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Military Operations in Borno, Yobe Result in Boko Haram Casualties and Arms Recovery

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Numerous Boko Haram militants have been neutralized by Nigerian Army troops participating in “Operation Hadin Kai” in Borno State’s Morbbar Local Government Area. They have also retrieved various weapons and ammunition and stopped an attempted ambush on Monday.

On Monday, men from Sector 3’s 145 Battalion, Damasak, were the target of the attack.

Zagazola Makama, a counterinsurgency specialist and security analyst, claims that the rebels set off an IED before starting to shoot at the soldiers.

Through anti-ambush exercises, the soldiers were able to outflank the assailants and instantly neutralize a large number of them.

One PKT automatic anti-aircraft machine gun, one AK-47 rifle, four AK-47 magazines, a significant amount of 7.62mm ammo, and two 36 hand grenades were found by the forces after they had exploited the area.

Read Also: Obi Criticizes Ibom Air for Discriminating Against the Poor

“A Motorola battery, a power bank, a motorcycle, a rifle butt, twelve blankets, a motorcycle pump, a number of wires, and other random items were among the other items found,” he stated.

At Sassawa village in the Damaturu Local Government Area of Yobe State, soldiers from the 233 Battalion and members of Sector 2’s Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) battled terrorists in a separate operation.

According to the source, troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine, and twenty-three rounds of 7.62mm ammunition after two rebels were neutralized during the confrontation.

The source claims that troops have maintained offensive operations and aggressive postures in order to fulfill Operation Hadin Kai’s mission and restrict the insurgents’ freedom of movement.

Obi Criticizes Ibom Air for Discriminating Against the Poor

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Following the altercation between a crew member and a passenger, Comfort Emmanson, on board the Ibom Aircraft on Monday, Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, has expressed his displeasure with the event.

Upon waking up, Obi revealed on his X account (previously Twitter) that Comfort had been permanently barred from operating Ibom Air, a situation he described as systematic.
He stated in his X post, “This morning, I woke up to learn that the passenger, the young Ms. Comfort Emmanson in her twenties, has been banned from flying for life, once again showing how our system works, proving the truth of Anacharsis’ words that “the law is like a spider’s web: it catches the weak, while the powerful break through with ease.”
The elder generation, according to Obi, commits crimes and offenses that are even worse than those committed by Comfort, yet they are allowed to live freely.

Read Also: Aiyedatiwa: Our Goal in APC Is to Maintain Power, Criticizes Anti-Tinubu Coalition

According to him, this dictatorial decision is flawed and unfair in every way. Overnight, what due process was followed to result in this sanction? Have all reasonable and compassionate means of resolving this issue been exhausted?

The tragic irony is that a twentysomething woman can be banned for life while her parents are celebrated for committing worse crimes against humanity. Those in positions of power commit far more serious crimes that cause great harm to the country, but they get away with it because they are protected from punishment. In Ms. Emmanson’s case, the authorities moved quickly, but the same urgency is lacking when dealing with those who are powerful and politically connected.

In a nation where the suffering of the impoverished is unseen and the dignity of those who are less fortunate is frequently overlooked, who would listen to this young woman who has confessed her wrongdoing? According to him, justice must be consistent or it would be disguised as oppression.

Obi argued for fairness and change for all citizens in his conclusion.

This needs to be altered. Fairness must be given to everyone equally. It is necessary to allow for empathy, healing, and comprehension when misbehavior results from anger or redirected violence. He decided that the use of power should never dictate who is punished and who is pardoned.

Aiyedatiwa: Our Goal in APC Is to Maintain Power, Criticizes Anti-Tinubu Coalition

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According to Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, people who are advocating for a coalition to overthrow President Bola Tinubu are only dreamers.
Speaking at the official reception of Hon. Dayo Awude, a former deputy governor candidate for the Labour Party (LP), and members of his political organization, the Sunshine Grassroots Network (SGN), into the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akure on Monday, Aiyedatiwa contended that the coalition lacked any viable plans for Nigeria.
There is no space for collaboration, he insisted, warning that Ondo State is still firmly under the APC’s banner.
The governor said, “In Ondo State, there is no room for any coalition. It is one APC. People join political parties for different reasons, but the interest of the party must always come first. For us in the APC, that interest is to retain power.”

