Category: News

The Zamfara State Police Command successfully located and neutralized an improvised explosive device (IED) that had been planted by bandits along the Kunchin Kalgo section of Tsafe Local Government Area. The operation was carried out without any casualties, thanks to the swift response of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit.

According to DSP Yazid Abubakar, the command’s spokesperson, the device was discovered on Saturday and promptly rendered harmless. Preliminary investigations suggest that the IED was intended to cause maximum harm to travelers and commuters using that route.

The police credited the successful intervention to timely intelligence gathered through community cooperation, which allowed security forces to act quickly and prevent a potential tragedy. The command expressed gratitude to residents for their vigilance and assistance, emphasizing that public support is vital in the fight against insecurity in the region.

Authorities have launched an investigation to track down those responsible for planting the explosive. In a bid to enhance security, convoy patrols have been deployed along key routes to deter further threats and ensure the safety of all road users.

The Commissioner of Police called on the public to stay alert and share credible information with law enforcement, assuring that all reports will be handled confidentially and acted upon promptly.

The Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency has officially launched the screening of pilgrims’ luggage, aiming to verify weight compliance and detect prohibited items. The exercise, which commenced on Thursday night, is being led by Professor Muhammadu Mustapha Gwadabe, Chairman of the Luggage Screening and Weighing Sub-Committee.

In a statement released on Sunday by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Uba Sani, Malam Ibraheem Musa, Professor Gwadabe expressed satisfaction with the cooperation shown by pilgrims in adhering to airline regulations. He noted that the agency has placed weighing scales on every floor of the building, enabling pilgrims to weigh their luggage before the official screening.

The first batch of passengers has already undergone successful screening, and their checked bags, each limited to 23 kilograms, are being transported from the pilgrims’ accommodation. Additionally, hand luggage must not exceed eight kilograms. Professor Gwadabe emphasized that sharp objects and liquids are strictly banned from carry-on bags, and large quantities of perfume are also prohibited on flights.

Furthermore, the return flight schedule has been adjusted, now commencing on June 16 instead of the previously announced June 15. The sub-committee chairman urged pilgrims to remain patient and utilize the extra day for prayers for themselves, their families, Kaduna State, and Nigeria as a whole.

Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, a prominent figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Osun State, has called on Nigerians to stay resolute and back the federal government and security forces in tackling the nation’s security challenges.

Speaking with reporters in Osogbo on Sunday, Oyintiloye voiced confidence that the ongoing security crisis would be resolved through collective effort. He highlighted that the government is ramping up measures to combat crime and protect citizens.

According to Oyintiloye, the administration is deeply troubled by the security situation and is implementing firm actions to end all forms of violence. He referenced President Bola Tinubu’s Democracy Day address, where a zero-tolerance policy for terrorists and their backers was declared, as evidence of the government’s dedication to restoring peace.

The former lawmaker noted that the President’s ultimatum to bandits, kidnappers, and terrorism sponsors—to surrender or face the full force of the law—signals their impending downfall. “We share the anguish of parents, families, and relatives of victims affected by mass abductions, particularly of schoolchildren, and the relentless killings. It is a heartbreaking ordeal, and no one would wish such suffering on themselves or their loved ones. We deeply empathize with their pain,” he said.

“Nevertheless, we must stay hopeful and continue supporting government initiatives to free those in captivity and bring criminals to justice. Intelligence and security operatives are working relentlessly to identify, arrest, and prosecute those responsible for violent acts. No criminal element will be permitted to disrupt the nation’s peace and stability,” Oyintiloye added.

He affirmed that the government is doing everything possible to secure the release of abducted individuals and end the unnecessary bloodshed across the country. Oyintiloye expressed faith in the professionalism, skill, and commitment of Nigeria’s security personnel, stating they have the ability to eliminate criminal elements and restore lasting peace.

“If needed, service chiefs should promptly reassess and modify their operational strategies because time is critical,” he advised. He also urged state governors to bolster the President’s efforts by offering adequate support and resources to security agencies in their regions.

