₦airaland Forum

Former Kano State Governor and prominent National Democratic Congress (NDC) leader, Senator Kabiru Gaya, has agreed to re-join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Gaya’s decision followed a private meeting with APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, at his residence on Yaounde Street, Abuja, on Monday night.

Reports indicate that the closed-door meeting lasted about 45 minutes.

A source familiar with the meeting confirmed that Gaya agreed to return to the APC during the discussion.

“Yes, Senator Kabiru Gaya has agreed to re-join the APC,” the source said.

The development comes days after Gaya reportedly lost the NDC senatorial ticket for Kano South, despite recently defecting to the opposition party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Gaya resigned from the APC on April 5, briefly joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and later moved to the NDC alongside former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

He served as Governor of Kano State during the Third Republic between 1992 and 1993 and later represented Kano South Senatorial District in the Senate from 2015 to 2023 on the APC platform.

Gaya lost his re-election bid in 2023 to Senator Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila, who contested under the platform of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).

The Department of State Services (DSS) is set to appeal Monday’s life sentence handed to two top commanders of the Ansaru terror organisation by a Federal High Court, Abuja.

Justice Emeka Nwite had, shortly after Mahmud Usman, a.k.a Abu Bara’a/Abbas/Mukhtar, the self-styled Emir of Ansaru; and Abubakar Abba, a.k.a Mahmud al-Nigeri/Malam Mamuda, pleaded guilty to all the 32-count charges against them, sentenced both men to life imprisonment.

However, a top official of the DSS said the security agency considered the life sentence as too light a punishment for the crimes allegedly committed by the Ansaru commanders.

The official said the Service found it curious that both convicts were on the verge of pleading guilty to the charges, but changed their minds shortly after some persons believed to be members of the same Ansaru organisation kidnapped pupils and teachers in Oriire, Oyo State.

“For the nearly 60 days the kidnappers held on to the pupils and teachers of Oriire, the Ansaru commanders in our custody changed.

“One of the top conditions the abductors gave was the unconditional release of these same Ansaru commanders in exchange for the Oriire kidnap victims,” the DSS official said.

“From ‘not guilty plea,’ the two men, at the penultimate court session, said they were undecided on what plea to take. Justice Nwite even had to hand them an ultimatum to make up their minds on or before Monday’s sitting.

“After the Oriire rescue, they came to court to plead guilty to all the charges,” the official added.

According to the top official, allowing the two terror commanders to walk away with life sentences would not serve the cause of justice for the two Oriire teachers beheaded by their abductors.

“The reason the terrorists beheaded the two Oriire teachers was to put pressure on the government to release these two Ansaru commanders. It, therefore, wouldn’t be fair to see two men beheaded and their families made to live with the losses without adequately bringing the culprits to book,” the official said.

The Federal High Court in Abuja had sentenced two senior commanders of the Ansaru terrorist group, an al-Qaeda-affiliated extremist organisation, to life imprisonment after they pleaded guilty to multiple terrorism-related offences.

Justice Nwite handed down the sentence after convicting them on a 32-count charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) on behalf of the Federal Government.

The charges included terrorism, terrorism financing, kidnapping for ransom, illegal mining, fabrication of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and other offences linked to terrorist operations.

The court sentenced both men to life imprisonment on counts 30 and 31, while imposing additional 20-year prison terms on the remaining counts. Justice Nwite ordered that the sentences on the other counts should take effect from the date of their arrest.

The proposed African Atlantic Gas Pipeline has moved closer to implementation after Heads of State of the Economic Community of West African States signed the Intergovernmental Agreement for the project at the ECOWAS Summit in Freetown, Sierra Leone, at the weekend.

The agreement provides the sovereign backing required to advance the ambitious pipeline project, which is designed to link Nigeria’s gas resources with markets across West Africa, the Sahel, Morocco and Europe.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Andy Odeh.

The AAGP, which is being jointly promoted by NNPC Limited and Morocco’s Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines, is planned to stretch nearly 6,900 kilometres along the West African Atlantic coast.

The pipeline is expected to transport 30 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually, connecting gas-producing countries with major demand centres and landlocked countries in the Sahel.

The project is also expected to create a new energy corridor linking the West African coast to the Maghreb-Europe Gas Pipeline, thereby opening a route for African gas to reach Morocco and European markets.

The statement read, “The African Atlantic Gas Pipeline Project has received a major boost towards its actualisation as the Heads of State of ECOWAS Member States have signed the Intergovernmental Agreement for the project at the ECOWAS Summit in Freetown, Sierra Leone, at the weekend.

The AAGP is a transformative regional infrastructure project designed to unlock West Africa’s vast natural gas resources, connect them to major demand centres, integrate African energy markets, and establish a strategic development corridor linking West Africa, the Sahel, Morocco, and Europe.”

According to the NNPC, up to 15 billion cubic metres of the pipeline’s annual capacity could be supplied to Morocco and European markets.