Read Also: Dayo Awude, Others Join APC as Aiyedatiwa Receives Them

Aiyedatiwa praised the defectors for what he described as a timely and strategic political move ahead of the 2027 polls. He urged them to immediately begin grassroots mobilisation to strengthen the party’s hold at the state and national levels.

“You have made the right decision. This is the right place to be because the ultimate goal of any political party is to be in power. For us in the APC, we want to retain power, and we must do everything necessary to achieve that,” he said.

The governor assured the new entrants that their contributions to the party would be valued and rewarded, highlighting what he called the “visible dividends of good governance” under President Tinubu’s leadership at the federal level and his own administration in Ondo State.

Dayo Awude, Others Join APC as Aiyedatiwa Receives Them

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) gained more support in Ondo State on Monday when Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa welcomed Dayo Awude, a former leader of the Labour Party, and a few other politicians to the party.

At the state capital’s Town Hall in Akure, Awude and his supporters were formally welcomed to the APC by Governor Aiyedatiwa.

The governor also welcomed leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Social Democratic Party (SDP), and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.

Former PDP State Vice Chairman and Commissioner Awude is a well-known grassroots politician in the state.

On the Sunshine Grassroots Network forum, Governor Aiyedatiwa hailed the defectors and explained their prudent choices to join the state’s ruling party.

“There is no room for coalition in Ondo State; there is only one APC,” stated Aiyedatiwa. Although people join political parties for a variety of reasons, the party’s interest must always come first, and for the APC, that priority is holding onto power.

According to the governor, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration in Ondo State and the federal government both exhibit signs of effective governance.

Aiyedatiwa declared: “The decision of these defectors to join us today is a strong step towards that goal. The entire state of Ondo is for President Tinubu come 2027.” Being a member of our party guarantees that we will increase our numbers and fortify the APC before the presidential election.

Citing his convergence with the current administration’s progressive values and developmental objectives, Awude declared his defection to the APC.

“I joined the APC to add value, and I promise Mr. Governor that he will see it,” he stated. In order to fully integrate, I implore all of our party’s supporters to go back to their units and wards.

Read Also: Edo APC Reacts To PDP Accusation Of Spending N3.51bn On Travel Spree Within Eight Months

“I am here for progress in order to support Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration and President Bola Tinubu.”

Awude praised Governor Aiyedatiwa’s leadership style, stating that it influenced his choice to work with the administration.

As a result, he promised to work for the APC’s victory and unity in Ondo State.

Dele Ogunbameru, a former Social Democratic Party (SDP) secretary and another defector, revealed that he had encountered several difficulties in his previous party.

He stated that he joined the ruling party to provide his extensive knowledge and support its advancement, saying he felt at home with the APC.

Awude was characterized as a man of potential by APC state chairman Engr. Ade Adetimehin, who also pointed out that true political strength starts at the unit and spreads to the ward.

“Any politician who is unable to deliver his unit and ward is not a politician,” he declared. I implore each and every one of our new members to strive for grassroots party building.

Therefore, I would want to formally welcome you to the APC on behalf of our party’s national chairman. I then turn you over to Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, our party’s leader in Ondo State.

The Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti, the Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa, the House of Representatives member representing Akure North/Akure South, Hon. Derin Adesida, the Chairman of the Akure South Local Government, Gbenga Fasua, members of the State Executive Council, and APC leaders were among the APC chieftains who attended the event.

Edo APC Reacts To PDP Accusation Of Spending N3.51bn On Travel Spree Within Eight Months

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Emperor Jarrett Tenebe, the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, has reacted to the recent charge from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) that the State government has spent an astounding N3.51 billion on travel over the past eight months.

In a statement, Tenebe claimed that the PDP’s accusations had once again revealed their inadequacy and ignorance of more general economic metrics, which had a detrimental effect on the people of Edo State during their eight years in power.

