Category: News

Security forces from Sector 7 of Operation Enduring Peace successfully rescued two individuals who sustained injuries during a bandit assault on Lusuru village, located in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area, Kaduna State.

The attack occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, when armed men stormed the community, causing many residents to flee for their lives.

According to a post by security analyst Zagazola Makama on X, troops acted quickly after receiving a distress call at approximately 12:15 am. They engaged the attackers, compelling them to retreat toward the River Kaduna area.

Security sources confirmed that the rescued victims, Mrs. Charity Sunday and Mrs. Asabe Ayuba, were found with injuries and immediately taken to Saint Louis Hospital in Zonkwa for medical care.

Following the incident, military personnel have increased patrols in the region and are actively pursuing the fleeing bandits. They remain on high alert to deter any further attacks on neighboring settlements.

Security forces have taken down a high-profile kidnapping figure, Idi Yaya, during a mission in Kaduna State’s Kauru Local Government Area. The operation was detailed by security analyst Zagazola Makama on X.

Intelligence received around 6:10 am on Monday indicated that the wanted suspect had been spotted in the region after a lengthy period of hiding. Troops tracked him to Kikoba community, where they carried out a coordinated arrest at about 11:15 pm that same day.

The suspect’s identity was confirmed by a victim who had managed to escape his captivity earlier. Under questioning, Yaya admitted to his involvement in kidnappings and disclosed the location of his weapon and hideouts used by his gang.

While being taken to one of these hideouts around 9:35 pm on Tuesday, the suspect tried to flee by grabbing a soldier’s weapon. During the struggle, he was neutralized. Eight rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition were used in the incident.

Authorities are continuing to hunt down other members of the kidnapping network as operations persist in the area.

A civic organization, The Osun Masterminds (TOM), has expressed deep concern over the escalating insecurity and political tensions in Nigeria, particularly in Osun State, as the August 15, 2026 governorship election approaches. The group highlighted the worrying trend during its May 2026 State of the State address, delivered by its Executive Director, Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli, at a press conference.

Oyedokun-Alli described the current security situation as alarming, pointing to the recent abduction of 46 schoolchildren in neighboring Oyo State as a clear sign of failing intelligence and inadequate territorial policing. He warned that such attacks on educational institutions threaten the nation’s future if not addressed urgently.

“The country’s security framework has deteriorated to a deeply concerning level,” he stated. He further noted that assaults on schools and farming communities are exacerbating concerns about food security and public safety across the nation.

“Survival in Nigeria has become an extreme challenge, but when schools become targets for bandits and terrorists, the future of our country is put at risk,” Oyedokun-Alli emphasized.

The group called on the Federal Government to swiftly deploy security forces to ensure the safe release of the abducted schoolchildren, cautioning against a repeat of the prolonged kidnappings witnessed in other regions. It also urged governors in the South-West, especially Osun State, to enhance inter-state collaboration, intelligence sharing, and border security to curb criminal activities.

“We call on the South-West state governments, particularly Osun, to actively work together, bolster border security, and strengthen intelligence cooperation,” Oyedokun-Alli added.

Regarding political developments, TOM expressed unease over rising political intolerance and incendiary rhetoric in the lead-up to the governorship election. The group noted an increase in cyberbullying, mutual accusations, character assassination, and threats among supporters of different political parties in the state.

Oyedokun-Alli cautioned politicians against turning democratic competition into violence, stressing that ordinary residents often bear the brunt of political unrest. “With the election less than three months away, we must remind our politicians that opposition politics should be a platform for competing ideas on development, not a battlefield for warfare,” he said.

The organization called on political parties to restrain their supporters and focus on issue-based campaigns. It also urged security agencies in Osun State to remain impartial and promptly address any attempts to incite electoral violence or disrupt public order.

The African Action Congress (AAC) has formally selected Omoyele Sowore as its flagbearer for the upcoming 2027 presidential election. This decision was announced by Kayode Babayemi, who chaired the party’s primary election, highlighting the party’s confidence in Sowore’s unwavering commitment to genuine democratic principles.

