Kebbe attack: Sokoto govt declares war on terrorists

The Sokoto State Government has declared a total war against terrorists and other criminals following the deadly attack on communities in Kebbe Local Government Area.
The government also provided N9 million in financial assistance to families of people killed or injured in the attack.

The assistance was delivered on Saturday by a delegation led by the Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Prof. Jabir Sani Maihulla, on the directive of Governor Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto.

The delegation visited the affected communities to sympathise with families of the victims, comfort survivors and provide food and financial support.

Eight families who lost loved ones received N1m each, making N8 million in total. Each family also received five bags of food items.

Four people injured in the attack shared N1m, with each person receiving N250,000. They also received three bags each of rice, millet and maize.

Speaking to residents, Maihulla said the government was deeply concerned about the killings and shared the pain of the affected families.

“We are deeply concerned and greatly saddened by what has happened. We share in your grief and pain, and we urge the affected families to remain steadfast and continue to seek solace in Almighty Allah,” he said.

He said Governor Aliyu was determined to strengthen the state’s response to insecurity and would continue supporting security agencies with the resources they need.

“The Governor is doing everything within his capacity to address the security challenges, including providing operational vehicles, logistical support and other necessary assistance to the security agencies to strengthen their operations and support the efforts to end the activities of the terrorists,” Maihulla stated.

The latest attack comes as insecurity continues to affect parts of Sokoto State, with rural communities facing threats from terrorists and other criminal groups.

The Chairman of Kebbe local government council, Musa Garba Kuchi, thanked the governor for the support, describing it as timely and compassionate.

“We profoundly appreciate His Excellency, Governor Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, for this timely intervention, compassion and continued support to the people of Kebbe, particularly at this difficult period,” Kuchi said.

The Sarkin Kabbin Kebbe, Lawali Labbo Margai, and the Commissioner for Transport, Bala Kokani, also praised the government for supporting communities affected by insecurity and called for lasting peace in Kebbe and across Sokoto State.

Crisis rocks Lagos APC as Eti-Osa stakeholders demand return of Noheem Adams’ ticket

Crisis rocks Lagos APC as Eti-Osa stakeholders demand return of Noheem Adams’ ticketThe crisis within the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has taken a fresh turn as party elders, ward executives and grassroots members in Eti-Osa Constituency I called for the reinstatement of Noheem Adams as the party’s candidate.

The stakeholders made the demand during a world press conference, where they expressed dissatisfaction over the alleged suppression of the outcome of the APC primary election conducted on May 20, 2026.

Speaking during the briefing, the APC Apex Leader in Eti-Osa, Taiwo Jegede Jacob, said party members in the constituency were increasingly concerned about the controversy surrounding the primary and the decision to disregard Adams’ reported victory.

The organisers claimed that Adams polled 7,638 votes against his opponent’s 1,225 votes, describing the margin as a clear indication of the choice of party members at the primary.

The stakeholders warned that failure to recognise the reported result could have implications for the party’s internal democracy and its chances of retaining support ahead of the forthcoming general election.

“Our position is not borne out of hatred, personal ambition, or opposition to any individual,” a spokesperson for the group stated. “Rather, it is borne out of our love for the APC, our commitment to the unity of our party and our determination to ensure victory at the forthcoming election. If our party believes in internal democracy and the supremacy of the will of its members, why should the overwhelming mandate of our members be disregarded?”

The press conference was attended by several prominent figures within the constituency, including the Governance Advisory Council, GAC, and Eti-Osa East Apex Leader, as well as youth representatives and Christian and Muslim leaders from different parts of the district.

The stakeholders appealed to the national and state leadership of the APC to intervene in the matter. They specifically called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, and Lagos State Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, to address the dispute.

The group also urged the party leadership to implement the recommendations of the APC Reconciliation Committee, which they said had recommended the return of the ticket to Adams as a means of preventing further disagreement ahead of the election.

“Reconciliation cannot merely be about asking aggrieved members to accept an outcome that they believe is unjust,” the group noted. “True reconciliation must address the root of the disagreement, the mandate freely expressed at the primary election.”

While reaffirming their commitment to the APC, the stakeholders cautioned the party against imposing a candidate they claimed did not enjoy the support of the majority of its members in the constituency.

They subsequently presented five demands to the party leadership.

The stakeholders called for formal recognition of the May 20, 2026 primary results, the re-issuance of the party’s nomination to Adams based on the reported voting margin, and implementation of the recommendations of the APC Reconciliation Committee.

They also demanded wider consultations with genuine grassroots stakeholders as part of efforts to resolve the dispute and urged the party to desist from imposing candidates contrary to the preferences expressed by its rank-and-file members.