Tenebe claims that since replacing the PDP abstracted-MOU ‘419’ government on November 12, 2024, the APC administration, headed by His Excellency Senator Monday Okpebholo, has shown financial restraint.

Since the governor hasn’t taken a foreign trip since November 12, 2024, accusing the current administration of squandering ₦3.51 billion on fictitious “travels” demonstrates that the six PDP renegades are clearly experiencing acute hallucinations linked to neurological disorders as a result of substance abuse and post-election defeat syndrome.

Read Also: Keyamo Condemns Release of Indecent Video of Unruly Passenger, Orders Disciplinary Action

“The APC wants to make it known that Senator Okpebholo is a grassroots leader who is eager to find indigenous solutions to realign the different sectors for quantifiable progress as quickly as feasible.

Therefore, we urge the Edo people and state allies to disregard the baseless charges.

“Only the comprehensive development of the 18 local government areas in accordance with international best practices is of interest to the APC government in Edo State.

As demonstrated during the previous PDP administration, Tenebe declared, “Governor Okpebholo will not continue in the habit of siphoning the state’s resources through fictitious globe trotting.”

During its eight months in office, the state government was accused by the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) state chapter of carelessly spending ₦3.51 billion on a travel spree.

According to a statement released by Chris Osa Nehikhare, Publicity Secretary, Edo State Caretaker Committee, the PDP is furious that the administration of Senator Monday Okpebholo wasted a startling ₦3.51 billion on travel in the first half of 2025 alone.

When states like Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Kaduna, Kano, and even Ekiti topped the list, Edo State failed to draw in a single kobo in foreign investment, according to the National Bureau of Statistics’ (NBS) Capital Importation Report. While other states are opening their doors to capital, Edo’s officials are opening their wallets for indefinite travel, which is a stark and embarrassing contrast.

“The good people of Edo State, who still have to put up with bad roads, subpar medical facilities, dilapidated schools, delayed salary payments, and an epileptic power supply, are insulted by this careless spending.

“It is unacceptable that Edo’s leadership is wasting limited resources on travels that have no real value while other states are trying to draw in investment.

A jamboree is not what governance is. Prudence, vision, and a dedication to putting the interests of the people ahead of selfish pleasures are all necessary for leadership.

“Edo State should have a government that prioritizes job creation, infrastructure development, and raising the standard of living for its people rather than one that is fixated with traveling the world at the expense of the public.

“We demand that the state government immediately stop this unnecessary spending, make the trip details public, and reroute these funds going forward to address the severe infrastructure shortage throughout the state.

“Edo people are entitled to responsibility, not luxury. Nehikhare said, “We want results, not receipts.”

Keyamo Condemns Release of Indecent Video of Unruly Passenger, Orders Disciplinary Action

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Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has called the release of a video that depicts an unruly passenger being exposed indecently during an Ibom Airline incident “totally unacceptable” and has ordered punishment against the staff members involved.

During an August 10, 2025, Ibom Airline trip from Uyo to Lagos, the passenger, identified as Miss Comfort Emmanson, also known as Comfort Bob, allegedly attacked ground personnel and aircraft crew.

While recording her actions was required for legal purposes, Keyamo stated in a statement posted on his official X account on Monday that it was shameful that the offensive material was made public.

While we are in favor of filming her obstinate behavior as evidence to prosecute her, Keyamo stated that it is reprehensible to make such information publicly available in order to make fun of her.

For us, that is completely intolerable. The devaluation of women is unacceptable, and we will not stand by and watch.

“Therefore, I have instructed that the person who released the portion of the video that contains the staff members’ indecent exposure be singled out and given appropriate punishment.”

Additionally, the minister instructed airlines to retrain and retrain their employees in handling explosive situations and public relations. In order to improve aviation security coordination, a joint security meeting with pertinent authorities is scheduled for next week.
He said the incident happened on Ibom Airline Flight Q153 from Uyo to Lagos at approximately 2:54 p.m. when the passenger disregarded the International Civil Aviation Regulations by refusing to turn off her phone during departure.