Recognizing the President’s constitutional role as the nation’s Chief Security Officer, Oyintiloye emphasized that governors and local government chairmen, being closer to the grassroots, must take proactive steps to enhance local intelligence and maintain order. He stressed that no country can achieve meaningful development in an insecure environment, as economic growth, infrastructure projects, investment, and social services flourish only under peaceful conditions.

“A nation with a robust and effective security system is better positioned for rapid development, economic prosperity, and sustainable social services,” he noted. Oyintiloye called on citizens to remain alert, cooperate with security forces by providing timely and useful information, and continue praying for peace, unity, and progress in Nigeria.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has voiced strong condemnation regarding the tragic death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, who was held captive by kidnappers. Obi described the incident as a stark reflection of the worsening security crisis plaguing the nation.

In a statement posted on his verified X handle late Saturday, Obi expressed deep sorrow, noting that a distinguished military officer who served the country with honor and rose through the ranks of the Nigerian Armed Forces should not have met such a heartbreaking fate at the hands of criminals.

The former Anambra governor termed Abubakar’s death a national tragedy and a sobering reminder of the pervasive insecurity. He called on the Federal Government and security agencies to move beyond mere rhetoric and adopt a more proactive, intelligence-led, technology-driven, and coordinated approach to combat insecurity.

Obi stated, “Nigeria cannot continue like this. I received with deep shock and sadness the tragic death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar. Earlier, I also received disturbing reports of renewed bandit attacks in Sokoto and Kwara States.”

He emphasized that the kidnapping of traders on a market route in Sokoto and the invasion of communities in Kwara, where many were abducted and innocent lives lost, are deeply alarming. These incidents, he noted, are not isolated tragedies but part of a broader pattern of escalating violence.

Obi remarked, “When traders cannot travel safely to markets, farmers cannot access their farms, communities live under constant fear, and even retired senior military officers are not spared from kidnapping, it is evident that our nation faces a grave security emergency.”

He further stressed that security remains the foremost responsibility of any government. Every life lost, every citizen abducted, and every community displaced represents a painful failure of the collective duty to protect Nigerians. The recurring attacks in Sokoto, Kwara, and other parts of the country demonstrate that insecurity is not only persisting but expanding in scope and intensity.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended a 41-year-old entrepreneur, Abugu Oliver Ikechukwu, a resident of São Paulo, Brazil, for attempting to bring 6.10 kilograms of liquid cocaine into Nigeria. The illicit substance was cleverly hidden within shirts and towels.

According to a Sunday statement by NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, the suspect was captured at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos, upon his arrival from Brazil via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight on June 11, 2026.

A meticulous examination of his luggage uncovered 14 towels and shirts saturated with dried liquid cocaine, meticulously pressed to evade detection. The suspect claimed he had resided in Brazil for over 14 years, managing an African eatery, and was visiting Nigeria to see his wife and procure provisions for his business.

In separate operations, the agency also arrested two individuals with disabilities: Chidimma Sunday, 60, and Abubakar Usman, 28. Chidimma was captured by the Umuosu Vigilante Group in Umuna Autonomous Community, Isialangwa North LGA, Abia State, with 1.8 kilograms of skunk, and handed over to NDLEA on June 10. Usman was nabbed in a raid at Rumuokoro, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on June 9, with 400 grams of skunk, five grams of methamphetamine, 100 grams of tramadol, five grams of swinol, and 18 grams of diazepam.

In Delta State, operatives seized Onya Jude, 36, at Ogwashi-Uku in Aniocha South LGA on June 8, finding five gas cylinders hiding 2.8 kilograms of Loud, a potent cannabis strain. The agency further detained drug dealers Jamilu Idris, 40, alias Jama, and Aminu Abdullahi, 33, alias Momo, at Kasuwan Katako in Gombe State, with 2.738 kilograms of skunk.

