Nelson Ugwuagbo

Troops of 22 Armoured Brigade deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Babana in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State have neutralised two bandits and recovered arms and ammunition during an operation in the early hours of Thursday, 28 August 2025.

The attack occurred at about 2:50 a.m. when armed bandits attempted to infiltrate the Babana axis. Soldiers on guard duty engaged the assailants in a firefight, forcing them to withdraw in disarray.

According to Captain Stephen Nwankwo, Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations, 22 Armoured Brigade, Ilorin, the troops later conducted a follow-up operation along the bandits’ withdrawal route where two of them were neutralised. He added that items recovered from the encounter included one AK-47 rifle, four AK-47 magazines loaded with 60 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 323 rounds of 7.62x54mm ammunition, and a mobile phone.

“Regrettably, one officer and a soldier sustained gunshot injuries to their legs during the exchange of fire. They are currently responding to medical treatment, while the remains of the neutralised bandits have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action,” Nwankwo said.

The Commander of 22 Armoured Brigade, Brigadier General Ezra Barkins, commended the troops for their bravery and resilience. He reaffirmed the Brigade’s resolve to intensify operations and employ all legitimate means to eradicate criminal elements while ensuring the safety and security of law-abiding citizens within its operational area.

The Federal Government has awarded N200,000 to Nafisah Abdullahi, winner of the TeenEagle Global Finals competition.

The gesture comes days after the Atiku Foundation announced fully-funded scholarships for Abdullahi and her teammates, Rukaiya Fema and Khadija Kalli, in recognition of their outstanding performance at the international contest.

The three students emerged global champions in different categories of the prestigious academic competition, earning accolades for what the Foundation described as their “remarkable success.”

Speaking at a special recognition ceremony in Abuja on Thursday, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, joined by the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suiwaba Ahmad, celebrated Abdullahi’s feat as well as the achievements of other Nigerian students who excelled at the competition.

The Federal Government has clarified that it never signed any binding agreements with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, made this known on Thursday while addressing journalists in Abuja. He explained that documents often cited by the union, including those from 2009 and 2011, were merely proposals presented during negotiations and not formal agreements.

“The documents ASUU has been referring to as agreements were just proposals that were never signed,” Alausa stated.

The minister, however, assured that President Bola Tinubu’s administration remains committed to addressing the long-standing concerns of university lecturers.

Alausa also dismissed media reports suggesting that he had scheduled a joint meeting with ASUU and the Minister of Labour and Employment, describing such claims as inaccurate.

Former Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ahmed Aliyu Mustapha, has passed away.

Mustapha, who led the Service between 1999 and 2003, retired in December 2003 after more than three decades of active duty.

His death was confirmed on Thursday by Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, in a statement on his social media platforms.

“Deeply saddened by the passing of Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu Musdafa, former CG of Customs. A man of service, dignity & duty whose legacy will live on. My prayers are with Lamido Adamawa, the Musdafa royal family & all who mourn him. May Allah grant him Aljannah Firdaus,” Fintiri wrote.

The Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, has alleged that his life and those of the company’s management staff are under serious threat.

Ojulari, who disclosed this on Thursday, said the threats are linked to the reforms he introduced in the oil and gas sector, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to revamp the nation’s moribund refineries.

According to him, some powerful individuals opposed to the ongoing changes are allegedly plotting to force him out of office.

The NNPCL boss raised the alarm while receiving a delegation of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), led by its President, Comrade Festus Osifo, at the company’s headquarters in Abuja.

The Anambra State House of Assembly has suspended the member representing Ayamelum Constituency, Bernard Udemezue, for three months over a social media post disclosing his entitlements as a lawmaker.

The suspension was announced during plenary on Tuesday following the adoption of a report by the House Committee on Rules, Business, Ethics and Privileges, chaired by Majority Leader Ikenna Ofodeme.

Udemezue had shared a message in a WhatsApp group largely made up of his constituents, revealing his allowances and stating that each lawmaker receives ₦10 million quarterly from the state government for constituency projects.

The disclosures angered his colleagues, who described his conduct as unparliamentary. The committee recommended his suspension without salary and barred him from appearing within the Assembly premises during the period.

Reacting to the decision, Udemezue insisted he did nothing wrong, arguing that his intention was to keep his constituents informed about his activities in the Assembly.

He further alleged that his suspension was an act of victimisation, claiming some lawmakers were upset because the revelation exposed that many pocket funds meant for constituency projects.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered six banks to provide the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) with details of all accounts and transactions linked to Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters.

Justice Emeka Nwite gave the order on Tuesday after granting an ex-parte motion filed by the IGP’s counsel, Wisdom Madaki.

In the motion, the police told the court that Sowore is under investigation for alleged terrorism financing, money laundering, and fraudulent activities.

Ruling on the application, Justice Nwite held that the request was justified.

“I have listened to the submission of the counsel to the applicant and I have also gone through the affidavit evidence. I am of the view and so hold that the application is meritorious. The prayer is hereby granted as prayed,” the judge said.