News

By Sabiu Abdullahi

At least four people lost their lives on Thursday evening after armed bandits attacked Gwargwaba village in Nahuce District of Bungudu Local Government Area, Zamfara State.

Reports said the attackers stormed the community at about 6:00 p.m. A security analyst, Bakatsine, disclosed the incident in a post shared on X on Saturday. He stated that the assailants were heavily armed and set several houses on fire during the raid.

According to the report, four residents were trapped inside their homes and died as the fire spread.

The attackers also destroyed food items, killed villagers’ livestock, and set them ablaze.

Bakatsine said the attack followed the community’s refusal to pay levies demanded by the bandits. He noted that the decision angered the attackers and led to a violent response.

He wrote, “On Thursday evening around 6pm, bandits armed with sophisticated weapons stormed Gwargwaba village in Nahuce District, Bungudu LGA of Zamfara State. Four residents were burned alive in their homes, while houses, food stores and livestock were set ablaze. The attack reportedly followed the villagers’ refusal to pay illegal levies imposed by the bandits,”.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Several Nigerian soldiers were reportedly killed after fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) attacked a military base in Borno State, according to military sources.

According to a report by SaharaReporters, the assault took place on Thursday at a military formation in Sabon Gari, Damboa Local Government Area. Sources said that the insurgents stormed the base and opened sporadic fire, which led to heavy casualties among soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).

An exact number of those killed has yet to be confirmed. One of the sources said, “There was an attack, many soldiers were killed, but I don’t have the correct figure yet.”

The source added that the attackers set armoured tanks and other military vehicles on fire and escaped with a large quantity of ammunition. ISWAP later claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement, which was accompanied by a video showing its members firing towards the military facility.

The incident occurred only days after another deadly attack in the state. Seven military personnel, including a newly promoted Lieutenant Colonel, were killed in an ambush by the terrorists earlier in the week.

A report earlier indicated that Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed was leading a convoy of soldiers from Maiduguri to Damasak in Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno State when the troops came under attack on Monday, January 26, 2026. Military sources said the insurgents deployed explosives and heavy gunfire during the ambush.

Apart from those killed, several soldiers sustained serious injuries, while the whereabouts of some personnel remain unknown.

Since the death of former Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, ISWAP has strengthened its presence around the Lake Chad region. The group has also grown in number following the defection of hundreds of fighters who were previously loyal to Shekau.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has delivered an emotional speech in support of Palestinian children, calling on world leaders to take action over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Guardiola spoke on Thursday evening at a charity concert in Barcelona, which led to his absence from Manchester City’s usual pre-weekend news conference on Friday. The club later explained that he missed the briefing for personal reasons, with assistant coach Pep Lijnders stepping in to address the media ahead of Sunday’s Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur.

Appearing on stage wearing a keffiyeh scarf, the 55-year-old expressed deep distress over the suffering of children affected by the conflict.

“Good evening, salam alaikum, how wonderful,” Guardiola said at the event.

He went on to describe the scenes that have troubled him over the past two years. “When I see a child in these past two years with these images on social media, on television, recording himself, pleading, ‘where is my mother?’ among the rubble and he still doesn’t know it.”

Guardiola said such images often left him reflecting on the emotional state of the children involved. “And I always think: ‘What must they be thinking?’ And I think we have left them alone, abandoned.”

He added that he imagined the children calling out for help. “I always imagine them saying: ‘Where are you? Come help us.’”

The Manchester City boss criticised global leadership for failing to respond adequately. “And even now, we haven’t done it. Perhaps because those in power are cowards, because they basically send innocent young people to kill innocent people.”

Guardiola urged collective responsibility and action, calling for what he described as a “step forward,” as he said he was making “a statement for Palestine and… a statement for humanity”.

His comments came amid continued tension in Gaza. Although Hamas and Israel agreed to a ceasefire in October, Gaza’s health ministry reports that more than 400 Palestinians have been killed in the months that followed. Israeli media, citing senior military officials, also reported that Israel’s military now accepts that around 70,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began.

