Crime & Conflict
IED Explosion Triggers Fresh Fear in Adamawa Community Recovering From Boko Haram Attacks
Residents of Mubang village in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State were thrown into panic on Wednesday afternoon following the explosion of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), barely days after deadly attacks by suspected Boko Haram fighters devastated nearby communities.
Although no casualties were recorded in the latest incident, the blast has deepened fear and uncertainty in an area still reeling from recent violence that claimed multiple lives and displaced families.
Explosion Occurred in the Afternoon
According to residents, the explosion occurred at about 2:00 p.m. in Mubang village, a rural community under Garaha District of Hong Local Government Area.
Eyewitnesses said the blast was sudden and loud, forcing villagers to flee their homes in panic amid fears of a renewed insurgent assault.
“We thank God that nobody was killed,” one resident said, expressing relief that the explosion did not result in deaths or injuries.
However, the absence of casualties has done little to calm fears in the community, where residents remain on edge due to ongoing security threats.
Community Still Traumatized by Recent Deadly Attacks
The explosion comes against the backdrop of recent Boko Haram attacks in the same axis. Just days earlier, villages in Zah and Mubang communities, also in Yadul and Garaha Districts of Hong LGA, were attacked by suspected insurgents.
During that incident, at least 14 residents were killed, while several others sustained injuries. Homes were reportedly set ablaze, food supplies destroyed, and families forced to flee to safer locations.
Residents said the attackers stormed the villages at about 6:16 p.m., targeting both elders and youths in what they described as a coordinated and brutal assault.
The renewed blast has therefore heightened anxiety among survivors who are still mourning loved ones and attempting to rebuild their lives.
Local Government Chairman Confirms Incident
Confirming the IED explosion, the Chairman of Hong Local Government Council, Usman Inuwa, said he was alerted shortly after the blast occurred.
“Yes, at about 2 p.m. today I was informed that a bomb exploded in Mubang, under Garaha District,” he said.
The local government chairman did not immediately provide further details on the source of the explosive or whether security agencies had secured the area, but assured that the incident had been reported to relevant authorities.
Garaha District is notably the hometown of Boss Mustapha, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, underscoring the sensitivity of the area.
Heightened Fear of Hidden Explosives
Residents expressed growing concern that insurgents may be planting explosives in and around communities following their recent attacks.
Many villagers now fear returning to farmlands, footpaths, and abandoned homes, worried that unexploded devices may still be hidden in the area.
“People are afraid to move freely,” a resident said. “After what we’ve seen, nobody knows where the next explosion could happen.”
Security analysts note that the use of improvised explosive devices is a common tactic employed by insurgent groups to instill fear, restrict movement, and disrupt recovery efforts in affected communities.
Police Yet to Issue Official Statement
When contacted, the spokesperson of the Adamawa State Police Command, SP Suleiman Nguroje, requested time to gather details about the incident.
As of the time of filing this report, no official police statement had been released regarding the explosion, including whether explosive ordnance experts had been deployed to the scene.
Residents say the delay in official communication has further fueled uncertainty and anxiety among displaced families.
Questions Raised Over Security Operations
The latest explosion has renewed questions among residents about the effectiveness of ongoing security operations in the area.
Many families affected by repeated attacks say they are struggling to cope with displacement, food shortages, and fear of further violence.
Some community members are calling for:
- Increased military and police presence
- Thorough sweep of villages for explosives
- Improved intelligence gathering
- Better protection for rural communities
Despite assurances from authorities in the past, residents say insurgent activity appears to be resurging in parts of Hong LGA.
Impact on Displaced Families
Humanitarian concerns are also growing as repeated attacks and security incidents continue to displace residents.
Families who fled earlier attacks are now uncertain whether it is safe to return, while others remain in makeshift shelters with limited access to food, healthcare, and education.
Community leaders warn that prolonged insecurity could worsen humanitarian conditions if decisive action is not taken.