In his announcement, Babayemi stated, “I hereby present Omoyele Sowore as the consensus presidential candidate of the African Action Congress. This endorsement reflects the party’s faith in his steadfast leadership and his enduring struggle for justice and true democracy in Nigeria. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all party members, supporters, and stakeholders who gathered today to uphold the vision and values of our great party. Your unwavering support and belief continue to strengthen Omoyele Sowore and the AAC’s agreed candidate.”

Accepting the nomination, Sowore affirmed that the AAC remains the only genuine opposition force offering Nigerians a viable alternative. He acknowledged the numerous obstacles the party has encountered and stressed that it has no ties to influential figures or corrupt politicians.

Sowore remarked, “Some argue that dictatorship was the only path, but we proclaimed a revolution back in 2019.”

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has declared former Vice President Atiku Abubakar the winner of its presidential primary election held in Taraba State. The announcement was made on Tuesday in Jalingo, the state capital, by the chairman of the party’s Presidential Election Committee, Hosea Kuti.

Atiku emerged victorious after polling 48,523 votes, defeating his closest rivals, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi and Mohammed Hayatudeen. Amaechi secured 25,150 votes, while Hayatudeen garnered 8,369 votes.

The exercise took place across all 168 wards in the state, with results from the 16 local government areas collated and submitted on Monday, in accordance with the party’s guidelines and timetable. Kuti provided a detailed breakdown of the results, confirming Atiku’s commanding lead.

This victory adds to Atiku’s momentum in the ADC presidential primaries, positioning him as a strong contender for the party’s ticket ahead of the upcoming general elections.

A leadership dispute is intensifying within the Oyo State chapter of the Accord party, as two individuals are now asserting themselves as the rightful governorship candidate for the 2027 elections.

According to sources speaking to our correspondent on Tuesday, both Mr. Olakunle Busari and Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat emerged from separate primary elections held by the party in the state. Each candidate is currently parading as the flagbearer, a situation that threatens to deepen the internal rift.

Busari’s camp claims he emerged victorious in a primary that was supervised by the party’s National Secretary, Mrs. Adebukola Ajaja, alongside officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) led by Engineer Olugbenga Keshinro, and other key stakeholders including Prince Adewale Adeyemo and Mr. Olaide Mobolade. The returning officer for that exercise, Olayinka Dairo, announced that Busari secured 29,427 votes, defeating his rivals Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat (18,716 votes) and Fatai Owoseni (11,922 votes).

However, in a conflicting development, Hamzat was also declared the winner of a different primary election. He has reportedly received a certificate of return and is asserting his claim to the party’s ticket.

As of now, both politicians are holding onto their separate mandates, leaving the Accord party in Oyo State grappling with a looming crisis just months before the general election.

The People’s Redemption Party (PRP) has officially chosen Senator Shehu Buba Umar as its candidate for the Bauchi State governorship election in 2027. This decision was reached during a special delegates congress held in Bauchi, where party members used voice affirmation to endorse the senator.

Haruna Buhari, the PRP National Vice Chairman for the North, oversaw the primary election and confirmed the senator’s selection. He stated that Senator Buba satisfied all legal requirements and adhered to the party’s constitution and electoral guidelines, officially declaring him the party’s flagbearer.

Buhari noted that the affirmation process was in line with the party’s rules when only one aspirant emerges. Delegates gave their unanimous backing to the senator, reflecting widespread support within the party.

Abdulraham Muazu, the PRP state chairman, expressed confidence that Senator Buba’s candidacy strengthens the party’s prospects for the 2027 elections. He highlighted the senator’s political experience and ability to secure electoral victory, signaling the party’s readiness for the upcoming polls.

In his acceptance speech, Senator Buba expressed gratitude to the party leadership and delegates for their trust. He confirmed that he has fully integrated his political network into the PRP after becoming a card-carrying member in his ward within Toro Local Government Area. He pledged his commitment to the party and voiced optimism about winning in 2027, emphasizing the combined efforts of party members and public support.

The senator called on party members, especially women and youth, to ramp up grassroots mobilization and campaign activities ahead of the election. The congress also saw the endorsement of 31 candidates for the House of Assembly, who were presented and approved by delegates according to party procedures.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has issued a stern warning to passengers, advising them against coaxing drivers to drive at excessive speeds. This advisory comes as part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to promote road safety during the upcoming Sallah festivities.

