News

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Gombe State Police Command has returned Toyota Highlander SUV to its rightful owner after recovering the vehicle almost five years after it was stolen in Rivers State.

The command handed the vehicle to Mrs Cecilia Duru of Port Harcourt on Friday after operatives of the State Intelligence Department concluded investigations that confirmed her ownership.

Police said the SUV was recovered on June 8, 2026, during a joint operation by the State Intelligence Department and the Federal Road Safety Corps at the Gombe State Internal Revenue Service Vehicle Licensing Office.

According to the command, officials intercepted the vehicle during a routine verification of vehicle records while it was undergoing re-registration.

Investigators established that the Toyota Highlander was stolen from Mrs Duru in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on September 17, 2021.

“The investigation established that the vehicle belongs to Mrs. Cecilia A. Duru of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Further findings revealed that after it was stolen, the vehicle was taken to the Republic of Niger in 2023.

“It later re-entered Nigeria through Illela, Sokoto State, in October 2025, before it was sold in Kaduna State and eventually brought to Gombe for re-registration, where it was intercepted,” the police stated.

The command said efforts to determine those responsible for the theft and the movement of the vehicle across several locations are still in progress.

“While efforts continue to unravel those behind the theft and illegal movement of the vehicle, the command is pleased to hand over the recovered Toyota Highlander to its rightful owner today, July 24, 2026,” the police said.

The police also reaffirmed their resolve to tackle vehicle theft and other forms of organised crime through intelligence-led operations and collaboration with relevant security agencies.

The command advised members of the public to verify the authenticity of vehicle documents before buying used vehicles. It also urged residents to report suspicious vehicle transactions to security agencies promptly.

By Uzair Adam

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the Presidency for invoking China in its response to him, describing the move as a “monumental own goal” that has only intensified scrutiny of President Bola Tinubu.

In a statement issued on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the Presidency’s attempt to compare his record with China’s legal standards had backfired.

According to him, it was contradictory for the Presidency to celebrate what he described as a routine diplomatic response from the United States government while introducing China into the debate without considering the implications.

Shaibu argued that the Presidency’s spokesman had unintentionally subjected President Tinubu to the same standards he sought to apply to Atiku.

“It takes a peculiar kind of unintelligence for a spokesman to set out to drag an opponent before a hypothetical Chinese court, only to end up dragging his own principal into the dock,” the statement read.

The statement noted that China imposes severe penalties for serious drug trafficking offences, including capital punishment, adding that Atiku had never been indicted or convicted of corruption, drug-related offences or any criminal offence in Nigeria or abroad.

It maintained that if China was to become the benchmark for public accountability, Nigerians were equally entitled to question the implications of the 1993 civil forfeiture of $460,000 to the United States government in a case involving allegations of narcotics trafficking and money laundering linked to Tinubu.

The former vice president further argued that China’s justice system is also known for its strict handling of corruption and abuse of public office.

According to the statement, practices such as approving a national budget allegedly tainted by padding and questionable appropriations, ignoring allegations involving senior government officials, or presiding over worsening economic hardship would not be tolerated under China’s governance standards.

Atiku said the Presidency’s argument had collapsed under the weight of its own contradictions, insisting that invoking China had only encouraged Nigerians to apply the same standards to President Tinubu.

He also faulted the Presidency for portraying the United States government’s response to diplomatic correspondence as evidence of innocence, stressing that such communication does not amount to a judicial acquittal or erase historical records.

The statement urged the Tinubu administration to focus on addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges, insecurity, rising hunger and what it described as institutional decline instead of engaging in political distractions.

Atiku also called on the Presidency to improve the quality of its public communication, arguing that while propaganda may dominate public discourse temporarily, facts would ultimately prevail.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Armed bandits have abducted the chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area, Nura Umar Bungudu, in a daring raid on his residence in Zamfara State, security sources confirmed Saturday.