Guardiola’s appearance at the Barcelona event took place during the football season, with Manchester City scheduled to return to action on Sunday.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

At least 11 Palestinians were killed in Israeli air strikes across the Gaza Strip on Saturday, according to the territory’s ministry of health, AFP reports.

The ministry said the victims included civilians who were taking shelter in a tent in the southern part of Gaza. Munir al-Barsh, the general director of the ministry, which operates under Hamas authority, told AFP that 11 people were killed and 20 others were injured “as a result of strikes carried out by the occupation targeting civilians in a tent and an apartment”.

Barsh said those wounded were taken to hospitals in Gaza City in the north and Khan Yunis in the south for medical treatment.

He also accused Israel of breaching the ceasefire agreement. According to him, Israel “continues its serious violations of the ceasefire agreement amid a severe shortage of medical supplies, medicines and medical equipment”.

Meanwhile, Gaza’s Hamas-run government press office said the strike on the tent in the south killed seven members of the same displaced family. The victims reportedly included a child and an elderly person.

A ceasefire brokered by the United States has been in place since October and entered its second phase in January. The phase is expected to involve Hamas’s disarmament, a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the deployment of an international stabilisation force. Despite the agreement, Israel and Hamas have repeatedly accused each other of violating the truce.

According to the Gaza health ministry, 509 people have been killed since the ceasefire took effect on October 10.

The war has displaced almost the entire population of Gaza at least once. Many residents still live in tents or makeshift shelters across the territory.

The conflict began after Hamas launched an attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,221 people, based on an AFP tally using official Israeli figures. Israel’s military response caused widespread destruction in Gaza, a territory that had already faced repeated rounds of fighting and an Israeli blockade imposed since 2007.

The health ministry said more than 71,769 people have been killed in Gaza since the start of the war. The United Nations considers the ministry’s figures to be reliable.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of the Joint Task Force, North East, under Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have achieved notable operational successes across the North-East, following sustained intelligence-led military actions against terrorist groups and criminal elements in the region.

This is contained in a statement signed by Sani Uba, Lieutenant Colonel, Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, on January 31, 2026.

According to the statement, intelligence sources confirmed the killing of JULAIBIB, a senior ISWAP commander operating along the Gujba axis of the Timbuktu Triangle. The terrorist leader was killed during a clash with troops around Kimba in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State on January 30, 2026.

Further intelligence reports indicated that the development threw ISWAP fighters in the area into confusion, as several of them were also eliminated during the encounter. The development dealt a significant blow to the group’s command and control structure in the area.

In another operation, OPHK troops, working alongside members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, neutralised three terrorists during a carefully planned ambush between Ngazalgana and Lamusheri communities in Borno State. The operation followed credible intelligence on the movement of insurgents within the area. Troops positioned themselves along the identified route and engaged the terrorists with effective firepower. Three insurgents were killed, while others escaped with gunshot wounds. Two AK-47 rifles were recovered from the scene. The military said the operation formed part of ongoing efforts to restrict terrorist movement and weaken their operational capacity across the theatre.

Similarly, on January 29, 2026, troops deployed on an ambush at Tsokorok in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State encountered Boko Haram and ISWAP elements. The troops engaged the terrorists, which forced them to retreat. One terrorist was neutralised during the encounter, while no casualty was recorded among the troops. Two motorcycles were recovered at the scene.

Troops also recorded several successes in Adamawa State. On January 29, 2026, soldiers responded to a distress call from Barama community in Mubi North Local Government Area, where they foiled an armed robbery attempt. Two suspects who attempted to attack a student of the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, were arrested. One of the suspects sustained a gunshot wound on the thigh while attempting to confront the troops and was taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Mubi, for medical treatment. The suspects were later handed over to the Nigeria Police for further investigation. Items recovered from them included three cutlasses, two laptops, four mobile phones, and one power bank.

Earlier, on January 28, 2026, troops, in collaboration with local vigilantes, carried out a fighting patrol along the Amtasa–Washim axis in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State. During the patrol, the troops encountered terrorists and engaged them with heavy fire, which forced the attackers to flee in confusion. The troops also rescued a woman who had been abducted by the terrorists. Weapons recovered during the operation included one AK-47 rifle with registration number 2056792, two rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one SMG rifle, and 42 rounds of assorted ammunition.