The company said the project would support electricity generation, improve energy access, drive industrialisation and facilitate the development of new industrial value chains across the region.

The agreement signed by the ECOWAS member states gives effect to the approval granted at the 66th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Summit held in Abuja in December 2024.

It also concludes the institutional process coordinated by ECOWAS following the 2022 Memorandum of Understanding signed by Nigeria and Morocco on the project.

The remaining step in completing the intergovernmental framework will be the signing of the agreement by the Kingdom of Morocco and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.

The project was initiated under the shared vision of the late President Muhammadu Buhari and Morocco’s King Mohammed VI and continues to receive the support of President Bola Tinubu.

Significant preparatory work has already been completed, including Front-End Engineering Design studies, route reconnaissance surveys, environmental and social studies, as well as key legal, regulatory and commercial frameworks.

The milestones, according to NNPC, have positioned the project for the next stage of implementation.

The pipeline will run from Nigeria through 13 Atlantic coastal countries, with interconnections serving landlocked Sahel nations.

The statement added, “Designed to deliver 30 billion cubic metres of gas per year, the project has sovereign backing from Nigeria, Morocco, ECOWAS member countries, and Mauritania, and spans nearly 6,900 kilometres along the West African Atlantic coast.

Jointly led by NNPC Ltd and Morocco’s Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines, the project is intended to strengthen energy access, drive industrialisation, and deepen regional integration across the continent.”

Beyond transporting gas, the project is expected to deepen regional integration by connecting African energy markets and supporting the development of industries that depend on reliable and affordable gas supply.

The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, said the signing by the West African leaders provided the sovereign foundation required to move the project from planning to delivery.

“This milestone reflects the clear mandate of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR. The AAGP is central to delivering that mandate by providing the infrastructure required to bring about 3 bcf/d of Nigerian gas to market. NNPC Limited is proud to co-lead this endeavour with ONHYM,” Ojulari said.

The project’s planned capacity is significant for Nigeria, which has one of the largest natural gas reserves in Africa but has continued to face infrastructure constraints that limit the ability to fully monetise its resources.

The AAGP is therefore expected to provide a major export route while also supporting domestic and regional energy demand.

For countries across West Africa and the Sahel, the pipeline could provide access to additional gas supplies for power generation and industrial development.

The Director-General of ONHYM, Amina Benkhadra, described the latest development as another major milestone in the realisation of the project.

She said the project reflected the shared vision of the Nigerian and Moroccan governments for an integrated Atlantic Africa.

“This event represents another major milestone in the realisation of the AAGP, a strategic project jointly developed by ONHYM and NNPC Ltd. under the visionary leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR,” Benkhadra said.

“The Project fully reflects His Majesty’s vision for an integrated Atlantic Africa.”

Following the planned signatures by Morocco and Mauritania, the Pipeline Higher Authority will be established in Abuja, while the AAGP Project Company will be established in Casablanca.

The two institutions will oversee implementation of the project and prepare it for the Final Investment Decision.

The project promoters said they remained committed to advancing the pipeline in accordance with international standards of technical excellence, environmental responsibility and good governance.

The AAGP is expected to become one of Africa’s most significant energy infrastructure projects, connecting gas resources in Nigeria and other West African countries to regional markets and the international energy system.

Its development also comes at a time when countries across the continent are seeking to expand gas infrastructure to address electricity shortages, support industrialisation and increase energy security.

For Nigeria, the project offers an opportunity to expand the monetisation of its vast gas reserves, increase export earnings and strengthen its position as a major supplier in the emerging African gas market.

With the signing of the intergovernmental agreement by ECOWAS member states, the project has now moved beyond its initial political and planning stages, bringing it closer to the institutional structures and investment decisions required for construction.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, on Sunday held a closed-door meeting with the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, and the senator representing Kano Central Senatorial District, Rufai Hanga, amid growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Yilwatda disclosed the meeting in a statement posted on his verified X account on Sunday, describing Hanga as one of the foremost leaders of the Nigeria Development Congress in Kano State.

According to the APC chairman, the meeting focused on the unity, peace and continued progress of Kano State, as well as the need for political leaders to work together in the interest of the people.

“I had the pleasure of meeting with the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, alongside Senator Rufai Hanga, one of the foremost leaders of the NDC in Kano State,” Yilwatda said.

He added, “Our engagement was marked by frank, constructive and cordial discussions centred on the unity and continued progress of Kano State.”

The APC national chairman further said,

“As leaders, we have a collective responsibility to foster dialogue, build consensus where possible and strengthen the foundations of our democracy.

“Nigeria’s future will be brighter when we continue to place the interests of our citizens above partisan divides and work together for the common good.”

Although neither Yilwatda, Barau nor Hanga disclosed details of the discussions, the meeting comes at a time of heightened political activity in Kano, where alignments and counter-alignments have continued ahead of the 2027 elections.

