A suspected bandit leader identified as Kachalla Auwalu, said to be linked to the Dogo Gide network, has been killed during a clash between rival armed groups in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, according to a military report.

The Nigerian Army disclosed the development in an operational update made available to journalists in Abuja on Sunday. The report indicated that the incident resulted from an internal confrontation among armed factions operating in the area.

It further stated that about 12 suspected terrorists were killed during the clash, while troops continued to monitor the situation.

The army also reported a separate operation in Zamfara State under Operation Fansan Yamma, where troops responded to an attack on Gidan Daji village in Maru Local Government Area.

According to the report, troops have launched pursuit operations aimed at tracking and apprehending fleeing attackers, as part of broader efforts to disrupt armed networks.

The military added that ongoing operations are focused on dismantling terrorist groups and restoring stability in affected communities across the region.

Public schools across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were deserted on Monday as teachers commenced an indefinite strike action following a directive from the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) FCT chapter.

At schools such as LEA Ijayapi Primary School and LEA Byazhin Primary School, both teachers and students were absent, with classrooms locked and school premises left inactive as of early morning.

The strike follows a decision by the NUT FCT Executive Council, which instructed members to withdraw their services over unresolved welfare-related demands.

In a communiqué issued after an emergency State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) meeting held in Gwagwalada on Friday, the union directed full compliance with the industrial action and advised parents to keep their children at home.

The union also asked members to await further instructions, pending possible negotiations with the FCT administration.

According to the statement, the action came after a review of a seven-day ultimatum earlier issued to the Minister of the FCT on March 11. While the union acknowledged the implementation of the ₦70,000 national minimum wage, it said several other demands remained unresolved.

“After exhaustive deliberations on the industrial issues and the silence on the legitimate demands of teachers’ welfare, the Council resolved that all public primary and secondary school teachers in the FCT shall, with effect from Monday, proceed on an indefinite strike until our demands are met,” the union stated.

The development has effectively disrupted academic activities across public schools in the FCT, with no official resolution announced at the time of reporting.

All 13 passengers kidnapped along the Makurdi–Otukpo road in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State have been rescued.

The victims were reportedly freed in the early hours of Sunday after what sources described as a coordinated operation. However, official confirmation and full details of the rescue were still being awaited at the time of filing this report.

The earlier abduction had heightened fears among residents and commuters using the busy Makurdi–Otukpo route, which has experienced intermittent security challenges in recent times.

As of now, security agencies have yet to release a formal statement explaining how the victims were abducted and subsequently rescued. It also remains unclear whether any suspects have been arrested or if ransom was paid.

Local sources, however, welcomed the development, expressing relief over the safe return of the passengers and describing it as a positive outcome amid ongoing security concerns in the area.

Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, Udeme Edet, for confirmation were unsuccessful as of the time of this report.