According to the military, the overall security situation across the theatre remains stable. Operation HADIN KAI reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property, dismantling terrorist networks, and working closely with local communities and relevant security stakeholders to restore lasting peace and economic stability across the North-East.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Newly unclassified documents from the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein reveal that the FBI interviewed a whistleblower regarding allegations of sexual misconduct involving Donald Trump. The files contain notes from a whistleblower hotline that mention Trump several times, though officials emphasized that inclusion in these records does not establish proof of criminal activity.

While the FBI dismissed several tips as lacking credibility, one specific entry detailed a serious accusation involving a minor. According to the document:

“[redacted] reported an unidentified female friend who was forced to perform oral sex on President Trump approximately 25 years ago in NJ [New Jersey]. The friend told Alexis that she was approximately 13-14 years old when this occurred and that the friend allegedly bit President Trump while performing oral sex. The friend was allegedly hit in the face after she laughed about biting President Trump. The friend said she was also abused by Epstein.”



Records indicate that federal agents viewed this specific tip with enough seriousness to escalate it. Notes attached to the entry state:

“Spoke with caller who identified [redacted] as friend. Lead was sent to Washington Office to conduct interview.”



It remains unclear if that interview was ever finalized.

Department of Justice response

The Department of Justice issued a firm rebuttal regarding the contents of the public release. In an official statement, the department warned that the cache includes unverified information:

“This production may include fake or falsely submitted images, documents or videos, as everything that was sent to the FBI by the public was included in the production that is responsive to the Act. Some of the documents contain untrue and sensationalist claims against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election. To be clear, the claims are unfounded and false, and if they have a shred of credibility, they certainly would have been weaponized against President Trump already.”


Massive document release under Transparency Act

This disclosure is part of a broader effort under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. This law mandates the government to open investigative records concerning the late financier and his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed the release of more than 3 million pages, along with thousands of images and videos.

During a news conference, Blanche addressed the intense public interest in the files and the potential for further speculation. He noted:

“Today’s release marks the end of a very comprehensive document identification and review process to ensure transparency to the American people and compliance with the act.”


He further acknowledged that the volume of information might still leave some questions unanswered for the public:

“There’s a hunger, or a thirst, for information that I don’t think will be satisfied by review of these documents.”

Blanche also defended the integrity of the process, asserting that the department did not show favoritism toward any public figures mentioned in the files. He stated:

“We did not protect President Trump. We didn’t protect — or not protect — anybody.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Newly released emails attributed to the late Jeffrey Epstein allege that Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates contracted a sexually transmitted disease after encounters with Russian women.

In a memo Epstein wrote to himself and dated July 18, 2013, the convicted sex offender made a series of claims about Gates. The memo reads: “To add insult to the injury you them [sic] implore me to please delete the emails regarding your STD, your request that I provide you antibiotics that you can surreptitiously give to Melinda and the description of your penis.”

Epstein later sent himself another email, which he composed in the voice of a different person. In that message, the writer described alleged tensions in the Gates household and his purported role in assisting Gates. The email states: “I have been caught up in a severe marital dispute between Melinda and Bill…

In my role as his right-hand man, I have been asked and wrongly acquiesced into participating in things that have ranged from the morally inappropriate, to the ethically unsound and have been repeatedly asked to do things that get near and potentially over the line into the illegal…

From helping Bill to get drugs, in order to deal with consequences of sex with Russian girls, to facilitating his illicit trusts [sic], with married women, to being asked to provide Adderall for bridge tournaments, as I am a medial doctor, but have no presriptions [sic] writing ability.”

The allegations outlined in the emails have not been independently verified. Gates has not issued any public response to the claims as of the time of filing this report.

The released files also contain undated photographs that show the Microsoft billionaire in the company of Epstein at undisclosed locations. One image includes a woman whose face has been redacted.

The materials were released by the United States Department of Justice.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 22 Armoured Brigade, with strong support from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), have recorded major successes in sustained offensive operations against terrorist elements in Kwara State.

