News

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Hundreds of residents streamed back to their village on Wednesday, ending two months of displacement after a major military operation flushed out armed terrorists from forest strongholds across three states.

The homecoming turned into a celebration, with men, women, and children singing and dancing as they reclaimed their ancestral homes. Many immediately began clearing overgrown bushes and inspecting their houses for damage.

Mansur had been a ghost town since February 26, 2026, when terrorists overran the community, forcing families to abandon their farms and homes. For nearly two months, the village lay empty.

The return was made possible by Operation BUGUN KARKANDA III, a clearance mission ordered by Army Headquarters and executed by the 33 Artillery Brigade. That operation followed an earlier phase, Operation WUTAN DAJI, designed to root out terrorists from their hideouts.

According to military statements, troops successfully cleared the dreaded Dajin Madam Forest in Plateau State and Kumbodoro Forest in Taraba State. Other cleared areas included the Yankari Game Reserve, Bogwas, and Rimi in Bauchi State, as well as Odere Forest, Shirnagol, Wanka, and Kukarlwa in Plateau State. In Taraba, Kumbodoro town and Angwan Jauro Sule were also secured.

With the clearance phase complete, the military moved to consolidate gains, handing over liberated towns to security agencies and government departments to maintain order and facilitate the return of displaced communities.

Local leaders praised the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, for swift action, adding that the residents’ return marks a fresh start. For many villagers, the sight of soldiers on patrol now brings reassurance rather than fear.

By Muhammad Sulaiman

A Professor of Plant Pathology and Mycology at the Federal University Birnin Kebbi (FUBK), Prof. Kasimu Shehu, has warned that fungal diseases are exacerbating hunger and posing serious health risks in Nigeria.

Shehu made the assertion on Wednesday while delivering the university’s 4th Inaugural Lecture in Birnin Kebbi.

The lecture, entitled “Invisible Enemies, Visible Losses: A Lifetime of Confronting Fungal Threats to Nigerian Agriculture and Public Health,” examined the growing impact of fungal infections on food production and public health.

The don said fungal diseases were responsible for significant losses in major crops, thereby worsening food insecurity across the country.

“Losses of up to 30 per cent of marketable produce occur due to fungal infections during pre- and post-harvest stages,” he said.

He identified maize, rice, groundnut, onion and vegetables as highly vulnerable crops, noting that poor storage and handling practices further increased contamination.

According to him, beyond reducing food availability, fungi also produce toxic substances known as mycotoxins, which pose serious threats to human health.

“ Chronic exposure to aflatoxins has been implicated in growth retardation, immunosuppression and increased disease susceptibility, particularly among children,” Shehu said.

He added that fungal contamination contributed to food insecurity by reducing both the quantity and quality of available food.

“ Contaminated crops may either be discarded or consumed despite health risks, thereby exacerbating malnutrition and poverty, especially in rural communities,” he said.

The professor identified high moisture levels, poor drainage and inadequate storage systems as major factors driving the spread of fungal diseases.

“ Elevated humidity levels in storage environments, as well as co-storage of infected and healthy produce, facilitate cross-contamination,” he said.

Shehu also warned that environmental and climate changes were accelerating the emergence and spread of fungal diseases.

He called for improved post-harvest handling, adoption of resistant crop varieties and increased investment in research and food safety systems.

“These constraints underscore the need for coordinated, multidisciplinary approaches to food safety mechanisms that integrate scientific research, policy development and stakeholder engagement,” he said.

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of FUBK, Prof. Muhammad Zaiyan-Umar, who chaired the lecture, commended the lecturer for his contributions to research and national development.

The event attracted academics, including the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Gusau, Prof. Mu’azu Abubakar-Gusau, as well as students and stakeholders from the biosafety, agriculture and health sectors.

The inaugural lecture forms part of the university’s efforts to promote research aimed at addressing critical national challenges.

By Muhammad Abubakar

The Nigerian Senate has confirmed the appointment of Muttaqha Rabe Darma as a minister in the federal government following his screening by lawmakers.

Darma was nominated earlier this week by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to replace Ahmed Musa Dangiwa as Minister of Housing and Urban Development.

During the screening, Darma addressed questions on Nigeria’s housing deficit and urban renewal strategies, pledging to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to meet government targets in the sector.

