Category: News

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has made startling allegations regarding the circumstances that led to his dismissal from office during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. In a Facebook post, Lawal asserted that a group of Northerners orchestrated a plot to oust him, driven by resentment over his close ties to Buhari and fears that the former president was positioning him for a more prominent role.

According to Lawal, the plan to remove him was entrusted to some Northern senators, who then delegated the task to well-known legislative enforcers. These individuals recruited allies from the executive branch and the media to execute the scheme. Lawal noted that despite a high-level delegation appealing to Buhari, the president remained unmoved, prompting the conspirators to intensify their efforts to force him out.

Lawal revealed that the plot was fueled by ethnic and religious bias, as some Northern elements believed that Buhari had no business appointing him, given that he hails from the Kilba minority tribe and is a Christian. He refrained from naming the main orchestrator, stating that the individual later apologized in the presence of mutual friends, and Lawal chose to forgive him.

Lawal’s removal occurred during Buhari’s first term, and his allegations shed light on the political intrigues within the administration.

The Deputy Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Musa Askira, has made a passionate appeal for the immediate release of 42 schoolchildren who were taken captive by suspected Boko Haram or ISWAP militants in the Askira/Uba Local Government Area. He spoke on behalf of local leaders, political figures, and residents during a press briefing in Maiduguri on a Saturday, nearly three weeks after the abduction occurred.

The children, who were students of Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School, were reportedly seized on May 15, 2026. Askira described the incident as a devastating blow to education and humanity, expressing deep concern over the prolonged captivity and the anguish faced by the families. He stated that the community initially remained quiet, trusting that security agencies would handle the situation, but the extended wait has intensified fears and anxiety among parents and locals.

Askira praised President Bola Tinubu and Governor Babagana Umara Zulum for their swift response, particularly highlighting Governor Zulum’s visit to comfort the affected families shortly after the kidnapping. He also acknowledged the efforts of the Nigerian military, police, Department of State Services, and the Civilian Joint Task Force in counterinsurgency operations. However, he urged them to ramp up efforts to secure the children’s freedom, calling for the use of all available intelligence and strategies—both kinetic and non-kinetic.

The deputy speaker emphasized that the children are innocent and should not be treated as combatants. He appealed to the captors to release them unconditionally, out of fear of God. Additionally, the stakeholders called for enhanced security measures in Askira/Uba due to its proximity to the Sambisa Forest, recommending new security posts, rapid response units, better school protection, and sustained military patrols. Askira assured families that efforts are ongoing and urged them to remain hopeful.

In a tragic incident that has heightened tensions in Plateau State, a 15-year-old herder named Sadi Aliyu was killed by armed assailants. The attackers, allegedly Berom militias, struck in the Sabon Gidan Kanar community of Jos South Local Government Area. The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) confirmed the attack on Saturday, stating that the teenage herder was shot dead while grazing livestock on Friday evening.

The MACBAN chairman in Plateau, Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, reported that 13 cattle were also killed and another 11 are unaccounted for. He emphasized that the attack was unprovoked, with the herders going about their routine when the gunmen descended upon them, opening fire indiscriminately.

Condemning the assault, Babayo described it as a severe threat to the already fragile peace in the region. He expressed concern over what he sees as a pattern of targeting innocent herders and their animals, which undermines community harmony and security. The incident has been reported to the police at Bukuru B Division and Sector 6 of Operation Enduring Peace for investigation.

Babayo called on security agencies to thoroughly probe the matter, apprehend the perpetrators, and ensure justice is served. He urged calm among herders and other affected individuals, advising them against resorting to extrajudicial actions. The MACBAN leader stressed the association’s commitment to dialogue and lawful conflict resolution, appealing to all levels of government to take proactive steps to protect citizens irrespective of ethnicity or occupation.

Attempts to get official comments from the Plateau State Police Command and Operation Enduring Peace proved unsuccessful, as spokespersons SP Alfred Alabo and Captain Polycarp Oteh had not responded to inquiries at the time of this report.

In a significant breakthrough against terrorist activities in the North-Central region, Nigerian Army troops have apprehended a suspected terrorist informant during a targeted raid in Borgu Local Government Area, Niger State. The operation, which took place on June 4, was carried out by soldiers from the 221 Battalion, acting on credible intelligence that identified individuals allegedly linked with terrorist cells in the area.

According to a post by security analyst Zagazola Makama on X, the arrest occurred in the communities of Kara and Wawa. The suspect, whose name has not been disclosed, is said to have been on the watchlist of security agencies for some time due to his suspected connections with terrorist groups operating in the region.

Military sources allege that the suspect served as an informant, supplying vital information to terrorists to aid their planning of movements and attacks. The arrest is part of ongoing efforts to dismantle the support networks that enable insurgency in the region.

The suspect is currently in military custody and is being interrogated to gather more intelligence on the terrorist network. Authorities are hopeful that the information obtained will lead to further arrests and the disruption of planned attacks.

In a significant blow to insurgent activities, the Nigerian military executed a precise airstrike under Operation HADIN KAI, resulting in the elimination of numerous terrorists in Borno State. Security analyst Zagazola Makama shared details of the operation on his X platform on Sunday.

