News
Troops foil attack on military base, kill eight jihadists
Troops of the Nigerian Army killed eight suspected Islamic State-allied jihadists after preventing a raid on a military base in central Niger state, where hundreds of militants are being held, two military sources said on Monday.
According to reports, dozens of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters tried to break into the Wawa military cantonment in the remote New Bussa village near the border with the Benin Republic late on Saturday to free more than 1,000 of their comrades detained there.
The Wawa attack underscores the threat ISWAP poses to Nigeria as the group expands outside its traditional northeast stronghold, where the army has battled jihadists for more than a decade.
“The terrorists attacked the base around midnight in large numbers but they were pulverised with air support, leading to the death of eight of them,” one military officer said.
Three of the attackers, including their commander, were captured in the fight, the officer said.
The army has still not officially commented on the attack.
Troops at the base had received intelligence militants were preparing an attack and waiting for them, said a second officer who gave the same toll.
The jihadists tried to blast their way through the gates of the base with dynamite and heavy guns, but met “stiff resistance” from troops at the base, said the second source.
“It was obvious they wanted to free other terrorists being held in the facility as they did in Kuje Prison,” said the officer.
He was referring to the jailbreak at the Kuje prison near Nigeria’s capital Abuja in June where ISWAP fighters blasted their way into the prison, freeing hundreds of inmates, including more than 100 high-profile jihadists.
That attack was a major embarrassment for Nigeria’s security forces and was just 20 kilometres from the city’s international airport.
Nigeria’s police on Friday said they had beefed up security especially in the capital after the United States and Britain warned of a high “terror” threat in Abuja.
The US has given no details but has ordered diplomats’ families to leave Abuja due to what it called a “heightened risk of terrorist attacks.”
The Wawa base houses around 1,700 jihadist suspects that have been in detention for the past five years.
The base was used between 2017 and 2018 as a court to try some of the 2,500 Boko Haram and ISWAP suspects.
More than 40,000 people have been killed and over two million more displaced from their homes by the conflict in Nigeria’s northeast.
Increasingly ISWAP has claimed attacks far from the northeast, including in Kogi and Niger states that both border the Federal Capital Territory, where Abuja is located.
The Wawa attack is the latest pointing to the group’s growing influence in Niger state where officials and security analysts have been expressing concern over growing ties between the jihadists and criminal gangs called bandits.
Troops foil attack on military base, kill eight jihadists
President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday arrived in Katsina to receive the remains of the former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away in London on Sunday at the age of 82.
Just hours before the burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari, heartfelt tributes have continued to pour in from beneficiaries of his many charitable deeds, with many describing him as a man who never turned his back on the needy.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, Aminu Daura, a respected community elder, recalled how Buhari consistently provided foodstuffs during Ramadan for families, friends, widows, and orphans in his hometown.
“He never made noise about it, but many homes had food on their tables during fasting period because of him,” Daura said.
Abdullahi Sani, a physically-challenged man who received a tricycle from the Buhari Foundation in 2021, was overcome with emotion while speaking to NAN.
“I can move around and feed my family today because of Baba Buhari. I pray to Allah to reward him for giving hope to people like me,” he said, in tears.
Hajiya Fatima Yahaya, another resident, remembered Buhari’s acts of kindness during festive seasons.
“Even after he left office, his aides ensured that the usual support still reached us every year. He always remember his people,” she said, referring to his distribution of Sallah rams and food items to indigent families during Eid celebrations.
Other residents of Daura also shared memories of how the late former president quietly paid school fees and medical bills for struggling families, actions rarely publicized.
“Some of us benefited from his silent interventions. He was a true father and a great figure in the society,” said Ali Saidu.
On Monday night, Imams across various mosques in Daura held special Qur’anic recitations, praying for the forgiveness of Buhari’s sins and his eternal peace.
The Chief Imam of Daura Central Mosque, Sheikh Musa Kofar Barau, described Buhari as a humble leader whose legacy of service and compassion would remain alive in the hearts of the people.
Buhari is scheduled to be buried later on Tuesday in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, in line with Islamic rites. The community is bracing to welcome thousands of mourners from across Nigeria and beyond.
His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco has extended heartfelt condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the family of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, and the entire Nigerian people following Buhari’s death.
In a message of sympathy, the Moroccan monarch described the passing of the former Nigerian leader as a “sad occurrence,” expressing deep sorrow over the loss.
King Mohammed VI hailed Buhari as “an illustrious leader who worked untiringly to serve his country’s best interests and lead his people toward further progress and prosperity.”
He added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the bereaved. I share your grief and want you to know how much I appreciated the working sessions I had with the deceased.”
Reflecting on their bilateral engagements, the king noted that his collaboration with Buhari led to the launch of promising development projects, “ushering a new era grounded in friendship and close cooperation between our two sister nations.”
Tinubu arrives Katsina to receive Buhari’s body for burial
“He Never Turned His Back on the Needy” — Tributes Pour In Ahead of Buhari’s Burial
King Mohammed VI Mourns Buhari, Praises Legacy of Nigeria’s Former Leader
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