During a recent sensitization campaign held in Calabar, Cross River State, FRSC operatives intercepted a driver who was under the influence of alcohol, preventing him from embarking on a journey. The sector commander for Cross River State, Innocent Tommy Etuk, emphasized that the campaign’s primary goal is to educate both motorists and passengers about safe driving practices during the holiday period.

Etuk highlighted the perilous nature of passengers urging drivers to speed, noting that such behavior often leads to fatal accidents. He stressed that passengers are not always in the right when they push for reckless driving, and drivers must remain calm and prioritize safety at all times.

“Travelers must place a higher value on arriving safely than on speed, because families eagerly await a safe reunion, not a tragedy,” Etuk remarked. He further revealed that the drunk driver, who was stopped, failed a breathalyzer test administered at the motor park. The driver’s alcohol level was recorded at 0.481 milligrammes, significantly exceeding the permissible limit for motorists. As a result, the driver was promptly taken off duty to avert any potential road accident.

“We cannot let such a driver continue his journey; it would be a disaster waiting to happen,” he concluded.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has affirmed the authority of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to establish timelines for political parties to conduct their primaries in preparation for the 2027 general elections. However, the court ruled that INEC cannot reduce the statutory periods mandated by the Electoral Act 2026 for the submission and substitution of candidates.

Justice J.K. Omotosho delivered the verdict in a case filed by the Social Democratic Party (SDP), which contested certain aspects of INEC’s timetable and schedule for the upcoming elections. The court declared that INEC possesses the constitutional power to prescribe deadlines for party primaries, submission of membership registers, and other related electoral activities.

According to the Certified True Copy of the judgment dated May 26, 2026, the court held that the election timetable is a sequence of events that includes the submission of party membership registers for primaries and the setting of timeframes for these primaries. The judgment further stated that INEC is empowered by the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act 2026 to issue and modify election timetables as it deems appropriate.

While the court recognized INEC’s authority to request membership registers and fix primary dates, it partially upheld the SDP’s claims by voiding the August 29 and September 16, 2026 deadlines for submitting nomination forms for presidential, National Assembly, governorship, and House of Assembly elections. The court found that these deadlines violated Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, which provides a 120-day period for candidate submission.

The judge ordered INEC to revise its 2027 election timetable to align strictly with Sections 29(1) and 31 of the Electoral Act 2026. This ruling clarifies that INEC can set primary timelines but cannot infringe on statutory submission periods.

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has voiced strong optimism that President Bola Tinubu will secure victory in the FCT during the 2027 elections. Speaking on Tuesday after inspecting several projects slated for commissioning ahead of Tinubu’s third anniversary, Wike attributed this confidence to a surge in grassroots support and the tangible benefits of government initiatives across the territory.

According to Wike, residents are increasingly recognizing the efforts of the administration, particularly in extending infrastructure to satellite towns and rural communities. He emphasized that citizens crave visible governance, not magic, and highlighted improvements in living conditions, electricity, and infrastructure as key drivers of this positive response.

The minister disclosed that at least twenty projects would be ready for inauguration, with the number potentially rising as work continues. These include roads like Gomani to Yangoji and Kuje to Gwagwalada, water projects in Bwari and Karu, and developments in AMAC and Bwari Area Councils. He also noted that the Abuja Appeal Court Complex, Judges Quarters in Katampe, internal roads in Katampe district, and a new site for the Apo Mechanic Village are at advanced stages.

At the informal sector relocation site for Apo Mechanic Village traders, roads and streetlights are complete, pending water connection. Security officials have been brought in to commence work on a police station and residential quarters. Wike challenged opposition and coalition members to visit the FCT and witness governance in action, stressing that the spread of infrastructure marks a new era of inclusive development.

“What the people want is simple: they want to feel the impact of governance. It is not about magic. Nigerians are interested in good governance, infrastructure, electricity and improved living conditions,” Wike stated, underscoring the administration’s commitment to welfare improvement.