By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops attached to Forward Operating Bases (FOB) AUDU and BABANNA have destroyed a suspected terrorist hideout during a patrol operation in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.

Security analyst Zagazola Makama disclosed the development in a report shared on his official X account on Wednesday.

According to the report, the operation was carried out around 10:30 a.m. on June 14, 2026, after security personnel received credible intelligence about the presence of a suspected terrorist camp within the Saminaka–Kanau axis.

The troops conducted a fighting patrol across the area and searched locations linked to criminal activities.

Although the soldiers did not encounter any suspected terrorists during the mission, they reportedly located and dismantled the hideout. They also destroyed a logistics and administrative facility believed to have been used by the criminal group.

Military sources cited in the report said the operation was executed successfully and without any incident.

The report added that security forces are continuing efforts to maintain a strong presence in the area and prevent criminal elements from operating freely within the region.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Bauchi State Police Command has commenced a statewide operation against vehicles without valid registration and those using concealed or fake number plates, with mobile courts deployed to facilitate the speedy prosecution of offenders.

The exercise began on Wednesday following a directive from the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu. Authorities said the initiative is intended to improve security and promote safer roads across the state.

In a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, the command disclosed that mobile courts have been positioned at the headquarters of the state’s five area commands and at key locations within Bauchi metropolis.

According to the police, the enforcement drive focuses on vehicles operating without proper registration, those with hidden or covered number plates, and vehicles displaying unauthorised or fraudulent registration numbers.

Commenting on the operation, the Commissioner of Police in Bauchi State, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, said, “Unregistered and unidentifiable vehicles remain a major security risk. Such vehicles are often used to perpetrate violent crimes like kidnapping and armed robbery. This enforcement is not aimed at harassing motorists, but at protecting lives and property.”

He warned that any vehicle found to be in breach of the law would be impounded, while offenders would face immediate trial before the mobile courts. He added that penalties could include fines and other sanctions stipulated under the country’s vehicle registration and licensing regulations.

The command advised motorists to ensure that their registration documents are up to date, display number plates appropriately, and avoid any form of alteration or concealment.

Police authorities also appealed to residents to cooperate with personnel involved in the operation, noting that the exercise would continue across the state without exception.

According to the command, the campaign is part of broader efforts to prevent criminals from using untraceable vehicles and to strengthen public safety throughout Bauchi State.

Amnesty International has denounced a deadly attack carried out by armed men on the Irigwe community of Angwan Magaji in Kamaru Ward, Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, where nine people lost their lives and 11 others sustained injuries.

According to the human rights organisation, the attack took place late on June 16, 2026. It stated that among those killed were two children aged five and four.

The organisation also reported that several victims were killed during the assault, while three women were allegedly attacked inside their homes during the night.

Amnesty International disclosed that efforts were still underway to locate some residents who remained unaccounted for after the incident.

Reacting to the development, the organisation described the attack as one of the most severe recent incidents recorded in Southern Kaduna.

“This is perhaps one of the deadliest recent attacks in the southern part of Kaduna State, with yet another rural community shattered by an attack in the later hours of the night,” Amnesty International said.

The organisation expressed concern over the continuing security challenges in the area. It noted that communities in Southern Kaduna have continued to face killings, abductions and other violent attacks.

Amnesty International called on authorities to take immediate action to safeguard residents and ensure those responsible are held accountable.

It further warned that repeated attacks and the inability to prosecute suspected perpetrators remain a major threat to the right to life of people living in the affected communities.

By Aisha Musa Auyo 

Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un. I am still struggling to absorb the shock of Baba Ahmad’s passing. Saying goodbye to a father, mentor, and teacher whose impact on my life cannot be overstated is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.

I owe my Doctorate in Educational Psychology entirely to him. Among all the paths I could have taken in life, he was the one who steered me toward this field.