Read Also: Three Suspects Nabbed in AAUA Staff Kidnapping Ransom Sharing Case

He claims the passenger is prohibited from flying on both domestic and foreign flights for an undetermined period of time by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.

Because of this, I have been talking about the situation with the Airport Police Command’s Commissioner of Police, the NCAA’s DG and his team, the FAAN’s MD and her team, and the Ibom Air COO and his team for the past few hours,” he stated.

After being remanded to Kirikiri Prison for her failure to submit sureties, she was arraigned before the Ikeja Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

Passengers who have complaints should contact the NCAA’s Consumer Protection Directorate instead of acting disruptively, Keyamo warned, adding that those who do so risk flight bans and even criminal charges.

The statement ended by saying, “We will continue to apply equal sanctions available to us in Aviation on any such erring passengers, that is lengthy flight bans and report the matters to other law enforcement agencies to do their bit within their powers.”

Three Suspects Nabbed in AAUA Staff Kidnapping Ransom Sharing Case

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According to the police, three people have been taken into custody in relation to the abduction of an employee of Adekunle Ajasin University in Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State.

Less than a day after the kidnapee was freed after giving the gunmen an undisclosed amount, the suspects were taken into custody.

The abductors contacted Omoniyi Eleyinmi’s family, friends, and acquaintances, the Faculty Officer in the varsity’s Faculty of Education, and demanded a ransom of N100 million.

However, following extensive pleading and haggling, the gunmen agreed to take N7 million in exchange for giving the family a day to make the payment.

Read Also: EFCC Allegedly Serving APC’s Interests by Targeting Opposition, Says ADC

However, Eleyinmi was rescued on Sunday when his family paid the gunmen an undisclosed amount to free him.

According to sources, the suspects were apprehended during the ransom exchange.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Olayinka Ayanlade, the spokesperson for the Police Command in Ondo State, confirmed the occurrence, saying: “I can confirm to you that our operatives arrested three suspected kidnappers in connection with the kidnapping of two AAUA lecturers.”

“The suspects are being profiled and questioned at the moment.

“In the interim, CP Adebowale Lawal, the Commissioner of Police for the Ondo State Police Command, has instructed that the suspects and all recovered exhibits be turned over to the Anti-kidnapping Squad for a discreet and comprehensive investigation.”

EFCC Allegedly Serving APC’s Interests by Targeting Opposition, Says ADC

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The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has been charged by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) with using the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as a political tool against opposition MPs.
The ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, claimed in a statement on Monday that the EFCC’s recent actions—such as calling in opposition members and revisiting previous cases—were driven by political goals.
As a brave guardian of the Nigerian people’s confidence, the EFCC was established to enforce the law equally to all parties, whether they were allies or adversaries, the ruling party or the opposition. According to Abdullahi, “that vision seems to have been compromised today.”
The anti-graft agency had broken with impartiality, according to the ADC, and was now acting as “a department of the APC, deployed to fight government critics and opposition figures.”

Read Also: Breaking: Yelwata in Crisis as Gunmen Open Fire, Scores Shot in New Benue Attack

Additionally, it charged that the EFCC had abandoned investigations against APC supporters while chasing opposition leaders with tenacity.

“The EFCC’s investigations into his administration have never been seen by the public again since a certain former governor defected to the APC with the entire political apparatus of his state. Nobody has posed a question. There was no document leak. Absolutely no updates. Party affiliation, not proof, seems to determine one’s guilt or innocence in modern-day Nigeria, Abdullahi stated.

The Nigerians, not the APC, own the EFCC.
The ADC said that the EFCC’s and Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts’ credibility was being harmed by the apparent partisanship.

“The EFCC is not an APC member. Nigerians are the rightful owners. The opposition party, represented by Abdullahi, emphasized that taxpayers, not the ruling party, are funding it.

He issued a warning, saying that utilizing public institutions to impose political will weakens democracy and increases public mistrust.

Protecting national institutions from political takeover is something that the ADC recommended stakeholders to do.

