Nigerian Army Eliminate 24 Boko Haram Insurgents, Recover Weapons

In continuation of the series of coordinated offensive operations across the North East Theatre of operations, troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), bolstered by close air support from the Air Component and collaboration with Civilian Joint Task Force and hunters, have carried out successful kinetic operations against Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in theatre between 4 – 9 July 2025, eliminating several terrorists. In one of the ambushes conducted at Platari on 4 July 2025, the gallant troops, while lying in wait, made contact with JAS/ISWAP terrorists mounted on bicycles moving from the Sambisa Forest axis to the Timbuktu Triangle. The terrorists were immediately subdued with heavy fire, leading to the neutralization of 3 terrorists. Similarly, following intelligence on movements of the insurgents around Komala general area, troops sprang another ambush on the terrorists, neutralizing another fighter. On exploitation of the general area, troops recovered motorcycles and spare parts, knapsack sprayers, pesticides, and terrorists’ food items. Relatedly, troops conducted a night ambush on the same day at terrorists’ hideouts around the Kawuri general area in Konduga Local Government. During the deliberate operations, the resilient troops came into contact with the insurgents. Consequently, 2 terrorists conveying logistics were immediately eliminated, while others fled with gunshot wounds. Troops also recovered packets of salt, food seasoning, detergents, and other sundry items. In the same vein, troops on 5 July 2025, intercepted terrorists attempting to access the Madarari Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Konduga Local Government Area. The troops swiftly engaged the insurgents, killing one terrorists, while others escaped with traces of gunshot wounds. Troops subsequently recovered several rounds of ammunition during the exploitation of the area. In another development, troops conducted a fighting patrol to terrorists’ enclaves at Leno Kura. Resultantly, the troops came into contact with the insurgents and engaged them with simultaneous gunfire from different directions. Accordingly, 3 terrorists met their Waterloo, while troops continued exploitation of the area. Furthermore, on 6 July 2025, troops carried out a night ambush at a suspected terrorists’ crossing point along the roads Ngoshe – Gava, Ngoshe – Ashigashiya, as well as Amuda – Gava areas.Troops made contact, and an insurgent was neutralized while others fled. On 7 July 2025 also, troops sprang another ambush following an intelligence report close to Sabsawa village. During the operation, troops made contact with terrorists’ logistics suppliers and successfully neutralized 2 insurgents. On exploitation of the area, the gallant troops recovered bicycles, sacks of slippers, several torchlights, batteries, detergents, salt, and rubber shoes, amongst other sundry items. On 8 July 2025, troops in conjunction with the Civilian Joint Task Force, under close air support provided by the Air Component of OPHK, conducted clearance operations at Bula Marwa, a known ISWAP/JAS enclave. In the course of the operation, the troops eliminated an insurgent and recovered a gun, terrorists’ uniforms, while their life-supporting structures were totally destroyed. Additionally, troops in a joint operation with hunters and the Civilian Joint Task Force, conducted fighting patrol at terrorists’ hideouts at Pambula village in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State. During the patrol, contact was made with JAS/ISWAP terrorists, who were immediately engaged with a high volume of fire, forcing the terrorists to disperse in disarray. The troops neutralized a terrorist, recovering four motorcycles and his weapon. The determined troops continued exploiting the general area to rid it of any terrorists activities.

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Ganduje Inaugurated as FAAN Board Chairman

Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, CON, the immediate past National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Governor of Kano State, has been officially inaugurated as the Chairman of the Board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). His appointment was made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in January 2025, with the formal inauguration taking place on July 9, 2025, in Abuja. The inauguration ceremony was conducted by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and included other board members such as FAAN Managing Director Ms. Olubunmi Kuku, Ms. Dorothy Duruaka, Ahmed Ibrahim Suleiman, Nasiru Muazu, Omozojie Okoboh, TP Vembe, and Bridget Gold. Dr. Ganduje assumed this new role shortly after resigning as APC National Chairman, a position he held from August 2023 until his resignation in mid-2025, citing urgent personal matters. His resignation cleared the way for his full assumption of duties at FAAN, aligning with President Tinubu’s directive that board chairpersons maintain non-executive roles without interfering in daily management. This appointment marks a significant transition for Dr. Ganduje from partisan leadership to a strategic role in Nigeria’s aviation sector, where he is expected to enhance oversight and operational efficiency within FAAN.