I was sixteen, in my first year, when I walked into Educational Psychology 001 and met Prof. Ahmad for the first time. Back then, I resented studying education when all I had ever wanted was medicine. But his intellectual energy, his rigour, and his sheer passion changed something in me. I remember thinking, so there’s a medical side to education, a psychology that isn’t strictly clinical. This is it. This is what I should specialise in. The workings of the human mind had always fascinated me, and the learning theories he introduced us to were captivating, made simple by his rare gift for turning abstract ideas into something anyone could grasp.

That evening, I told my father about this brilliant professor. He smiled. “We went to secondary school together, in Hadejia,” he said. “Prof. Abubakar, too, from educational psychology, also from Hadejia. They’re your fathers as well. You should go and greet them sometime.”

When I finally did, before I could even say a word, he looked at me and said my name. “You’re Aisha Auyo. Your resemblance to your father is striking.” We wouldn’t cross paths again until I returned for my master’s.

He was nothing short of supportive through it all. During my defence, he could be stern, but it was the kind of sternness that steadied rather than shook you. “Aisha, kinga, dukanmu nan mu iyayenki ne. Ki kwantar da hankalinki.” Aisha, look, all of us here are your parents. If there’s anything you don’t understand, we will always be here to help and guide you.”

Whenever Prof. Ahmad spoke about psychology and research, you understood immediately that you were in the presence of someone who had mastered his craft. There was no corner of educational psychology, no angle, including its Islamic dimensions, that he hadn’t explored. He designed curricula, taught, researched, supervised, and mentored thousands. How he managed to keep expanding his knowledge alongside everything else he carried never ceased to amaze me. Dedication, commitment, grit, passion….. that rare combination made him a force wherever he stood.

His mind absorbed and retained information in a way few others could. Many of us in educational psychology drew our energy from him. He pushed people to study even on the days they had no will left to. His influence stretched across Northern Nigeria and beyond.

Students called him the “Dodo” of every defence session because if you tried to cut corners or talk your way around a gap in your work, he would catch it from a single glance. He could smell unpreparedness from a mile away, and he had no patience for laziness or carelessness, which led some to assume he lacked warmth. He didn’t. He was simply a principled man who valued hard work and honesty. Behind that exacting exterior was a humble, selfless, generous soul who helped more people than most of us will ever know.

I remember a conference in Gombe, when he learned I was staying with family friends instead of with him. He was furious and immediately tried to change the arrangement. “Aisha ba ki da inda ya fi cancanta ki zauna fiye da gidana a garin Gombe”. Aisha, there is nowhere more fitting for you to stay in Gombe than my house. He was on sabbatical at the time. When my hosts came to collect me, he kept insisting, “Diyata ce fa. Babanta yana nan” …She is my daughter. Her father is right here. Eventually, we compromised: two days with my hosts, two days with him. He opened his home to so many students, and those days were full of warmth and laughter.

When I finished my master’s defence, relieved and overjoyed that I was finally done, he called my father to congratulate him and urged him to push me back for a PhD. My father called and said, “Babanki Dr Kaugama ya ce ki dawo PhD”. Your father, Kaugama, says you should return for your PhD. I told him I would, just not yet, in sha Allah, someday soon.

My father never let it go. Every time we spoke, while I was in Ogun, he reminded me about the PhD. Your father, Ahmad, says you will have all the support you need. That was how I found myself buying the form and sitting the aptitude test. When he saw me in the exam hall, he lit up. “Aisha, I know you’ll ace this,” he said. “Kina da ƙoƙari da himma” Those words carried me through. I told myself I would not let down everyone who believed in me. Alhamdulillah, I passed and was given admission number 00001 that year.

During my PhD coursework exams, he once noticed my hands trembling and asked what was wrong. “I’m hungry, sir, I haven’t eaten,” I admitted. I had been reading and lost track of time. He told me, plainly, that as an educational psychologist, I ought to know better that the brain runs on food. He said, You need it to read, to understand, to recall, to organise your thoughts. He asked what I wanted to eat and went out himself to arrange it. I couldn’t write a word until I had eaten. Once I was full, he said, “Now continue your paper. I won’t add a single second for you. Time off is time off, for everyone.” I wrote as fast as I could and managed to answer every question. I never made that mistake again.

