At least six soldiers and 12 others were reportedly killed at the weekend, by gunmen suspected to be terrorists who attacked Kasuwar Daji in Kaura-Namoda Local Government of Zamfara State and Lajinge village in Sabon-Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

No fewer than 75 persons were also abducted in the Zamfara attack, while a man and his two sons were burnt alive in the building they ran into, seeking refuge.

Report says the suspected terrorists attacked Kasuwar Daji community around 11:30 pm on Saturday night after over running the military outpost station in the area.

The report also alleged that six soldiers were killed, while over 70 people were abducted and taken into the bush.

A resident, who identified himself as Alhaji Aminu Kasuwar Daji, was quoted in the report as saying that the terrorists who stormed the community in large numbers, immediately started shooting sporadically to overrun the military outpost in the area.

“Our calls to Zamfara State and the federal government is to come to the aide of Zamfara people generally on this insecurity bedivelling the state.

‘’We really in danger if terrorists can overpower the military and succeed in their attacks on innocent citizens,” Aminu Kasuwar Daji said.

Similarly, the former deputy speaker of the state House of Assembly, Namadi Kasuwar Daji, also confirmed the attack of his community and abduction of unspecified number of residents.

According to him, though he was not around as he travelled out of the state, his relatives called and told him about the attack.

”I was told that the terrorists even killed soldiers but I was not told the actual number, again I was told that the terrorists, after looting shops for foodstuffs, drinks and other properties, also abducted unspecified number of residents whom they took to the bush,’’ he said.

On the Sokoto attack, no fewer than 12 persons were killed, six of whom were burnt alive, after suspected terrorists attacked Lajinge village in Sabon Birni Local Government Area.

Residents said the attackers invaded the community at about 11pm on Saturday and operated until around 3:30 am yesterday without any security intervention.

A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said 11 of the victims died from gunshot wounds, while a woman identified as Agada died after suffering severe shock during the attack.

According to him, six people were burnt alive after the gunmen surrounded a room they had taken refuge.

“They ordered those inside to come out but they refused. The attackers then poured petrol on the room and opened fire. When those inside attempted to escape through the door, they kept shooting at them. Their bodies were left inside the burning room,” he said.

He identified those killed in the fire as head of the household, Mallam Wauro (popularly known as Mallam Roro); his two sons, Ukasha and Mujaheed; two other relatives identified as Sufyanu and Sani Shanbami; as well as an internally displaced person, IDP, who had been taking shelter in the house.

The source added that another victim, Lawwali, was shot dead at the entrance of the same house, while trying to flee, bringing the death toll in the compound alone to seven.

He said the remaining victims were shot while attempting to escape from the village. They include Yusuf and three internally displaced persons who had sought refuge in Lajinge.

Another resident, who participated in the community’s local vigilante operation on the night of the attack, said they were keeping watch near the village primary school when the gunmen struck.

“We were at the primary school guarding the village when we suddenly heard heavy gunfire. We all ran for safety and kept moving from one hiding place to another whenever the shooting came closer,” he said.

He said after overpowering the local vigilantes, the attackers moved freely through the village, going from house to house while rustling cattle and sheep.

“They stationed one of their rifles in a strategic location that kept firing while the others entered houses to steal livestock,” he said.

He added that the attackers later moved to another part of the village where they attacked Mallam Wauro’s residence, killing him and two of his sons, abducting his two wives and carting away all his cattle.

Residents said they could not immediately establish the exact number of abducted persons, explaining that although many villagers were taken away, some, especially children, were later released by the gunmen.

The villagers lamented that despite the attack lasting about four hours, no security reinforcement arrived.

“The bandits stayed in our village for hours without any intervention. They even walked along the main road laughing and smoking cigarettes as if they had conquered the community,” one of the residents said.

They alleged that security personnel stationed in Unguwar Lalle and Dan Tudu communities, both located about two kilometres from Lajinge, did not respond to repeated distress calls throughout the attack.

The residents said community leaders had repeatedly appealed to the government to deploy security personnel to the area but lamented that their requests had not been granted.

They added that eight people were also killed in the community about three weeks ago.

“We are Nigerians and we have voter cards. We elected the government to protect our lives and property. We are pleading with the authorities to deploy security personnel to safeguard our communities,” one resident appealed.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said he was not aware and was on transit and would verify the incident upon reaching his office, but didn’t reach out before press time, the report said.

Founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, has criticised the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026 which seeks to set a ₦50,000 fine for preaching in commercial buses.

According to the Senate, the provision has been part of Nigerian law since the enactment of the FRSC Establishment Act in 2007. It also said the amendment bill is about the safety of commuters and other road users and is not intended to undermine any religious activity in the public space.

Oyedepo said in a recent sermon at his church in Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State, a video of which went viral on Monday, that the government should instead address insecurity.

The cleric said he would rather pray against killers, not for them.

“Woe to all destructive agents in Nigeria. Whether in power or out of power, judgement has finally come,” he said.

“You can’t slaughter members of my family and want me to pray for you. I pray against you, against your household, against your generation, in the name of Jesus.”

“Everybody knows that these wicked people are being sponsored. Anyone who doesn’t know that, that’s a problem,” he continued.

“Every sponsor of killers in Nigeria, you come under a curse today.

“You mean they kill people every day and government is pretending not to know what to do?

“I have not heard any statement from government quarters against the killings. I’m yet to hear one, sir. Our human life is not of value anymore?

Oyedepo said he had remained silent for a long time but believed divine justice was imminent.

“When you see God keep quiet at the wickedness of the wicked, it’s because the bubble is about to burst,” he said.

“As the Lord lives… this bubble will burst. Go and hide anywhere. The bubble will burst,” the clergyman added.

The High Court Judge abducted in Kebbi State one week ago, Hon. Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza, has regained his freedom and returned home safely.

According to report, a family member confirmed the release on Monday, saying the judge arrived home a few hours ago.

“We are in jubilation and full of gratitude to God for seeing our own return safely from captivity. He was just released and has returned home now after spending one week with the bandits,” the relative said.

The family expressed appreciation to all those who stood by them during the ordeal.

“We sincerely thank and appreciate the Kebbi State Judiciary, the security agencies, and the entire people of Kebbi State who contributed in different ways, offered prayers, and sent messages of sympathy. Your concern and support gave us strength, and we are grateful for your solidarity,” the family member stated.

The source said details of how the judge was released will be made public later.

“Other details of how he was released will be made available later,” he added.

The judge’s abduction last week drew widespread concern across the state, with calls for his immediate and safe release.