Hanga, who is the only senator on the platform of the NDC in Kano, recently lost the party’s ticket to seek re-election for the Kano Central Senatorial District after the party nominated former Kano State Deputy Governor, Nasiru Gawuna, as its candidate for the 2027 election.

The development followed the political upheaval triggered by Governor Abba Yusuf’s defection from the New Nigeria People’s Party to the APC.

While several of the governor’s loyalists moved with him to the APC, Hanga remained with the faction loyal to Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.

That bloc subsequently aligned with the African Democratic Congress before adopting the NDC as its platform.

The political realignment also saw former deputy governor, Aminu Gwarzo, resign from the Kano State Government and emerge as the NDC governorship candidate, with Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso named as his running mate.

Hanga recently expressed dissatisfaction over what he described as his marginalisation within the NDC after losing the party’s senatorial ticket, fuelling speculation that he could be weighing his political options ahead of the 2027 polls.

President Bola Tinubu will return to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) this September to present Nigeria’s reform agenda before world leaders and advance fresh regional security initiatives aimed at strengthening border policing across West Africa, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, has disclosed.

Ibrahim spoke to State House Correspondents after he briefed the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on preparations for the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

He said President Tinubu had accepted the invitation to attend the annual global gathering and would use the opportunity to highlight the successes of his administration’s economic and governance reforms.

“I came in from New York to speak with the President in preparation for the United Nations General Assembly,” Ibrahim said.

“The President has generously agreed to attend the UN meeting. It is significant because Mr President has a speech to deliver to the whole world on the reform successes recorded in Nigeria. That has already been scheduled for September.”

According to the envoy, the President is also expected to participate in a number of high-level side events focusing on energy, education and healthcare, although efforts are being made to streamline his engagements.

“There are side-event meetings for Mr President to attend, including one on power and energy. There is another on education as well as hospital management. We discussed these and, graciously, the President gave us his word that he will come to UNGA this September,” he said.

Beyond Nigeria’s participation at the General Assembly, Ibrahim said discussions with the President also focused on strengthening regional security through enhanced border policing across West Africa in collaboration with the United Nations.

The senate has passed a constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police across the country.

The bill was approved on Wednesday after lawmakers considered and adopted its 26 clauses during the committee of the whole.

The proposed legislation seeks to create a constitutional framework for state-controlled police services alongside the existing federal policing structure.

The bill aims to strengthen security, improve intelligence gathering and enable faster responses to local security threats.

ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS

Opening debate on the bill, Opeyemi Bamidele, senate leader, said the proposed legislation was an executive bill transmitted by President Bola Tinubu.

Bamidele described the legislation as one of the most significant constitutional reforms since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule.

“This important Bill is an Executive Bill transmitted by Mr. President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, seeking to alter the Constitution to provide for the establishment of State Police Services and other related matters,” he said.

“This Bill represents one of the most significant constitutional reforms in our nation’s democratic evolution. It addresses a long-standing national conversation on the structure, effectiveness, responsiveness and sustainability of policing in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

He said the current centralised policing structure had come under pressure due to the increasing complexity of security threats across the country.

“The increasing complexity of security threats, which include terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal conflicts, farmer-herder clashes, cybercrime, organised criminal networks and other transnational crimes, have placed enormous pressure on the existing policing framework,” Bamidele said.

He said the proposed amendments would preserve the federal police while creating constitutional pathways for states to establish their own police services.

According to him, states that choose to establish police services would be required to do so through legislation passed by their houses of assembly and meet national minimum standards prescribed by the national assembly.

He said the federal police would retain responsibility for counter-terrorism, organised crime, cybercrime, border security, arms trafficking, policing of the federal capital territory and other national security matters.

The lawmaker added that state police services would be responsible for enforcing state laws, maintaining public order, preventing and detecting crimes within their jurisdictions and protecting lives and property.

Bamidele said the bill contains safeguards against political abuse by prohibiting governors from directing state police services to unlawfully target individuals, political parties, groups or associations.

He added that the legislation prohibits the use of police powers for partisan, ethnic, religious, sectional or personal purposes.

MY POSITION ON STATE POLICE HAS CHANGED

Contributing to the debate, Enyinnaya Abaribe, senator representing Abia south, said he previously opposed the creation of state police but had changed his position because of the country’s worsening security situation.

“Mr. President, I used to be one of those that is against state police. Mark my words; I used to be,” he said.

”But today, we know that we have very serious insecurity problem that can only be solved by thinking outside the box. And I think that this is part of it.”

Abaribe said the greater concern lies in the provisions of the proposed police legislation that would operationalise the constitutional amendment.

“But our issue on this is actually what goes into the police act. It’s not really the amendment of the constitution. Because you can amend the constitution but then in the act, matters of usage of the police is where most Nigerians are bothered about,” he said.

The opposition lawmaker warned against granting excessive powers to the president to take over a state police service.

“We cannot have a situation where the president just looks at a state, maybe he’s not in good terms with the governor, and decides that he will take it over,” he said.

Abaribe also raised concerns about funding arrangements for state police services.

He said allocations meant for state police commissions should be guaranteed by the constitution and paid directly to the commissions to prevent political interference.

“So that what we are seeing today, with regard to local government funds, we don’t have to see it with the police,” he said.

“I support this bill and I ask my colleagues to please also support it, provided we put the safeguards that we guarantee each Nigerian his rights.”

STATE POLICE WILL STRENGTHEN FEDERALISM

Aminu Tambuwal, senator representing Sokoto south, said he had consistently supported state police as part of efforts to deepen federalism in Nigeria.

“Mr. President, let me make it clear that I am in support of this bill and I am in support of the idea of state police,” he said.

“I have been consistent on this, not only when I was in the House of Reps as Speaker and as Governor of Sokoto State, even while here in the Senate, in the number of interviews I granted, I alluded to the fact that I support state police because I believe that that will also be a major leap into entrenchment of federalism in Nigeria.”

Tambuwal cited attacks in Sokoto state as evidence of the need for alternative security approaches.

“Only about three or four years ago, in my senatorial district, we lost over 80 people in Dange Shuni local government. Only three or four days ago, in the same local government, we lost some personnel of police that were there on rescue mission to send away bandits,” he said.

“So that is a clear picture of what is happening in most parts of the country. This is needed. Every effort, any effort to curb this menace of insecurity in Nigeria is needed.”

Tambuwal echoed Abaribe’s concerns about safeguards against abuse by state authorities.

“We must have safeguards that will now ensure that there is no abuse on the part of those who are today in that position that we have left. And those who are coming, even those from amongst us, to this position of being governors of particular states,” he said.

The legislator urged lawmakers to support all efforts aimed at improving security across the country.

“I believe that the Senate of this country, we must ensure that we support Mr. President, support the security agencies in every effort that will establish security in every part of this country,” he said.

FINAL APPROVAL

For the constitutional amendments to take effect, the bill must secure the approval of at least two-thirds of the state houses of assembly before being transmitted to the president for assent.

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala made the remarks against the backdrop of Federal Government allocations to state governments.

Bwala warned that nothing would change if Nigerians failed to hold their governors accountable.

He noted that Nigeria operate a federal system of government, hence Tinubu should not be expected to control and monitor how governors run their states.

Posting on X, the presidential aide wrote:

“The President is not a prefect to the governors. That is why I talk about federalism. They have State Houses of Assembly. At the centre, whatever the President provides for implementation goes through ministers and the National Assembly, which exercises oversight.

“Here, your House of Assembly should also exercise oversight over appropriations that come to the state. You are to call them to account. There is ₦600 million. By this month, another ₦600 million will come into this local government. The money is here.

“The President does not need to come down here and start fighting the governor. Between January and March this year, ₦2.26 billion came to the local government. If you divide it, you will understand what has come in.

“That money would have revived primary healthcare. That money would have put primary schools in place. That money would have taken care of some construction projects. That money would have improved law and order, employment, recruitment, empowerment, and the mobilisation of vigilantes to serve as a community vanguard and first line of defence for society.

“That money would have also provided prescription drugs and subsidised healthcare for the people.

“Now, if we do not hold our governors at the federated level accountable, even if the President sends $30 billion here, we will still be having the same conversation.”

Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested three suspected female collaborators of ISWAP terrorists during an operation in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.

This was made known in a post on X by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency and security expert in the Lake Chad region.

Makama disclosed that the suspects were apprehended following intercepted communication indicating a planned movement of a woman to a terrorist enclave.

According to him, troops of the 222 Battalion (Mechanised) carried out the operation at an internally displaced persons, IDPs, camp in Konduga, where the suspects were picked up based on intelligence findings.

The security expert noted that the suspects were alleged to be linked to facilitating movements and communication between civilians and terrorist elements operating within the region.

He pointed out that military authorities said the three suspects were currently in custody of the troops for further investigation and necessary action.

“The operation forms part of ongoing efforts to disrupt support networks and dismantle collaboration channels aiding terrorist activities in the North-East.

“Investigations are ongoing to determine the extent of their involvement and possible connections to other elements within the network,” Makama said.

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, on his victory in Saturday’s governorship election.

In a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the president commended the people of Ekiti State for what he described as their peaceful and orderly conduct during the poll, as well as their decision to renew confidence in the governor.

He also praised security agencies for maintaining law and order throughout the electoral process.

President Tinubu urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to continue improving the conduct of elections ahead of upcoming polls, including the Osun governorship election in August and the 2027 general elections.

“With his overwhelming victory in the election, Oyebanji has emerged as the first governor in the history of Ekiti State to win re-election back-to-back,” the statement said.

He noted that Oyebanji’s first term recorded progress in infrastructure, agriculture, youth employment, education, healthcare and rural development under the BAO agenda.