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ADC Accuses Tinubu Administration of Politicising Buhari Tribute

ADC Appoints Taekwondo Grandmaster, 36 Others as States Chairmen

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has appointed a Nigerian Taekwondo grandmaster, George Ashiru and 36 others as States Chairmen ahead of the 2027 General Elections. Ashiru, according to press statement on Wednesday, will serve as the Party’s Chairman in Lagos State. The seven-time Nigerian Taekwondo champion in the light and welter weight categories and won a silver medal at the 4th All Africa Games in Kenya in 1987 was born to a royal household in the southwestern part of Nigeria. Others appointees are as follows; Hanatu Garaba (Plateau), Musa S. Shuaib (Nasarawa), Adekolu O. Moses (Ekiti), Patrick Obianyo (Anambra), Hon. Haruna Hassan (Bauchi), Otunba Pat. Olufemi (Ogun) Celestine Orbunda (Benue), Mohammed Bolori (Borno), Comrade John Ogar (Cross River), Austine Okotie (Delta), Jennifer Adibie N (Ebonyi), Kennedy Odion (Edo), Iyke Nwoka (Abia), Stella Chukwula (Enugu), Mallam Danladi Yau (Gombe), Duke Gabriel Dick (Akwa Ibom), Alh. Sanni Mohammed (Jigawa), Ahmed Tijani M (Kaduna), Ungogo Musa (Kano), Alh. Usman Musa (Katsina) Hajia Hawa Mohammed (Kebbi). Also on the list are; John Adeli Udale (Kogi), Adebayo Akadi (Kwara), Chief Mrs Ganiyu Sidirika (Ondo), Auta Mohammed (Niger), Yohanna Shehu K (Adamawa), Chief Emmanuel Amushe (Imo), Charles Idowu (Osun), Alh. Yinka Adona (Oyo), Yusuf Tijani (FCT) Ode Lawrence E (Rivers), Hon. Umar Farouk (Sokoto), Adamu Hassan (Taraba), Alh. Kalli Umar (Yobe) and Alh. Kabiru Garba (Zamfara). Meanwhile, the Akwa Ibom State chapter has notified all persons who obtained membership cards last week without the stamp and imprimatur of the state chairman to present them at the State Secretariat of the Party at No. 84 Udotung Ubo Street, Uyo, for stamping and signature of the State chairman, and entry of their names in the Party’s membership register.

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Mbappe, Dembele Heat Up Real Madrid vs PSG Clash in Club World Cup Semifinal

Football fans are set for a seismic showdown as Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain lock horns in the semifinal of the FIFA Club World Cup, with more than just bragging rights on the line. Taking place at the massive MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, the clash pits two of Europe’s most dominant clubs — and the last two UEFA Champions League winners — against each other in a battle for a spot in Sunday’s final. For Real Madrid, the stakes are historic: a chance to claim a record sixth Club World Cup title. But for PSG, it’s an opportunity to achieve a rare five-title season, adding the CWC crown to their domestic and continental success. Adding an explosive subplot to the tie is Kylian Mbappe’s dramatic reunion with his former club. Now donning the iconic white of Madrid, the French superstar will face PSG for the first time since making his long-anticipated move to Spain in 2024. Team news, starting lineups, and more details are expected to be confirmed in the hours leading up to kick-off. With two of the world’s richest clubs, a galaxy of stars, and Mbappe’s emotional return, this semifinal promises fireworks — on and off the pitch.

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NECO Releases 2025 BECE Results, Sets July 23–24 for Re-sit Exams

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has officially released the results of the 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), according to a statement by the Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Azeez Sani. The statement, issued on Wednesday and obtained by News360 Nigeria, revealed that a total of 179,201 candidates registered for the examination, which spanned 12 subjects and was conducted nationwide from May 12 to May 23, 2025. While specific performance data was not disclosed, NECO confirmed that the results were released after the successful conclusion of the 2025 BECE Award Committee Meeting, held at the Council’s headquarters in Minna. During the meeting, the Chairperson of the Award Committee, Dr. Folake Olatunji-David — Director of Basic Education at the Federal Ministry of Education — expressed satisfaction with the integrity of the processes leading to the release of the results. Also present at the meeting were NECO management and selected secondary school principals from across the country. NECO further announced that the BECE re-sit examinations for candidates needing to retake English Studies and Mathematics will be held on July 23 and 24, 2025, respectively. The council urged candidates, schools, and parents to prepare accordingly and consult the official timetable.