After my PhD viva, I asked to take a photo with him. “Aisha, ba ni da lokaci,” he teased. “Baba, you forced me to come back for this program,” I reminded him. “Remember how you called my father?” He laughed. “Yes, I remember everything.” “Then I’m forcing you to take this picture with me,” I said. “You’re part of my academic journey. You’re the reason I fell in love with educational psychology.” We took a few photos together and said our goodbyes.

Baba Ahmad was a father to many. His home was always full of orphans and relatives from Kaugama. He was a comrade, a tireless community man, a teacher in the truest sense. His death is an immense loss to his immediate family, to the NISEP family, and to every endeavour he poured himself into. May his contributions to academia continue to benefit him in this life and the next.

When I heard the news, my first thought was: Will he meet my father there? Allah ya yi musu rahama da gafara duka. Allah ya kula da bayansa. Allah ya hada mu duka a Aljanna.

May Allah grant them mercy and forgiveness, watch over those they left behind, and reunite us all in Paradise.

Aisha Musa Auyo, PhD, is an Educational Psychologist, author, and media professional passionate about translating research into practical, everyday impact. She writes on parenting, family dynamics, and education, drawing from both professional expertise and personal experience. Aisha is also a parenting and relationship coach and the founder of Eesher Auyo’s Empire. She is based in Abuja, Nigeria.

By Anwar Usman

The Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Finance has debunked reports suggesting it plans to introduce new taxes on telecommunications services and petroleum products, saying the claims are false and misleading.

This was disclosed on Wednesday in a statement signed by Maryann Duke, senior special assistant on communications and press secretary to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele.

The statement stated that, the reports, which linked the proposed taxes to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Article IV Consultation on Nigeria, do not reflect its position.

The ministry reiterate that, the recommendations contained in the IMF report are advisory and do not constitute policy decisions or binding actions for Nigeria.

The statement in parts reads “the Federal Government is not considering the introduction of any new taxes on telecommunications services or petroleum products,”

The statement further clarified that existing tax arrangements on petroleum products remain in place.

It said the Value Added Tax (VAT) waiver on fuel has not been removed and is still active.

It also explained that any fuel surcharge can only take effect through a ministerial order published in the Official Gazette, adding that no such action is being considered.

On telecommunications, the government said the excise duty introduced before 2023 has already been cancelled under the new tax laws.

It added that the tax is, therefore, no longer in force.

The ministry urged Nigerians, media organisations and businesses to disregard claims about new telecoms and fuel taxes.

It said Nigeria’s tax policy remains focused on improving revenue collection, supporting economic growth, and attracting investment, rather than increasing the tax burden on citizens.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A court in the United Kingdom has found former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, not guilty of all bribery charges brought against her after a trial that attracted significant international attention.

The verdict was delivered on Wednesday at Southwark Crown Court in London after jurors reportedly spent more than 46 hours considering the case.

Mrs Alison-Madueke, who headed Nigeria’s petroleum ministry between 2010 and 2015 under former President Goodluck Jonathan, had faced six charges. The allegations included five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery.

British prosecutors had accused the former minister of receiving expensive benefits from individuals in the oil and gas industry. According to the prosecution, the benefits were allegedly provided in return for favourable treatment and influence over the award of contracts in Nigeria’s petroleum sector.

During the proceedings, prosecutors claimed that Mrs Alison-Madueke enjoyed what they described as “a life of luxury” in London. They alleged that businessmen linked to Nigeria’s oil sector financed luxury purchases, property renovations and other expenses on her behalf.

The former minister consistently rejected the accusations. She told the court that she neither accepted bribes nor had direct authority over the award of government contracts.

During one of the hearings, she stated: “I can state categorically that at no point did I ask for, take or receive a bribe of any sort… and did not abuse my office.”

Mrs Alison-Madueke also explained that a logistics company was established in London to coordinate official engagements because of what she described as shortcomings in the financial arrangements of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) at the time. She further maintained that official expenses incurred on her behalf were reimbursed by the corporation.

