Category: News

The National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations, NACOMYO, has issued a strong condemnation against individuals attempting to justify terrorism, kidnapping, and murder under the guise of Sharia law. The group emphasized that such acts are considered grave sins in Islam and are fundamentally opposed to the true principles of Sharia.

Dawood Afolabi, the Oyo State Coordinator of NACOMYO, released a statement on Saturday addressing the recent claims by kidnappers who demanded the implementation of Sharia law as a condition for freeing abducted students and teachers in Oyo State. He described these demands as deceptive and criminal, noting that they grossly misrepresent the core values of Islam.

The incident, which occurred last month, involved the abduction of 39 students and seven teachers from communities in Oriire Local Government Area. Following this, rumors circulated that the kidnappers were seeking Sharia implementation to secure the release of the hostages.

Afolabi stressed that those responsible for these heinous acts have no religious, moral, or legal standing to speak for Islam or Nigerian Muslims. He reiterated that terrorism, kidnapping, murder, and intimidation of innocent civilians are serious offenses in Islam and stand in direct opposition to the objectives of Sharia law.

Citing Islamic teachings, Afolabi quoted the Holy Qur’an, which teaches that killing an innocent person is akin to killing all of humanity, while saving a life is like saving all of humanity. He pointed out that under Islamic jurisprudence, crimes such as armed robbery, terrorism, kidnapping, and spreading fear are among the most severe offenses because they threaten public safety and social order. These crimes attract harsh penalties under established legal processes aimed at protecting society and ensuring justice.

NACOMYO also called on government authorities to enhance intelligence gathering and bolster security around educational institutions. They urged security agencies to arrest and prosecute perpetrators and their collaborators without delay. Additionally, Afolabi appealed to religious leaders, traditional rulers, civil society groups, and the media to promote peaceful coexistence and interfaith harmony, and to resist attempts by criminals to exploit religion for destructive purposes.

The movement known as Relax, Tinubu is Fixing Nigeria (RTIFN) has intensified efforts to rally support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second term. A high-level delegation, headed by veteran Nollywood actor Zack Orji, who serves as Deputy Director General of the organization, visited Cross River State to launch a series of political and humanitarian activities.

During the visit, the group formally named Governor Bassey Otu as the National Patron of RTIFN. The delegation presented the appointment letter at the Government House, with the National Secretary, Arc. Arome Felix, reading the document. He emphasized that the entire RTIFN structure across the country is fully prepared to back Governor Otu’s re-election bid in 2027.

Arc. Felix praised Governor Otu’s grassroots leadership, noting that the visible infrastructure improvements in Calabar reflect his visionary approach. Governor Otu, in response, expressed gratitude and humorously claimed he had already been a member of RTIFN before the official conferment. He described himself as a devoted follower of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which he said is steering Nigeria in the right direction. The Governor pledged full support to ensure the organization operates at maximum capacity in the state and beyond.

The delegation was also welcomed by Deputy Governor Peter Agbe Odey, who commended their dedication to national unity and development. Earlier, the team was received at Margaret Ekpo International Airport by the Cross River State Coordinator, Ms. Anjor Obande. She announced that the state chapter has already begun an aggressive nationwide registration drive and is fully mobilized to deliver massive support for President Tinubu.

Key activities planned during this visit include the official inauguration of the Cross River State RTIFN executive committee, a large solidarity rally to sensitize citizens on the President’s economic and structural reforms, and a humanitarian medical outreach offering free healthcare services to vulnerable communities. The event was attended by the National Women Leader, the South-South Regional Coordinator, coordinators from Kogi, Akwa Ibom, and other states, as well as directors of town hall and special duties, entertainment, contact and mobilization, strategy, implementation and monitoring, and protocol, along with other key stakeholders.

This development marks a significant step in building momentum for President Tinubu’s re-election, combining political mobilization with community service.

Troops engaged in Operation Fansan Yamma have substantially affected criminal activity in the mountainous border region near Zamfara State. During an intense confrontation, many bandits were killed and their operational bases dismantled around Dangulbi and Kurawa villages within Tureta Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

Security operatives launched the offensive on June 4, coordinating with other law enforcement agencies and local vigilantes. The assault resulted in the death of several criminals, including prominent leaders, while others fled with injuries into adjacent forests.

Items recovered in the raid included firearms and motorcycles. A source from the security sector praised the swift reaction and professionalism of the 8 Division fighters under Operation Fansan Yamma, noting they averted what could have been a major tragedy.

