Crime News March 19, 2026 Gunmen attack Taraba community, kill 3 police officers, 5 residents

 

Suspected militia members have reportedly killed three police officers and five civilians in Tor-Damisa community, located in Donga Local Government Area of Taraba State.

According to residents, the assailants, who were heavily armed, invaded the community around 1 p.m. on Wednesday, firing shots indiscriminately.

The attack caused widespread panic, forcing residents — including women and children — to flee into nearby bushes in search of safety.

Sources confirmed that eight people, among them three police officers, lost their lives during the incident, while several others suffered gunshot injuries.

A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the assailants arrived in large numbers and threw the community into chaos.

“They came in large numbers and started shooting. People were running in different directions. The whole community was in confusion,” the source said.

The source further revealed that a distress call was made to the Donga Police Division, situated a few kilometres away, prompting the deployment of reinforcements alongside soldiers from the 93 Battalion in Takum.

It was also gathered that the community has been largely deserted since the attack, with security personnel, including soldiers and mobile police officers, maintaining presence in the area to restore order.

Reacting to the development, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Taraba State Command, ASP Victor Mshelizah, confirmed that the command received a distress report from a resident, Zaki Orbanga of Tordamisa Akate Ward, stating that suspected armed bandits had attacked Tse Kwe village.

He explained that officers led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Donga, together with operatives of the Special Force, were immediately mobilised to the scene.

“On arrival at the location, the suspected armed bandits opened fire on the police team, resulting in a fierce exchange of gunfire. The police operatives responded swiftly and repelled the attackers,” he said.

Mshelizah disclosed that CPL Raphael Danjuma and PC Ebenezer Daniel sustained fatal gunshot wounds in the line of duty, while another officer, PC Samuel Bawa, was initially declared missing but was later found dead in a nearby bush.

He also confirmed that the body of Nutsa Tyav, a 60-year-old chairman of the local vigilante group in Tordamisa, was recovered after the attack.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Betty Isokpan Otimenyin, has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the brave officers and the vigilante member who paid the supreme price while protecting the state and the nation at large.

“The command extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and assures them that their sacrifice will not be forgotten,” the police spokesperson said.

(DAILY TRUST)

News World March 19, 2026 US F-35 fighter jet narrowly escapes major doom after strike by Iranian fire

 

A United States F-35 fighter jet was forced to make an emergency landing at a US air base in the Middle East after being hit by what is suspected to be Iranian fire, two sources familiar with the incident have said.

According to the sources, the advanced stealth aircraft sustained damage during the mission, prompting the pilot to divert and land at a nearby US military installation.

Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for US Central Command, confirmed the development, stating that the fifth-generation aircraft was “flying a combat mission over Iran” when the situation occurred.

He noted that the jet landed without further incident and that authorities have launched an investigation.

“The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition,” Hawkins added. “This incident is under investigation.”

If confirmed, the development would mark the first instance of Iran successfully striking a US aircraft since the conflict began in late February.

Both the United States and Israel have deployed F-35 fighter jets in the ongoing war, with each aircraft valued at more than $100 million.

The incident comes amid continued assertions from top US officials that the military campaign against Iran is progressing effectively. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Thursday morning that the US is “winning decisively” and that Iran’s air defenses have been “flattened.”

(CNN)

Business News March 19, 2026 Emir Sanusi earns N442m from MTN

 

Muhammadu Sanusi II, the Emir of Kano, earned a total of N442 million ($324,000) from MTN Group for the 2025 financial year, underscoring a rise in earnings by Africa’s largest mobile telecommunications company and highlighting the expanding role of non-executive directors in corporate governance.

The latest disclosure on board remuneration shows that the figure is higher than the N412 million he received in the preceding year.

Sanusi, who became a member of the MTN Board in July 2019, was paid R1.82 million (about N148 million) as retainer fees in his capacity as a non-executive director.

He also received R1.37 million (approximately N112 million) for attending board meetings, alongside additional payments tied to strategy engagements and special assignments undertaken for the board.

The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) sits on several key committees within the telecoms group, including the Risk Management, Finance, and Social Ethics Committees.