The attack occurred late Friday night when heavily armed gunmen infiltrated Bungudu town and went directly to the chairman’s home in the Zango district. The assailants also kidnapped a staff member of the Federal Medical Centre in Gusau and a Point-of-Sale (POS) operator in the area.

Security officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, reported that the operation resulted in multiple fatalities, including police officers and local vigilantes who attempted to repel the attackers.

Zamfara State, located in northwestern Nigeria, has been plagued by persistent banditry and kidnapping for years. The security crisis has claimed hundreds of lives and displaced thousands, with rural communities bearing the brunt of frequent attacks.

Local residents described the incident as one of the most brazen assaults in recent months, noting that the chairman had been a target of previous threats. The kidnappers have yet to issue any demands.

A security task force has been deployed to track the gunmen, though no arrests have been made. The state government has yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

The kidnapping highlights the deteriorating security situation in the region, where armed groups continue to operate with impunity despite repeated government pledges to restore order.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

At least 23 suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have reportedly been killed in separate military air operations carried out in Borno State.

According to Zagazola Makama, a publication that reports on counter-insurgency activities in the Lake Chad region, the first operation took place at about 5:35 a.m. on Tuesday in the KLA Balia area of Marte Local Government Area after intelligence indicated the presence of suspected terrorists.

The publication reported that an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) platform, codenamed “Guardian,” detected three vehicles concealed at different locations before identifying five suspected insurgents taking cover beneath a tree.

It stated that after the targets were positively identified, the drone launched a precision strike that killed the five visible suspects. The strike also triggered secondary explosions, which increased the estimated death toll to 15.

Zagazola Makama added that another strike intended to destroy the concealed vehicles did not succeed after a malfunction in the laser targeting system prevented accurate target designation.

Despite the technical setback, military sources quoted by the publication described the mission as successful. They said the operation inflicted significant casualties on the insurgents and disrupted their activities.

The publication also reported that surveillance of the area is continuing, while additional operations are expected to target surviving fighters and destroy the remaining vehicles.

In another operation, the publication said the air component of Operation HADIN KAI killed eight suspected ISWAP fighters during a night combat mission along the Bama-Maiduguri main supply route on July 22.

According to the report, the helicopter crew noticed muzzle flashes from a location that had previously been identified as an insurgent training ground. The crew then fired probing shots to confirm the presence of the suspected terrorists.

The report stated that the insurgents responded by opening fire on the aircraft. The military then carried out sustained aerial strikes that reportedly killed eight suspected fighters, while others escaped into nearby bushes.

The publication said the operation formed part of ongoing air offensives aimed at disrupting insurgent movements, dismantling training camps and improving security along strategic supply routes across the North-East.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

President Bola Tinubu has accused the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, of leaving behind unresolved pension liabilities after serving as Nigeria’s vice president.

Tinubu made the remarks during a meeting with members of the Nigerian Diaspora Medical Association and North-East stakeholders who gathered to support the renomination of Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate.

The president alleged that Atiku oversaw the privatisation of government investments during his time in office but failed to ensure that pension obligations were settled.

Speaking at the event, Tinubu reflected on his professional experience in the United States before addressing Nigeria’s current challenges.

“There is nowhere like home. I have experienced being in America and have taken the best of America in my chosen profession, accountancy and finance. Where can I apply it best after initial training with Deloitte & Touche, I can’t forget the standard oil building in Chicago and my first week there.

“The leadership of the Northeast is challenged because of terrorism and banditry, I could see a collaboration that would work together. Only we stick together, work together, and face the challenges the best way possible as a united country.

“The olden age is here now if you can stabilize the economy, Nigerians are not asking for too much, simple stability and social welfare, if I can go political, somebody among my prospective opponents privatized government investment in public entities but forgot to pay the pension. I’m clearing the pensioners now, so clearing the mess they created.”

