News

FG Arrests World Wanted Al-Qaeda Leaders

Published

13 hours ago

August 18, 2025

Two top leaders of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan (Ansaru), an Al-Qaeda affiliate in Nigeria, have been arrested by the security agents.

Those arrested are Mahmud Muhammad Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a, Abbas or Mukhtar, identified as the self-styled Emir of Ansaru, and his deputy, Mahmud al-Nigeri, also known as Mallam Mamuda.

The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, who disclosed this at a press briefing held in his office in Abuja, last Saturday, said the suspected terrorists were arrested following a months-long counter-terrorism operation.

He said the intelligence-led operation was carried out between May and July 2025 in collaboration with security and intelligence agencies.

According to Ribadu, Abu Bara coordinated terrorist sleeper cells across the country and masterminded high-profile kidnappings and armed robberies to finance terrorism.

He added that his deputy, Mamuda, led the “Mahmudawa” cell around Kainji National Park and trained in Libya between 2013 and 2015 under foreign jihadist instructors.

Ribadu said, “The targeted operation, which was conducted between May and July 2025, led to the capture of two top ANSARU leaders who have been responsible for masterminding several terrorist attacks against Nigeria over the past years: a. The first is Mahmud Muhammad Usman (aka Abu Bara’a/Abbas/Mukhtar), the self-styled Emir of ANSARU.

“He is the coordinator of various terrorist sleeper cells across Nigeria.

He is also the mastermind of several high-profile kidnappings and armed robberies used to finance terrorism over the years.

“The second is Mahmud al-Nigeri (aka Mallam Mamuda), Abu Bara’s proclaimed Chief of Staff and Deputy. He is the leader of the so-called “Mahmudawa” cell hiding out in and around the Kainji National Park, straddling Niger and Kwara States up to Benin Republic. Mamuda trained in Libya between 2013 and 2015 under foreign jihadist instructors from Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria, specializing in weapons handling and IED fabrication.”

The NSA said the two men had been on Nigeria’s most-wanted list for years and also internationally wanted.

According to him, the suspects were responsible for attacks including the 2022 Kuje prison break, the attack on Niger’s uranium facility, the 2013 abduction of French engineer Francis Collomp, and the 2019 kidnapping of Alhaji Musa Umar Uba, Magajin Garin Daura.

“They were also behind the abduction of the Emir of Wawa and they maintain active links with terrorist groups across the Maghreb, particularly in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. The two men, who are wanted internationally, are currently in custody, “ Ribadu added.

The NSA stated that their capture dismantled Ansaru’s central command structure and marked a significant achievement in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism.

Ribadu also called on citizens to remain vigilant and provide timely information to authorities.

News

Church Renders Free Medical Outreach, Others To Host Communities

Published

12 hours ago

August 18, 2025

The Tide

Some communities in Rivers State enjoyed significantly the All African Service Project (AASP) by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints, humanitarian services in their Church’s stakes and districts in Nigeria.

The humanitarian services which was held on the 16th August this year is an annual event usually carried out by members of the church to assist their host communities at different locations of the church every year in Africa.

In Port Harcourt Nigeria, Port Harcourt South Stake, this year they did Zebra crossing in Borikiri, precisely at UPE junction, this is to drastically reduce accident.

In Bundu Ama, still in Port Harcourt South Stake, there was a massive turnout, as the church offered free medical test and provided free drugs for those that have malaria, High Blood Pressure and illnesses that was discovered.

They equally carried out free eye test and gave out glasses for those that also have eye problems.

In the process of the testing woman, named Mrs Anthonia Marshall, was perceived to have breast cancer , which the church was contemplating to refer her to hospital and ready to bear the cost if actually it was a breast cancer.

Apart from that, the Church further provided school uniforms and books for primary school children in Bundu Ama community.

Comprehensively over 300 persons benefitted from the free medical outreach.

Speaking, the President of Port Harcourt South Stake, Williams Igoniye, explained that Helping Hand is an initiative of the Church go West Africa Project where they provide services for host community.

” This is purely a humanitarian services rendered to our host communities all over West Africa, mostly where the church is located.

” This year in Port Harcourt South Stake, we able to carried out designing of Zebra crossing at UPE junction Borikiri, with the view to reduce accident and safety of human beings.

” We also carried out free medical outreach at Bundu Ama. My happiness was that people came out to take advantage of the services , as I speak to you over 300 persons benefitted from it.

Also, speaking, during the construction of the zebra crossing, a resident, Mr. Edet Okon, commended the church for job well done.

According to him, the zebra crossing will afford the elderly and children to cross the road safely, hence that road was one of the most busiest roads.

” I am really happy that church is carrying out such an important project that will help people living within the area.

” I will suggest that government train drivers on how drive on areas where there are zebra crossing”, Okon said.

The Community Development Committee (CDC chairman in Bundu Ama, Frank Oba, expressed joy over the services rendered by the Church and called on other churches and organisations to emulate them.

By: Tonye Orabere

News

Tinubu Hails By-Election Winners In 12 States, Commends INEC

Published

13 hours ago

August 18, 2025

The Tide

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated all the winners of Saturday, August 16, by-elections in 16 constituencies across 12 states.

A statement by the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, stated that the President commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the hitch-free elections, mostly devoid of violence.

Following the results declared by INEC, the All Progressives Congress (APC) won in 12 constituencies, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) won in two, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won in one, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) won in one.

President Tinubu congratulated the new APC National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, for the emphatic first victory recorded under his leadership.

He also congratulated the APC governors and other leaders on the success of the by-elections.

“Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda has shown leadership capacity and demonstrated what is achievable when popular candidates are fielded and with unity of purpose among party leaders,” the President remarks.

“To all APC faithful and the electorate, thank you for the confidence reposed in our party. Be assured that our Renewed Hope slogan is not a mere slogan. Our destination is a better, more secure and prosperous Nigeria. We shall take you there, by the Grace of God,” he said.

President Tinubu commended all the political parties and candidates who participated in the election and enjoined them to continue to be guided by the spirit of sportsmanship, fair contest and magnanimity, which are enablers of enduring democracy.

News

RSG To Establish Emergency Management Agency

Published

13 hours ago

August 18, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has disclosed its plan to establish the Rivers State Emergency Management Agency, which will take over the responsibilities of the Central Working Committee on Emergency Preparedness, Flood Management and Control.

The State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), revealed this during a sensitisation campaign of the Central Working Committee on Flood Management and Control at the Dr. Obi Wali International Conference Centre, Port Harcourt, last Friday.

He explained that the government is engaging the Federal Government and international partners to mobilise resources for improved flood management systems, covering pre-flood measures, interventions during flooding, and post-flood recovery projects, as well as early warning infrastructure.

Ibas, in a statement from the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, last Friday, said the initiative forms part of the state’s proactive strategy to mitigate flooding through awareness, prevention, preparedness, and community participation.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Lucky Worika, the Administrator urged the committee to go beyond responding to disasters and instead anticipate vulnerable areas, reduce the impact of flooding, and equip residents with the knowledge and tools to protect themselves.

He added that the State is enforcing environmental laws to curb indiscriminate refuse disposal, illegal dumping, and construction on flood plains, which worsen flooding incidents.

According to him, effective flood management requires collaboration between the public sector, local communities, civil society, and the private sector, as government alone cannot tackle the challenge.