News

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai, have eliminated two Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters during an ambush around Hudugum village in the Hambagda area along the Gwoza–Limankara road in Borno State.

The operation, which occurred on Wednesday evening, was conducted under Operation Desert Sanity IV/Diligent Search by soldiers of the 192 Battalion (Main) in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).

Security analyst Zagazola Makama disclosed the development in a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday. He explained that the troops encountered the terrorists’ logistics team at about 6:30 p.m. and engaged them with superior firepower.

According to Makama, “two insurgents were neutralised while several others escaped with gunshot wounds towards the foothills of the Mandara Mountains.”

He quoted sources as saying, “There was no casualty on the side of the troops, and no equipment was lost during the encounter.”

After the gun battle, the soldiers recovered several items believed to belong to the fleeing terrorists.

These included three bicycles, clothing materials, mats, food seasoning, salt, and other personal belongings.

The troops reportedly returned to base safely around 7:50 p.m. after what was described as a “hitch-free” mission.

The report added that the army plans to conduct further search operations along the escape routes of the terrorists.

It also noted that while the general security situation in the area remains calm, it is still considered unpredictable.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Federal Government has approved the release of ₦2.3 billion for the payment of outstanding salary and promotion arrears owed to lecturers in public universities.

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, made the announcement on Wednesday during a briefing on the government’s ongoing negotiations with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other tertiary institution unions.

Minister Alausa stated that President Bola Tinubu is dedicated to settling all outstanding welfare and funding issues in a “transparent, fair and sustainable manner.”

Furthermore, the government has approved a significant policy change to prevent future arrears. Starting from 2026, Earned Academic Allowances will be fully integrated into the core salaries of university lecturers.

This measure, according to the Minister, is designed to ensure “prompt, predictable, and sustainable payments” of staff entitlements.

By Anwar Usman

The chief of naval staff, Idi Abbas, has said that the Nigerian Navy will adopt advanced technology, including drones and artificial intelligence, to modernise its operations and tackle maritime crime across the country’s waterways.

Speaking during his screening by the senate on Wednesday, Abbas said the navy would prioritise technological innovation over traditional fuel-heavy patrols for smarter, faster, and more cost-efficient approach to maritime security.

He stated that, “We will incorporate more technology, including the use of drones, to tackle maritime crime.” “A lot of resources are currently wasted fuelling boats to reach remote areas. Technology will help us respond faster and more effectively.”

He further stated that, the navy was fully committed to improving operational efficiency and reducing costs through innovation, adding that surveillance tools would be central to preventing oil theft and illegal bunkering.

“We already have structures in place to curb maritime crimes, but I intend to incorporate more technology, especially drones,” he said.

Abbas, while responding to a question from Olamilekan Solomon, senator representing Ogun west and senate committee chair on appropriation, said oil theft persists mainly in hard-to-reach creeks and coastal areas.

He also revealed that “the theft may appear minimal individually, but when accumulated, it becomes substantial. We’re exploring drone technology to monitor and control these leakages.”

Abbas reaffirmed the navy’s commitment to its total spectrum maritime strategy, which, he said, addresses major security challenges such as piracy, oil theft, kidnapping, and banditry.

Recall that, Tinubu nominated Abbas as chief of naval staff; Olufemi Oluyede as chief of defence staff; Wahidi Shaibu as chief of army staff; Kennedy Aneke as chief of air staff; while Emmanuel Undiendeye was retained as chief of defence intelligence.

By Muhammad Abubakar

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has withdrawn clemency earlier granted to Maryam Sanda and other convicts of serious offences following a review of the federal pardon list.

Sanda, sentenced to death in 2020 for killing her husband, was among those removed from the list after consultations with the Council of State and public feedback.

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said the review was guided by the gravity of certain crimes, public sensitivity, and the need to uphold justice for victims and society.

Offenders convicted of kidnapping, drug trafficking, human trafficking, fraud, and unlawful possession of firearms were also excluded from the clemency list.

President Tinubu further ordered the relocation of the Secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy to the Federal Ministry of Justice and directed the Attorney-General to issue new guidelines for future exercises.

The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to judicial reforms and maintaining public confidence in Nigeria’s justice system.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigeria Police Force has unveiled plans to commemorate the 70th anniversary of women’s participation in policing, celebrating seven decades of bravery, resilience, and commitment since the first female officers were recruited in 1955.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, announced that the two-day event will take place from December 3 to 4, 2025.

The celebration will feature serving and retired female officers, alongside the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

According to the statement, the anniversary “underscores the vital role of women in strengthening law enforcement and fostering community trust across the nation.”

It also quoted the Inspector-General as commending the immense impact of women in the Force, noting that their “dedication and compassion have continued to be integral to the foundation of policing in Nigeria.”

Reflecting on their contributions, the Force stated: “Over the past seven decades, women of the Nigeria Police Force have distinguished themselves in administration, investigations, tactical operations, and command leadership. They have embodied integrity, empathy, and excellence in service to the nation and have redefined policing with compassion and purpose.”

The programme will include a national lecture, a historical exhibition, panel discussions, and a community outreach initiative.

The statement further noted that the event reflects the IGP’s commitment to advancing inclusivity, professionalism, and ongoing capacity development for women officers.

