Suspected member of a kidnap gang believed to be behind a series of attacks and abductions along the Jos–Makurdi highway has been arrested by troops of Sector 6, Operation Enduring Peace, in Plateau State.
The arrest was contained in a post shared on X by security analyst, Zagazola Makama on Friday night.

According to the post, the suspect was apprehended at about 5:00 p.m. on July 16 during a targeted operation carried out by troops deployed at the Sector’s Standing Operating Base (SOB) in Bangai Village, Riyom Local Government Area.

Preliminary investigations reportedly revealed that the suspect is a member of an armed criminal syndicate accused of terrorising commuters and residents along the Jos–Makurdi road corridor through kidnappings and other violent attacks.

Security sources quoted in the post said the suspect is currently in military custody and is assisting investigators with information that could help security operatives dismantle the criminal network and arrest other members of the gang.

Twelve of the 14 political parties contesting the August 15 Osun State governorship election endorsed peace and accountability commitments on Thursday.

DAILY POST reports that the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the African Democratic Congress, ADC, were absent from the signing ceremony held in Osogbo.

The Peace and Accountability Charters were signed during the Osun 2026 Democratic Governance, Peace and Electoral Integrity Summit, organised by the Osun Development Association, ODA, to encourage peaceful campaigns and responsible leadership before the governorship election.

Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is seeking a second term on the platform of the Accord, was represented at the event by the Commissioner for Industry, Bunmi Jenyo, who signed the documents on his behalf.

Representatives of the Action Alliance, African Action Congress, African Democratic Party, All Progressives Grand Alliance, Allied Peoples Movement, Action Peoples Party, Boot Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party, Peoples Redemption Party, Young Progressive Party and Zenith Labour Party also appended their signatures to the charters.

However, neither the candidates of the APC and ADC nor their representatives attended the summit or participated in the signing exercise.

Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Osun Development Association, Dr Segun Aina, whose address was delivered by Dr Tunji Olugbodi, described the two documents as significant commitments aimed at promoting peaceful elections and accountable governance.

Aina explained that the Peace Charter required political parties and candidates to reject violence, focus on issue-based campaigns, respect electoral institutions, protect voters, pursue legal channels for election disputes and maintain peace after the declaration of results.

He said, “Every party and every candidate that signs this Charter today does so publicly, before the people of Osun State.”

Aina further commended the parties that participated in the exercise, saying, “Your presence here today is itself a statement. It signals that you respect the democratic process. It signals that you understand that elections are won through ideas and not intimidation.”

The association’s chairman also appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Babalola, to ensure that the election was transparent and credible, while urging security agencies to protect lives and property before, during and after the poll.

In a goodwill message delivered by Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi, Governor Adeleke reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to peaceful and credible elections across the state.

According to the governor, “Our belief is simply that no political ambition is worth the blood of any citizen and no office is more valuable than the life of a single man, woman or child.”

Representatives of the participating political parties also addressed the summit, pledging to comply with electoral laws and contribute to a peaceful and credible governorship election.

Fourteen political parties are expected to field candidates in the August 15 governorship election. Governor Adeleke is contesting for another term on the Accord platform, while Bola Oyebamiji represents the APC and Najeem Salaam is the candidate of the ADC.

The summit formed part of broader efforts by civil society organisations and election stakeholders to promote peaceful conduct, democratic accountability and electoral integrity ahead of the forthcoming Osun governorship election.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda has said that his visit to Senator Rufai Hanga of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and close ally to Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso was aimed at promoting peace, unity and development in Kano State.
Yilwatda made this known in a statement on Thursday after paying a courtesy visit to Hanga.

According to him, the meeting focused on issues affecting the state and how political leaders can work together despite belonging to different parties.

“Our discussions were cordial and focused on the unity, peace, stability, and future of Kano State.”

The APC chairman said political differences should not stop leaders from working together for the benefit of the people.

Yilwatda also said Nigeria would make greater progress if leaders chose cooperation instead of political rivalry.

“Nigeria’s progress is best served when we build bridges of understanding, encourage constructive dialogue, and place the welfare of citizens above partisan considerations.”

This visit comes at a time when relations seem to be strained between Senator Hanga and Kwankwaso after the lawmaker made series of unapologetic comments.

Hanga was particularly bitter after losing his ticket to Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna. He also alleged Kwankwaso mulled handing over Kano gubernatorial ticket to his son, Mustapha Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso.

The Nigerian government has renamed the 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar coastal highway after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The minister of works, David Umahi, disclosed this in a briefing on Thursday.

According to him, President Tinubu had envisioned this project about 27 years ago.

“By the power conferred on me as the Honourable Minister of Works, and in consultation with the Permanent Secretary, the Minister of State, the directors and the entire staff of the ministry, we have decided to name the entire Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“This is a dream that Mr President had about 27 years ago,” he said.

