The Nation Newspaper

Category: City Beats

  • Army crushes terror cells, 25 ISWAP families rescued

    Army crushes terror cells, 25 ISWAP families rescued

    • Six kidnapped victims saved in Kogi

    Three notorious terrorists have been killed, 17 arrested and 25 family members rescued by troops of the Nigerian Army across operational theatres, the service said yesterday.

    Also, in another daring rescue, troops of 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, Lokoja, in collaboration with other security agencies, have rescued six kidnapped victims in Obajana, Kogi State.

    The operation, which was conducted during the early hours of yesterday, saw the successful rescue of the victims without any casualty.

    Acting Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Lt.-Col. Onyinyechi Anele, in a statement yesterday said the Borno State operations were carried out between August 11 and 13, by troops of 202 Battalion in Bama Local Government Area and that 25 family members of ISWAP/JAS fighters, comprising 12 adult females and 13 children, surrendered from Zalmari, Gazuwa, and Alafa villages.

    “The surrendered persons are undergoing profiling by the 21 Special Armoured Brigade to determine their level of involvement in insurgent activities,” she said.

    Read Also: Army seeks stronger ties with judiciary, others to fight terrorism

    Anele said troops of 233 Battalion on the same day, while working alongside members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, laid an ambush on the Sassawa–Kaburu axis in Damaturu Local Government Area. The encounter, she said, led to the death of a suspected terrorist and recovery of an AK-47 rifle.

    “In Zamfara State, troops of 1 Brigade Combat Team 5 repelled an attempted attack on Forward Operating Base (FOB) Galadi in Shinkafi Local Government Area, neutralising one terrorist and confiscating a mobile phone.

    “On August 12, acting on intelligence provided by a rescued kidnap victim, troops stormed Gremasa Mountain in Shanga Local Government Area, Kebbi State, arresting eight suspected kidnappers. The same day, Sector 4 of Operation Safe Haven arrested five suspected pipeline vandals at Kassa Village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Plateau State. “Government-owned pipes were recovered, and the suspects were handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for prosecution,” she added.

    According to the army, troops of Sector 3 FOB under Operation Whirl Stroke on August 12, arrested two suspected kidnap collaborators in Taraba State, adding that POS machines, ATM cards, and cash were recovered from them, suggesting a link to ransom collection operations.

    “On August 13, troops of 34 Artillery Brigade raided an IPOB/ESN camp at Ndeji Community, a border area linking Anambra, Abia, and Imo states. One armed criminal was neutralised, while troops recovered a pistol with ammunition, cartridges, radios, improvised explosive device components, and mobile phones. Two planted IEDs were later destroyed by the Army’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal team,” she said.

    The sustained operations, Anele said, demonstrated the army’s determination to protect lives and property, as well as guarantee the safety of farmers, in line with the federal government’s efforts to boost agricultural productivity and food security.

    “The Nigerian Army will continue to maintain relentless pressure on terrorists and criminal elements until peace and stability are fully restored across the country,” she added.

    Addressing reporters yesterday in Obajana, Brig.-Gen. Kasim Sidi, Commander 12 Brigade Nigerian Army and Force Commander Operation Accord III, said the operation was made possible through intelligent reporting and gathering.

    Sidi, represented by the Commanding Officer 126 Battalion, Lt Col. Francis Nwoffiah, said the troops, in collaboration with other security agencies, conducted the operations. The commander said the team was able to tracked the kidnappers to a location in the forest, where they were keeping the victims.

    He said the kidnappers fled with injuries after encountering superior firepower from the troops, abandoning their victims and some of their belongings, including ammunition.

    “The rescued victims include the Seriki Fulani of Asinwe community in Okehi Local Government Area, who was abducted from his residence.

    “Four of the victims were kidnapped on August 12 in Asinwe community, while two were abducted on July 28 in Apata community, Lokoja.

    “The victims were successfully rescued unhurt and are set to be reunited with their families after receiving medical attention,” he said.

    The commander warned bandits and kidnappers in Kogi State and its environs to quit or face their waterloo, assuring them that efforts were ongoing to scale-up military operations within Kogi and its boundary states.

    He commended the troops and other security agents for their bravery and professionalism in conducting the rescue operation.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the six victims comprised four males and two females.

    A victim, Malam Adamu Zage, the Seriki Fulani, Asinwe community, commended the troops for coming to their aid.

    He expressed gratitude to God for their rescue and praised the bravery of the troops.

    “May God Almighty continue to help and protect the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies,” Zage prayed.