According to him, the renewed mandate represents a vote of confidence in continuity, stability and people-centred governance.

The President urged the governor to remain magnanimous in victory and to ensure inclusiveness in the governance process as he begins another term.

He also commended other candidates who participated in the election, urging them to support the governor in the interest of the state.

“It is now time to rally round Governor Oyebanji in the task of taking Ekiti to the next level of governance,” the statement added.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had earlier declared Oyebanji, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), winner of the election after he polled 319,224 votes, defeating his closest rivals from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olumayokun Oluyede, and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dare Bejide.

The president reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to partnering with the Ekiti State Government in delivering what he described as the dividends of democracy under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He also prayed for wisdom, strength and good health for the governor as he continues to serve the people of Ekiti State.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested two elderly men, aged 84 and 75, for allegedly supplying and selling illicit drugs to secondary school students in Umuahia, Abia State.

The suspects, identified as 84-year-old Godfrey Orji and 75-year-old Godwin Obulunbiya Obiora, were arrested in separate operations by operatives of the agency.

According to a statement released on Sunday by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, Obiora was arrested on June 19 following intelligence reports that he was selling illicit substances to students and other users from his patent medicine store.

Babafemi said, “Pa Obiora was arrested by NDLEA operatives on Friday, 19th June 2026, following credible intelligence that he was selling illicit substances to young students and others in his patent medicine store located at 4 Club Road, Umuahia, where 4.64 kilograms of opioids, including tramadol and diazepam, were recovered from him during a search of his premises.”

The agency said Orji, a pensioner, was arrested after he was caught supplying illicit drugs to students of Saint Silas Secondary School, Old Umuahia.

“In his case, Pa Orji, who is a pensioner and also into the illicit drug trade, was nabbed by security guards at Saint Silas Secondary School, Old Umuahia, for supplying illicit drugs to two teenage students in the school. The guards thereafter handed them over to the police, who in turn transferred them to NDLEA on Thursday, 18th June,” Babafemi stated.

He disclosed that one of the teenagers, a 15-year-old Senior Secondary School Two student, admitted during interrogation that the suspect regularly supplied him with drugs.

“In his statement, one of the two teenagers, a 15-year-old SS2 student, claimed the 84-year-old grandpa supplies him the drugs, which he takes and also sells to fellow students,” the statement added.

The NDLEA said while the two elderly suspects would be prosecuted, the students had been placed on counselling and rehabilitation programmes.

Meanwhile, the agency also announced a series of drug seizures and arrests across the country.
In Lagos, operatives intercepted a consignment of ADB-Chminaca, a synthetic cannabinoid classified as a dangerous new psychoactive substance, at a courier company. The 9.5kg shipment, which originated from China, was concealed in a carton.

Babafemi said another operation on June 16 led to the seizure of 300 grams of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, hidden inside ladies’ handbags at a logistics company in Lagos.

The agency also raided the residence of a wanted drug dealer, Lukman Badmus, popularly known as Lukman Ogombo, in the Ogombo area of Ajah, Lagos.

“In another interdiction operation in Lagos, NDLEA officers on Friday, 19th June, raided the home of a wanted drug dealer, Lukman Badmus (a.k.a. Lukman Ogombo), in Ogombo area of Ajah, where nine bottles of codeine syrup and 30 grams of skunk were recovered,” Babafemi said.

He added that a follow-up operation at the suspect’s wife’s shop on Lagos Island led to additional recoveries.

“A swift follow-up operation at Lukman’s wife’s shop in Patey area of Lagos Island led to the recovery of additional two bottles of codeine and drug paraphernalia, while 42 compressed blocks of skunk weighing 22.5kg were also recovered from a mini-bus parked in front of her shop. Attempt by the wife, Aisha Saraki, to flush some of the drug exhibits in the toilet during the raid was thwarted by operatives,” he said.


In Kogi State, NDLEA officers intercepted a 33-year-old suspect, Tochukwu Onah, along the Okene–Lokoja Highway with 1.030kg of methamphetamine concealed in custard containers while travelling from Lagos to Abuja.

The agency also confirmed the arrest of two suspects, James Tony Chukwudi, 48, and James Kehinde, 35, who had been wanted in connection with the seizure of 117kg of skunk in Ekiti State in March.

In Oyo State, a 75-year-old suspect, Tudun Olubiyi, alongside Nasiru Buhari, 22, and Buba Musa, 47, was arrested during a raid on a residence in the Dangote area of Elekara, Oyo Town.

Babafemi said operatives recovered “118 jumbo bags containing 1,416kg of skunk covered with sawdust” during the operation.

Similarly, in Edo State, NDLEA officers raided cannabis farms in Khagba Forest, Ikao, Owan East Local Government Area, where 1,744.075kg of skunk was destroyed and 169kg of processed cannabis recovered.

