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JTF,Police Close In On Boko Haram
The Joint Security Task Force in Kano yesterday said one person died during an operation at a hide-out of suspected Boko Haram members.
The hide-out was at Bubbbugaje in the Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State.
Commander of 3rd Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Kano, Brig.-Gen. Iliyasu Abbah who disclosed this while conducting journalists round the house, said the operation started around 4 a.m yesterday.
He said the task force had stormed the location following a tip-off.
Abbah said one suspect was shot dead during the operation while another escaped during an exchange of fire between the suspects and the JTF operatives.
“Our men were able to safely and professionally rescue three women and some children during the operation.
“You know this is the most difficult fight, especially when you are dealing with terrorists, because they know us but we don’t know them,” he said.
The Brigade Commander said items recovered inside the house included 485 rounds of 7.62 mm special, nine rounds of 5.56 mm and seven SIM cards and modems.
Other items recovered were five high explosives, one AK47, 35 knives, 35 IEDs, two laptops, five jerry cans, a bank teller containing N150, 000, among others.
He urged members of the public to continue to co-operate with security operatives in order to rid the state of such terrorists.
Abbah said the Nigerian Army would also continue to do its best in order to ensure that peace returns to the state.
Our correspondent reports that a woman, who claimed to be from Cameroon, was also identified by the JTF as one of the women rescued from an operation in Kano metropolis.
The house was later demolished by a bulldozer.
Meanwhile, acting Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar has dismissed insinuations that the Nigeria police was losing the war against terrorists.
Mohammed, who spoke to State House correspondents after Monday’s attack at the Taraba State Ministry of Finance, said the police had intensified efforts toward checking the activities of terror groups across the country.
Terrorists threw explosives at the motorcade of the Commissioner of Police in Taraba, Mamman Sule, while he was going through the ministry to his own office.
Mohammed refuted the claim that the Taraba attack was targeted at Sule, saying that arrests had been made in connection with the attack.
The explosion in Jalingo was said to have claimed the lives of 11 civil servants at the premises of the Ministry of Finance.
Earlier, President Goodluck Jonathan had urged Nigerians and foreigners resident in the country not to be discouraged by the recent upsurge in terrorist attacks in parts of the country.
Jonathan made the appeal in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati.
The President said Nigerians must go about their normal business and resolve to collectively defeat those perpetrating evil in the country.
He condemned the upsurge in terrorist attacks, the latest of which occurred in Jalingo on Monday, saying the administration would not waver in its commitment to restore peace and stability in the country.
Jonathan assured that the government would curb terrorism and bring the perpetrators and sponsors to justice.
The President also reassured Nigerians and foreigners resident in the country that the administration was taking every necessary action to end the attacks.
He noted that the success in the war against terrorism would be speedily achieved with greater support and assistance from affected communities.
Jonathan called on all patriotic Nigerians to promptly report all suspicious persons to security agencies.
He condoled with the families of the victims of the bomb attacks in Jalingo and wished the injured speedy recovery.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene