A Nigerian Army officer and at least six soldiers were reportedly killed on Monday evening after troops came under a deadly ambush by suspected terrorists during a patrol operation in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The attack occurred amid intensified military operations that have, in recent weeks, significantly degraded the operational capabilities of armed groups operating within the Kaduna-Zaria corridor and surrounding communities.

It was gathered from security sources that the troops had earlier embarked on a routine operational patrol following a series of successful clearance missions that led to the neutralisation of several terrorist kingpins and their foot soldiers in the area.

Sources disclosed that the soldiers were returning from the operation when they were ambushed by heavily armed attackers, triggering a fierce exchange of gunfire.

Although the troops reportedly fought back and inflicted casualties on the attackers, the ambush resulted in the loss of one officer and six soldiers.

The latest incident has come as a surprise to security observers, given the recent gains recorded by troops operating under the 1 Division Nigerian Army in the area.

Over the past few weeks, security forces have sustained aggressive patrols, intelligence-driven raids, anti-kidnapping operations and clearance missions across communities along the Kaduna-Zaria Expressway and adjoining forests.

A security operative told PRNigeria that the operations led to the elimination of several bandit leaders, disruption of criminal hideouts, rescue of kidnapped victims, arrests of gunrunners and a noticeable reduction in attacks on commuters and residents.

Chikun is a large, densely populated, and rapidly urbanising local government area in central Kaduna State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in Kujama, though much of its economic activity and development are closely linked to the expanding Kaduna metropolis. The area has remained a major hotspot for armed banditry and kidnappings, prompting sustained military operations led by Nigerian Army troops. As a result, Chikun continues to be one of the key focal points for national security deployments in the North‑West region.

The ambush underscores the continuing threat posed by armed groups despite recent military successes and highlights the determination of security forces to sustain pressure on criminal networks operating in the region.

As of the time of filing this report, military authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

However, sources indicated that reinforcement operations had been launched in the area, while efforts were ongoing to track down the attackers and prevent further security breaches.

The attack comes at a time when security agencies have intensified coordinated operations across Kaduna and neighbouring states to dismantle terrorist and bandit enclaves and restore lasting peace along major transportation routes.

The House of Representatives has warned the service chiefs to step down honourably if the country’s deteriorating security situation persists and public confidence in the government’s efforts is not restored within a clearly defined period.

It also urged President Bola Tinubu to come up with a comprehensive and aggressive security strategy to flush out bandits, terrorists and kidnappers from their hideouts in Nigeria.

The call followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Rep. Ibe Osonwa, who represents the Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency of Abia, during plenary on Tuesday.

The motion is titled, “A Call for Immediate Executive Action on the Surge in Banditry, the Daily Abduction of Schoolchildren and the Perilous Security Situation in Nigerian Schools and Places of Worship.”

Osonwa, however, reiterated calls on the president by several other sources to restore safety across the country amid worsening insecurity.

He expressed concern over the escalating wave of kidnappings, banditry, terrorism and attacks on vulnerable communities nationwide.

Osonwa reminded the federal government of its constitutional responsibility to protect citizens, citing Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The lawmaker explained that the section as cited provides that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.”

He lamented the growing trend of attacks on schools, noting that “the abduction of schoolchildren across several parts of the country has disrupted education and deepened Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis.

According to him, thousands of children have been forced out of classrooms due to fear of attacks, while many families continue to grapple with the trauma of kidnappings.

Osonwa decried the systematic targeting of schools and places of worship by criminal elements, warning that institutions traditionally regarded as safe havens have increasingly become soft targets for bandits and kidnappers.

He said worshippers across the country now face the risk of attacks, abductions and killings while observing religious activities, which undermines citizens’ constitutional rights to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

The lawmaker also painted a grim picture of the economic consequences of insecurity, stating that “many businesses have shut down, farming communities have been deserted and families plunged into poverty.”

Osonwa argued that the current security response appeared largely reactive and insufficient to stem the operations of criminal groups.

He warned that the apparent inability to decisively confront bandits and terrorists had created the impression that the government was losing control of parts of the country to criminal elements.

Following deliberations, the House condemned in “the strongest possible terms” the continued banditry, mass abductions and attacks on schools and churches across Nigeria.

The lawmakers resolved to transmit “an urgent and solemn appeal” to President Tinubu, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, “reminding him of his oath to protect the lives and property of Nigerians”.

The House specifically demanded the immediate deployment of “an aggressive, unrelenting and comprehensive security strategy” to dismantle bandits’ strongholds, secure vulnerable schools and places of worship.

They also pledged to ensure the unconditional release of citizens held captive by criminal groups.

The House also mandated its Committees on Defence, National Security and Intelligence and the Army to intensify oversight of the implementation of the resolutions and report back within two weeks for further legislative action.

NAN reports that Nigeria has continued to battle multiple security challenges, including banditry, terrorism, kidnapping for ransom and communal violence, particularly in parts of the North-West, North-Central and North-East zones.

In recent years, mass abductions of students from schools in Kaduna, Niger, Zamfara and other states have drawn widespread national and international concerns.

This has prompted repeated calls for stronger security measures to protect educational institutions and vulnerable communities. (NAN)

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas and the National Assembly have lost in court over the controversial N110 billion vehicle and allowance scheme after a Federal High Court in Lagos declared the spending plan unlawful.

Justice Yellim Bogoro ruled that the proposed spending of N40 billion on 465 vehicles for lawmakers and N70 billion in support allowances for newly elected members breached procurement laws, constitutional provisions and the public trust.

The court also directed the leadership of the National Assembly to ensure that all future procurement and spending of public funds comply with due process, accountability, transparency and value-for-money requirements.

The case was filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) in August 2023 after lawmakers approved the spending plan despite widespread economic hardship across the country.

In defending the case, the National Assembly argued that the expenditure was lawful, had been properly appropriated and that the matter had become academic because the funds had already been spent.

The defendants also challenged SERAP’s legal standing and raised objections regarding court jurisdiction.

However, the court dismissed those arguments and held that SERAP had the right to bring the case as a public interest organisation.

The judge further ruled that the issues raised remained valid because they involved constitutional compliance, accountability and the management of public funds.

According to the judgment, the defendants failed to present sufficient evidence showing that proper procurement procedures, competitive bidding processes and value-for-money assessments were followed before the expenditure was approved.

The court found that lawmakers approved spending that directly benefited them, creating a conflict of interest and raising concerns about self-dealing.

Justice Bogoro held that public procurement must serve the public interest and comply with legal requirements.

The court also stated that public officials must act within constitutional limits and avoid actions that could amount to personal benefit from public office.

The judge declared that the planned purchase of 465 bulletproof vehicles violated provisions of the Public Procurement Act, the Code of Conduct for Public Officers and the oath of office taken by members of the National Assembly.

The court also ruled that the N70 billion support allowance approved for newly elected lawmakers was inconsistent with constitutional obligations expected of public office holders.

Justice Bogoro maintained that courts have a responsibility to intervene whenever legislative actions conflict with constitutional or statutory provisions, regardless of claims of legislative autonomy.

Following the judgment, SERAP welcomed the ruling and called on the National Assembly to comply with the court’s decision. Human rights lawyer Femi Falana also backed the judgment and urged lawmakers to obey it without delay.

The court ultimately ordered the National Assembly leadership to ensure that future spending and procurement activities are carried out in line with due process and the principles of accountability and responsible use of public funds.