The agency said another operation at Ebora Camp, Ilushi, in Esan South Local Government Area, resulted in the destruction of 2,424.945kg of cannabis, while a suspect, Augustine Anyamone, 45, was arrested with 395kg of skunk.

Commending officers involved in the operations, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), praised commands in Abia, Ekiti, Oyo, Lagos, Kogi and Edo States for the arrests and seizures.

Marwa noted that their efforts in reducing drug supply were being effectively balanced with the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation campaign.

He charged officers across the country “not to rest on their laurels” in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse.

The witness, an operative of the Department of State Services (DSS), testified on Friday during the accelerated hearing of the case before Danladi Longden, the presiding judge.

Adamu Alhassan Isa, also known as Shagari Bangai, is among five persons facing charges of criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, unlawful possession of firearms, and illegal dealing in arms and ammunition.

The suspects are being prosecuted in connection with the Palm Sunday attack on Angwa Rukuba in Jos north LGA, where about 30 people were killed.

The Plateau state government had earlier filed charges against Isa alongside Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar, also known as Auwalu Dogo, Musa Abubakar Ibrahim, popularly called Yaroro, and Ado Ibrahim, who is said to be at large.

According to Zagazola Makama, a counterinsurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, the DSS operative said Isa, admitted in a confessional statement to participating in violent attacks across parts of Plateau state.

The witness told the court that the suspect confessed to leading over 100 armed men in assaults on Vom and several villages in Riyom LGA.

He also said more than N4 million suspected to be linked to terrorism financing was found in the defendant’s bank account at the time of his arrest.

During cross-examination, Mustapha Shaba, counsel to the defendant, requested certified true copies of statements made by the arresting and investigating officers.

Shaba said the defence sought to compare the certified documents with photocopies previously provided by the prosecution.

The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until July 3 for the prosecution to furnish the requested documents and for the continuation of the trial.

The Federal High Court in Abuja , on Friday, sentenced a 37-year-old man, Zakaria Garba, to death by hanging over his involvement in the 2014 bombing at the major motor park in Nyanya, one of the bustling, highly populated communities on the border between Abuja, the Nigerian capital city, and the neighbouring Nasarawa State.

No fewer than 70 people were killed, while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries in the devastating bombing.

Trial judge James Omotsoho, in his judgement delivered during the just-concluded Abuja mass trial of suspected terrorists, also imposed a life imprisonment on Mr Garba one of the five counts preferred against him.

The defendant was convicted by Mr Omotosho after pleading guilty to all five counts brought against him by the federal government.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the judgement was delivered on Tuesday in the case marked FHC/KNJ/CR/985/2026.

The case was filed by the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice.

The judge sentenced Mr Garba to a 35-year jail term each on counts one and two, a life imprisonment on count three, a death sentence on counts four and five.

“May God have mercy on you,” the judge said, the judge said to the convict after pronouncing the death sentence.

NAN reports that prosecution alleged in count three, which attracted a life imprisonment, Mr Garba of Jambutu Park, Jimeta Local Government Area of Adamawa, and others now at large, committed the alleged offences in 2014 at the Nyanya Motor Park, FCT Abuja.

They were said to have also knowingly conspired among themselves “to commit acts of terrorism by planning and coordinating the bombing of Nyanya Motor Park, Abuja through the use of explosives devices, which bombing resulted in the death of over 70 persons and injured several others.”

The offence is punishable under Section 17 of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013 and punishable under same Section of the Act.

In count four, which also attracted capital punishment, the terrorist, who stated in his confessional statement that he used to sell tea and bread, with others now at large, was accused of “knowingly and intentionally” caused the detonation of explosives devices at Nyanya Motor Park with intent to cause death and serious bodily harm to members of the public, which act resulted in over 70 (Seventy) persons’ death and injuries to several others.”

The offence is punishable under Section 1(3) of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013.

Also, in count five, which attracted death penalty, the convict and others now at large were said to have, sometime in 2014 while at the Nyanya Motor Park, FCT Abuja, “participated in an act of terrorism which caused the death of over 70 (Seventy) persons by detonating explosives.”

According to the charge, you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 1(3) of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013.


OTHER TERRORISTS JAILED

Mr Omotosho also handed down various prison terms to some other terrorists who pleaded guilty to the separate terrorism charges filed against them.

Ali Mohammed, in case marked number: FHC/KNJ/CR/1020/2026, was sentenced to a 25-year jail term on count one and 15-year imprisonment on count two.

Isa Saleh was sentenced to a 20-year imprisonment in on one sole charge marked: FHC/KNJ/CR/973/2026.

Tujan Mohammed, in a case marked: FHC/KNJ/CR/954/2026, also bagged a 20-year jail term in the one count preferred against him by the federal Government.

For Salisu Bala, the judge convicted and sentenced him to a 20-year imprisonment in count two but discharged and acquitted him in counts one and three in the charge marked: FHC/KNJ/CR/963/2026.