  • Police arrest pastor for flogging children during spiritual cleansing in Rivers

    Police arrest pastor for flogging children during spiritual cleansing in Rivers

    The Rivers Police Command has arrested a pastor seen in a viral video flogging and dehumanising minors during his church event in Rivers.

    A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Grace Iringe-Koko, identified the pastor as Ifediorah Onyeibor Joseph, ‘m’ aged 41.

    The statement said preliminary investigations revealed that Ifediorah allegedly organised a three-day programme for children in his Church, purportedly for “spiritual cleaning,” claiming to have been inspired by the Holy Spirit.

    Read Also: Allegations over displacing the poor to please the rich in Abuja false – FCTA

    It said: “Upon receiving this information, Operatives from the Rivers State Police Command through coordinated intelligence, arrested the pastor and several church members at the scene.

    “A thorough investigation is currently underway to unravel the circumstances surrounding this incident. Further updates will be made public as more information becomes available”.

    The statement quoted the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju as urging the public to remain calm and peaceful while the investigation was ongoing.

    Adepoju also appealed to members of the public to report any suspicious activities or concerns to the nearest police station or other security agencies.

    He reiterated the command’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all citizens, particularly vulnerable populations such as minors saying the command would continue to work tirelessly to address any issues that might compromise the security and dignity of individuals within the state.

  • El-Rufai is a frustrated politician seeking power at 65 — Kaduna commissioner

    El-Rufai is a frustrated politician seeking power at 65 — Kaduna commissioner

    Kaduna State Commissioner for Local Government, Sadiq Mamman-Lagos, has described former governor Nasir El-Rufai as a “frustrated politician” desperate to return to power.

    This was as he dismissed allegations by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) coalition that the state government was plotting to rig next Saturday’s bye-elections.

    Speaking to journalists in Kaduna, Mamman-Lagos said the opposition’s claim that Governor Uba Sani’s administration was mobilising funds from local government accounts to influence the polls was a lie “rooted in their own past record of abuse of public resources.”

    According to him, the accusations reflect El-Rufai’s style of politics, which he said was steeped in propaganda, insults, and instigation, adding that the former governor had “degenerated” to making baseless claims on social media.

    “It’s disappointing that someone who served as a two-term governor, a minister, and is now 65, still wants power at all costs,” Mamman-Lagos said. “Even I, at 60, am ready to retire. But he’s frustrated because he’s out of office and wants to remain relevant.”

    He accused El-Rufai’s administration of engaging in the same financial manipulations they were now alleging against Uba Sani, including the diversion of local government funds to bankroll elections, insisting that the present government had no need to touch public funds for political purposes.

    “We have businessmen and patrons, who support political activities. We don’t have to take public funds to do elections. Saying we took N700 million from LG accounts is a blatant lie,” he stated.

    Read Also: Kaduna govt slams El-Rufai’s ADC/SDP coalition over poll sabotage claims

    The commissioner also faulted El-Rufai’s handling of governance, accusing him of disrespecting traditional rulers, sacking workers indiscriminately, and mismanaging foreign loans. “They claimed to have spent $350 million on development, but the projects are not worth more than $100 million. Where is the rest of the money?” he queried.

    Mamman-Lagos urged voters to see through what he described as the opposition’s “cry of desperation” and focus on the inclusive leadership and development strides of Governor Uba Sani’s administration.

  • Magu urges youths to break cycle of corruption in Nigeria

    Magu urges youths to break cycle of corruption in Nigeria

    Former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has called on youths to take the lead in efforts to break the cycle of corruption in Nigeria.

    Speaking at the gala night of the National Industrial Manpower Summit 2025 held at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja, on Wednesday, Magu affirmed that corruption remains the single greatest threat to the country’s development.

    According to him, young Nigerians must choose integrity over impunity to build a new nation.

    “Corruption is not just a government issue — it is a cultural issue. And it is up to you to break the cycle,” Magu told the gathering of youth delegates, industry leaders, and civil society stakeholders, among others, at the event themed “Manpower Development – The Bridge Between Potential and Productivity.”

    The former anti-graft czar stressed that corruption undermines Nigeria’s development efforts and that “we must confront the bitter truth: Corruption remains the single greatest threat to manpower development in Nigeria.

    Read Also: Ambition clouded reasoning of some defectors, says Damagum

    “When a nation invests billions in education but classrooms remain empty and under-equipped, corruption is at work. When our brightest minds leave the country, not because of a lack of talent but a lack of opportunity, corruption is to blame.”

    Magu, who served as acting EFCC chairman from November 2015 to July 2020, warned that corruption’s impact extends beyond financial losses to the spirit of the nation’s youth.

