• Gumi denies supporting terrorism, insists on amnesty for bandits
•Family Begs Tinubu to recover murdered teacher’s body for Burial in Oyo school attack
• Bandits invade emir’s palace in Kwara, set palace ablaze, abduct emir’s wife, others
•Radda’s ex-aide arrested for masterminding abduction of eight-year-old child
•MACBAN condemns killing of nine herdsmen, wives, children in Kogi
•Kano Pentecostal raises the alarm over insecurity, Chibok girls, Leah Sharibu, others
John Shiklam in Kaduna, Hammed Shittu in Ilorin, Alex Enumah, Linus Aleke in Abuja, Francis Sardauna in Katsina, Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja and Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano
The Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma Sector 1,has dealt significant blows to terrorist elements, successfully foiling planned attacks through a series of intelligence-led air operations conducted between May 20 and 23, 2026, across Rafi and Mariga Local Government Areas of Niger State.
In a statement, the Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the coordinated operations targeted terrorists’ movements, hideouts, and planned attacks across several communities within the affected areas.
According to him, the first operation was carried out on May 20 after credible intelligence revealed the movement and convergence of terrorists around Tungan Bako and Kasuwan Daji in Rafi LGA.
He explained that the Air Component, working in collaboration with the Nigerian Army Space Command Regiment, launched precision air interdiction strikes that neutralised several terrorists and disrupted their operational build-up in the area.
Ejodame further disclosed that on May 21, terrorists travelling on motorcycles and on foot with rustled cattle from Tungunguna towards Uregi were identified and engaged by air assets.
The operation, he said, resulted in the neutralisation of the terrorists and the destruction of their movement and withdrawal capability.
“On same day, the Air Component also provided close air support to troops in contact with terrorists at Tungan Makeri, successfully engaging the terrorists and restoring operational advantage to friendly forces,” he added.
The statement noted that the offensive operations continued on May 23 with armed reconnaissance missions over Dogon Dawa and surrounding locations in Mariga LGA following reports of planned terrorist attacks on troop positions.
During the mission, terrorist elements attempting tactical movement within the area were detected and engaged with precision strikes.
The Nigerian Air Force said the operation led to the successful neutralisation of a significant number of terrorists and effectively disrupted the planned attacks.
Gumi Denies Supporting Terrorism, Insists on Amnesty for Bandits
Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, has dismissed insinuations, suggesting that he supported terrorism.
Addressing a press conference at his residence in Kaduna, Gumi, who has been advocating amnesty for bandits, said there had been several misrepresentations in the media and on social media platforms regarding his position on banditry in Nigeria.
“I have noticed that I am being misquoted in some of my media interviews, public lectures, and discourse on how to address banditry in Nigeria.
“This is being done by certain ethnic interest groups, individuals driven by prejudice, and some sectional internet content creators, who use sensational and outrageous headlines to attract viewership at the expense of human suffering and sacrifice.
“I hereby state unequivocally that any video clip, written statement, or message attributed to me, whether directly or by innuendo, suggesting support for, justification of, protection of, or advocacy for banditry or terrorism in Nigeria or anywhere else does not emanate from me.”
The cleric called on Nigerians to disregard “such fake, manipulated, and doctored materials currently in circulation.
“I am a loyal citizen of my beloved country, a nation whose potential I believe is unmatched anywhere in the world.
“I therefore urge the general public, the media, and the Nigerian state to disregard such fake, manipulated, and doctored materials currently in circulation,” Gumi said.
He warned that “anyone who continues, from the date of this release, to circulate falsehoods against me shall be liable to legal action.
“I sincerely hope that our great nation will heal, and that all victims affected by this violence will find comfort in the collective determination of the nation and the international community to achieve a lasting solution to the insecurity fueled over time by ignorance, poverty, and widespread social injustice,” he added.
Family Begs Tinubu to Recover Slain Oyo Teacher’s Body for Burial in School Attack
Family of the Late Mr. Oyedokun Michael Olugbade, recently killed by terrorists in Oyo State, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to help recover the remains of their son, for a decent burial.
Olugbode is one of the teachers abducted from Community High School, Ahoro Esinle, in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, by suspected terrorists on May 15, 2026.
He was reportedly killed by the terrorists few days after their kidnap, however, his remains is yet to be located or recovered for proper burial.
In a letter written to President Tinubu through their lawyer, Mr Deji Adeyanju, the family, stated that beyond personal grief, they were “deeply disturbed that several other innocent Nigerians, including persons abducted alongside Late Mr. Oyedokun Michael Olugbade during the same tragic incident, are still believed to be held in captivity by these terrorists under extremely life threatening conditions.”
They described the Late Oyedokun as a peaceful and diligent teacher at Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle, in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, whose life was cruelly and violently cut short under heartbreaking and inhumane circumstances.
While disclosing that the late teacher was survived by a wife and two sons, who had been traumatised by the gruesome manner of his death, the family lamented that, “Despite widespread national reports regarding the death of the late Mr. Oyedokun Michael Olugbade, his remains are yet to be seen or recovered.
“In these distressing circumstances, we respectfully appeal for Your Excellency’s urgent intervention to direct the relevant security and intelligence agencies to intensify efforts toward locating and recovering his body, so that his family may be afforded the solemn opportunity to conduct a dignified burial and rescue other victims still in captivity.”
The family specifically urged the president not to delegate this matter to representatives alone, but should also be at the forefront by personally visiting the affected families.