A seasoned administrator, Darma holds two doctoral degrees and previously served as Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF).

By Ibrahim Yunusa

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Audu Bako College of Agriculture, Dambatta (ABCOAD) Chapter, has successfully conducted its chapter elections, ushering in a new set of executives to pilot the affairs of the union.

In a statement issued by the chapter’s PRO II, Abdu Sa’idu, the outcome of the exercise saw Dr. Mustapha Mukhtar emerge as Chairman, while Musa Garba was elected Vice Chairman. Nuraddeen Abbas secured the position of Secretary General, with Mustapha Abubakar Barkindo emerging as Assistant Secretary General.


Other elected officers include Aminu Yusha’u Kunya as Financial Secretary, Rabilu Abdulkadir Barau as Treasurer, and Salim Koguna as Public Relations Officer (PRO). Aminuddeen Yusuf Jibrin was elected Internal Auditor, while Umar Muhammad emerged as Welfare Officer.


The election was conducted and supervised by the Chairman of the Electoral Committee (ELCOM), Malam Sani Alhassan Dawaki, who formally announced the results at the end of the voting process.


Speaking after the exercise, the ASUP Zonal Coordinator, Zone A, Comrade Muhammad Muhammad, described the election as a significant milestone in strengthening internal democracy within the union. He reaffirmed his commitment, alongside the National Executive Council (NEC) and the National Delegates Conference (NDC), to enhancing union activities and fostering institutional harmony.


Also, the Provost of ABCOAD, Dr. Hassan Ibrahim, congratulated the newly elected executives and wished them a successful tenure. He expressed confidence in their capacity to advance the union’s objectives both within and outside the institution.


The newly elected executives are expected to build on existing achievements by prioritizing members’ welfare, promoting academic excellence, and strengthening the union’s engagement with relevant authorities.

By Ibrahim Yunusa 

The Cross River State Government has refuted reports alleging 10 new COVID-19 cases in the state, describing the claim as false and misleading.

In an official statement, the State Commissioner for Health, Henry Ayuk, clarified that as of April 23, 2026, the state has only one confirmed case of COVID-19. He explained that the individuals mentioned in the report were merely contacts identified through contact tracing linked to the existing case, not newly confirmed infections.

Ayuk emphasised that contact tracing remains a standard public health response aimed at preventing further spread of the virus and should not be misconstrued as confirmation of additional cases.

The government urged residents to disregard unverified information and rely on updates from credible and official sources. It also reassured the public that the situation is under control and there is no cause for alarm.

By Ibrahim Yunusa 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally requested the National Assembly’s, specifically the Senate’s, approval for a new external loan of $516 million to support key government projects and address fiscal needs.

The loan request, communicated to the Senate leadership, is expected to be deliberated on in the coming days.

 According to sources within the presidency, the proposed borrowing is intended to finance critical infrastructure, boost economic growth, and stabilise public finances amid ongoing economic challenges.

If approved, the loan will form part of Nigeria’s broader borrowing plan under the current administration, which aims to balance developmental needs with fiscal responsibility. However, the request may spark debate among lawmakers, given rising concerns over Nigeria’s debt profile and repayment capacity.

The Senate is expected to review the proposal in line with constitutional provisions before granting or withholding approval. Further details on the specific projects to be funded are anticipated to emerge as deliberations progress.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), Sector 2, have neutralised no fewer than 24 terrorists following a fierce encounter during an attack on Kukareta area.

The military disclosed that the engagement followed a “determined terrorist attack on Kukareta location” in the early hours of Thursday.

According to a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of the Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the attack began shortly after midnight and continued until about 03:00 hours. He noted that troops responded immediately with what he described as a coordinated counter-operation that forced the attackers into retreat.

The statement read: the troops “executed a deliberate offensive-defensive action, effectively containing the assault and forcing the terrorists into a disorderly withdrawal.”

It added that the troops inflicted heavy losses on the attackers, confirming that “24 terrorists neutralised so far.”

Following the encounter, troops recovered a large stockpile of weapons and ammunition during ongoing clearance operations. The items include “18 AK-47 rifles, 3 General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG), 2 PKT automatic anti-aircraft guns, 3 RPG tubes, 2 mortar tubes, 4 hand grenades, 18 AK-47 magazines, and large quantities of belted 7.62mm ammunition for PKT systems.”