    “Let me be clear: Corruption kills innovation. It kills hope. And worst of all, it kills the spirit of the Nigerian youth,” he stated.

    The retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), however, expressed faith in Nigeria’s young generation. He said the youths have resilience by continuing to fend for themselves rather than waiting for assistance.

    “I have seen firsthand that our youth are not weak. They are not lazy. They are not waiting to be rescued,” Magu said.

    “They are ready to lead. They are building tech startups in Yaba, running farms in Nasarawa, driving fashion empires in Aba, and developing mobile apps in Kaduna.”

    He challenged the youth to embrace their role as change agents, telling them: “You are the bridge. You are the ones who will take Nigeria forward — if you refuse to cut corners, if you choose integrity over impunity, and if you understand that true leadership begins with character.

    “What they need — and what they deserve — is a system that is clean, fair, and just. A system where success is built on merit, not manipulation. A nation where hard work is rewarded and corruption is punished.”

    Magu added, “If manpower is the engine of national development, then anti-corruption is the oil that keeps that engine running. We must do more than just train our people — we must protect the systems that ensure their training leads to impact.”

    He called for comprehensive reforms, including transparent recruitment processes, efficient and accountable education spending, protection for whistleblowers and reformers, and recognition for those who stand for integrity in both public service and private industry.

    At the event, Magu also expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his leadership and commitment to youth empowerment.

    “Your Excellency, your dedication to youth empowerment, skills development, and institutional strengthening is not going unnoticed. Through your Renewed Hope Agenda, you are giving the next generation a reason to believe again,” he said.

    Magu urged the gathering to make the event a turning point for Nigeria: “Let tonight be more than a gala. Let it be a turning point. Let it mark the beginning of a new era where Nigerian manpower is not only developed but deployed, protected, and honoured.

    “I believe in Nigeria. I believe in her youth. I believe the future is not far — it is here, it is now, and it is ours to shape.”

    During his tenure at the EFCC, he oversaw the conviction of 603 Nigerian officials on corruption charges.

  • Woman gives birth to quadruplets in Yobe, seeks assistance

    Woman gives birth to quadruplets in Yobe, seeks assistance

    The family of Ba’aba Habu and wife Amina on Tuesday welcomed quadruplets at Fika General Hospital in Yobe State.

    The family based in the Zirki Zanzana area of Fika town, is however disturbed over the bundle of joy. 

    Habu is a subsistent farmer in the village while Amina is a full-time housewife with no trade or skill to support a family with six other children.

    The Nation checks revealed that the newborns require specialised medical attention and  we’re referred to the Specialist Hospital Potiskum. 

    At  Potiskum General Hospital they will need to be placed in incubators for survival and proper care. 

    This essential treatment, along with mounting hospital bills and the future needs of four infants, present a monumental financial burden for a family that already struggles to make ends meet.

    Habu appealed to the Yobe State Government and compassionate individuals to help them navigate this crisis. 

    “I don’t have the power to do this alone but Allah that has blessed me with this children will not allow them to suffer. 

    Read Also: Two farmers feared killed in Yobe village attack

    “I am calling on Yobe State Government to come to my rescue. I know Gov. Mai Mala Buni will not look away from us Isha Allah,” the father of the quadruplets said.

    Their simple plea is for the assistance necessary to care for their four new children and to give them a chance at life.

    “We just want our children to survive”, Amina, the mother said.

    The Nation gathered that the State Emergency Management Agency through its Executive Secretary Dr. Mohammed Goje has deposited the N500,000 to cater for the medical bill of the children.

    YOSEMA has also pledged to provide livelihood support for the family.

  • Gunmen kill four in Ebonyi village

    Gunmen kill four in Ebonyi village

    Four people, including two children, have been killed in Ikembe Ezza Community, Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

    The incident, which occurred on Tuesday comes barely two weeks after a similar assault in Egumkpuma Ezza Community, also in Ivo Local Council Government.

    According to eyewitnesses, some gunmen stormed the village in the early hours, setting several houses ablaze.

    The witness claimed the attackers were from Ishiagu. However, this could not be verified.

    A middle-aged woman was among those killed, while a young girl and two children were burnt alive in their homes. The victims are Ms Nwankwo Elum,  Ikechukwu Basil, Nwali Bridget and Ebenezer Nweke John.

    Graphic videos and photos of the incident are on social media.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Nwifuru lifts suspension on 81 Ebonyi government officials

    On July 30, this year, the Egumkpuma Ezza Community was similarly attacked, with homes torched and gunshots reported.

    Also, last week a couple was also abducted around the area by unknown persons.

    Police attributed the previous incidents to long-running communal tensions in the area.

    Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police, CP Adaku Anthonia Uche-Anya, who had visited the affected communities on August 11, has deployed more officers to restore peace.

    Peace advocate Dr. Sampson Oko Nweke, Chairman, Human Rights Defenders (HURIDE) in Ebonyi State, called for urgent intervention from Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru.

    He also urged the Ivo Local Government Chairman, and community leaders to prevent the crisis from spiraling further.

    “The perpetrators and those fanning the embers of this violence must be identified, apprehended, and brought to justice,” Nweke said.

    Chairperson of the Council,  Emmanuel Ajah said he traveled out of the local government for important assignment but has received reports of the incident.

    Meanwhile, the traditional ruler of Ihie Autonomous community in Ivo local Government Area, Eze Gabriel Uzoma Okoro, warned against spreading false information on crisis that rocked the community recently.

    He urged those spreading false information to desist from such to forestall an escalation of the crisis in the peaceful area.

    In an interview with reporters in Abakaliki, the state capital, Eze Okoro, who maintained that normalcy had been restored in the area, added:”We are just coming out from a meeting with the leadership of the Police in the state and I must commend the state Commissioner of Police for her commitment and determination in ensuring a lasting peace in Ihie community.’’

  • Three killed in Benue community

    Three killed in Benue community

    Bandits have struck a community in Benue State, killing three persons.

    They attacked the Uikpam community of Mbabai Council Ward of Guma Local Government Area, 24 hours after three others were killed in Yelewata within the same local government area.

    A community leader and a former candidate for the Guma I State Assembly seat in the 2023 general elections, Jimmin Geoffrey, confirmed this yesterday..

    Geoffrey said the discovery of the body of Iorhemba Ikpanju, an elderly man from the community, yesterday morning, had brought the casualty figures to three following the killing of Akeh Kelvin and Francis Nomsoor last night.

    Sustained herdsmen attacks on Guma communities, which share borders with Nasarawa State, remain a major setback to the fight against insecurity.

    Read Also: Benue, Taraba, Adamawa prone to flooding in next three days – NiMet

    “The discovery of the body of Baba Iorhemba Ikpanju at a nearby bush this morning brings the total casualty figures to three, following the death of Akeh Kelvin and Francis Nomsoor last night when herdsmen attacked the Uikpam community.

    “We again call on concerned authorities to make haste by redeploying security operatives to Uikpam in order to at least repose some level of confidence in the already traumatised residents.”

    The police authority in Benue has remained silent on these killings, as every inquiry is met with no response.

    However, the Guma Local Government Chairman, Maurice Orwough, has since mobilised security agents to the affected area.

  • Jail break: Keffi Prison too congested, says Sule

    Jail break: Keffi Prison too congested, says Sule

    Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule says the Keffi Prison is too congested for the inmates as their number keeps expanding without speedy trials.

    He therefore expressed the desire of the state government to partner the relevant authorities in the FCT to fast-track the inmates awaiting trial at the Keffi Medium Correctional Centre.

    Sule stated this yesterday visited after a reported jail break the previous day where 16 inmates escaped.

    While interacting with officials and later inmates at the centre, he noted that most of the inmates awaiting trial and kept in the facility are those whose cases are before the courts in the FCT.

    Read Also: First Lady commissions Renewed Hope Resettlement City in Keffi

    While addressing the inmates, the governor charged them to be of good behaviour and law abiding. He promised that the government will explore means to fast track trials of accused persons to reduce congestion in the facility.

    He noted that many of the inmates were sitting on bare floor and directed that 500 mattresses be supplied to the centre by the state government to improve the living conditions of the inmates.

    He commended officers and men of the service as well other security agencies for the re-arrest of some of the escapees.

    The governor also charged citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious persons to security agencies.

  • 49 suspects held in Kano drug den

    49 suspects held in Kano drug den

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Kano Strategic Command has arrested 49 suspects for various drug-related offences involving different quantities of illicit substances in the state.

    The command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Sadiq Muhammad-Maigatari, broke the news in a statement yesterday in Kano.

    He said the suspects were arrested during raids on August 7 and 8 as part of their efforts to curb drug crimes.

    “On August 7 and 8, the agency dislodged several key locations known for drug-related activities and arrested 34 suspects at Massallacin Idi, Fagge Plaza, Kofar Mata, Kofar Wambai, Kofar Dan’agundi, Makabartar Dan’agundi, Ladanai, Zage, and Tashar Rimi at Rimi Market.

    “The command also raided Kano Line Motor Park and Tashar Rami Motor Park in Na’ibawa, where 15 suspects were apprehended,” he said.

