21 Civilian Guards Fall in Ambush…Defense Chief Declares War on Terrorists… 16 Perish in Collateral Damage… Military Crushes 109 Terrorists
21 Citizen Guards Killed in Ambush by Bandits in Northwest Nigeria
Authorities in northwest Nigeria confirmed that 21 government-backed community watch members were killed last Tuesday when bandits ambushed their convoy in Baure, a village in Katsina State’s Safana County.
Police spokesperson Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu stated, “Sadly, 21 persons were fatally shot as a result of the attack.” The victims, members of the Katsina Community Watch Corps, were returning from a condolence visit to the family of a dead colleague when the assailants struck.
Witness accounts suggest the death toll could be as high as 25, with several villagers still unaccounted for, according to Nigeria’s Premium Times. Aliyu said police were seeking to “ensure the arrest of the perpetrators” of the attack.
Katsina, plagued by violent raids and kidnappings, remains one of Nigeria’s most insecure regions.
Military Chief Orders Troops: Hunt Terrorists Down
Nigeria’s Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa, is urging troops to intensify efforts against terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers in 2025, The Sun reports.
“We are not where we want to be, but we’re heading there, and I can assure you that by working together, we shall overcome all acts of evil,” he said. “We must step out of the temple, look for the criminals wherever they enter, and go after them.”
He encouraged commanders to make a difference in operations this year, saying “We must not lose sight of the oath we took to be dutiful, faithful, and loyal…we must remain resolute in our fight against terrorism, insurgency, secessionism, and other threats to our collective peace as Nigerians.”
Military Airstrike Kills 16 Civilians Mistaken for Bandits
An airstrike by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in Tungar Kara in Zamfara State, accidentally killed at least 16 people, including vigilantes and residents responding to a bandit incursion.
The victims, members of the state-sponsored civilian guards, the Zamfara Community Protection Guard (ZCPG), were reportedly mistaken for bandits after the actual attackers fled. “So far, 16 dead bodies have been retrieved, but the total number of casualties is not yet clear,” an intelligence source told Zagazola Makama.
Commenting on the operation, NAF stated that the airstrike “dealt a decisive blow to bandits terrorizing villages in the area.” In the press statement published on Sunday, NAF spokesperson Olusola Akinboyewa said a “comprehensive investigation is in progress” to ascertain the veracity of the reports of loss of civilian lives.
Nigerian Military Takes Down 109 Terrorists, Rescues 43 in a Week
Nigerian troops have killed 109 terrorists, arrested 81 suspects, and rescued 43 hostages in the past week, according to Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, Director of Defense Media Operations.
In a statement on Friday, Buba detailed the recovery of 21 weapons, including AK-47 rifles, fabricated guns, and ammunition, as well as the destruction of illegal oil refining operations in the Niger Delta. Troops reportedly dismantled 10 refining sites, seized over 631,000 litres of stolen crude oil, and denied oil thieves approximately ₦618.7 million ($397,619.55).
Recovered items include motorcycles, vehicles, mobile phones, and radios. Buba emphasized the military’s continued focus on counter-terrorism and securing critical infrastructure.
“Troops are sustaining the winning ways of ongoing operational engagements,” he said as quoted by The Guardian.
What’s News Today? January 13, 2025, compiled by Ezinwanne Onwuka for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