Although the military has yet to release an official statement, the source confirmed that key bandit hideouts and their activities have been severely disrupted as a result of the operation.

Retired Colonel Ahmad Usman, serving as Special Adviser on Security to Governor Ahmad Aliyu, along with community members, expressed appreciation for the Nigerian Army’s persistent efforts and achievements in combating banditry within the state. Security authorities have vowed to maintain the current momentum to keep up pressure on criminal elements still active in the region.

Captain Daniel Beecroft, the Executive Officer of Nigerian Navy Ship Delta, has credited the base’s recent accomplishments to the strategic foresight and commitment of its Commander, Commodore Shehu Mohammed Tasiu. Speaking at an officers’ ceremonial dinner in Warri, Delta State, as part of the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary, Beecroft highlighted Tasiu’s transformational leadership.

Beecroft noted that under Tasiu’s guidance, NNS DELTA has seen significant improvements in personnel welfare, infrastructure, and community relations. He specifically praised the commander for organizing the first ceremonial dinner in the base’s history and for driving numerous development projects. Tasiu’s tenure has been marked by a focus on both operational effectiveness and social impact.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, the base undertook several humanitarian initiatives. At Ogiame Primary School, over 1,200 notebooks, textbooks, and school bags were distributed to pupils. A medical outreach in Ubeji Community provided free consultations, lab tests, eye exams, and dental care to more than 1,000 residents. Widows of fallen personnel also received support, and sporting events among youths and security agencies promoted unity.

Infrastructure projects commissioned include a modern transit accommodation and an executive officer’s residence, sponsored by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited. Beecroft thanked the Delta State Government for its ongoing support, particularly the foreshore wall project that protects the base’s infrastructure. He also acknowledged the contributions of former Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Dan Preston Omatsola (Rtd) and the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu.

Commodore Tasiu, in his address, emphasized the importance of education and community engagement. He stated that investing in children through educational outreach is an investment in Nigeria’s future. He also highlighted the medical outreach and sporting competitions as ways to strengthen civil-military relations. Tasiu reaffirmed NNS DELTA’s commitment to securing Nigeria’s waterways and fostering development in host communities.

Other speakers at the event included retired Vice Admiral Omatsola, who described the armed forces as the keystone of Nigeria’s unity, and retired Commodore Omatseye Nesiama, who praised the Navy’s tradition of excellence. Brigadier General Efe Dafioghor emphasized the need for inter-agency collaboration, while the Commissioner of Police in Delta State, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, commended the Navy’s partnership with the police in combating crime.

The ceremony marked the culmination of weeks of activities celebrating the Nigerian Navy’s seven decades of service to the nation.

Another group of pilgrims from Ogun State has touched down at the Gateway International Airport in Iperu, marking the completion of their Hajj journey. The flight, operated by Flynas Airlines, brought back 345 worshippers from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with a smooth landing on Friday at 5:12 p.m.

This arrival follows the first batch, which had returned just a day earlier at 10 p.m., also with 345 pilgrims. Alhaji Shamsideen Apelogun, the Amirul Hajj for the 2026 pilgrimage, officially received the second contingent. He highlighted the significance of utilizing the state’s international airport for direct flights, calling it a historic milestone for Ogun.

Apelogun expressed personal pride in being part of the first group to experience international arrivals at the new facility. He extended gratitude to Governor Dapo Abiodun for his continuous support and oversight during the entire pilgrimage. The governor, according to Apelogun, remained actively involved, frequently checking on the pilgrims’ welfare throughout their stay in Medina and Makkah.

The conduct of Ogun pilgrims was also praised. Apelogun noted their exemplary behavior, which earned the state positive recognition among Hajj officials. The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria had earlier ranked Ogun pilgrims among the best-behaved contingents during this year’s rites.

Encouraging the returning worshippers, Apelogun urged them to maintain the virtues of patience, discipline, and devotion they cultivated during the sacred journey. He thanked Allah for ensuring their safety and commended the Ogun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board for its effective coordination.

In a recent statement, Bashir Ahmad, a former media aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, argued that former President Goodluck Jonathan should not bear the full weight of blame for the Boko Haram insurgency during his tenure. Ahmad emphasized that ensuring national security is not the exclusive responsibility of any single administration.

According to Ahmad, securing Nigeria demands a collective effort that goes beyond governmental action. He stressed that community involvement is crucial, with citizens, traditional rulers, religious bodies, and individuals all playing essential roles in safeguarding the nation.