    According to him, items recovered from the suspects include cannabis sativa, Pregabalin, diazepam, codeine syrup, Rohypnol, “suck and die,” rubber solution and locally made weapons.

    Read Also: Kano gov fires two aides over alleged misconduct

    The agency’s state Commander, Mr Abubakar Idris-Ahmad,  said the operation was part of efforts to dismantle drug joints and disrupt the networks of dealers in the state.

    “Since the elevation of the NDLEA’s operations to a strategic command level, there has been a notable increase in the effectiveness and scope of our work,” Idris-Ahmad said.

    He commended the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba-Marwa (rtd), for his support and leadership.

    “Buba-Marwa’s commitment to a drug-free society empowers our team to pursue our mission with renewed vigour, ” he said.

    Idris-Ahmad urged those involved in drug trafficking to desist, warning that the agency would not relent in its pursuit of a drug-free society.

    “The NDLEA remains dedicated to protecting the public from the dangers of drug abuse and trafficking,”

    He said investigation was ongoing, and when completed, the suspects would be charged in court.

  • Beta Computers petitions Fed Govt over fake SPEEDSTAR PCs

    Beta Computers petitions Fed Govt over fake SPEEDSTAR PCs

    An indigenous Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), Beta Computers, has petitioned the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy over the deployment of counterfeited copies of its SPEEDSTAR personal computers (PCs) by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) contractors.

    Beta Computers is one of the certified OEMs for made-in-Nigeria computers by the Federal Government and also a founding member and trustee of the Certified Computer Manufacturers of Nigeria (CCMON), a group that NITDA certified and collaborates with in its drive to increase local content in the country’s information technology (IT) industry.

    CEO of Beta Computers, Will Anyaegbunam in the petition dated April 3, this year noted that the Presidential Executive Orders 003 and 005 on the patronage of made-in-Nigerian computers were constantly sabotaged by the illegal activities of some of the contractors NITDA was awarding supply of local computers to.

    Anyaegbunam said: “We were encouraged to write this petition because of counsel from key stakeholders in our ecosystem as we all have high regard and because of your good works and your stewardship since your assumption as the minister in this very critical ministry in our country’s developmental journey.

     “NITDA should commit in writing that she will provide BETA the name of the contractor who supplied to the institution we already know and all institutions that this same contractor claimed to have supplied PCs to so we could validate if they also received the same counterfeit SPEEDSTARs. This is the minimum agreed with a NITDA emissary long ago but which they have sadly also refused to follow through with.

    Read Also: Jobs in the Gaming Industry: Booming Industry

     “BETA, since August 2024 reported to NITDA our discovery of counterfeit SPEEDSTARs supplied to an institution in the north and requested the name of the contractor. Unfortunately, after several reminders, NITDA has refused to release this information that will help us determine the culpable contractor(s) as we suspect that there are more than one contractor and institution involved in this counterfeiting of our brand. We also strongly suspect that there are officers within NITDA that are collaborators in this counterfeiting. We say this because, instead of NITDA acceding to our request, what we have got are various shades of stonewalling and calls from three different NITDA officers trying to confirm from us the name of the institution we found the counterfeit SPEEDSTARS. This effort we believe is to enable them to know if “their own contract” is the one we have discovered”.

    In his chat with reporters, Mr. Anyaegbunam said: “The fear expressed in our petition to the minister now appears vindicated as we had a meeting with the NITDA DG and some of his directors on the 18th of July, 2025 during which the DG gave his word that as soon as we release the name of the institution which we had refused for almost a year to release, we will get the name of the contractor that supplied to that school.

     “Surprisingly and very disappointedly, the DG, through his legal officers, wrote on the 29th of July, 2025 to decline the release of the contractor’s name for reasons that are best known to them.

     “We are very eager to seek redress by all legal means available to us to protect and defend our brand equity. The concern we have presently is why NITDA as an agency of government with the mandate to develop local content in IT is not keen on joining forces with us to ensure that the culprit(s) of this counterfeiting of our SPEEDSTAR brand are made to face the full weight of the law.”

    Anyaegbunam, a past President, Information Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN), said the petition had not been responded to, BETA has written to NITDA, requesting, among others, the “names of contractors who supplied SPEEDSTAR Brand PCs to Gombe State University and  other institutions since 2019 till date.”

    He added that the FOI letter was acknowledged by NITDA on the August 5 and they were expecting a response from the agency within seven days after which if no positive response was received, the company’s lawyers would decide on the “next line of action available to us to seek redress for the protection of our hard-earned brand equity that was trademarked since September 3, 1996 when the SPEEDSTAR trademark was first registered”.