Metro
Borno: Stakeholders warn against hasty release of ‘repentant’ Bokoharam fighters
Stakeholders in Borno State on Sunday, called for stringent profiling of repentant insurgents as many Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters surrender to troops in the North East.
The call was part of the 16 resolutions reached during a security multi-stakeholder town-hall meeting convened by Governor Babagana Zulum in Maiduguri.
According to a statement on Monday by Governor Zulum’s media aide, Isa Gusau, the meeting extensively discussed the pros, cons and implications of the ongoing surrender by repentant insurgents.
Gusau said all groups made frank presentations during the meeting before the resolutions were reached.
The stakeholders stressed the need to properly profile the repentant insurgents to avoid the hasty release of hardened elements to the larger society.
They also demanded that firearms be retrieved from all repentant insurgents, urging the military to intensify the battle against ISWAP.
Similarly, they want the Federal Government to quickly establish a world-class centre with facilities for de-radicalisation and rehabilitation of repentant insurgents to where they can be cautiously reintegrated after satisfactory rehabilitation.
Earlier in his remarks, Governor Zulum, called on all participants to be very open and analytical in their submissions looking at potential advantages, problems and implications of having repentant insurgents in the society.
The governor stated that while it was difficult accepting the killers of their loved ones, it was equally important to find ways of ending the 12-year insurgency.
He described the surrendering of the insurgents as dealing with “two extreme conditions”.
He explained that accepting insurgents has its implications on one hand while rejecting them could swell the ranks of rival ISWAP faction that was still armed and waging war.
Governor Zulum referred to the case of Afghanistan where 20 years of the military fight ended with the Taliban now in control of the government.
Also commenting, the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Elkanemi, urged residents to consider genuine reconciliation in the interest of peace while leaders should preach forgiveness and tolerance in their respective domains as one of the ways forward.
Others who attended the meeting were federal lawmaker, Senator Ali Ndume; Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Major General, Christopher Musa; Chief Imam of Borno, Zannah Laisu, a representative of the Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Borno, and a victim of Boko Haram insurgency, Babagana Malum, among others.
A police inspector, Effiong Bassey, has shot three people in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, leaving one dead and two others injured.
The Cross River State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday, describing it as tragic.
According to the Command’s spokesperson, Ugbo Irene, the shooting occurred in the early hours of Sunday at the Divisional Police Headquarters in Atakpa, Calabar.
She explained that Inspector Bassey had returned from his night duty at Ekondo Microfinance Bank when he began exhibiting abnormal behaviour.
“Inspector Bassey refused to hand over the AK-47 rifle he was assigned and instead proceeded to block the station’s gate, preventing anyone from entering or leaving the premises. Despite attempts at peaceful dialogue to resolve the situation, the officer’s actions escalated,” the statement read.
Tactical Units and patrol teams were then deployed to the scene. However, Bassey, suspected to be mentally unstable, opened fire on bystanders who had been instructed to leave the area.
“Tragically, three individuals were struck by the officer’s stray bullets, including Ijeoma Wilson Obot, a 41-year-old female, who later succumbed to her injuries. The other two victims, Charles Mkpang and another individual, are currently receiving medical treatment and are in stable condition,” the police said.
The officer was eventually subdued, disarmed, and taken into custody. He is now undergoing further investigation.
Concerned by the incident, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 6 Headquarters, Calabar, along with the Cross River State Command Management Team, visited the hospital where the victims were receiving treatment. The AIG also made a donation to support their immediate care.
The Command assured residents that it was working with key stakeholders to prevent any escalation of tension in the community.
It further urged the victims’ families and the public to remain calm, pledging a thorough investigation into the incident.
“The Cross River State Police Command is committed to ensuring that justice, fairness, and equity prevail, and the outcome of the investigation will be made public in due course.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and wish the injured a speedy recovery,” the statement added.
The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the tragic death of a police inspector, Ajele Oloyede, who passed away while on special duty at Goodwill Ceramic Company in Igbesa, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Omolola Odutola, made this known in a statement, revealing that an investigation has been launched into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Oloyede was attached to the 78 PMF in Zamfara State.
According to the preliminary report, the incident occurred on 14 March 2025 at approximately 13:20 hours. Tolorunloju Stephen, an officer attached to the Force Headquarters Annex in Lagos, who was also on special duty at the company, recounted that he had just returned from Ikeja when he entered the security office and found Inspector Oloyede resting his head on a table.
“After exchanging pleasantries and briefly inquiring about his well-being, Oloyede responded positively,” Odutola stated.
However, moments later, as Stephen proceeded to the restroom, he heard a gunshot. Rushing back, he found Inspector Oloyede lying in a pool of blood.
“With the assistance of a private security personnel, the injured officer was immediately rushed to Ota General Hospital, where he was confirmed dead by the attending doctor,” Odutola added.
She further disclosed that the firearm used in the incident has been recovered, and the deceased officer’s body has been deposited at the hospital for an autopsy.
Reacting to the development, the state Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, described the news as shocking and has ordered a full-scale investigation into the incident to determine the circumstances surrounding it, including the possibility of foul play or mental health factors.
“The police were swift in contacting the deceased officer’s family, and the case will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, for discreet investigation,” the statement read.
The Ogun State Police Command expressed its deepest condolences to the family, colleagues, and loved ones of Inspector Oloyede, assuring that all necessary support will be provided during this difficult time.
A 25-year-old man, Toye Dominic, has been found dead, hanging from a tree in a forest near Alagbadagbo village, Ijebu Igbo Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The discovery was made on Thursday by a local hunter, Kareem Oluwalose, who was on a hunting expedition in the area.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, stated that the hunter immediately reported his finding to the Ijebu Igbo Divisional Headquarters.
“After making the discovery, he sought help from a nearby village, where he met Joseph Dominic, the elder brother of the deceased. Joseph revealed that Toye had left for the farm earlier that morning but had not returned, prompting a search, which was fruitless by family members,” the statement read.
Upon arrival at the scene, police operatives and villagers observed that the deceased had set aside his farm tools before proceeding further into the forest, where he was eventually found hanging from a tree.
No suicide note was recovered at the scene, and the deceased’s family expressed shock over the incident, insisting they had no prior indication of distress from him.
“The police have documented the scene with photographic evidence, and the body has been transferred to General Hospital, Ijebu Ode, for further examination,” Odutola added.
While the police have yet to confirm whether the incident was a suicide, the Command urged the public to remain vigilant and support individuals experiencing emotional struggles.
“We urge the public to remain vigilant and seek support for individuals experiencing distress or emotional struggles. Mental health awareness and timely intervention remain crucial in preventing such unfortunate incidents,” Odutola said, extending the police’s condolences to the bereaved family.
She also assured that a thorough investigation would be conducted to ascertain the circumstances surrounding Dominic’s tragic death.
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