Category: News

The Joint Task Force in the North East, Operation HADIN KAI, operating under the banner of Operation DESERT SANITY V/SIEGE OPERATIONS, has successfully freed individuals abducted by Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters. The hostages were taken during an assault on the Ngoshe settlement, situated in Gwoza Local Government Area, Borno State.

Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the media information officer for the task force, disclosed that military personnel also captured multiple Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists, along with individuals who provided them with support, during relentless offensive missions throughout the region. He further reported that a soldier who deserted his post, Private Umar Bema from the 50 Task Force Battalion, was apprehended in Maiduguri. Bema had fled with his service weapon and is now under investigation for potential involvement in armed robbery.

The operations achieved notable successes, including the liberation of kidnapped citizens, elimination of insurgents, and the surrender of some family members linked to the militants. Specifically, troops rescued two victims: Maryam Muhammad, a 20-year-old woman, and her infant son, Bello Muhammad, aged 1 year and 4 months. They had been abducted in the March 3, 2026, raid on Ngoshe.

According to Uba, the pair were detained in a terrorist camp concealed within the Mandara Mountains. They managed to escape after sustained military pressure weakened the insurgents’ strongholds. Following medical checks, they were safely returned to their relatives through the assistance of local community leaders.

The Cross River State Police Command has firmly denied recent social media claims suggesting the presence of bandits in Akamkpa Local Government Area and Calabar metropolis. In a statement issued on Thursday, the command described the reports as baseless and intended to cause unnecessary alarm among residents.

According to the police, investigations and intelligence reviews show no credible evidence of bandit activity in the state. The command warned that spreading false information could lead to public disorder and legal consequences, urging citizens to rely on verified sources. Police Public Relations Officer ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata emphasized that no arrests have been made at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Calabar, contrary to viral posts.

Despite these assurances, some residents have expressed concerns about an influx of strangers in forests within Boki and Akamkpa, as well as riverine communities in Odukpani. These individuals are reportedly involved in illegal mining, while armed personnel harass farmers and cattle destroy crops. The police, however, maintain that the security situation remains under control.

The command has deployed patrols, surveillance, and intelligence-driven operations across the state to ensure safety. Emergency helplines (07053355415 and 07041777060) are available for reporting suspicious activities. The public is encouraged to continue lawful activities without panic.

In a significant political shift, four members of the House of Representatives representing various constituencies in Bauchi State have left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the Allied Peoples Movement (APM). The defections were announced by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas during Thursday’s plenary session.

The lawmakers who made the switch are Muhammed Shehu (Zaki federal constituency), Aliyu Garu (Bauchi federal constituency), Sani Tanko (Shira/Giade federal constituency), and Mansur Soro (Darazo/Ganjuwa federal constituency). Their departure from the PDP underscores the growing political realignments as the 2027 general elections draw closer.

Additionally, Jeremiah Umaru, who represents the Akwanga/Nasarawa Eggon/Wamba federal constituency in Nasarawa State, defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

This wave of defections is part of a broader trend observed in the green chamber, with numerous lawmakers changing party affiliations since the beginning of the year. Earlier this week, eight lawmakers moved from the PDP to the APM, while three others exited the ruling APC to join the PDP and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). On Wednesday, three additional legislators left the APC to align with the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

These political maneuvers highlight the fluidity of party loyalty as candidates reposition themselves for the upcoming general election.

A prominent member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has leveled serious accusations against the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), branding it as the most fraudulent entity in Nigerian politics. He made these claims during an interview on Symfoni TV.

Okonkwo asserted that individuals who defected from the ADC in Enugu State to join the NDC have reported being systematically defrauded by the party during its primary election process. He stated unequivocally that the NDC represents the pinnacle of political deception in the country.

According to Okonkwo, aspirants who left the ADC for the NDC shared their distressing experiences with him after the primaries. Those vying for House of Representatives seats, after paying their official fees, were allegedly coerced into paying an additional N10 million as a bribe. Similarly, senatorial aspirants were reportedly told to pay N20 million, which they did, only to have their money taken without any support or return. Okonkwo emphasized that these are real individuals who aspired to contest under the NDC banner, and the party not only extorted them but also abandoned them after collecting the funds.

Kenneth Okonkwo, a prominent figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has made explosive claims regarding the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). According to him, the NDC is nothing but a political vehicle owned by President Bola Tinubu. He shared these views during an interview on Symfoni TV.

Okonkwo stated that the party’s registration came about after its leader, Seriake Dickson, held talks with Tinubu. He pointed out that before this meeting, the party had not been approved. Only after Dickson’s interaction with Tinubu did they get registered, he alleged.

He further asserted that Peter Obi, the NDC’s presidential candidate, has been ensnared. Okonkwo accused Rabi’u Kwankwaso of being dishonest in his dealings with Obi. In his words, “NDC belongs to Tinubu and the APC. It is now that Obi is even more trapped.”

He questioned, “Can’t you see? They weren’t going to be registered until I heard from Obidients that Dickson and Tinubu met, and then NDC was registered. After registration, INEC said they were unqualified, so they went to court and got registered by court order.”

