Author: Naija Daily News

Former militant leader and Niger Delta activist, Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, has warned Boko Haram insurgents to stay away from Port Harcourt, declaring that he would not hesitate to confront and kill any terrorist who attempts to operate in the city. In a viral video posted on Tuesday amid rising cases of killings and kidnappings across the country, Asari-Dokubo said his commitment as a Muslim would not prevent him from defending himself or his community if attacked. “If Boko Haram comes to Port Harcourt, you know sey my business na to kill them,” he said. “I dey Zamfara dey kill them, I…

The Federal Government has explained why full details of the recent rescue of 38 abducted members of the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State, are not being disclosed. Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Policy, said on Tuesday that such operations involve intricate planning and coordination among multiple security units, including local intelligence, which cannot be made public. “The process of securing or freeing victims of kidnappings is often a complicated one involving several steps and multiple security personnel, even local intelligence. The ultimate goal is to free the captives and apprehend the terrorists. The…

File photo: Comptroller-General, Customs, Adewale Adeniyi By Deborah Nnamdi The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, on Tuesday announced a new policy requiring compulsory drug testing for all recruits and serving officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS). Speaking at the closing session of the CGC’s 2025 Conference in Abuja, Adeniyi said the measure is part of the ongoing recruitment exercise and aims to prevent substance-dependent individuals from joining the Service. “The Nigeria Customs Service has concluded arrangements to subject all incoming officers and men to a mandatory drug test,” said Adeniyi, as quoted in a statement by Customs spokesperson Abdullahi…

By Deborah Nnamdi Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has said he would join calls for the pardon and release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, if Kanu demonstrates genuine remorse and commits to peace. Kanu was convicted on seven counts of terrorism by the Federal High Court in Abuja. Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday, Gumi insisted that a non-kinetic approach remains the most viable way to address Nigeria’s worsening insecurity. “This Kanu that was imprisoned for terrorism for agitating that our soldiers should be killed—if this same Kanu now…

The Ugborodo Graduates Association has rejected a recent publication by the Gbaramatu Female Graduates Association claiming ownership of Sahara, a land the Ugborodo community insists has always belonged to the Itsekiri people. In an open letter signed by the association’s president, Comr. Dogho Besidone, and its PRO, Onogho Gbubemi, the group said it would ordinarily not respond but felt compelled to do so because the statement, in their view, was influenced by actors beyond those who signed it. They dismissed the existence of any community known as “Sarabubor,” insisting that the area in question—Sahara—is Ugborodo ancestral land backed by documented…

Dangote Industries has entered into a landmark agreement with Honeywell to supply advanced refinery technology and services that will enable the expansion of its refining capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day (bpd) by 2028. The deal, announced on Tuesday and reported by Reuters, is seen as a major step toward positioning Africa’s largest refinery as one of the world’s biggest petroleum processing hubs. Under the partnership, Honeywell will provide state-of-the-art catalysts, equipment, and technical expertise to allow the refinery to process a wider variety of crude oil grades. This operational flexibility is considered crucial as Dangote accelerates preparations for…

The Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, has ordered the release of Kenneth Okechukwu Nwafor, who had been in detention since July 2022 over alleged links to the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB). Nwafor, a native of Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State, was freed after a fresh investigation by DSS operatives reportedly absolved him of any wrongdoing. In addition to regaining his freedom, he was awarded N5 million in compensation and granted free medical care on the orders of the DG. According to credible security sources, Nwafor’s release followed a directive…

By Deborah Nnamdi Bandits have raided the Isapa community in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, abducting 11 residents in a Monday night attack that left an elderly woman injured by a stray bullet. The gunmen, reported to be more than 20 in number, invaded the community with a large herd of cattle and fired shots indiscriminately as residents fled for safety. A community leader, who spoke under anonymity, confirmed that 11 people were kidnapped, seven of whom belong to one family. The victims include a pregnant woman, two nursing mothers, and several children. The abducted individuals have been…

The Nigerian Army has initiated a full investigation into the alleged withdrawal of soldiers from Maga community shortly before 25 schoolgirls were abducted in Kebbi State. A senior military source at the Army Headquarters told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the probe is already underway, following concerns raised by Governor Nasir Idris over claims that troops stationed at Government Comprehensive Girls Secondary School, Maga, were withdrawn ahead of the Nov. 17 attack. The source said the inquiry would uncover who authorized the withdrawal and whether standard operational procedures were observed. According to him, the Army views the incident…

Troops of the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army have intercepted 108.8 kilograms of cannabis and arrested a suspected courier along the Kabba–Obajana road in Kogi State. The arrest was confirmed in a statement on Tuesday by the Brigade’s spokesperson, Lt. Hassan Abdullahi, who described the operation as a breakthrough in ongoing efforts to curb drug trafficking and banditry in the state. According to the statement, the interception occurred on Monday when troops deployed to the Agbede Response Area conducted a routine stop-and-search on a Toyota Camry with registration number DKA 158AU. The vehicle’s driver allegedly had a branded police…