Security
Gunmen Kill Kaduna Catholic Priest
… 2 police inspector sons in Yobe
Bandits in the early hours of Wednesday killed Rev. Fr. Sylvester Okechukwu after abducting him from his home in Tachira, Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Also, the suspected Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) has launched a deadly attack in Buni Yadi, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State, killing Inspector Mallam Jibrin’s two children and setting their corpses and the house on fire.
The Chancellor of the Diocese of Kafanchan, Rev. Fr. Jacob Shanet, confirmed this development to newsmen in a statement on Wednesday.
Fr. Shanet explained that the late Sylvester Okechukwu was kidnapped from his residence on March 4, 2025.
“It is with deep sorrow and heavy hearts that we announce the tragic death of our beloved Priest, Rev Fr Sylvester Okechukwu (Born 11/12/1980 and ordained 11/02/2021), who was the Pastor of St Mary Catholic Church Tachira, Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State”.
He disclosed that Fr Sylvester was kidnapped from his residence on the evening of 4th March 2025 at approximately 9:15 PM WAT.
“After being taken by his abductors, we regret to inform you that Fr Sylvester was cruelly killed in the early hours of today, the 5th of March 2025, Ash Wednesday. It is yet to be determined why he was dead.
“This untimely and brutal loss has left us heartbroken and devastated. Fr Sylvester was a dedicated servant of God who worked selflessly in the vineyard of the Lord, spreading the message of peace, love and hope.
“He was always available and accessible to his parishioners. His untimely death has left an indelible void within our diocesan family, and we share in the pain of his passing with his family, friends and all those who knew and loved him.
“Let us come together as one family in prayer for the repose of his soul. We invite all priests, religious and the faithful, to offer Holy Masses, Rosaries and Prayers for the eternal repose of Fr Sylvester, who gave his life in service to God and humanity”.
He, therefore, appealed to the youth and members of the Takad community to remain calm and steadfast in prayer. No one should take the law into their hands, he said.
“The details of the funeral arrangements will be communicated in due course. May we continue to hold one another in prayer and unity during this dark moment”.
A credible intelligence source confirmed that, the attack occurred in the early hours of Monday, around 1 am in the Shuwari Baban Layi area of the town.
One of the residents who doesn’t want his name to print described that ” Let me tell you that, when the assailants infiltrated the town and targeted the home of Inspector Jibril Mohammed of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) started shooting sporadically” he said.
Another security information confirmed that the suspects, SWAP/Boko Haram, set the house ablaze and killed two of the Officer’s children before escaping.
Leadership gathered that, upon receiving intelligence reports on the attack, troops of 27 Task Force Brigade, Sector 2 Operation HADIN KAI, swiftly mobilised to the scene.
However, the terrorists fled upon sighting advancing troops, abandoning their bicycles in the process.
The explosion followed an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by Boko Haram terrorists on the dilapidated and deserted road which passes through the Sambisa forest.
According to several sources, the explosion happened while cars on a scheduled military-escorted convoy were transporting passengers from Damboa to Maiduguri on Saturday leaving several others with varying degrees of injuries.
The Maiduguri-Damboa Road links Maiduguri to several local government areas in Southern Borno and has been a hotspot for Boko Haram terrorists for over a decade.
The road was closed to vehicles and commuters until the administration of Babagana Zulum opened the road for passengers to travel to Damboa, Chibok and other LGAs in southern Borno with the help of a military convoy serving as security cover for the commuters.
The convoy traverses the road two times a week after scanning for IED by the military and this has been going on for over two years now.
The injured persons whose numbers are yet to be specified have been conveyed to a hospital in Maiduguri for prompt medical attention.
A student of the Federal University Birnin Kebbi (FUBK) has been abducted by unidentified gunmen following an off-campus hostel attack.
Channels reports that the incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday at Istijaba Villa in Unguwar Jeji area of the state.
Witness accounts said five armed men entered the hostel to demand money from students who were taking a walk outside.
But the students refused to give in to their demands, which led to an assault from the attackers.
A resident, who was said to have attempted intervention, was shot dead while a final-year student of economics, simply identified as Madubiya, was whisked away by the assailants.
Responding to the incident, Muhammad Zaiyan-Umar, the vice-chancellor of FUBK, visited the scene in the company of the officers from the Kalgo police division and Department of State Services (DSS).
Addressing the students, Zaiyan-Umar said the university is committed to ensuring their safety and security.
It is understood that the VC has communicated the incident to Nasir Idris, the governor of Kebbi state, through the secretary to the state government and the director of security services at the cabinet office.
As of this reporting, the Kebbi state police command has yet to respond to enquiries about the incident.
In 2021, rumours soared of a planned attack by bandits after a heavy security presence was observed on campus.
At the time, the management of FUBK dismissed the claims.
The National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu has expressed the Federal Government’s determination in finding a lasting solution to the incessant attacks and killings in Plateau State.
Speaking at Operation Safe Haven headquarters in Jos during an operational visit in the aftermath of attacks in some communities of the Bokkos Local Government Area LGA) of the state, Ribadu promised to end the killings.
Over fifty persons were killed within a week in attacks over five communities that left over three hundred houses burnt by suspected herdsmen.
The Plateau State Government, through the Secretary to the Government Samuel Jatau, also visited some of the affected communities to ascertain the extent of damages and also donate relief materials to affected victims.
Adu expressed the Federal Government’s determination in finding solutions to the incessant attacks and killings.
Also, speaking about the killings, the District Head of Manguna wants the government to provide more security personnel in the affected communities to curb rural-urban migration.