Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, has commended Nigerian troops for foiling the attempted abduction of students at the Federal Government Girls College, FGGC, Monguno, Borno State, describing the successful operation as the greatest birthday gift he could receive.

Obi made the remarks in a statement posted on his official social media page on July 19, the same day he marked his birthday, following the failed kidnapping attempt at the school.

According to him, the swift response by troops prevented what could have become another major tragedy in the country’s education sector and demonstrated the capability of security personnel when adequately supported.

“As I mark my birthday today, this successful rescue effort is a gift that gladdens my heart — a reminder that, despite our challenges, there are still men and women who stand daily in defence of our nation and its future,” Obi said.

The former Anambra State governor praised the soldiers for what he described as their courage, patriotism and professionalism in repelling the attackers before any student was abducted.

“I wish to extend my profound appreciation and highest commendation to the gallant members of our Armed Forces who successfully thwarted a grave kidnapping attempt at the Federal Government Girls College, Monguno, Borno State,” he stated.

Obi said the incident reinforces the need for schools to remain safe environments for learning, stressing that no Nigerian child should have to fear violence or abduction while pursuing education.

He urged the Federal Government to strengthen security by adopting a more proactive, intelligence-driven approach capable of preventing attacks before they occur.

According to him, security agencies should be provided with adequate resources, improved welfare and modern technology to enhance their operational effectiveness.

“Our security agencies must be provided with the necessary resources, motivation, and modern technology to detect and prevent threats before they occur,” he added.

Obi also sympathised with the students, their families and the FGGC Monguno community while urging Nigerians to continue supporting security personnel in the fight against insecurity.

The commendation followed Saturday’s attempted attack on FGGC Monguno, where troops of Operation HADIN KAI repelled suspected ISWAP fighters who attempted to abduct students from the school.

An aspirant of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, for the Rivers State House of Assembly, Khana Constituency I seat, Legborsi Nwiabu, has taken his party before a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, alleging that he was excluded from the party’s last primary election.

Also named as respondents in the suit are the ADC’s declared candidate for the Khana Constituency I seat in the 2027 general election, Bright Nulee, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

When the matter came up for hearing on Friday, counsel to the ADC, Emenike Ebete, informed the court that a committee had been set up to resolve issues arising from the disputed primary and orally sought the court’s leave to allow the parties to settle the matter out of court.

The application was not opposed by counsel to the second and third respondents.

However, counsel to the plaintiff, Felix Beragbara, opposed the request, telling the court that his client had not been informed of any such committee.

The presiding judge, Justice Muhammed Turaki, after hearing submissions from both sides, granted leave for the parties to pursue an out-of-court settlement and adjourned the matter until August 12, 2026, for a report on the settlement or, alternatively, for hearing of the suit.

Addressing journalists outside the courtroom, Beragbara explained the circumstances that prompted his client to seek redress in court, adding that his client remained prepared to return to court should the committee fail to deliver justice in the matter.

“My client was cheated out of the primaries of his party, which were scheduled to be conducted on the 21st day of May 2026.

“You must be aware that almost all the political parties conducted their primaries in May 2026. My client’s political party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), also conducted its primaries, and my client was an aspirant seeking the party’s nomination for the House of Assembly seat for Khana Constituency I in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State.

“That election was scheduled to be held nationwide on the 21st of May 2026.

“Unfortunately, the election could not be held on that date. It was rescheduled—or purportedly rescheduled—to the next day, May 22, 2026. My client mobilised his supporters, sent his field agents, and deployed them to all the voting centres across the 11 wards that make up Khana Constituency I.

“My client and his supporters, who are members of the ADC, waited from the morning, when accreditation was scheduled to commence, until nightfall.

“They did not see a single ADC official who came to conduct the election. They also did not see any monitoring officer from the third defendant in this suit.

“So the first defendant, my client’s political party, failed to conduct the primaries. My client then petitioned the appeals committee, stating that the election did not hold and asking them to conduct another election so that the party could have a legitimate candidate.

“They ignored my client’s complaint. What my client later heard was that they had declared the second defendant, Mr Bright Nulee, as the party’s candidate and forwarded his name to the third defendant, INEC, without conducting the election.

“That is why my client is in court to challenge the purported primary that produced the purported candidate. That is why we are here today.”

Meanwhile, counsel to the ADC, Emenike Ebete; counsel to the second respondent, B. F. Opara; and counsel representing INEC all declined to comment on the court proceedings.

The Accord party has maintained that it would win the August 15th 2026 governorship election in Osun State.

The party urged residents to turn up en masse and vote for the party, stressing that Senator Ademola Adeleke has performed well in his first term.