As of the time of filing this report, the APC leadership at both the state and national levels had not publicly responded to the demands raised by the Eti-Osa Constituency I stakeholders.

‘I don’t regret it’ – Aisha Yesufu reveals why she voted APC in 2015

‘I don’t regret it’ – Aisha Yesufu reveals why she voted APC in 2015A chieftain of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Aisha Yesufu, has said she does not regret her choice of presidential candidate in the 2015 election, revealing that she voted for the All Progressives Congress, APC, because of the party’s choice of Yemi Osinbajo as its vice presidential candidate.

Aisha, who spoke in a recent interview with Kaa Truth podcast, said she didn’t vote for the APC because of former president, Muhammadu Buhari.

According to her, her decision to vote for the APC in 2015 was influenced by reports that Buhari would delegate some key responsibilities, particularly the management of the country’s economy, to Osinbajo’s office.

She said, “I don’t regret voting for Buhari. This is the thing, if I’m to regret voting for Buhari, it will be like this disaster we have now, we should allow it because the next person will be worse.

“It was Jonathan that made Buhari to be acceptable by the people. We had someone who had done so badly and by 2015, we voted for APC. I didn’t vote for that ticket for Buhari but because of Pastor Yemi Osibanjo.

“If you ask me why, I will say because Buhari is known to delegate his duties. When he was a military head of state, it was Tunde Idiagbon that was in charge. They said Osibanjo was going to be in charge of the economy.”

TUC passes vote of confidence in Uba Sani’s government

TUC passes vote of confidence in Uba Sani’s governmentThe Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Kaduna State Council, has passed a vote of confidence in the administration of Governor Uba Sani, commending his commitment to workers’ welfare, job security and harmonious industrial relations in the state.

The decision was taken at the 33rd session of the State Executive Council of the TUC, held on Friday at the Congress Secretariat, Millennium City, Kaduna.

In a communiqué issued at the end of its emergency executive council meeting, the union particularly commended the Governor for the reinstatement of 37 workers of the Kaduna State Local Government Service Commission who were allegedly wrongfully disengaged.

The Congress said the Governor approved the reinstatement of the affected workers on August 15, 2026, describing the gesture as a demonstration of his administration’s commitment to justice and workers’ rights.

It also praised the administration for promoting job security, improving the timeliness of staff promotions and ensuring the payment of workers’ salaries as and when due.

TUC further “commended the State Government’s free CNG transport scheme . The initiative has reduced workers’ transportation challenges and costs, improved punctuality and enhanced productivity,,” the communique said.

However, the union appealed to the Governor to extend the free CNG bus service to Kafanchan and Zaria to enable workers and residents in the two cities benefit from the scheme.

The union also applauded the return of the Civil Service Welfare Loan Scheme, under which civil servants can access loans ranging from N400,000 to N1.5 million, repayable over four years at relatively low interest rates.

It noted,that workers had also benefited from local and international training programmes facilitated through the Office of the Head of Service to improve their skills and professionalism.

Oseni vs Lere: ‘Missed opportunity, shameful – Sam Amadi, Osuntokun slams Wike’s aide

Oseni vs Lere: ‘Missed opportunity, shameful – Sam Amadi, Osuntokun slams Wike’s aideThe Director, Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, Dr Sam Amadi, and Akin Osuntokun, the Arise News Political Director, have said that Lere Olayinka, Spokesperson to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, missed the chance to stand by his principles as a public official over his display on TV.

DAILY POST reported that Arise TV, on Friday, abruptly ended its interview with the minister’s spokesperson, following a verbal attack on Rufai Oseni during an interview on The Morning Show.

The development occurred after Rufai, who has been at loggerheads with Olayinka, asked the minister’s aide to comment on Wike’s position on the controversy surrounding members of President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 campaign council.

Responding, Olayinka said he was not willing to answer questions from Rufai, insisting that he wanted the discussion to be between “reasonable human beings.”

However, Ayo Mairo, one of the Show’s anchors, took exception to Olayinka’s remarks, insisting that Oseni is a legitimate anchor on the show and that the minister’s aide should have expected to see him before agreeing to the interview.

Speaking on Arise News, Amadi reminded Olayinka that the reason he appeared before the media was to sell his message, to communicate, and to win the hearts and minds of the audience, not just the host.

He added, “You are speaking to a much larger audience, so missing the opportunity to communicate your message and instead using the platform to throw tantrums only exposes the weakness of the person speaking for the government.”

He further added that media persons should always respect the dignity of the persons they interview.