The acquittal marks the end of a case that began after British authorities launched corruption investigations into her activities more than a decade ago. The former minister was formally charged in 2023.

Mrs Alison-Madueke, 65, was among the most prominent figures in Nigeria’s oil industry during her time in office. She also served as president of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) between 2014 and 2015.

Although she has now been cleared of the charges in the UK, she still faces several corruption-related cases in Nigeria. Nigerian courts have previously ordered the forfeiture of assets worth billions of naira linked to her.

The London trial also involved oil industry executive Olatimbo Ayinde, who was accused of bribery-related offences connected to the former minister.

The ruling represents a significant development in one of the most closely watched international corruption cases involving a former Nigerian public official.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has criticised renowned Hausa musician Dauda Kahutu Rarara over comments made regarding his decision to highlight Nigeria’s security challenges on the international stage.

The disagreement followed Davido’s appearance at the FIFA 2026 World Cup Countdown Concert in Los Angeles, where he drew attention to the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State. During the event, the singer wore a jacket bearing the inscription “BRING THEM HOME” alongside the names of the victims.

Rarara, a prominent supporter of President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC), faulted the move and accused Davido of portraying Nigeria negatively before a global audience.

Reacting through his official X account on Wednesday, Davido defended his actions and argued that citizens should not remain silent about insecurity and other national challenges.

According to him, “First of all, anyone who truly loves Nigeria will not remain silent about the insecurity problems troubling the country, nor will they try to stop others from expressing their concerns about it.

“A lack of compassion, putting personal interests first, acting as a political stooge, and prioritising selfish motives over the welfare of the people are not things to be proud of.

“Be patriotic and loyal to your country. Stop placing politics above the truth, and fear God in everything you do. @kahuturarara.”

Davido maintained that speaking about insecurity should not be interpreted as an attack on Nigeria. He said drawing attention to the suffering of citizens is part of the responsibility of patriotic Nigerians who want solutions to the country’s problems.

Before Davido’s response, Rarara had criticised the singer for discussing Nigeria’s security situation before an international audience. The musician described the move as harmful to the country’s image abroad.

In a video circulated online, Rarara said, “People of the world, friends near and far, especially Nigerians, I greet you all. I wish you all the best. Ladies and gentlemen, please be patient with me today. I have come with something I have never said or done before. I am not someone who usually makes statements like this.”

He explained that he decided to speak out because of Davido’s handling of the issue surrounding the abduction of schoolchildren in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The exchange has generated widespread reactions on social media, where many users continue to debate whether public figures should openly discuss Nigeria’s challenges before international audiences or focus on promoting a positive image of the country.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has commenced a fresh review of interconnection rates for telecommunications operators across the country, a move that could lead to higher costs for voice calls and SMS services if approved.

Interconnection rates, also known as Mobile Termination Rates (MTR), are charges paid by one telecom operator to another when a customer places a call to a subscriber on a different network. The current rates stand at between ₦3.90 and ₦4.70 per minute.

Industry stakeholders discussed the planned review during a consultative meeting on mobile termination rates held in Lagos on Tuesday.

Speaking at the event, KPMG partner, Wole Adenekan, said interconnection rates should reflect the actual cost of providing services. According to him, rates that are set too low may discourage investment in telecommunications infrastructure.

“A mis-set MTR can enable dominant operators to foreclose smaller competitors through high termination barriers. A cost-reflective rate supports a level competitive playing field,” he said.

Adenekan also noted that consumers could eventually bear the burden of excessive termination charges through higher retail service costs.

He explained that economic realities have changed significantly since the last review in 2018. He cited the depreciation of the naira, rising inflation, higher energy expenses and increasing equipment costs as factors that have altered operators’ cost structures.

The KPMG official further stated that the expansion of 5G technology and the growing adoption of artificial intelligence and Internet of Things (IoT) services have transformed network usage patterns and service delivery models. He added that messaging and voice services provided by Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms have reduced dependence on traditional telecom interconnection services.