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Ogbonna Committed The Crime He Was Convicted For -Ogun Commissioner

The Ogun State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Oluwasina Ogungbade (SAN) has opened on the conviction of Ogbonna Ogbojionu, saying the claimant indeed committed the crime he was convicted. Ogungbade reacted to Ogbonna’s claims in a lenghty statement made available on his Facebook page on Wednesday. The later had claimed on Honest Bunch Podcast that he was incarcerated for merely buying a generator. In the Attorney General summary of events, he wrote; “My Office has observed recent viral publications regarding Ogbonna Ogbojionu, who was recently released from prison after many years. These reports allege that Ogbonna was wrongfully imprisoned for over two decades for merely buying a stolen generator and that the real thief – one Segun Ajibade – was pardoned in 2016, leaving Ogbonna to suffer for nine more years. This narrative is entirely false. “Ogbonna was convicted on 14 January 2003 by the Ogun State High Court and sentenced to death. However, Ogbonna’s death sentence was converted to a life sentence in June 2021 by Governor Dapo Abiodun CON, in exercise of the prerogative of mercy. The prerogative of mercy is a constitutional power vested in the President and State Governors, based on advice from the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy (ACPM). The Attorney-General of Ogun State is the Chairman of the Ogun State ACPM. Ogbonna was a beneficiary of the most recent prerogative of mercy exercised by the Governor to commemorate Democracy Day 2025. “Ogbonna did not merely buy a stolen generator. Indeed, there is no evidence till date, that Ogbonna ever bought the generator in issue. The true facts are that around 10:00 pm on 3 October 2000, a gang of armed robbers attacked ELF petrol station along Abeokuta-Lagos road and stole a 10 KVA Lister generator. The armed robbers overpowered and detained the two guards at the fuel station. They hit one guard – Yusuf Akanni – with an iron rod on his head and on his leg, breaking his femur. They hit the second guard – Moses Bankole – on the head with an iron rod as well, then they bound both guards. Moses Bankole died on the spot, while bound, while Ogbonna and the other armed robbers made away with the Lister generator. Yusuf Akanni, the surviving guard, was the first prosecution witness for Ogun State. Ogbonna was a generator technician so he was the robber who specifically loosened the generator from where it was secured in ELF filling station. “At 2:30 am a few days later, around Toll Gate, Ota, the Police randomly stopped a vehicle which was loaded with firewood and pure water bags that had been used to conceal a big generator. That generator turned out to be the same generator stolen from ELF. Ogbonna was in the vehicle alongside the vehicle’s driver (Sunday Oloyede) and one Kolawole Oladeji. When confronted by the Police, none of them could produce a receipt for the generator, so the Police decided to impound he vehicle and arrest its occupants. As the Police were planning to move the vehicle to the station, the driver and Kolawole Oladeji zoomed off with the vehicle, leaving Ogbonna behind. Ogbonna was detained in one of the cells at Toll Gate but before morning, Ogbonna escaped by breaking the asbestos in the cell’s ceiling. “However, by that time, the Police had already recorded the vehicle’s registration number. Investigations at the Alausa licensing office disclosed the owner of the vehicle who presented his four drivers to the Police. Sunday Oloyede turned out to be one of the truck owner’s drivers – and he was arrested. He led the Police to Kolawole Oladeji and Segun Ajibade. The three then led the police to Ogbonna who was arrested but by then had already sold the generator. Ogbonna led the Police to the person he sold the generator to, one Ali Rihan, who released the generator back to the Police and testified against Ogbonna and the others, as the eleventh prosecution witness. “Based on these events, these defendants, including Ogbonna, confessed to how they had planned the whole robbery. Ogbonna made two confessional statements in two different Police stations – they were admitted as Exhibits K and B, without objection as to coercion. The prosecution called eleven witnesses in all, but Ogbonna and his co-defendants did not call any witnesses. Instead, they chose to rest their case on that of the prosecution. Under the law, this meant that they agreed with the facts narrated with the prosecution but did not believe it was enough to convict them. However, the court thought otherwise and convicted them. “These facts completely dispel all the lies that Ogbonna and his packagers are currently circulating. Ogbonna participated in the armed robbery. Ogbonna participated in transporting the generator by cover of night, hidden under pure water bags and firewood – nobody carrying property they believe to be theirs will hide it in that manner. Ogbonna fled lawful detention. Ogbonna, also, after having seen the driver run away from the Police with the generator, still proceeded to reunite with that same driver and still sell the generator without regard to the driver’s suspicious conduct. Ogbonna was an integral part of the armed robbery. “If Ogbonna truly owned the generator, he would have presented a receipt or any evidence of purchase to the Police at the checkpoint or at his trial. Ogbonna knew the value and status of a receipt, because he issued Ali Rihan a receipt after selling the generator to Ali. If Ogbonna was truly tortured in detention to confess, what is his explanation for not objecting to the confessional statement at trial? How does he explain his legal strategy of calling no witnesses? Why did he not bring any witnesses who knew that he owned the generator, who knew his lawful source of living, or who sold him the generator? The truth is that all these did not exist. “Ogbonna rested his case on the prosecution’s case. He did not call any witness…