“Lere would have come with a sense of ‘I’m going to give it to him’, and that’s shameful because he lost the opportunity as a public official to defend his principle. The notion is that you have to understand clearly that the reason why you appear before the media is to sell, to communicate, to win and to shape minds, not just the host.

“But at any rate, we expect that media practitioners will also understand that, whereas they are going to be violent for truth, but also are not the persons who are making the news. They are basically people helping to push those conduits for the opinion. You don’t have to be the guy in the ring fighting. You have to be the guy who enables the public to understand and perhaps see the weakness or the falsity of the claim pushed.

“Yours is to tactically expose to the viewing public that this is correct or this is not correct. So caution on both sides. I think it was a disgraceful performance and could have been avoided.”

Also speaking, Osuntokun said that Olayinka is setting a bad precedent for himself.

“Lere Olayinka was under no compulsion to speak or answer. Whether he was invited or invited himself, he was still at liberty to say what he wanted to say. However, the manner in which he spoke was unfortunate and did little to strengthen his position. And it’s not good for his principle.”

LASU condemns assault of student at off-campus hostel, begins probe

LASU condemns assault of student at off-campus hostel, begins probeThe Lagos State University, LASU, has condemned the reported assault of one of its students at a privately operated hostel outside the university campus, saying disciplinary action has commenced against students allegedly connected to the incident.

The university disclosed this in a statement issued in Lagos on Friday, signed by the Deputy Registrar and Coordinator, Centre for Information and Public Relations, Mrs Oluwayemisi Thomas-Onashile.

According to Thomas-Onashile, the incident involved students of LASU’s College of Medicine, Ikeja, and took place at a private hostel located outside the university’s premises.

She said the affected student reported the matter to the police, noting that law enforcement authorities had since taken appropriate steps in response to the incident.

Thomas-Onashile explained that although the alleged assault occurred outside the university, LASU management had commenced an internal disciplinary process against the students allegedly involved in line with the institution’s rules and regulations.

“The university management unequivocally condemns this act of violence in the strongest terms,” she said.

The university stressed that acts of assault, intimidation and harassment involving students, staff or visitors would not be tolerated, regardless of whether they occurred on or outside the campus.

Thomas-Onashile said such behaviour was inconsistent with the values and principles underpinning the university.

She also reminded students of their obligation to remain “worthy in character and learning”, in line with LASU’s mission of developing graduates who demonstrate both academic excellence and good moral conduct.

The university urged students to exercise caution in their daily activities and avoid situations that could place their safety at risk.

Thomas-Onashile further encouraged students to report security threats, incidents and other concerns to the relevant authorities without delay whenever necessary.

She also called on parents and guardians to cooperate with the university in promoting discipline, urging them to engage constructively with the institution and respect its established boundaries.

According to her, parents should equally encourage their wards to demonstrate discipline, integrity and responsible behaviour.

LASU reaffirmed that the safety and welfare of its students remained a priority and said it would continue working to maintain an environment conducive to learning and academic development.

“The university reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the well-being, safety and academic success of every student,” she said.

Thomas-Onashile added that the institution would sustain measures aimed at ensuring a safe and conducive learning environment for its entire student population.

Political parties in Jigawa sign peace accord ahead of 2027 elections

Political parties in Jigawa sign peace accord ahead of 2027 elections  Political parties and other stakeholders in Jigawa State have signed a peace accord ahead of the forthcoming electioneering campaigns and electoral processes in the state.

The accord was signed on Thursday during a strategic meeting convened by the Commissioner of Police, CP Tijjani Murtala, with officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), chairmen of registered political parties, party executives and media practitioners.

Addressing the stakeholders, CP Tijjani Murtala called for collective responsibility, mutual respect, political tolerance and strict adherence to electoral laws throughout the electioneering period.

He said the meeting was aimed at promoting peaceful, credible and violence-free political activities across the state

He urged political leaders to caution their supporters against acts capable of undermining peace and public order, including hate speech, inflammatory statements, vote-buying, thuggery, intimidation, destruction of campaign materials and other forms of electoral malpractice.

The commissioner assured political parties, candidates, supporters, electoral officials and members of the public that the command would provide adequate security and maintain law and order before, during and after the elections.

The INEC delegation, led by its Administrative Secretary, Mr Ibrahim Idris, also urged political parties and other stakeholders to comply with electoral laws, rules and guidelines.

The participating political parties subsequently signed the peace accord, reaffirming their commitment to peaceful political engagement, respect for democratic values and the rejection of violence throughout the electoral process.