The Party also urged Nigerians to identify with Accord and vote for its candidates in the 2027 general election for inclusive governance.

The Party’s states’ chairmen made the plea when they visited the National Chairman of the Party, Maxwell Mgbudem on Friday

Mgbudem stressed the need for members to be in one accord, saying he is open to advice in building a stronger political platform with national appeal and counts on the cooperation of leaders and members of the party.

He urged them to focus on building a viable platform that would deliver all Accord’s candidates in the upcoming elections and disregard the activities of anti-democratic forces that want to sow seeds of discord in the party due to its growing influence and acceptance by Nigerians.

Mgbudem further urged members to utilise Accord’s internal mechanism and alternative dispute resolution channels to ventilate their grievances in accordance with the party constitution, assuring that all issues would be amicably resolved in the interest of the party.

The national chairman said party members would participate in all elections as one family with the support of Nigerians who desire and deserve competent, compassionate leadership and good governance which the Accord symbolises.

Lagos State Government, through the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, has commenced the controlled demolition of the fire-damaged building located on Martins Street, Lagos Island, as part of efforts to safeguard lives and property.

The Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, announced the development in a statement issued on Friday, saying the exercise followed a comprehensive structural integrity assessment of the affected building.

According to him, the demolition is being carried out in accordance with internationally recognised standards on urban safety, disaster risk reduction and public health protection.

Oke-Osanyintolu urged residents, traders, customers and other members of the public to strictly comply with all safety measures put in place throughout the operation.

He disclosed that the affected structure and its immediate surroundings had been designated as a restricted and hazardous zone, warning that unauthorised persons must stay away from the area.

The permanent secretary advised traders and customers to maintain a safe distance from the site to avoid injuries that could result from falling debris or the possible collapse of unstable sections of the building.

He further announced the temporary suspension of trading, parking, loading and other commercial activities around the affected location until relevant authorities certify the area safe for public use.

To ensure public safety, Oke-Osanyintolu said the site has been barricaded and fitted with warning signs, while security personnel have been deployed to prevent unauthorised access and control movement around the area.

He added that the demolition contractor would conduct a final structural inspection before work begins and ensure strict compliance with all approved safety procedures.

The permanent secretary explained that the site would remain cordoned off throughout the demolition, with dust suppression measures and traffic and pedestrian management plans implemented to minimise disruptions and protect the public.

He also directed that all personnel participating in the operation must wear the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment, PPE, while operators of heavy-duty machinery are required to ensure that all equipment is properly certified and safe for use.

According to him, emergency response agencies, including the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Lagos State Ambulance Service and first aid teams, will remain on standby for the duration of the exercise.

He noted that the demolition is being coordinated in collaboration with the Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA, the Nigeria Police Force, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps, LNSC, and other relevant agencies.

Oke-Osanyintolu said public awareness campaigns would continue throughout the exercise to discourage residents, traders and bystanders from gathering around the demolition site until the operation is concluded.

While acknowledging the commercial significance of Martins Street to businesses on Lagos Island, he stressed that the restrictions were necessary to protect lives and prevent further danger.

He appealed to residents and business owners to cooperate with emergency and security personnel and encouraged the public to report any safety concerns through LASEMA Response Units or the emergency toll-free numbers 112 and 767.

The permanent secretary also expressed appreciation to members of the Martins Street community for their patience, understanding and support as the government works to restore safety and normal activities in the area.

Former Minister of Science and Technology, Professor Turner Isoun, has died at the age of 87, prompting tributes from Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, who described him as an outstanding scholar and statesman.

Isoun, who served under former President Olusegun Obasanjo from 2000 to 2007, passed away in Abuja on July 15.

In a statement issued through his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, Governor Diri said the late professor’s contributions to education, science, technology and national development would remain unforgettable.

The governor hailed Isoun as an intellectual giant whose influence extended beyond academia and public service, noting that his death was a major loss to Bayelsa State, the Ijaw nation and Nigeria.

Diri also highlighted Isoun’s role as the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Rivers State University of Science and Technology, where he helped lay the foundation for Nigeria’s first university of science and technology.

As minister, Isoun championed key reforms in Nigeria’s technology sector, including the establishment of NITDA, the creation of Galaxy Backbone and the advancement of the country’s satellite programme.

Beyond public service, he was a prominent advocate for Ijaw interests and played a role in the campaign that led to the creation of Bayelsa State in 1996.

Governor Diri extended condolences to Isoun’s family, the people of Odi community and the Ijaw nation, urging them to take solace in the late statesman’s enduring legacy.

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.