This is contained in a statement signed by Captain Maureen Ogbuka, for the Acting Deputy Director, 2 Division Army Public Relations, Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operations FANSAN YAMMA, on 30 January 2026.

The military said the coordinated actions, carried out within the Joint Operations Area, took place between 23 and 29 January 2026 under Operation Igbo Danu, also known as Operation Forest Flush.

The operations were led by the General Officer Commanding, 2 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Sector 3, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Major General Chinedu Nnebife, alongside the Commander of 22 Armoured Brigade, Brigadier General Nicholas Rume. The Army noted that the leadership demonstrated strong operational drive and commitment to dismantling terrorist networks in the area.

During the engagements, troops working with ONSA carried out fighting patrols across several known bandit enclaves. The Army confirmed that one terrorist was neutralised, while others escaped into surrounding forests with suspected gunshot injuries. Their camps and hideouts were destroyed, forcing the criminals to abandon the locations.

In a related operation, troops cleared Garin Dandi, identified as a major bandit enclave in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State. The action led to the destruction of logistics bases and supply structures used by the criminals.

The military also moved into remote camps that had previously been inaccessible to security forces. Several abandoned camps and logistics facilities were destroyed, a development the Army said significantly weakened the terrorists’ ability to sustain their activities.

Despite difficult terrain, troops maintained an aggressive presence across forested areas and restricted the movement of bandits. Soldiers intercepted fleeing suspects at multiple blocking points, which led to arrests. The operations also resulted in the rescue of several kidnap victims from different camps across the state.

According to observations from the field, some bandits received assistance from collaborators within nearby communities who supplied intelligence on troop movements. This support, the Army said, allowed the criminals to withdraw early from targeted areas.

The Nigerian Army stated that the outcomes of the operations highlighted the resolve and effectiveness of 2 Division in degrading terrorist elements and restoring security in Kwara State.

The General Officer Commanding, 2 Division Nigerian Army, appealed to members of the public to continue to provide credible and timely information on bandits and their collaborators to support ongoing operations. The Army added that Operation Igbo Danu remains ongoing, with troops determined to decisively deal with all terrorist networks operating within the state.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

A Federal High Court in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, has dissolved the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under Kabiru Tanimu Turaki.

The court, presided over by Justice Uche Agomoh, also voided a major congress the party planned to hold.

Furthermore, the court recognized the caretaker leadership faction led by Mohammed Abdulrahman as the party’s legitimate leadership. This faction is reported to enjoy the support of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, pending the conduct of a proper party congress.

However, the Tanimu Turaki faction has vowed to appeal the judgment.

“We have contacted our lawyers to explore all legitimate avenues to appeal and protect our position,” said Ini Ememobong, the publicity secretary for the faction’s executive committee.

He added that despite the court’s ruling, the Turaki-led leadership remains valid in their view.

By Uzair Adam

The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested seven suspected bandits and recovered five firearms with live ammunition in separate intelligence-driven operations across the state.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday in Kaduna, saying the arrests followed credible intelligence on the activities of armed suspects.

According to Hassan, the first operation was carried out on January 28 at about 5:45 p.m. after security operatives received information that some individuals were in possession of prohibited firearms.

He explained that detectives attached to the Anti–Car Theft Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department promptly acted on the intelligence, leading to the arrest of five suspects.

He said the operation resulted in the recovery of an AK-47 rifle with two fully loaded magazines, two Beretta pistols with one fully loaded magazine, as well as a locally fabricated Beretta pistol loaded with seven rounds of live ammunition.

The suspects, he added, are currently in custody while investigations continue to track other criminal networks linked to them.

In a related operation on January 29, Hassan said the Divisional Police Officer of Zaria City Division led a team of 47 Police Mobile Force operatives on stop-and-search duties following intelligence reports on the movement of armed bandits.

“The operation led to the arrest of two suspects, Adamu Lawal and Abdulhadi Lawal, both from Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State, with a locally fabricated firearm recovered from them,” he said.

Hassan noted that the suspects are cooperating with investigators and providing information that could lead to further arrests.

He added that the Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad, commended the officers for their professionalism and swift response, while reaffirming the command’s zero tolerance for banditry and other forms of criminality in Kaduna State.