Okonkwo emphasized that a party that didn’t previously exist was forced upon INEC. “Peter Obi said they were invited by NDC. This means NDC was created to lure him, and he fell for it. Now he’s stuck in their trap,” he concluded.

Sam Amadi, the former chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has weighed in on the 2027 presidential election, making a bold prediction that only two political parties stand a chance of winning. According to Amadi, the only viable contenders are the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). He explicitly ruled out the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing potential legal hurdles that could prevent the party from appearing on the ballot in 2027.

Amadi characterized the ADC as a “mini-APC,” urging its leaders to be concerned about their party’s status. He took to his X handle to share his thoughts, stating that two parties—the ruling party and an alternative led by Peter Obi—are the only ones capable of winning. He stressed that the ADC’s viability is questionable, especially given the possibility of a frivolous lawsuit that could derail its ballot access in the next election cycle.

His comments come amid recent party primaries, where the APC reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu as its candidate, while the NDC selected Peter Obi as its flagbearer. This development reinforces Amadi’s view that the 2027 presidential race is a two-horse contest between the APC and NDC, leaving little room for other parties like the ADC.

In a recent interview on Symfoni TV, Datti Baba-Ahmed, the former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, revealed that he personally recommended that Peter Obi should collaborate with Rabiu Kwankwaso, the ex-governor of Kano State. This suggestion, he stated, came well before any public discussions about a potential political alliance between the two politicians.

According to Baba-Ahmed, the conversation took place in January 2024, shortly after the 2023 presidential election. He disclosed that he approached Obi and asked about his plans moving forward. When Obi did not articulate a clear strategy, Baba-Ahmed advised him to work with Kwankwaso. He emphasized that his advice was rooted in the conviction that defeating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would require long-term organization, coalition-building, and careful planning.

Baba-Ahmed noted that President Bola Tinubu’s ascent to power was not accidental but the result of 16 years of meticulous political organization. He stressed that opposition figures cannot afford to plan on a day-to-day or week-to-week basis. Despite internal disagreements within the Labour Party, Baba-Ahmed remained supportive of Obi and committed to helping him navigate Nigeria’s complex political landscape.

The Federal High Court in Sokoto has postponed proceedings in a leadership tussle rocking the Sokoto State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to June 19, 2026. The delay was triggered by a technical flaw in the court documents served on the defendants.

Sulaiman Usman, counsel for the first defendant, brought the issue to the court’s attention stating that the documents lacked proper signatures from the court registry. He emphasized the need for the correction, describing the situation as a clear procedural oversight.

All legal representatives involved acknowledged the error and consented to its rectification. Justice Ahmad Gama Mahmud expressed surprise at the mishap and directed that properly endorsed documents be re-served on all parties.

Following the issuance of the corrected papers, the judge cautioned registry staff against future lapses and scheduled the next hearing for June 19. The lawsuit itself challenges the legitimacy of individuals currently claiming to be the ADC state chairman and secretary in Sokoto.

The United Kingdom has reiterated its commitment to Nigeria’s democratic journey by planning to dispatch observer teams for the off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states. British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, made this known during a meeting with the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, held in Abuja.

Montgomery emphasized that the UK continues to observe Nigeria’s political developments closely, especially as the country gears up for the 2027 general elections. He noted that Britain’s interest stems from significant economic, financial, and security ties with Nigeria, making its stability and democratic success crucial.

The high commissioner confirmed that the observer delegations would be sent to the Ekiti and Osun elections, describing them as the last off-cycle governorship contests before the main polls. He expressed hope that the elections would be peaceful, credible, and successful.

In response, APC National Chairman Yilwatda assured that the ruling party would promote issue-based campaigns and avoid inflammatory rhetoric that could heighten political tension. He reaffirmed the party’s commitment to peaceful and responsible political engagement.

The UK’s support underscores its confidence in Nigeria’s electoral future and democratic institutions.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has called for calm following the court ruling that invalidated the candidacy of his preferred aspirant for the Rivers State governorship race. Speaking on the matter, Wike emphasized that the final determination of candidates rests with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which is scheduled to release the official list in July.

Wike’s comments came after a Rivers State court nullified the party primaries that produced Kingsley Chinda as the governorship candidate, alongside other candidates vying for National Assembly and State Assembly seats under the All Progressives Congress (APC). The court reinstated Emeke Beke as the party chairman and declared the primaries invalid.

Justice Elfreida Oluwayemisi Williams-Dawodu of the Port Harcourt Division of the Court of Appeal upheld the earlier High Court decision that voided the congresses leading to Tony Okocha’s emergence as chairman. This development effectively sacked Chinda and other Wike allies from the ballot.

During a discussion on state politics, Wike dismissed the speculation surrounding the court’s decision, urging observers to wait for INEC’s official candidate publication before drawing conclusions. He notably criticized Mr. Emeke Bekee for lacking accurate comprehension of the situation and advised him against premature assumptions.

“INEC will publish the list of all party candidates in July. Let’s hold our horses until then. We are weary of hearing from those who have already lost relevance,” Wike asserted.

Addressing the abduction of teachers in Oyo State, the Minister expressed sympathy for the victims, regardless of profession or location, and cautioned against politicizing the incident. He reiterated that such tragedies should not be used for partisan gains.