Taking to social media platform X, Ahmad shared his perspective: “Even at the peak of the Boko Haram crisis, I refrained from attributing all fault to President Jonathan’s government. My conviction has long been that community security cannot solely depend on the government. Security is a shared obligation, requiring each citizen’s active engagement and dedication.”

He elaborated that while governments provide leadership and allocate resources, the broader community must also contribute. Traditional institutions, religious leaders, and ordinary citizens all have significant parts to play in maintaining peace and order.

Ahmad called on Nigerians to assist security agencies by offering credible intelligence and denying safe spaces to criminals. “We must back our security forces with reliable information and refuse to harbor lawbreakers. Only through a collective effort and a mutual sense of duty can we achieve lasting peace and ensure a safer future for our communities and our country,” he concluded.

The Nigeria Police Force has successfully rescued Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, the younger sister of former Power Minister Chief Adebayo Adelabu, along with her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul. The three were freed during a rescue operation conducted on Saturday.

According to reports from Channels Television, two suspected kidnappers were killed in a shootout with police operatives, and two firearms were recovered from the criminal group.

The victims were abducted on June 3, 2026, at approximately 7:30 a.m. while they were en route to drop the children at school. Police sources revealed that continuous intelligence surveillance and tactical pressure forced the kidnappers into a confrontation with law enforcement, leading to the safe release of the captives.

Security operatives are currently sweeping nearby areas for remaining members of the kidnapping syndicate, some of whom are believed to have fled with gunshot injuries. The police have assured the public of their commitment to apprehending all perpetrators involved in the crime.

Festus Keyamo, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has expressed appreciation to the Nigeria Police Force for the successful rescue of the sister of former Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu, along with her children. In a statement shared on his verified X account on Saturday evening, Keyamo commended the police’s efforts and pledged that other individuals still in captivity would also be reunited with their families without delay. He tweeted, “Well done! Well done! The others are coming home soon.”

According to reports from DAILY POST, the ex-minister’s relatives were freed on Saturday after being kidnapped on June 3, 2026, around 7:30 a.m. while en route to drop the children at school. During the rescue operation, two suspected kidnappers were neutralized in a shootout with police operatives, and two firearms were recovered from the criminal gang.

A senior aide to Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has issued a stern warning to President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai. Demola Olarenwaju, who serves as the Senior Political Assistant to Atiku, stated that preventing El-Rufai from receiving medical treatment while in custody is a gamble the government cannot afford.

Olarenwaju emphasized that if any harm befalls El-Rufai during his detention, the Tinubu administration will be held fully accountable. He described the situation as an extremely dangerous form of politics, asserting that El-Rufai’s detention is illegal.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is alleged to have refused El-Rufai access to medical care while he remains in their custody. According to Muyiwa Adekeye, an aide to the former governor, El-Rufai is suffering from swollen, red, and itchy eyes that require urgent medical attention, but this has been denied.

El-Rufai was arrested at the Abuja International Airport earlier this year and has been charged with abuse of office and money laundering, allegedly committed during his tenure as governor. Olarenwaju’s comments came via a post on X, where he reiterated that denying medical care is a risk that could have serious consequences for the regime.

In a bold declaration, the Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has asserted that President Bola Tinubu’s infrastructure push in the North-East will translate into overwhelming electoral support in the 2027 general elections. This statement came on Saturday, right after the groundbreaking ceremony for the reconstruction and dualization of the Gombe-Biu highway, a 125-kilometer stretch.

Ndume took a moment to commend both President Tinubu and the Minister of Works, David Umahi, for fulfilling their promises regarding the road. He recalled previous attempts to draw attention to the road’s poor condition, including a 2019 meeting with then-Minister Babatunde Raji Fashola, where he highlighted the road’s importance for economic growth, travel, security, and development in the Northeast. In July 2021, during discussions on infrastructure financing, he again pushed for the Biu-Gombe corridor to be part of federal repair priorities. More recently, in a February 2026 letter to Minister Umahi, he raised concerns about the road being left out of four legacy projects in Borno State, which ultimately led to the Federal Executive Council approving the project under a tax credit and infrastructure intervention scheme funded through NNPC tax liabilities.

Ndume expressed gratitude to the President for heeding his appeals, emphasizing that the project will unlock economic prospects and enhance living standards for Nigerians. He confidently predicted that the people of the Northeast will show their appreciation at the polls, rewarding the President with their votes in the upcoming election. The road project, with a price tag of N1.245 trillion, was officially launched on Thursday in Liji, Gombe State.