The statement also confirmed that two soldiers sustained injuries during the battle and have since received medical attention. It further disclosed that an armoured tank deployed for reinforcement suffered damage after its tyres were destroyed during the confrontation.

It stated that troops have continued to track the withdrawal routes of the fleeing terrorists, where blood trails and abandoned medical supplies were discovered.

The military described the operation as a demonstration of combat strength and preparedness, adding that it reflects the troops’ capacity to deny terrorist groups freedom of movement.

It further assured that operations will continue with sustained pressure aimed at clearing remaining terrorist elements within the theatre of operations.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A Kano State High Court has handed down a death sentence to a 21-year-old man, Umar Idris, for the killing of a shop owner, Sabiu Umar.

The court found Idris, who lives in Farawa Quarters in Kumbotso Local Government Area, guilty of culpable homicide after proceedings showed that he stabbed the 28-year-old victim to death.

During the trial, prosecution counsel Lamido Abba-Sorondinki told the court that the incident took place on September 2, 2021, at Tsamiya Mariri Quarters in Kano. He said the defendant entered the victim’s shop at about 10:30 p.m. without permission. The shop also served as the victim’s residence. The prosecutor added that Idris took wedding garments meant for the deceased’s bride.

The prosecution explained that the victim raised an alarm after he discovered the act. This led to a confrontation between both men. In the course of the struggle, Idris allegedly attacked him with a knife and inflicted injuries on his neck, shoulder and other parts of his body. The injuries later caused his death.

The prosecution called three witnesses and presented a confessional statement as part of its evidence. Idris, however, denied the allegation.

In his defence, counsel to the accused, Muftau Bello, presented two witnesses and urged the court to show leniency.

While delivering judgment, Justice Sunusi Ado-Ma’aji ruled that the prosecution had established its case beyond reasonable doubt.

“I hereby sentence Idris to death by hanging for stabbing the victim on his neck, shoulder and other parts of his body, which resulted in his death. May the Lord have mercy on his soul,” the judge ruled.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have carried out a series of airstrikes that targeted ISWAP logistics networks along the Lake Chad waterways near Kaniram Island in northern Borno State.

The operation followed intelligence reports which indicated the presence of more than 30 terrorist boats and fighters coordinating movements in the area.

Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, confirmed the development in a statement. He explained that the military verified the targets in line with established Rules of Engagement before launching the strikes.

According to the statement, the air operations successfully destroyed several boats and disrupted the group’s supply structure in the area. The strikes also affected the group’s movement and operational capacity, as more than 30 fighters were neutralised.

“Surviving elements were observed escaping in disarray, reflecting a breakdown in their cohesion and command structure,” the statement claimed.

In another operation within the Sambisa Forest axis at Sowolwolo, troops carried out additional precision strikes. The exercise led to the destruction of three terrorist gun trucks and the elimination of more fighters in the vicinity.

Further assessment of the operation, supported by intelligence after the strikes, indicated heavy losses on the side of the insurgents. Reports also pointed to evidence of mass burials, especially among ISWAP elements around the Mallam Fatori axis.

The Military High Command praised the troops for their performance and urged them to maintain the momentum in ongoing operations across the region.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

Screenings of the documentary Uromi-16: The Story, scheduled for Abuja, Kaduna, and Kano, have been postponed indefinitely due to what the producers described as “credible security concerns.”

In a statement dated April 22, 2026, legal representatives for the producer, A.A. Mustapha & Co., said the decision was taken after a reassessment of the immediate environment for the film’s release. “The safety of all stakeholders, particularly viewers, remains paramount,” the statement said.

The documentary by Sa’id Sa’ad Abubakar details the killing of 16 Kano travellers-hunters in Uromi, Edo State, seen as jungle justice. The victims, reportedly en route, were attacked and killed by a mob after suspicion and community outrage. It also seeks to correct what its makers call widespread misinformation while promoting accountability and justice.

The firm stressed that the postponement does not signal a withdrawal from the project but is a precautionary measure in the public interest. It added that consultations are ongoing with authorities and other stakeholders to address concerns around safety and rights.

Ticket holders will receive refunds within three weeks through the ticketing platform, the statement said, while new dates or alternative release plans will be announced later.

The producers also urged the public to remain calm and law-abiding as efforts continue to ensure the film’s safe rollout.