Security Experts Call for Proactive Measures
Security experts emphasize that preventing further attacks will require:
- Proactive intelligence-led operations
- Community-based early warning systems
- Rapid response to reported threats
- Public awareness on identifying and reporting suspicious objects
They stress that civilian cooperation remains crucial in detecting threats before they escalate.
Conclusion
The IED explosion in Mubang village, though not fatal, has reignited fear in a community already devastated by recent Boko Haram attacks.
As residents grapple with trauma, displacement, and uncertainty, the incident underscores the urgent need for strengthened security measures, rapid response, and sustained protection of vulnerable rural communities in Adamawa State.
For the people of Mubang and surrounding villages, the hope remains that peace and stability will return — and that fear will no longer define daily life.
Lawyers Ask EFCC to Remove Photos of Clients Facing Corruption Charges
Lawyers representing two defendants facing corruption-related charges have asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to remove their clients’ names and photographs from media publications linked to their ongoing criminal trial.
The lawyers argued that publishing the identities of the defendants in connection with the allegations could damage their reputations and create the impression that they had already been found guilty before the court reached a verdict.
The petition was submitted by J Aboje & Co., also known as Compass Chambers, on behalf of Folashade Oketope, a former chairwoman of the committee responsible for the sale of Federal Government houses in Abuja, and Mohammed Kabir Usman, a staff member of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
In a letter dated October 13, 2026, and addressed to the EFCC chairman, the law firm described the publications as an infringement on its clients’ constitutional rights, particularly the presumption of innocence and the right to dignity.
Lawyers Cite Presumption of Innocence
According to the petition, the letter followed an earlier correspondence dated July 28, 2026, concerning the publication of the defendants’ arraignment.
Oketope and Usman were arraigned before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Jabi, Abuja, on July 13, 2026, on a three-count charge involving alleged conspiracy, breach of trust, corruption and the unlawful sale of government properties.
The allegations relate to the sale of four properties identified as Houses 3, 4, 7 and 8 at Plot 756, Abubakar Usman Crescent, Jabi, Abuja.
Oketope previously chaired the committee responsible for the sale of Federal Government houses in Abuja, while Usman was an FCTA employee seconded to the committee.
Their lawyers maintain that the defendants have not been convicted and should not be publicly portrayed as criminals while the case remains before the court.
The legal team also questioned whether the EFCC obtained permission from the court before publishing their clients’ names and photographs.
In the petition, the lawyers challenged the commission to explain whether it would apologise and withdraw the publications if the defendants were eventually acquitted.
Dispute Over Government Properties
The lawyers also referred to a separate case, identified as FCT/HC/CV/4094/2025, which they said was pending when the criminal proceedings began.
According to the petition, the separate suit concerns whether the properties in question belonged to the Federal Government and whether the committee could lawfully dispose of them.
The lawyers argued that the unresolved issues surrounding the ownership and sale of the properties should be considered alongside the criminal proceedings.
They urged the EFCC chairman to direct the removal of the disputed publications from all platforms where they appeared.
The legal team maintained that the defendants should be allowed to defend themselves in court without being subjected to what they described as prejudicial public exposure.
EFCC Reviewing Petition
The EFCC had not publicly responded to the specific allegations in the petition as of the time of the report.
However, a senior commission official, who spoke anonymously because they were not authorised to comment publicly, confirmed that the agency had received the petition.
The official reportedly said the commission’s legal team was reviewing the matter.
The dispute highlights the debate over how anti-corruption agencies communicate information about ongoing prosecutions while respecting the rights of defendants who have not been convicted.
For now, the request to remove the photographs remains a demand by the defendants’ lawyers, and the outcome of the ongoing court proceedings will determine the criminal allegations against their clients.
Crime & Conflict
₦110.4bn Fraud Trial: Witness Explains ₦1.425bn Forex Transactions Linked to Yahaya Bello Case
A bureeau de change operator, Jamilu Abdullahi, has told a court in Abuja that he handled foreign exchange transactions worth ₦1.425 billion on behalf of Abba Adaudu between December 2021 and February 2022.