“This dangerous trend is eroding public trust in the institution and undermining the real fight against corruption. We must not allow public institutions to be hijacked for partisan objectives,” the party declared.

Breaking: Yelwata in Crisis as Gunmen Open Fire, Scores Shot in New Benue Attack

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Gunmen reportedly carried out another deadly attack in the early hours of Monday, August 11, which has caused tension in the Benue State village of Yelwata.
It was discovered that the local women staged a demonstration in response to the fresh attack, blocking roads and calling for the soldiers stationed nearby to return to their barracks.
According to reports, the irate locals demanded to be moved to Makurdi, the state capital, claiming they no longer felt comfortable in their houses.
One of the demonstrators said, “They should take us to Makurdi because the government cannot protect us,” according to the report.

Read Also: EFCC Raid Sparks Legal Threat from Obasanjo Presidential Library

Monday’s event was believed to have occurred less than two months after a nighttime attack in the same hamlet on June 13 that claimed the lives of over 200 people, including internally displaced people, and was purportedly carried out by armed herders.

That incident, which stunned the country and received international condemnation, reportedly burned many people alive.

As of the time this news was filed, authorities had not yet released an official comment regarding the most recent occurrence.

Details will be added soon!

EFCC Raid Sparks Legal Threat from Obasanjo Presidential Library

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Regarding Sunday’s raid on the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State, the administration has vowed to file a lawsuit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Following a Wet & Rave Splash Extravaganza party at the OOPL, Rounda fun spot, Lagos Zon­al Directorate 2 officers attacked the venue at around two in the morning on Sunday, arrested ninety-three young people, and confiscated eighteen vehicles and mobile gadgets.

A widely shared video caught some of the young people running for their lives during the nighttime raid.

Credible intelligence regarding the youths’ potential involvement in online crimes led to the raid, according to a statement published by the EFCC on its official X account.

In a statement that reporters were able to get, Vitalis Ortese, the Managing Director of OOPL Ventures, responded to the incident by stating that the operators had over fifty armed men enter the facility, shooting firearms and threatening to kill individuals.

He bemoaned how the invasion, spearheaded by one “Olapade,” created chaos and fear, resulting in severe injuries to those attempting to flee the shooting.

In addition to violating OOPL’s rights as a corporate citizen, Ortese characterized the action as a glaring and flagrant violation of the rights of the attendees of the event and a clear case of invasion of private property.

A group of more than fifty armed men, resembling the Gestapo, stormed the OOPL premises this morning at around two in the morning, threatening to kill individuals, brandishing firearms, and claiming to be from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), according to the statement.

In addition to causing fear among locals, the invasion, spearheaded by one ‘Olapade,’ resulted in severe panic and confusion, as well as catastrophic injuries to participants attempting to flee the ensuing shooting and near-carnage.

The “Olapade” told Mr. Vitalis Ortese, the Managing Director of the OOPL establishment, over the phone that they were responding to an intelligence report on a private event in the complex’s amusement center. The police have been properly notified of the operation, they also told management.

However, it should be mentioned that the event was private and had been heavily publicized for days before. Notably, the police officers stationed at the OOPL gates and the additional police officers dispatched from the Kem­ta Police Station at the request of the event organizers and management indicated that they were not notified of any EFCC-planned operation and did not produce a warrant.

“And OOPL security and supporting police officers just said, ‘We are doing our job,’ when the armed guys were confronted.

The EFCC’s action, according to management, is an obvious violation of the rights of the persons who attended the event, a clear case of invasion of private property, and an infringement of OOPL’s rights as corporate citizens.

The statement called for an explanation and an apology from the EFCC officials for violating its and the people’s rights, and it also stated that an investigation into the invasion was still underway.

If the anti-graft agency doesn’t provide the apology and explanation, it has threatened to file a lawsuit.

“Management requests that the commission provide an explanation for these egregious acts and that the EFCC authorities apologize for violating its rights, as well as to all those who attended and suffered severe injuries from the gangster-like chaos.”

According to the statement, “if there is a failure, the management will be forced to seek appropriate redress and sanctions.”