Communities across Kwara, Kaduna, and Bauchi states are facing a renewed wave of insecurity, with recent incidents highlighting persistent threats from armed groups and terrorism financing networks.
In Kwara State, residents on the Isanlu–Isin–Omu Aran road were reportedly ambushed by suspected terrorists on Monday, January 6, 2026. Armed men stopped vehicles along the busy highway, abducting at least four passengers whose whereabouts remain unknown. Local sources told TMN that “bandits are still heavily present in the area and are actively targeting travellers heading towards Ilorin.” The Kwara State Police Command has not issued an official statement on the attack or the efforts to recover the victims.
The attack adds to a pattern of insecurity in the state, following a November 18, 2025 assault on a Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, where three worshippers were killed and 38 others, including the pastor, were abducted. While those victims were later released, the recurrence of attacks underscores the ongoing threat to residents and commuters in the North-Central state.
In Kaduna State, banditry has escalated in recent weeks. Over the weekend, at least two residents were killed, and 32 others—including children and an elderly woman—were abducted across multiple communities in Southern Kaduna. Victims included Mrs. Averik Arak, kidnapped alongside her granddaughter after the attackers killed her son, Habila Averik. Abductions were reported in Kauru and Kajuru Local Government Areas, and local sources indicate that over 100 residents have been held captive in seven surrounding villages since early December 2025.
Meanwhile, in Abuja, a federal court denied bail to Bauchi State Finance Commissioner Yakubu Adamu and co-defendants accused of financing terrorism to the tune of $9.7 million. Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court cited national security concerns, ordering an accelerated trial scheduled to commence on January 13, 2026. The defendants, arraigned on a 10-count charge by the EFCC, pleaded not guilty to allegations that funds were channelled to facilitate terrorist activities.
In response to growing security challenges, the Nigerian Army has opened applications for the Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC) Course 29/2026, inviting qualified civilians and serving personnel to join specialised corps to support national defense. The recruitment portal will remain open from January 7 to February 4, 2026.
Security analysts note that the recent attacks highlight the increasing boldness of bandits and armed groups in North-Central Nigeria. Judicial actions against terrorism financing, combined with strengthened recruitment into the armed forces, indicate government efforts to address threats through both legal and operational measures.
Authorities and local leaders continue to urge residents to remain vigilant and report intelligence on criminal activity to security agencies, while security forces are expected to intensify patrols along vulnerable highways and in high-risk communities.
The series of incidents underscores the pressing need for coordinated security strategies to protect civilians, restore confidence in public safety, and curb the escalating trend of kidnappings and armed attacks in the region.