The mission, carried out on June 4, was based on credible intelligence and aerial surveillance that spotted suspicious movements in the Madamari area of Magumeri Local Government Area. An ISR platform detected around 15 terrorists who had left a gun truck and gathered under a tree.

After confirming hostile intent, the surveillance system guided a strike aircraft to the target. The aircraft delivered a precise attack on the assembly, neutralizing all individuals present, according to military sources.

In a follow-up action, the ISR platform tracked the terrorists’ gun truck and directed another targeted strike, destroying the vehicle and killing four additional militants. A post-mission assessment revealed that surviving terrorists fled in various directions, highlighting the operation’s disruptive impact.

In a fresh offensive against insurgents, Nigerian troops under Operation HADIN KAI have achieved a major victory in Borno State. The operation, which took place on June 4, led to the elimination of numerous terrorists and the destruction of a gun truck during a precise air strike.

According to Zagazola Makama, a security expert focused on the Lake Chad region, the mission was launched following reliable intelligence and aerial monitoring in the Madamari area of Magumeri Local Government Area. An Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform spotted around 15 terrorists who had exited their gun truck and gathered under a tree.

After confirming hostile intentions, the ISR platform marked the target and guided a strike aircraft to the location. The aircraft carried out a pinpoint attack on the terrorist group, killing all individuals present. In a subsequent strike, the same platform tracked the terrorists’ gun truck, which was obliterated with precision munitions, and four additional insurgents were neutralized.

A post-operation assessment revealed that surviving terrorists in the area fled in various directions to avoid further strikes, underscoring the mission’s success. Makama stated that this operation is part of a sustained air campaign aimed at weakening terrorist capabilities, limiting their movement, and removing safe havens across northeastern Nigeria.

In a powerful address at the University of Port Harcourt’s 36th convocation, Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike challenged young Nigerians to redefine leadership as a commitment to public welfare rather than personal enrichment. He emphasized that genuine leaders prioritize the collective good over individual ambition.

Wike described leadership as a sacred duty, not a platform for self-aggrandizement. He cautioned that corruption, misuse of authority, and selfish motives have eroded institutional integrity and hindered national progress. The minister called on graduates to embody courage, honesty, and responsibility.

According to Wike, the measure of true leadership is not personal gain but the positive change brought to people’s lives and the institutions strengthened under one’s stewardship. He left the audience with this defining question: ‘Ask not what your office can give you, but what the people gain from your service.’

The Nigerian military has announced the successful liberation of 360 individuals who were held against their will by militant groups in Borno State. This information was relayed by Lieutenant Colonel Haruna Sani, the acting media officer for the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI. He explained that the hostages were found in a stronghold of the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) faction, situated within the Mandara Mountains in Gwoza Local Government Area.

The rescue operation, described as a landmark effort in the region, involved men, women, and children who had been kidnapped. Gwoza has historically been a hotspot for such abductions, with terrorist groups frequently targeting innocent civilians there. The army’s action is a significant step in addressing the ongoing security challenges in the North East.

This development underscores the military’s continued commitment to combating terrorism and restoring peace to affected communities.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has officially set up its campaign committee for the upcoming governorship election in Ekiti State. This development marks a significant step in the party’s preparations for the poll.

In a statement shared on its verified X account on Saturday, the party outlined the committee’s responsibilities. These include coordinating campaign activities, rallying support across Ekiti, engaging key stakeholders, and spreading the party’s vision to all communities in the state.

The ADC congratulated all appointees serving on the committee, expressing trust in their abilities, commitment, and dedication to ensuring a successful campaign. The party emphasized its focus on offering Ekiti residents credible leadership, accountable governance, and a promising future.

“Together, we remain focused on providing the people of Ekiti State with credible leadership, responsible governance, and a brighter future,” the statement read. “Congratulations to all members of the Ekiti State Governorship Campaign Committee.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the Federal Capital Territory has taken a proactive step by organizing a training session for its employees focused on data protection and compliance. This initiative aims to bolster the security of voter information and sensitive official documents.

Held on a Saturday, the one-day workshop at the INEC FCT Conference Hall targeted staff involved in managing voter data. The session covered critical aspects of data protection laws and the legal responsibilities that come with handling such information.

Representing the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Administrative Secretary Mrs. Bimbo Oladunjoye emphasized the need to update personnel on current regulations and the serious consequences of data breaches. She encouraged participants to leverage the program to enhance their skills and maintain high standards of integrity and accountability in public data management.

The training comes in the wake of a controversy where confidential voter details of Nollywood actor Emeka Ike, a House of Representatives aspirant, were allegedly accessed from INEC’s portal using valid staff credentials and leaked without authorization. This incident, which involved Lere Olayinka, an aide to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, raised alarms about internal security protocols.

Data protection expert Mr. Anthony Abodunrin Oni, a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Human Resources Management, facilitated the workshop. It delved into the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, data protection rights, core principles, and practical guidelines for handling official records. Through group activities and real-world case studies, participants explored legal and ethical duties related to data security, including password management, access controls, secure filing, and prompt breach reporting.