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Gbajabiamila: Lawmakers Forced Into Budget Insertions Due to Broken Local Governments

Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, says Nigerian lawmakers are often forced to insert constituency projects into the national budget to meet public expectations caused by the collapse of local government systems. Speaking on Tuesday during the opening of the 2025 Open Week of the House of Representatives in Abuja, Gbajabiamila — a former Speaker of the House — said there is a widening disconnect between the constitutional role of lawmakers and what the public expects of them. “It is a source of frustration that, nearly three decades later, the vast majority of our nation’s people still do not fully comprehend the legislative functions, powers, responsibilities, and limitations of each member of parliament and the institution,” he said. Gbajabiamila explained that the public pressure on legislators to build roads, classrooms, and healthcare facilities — responsibilities assigned to the executive and local governments — has driven lawmakers to rely heavily on budget insertions to deliver tangible projects to their constituents. His remarks follow revelations by BudgIT, a civic tech group, which recently said it uncovered over 11,000 projects worth N6.93 trillion inserted into the 2025 national budget by the National Assembly. The group described the practice as a systemic abuse of power. But Gbajabiamila argued that in the absence of functioning local governance, lawmakers have little choice but to fill the vacuum. “A member of the House of Representatives who isn’t actively engaged in providing education and healthcare facilities, who isn’t doing road construction and waste management, while delivering sustained empowerment for commercial activities, is not going to be a legislator for very long,” he said. He warned that the blurring of legislative and executive roles risks long-term dysfunction and growing public resentment. Legislators, he said, are being judged on duties they were never constitutionally designed to perform. “For example, when the executive builds roads, there is a framework for maintenance through the public works department. No legislator can provide that, nor should they be expected to,” he noted. Gbajabiamila assured that the Tinubu administration is working to restore autonomy and functionality to local governments through improved funding, transparency, and accountability. He emphasized that in more advanced democracies, local governments handle most quality-of-life services — from waste disposal to community policing — now unfairly expected of federal lawmakers. He expressed hope that a strengthened local government system will allow legislators to return to their core constitutional duties: lawmaking, policy development, and oversight of the executive.

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Senator Natasha Donates 700 Computers to Historic Okene School, Vows Broader Digital Uplift

In a landmark effort to bridge the digital divide in public education, Senator Natasha H. Akpoti-Uduaghan on Monday donated 700 computers to Abdul Azeez Attah Memorial College, Okene (AAAMCO) — one of Northern Nigeria’s oldest secondary schools. The donation marks a major milestone in the senator’s education modernization agenda, aimed at arming students in Kogi Central with vital digital skills for the 21st century. Speaking at the handover ceremony, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan emphasized the urgency of integrating technology into learning environments. “To educate a mind is to enlighten a mind,” she said. “Now that we live in the age of artificial intelligence and robotics, it would be an injustice to our children not to equip them with up-to-date tools for learning.” She pledged to replicate the intervention in more public schools, citing digital access as a basic educational right — not a luxury — referencing progress made in Rwanda and Ghana. Traditional ruler of Okene, HRH Alhaji Okatahi Mamman, praised the senator’s foresight, calling it a “forward-thinking investment in our future.” School principal Mr. Paul Amoh lauded previous interventions including road construction, classroom renovations, and solar lighting installations, saying the senator is turning AAAMCO into “a fully smart school.” Representing the alumni, Engr. Yusuf Momohjimoh, National Secretary of the AAAMCO Old Boys Forum, hailed the initiative as a catalyst for pride and progress, pledging support to ensure the devices are well-maintained. Founded in the 1920s, AAAMCO has produced notable Nigerian figures, including former Military President General Ibrahim Babangida. Senator Natasha’s gesture, observers say, is not just a gift of technology, but a legacy of opportunity.

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