The highway is estimated to cost N15 trillion upon completion.

The road, which is one of the Tinubu government’s legacy projects with a section near completion, has been with controversies since its commencement in March 2024.

The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, has lashed out at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

In a post on his verified X handle on Thursday, Sowore said the anti-graft agency had become a symbol of joblessness and misplaced priorities.

He was reacting to the grilling of the two activists, Peter Akah and Precious Oruche, popularly known as ‘Mama Pee’.

Recall that the Commission invited the duo to offer clarifications over allegation of abuse of the Naira.

Reacting, Sowore said, “The EFCC  has become a symbol of joblessness and misplaced priorities.

“The real economic and financial criminals appear to be beyond its reach, while the agency increasingly devotes its energy to pursuing easier targets.

“An institution created to combat corruption should focus relentlessly on grand corruption, public asset theft, money laundering, procurement fraud, and the looting of public resources, not distractions that undermine public confidence in its mission. EFCC  is finished.”

There was slight drama in the Senate on Thursday as Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Adams Oshiomhole disagreed over the confirmation of Professor Abayomi Fasina as a non-career ambassadorial designate amid sexual harassment allegations against him.

The disagreement arose when Oshiomhole argued that endorsing a nominee facing sexual harassment allegations would send the wrong message, particularly to Nigerian women.

“Nigerian women have brought to the attention of this Senate that the professor in question has been accused by two women, not just orally, and these issues are pending before different courts. I think the general view is that nobody says he is guilty; he is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty. But, as a matter of sensitivity, for the Senate to endorse a man who faces cases like that would amount to being insensitive to the feelings of women because it’s not just one woman; there are two women making different allegations.

“So, I thought that in matters like this, it would be more prudent to wait and ask the man to clear himself before the court,” Oshiomhole said.

Recall that the disagreement occurred shortly before the confirmation of the outgoing Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Professor Abayomi Fasina, as a non-career ambassadorial designate.

The confirmation followed the consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by Senator Sani Bello (APC, Niger North), which was presented by Senator Simon Lalong (APC, Plateau South).

Engineer Buba Galadima, a leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has described the Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso presidential ticket as a “healing ticket” that could help unite Nigeria and address the country’s long-standing divisions.

Speaking during an interview with Arise News on Wednesday, Galadima said he and other members of the Kwankwasiyya movement supported Obi because they believe his partnership with Kwankwaso offers the best chance to rebuild the country.

“It is our belief that this is the only ticket that can salvage Nigeria. Not only salvage it, but it is a ticket we call the ‘healing ticket,’ designed so that we can forget the past,” Galadima said.

He explained that the alliance was created to strengthen ties between the North and the South-East, adding that Obi should be seen as a Nigerian leader rather than a candidate representing one ethnic group.

Galadima said the group had spent more than two years working to improve understanding between both regions. According to him, the effort has helped reduce tensions and encouraged dialogue.

He also said Obi had promised to focus on security, agriculture and education if elected president, while involving members of the alliance in tackling the challenges.

“Peter Obi has agreed that if he becomes the President of Nigeria, he will not only address these three issues personally, but he will make us part of those who will work on these issues,” he said.

Responding to critics, Galadima argued that there was no reason to attack those supporting Obi, noting that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had previously chosen running mates from the South-East.

He admitted that ethnic and religious politics had contributed to Nigeria’s divisions but insisted the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket was focused on national unity.

“This ticket is not about Igbos, Hausas, Yorubas, Islam, or Christianity. This ticket is about Nigeria,” he said.

Galadima added that, if elected, the alliance would prioritise job creation, agriculture, skills development and local manufacturing to revive the economy and reduce unemployment.

A chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Buba Galadima, has explained that the North aligned with Party’s presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi.

The NDC chieftain the region believes an Obi-Rabiu Kwankwaso ticket offers the best chance of rescuing Nigeria and promoting national reconciliation.

Galadima stated this while speaking on  Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Wednesday.

According to him, the decision to back Obi was based on political calculations rather than ethnic or religious considerations.

He described the proposed Obi-Kwankwaso alliance as a “healing ticket,” saying it would help Nigerians move beyond past divisions and foster national unity.

Galadima said: “We aligned with Obi and we have a reason. In politics, you do mathematics, and you calculate; it is our belief that that is the only ticket that can salvage Nigeria.

“Not only salvation; it is a ticket we call the healing ticket, such that we can forget the past. After all, a lot of people call us names because we brought Obi.

“I don’t want to mention tribe or religion in my politics, but we are being called a lot of names. You may never know. We’ve been having this fight in this part of the country.”