Boko Haram terrorists have murdered an army captain in the Izge community of the Gwoza Local Government Area in Borno State.

The assailants, who struck in the early hours of Wednesday, also killed a soldier.

Confirming the incident, the Emir of Gwoza, HRH Alhaji Mohammed Shehu Timta, stated that the attackers stormed the area around 1am and engaged the troops.

“It is true that my people in the Izge community came under attack from Boko Haram around 1am. Unfortunately, a Captain and a Soldier paid the ultimate price.

“However, our gallant troops, along with the Civilian Joint Task Force, local hunters, vigilantes, and resilient community members, managed to kill three terrorists. The attackers abandoned their weapons and over ten motorcycles and are still on the run, while being pursued by our security personnel,” he said.

He offered prayers for the souls of those who lost their lives and commended the brave soldiers for coordinating with other security operatives to repel the attack.

“May Allah (SWT) grant the departed souls Jannatul Firdaus. Our courageous men are still in the bush, sacrificing their lives to maintain peace in society,” he remarked.

He also expressed gratitude to the Borno State governor, Prof Babagana Umara Zulum, for providing logistical support to the security operatives, while urging the federal government to equip security personnel with technological advancements in warfare.

The North East region has been subjected to a series of attacks amid Boko Haram’s renewed onslaught.

On Saturday, Boko Haram terrorists attacked the 27 Task Force Brigade in Buni Yadi, Gujba LGA of Yobe State, resulting in the deaths of at least four soldiers and the destruction of numerous operational equipment.

This attack occurred less than 24 hours after the North East Governors Forum convened in the state capital, Damaturu, where they adopted a multifaceted approach to combat insurgency in the region.

Buni Yadi is situated approximately 65km from the Yobe State capital and is the hometown of the state governor, Mai Mala Buni.

The latest attack follows a recent charge from President Bola Tinubu to service chiefs to put an end to the killings.

By Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto

The Sokoto State Police Command haa successfully arrested a notorious gun runner along Sokoto-Gusau highway and  recovered illegal arms and ammunition in his possession.

A statement by the spokesperson of the Police Command, ASP Ahmed Rufai said there officers 
attached to Tureta Police Station acted on credible intelligence while conducting “a stop-and-search operation”. 

“‘The operation led to the interception and arrest of Murtala Abubakar, a 45-year-old suspect from Maradun Local Government Area, Zamfara State””.

Continuing, ASP Rufai mentioned items recovered from the suspect to include,  
“”Four (4) locally fabricated rifles, Three (3) locally fabricated pistols, Sixteen (16) rounds of AK-47 ammunition and Three (3) rounds of G3 ammunition'””. 

While noting that the command remained committed to curbing crime and criminality, ASP Rufai reassured that their intensified efforts towards  mobbing up proliferation of illegal arms and fighting crime of all nature is paying off. 

The Police Spokesperson, Rufai who further noted that, the suspect and recovered exhibits have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Sokoto, for further discreet investigation, quoted the Commissioner of Police Ahmed Musa as saying, “”This operation reflects our unwavering commitment to public safety. We urge citizens to continue providing timely intelligence to aid our efforts in dismantling criminal networks.”  

“”The Sokoto State Police Command remains dedicated to ensuring security across all communities and calls for sustained collaboration with residents to achieve lasting peace””. CP Musa appealed. 

In light of disappointing local election outcomes, members of the UK Conservative Party will gather this week to deliberate on the possible removal of their leader, Kemi Badenoch. The urgency stems from a growing concern about the party’s future following significant gains by Reform.

Two senior Conservative backbenchers have confirmed to The Independent that they are initiating discussions with fellow MPs regarding a leadership change. “We cannot continue as we are; she (Ms. Badenoch) is simply not equipped for the task,” stated one MP.

This move follows a disheartening election where the Conservatives lost 15 councils and 674 seats, raising alarms about the party’s viability. Concurrently, Nigel Farage announced that his party has eclipsed the Conservatives to become the primary opposition to Labour, securing 676 seats and overall control of 10 councils.

One Conservative MP remarked, “These results are actually worse than those from last year’s general election. We have somehow regressed.”

Kemi Badenoch’s Conservatives faced a significant defeat last Thursday, resulting in the loss of hundreds of councillors and control of 15 councils.

Reports indicate that several Tories have approached Robert Jenrick to consider another leadership bid just six months after his previous attempt failed. While some plotting against Ms. Badenoch are her critics, sources claim that discussions regarding her future involve members beyond the usual factions.

Former Foreign Secretary Sir James Cleverly is also reportedly positioning himself as a centrist alternative to the right-leaning Jenrick, as noted in the report. Over the weekend, Sir James expressed to GB News that while he supports Badenoch, he remains open about a potential leadership bid should the opportunity arise.

Critics within the parliamentary party have expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of a clear strategy to counter Reform. An initiative to garner her backing for an anti-Reform task force—drawing on former allies of Farage from Ukip and the Brexit Party—was reportedly ignored, despite backing from prominent Brexiteer Sir Bill Cash.

One senior backbencher commented, “I feel as if I’ve been banging my head against a brick wall trying to determine the strategy for confronting Farage and Reform. There has been nothing.”

Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, notably shared on X that all Tory council candidates in his Newark constituency had won, amid a backdrop of hundreds of Tory losses across the country. He dedicated his weekend to fundraising efforts in various regions.

However, one MP voiced concerns: “If we allow Kemi another year, it could spell disaster for us. There are no policies, no ideas, no strategy, and she lacks charisma.”

MPs are assessing that previously secure seats in regions like East Anglia, Essex, Kent, and southern England could be at risk based on last week’s results. There are also grievances regarding her selection of senior staff, particularly former MPs like Rachel MacLean and Therese Coffey. “They just don’t seem to grasp the severity of our situation,” another MP remarked.

Nonetheless, Tory MPs are also wary of new regulations requiring a third of them (currently 41 MPs) to trigger a vote of confidence through letters to the 1922 Committee chair, Bob Blackman. While MPs have yet to publicly advocate for Badenoch’s removal, some Conservatives have.

Jason Smithers, the former Tory leader of North Northamptonshire Council, publicly called for Badenoch’s resignation following the election results, stating, “I cannot comprehend how a party leader can remain in position after such dismal results nationwide.”

Phillip Blond, director of the ResPublica think tank and former advisor to David Cameron, has echoed calls for Badenoch to step down. However, she remains resolute in her position. In an interview with the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg, Badenoch argued against the notion that leadership changes can swiftly rectify issues, asserting that the party’s current challenges will not be resolved in six months. She emphasized, “This isn’t merely about winning elections; it’s about remedying our country.”

Despite her statements, Badenoch’s interview seems to have heightened concerns among MPs. One senior MP noted, “She speaks as if we have ample time to turn things around. We do not. It may already be too late. She has left a significant gap for Nigel Farage to occupy.”

Members of the shadow cabinet are attempting to alleviate tensions, advising Tory MPs against moves to unseat Badenoch, emphasizing that she “needs time.”