonging to the forest guards were set ablaze, while patrol vehicles operated by the mobile police were also burnt,” the source added.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Kwara State Police Command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said she did not have details of the attack but promised to provide updates when she gets more information.

“I have not been briefed about the incident, but I will get back to you as soon as I have information,” she said.

The latest killings have heightened fear among residents, many of whom continue to express concern over the deteriorating security situation in the area.

The attack comes barely two months after a deadly assault on Woro and neighbouring Nuku communities in the same local council, where over 200 people were reportedly killed, and about 176 others abducted, including women and children.

Last Thursday, a new video showing the abducted villagers from Woro and surrounding communities emerged, with victims making desperate appeals for government’s intervention.

“We have small children with us and some women are pregnant,” a captive said in the trending video. “Please, Kwara State government, Oyo State government, help us. This is the last chance they gave us,”

The Kwara State government had expressed concern over the videos and reassured residents of intensified rescue efforts.

“The Kwara State government is deeply concerned over the disturbing video allegedly showing persons abducted during the February 3 attack,” the Commissioner for Communications, Mrs. Bolanle Olukoju, said in a statement.

“Our thoughts are with all the families affected, and we reaffirm our commitment to securing the safe return of all those impacted.”

She, however, warned against speculation on the exact number of abducted persons, noting that conflicting reports from affected communities had made verification difficult.

“For this reason, neither the state government nor security agencies have announced a definitive figure. Our priority remains the safe rescue of every affected citizen,” she added.

Similarly, in Plateau State, gunmen stormed Mbwelle village in Bokkos Local Council on Thursday night, killing no fewer than eight persons in a sporadic shooting that lasted close to an hour.

It was gathered on Friday morning that most of the victims were members of the same family.

The attack occurred around 11pm when the assailants invaded the community, leaving about eight persons dead and several others injured.

Those confirmed dead include Elder Iliya Mangut Dakus, Mr. Luck Titus Dakus, Mr. Habila Istifanu Dakus, Mr. Hassan Istifanus Dakus, Mrs. Hassan Moses Dakus, Biggie Lucky Dakus, Sunday Gideon Dakus and Mr. Innocent Barnabas Makwin.

The Chairman of the Community Peace Observers in Bokkos Local Council, Kefas Mallai, who confirmed the incident to journalists on Friday, said the attack has created tension in the community.

“The community is very close to Bokkos town. The attack lasted for several hours with no visible security presence to repel the attackers,” he alleged.

Mallai added that locals were angry over the failure of security operatives to protect them and were planning to protest.

Youth Leader of Bokkos, Christopher Luka, also confirmed the incident, describing it as “a sad and devastating assault on the people of Bokkos and Plateau State as a whole.

“The gunmen came around 11pm and started shooting sporadically “They targeted one family mostly. We have eight confirmed dead, some seriously injured and others still unaccounted for,” Luka said.

Efforts to get the reaction of the Plateau State Police Command Spokesman, SP Alfred Alabo, were unsuccessful as at the time of filing the report.

HURIWA, in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, said the reported killing of Brig.-Gen. Oseni Braimah and several soldiers during coordinated insurgent attacks in Borno State represents a dangerous escalation that exposes deep vulnerabilities within Nigeria’s military architecture.

The rights group warned that the ability of insurgents to allegedly overrun a military base signals a troubling level of penetration and operational boldness by terrorist groups.

HURIWA stated that while the Defence Headquarters claimed the attack was repelled, conflicting field reports suggest heavy casualties, including a senior commander.

The group said the development points to a widening credibility gap and the urgent need for transparency and accountability in military communications.

The association alleged that since President Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, Nigeria has witnessed an alarming escalation in terrorist violence, banditry, and communal bloodshed resulting in mass civilian casualties and repeated humiliation of the nation’s armed forces.

It urged the President to consider stepping aside over what it described as a catastrophic failure of leadership in securing the lives and property of citizens.

HURIWA argued that the continuous killing of soldiers, including senior-ranking officers, reflects a deeper institutional crisis within the Nigerian military and exposes the inability of the current administration to provide effective leadership and strategic direction in the fight against terrorism.

It criticised President Tinubu for retaining “underperforming” service chiefs despite the persistent deterioration in national security. It argued that the lack of decisive restructuring within the military leadership has contributed to operational stagnation and declining morale among troops.

“The Commander-in-Chief has a constitutional obligation to protect lives and property. The consistent failure to meet this fundamental duty raises legitimate questions about his capacity to lead Nigeria through its worsening security crisis,” the group stated.

In a statement on Friday, the Media Information Officer, North-East Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai, Lt. Col. Sanni Uba, described the viral reports as false, misleading and exaggerated.

“These narratives, often amplified with unrelated pictures and videos, are not only inaccurate but constitute a deliberate attempt to distort facts, undermine ongoing military operations and erode public confidence,” he said

He said the verified casualty figure showed that two officers and two soldiers were killed during the attack.

“The official and verified report, as earlier released through Defence Headquarters, clearly stated that two officers and two soldiers paid the supreme price in the course of the engagement. Any contrary figure being circulated is entirely false, misleading, and devoid of credibility,” he stated

Refuting claims that the Brigade Commander’s vehicle was faulty, Uba said: “The Commander was mounted on a high-grade Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, which was temporarily immobilised in the heat of combat while he was actively coordinating the counter-assault,” he stated.

He said the situation reflected the intensity of the battle and not equipment failure.

The spokesman further alleged that pictures and videos being circulated in connection with the attack were unrelated and deliberately misrepresented.

He urged the public to disregard such content, warning that it was intended to misinform and cause panic. (Guardian)

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