The command described the accord as a significant demonstration of the collective commitment of political actors and stakeholders to preserving the peace and security of Jigawa State.

It called on residents to remain peaceful, law-abiding and vigilant, while urging political parties and their supporters to see the electoral process as a contest of ideas and programmes rather than a conflict.

2027: ADC questions APC’s priority as insecurity ravages Zamfara

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, Zamfara State chapter, has questioned the priorities of the All Progressives Congress, APC, amid the worsening insecurity confronting residents of the state.

The reaction followed a 7-kilometre solidarity walk organised by the APC and its support groups in Gusau on Wednesday to celebrate the appointment of former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdul’aziz Yari Abubakar, as Director-General of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 election.

In a statement issued on Thursday by the state ADC Chairman, Hon. Kabiru Garba, the party said the timing of the political celebration was troubling, given the security challenges facing communities across Zamfara.

The ADC said residents continue to suffer the consequences of banditry, killings, kidnappings, displacement and the destruction of livelihoods.

According to the party, the APC could have used the gathering to draw national attention to the plight of victims of insecurity rather than focus on celebrating a political appointment.

The party questioned why there was no similar expression of solidarity with families who had lost loved ones, as well as women and children displaced by insecurity.

It also challenged the APC to explain what concrete measures the Federal Government had put in place to permanently address the insecurity ravaging Zamfara communities.

The ADC said political leadership should prioritise the welfare and safety of citizens over political positions, appointments and campaign structures.

The party stressed that it was not opposed to political mobilisation but objected to what it described as “politics without humanity.

Attempted coup: Defence Minister Musa provides update on alleged plan to remove Tinubu

Attempted coup: Defence Minister Musa provides update on alleged plan to remove TinubuThe Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd.), says the Department of State Services, DSS, and the National Intelligence Agency, NIA, are still investigating the alleged coup plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu.

General Musa gave the update on Thursday while responding to questions during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

He said the suspects involved in the alleged plot had been taken to court and were currently facing trial.

According to him, the plot was authentic, and investigators had confirmed the suspects’ intention to seize power.

“The DSS is still investigating together with the NIA, and they don’t want to just say things they are not sure of, so I’m sure they’re taking their time to ensure that they get the details.

“They’ve taken them [alleged coup plotters] to court, so it’s still with the court. It’s not with us. It was real, and they actually wanted to do it for whatever reason.

“Again, when you start hearing why they wanted to do it, just know that they’re just a bunch of misguided individuals who went into it for just no reason,” he said.

Amnesty raises alarm over threats, inciting comments ahead of 2027 elections

Amnesty International has said it is closely monitoring and documenting reckless, inciting and divisive remarks by politicians and their associates during ongoing campaigns ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 elections.

The human rights organisation warned that politicians who use campaigns to undermine freedom, peace and democratic participation could be held accountable under international law.

Amnesty’s warning follows a series of controversial political remarks, including recent threats attributed to the Chairman of Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Eze Paul Ituma.

In a video seen by Amnesty, Ituma warned political opponents and those accused of working against his party’s interests, saying, “Anyone who tries to do so will be declared persona non grata.”

He also said, “Anyone who wants to put sand in my garri (not vote for APC) should not come close to Ohaukwu.”

Amnesty condemned the remarks, saying, “Such threatening and inciting rhetorics are dangerous and show clear desperation to undermine freedom of association and the democratic value of personal liberty.”

Another controversy was reported in Yobe State earlier in the week, where the APC State Chairman, Alhaji Muhammadu Gadaka, was criticised over remarks directed at women and their voting choices.

Gadaka was quoted as telling women whose husbands would not allow them to vote for the APC to leave their marriages.

He reportedly said, “If your husband does not allow you to vote for APC, divorce him. I will give you money for your dowry.”

The remark sparked criticism, prompting Gadaka to apologise and retract the statement.

Last month, the organisation also raised concerns over remarks attributed to Kuje Area Council Chairman in the Federal Capital Territory, Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo.

In a video, Shekwolo was heard saying, “It’s either you are doing APC or you leave the area council. I am not arguing about it at all.”

Although, he said he was quoted out of context.

Amnesty International said such incidents demonstrate the need for authorities to act early against political intimidation and incitement before the situation escalates into violence.

The organisation called on the Nigeria Police Force to promptly investigate the Ebonyi chairman’s remarks and take appropriate action if a criminal offence is established.

It also urged the Ebonyi State Government and other authorities to protect political parties, candidates, supporters and voters from intimidation and violence.

Amnesty said, “Everyone must be free to support, campaign for and vote for the candidate or party of their choice. Authorities must act now to protect this right.”