“The Nigeria Police Force extends heartfelt appreciation to all female officers, past and present, whose courage and professionalism remain a source of pride and inspiration to the institution and the nation,” it added.

By Maryam Ahmad

More than 100 people were killed in a series of Israeli airstrikes across Gaza on Tuesday, according to health officials in the enclave. The strikes came shortly after Israel accused Hamas of violating a fragile ceasefire agreement — an allegation Hamas has denied.

Palestinian health authorities said the attacks targeted several densely populated areas, leaving scores of civilians among the dead and many others injured. Rescue teams continued to search through the rubble for survivors late into the night.

In a statement, Hamas rejected Israel’s claims of ceasefire breaches and accused Israel of deliberately escalating the conflict. The group also said Israeli authorities had prevented the return of the bodies of Israeli hostages who were killed during earlier clashes.

The renewed violence has raised fears of a broader breakdown in the ceasefire, which had offered a brief respite after months of devastating fighting. International calls for restraint have grown as humanitarian conditions in Gaza continue to worsen.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

Influencers in China will now need to hold a university degree or relevant professional qualifications before discussing serious topics such as medicine, law, education, or finance online, according to new regulations aimed at curbing misinformation.

The policy, announced by Chinese authorities this week, requires prominent online personalities — particularly those with over one million followers — to provide proof of their expertise. Those who fail to comply risk fines of up to ¥100,000 (about $14,000).

Officials say the move is designed to tackle the growing problem of false information and deceptive advertising, especially in areas such as fake medical treatments and supplements that have proliferated on social media.

While supporters argue the measure will help protect the public from misleading content, critics warn it could tighten state control over online speech and limit discussions on critical social issues.

The new rules mark another step in China’s ongoing campaign to regulate its vast and influential online ecosystem, emphasising “professional responsibility” and “accuracy” in digital communication.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, has strongly criticized the Federal Government’s plan to spend $1 billion (approximately ₦1.5 trillion) on modernizing the Apapa and TinCan Island Ports in Lagos, labeling the continued neglect of other major ports as “economic sabotage.”

In a statement posted on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Friday, Obi accused the government of perpetuating a dangerous “economic imbalance” by excessively concentrating infrastructure investments in one region.

He warned that this policy sidelines critical maritime hubs in other parts of the country, specifically naming the ports in Warri, Port Harcourt, Calabar, and Onne.

The former Anambra State governor argued that equitable development of ports across the nation’s geo-political zones is essential for enhancing productivity, creating jobs, and stimulating regional economic growth that could lift millions out of poverty.

“While any effort to improve efficiency and embrace technology in our maritime sector is commendable, such an initiative must be guided by accountability, transparency, and fairness,” Obi stated.

“The Lagos modernisation project, though laudable, underscores a troubling trend of concentrating major national infrastructure in one region.”

Obi emphasized that for Nigeria to build a truly robust national blue economy, its growth must be inclusive, actively involving every region.

He also used the opportunity to call for broader reforms in the sector, including curbing corruption, streamlining bureaucracy, and implementing a paperless port system to boost global competitiveness.

Concluding his remarks, Obi urged the Tinubu administration to adopt principles of fairness and equity in its infrastructure policies.

“If prudently managed, the Lagos modernization project could serve as a model for national maritime transformation,” he conceded.

“But Nigeria must rebuild with justice, integrity, and a vision that turns us from a consuming nation into one driven by production and shared prosperity.”

By Anwar Usman

The president of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, on Monday, met with the newly appointed service chiefs at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

In attendance were the Chief of Defence Staff, Lt-Gen Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Maj-Gen W. Shaibu; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral I. Abbas; Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke, and Chief of Defence Intelligence, Maj-Gen E.A.P. Undiendeye.

Recall that Tinubu made sweeping changes in the military hierarchy on Friday, October 24, 2025.

According to a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, stated that “in furtherance of the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria to strengthen the national security architecture.”

According to Dare, the President appointed General Olufemi Oluyede to replace General Christopher Musa as the new Chief of Defence Staff.

The new Chief of Army Staff is Major-General W. Shaibu. Air Vice Marshall S.K Aneke is Chief of Air Staff, while Rear Admiral I. Abbas is the new Chief of Naval Staff. Chief of Defence Intelligence Major-General E.A.P Undiendeye retains his position.

The statement further revealed that, “the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, expresses most profound appreciation to the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa and the other service chiefs for their patriotic service and dedicated leadership.”

Tinubu urged the newly appointed service chiefs to justify the confidence reposed in them by further enhancing the professionalism, vigilance and comradeship that define Nigeria’s Armed Forces.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Cameroon’s long-serving leader, President Paul Biya, has been declared the winner of the country’s recent presidential election.

According to official results released by the Constitutional Council on Monday, the 92-year-old president secured more than 53 percent of the votes cast in the October 12 election.

The announcement followed violent clashes between protesters and security forces that resulted in the deaths of at least four people.

Opposition supporters had taken to the streets demanding what they described as credible election results.

President Biya, who has been in power since 1982, will now extend his rule after more than four decades of leadership.

“Cameroon’s President Paul Biya, who has led the country since 1982, has won re-election, according to official results,” the council confirmed.

The final results were announced amid heightened tensions across several regions as citizens awaited confirmation of the outcome.

More details are expected to emerge as the situation develops.