NAN reports that during this just concluded round of mass trial took place in the Federal High Court in Abuja, while the previous editions held at the military base in Kainji, Niger State, which holds terrorism suspects from different parts of the country.

The AGF, Lateef Fagbemi, a SAN, who led the federal government’s team of lawyer for the prosecution, said the government was determined to stamp out terrorism and related activities from the country.

”We will fight with every inch of our blood to ensure that we make Nigeria a safe haven for everybody.

The federal government has approved several international routes for United Nigeria Airlines, including services to New York, Dubai and Canada, in what authorities describe as part of a broader strategy to strengthen Nigerian carriers and increase their share of international passenger traffic.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this on Thursday during the unveiling of two newly acquired Boeing 737-800 Next Generation aircraft by the airline.

According to Mr Keyamo, the route approvals form part of ongoing efforts to reposition domestic airlines to compete more effectively on international routes, traditionally dominated by foreign operators.

“We are giving United Nigeria Airlines about four or five routes. We are giving them New York, Canada, Dubai and some other viable destinations,” the minister said.

Mr Keyamo said Nigerian airlines currently account for only a small fraction of international passenger traffic originating from the country despite bilateral agreements that provide reciprocal operating rights.

According to him, foreign airlines transport between 90 and 95 per cent of passengers travelling from Nigeria to destinations across Europe, North America, the Middle East and other regions.

“That market belongs to Nigeria as much as it belongs to any foreign airline. Our carriers must be empowered to participate meaningfully in that space,” he said.

The minister explained that the approvals were granted ahead of the airline’s planned expansion to allow it build capacity and prepare for future international operations.

He said the government’s aviation policy has focused on removing barriers that previously constrained the growth of domestic operators.


SUPPORT FOR FLEET EXPANSION.

Mr Keyamo also linked the route approvals to ongoing government efforts to improve access to aircraft acquisition and leasing opportunities for Nigerian airlines.

He disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had approved the establishment of a Nigerian aircraft leasing company aimed at helping domestic carriers secure aircraft through government-backed arrangements.

According to him, the initiative is expected to reduce some of the financing challenges that have historically limited the expansion of local airlines.

The minister said the government’s preference is to support privately owned Nigerian carriers rather than revive a state-owned national airline.

He argued that many successful global airlines operate under commercial structures that minimise political interference and enhance efficiency.

The route announcement came as United Nigeria Airlines unveiled two Boeing 737-800NG aircraft named after the Obi of Onitsha, Nnaemeka Achebe, and renowned Nigerian novelist, Chinua Achebe.

The acquisition forms part of the airline’s fleet expansion programme.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that the airline recently disclosed losses of about N10 billion over a three-month period, blaming rising operating costs and a surge in aviation fuel prices linked to disruptions in global oil supply routes.

Despite the financial pressures facing the industry, the airline said it remains committed to expanding its operations and improving connectivity across domestic and international markets.

Beyond airline expansion, Mr Keyamo said the federal government is working with the Abia State Government on the development of the proposed Abia International Airport.

He added that the long-term plan is for United Nigeria Airlines to establish a major operational hub at the airport when completed.

The minister also reiterated plans to transform the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu into a dedicated cargo hub serving businesses across the South-east.

According to him, discussions are ongoing to facilitate direct cargo flights between China and Enugu, a move expected to improve trade logistics for importers and exporters in the region.

Mr Keyamo said reforms introduced over the past two and a half years are beginning to yield results across the aviation sector.

He noted that the government spent considerable time engaging operators, regulators and other stakeholders to address longstanding industry concerns before implementing policy changes.

“We took the issues one after another and focused on creating an environment where airlines can grow sustainably,” he said.

Industry stakeholders at the event also highlighted improvements in aircraft financing, regulatory processes and technical training, while stressing the need for continued investment to support the growth of Nigeria’s aviation sector.

They noted that expanding access to newer aircraft and strengthening local technical capacity would be critical to enabling Nigerian airlines to compete more effectively in regional and international markets.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has exempted its presidential candidate for the 2027 elections, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, from the party’s anti-defection oath.

According to the National Secretary of the NDC, Ikenna Enekweizu, the anti-defection affidavit applies only to the party’s candidates for National Assembly and state house of assembly positions.

“The constitution says everybody running under the platform of the party has to sign, but the party has taken the administrative decision that those required to sign in this instance do not include the presidential candidate and his vice,” Enekweizu said on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday.

“We are more concerned about those elected into the legislative assemblies who get in there and defect within a year,” he said, adding that

“Our main focus is not the governor; it’s not the president, it’s the national and state assembly members elected on the platform of our party.”

According to him, the NDC introduced the measure after observing the defection of lawmakers elected mostly under the Labour Party (LP) in 2023, joining other parties.

Enekweizu explained that while many conceive the idea as against the freedom of association, the move is a self-preserving measure.