Bandits Invade Emir’s Palace in Kwara, Burn Palace, Abduct Wife, Women, Others
A few days to Eid el-Kabir celebrations, about 15 uspected bandits reportedly invaded ancient town of Yashikira in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, setting the emir’s palace ablaze, abducting emir’s wife, children, women and several residents of the community.
The incident, according to THISDAY checks, happened on the wee hours of Sunday when the residents of the town have slept.
It was gathered that, the suspected bandits were said to have stormed the town, firing sporadically before launching the assault on the palace and nearby homes.
Sources said the assailants overpowered local vigilantes and operated for hours without resistance as terrified residents fled into nearby bushes for safety.
According to eye witnesses, the gunmen were said to have first attacked the palace, where they reportedly set parts of the building on fire before whisking away multiple victims.
A local source who sought anonymity told newsmen in Ilorin that, “the suspected bandits invaded Yashikira in the night.
“They set the palace on fire and kidnapped women and children, including the emir’s wives.”
Another source said the attack threw the entire community into confusion as families searched for missing relatives after the assailants left the area.
Radda’s Ex-Aide Arrested for Masterminding Abduction of 8-yr-old Child
A former Senior Special Assistant to the Katsina State Governor on Community Development Programme (CDP), Nura Aliyu, has been arrested by operatives of the Katsina State Police Command for allegedly masterminding the abduction of an eight-year-old boy.
Aliyu, 39, according to a statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, was nabbed alongside five other suspects for allegedly plotting the kidnapping of the victim.
Although the police spokesperson did not mention in the statement whether Aliyu served as a senior special assistant to Governor Radda, investigations revealed that he previously held the position before resigning to contest for Batsari Constituency seat in the Katsina State House of Assembly.
The police public relations officer explained that the victim was abducted by the syndicate on 13th May, 2026, at about 6:00 p.m. while returning from an Islamic school.
He said the suspects contacted the family the following day and demanded N50,000,000 ransom, but after negotiations, N17,000,000 was paid to secure the release of the victim.
The Katsina police spokesman noted that N7.5 million being part of the N17 million ransom, one Peugeot 307, boxer motorcycle, among others, were recovered from the suspects as exhibits during investigation.
According to him, the suspects confessed to the commission of the offence during interrogation and mentioned one Abdul, currently at large, as their accomplice.
Aliyu, in the statement, said: “Upon receipt of the report, operatives of the newly established Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) of the command swung into action. Acting on credible intelligence, operatives tracked and arrested six members of the syndicate today, May 23rd, 2026.
“Those arrested are: Nura Aliyu, age 39, identified as the mastermind and a neighbour to the victim’s family; Abubakar Aminu, age 37; Ibrahim Muhammad, age 51; Iliyasu Sani, age 51; Abubakar Muhammad, age 27, and Abdullahi Isma’il, age 30.”
While noting that efforts were underway to apprehend the fleeing suspect, Aliyu said the state Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar Fage, commended the operatives for carrying out what he described as a swift operation.
MACBAN Decries Killings of 9 Herdsmen, Wives, Children in Kogi State Community
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has condemned the brutal killings of herdsmen, women and children in Ika Community, Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State.
In a press statement by the State Secretary of MACBAN Kogi Chapter Suleiman Muhammed, it pointed out that the victims of the unfortunate attack were Isiaka Lawal, Larai Musa (wife of Isiaka Lawal) , Abdullahi lsiaka, Isah Isiaka, Saleh Isiaka, Samsiya Adamu, Asma’u Siuni, Basullube Musa and Bello Musa.
Others who sustained varying degrees of injuries were Husseini Haruna, Abdullahi Abdullahi, Sa’ida Haruna.
“We condemn this barbaric act in the strongest terms and call on security agencies to immediately investigate the incident, arrest the perpetrators and ensure that justice is served.
“The continued targeting and killing of innocent pastoral communities is dangerous, unacceptable and capable of worsening tensions among peaceful communities.
“MACBAN extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed and prays for the speedy recovery of the injured persons. We also call on government at ail levels, humanitarian organizations and relevant authorities to urgently provide relief and medical assistance to the affected families.
“We urge members of the pastoralists community and all residents of the area to remain calm and law-abiding, while allowing security agencies to carry out their responsibilities.”
Kano Pentecostal Raises the Alarm Over Insecurity, Chibok Girls, Sharibu others
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Kano chapter, has raised the alarm over the rising spate of insecurity across the country, saying Nigeria has lost its sense of value for human life and its sanctity.
The PFN Chairman, Kano branch, Rev. Elkanah Enweluzor, who read the speech of the National President of PFN, Bishop Francis Wole Oke, raised the alarm in Kano at the end of the 3-day National Fasting and Prayers of the Fellowship.
The group lamented that banditry, kidnapping, violence, and savage killings have escalated to an intolerable height, urging Nigerians to cry out to God for divine intervention and calling on governments at all levels to take immediate and effective action.
The fellowship also expressed concern over the continued captivity of some Chibok schoolgirls years after their abduction by Boko Haram insurgents, noting that several remain in captivity.
The Pentecostal fellowship further highlighted the case of Leah Sharibu, whom it said was still held in bondage by religious kidnappers for refusing to renounce her Christian faith, and called for renewed efforts to secure their release.
The PFN recalled with deep and inconsolable pains the sordid cases of banditry, kidnapping, savage killings and other forms of violence roaming all over Nigeria.
It stressed that these evils had reached an intolerable height where every Nigerian must cry out against them and seek prompt governmental response.
