Bandit Leader Kachalla Dogo Isah Killed…2 Cops Fall in Boko Haram Attack… Nigeria Partners with China to Address Insecurity… and more
Dogo Isah, Wanted Bandit Leader, Killed in Gunfight with Rival Faction
Notorious bandit leader Kachalla Dogo Isah was killed during a clash with a rival faction in Nigeria’s Northwest Kaduna State on January 7, 2025.
Sources revealed to Zagazola Makama that the confrontation began when Dogo Isah’s gang attempted to rustle cattle from the camp of repentant bandit leader Kachalla Musa. The gunfight left Dogo Isah and two of his men dead.
Dogo Isah, known for attacks across Kachia and Kajuru, had rejected peace efforts by the government and continued his criminal activities. His gang recently killed two Navy officers at a checkpoint on January 5 and had been linked to several assaults on security forces.
While Isah’s death is a welcome development, concerns remain that his followers would launch attacks on Kachalla Musa’s group in retaliation, which could escalate the insecurity in the region.
1,000 Households Displaced in Benue Attacks Since December 29, Says Governor
The Governor of Benue State, Nigeria, Hyacinth Alia revealed on Thursday that over 1,000 households have been displaced by attacks on Benue communities since December 29, 2024.
Alia highlighted challenges facing 500,182 displaced persons across 26 camps and 185 host communities, including inadequate shelter, limited access to clean water, poor healthcare, and insufficient protection mechanisms.
“Such hardships have precipitated detrimental coping strategies, including early marriages, transactional activities, and reduced food intake, disproportionately affecting women, children, and persons with disabilities,” Alia said, according to The Punch.
He noted that his administration is working round the clock to address the issues. “We have enrolled over 6,273 vulnerable individuals into the Benue State Health Insurance Scheme and allocated over 70 hectares of land for shelter construction, benefiting 5,600 displaced households.” He pledged continued collaboration with partners like International Organization for Migration (IOM) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to improve conditions for those affected.
2 Police Officers Killed in Boko Haram Attack
Two police officers were killed when suspected Boko Haram terrorists attacked a police division in Borno State early Wednesday.
The Borno State Police Command, through its spokesperson ASP Nahum Daso, confirmed the attackers struck around 12:10 a.m. GMT. “Unknown gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram terrorists attempted to invade the Nganzai Police Division. Gallant officers on duty repelled the terrorists after a series of gun battles,” the statement, cited by The Punch, read.
The terrorists threw hand grenades during the assault, fatally injuring two officers. “During the scene assessment by the Commissioner of Police, two hand grenades were recovered,” the statement added.
Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered an immediate clampdown on cop-killers.
Nigeria Pays Tribute to Jimmy Carter with Candlelight Service
Public officials from Anambra, Ebonyi, and Enugu States in Southeast Nigeria gathered Thursday night to honor the late former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on December 29, 2024, at age 100.
The Candlelight Night of Tributes featured songs, Bible reflections, and a video of Carter’s impactful work in Nigeria. Dr. Lazarus Nweke, Assistant Director of the Carter Center in Enugu, described Carter as a global health champion whose efforts eradicated Guinea worm disease in Nigeria and tackled river blindness, lymphatic filariasis, and other diseases.
“Enugu office has been besieged by many sympathizers from the government, partners, friends from the state and local governments since the news of the demise of President Carter,” Nweke said, according to SaharaReporters.
The Candlelight Service was simultaneously held at Carter Center offices in Owerri, Benin, and Jos. The tribute coincided with Carter’s funeral in Washington, D.C.
Nigeria Rejects Private Military Firms, Opts for China Partnership on Arms Production
The Nigerian government is strengthening its security partnership with China to enhance local arms production and military training, Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar announced Thursday.
Following a meeting between President Bola Tinubu and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Abuja, Tuggar told reporters that the collaboration aims to enhance Nigeria’s capacity to combat terrorism and other security threats.
“We want to work with countries like China in domesticating production of military equipment, both kinetic and non-kinetic,” Tuggar said. “We need to be able to produce locally.”
Tuggar dismissed the idea of relying on private military companies to address Nigeria’s security issues, emphasizing the country’s leadership role in West Africa. “Let us solve our problems by ourselves,” he said.
Wang Yi’s visit is part of a four-nation Africa tour, including Namibia, DR Congo, and Chad, ending Saturday.
What’s News Today? January 10, 2025, compiled by Ezinwanne Onwuka for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