These committees are central to overseeing the company’s operations and ensuring compliance across its various African markets, particularly Nigeria and Ghana.

Industry analysts say the remuneration reflects both the responsibilities attached to board-level oversight in large multinational corporations and the growing emphasis on strong governance structures in Africa’s telecom sector.

Sanusi’s role on the board is also considered strategic for MTN, given his deep experience in banking regulation and economic policy. During his tenure at the Central Bank between 2009 and 2014, he spearheaded far-reaching reforms in Nigeria’s banking sector following the global financial crisis.

Outside MTN, the Kano monarch chairs Black Rhino Management Services Limited and holds multiple directorships across the continent, underlining his continued relevance in both corporate governance and traditional leadership.

Before becoming Emir, Sanusi built a notable career in the financial sector, including serving as chief executive officer of First Bank of Nigeria.

Beyond his corporate roles, he remains an influential traditional and religious leader in Northern Nigeria.

He is also regarded as a prominent figure within the Tijaniyya Sufi Order, where he serves as a spiritual leader.

(BUSINESS DAY)

News Security March 19, 2026 NRC rolls out special Sallah train services, offers free Lagos–Osogbo rides

 

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has unveiled a series of special train services aimed at easing passenger movement across the country ahead of the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.

In a statement signed by its Chief Public Relations Officer, Callistus Unyimadu, the Corporation announced that additional trips and increased capacity have been deployed on major routes to accommodate the anticipated surge in travel demand during the festive period.

According to the NRC, the Lagos–Ibadan corridor will see three special train trips on Thursday, March 19, departing from both Ebute Metta and Moniya stations. Normal schedules are expected to resume immediately after.

On the Abuja–Kaduna route, two trips have been scheduled for Thursday, while from Friday through Monday, the service will run three times daily to offer passengers greater flexibility and convenience.

In a move to further support holiday travel, the Corporation disclosed a partnership with the Osun State Government to operate the Imole Train Service from Lagos to Osogbo. The initiative will provide free transportation to indigenes as part of activities marking the Sallah celebrations.

Meanwhile, the Warri–Itakpe train service will maintain its regular three-times-weekly operations, with Thursdays reserved for maintenance, while the Port Harcourt–Aba route will continue running on its usual schedule.

The NRC assured passengers of safe, efficient, and reliable services throughout the period, urging travellers to plan ahead, arrive early at stations, and comply with all security and ticketing procedures.

The Corporation also extended warm Eid-el-Fitr greetings to Muslim faithful across the country.

News Security March 19, 2026 Eid-el-Fitr: Police restrict tricycle movement, deploy EOD teams

 

The Borno State Police Command has announced a temporary restriction on the movement of tricycles, popularly known as Keke Napep, as part of security measures for this year’s Eid-el-Fitr celebration.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Nahum Daso, the restriction will be in effect from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on March 20, 2026.

The police said the move forms part of a broader security arrangement designed to ensure a peaceful and hitch-free celebration across the state.

“In furtherance of its constitutional mandate to protect lives and property, the Command has emplaced a comprehensive security architecture to ensure a peaceful, safe, and hitch-free Eid celebration across the State.

“As part of these measures, the Command hereby announces the restriction on the movement of tricycles (Keke Napep) from 6am to 12pm on 20/03/2026. This directive is aimed at enhancing security coordination, ease crowd management, and prevent any potential security threats. Members of the public are enjoined to comply strictly,” the statement said.

The Command also advised Muslim faithful to observe prayers at designated Eid grounds nearest to their homes to reduce movement and avoid overcrowding.

It added that security personnel have been strategically deployed to key locations, including prayer grounds, markets, and motor parks, to manage crowds, regulate access, and ensure overall safety.

The police further disclosed that operatives of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit have been stationed at major venues to conduct thorough screening of persons and items entering designated areas.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Naziru Abdulmajid, has directed all area commanders and operational units to intensify patrols, intelligence-driven operations, and visibility policing throughout the festive period, while maintaining professionalism and respect for human rights.

The Command urged residents to remain vigilant, celebrate responsibly, and promptly report any suspicious activities, while also advising parents and guardians to closely monitor their children in crowded environments.

It reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining law and order before, during, and after the Eid festivities.

News March 19, 2026 Cleric defies Sultan, leads early eid prayer in Sokoto

 

A Sokoto-based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Musa Lukuwa, on Thursday led members of his congregation in observing Eid al-Fitr prayers, going against the directive issued by the Sultan of Sokoto,  Saad Abubakar, who had declared Friday as the official Sallah celebration.

The cleric presided over the two-unit Eid prayer at his mosque in Mabera at about 9:10 a.m.

Earlier, he had addressed his followers following the Sultan’s announcement that the Shawwal crescent moon was not sighted anywhere across Nigeria.

In a message that later made rounds on social media, Lukuwa explained the basis for his action, pointing to reports indicating that the moon had been sighted in neighbouring Niger Republic.

According to him, reliable contacts in the country confirmed the sighting, which informed the decision by his group to proceed with the Eid observance.

“Niger Republic is very close to us—about 100 kilometres away,” he said. “If we accept reports from cities like Kano or even Lagos, which are farther away, there is no reason to reject confirmed sightings from a neighbouring country.”

He emphasized that the decision was not an act of disregard for the Sultan’s authority but rather adherence to religious teachings.

“We usually follow the Sultan’s directive in starting and ending Ramadan. However, when it is clear that the moon has been sighted, we must act in accordance with the teachings of the Prophet, even if it differs from the Sultan’s declaration,” he stated.

Lukuwa also referenced the historical role of the late Abubakar Mahmoud Gummi in announcing moon sightings before the responsibility was centralized under the Sultan for the sake of unity within the Muslim community.

He maintained that the Sultan’s decision in this instance was incorrect and insisted that his followers would not comply.

Separate reports indicated that Lukuwa had notified his followers around midnight about the reported moon sighting and directed them to assemble for Eid prayers the next morning.

This is not the first time the cleric and his followers have gone against the Sultan’s official position regarding the timing of Eid celebrations.

News March 19, 2026 North-East economy at risk as CSO urges civilians to back anti-terror efforts

 

Concern is mounting over the economic toll of insurgency in Nigeria’s North-East, as a civil society organisation has warned that continued public passivity could worsen both security and livelihood conditions in the region.

The Peace, Security Focus Group, a North-East-based organisation, made the observation while calling on residents of Borno and Yobe States to play a more active role in addressing terrorism within their communities.

At a community forum held in Maiduguri on Thursday, the Convener of the Group, Ismail Mohammed, stressed that the persistence of insurgency is closely tied to the ability of terrorist elements to blend into local populations.

“For too long, some insurgents have hidden among us, carrying out attacks while ordinary citizens suffer. This is a fight we cannot leave solely to the military. You—the residents—must take ownership to reclaim our towns, markets, and livelihoods,” he said.

The organisation noted that while military operations remain critical, community collaboration is essential to achieving lasting results, urging residents to support the Armed Forces of Nigeria under the leadership of the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede.

“The military is working tirelessly to protect us, but they cannot succeed without our cooperation. By providing timely information, assisting in community vigilance, and collaborating with security initiatives, we can help them dismantle insurgents hiding in our midst,”he said.

Highlighting the broader implications, Mohammed warned that the insurgency is already disrupting key economic activities across the region, affecting agriculture, trade, and youth opportunities.

“Every attack disrupts trade, agriculture, and small businesses. Farmers cannot harvest, traders cannot sell, and young people cannot access opportunities. Our economy—the backbone of North-East recovery—is at stake. If we do not act together, the cost will only grow.”

The group further encouraged residents to strengthen local vigilance by reporting suspicious activities and supporting community-based security efforts.

“Your information saves lives. Silence only empowers the enemy. By standing together with our soldiers, we secure not just our safety but the future of our communities,”he stressed.

Reinforcing the urgency of collective responsibility, Mohammed concluded with a call for unity in safeguarding both lives and economic prospects in the region.

“This is our home, our children, our businesses, and our future. We cannot leave this fight to others. Support the Armed Forces under Gen. Oluyede, share information, and refuse to give insurgents a foothold. Together, we will protect our economy and secure a safer, more prosperous Borno for generations to come.”