In Kano State, Ngozi Gaius, 39, was arrested along the Zaria-Kano Road on June 12 transporting 6,000 tramadol pills (225mg each). Similarly, Nasiru Hamza, 47, and Muhammad Sani, 38, were intercepted on Bode Saadu Road in Kwara State on June 9, conveying 600 compressed blocks of skunk (304 kilograms) in a black Toyota jeep (registration PJHR 783).

In Taraba State, a raid on Ali Adamu’s, 45, warehouse in Maihula village, Bali LGA, on June 13 yielded 63 jumbo bags of cannabis sativa (1,121.5 kilograms). That same day, Emmanuel Nnadi, 46, was stopped on the Gwagwalada Expressway in the FCT, leading to the seizure of 30,400 tramadol pills of various strengths, 750 pregabalin 300mg pills, 200 molly pills, and 592 bottles of codeine-based syrup.

In Lagos State, operatives recovered a 1,102-kilogram consignment of Ghana Loud near Alaba International Market in Ojo area on June 13. The agency’s commands have intensified anti-drug abuse campaigns through its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative, targeting schools, communities, workplaces, and traditional institutions.

NDLEA Chairman Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.) commended the MMIA, Abia, Rivers, Kano, Kwara, Delta, Gombe, Lagos, and FCT commands for their successes, urging continued efforts to combat drug trafficking and abuse nationwide.

Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the former Kano State governor and vice presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), recently hosted Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate, at his residence in Abuja. The meeting took place on Friday, with Kwankwaso sharing insights via his X handle the following day.

Kwankwaso described the engagement as warm and productive, focusing on critical issues concerning party unity and national development. He welcomed Obi back from a successful international trip, and the two leaders discussed matters of mutual interest with candor and maturity.

Emphasizing the cohesion within the NDC, Kwankwaso stressed the importance of tolerance and sacrifice among party leaders to achieve their shared objectives. He expressed confidence that with collective resolve, they would steer Nigeria toward stability and progress.

The meeting underscores ongoing efforts to strengthen the party’s front as they prepare for future political challenges. Kwankwaso’s remarks highlight a commitment to collaboration and strategic alignment within the NDC.

Presidential candidate for the National Rescue Movement (NRM), Esther Okereke, has urged Nigerians to look beyond the calendar when reflecting on June 12. She argues that this day represents a collective stand for democracy that transcends political affiliations.

In her Democracy Day address, Okereke recalled how, three decades ago, citizens from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds came together not for a party, but for a shared national dream. She paid tribute to figures like Chief MKO Abiola, Kudirat Abiola, China Ubani, Gani Fawehinmi, Beko Ransom-Kuti, and countless unsung heroes—students, journalists, and activists—who risked everything for a Nigeria where children can learn in safety, mothers can access healthcare without begging, and young people can find jobs through merit, not connections.

“To forget them is to betray their sacrifice. Today, we remember. But remembrance without action is just mourning, and Nigeria is tired of mourning,” she declared in a statement released on Friday.

Okereke did not shy away from the nation’s challenges. “I will not deceive you. Democracy is in distress,” she said. “The courts you trust may falter. The votes you cast may disappear. The market where a mother sells garri sees her profits vanish to inflation by evening.”

She highlighted that 100 million Nigerians living in poverty is not a mere statistic—it is a neighbor, an orphan she helped last week, “it is you and me.” She insisted that pretending everything is fine would be dishonest, but stressed that Nigeria can recover through hard work, not magic. “Hope is not wishful thinking—it is a decision. I have made mine; now you must make yours.”

The NRM candidate called on the youth not to flee the country but to flee fear. “Your coding skills, your music, your entrepreneurial drive—that is the new oil.” She urged civil servants to serve with renewed pride and asked the diaspora to return home, not out of pity but in partnership and with shared resolve.

“Fellow Nigerians, the heroes of June 12 did not die so we could argue on social media. They died so we could work together effectively,” she concluded.