The NDC secretary said the party is “trying to prevent a situation where people see our political party only as a special purpose vehicle for winning elections.

“We are trying to build a party that will last and stand the test of time—where people do not just say, ‘Oh, because a particular person is contesting under this platform, let us go there, and the moment we win elections, we all leave".

According to the NDC, which unveiled the decision days ago, the move will help limit the defection of elected politicians from the party as the 2027 elections draw closer.

A senatorial aspirant for Imo North, Isaac Nwachukwu, on Wednesday dragged the Nigeria Democratic Congress and the Independent National Electoral Commission before a Federal High Court sitting in Owerri, Imo State, seeking an order recognising him as the party’s candidate for the 2027 general election.

Nwachukwu alleged that he was denied the party’s ticket despite paying ₦25 million to the NDC for party support and nomination forms.

According to him, he paid ₦20 million as support to the party and ₦5 million for the nomination form for the Imo North Senatorial District ticket.

The plaintiff claimed that his name was substituted with that of another aspirant despite emerging as the consensus candidate among other contenders.

Among the reliefs sought by Nwachukwu are:

“A declaration that the plaintiff in this suit is the consensus candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress in Imo State with regard to the Imo North Senatorial Zone for the 2027 general election.

“A declaration that the first defendant (Nigeria Democratic Congress) be restrained from fielding any other candidate except the plaintiff in the election for the Imo North Senatorial Zone, as he is the consensus candidate for the said election.

“A declaration that the second defendant (Independent National Electoral Commission) be perpetually restrained from recognising and accepting the candidacy of any other person except the plaintiff in the Imo North Senatorial Zone election pending the determination of this matter.”

In an affidavit attached to the originating summons, Nwachukwu alleged that the funds he paid to the party were wrongly allocated to another aspirant, which he described as the first indication of irregularities in the process.

He said, “That the first sign of irregularity and non-compliance with the NDC constitution and the Electoral Act came up when the ₦20 million I paid for party support was allocated to one of the aspirants in my senatorial district, Matthew Omegara, while the ₦10 million that Matthew Omegara paid for party support was allocated to me by the screening committee headed by His Excellency, Sam Egwu, and Buba Galadima.

“That in compliance with NDC directives, I participated in the NDC screening exercise and was successfully cleared as an aspirant to participate in the primary election.

“That I purchased the expression of interest form to contest for the position of Senator representing Imo North Senatorial Zone. A copy of my expression of interest form is hereby annexed as Exhibit IU2.

“That upon the purchase of the expression of interest form, I made a monetary contribution in support of the party’s growth in the sum of ₦20 million into the party’s FCMB account through my solicitor, Cajethan Oguzie. A copy of the receipt for the ₦20 million payment is hereby annexed as Exhibit IU3.

“That after my consensus candidacy was ratified, my name was shortlisted as the candidate for Imo North Senatorial District. A copy of the result is hereby annexed as Exhibit IU5.”

Nwachukwu further alleged that his name was eventually substituted with that of another aspirant despite having been declared the winner of the primary election.

He also claimed that the party’s national leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, summoned him to a meeting where he was informed that some party leaders from Imo State had argued that he was not popular enough to fly the party’s flag in the senatorial election.

The plaintiff is therefore asking the court to compel the NDC to issue him a certificate of return as its candidate for Imo North Senatorial District for the 2027 general election.

When contacted, the NDC spokesperson in Imo State, Dr Charles Akano, said he needed time to obtain authorisation before commenting on the matter.

However, three hours later, he said he had yet to receive approval to speak on the issue.

He said, “I have tried to call party leaders in Imo State, but they did not take my calls. I’m afraid I do not have authorisation to speak on the issue yet.”

In a related development, a Niger Delta environmental activist and Nigeria Democratic Congress aspirant for the House of Representatives seat for Warri Federal Constituency, Sheriff Mulade, has slammed the party with a N5 billion damages claim over what he described as its alleged decision to discard the outcome of the primary election for an “unknown selection or appointment process.”

Mulade, the Ibe-Sorimowei of the oil-rich Gbaramatu Kingdom, said he was “taken aback by the party’s decision,” expressing shock over what he described as the party’s sudden adoption of a candidate-selection process allegedly based on the highest bidder for nomination forms.

This was contained in a statement personally signed by the human rights activist and made available to journalists in Warri on Monday.

“We were taken aback by the newly registered party, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), which many Nigerians considered a saviour capable of addressing the numerous challenges confronting our dear nation.

“Little did we know that the NDC vehicle we boarded was mainly for what looks more like placeholders, gambling with Nigerians’ future,” Mulade said.

“We are hereby proceeding to court with a N5 billion damages claim over the infraction,” he added.

While noting that he held the leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, particularly its National Leader, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, in high esteem, Mulade alleged that “the leadership seemed to have been overwhelmed by resources from certain Nigerians with deliberate intentions, in the guise of donations, contributions and nomination form sales.”