Security
Bandits Kill 8 Policemen, Community Guards in Zamfara Deadly Ambush

At least eight security personnel, including policemen and community guards, have been killed in a deadly ambush by bandits along the Funtuwa–Gusau road in Zamfara State.
The attack, confirmed by security officials on Thursday, targeted a joint security team made up of police officers and members of the Zamfara State Community Protection Guard, popularly known as “Askarawa.”
According to local sources, the security convoy was on patrol when heavily armed gunmen opened fire, killing eight officers on the spot. Several others reportedly sustained injuries.
Governor Dauda Lawal confirmed the tragedy in a statement issued in Hausa and translated into English. He expressed deep sorrow over the killings and prayed for the victims’ families.
“Indeed, we belong to Allah and to Him we shall return,” the governor said.
“We received the news with great sadness that bandits ambushed and attacked a police convoy and our Community Protection Guard personnel on the Funtuwa–Gusau road, killing eight officers.”
Governor Lawal offered prayers for the deceased, saying, “May Allah have mercy on them and grant their families patience in this painful loss. We continue to pray for an end to the security challenges in Zamfara, the North, and Nigeria as a whole.”
The latest attack adds to the growing wave of insecurity plaguing the state, where armed groups frequently target security agents, worshippers, and civilians.
Earlier on Thursday, gunmen stormed a mosque in Maradawa, located in Gusau Local Government Area, abducting several worshippers during early morning prayers.
Eyewitnesses said the assailants arrived in large numbers, surrounded the mosque, and whisked away an unspecified number of people before fleeing into the forest.
The incident has triggered panic across the community as residents await information about the fate of the abducted victims. Security agencies are said to be working to secure their release.
Authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the mosque attack, but security patrols have reportedly been intensified across Gusau and nearby villages.
In a similar attack last month, on September 26, bandits invaded a mosque in Yandoto community, Tsafe Local Government Area, killing at least five worshippers and abducting several others.
The increasing attacks have fueled growing concern about the worsening state of insecurity in Zamfara, despite government efforts to combat banditry through military operations and community policing initiatives.
Residents are calling on the federal government and security agencies to take stronger action to restore peace in the region.
(DDM) – Prince Adewole Adebayo, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has issued a stark warning to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over Nigeria’s escalating insecurity.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that Adebayo told the President that he must either take decisive military action against terrorists or resign from office if he cannot secure the nation.
He made the statement during a keynote address at the National Electoral Reforms Summit 2025, held in Abuja, attended by politicians, security experts, and civil society representatives.
According to Adebayo, “The solution to that problem is that President Tinubu can use the bullets to kill the terrorists, or use the pen to resign.”
The former SDP presidential candidate condemned what he described as a leadership failure that has emboldened insurgents, bandits, and kidnappers across the country.
Adebayo accused government officials of mismanaging funds allocated to national security, resulting in under-equipped troops and ineffective intelligence operations.
He warned that continued inaction could erode public trust in the federal government and further destabilize Nigeria’s fragile security environment.
The address formed part of a broader discussion at the summit themed “Critical Constitutional Amendments for Credible Elections in 2027”, highlighting governance, accountability, and security as key determinants of electoral credibility.
Observers note that Adebayo’s remarks reflect growing frustration among Nigerians over the frequency of terrorist attacks, kidnappings, and rural insecurity, particularly in the North-East, North-West, and parts of the South-South.
He further urged the President to adopt a clear security roadmap, combining military strength, intelligence reform, and socio-economic interventions to tackle root causes of violent extremism.
Political analysts interpret the statement as both a call for urgent action and a challenge to the credibility of the Tinubu administration, especially in light of previous criticisms from opposition parties and civil society groups.
Some security experts have cautioned that while strong rhetoric may increase pressure on the government, sustainable solutions require adequate resources, strategic planning, and community engagement.
The SDP figure also called for transparency in the deployment of security funds and greater collaboration with state governments to ensure national cohesion in fighting insurgency.