Tinubu’s comments add to the growing exchange of political attacks between the president and Atiku ahead of the 2027 general election. Neither Atiku nor the ADC had issued an immediate response to the latest remarks at the time of filing this report.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A suspected bandit attack on Makoda town in Makoda Local Government Area of Kano State has left one person dead and two others injured, according to security sources.

Security analyst Bakatsine disclosed the incident in a post on X on Friday. He said the attack took place on Thursday night after more than 30 armed men stormed the community on motorcycles.

The attackers reportedly fired repeatedly, which forced residents to flee for safety. They also escaped with an undisclosed amount of cash after carrying out the assault.

Bakatsine said residents described the assailants as heavily armed. The attack caused panic across the community before the gunmen fled.

He wrote: “Last night, suspected bandits launched an attack on Makoda town, Makoda LGA in Kano State, killing one person, injuring two others and reportedly fleeing with an undisclosed amount of cash.

“Residents said more than 30 heavily armed men arrived on motorcycles, opened fire indiscriminately and left the community in panic before escaping. If armed groups can now strike communities in Kano with such ease, what does that say about the country’s ability to prevent insecurity from spreading even further?”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has reportedly reversed his earlier decision against pursuing Manchester City midfielder Rodri, as the Spanish giants intensify efforts to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season.

According to Spanish outlet Marca, the La Liga club has not opened formal talks with Manchester City over a potential transfer. Despite that, confidence is growing within the club that Rodri could emerge as its headline signing during the current transfer window.

Real Madrid considers the Spain international a key candidate to take charge of its midfield. Club officials believe reinforcing that area of the team remains one of their top priorities this summer.

Perez had previously been reluctant to approve a move for the midfielder. However, recent reports suggest the club’s position has changed.

Manchester City, however, is not expected to make negotiations easy, as the Premier League champions remain determined to keep one of their most influential players.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A former commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Dr. Isma’il Tanko Wudilawa, has raised concerns over what he described as the growing involvement of women in terrorist operations across northern Nigeria. He said insurgent groups now rely on women for logistics, intelligence gathering, and other forms of support.

Wudilawa said sustained military operations have pushed many terrorists into remote hideouts. As a result, he explained, the groups now depend heavily on civilian networks, particularly women, to maintain communication channels and transport supplies.

According to him, some women convey food, clothing, medicines, weapons, and, in certain cases, other women to terrorists hiding in forested areas.

His remarks followed recent arrests of women allegedly linked to terrorist logistics in Borno State.

One of the suspects, Hauwa Abulazeez, 65, was reportedly arrested in Askira Uba Local Government Area with 14 compressed blocks of cannabis allegedly destined for terrorists.

In another case, security operatives arrested Kellu Abba, 50, in Kukawa Local Government Area. She was allegedly transporting food items and personal belongings to her son, who has been identified as a suspected member of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Commenting on the trend, Wudilawa said women have long played different roles within terrorist networks, especially in intelligence gathering.

> “All these atrocities are committed with the support of women from the very beginning.

“All the things we do, we do with women. They know our routines.

“Till today, women are used as informants. They provide information about the movements of targeted individuals within and outside communities.”



He said terrorist groups exploit the trust communities place in women. He noted that the groups often use them as couriers and intelligence sources.

The security expert attributed the involvement of some women to poverty, illiteracy, greed, and the pursuit of financial gain. However, he stressed that not all of them participate willingly.

According to him, some women are threatened or compelled to assist terrorist groups. He said he witnessed such situations during his years of fighting the Boko Haram insurgency.

Wudilawa also expressed concern that some members of the public interfere with security operations. He said some people confront or even attack security personnel while they carry out lawful arrests and investigations.

He urged Nigerians to support security agencies with timely and credible information to strengthen the fight against terrorism and other violent crimes.

The former JTF commander also called on the government to improve economic opportunities and address the social conditions that make criminal activities attractive. He said better livelihoods would help reduce recruitment into banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, has called for a review of the commission’s funding structure. He said direct funding from the federation account would strengthen INEC’s independence and improve the credibility of elections in Nigeria.