The Adamawa State local government elections, held on Saturday to elect chairmen for 21 councils and councillors for 226 wards, were marked by a noticeable lack of voter enthusiasm and reports of delayed or missing electoral supplies. Despite these setbacks, the exercise proceeded without any major security incidents across the state.

Several voters and officials noted the poor turnout at polling stations. Hon. Jibril Jimeta, the incumbent chairman of Yola North Local Government Area, who voted at Yelwa Ward and is seeking re-election, remarked that while participation was lower than expected, the distribution of materials was generally acceptable. He acknowledged that voter apathy is a persistent issue, even during national elections.

Alhaji Muhammed Umar, chairman of the Adamawa State Independent Electoral Commission (ADSIEC), which conducted the polls, confirmed receiving complaints about late or non-delivery of election materials in some locations. He assured the public that his team was investigating these reports and taking corrective steps to address any irregularities.

Overall, the electoral process was calm, with no incidents of violence or unrest reported in any of the hundreds of wards involved. Observers gave a passing grade to the conduct of the election, citing the peaceful atmosphere as a positive aspect despite the logistical challenges and low voter engagement.

In a surprising political twist, the Umuekumenyi Leaders’ Council, representing key constituencies in Ebonyi State, has publicly disowned their native son, Governor Francis Nwifuru. Instead, they have thrown their weight behind Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, the PDP candidate for the 2027 gubernatorial election. This decision was announced following a stakeholders’ meeting in Abakaliki on Saturday, with Barrister Emmanuel Nwibo serving as the council’s spokesperson.

The council, which includes leaders from Ohaukwu, Ishielu, Ebonyi, Abakaliki, Izzi, Ikwo, Ezza South, and Ezza North local government areas, voiced deep concerns over the state’s current trajectory. They lamented what they perceive as declining governance, economic hardship, high youth unemployment, and a notable slowdown in developmental projects. The communiqué stressed that future leadership must be based on competence, integrity, and a proven track record, rather than on zoning or political affiliations.

According to the statement, the days of trial-and-error leadership are over. The overriding criteria for selecting the next governor should be capability, vision, and a dedication to good governance. The council also called on the state government to urgently address pressing economic issues, including the rising cost of living and lack of opportunities for businesses.

The group praised Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii as the most credible alternative, citing his private sector background and leadership qualities as assets that can revive the state’s economy. They urged him to remain steadfast despite political opposition and criticism. The council also announced its formal recognition as a socio-cultural platform committed to fostering unity, development, and good governance among the Umuekumenyi people.

The Labour Party has expressed appreciation for the Independent National Electoral Commission’s decision to add its candidate to the roster of contenders for the Enugu North senatorial by-election. Originally, the party and its nominee were absent from the official list released by INEC for the upcoming polls scheduled for June 20, 2026.

In a statement issued by Ken Eluna Asogwa, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, it was highlighted that despite fulfilling all legal and constitutional requirements, the Labour Party was inexplicably left out when INEC first published the approved participants for the by-elections nationwide. This omission has now been addressed following constructive dialogues with the commission’s leadership, resulting in the reinstatement of both the party and its candidate.

Asogwa noted that the party is fully geared up to contest the election and deliver genuine, people-focused representation to the constituents of Enugu North for the remainder of the 10th Senate term. He further remarked that INEC’s prompt corrective action demonstrates its commitment to accountability and reinforces public confidence in the electoral system.

The Labour Party extended its gratitude to supporters, members, and well-wishers who raised concerns and sought clarification about the party’s participation. Their vigilance and unwavering dedication are deeply valued, the statement added.

As the campaign period enters its final stretch, the Labour Party wishes success to all its candidates competing in the Enugu North, Nasarawa North, Rivers South-East, and other by-elections across the country. The party remains optimistic that the results will not only favor its candidates but also strengthen Nigeria’s democratic processes and bolster citizens’ trust in elections.