According to him, the local interconnection rates established in 2018 have not been revised, while the 2022 review focused only on international termination rates.

In her remarks, the Head of Competition and Tariff Unit at the NCC’s Policy Department, Omotayo Mohammed, described the review as an important economic measure aimed at ensuring the commission’s regulatory framework keeps pace with developments in the telecommunications sector.

She said: “Our existing national interconnection rate regime was set out in the Commission’s Interconnection Rate Determination of June 1, 2018, and was subsequently adjusted through an amendment to the Mobile International Termination Rate (ITR) in September 2022.

“The Commission has historically maintained a regular cycle of periodic reviews to keep its frameworks relevant.

“However, the years since our 2018 determination have been marked by unprecedented and rapid change. The Nigerian telecommunications market has undergone considerable transformation, reflected in swift expansion, shifting market dynamics, the commercial deployment of advanced technologies such as 5G, and the emergence of new ecosystem players including Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs).

“At the same time, both global and domestic macroeconomic conditions have shifted considerably. Changes in exchange rate regimes, and inflation rates have substantially altered the cost structures associated with providing communications services in Nigeria.

“For regulation to remain effective in a fast-moving market, our frameworks must evolve in step with it. Pursuant to Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, the Commission is therefore acting on its mandate to ensure that telecommunications tariffs and charges remain reasonable, cost-reflective, and non-discriminatory”.

Mohammed added that the exercise will also assess existing retail pricing controls and asymmetry arrangements to ensure that consumer interests remain protected while maintaining fair competition within the sector.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Katsina State Government has announced the rescue of four kidnap victims by Nigerian Army troops during ongoing operations against wanted bandit leader Kachalla Muhammadu Fulani and his criminal network.

The rescued individuals identified as Musa Yakuba, 62; Alhaji Sa’adu Dayi, 68; Mukhtar Danja, 36; and Salisu Danja, 50—were freed during sustained military operations in areas where the gang is believed to be operating.

According to a statement released Wednesday by the state’s Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, all four victims sustained gunshot wounds during their captivity and received immediate medical attention upon rescue.

The operation comes weeks after troops successfully rescued the wife of late Major General Rabe Abubakar. Officials noted that the newly rescued victims had previously appeared in a photograph with the late general.

Governor Dikko Umaru Radda praised the professionalism and bravery of the security forces, stating that their relentless efforts continue to yield results in the fight against banditry and kidnapping across the state.

Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasir Mu’azu, assured citizens that security forces remain on the trail of Fulani and other criminal elements, vowing that operations will persist until all perpetrators of terror against innocent citizens face justice.

“We remain fully committed to protecting lives and property,” Mu’azu said, adding that the government will continue collaborating closely with security agencies to deny criminals any safe haven in the state.

By Anas Abbas

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja, seeking an order to suspend the implementation of a Federal High Court judgment that directed the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties.

At a hearing before a three-member panel of the appellate court on Tuesday, INEC expressed support for applications filed by the affected parties challenging the lower court’s decision.

The electoral body argued that it was unaware the judgment would be delivered, insisting that an earlier order of the Court of Appeal had halted the planned delivery of the ruling.

Counsel representing INEC told the court that the commission only became aware of the judgment through media reports, maintaining that no formal notice was issued regarding its delivery.

The commission therefore backed requests for a stay of execution pending the determination of the appeal.

Lawyers representing the ADC also faulted the ruling, describing it as a threat to judicial order and urging the appellate court to intervene. The party’s legal team argued that the lower court proceeded despite being aware of an order suspending the judgment, and called on the Court of Appeal to take urgent steps to preserve the integrity of the judicial process.

Other affected parties warned that enforcing the judgment could create uncertainty ahead of upcoming by-elections scheduled in several states. They urged the appellate court to prevent possible disruptions by suspending the implementation of the ruling while the appeal is being considered.

The Court of Appeal was still receiving submissions from parties involved in the matter at the time of filing this report. The case follows a Federal High Court judgment ordering INEC to deregister the ADC and four other political parties over alleged failure to meet constitutional electoral performance requirements.