Abdullahi, the 19th prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, gave the testimony on Thursday, October 15, 2026, before Justice Maryanne Anineh of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
According to the witness, the transactions involved funds deposited into accounts associated with him and his company, Kunfayakun Global Limited. He told the court that the money was used to purchase foreign currencies, which he subsequently delivered to Adaudu.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Bello alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu over an alleged ₦110.4 billion fraud and money laundering scheme. The defendants are facing a 16-count charge.
Witness Explains Bank Transactions
While being led in evidence by prosecution counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, Abdullahi identified several bank deposits and transfers recorded in accounts linked to him and his company.
He explained that some deposits of ₦10 million each made through a bank branch in Lokoja were connected to foreign exchange transactions arranged by Adaudu.
The witness maintained that the payments were not gifts but funds intended for purchasing United States dollars.
However, when questioned about other deposits recorded in his name, including transactions of ₦9 million and ₦8 million, Abdullahi denied making the deposits personally.
He told the court that he had never visited the Lokoja branch where some of the transactions were recorded, adding that his name could appear in transaction records as a beneficiary even when another person initiated the payment.
Abdullahi also identified several transfers involving companies he said were associated with Adaudu. He maintained that the funds were used for foreign exchange transactions and that he delivered the purchased currencies to Adaudu.
Witness Discusses School Fee Payments
The court also heard testimony concerning payments made to the American International School, Abuja.
Abdullahi said he processed school fee payments using account details and instructions provided by Adaudu. He identified Fatima Bello, Zahra Bello and Na’ima Bello as names familiar to him in connection with the transactions.
He further identified receipts presented in court as evidence of payments made to the school, explaining that he forwarded the receipts to Adaudu after completing the transactions.
During cross-examination by Abdullahi Yahaya, SAN, counsel to the first and second defendants, the witness said he had no direct dealings with any of the defendants.
When asked about the total amount he handed over to Adaudu, Abdullahi said he could not remember the exact figure because of the numerous transactions involved.
Court Adjourns Trial
Following the testimony, Justice Anineh adjourned the case until October 27 and November 24, 2026, for the continuation of proceedings.
The EFCC’s case centres on allegations that public funds belonging to Kogi State were unlawfully diverted and laundered. Bello and his co-defendants are facing prosecution over the allegations, which remain before the court.
The latest testimony forms part of the prosecution’s evidence in the ongoing trial. The allegations have yet to be determined by the court.
A Magistrate Court sitting in Bolade, Oshodi, Lagos State, has sentenced six men to two years in prison each for assaulting officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, popularly known as Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI).
The conviction was announced on Thursday, October 15, 2026, by the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab.
According to Wahab, the six men were arrested in the Alakija area of Lagos on October 10 following an incident involving the assault of KAI officers who were carrying out their official duties.
The suspects were subsequently arraigned before the Magistrate Court in Bolade, Oshodi, where they pleaded guilty to the charges against them.
Following their guilty pleas, the court convicted each of the defendants and sentenced them to two years’ imprisonment.
The convicted men were identified as Ghadafi Ismail, Balarabe Mustapha, Usman Danladi, Abdullahi Bello, Kamala Garuba and Musa Idris.
Reacting to the development, Wahab stressed the importance of respecting public officials who carry out lawful duties on behalf of the government.
He warned that the Lagos State Government would not tolerate violence against enforcement officers, adding that offenders would face the consequences of their actions under the law.
The commissioner also urged residents to allow government officials to perform their statutory responsibilities without intimidation, obstruction or physical attacks.
The development underscores the state government’s position on protecting public officers and enforcing environmental regulations across Lagos State.
Crime & Conflict2 days agoEl-Rufai Faces Fresh Allegations as Witness Tells Court of $600,000 EFCC Payment Plan
- Terrorism & Insurgency2 days ago
Ribadu Raises Alarm as Terrorists Turn to AI, Cryptocurrency and Drones
- Breaking Security News2 days ago
2027 Elections: Timi Frank Asks Trump to Send US Delegation to Nigeria
- Breaking Security News2 days ago
INEC Explains Why Pantami, Adebutu Were Omitted From 2027 Governorship Candidates List