Amupitan made the call on Thursday in Abuja during the public presentation of Shadows: Protest Essays on Africa’s Most Consequential Country (1999–2023), a two-volume book written by THISDAY Managing Director, Eniola Bello.

He argued that although the Constitution places INEC on the first-line charge, the existing funding arrangement does not provide the commission with genuine financial autonomy because it still depends on the annual budget and appropriation process.

> “Experience over the years has shown that as long as INEC is still subject to the normal envelope system and the processes of appropriation, having to go to the national assembly, it is very difficult to operate in such a situation without wasting your time,” Amupitan said.



The INEC chairman explained that the commission’s responsibilities go beyond conducting presidential and National Assembly elections. He noted that it also conducts governorship and state assembly elections, registers and regulates political parties, and maintains the national register of voters.

According to him, governorship and state assembly elections are more expensive to conduct than presidential and National Assembly polls. He said this makes the current funding model inadequate.

> “It is for this reason we feel that although the Constitution tried to place INEC on the first-line charge, it is not strong enough,” the INEC chairman said.



> “INEC should come as part of the federation account so that we can have seamless operations and what we call operational efficiency.”



Amupitan also called for further amendments to the Electoral Act to strengthen INEC’s supervisory powers over political parties. He said greater authority would help ensure parties comply with their constitutions, the Nigerian Constitution, and the Electoral Act. He added that such reforms could reduce the number of pre-election court cases.

He disclosed that the commission is considering a mediation mechanism that would resolve internal party disputes within 3 months instead of lengthy litigation.

The INEC chairman further proposed that all disputes involving political parties should be concluded at least 1 year before a general election to prevent last-minute legal battles from affecting the electoral process.

The call comes months after President Bola Tinubu signed the Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment) Bill into law and amid ongoing legal and legislative developments aimed at reforming Nigeria’s electoral system.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Nigerian Army is set for its largest peacetime expansion in decades, with President Bola Tinubu approving the creation of four additional divisions and the recruitment of 28,000 personnel, according to a presidential statement issued Thursday.

The restructuring, which will take the army’s divisional strength from eight to twelve, is designed to deepen military presence across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and shorten response times to security emergencies. The new divisions will be established in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City, bringing the total number of command headquarters to twelve.

The phased implementation, which runs until December 2026, reflects what officials describe as a calculated approach to force modernisation. Phase one, due by September 2026, will activate the 5th Division in Makurdi, 9th Division in Ilorin, and 10th Division in Jalingo, alongside the reorganisation of existing formations. Phase two will see the establishment of the 83rd Division in Benin City by December 2026.

Each division will cover between two and five states, with the 82nd Division in Enugu responsible for five South-Eastern states—the largest territorial coverage. The 7th Division in Maiduguri will continue to anchor counter-insurgency operations in Borno and Yobe, while the new 10th Division in Jalingo will oversee Taraba and Adamawa, strengthening the military’s grip on the North-East corridor.

Beyond troop numbers, the President has also approved the acquisition of critical military platforms and equipment, alongside enhanced welfare packages for service members. Officials say these investments are intended to address long-standing gaps in operational readiness and morale.

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga emphasised that the expansion would “significantly improve command and control” and “decentralise operational decision-making,” allowing field commanders greater autonomy to respond to local threats. The move is also expected to bolster border security and protect critical national infrastructure, including oil and gas facilities in the South-South, which will now fall under the newly established 83rd Division in Benin City.

Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, has been lauded by the President for the army’s professionalism, with Tinubu pledging continued support to ensure the force remains “fully capable of protecting the nation.”

Security analysts view the expansion as a clear signal of the administration’s intent to adopt a more proactive, geographically distributed approach to national defence, moving away from the over-centralised command structure that has historically hampered rapid response to crises.

The announcement comes amid ongoing operations against insurgents, bandits, and separatist agitators, with the new divisions expected to ease the burden on overstretched units and improve intelligence gathering at the grassroots level.