Adebayo’s remarks have already triggered widespread discussion on social media, with citizens divided between support for his tough stance and concern about the potential for inflammatory rhetoric.
Civil society groups reiterated that policy-driven solutions, not threats or ultimatums, are the most effective way to restore public confidence and protect lives.
The exchange adds to a growing national debate on the balance between military action, governance accountability, and political leadership in addressing terrorism in Nigeria.
Analysts say that the coming months will test whether the federal government can translate political directives into measurable action that improves security for all Nigerians.
(DDM) – The Vancouver Police Department has issued a public warning about a dangerous offender, Tyler Gordon Strathdee, who is now residing at a halfway house in the city following his statutory release.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that Strathdee, who has an extensive criminal history including sexual assault, assault with a weapon, and manslaughter, was released into the community despite ongoing public safety concerns.
Authorities confirmed that Strathdee is serving an 11-year federal sentence that originated from Alberta. His full sentence is expected to expire in 2028, but he was granted statutory release in December 2024 under Canadian law, which allows offenders to serve the final third of their sentence under community supervision.
Following his release, Strathdee reportedly chose to live in Vancouver, where he was placed under strict monitoring conditions at a designated halfway house.
Police records show that in February 2025, Strathdee was rearrested and charged with robbery. However, he was later acquitted of the charge after a trial in the British Columbia Provincial Court.
On Friday, the Vancouver Police confirmed that Strathdee had once again been granted statutory release and is currently residing in Vancouver.
According to police sources, his release is accompanied by several conditions designed to limit his risk to the public.
These include prohibitions on consuming illicit drugs or alcohol, communicating with anyone engaged in criminal activity, or being in the company of sex workers.
Strathdee is also required to report any new or ongoing relationships with women to his parole supervisor immediately.
Vancouver Police say they are closely monitoring his activities and have urged members of the public to report any suspected breach of these conditions without delay.
“Anyone who observes Tyler Gordon Strathdee violating his release terms is asked to contact the Vancouver Police Department right away,” a police spokesperson stated.
Public warnings of this nature are typically issued when an offender’s risk level is assessed as significant enough to warrant community awareness.
Canadian law mandates that high-risk offenders on statutory release remain under the supervision of the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) and the Parole Board of Canada, who retain the authority to revoke release if any violations occur.
Strathdee’s case has reignited debate over Canada’s parole system, particularly concerning the statutory release of offenders with violent or sexual crime histories.
Several residents have expressed concern about his presence in Vancouver, with some calling for tighter restrictions on community-based reintegration for high-risk individuals.
Authorities, however, maintain that all necessary supervision and monitoring measures are in place to protect public safety while balancing the rights of offenders under Canadian law.
The Vancouver Police reiterated that maintaining public vigilance is essential and assured citizens that any breach of Strathdee’s release terms will be met with swift enforcement action.
News
Over 200 killed as Boko Haram, ISWAP clash in Lake Chad
Around 200 fighters were killed in violent clashes on Sunday between Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Dogon Chiku, near the shores of Lake Chad, according to security and local sources.
The confrontation, described as one of the deadliest between the rival jihadist factions, highlights the ongoing battle for territorial dominance and resources in northeast Nigeria.
Babakura Kolo, a member of an anti-jihadist militia supporting Nigerian forces, reported that approximately 200 ISWAP fighters were killed, with Boko Haram suffering minimal losses—only four fighters.
A former Boko Haram member, now monitoring jihadist activities, confirmed the high toll on ISWAP and noted that several of their weapons were seized during the skirmish.
Saddiku, the former militant, described this as potentially the most intense clash since the two groups began fighting each other.
An intelligence source in the region estimated over 150 deaths and stated that the aftermath of the fighting was being closely monitored.
The source called the development “good news” due to its potential to weaken the factions.
Since their split in 2016 over ideological disputes, Boko Haram and ISWAP have been locked in a bloody conflict, with much of the violence concentrated around the resource-rich Lake Chad region.
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