An unconfirmed number of people have been killed in an ambush attack by bandits on a combined team of professional hunters from Duguri and Gwana District in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

The bandits also killed many residents who fled from their villages following the attack which occurred on Sunday 4th May 2025, at about 5.40am.

The hunters were on a routine patrol along Duguri, Mansur, and the Dajin Madam forest bordering Bauchi and Plateau States when the armed bandits attacked them.

Details on the exact number of the hunters and residents killed are still sketchy but residents say nine people were killed, while some say that the number could be as high as 15.

The Public Relations Officer, Bauchi State Police Command, Ahmed Wakil, who confirmed the incident in a statement to journalists on Monday did not give the exact number of casualties but said that many people were killed both on the side of the bandits and that of the hunters.

He said those killed also included civilian residents from Sabuwar Sara village, who were mercilessly shot by the bandits while attempting to flee from the attack.

Wakil also said the Commissioner of Police Bauchi State, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has deployed tactical teams to Mansur village in Alkaleri LGA of Bauchi following a visit to relevant stakeholders where he strongly condemned the recent killings, expressing deep sorrow over the tragic loss of lives.

Two security personnel aiding terrorist operations in the North-East have been arrested, the Defence Headquarters has announced.

The Director, Media Operations at the Defence Headquarters, Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye, explained that the two personnel are from hybrid forces who had been working alongside troops to combat insurgency in the region.

He further explained that the men were arrested during operations from April 26 to 29 across Bama, Kukawa and Madagali LGAs.

According to him, the military personnel were among four terrorist logistics suppliers arrested by the troops.

Kangye described the action of the arrested men as “betrayal”, warning commanders to sensitise their personnel against acts that could sabotage ongoing military efforts.

“In a well-coordinated operation conducted from 26–29 April 2025 in Bama, Kukawa, and Madagali LGAs of Borno and Adamawa states, troops intercepted four terrorists’ logistics suppliers.

“Sadly, two of them were confirmed to be members of the hybrid forces,” the Defence Headquarters spokesman said.

“Commanders are therefore to sensitise hybrid forces personnel to desist from colluding with or encouraging terrorist acts capable of sabotaging our operations,” he added.

Kangye added that in another development, troops, in conjunction with hybrid forces, carried out offensive operations including fighting patrols, raids and clearance missions in Gwoza, Dikwa, Bama, Chibok, Gujba, Geidam, and Yunusari LGAs of Borno State.

According to him, several terrorists were killed during the operations, six kidnap victims were rescued and caches of arms, ammunition, motorcycles and bicycles were recovered.

Kangye further explained that in the South-South, troops also achieved significant success in curbing oil theft and illegal refining in the Niger Delta, saying that they recovered over 86,000 litres of stolen crude oil, 72,000 litres of illegally refined diesel, and over 2,600 litres of petrol.

He stated that troops destroyed dozens of illegal refining sites and seized boats, storage tanks, tricycles, mobile phones and seven vehicles.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has commenced investigation into alleged misappropriation of funds and abuse of office by some former senior officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPC Ltd.

Former chief executives of the company, Mele Kyari, Abubakar Yar’Adua and others were alleged to have misappropriated about $2.96 billion earmarked for the rehabilitation of Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries.

The development was disclosed in a letter dated 28 April and addressed to the Group Managing Director, NNPC Towers, Herbert Macaulay Way, Central Business District, Abuja.

It was gathered that the anti-graft agency is specifically investigating the disbursements of $1.56 billion for the Port Harcourt refinery, $740 million for the Kaduna refinery, and $657 million for the Warri refinery.

Those under investigation include:

Abubakar Lawal Yar’Adua

Mele Kolo Kyari

Isiaka Abdulrazak

Umar Ajiyap

Dikko Ahmed

Ibrahim Onoja

Ademoye Adeniyi Jelili

Mustapha Magaji Sugungun

Kayode Olusegun Adetokunbo

Efiok Michael Akpan

Babatunde Bakare

Jimoh Olasunkanmi

Bello Kankaya

Desmond Inyama