News

Bandits will be reintegrated under my government: Gov Bala Mohammed

Published

2 months ago

April 21, 2026

Preport

Troops of the Nigerian Army have neutralised many bandits and destroyed their camps in coordinated operations in Bauchi, Governor Bala Mohammed has confirmed.

Mr Mohammed, while briefing journalists at the end of a closed-door security meeting on Monday in Bauchi, said the military conducted successful operations in synergy with the Police, other security agencies and vigilantes.

“The operations routed bandits’ enclaves in Dajin Malam Forest linking Bauchi, Plateau and Taraba. The troops neutralised thousands of bandits, destroyed camps and motorcycles. They also disrupted their supply routes, forcing many of them to flee.

“The troops dismantled several bandit camps. Four warplanes bombed the bandits and successfully cleared several camps, disrupting criminal activities within the forests. Several bandits were neutralised while others fled under sustained military pressure.

“Several motorcycles used by the criminals were destroyed, limiting their mobility and operational capability,” he said.

Mr Mohammed said the state government had provided a temporary surrender window to the bandits and urged them to lay down their arms to consolidate recent security gains.

“We are calling on those still hiding to surrender within this period. This is not amnesty, but a chance to return and reintegrate under the government supervision,” the Bauchi governor said.

He said that arrangements were being made to relocate surrendered bandits and their families, adding that most of them were not indigenes of Bauchi.

The governor announced plans to conduct a biometric data capture of residents in the affected communities as part of broader security reforms to end banditry and ensure peace and stability.

Mr Mohammed said the government would adopt strict surveillance mechanisms, intelligence-led monitoring and verification of activities in markets, motor parks and public spaces.

He said his government would also strengthen community-based security systems by recruiting and supporting vigilantes to complement security agencies.

The governor said the biometric data profiling would be conducted in collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission and other relevant agencies to ensure proper documentation and monitoring of population movements in high-risk areas.

According to Mr Mohammed, the measures aim to prevent the existence of ungoverned spaces that could serve as safe havens for criminal elements.

“We are taking these measures to ensure that no space is left ungoverned or unmonitored, so that criminal elements cannot regroup or threaten our communities again,” the governor said.

(NAN)

News

Imo senatorial aspirant, Nwachukwu drags NDC to court over ticket denial

Published

1 hour ago

June 17, 2026

Preport

A Senatorial Aspirant, Isaac Nwachukwu, has dragged Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, before a Federal High Court Sitting in Owerri, Imo State, over the fallout of the party’s National Assembly primaries.

Nwachukwu, in a suit filed through his Counsel, Cajethan Oguzie, accused the party of denying him the Imo North senatorial ticket after emerging a consensus candidate and paying N5m for the nomination form.

The suit also disclosed that Nwachukwu had paid N20m for the support of the party, but his support was unexplainably reduced to N10m when the list of those who supported the party was published.

The NDC Senatorial Aspirant, in his prayers before the court, demanded that a declaration should be made that he is the consensus candidate of the party in the state with regard to the Imo North Senatorial Zone in the 2027 General election.

“A declaration that the first defendant, NDC, be restrained from fielding another candidate except the plaintiff in the General election into the Imo North Senatorial Zone as he is the consensus candidate for the said election.

“A declaration that the second defendant, INEC, be perpetually restrained from recognising and accepting the candidacy of another person except the plaintiff in the Imo North Senatorial election pending the determination of the matter,” the suit stated.

In an affidavit supporting the originating summons, Nwachukwu stated that he purchased the expression of interest form to aspire for the position for Imo North senatorial zone, a copy of which is attached in the suit already filed.

The NDC Senatorial Aspirant added that upon the purchase of the form, he made a monetary contribution in support of the party’s growth in the tune of N20m into the party’s FCMB account number through his Counsel, receipt also attached in the suit as an exhibit.

“The first sign of irregularity and no compliance with the NDC constitution and electoral act came up when the N20m I paid for party support was allocated to one of the aspirants for my Senatorial District by the name Matthew Omegara, and the N10m that Matthew Omegara paid for party support was allocated to me by the Screening Committee headed by Sam Egwu and Buba Galadimma.

” In compliance with NDC’s directives, I participated in the NDC screening exercise and was successfully cleared as an aspirant to participate in the primary election.

After my consensus candidacy was ratified, my name was shortlisted as a Candidate for Imo North district. A copy of the result is hereby annexed as Exhibit 1U5,” the affidavit added.

Nwachukwu alleged that his name was substituted with Omegara after he had been declared the winner of the primary election.

The Imo North Senatorial Aspirant claimed that the National leader of the party, Seriake Dickson, had summoned him for a meeting telling him that his candidacy was affected after a party chieftain from his state said he didn’t know him.

Among other demands, Nwachukwu is asking the court to order NDC to issue him a certificate as its candidate for the Imo North Senatorial District.

News

ADC raises alarm over alleged membership forgery in Zamfara

Published

4 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Preport

Supporters and members of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Anka and Talata Mafara Local Government Areas of Zamfara State have alleged attempts to manipulate the party’s membership records and card numbers ahead of internal political activities.
The allegation was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Gusau by Nura Rabiu Cibiki, Director of Media and Strategy, Campaign and Mobilisation Committee for Abdulrahaman Yahaya, an aspirant for the House of Representatives seat representing Anka/Talata Mafara Federal Constituency.

The group warned against any attempt to alter or duplicate legitimate membership figures, saying such actions could deepen tensions within the party in the constituency.

“We strongly oppose any move to manipulate or duplicate legitimate membership figures, warning that such actions would only worsen existing tensions within the party and the Anka/Talata Mafara Federal Constituency,” the statement said.

The supporters maintained that ADC members in Anka and Talata Mafara were aware of the party’s authentic membership strength and were prepared to protect the integrity of the party’s records.

The statement added that while justice may be delayed, the truth could not be denied.

Meanwhile, Yahaya has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Gusau challenging alleged irregularities in the party’s primary election process in the constituency.

The court has fixed June 23, 2026, for mention of the case.