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Operation Safe Haven Strikes Again: Gunrunners Arrested in Plateau State

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In a significant breakthrough in the fight against illegal arms trafficking, troops from Operation Safe Haven have arrested two notorious gunrunners and seized a cache of automatic weapons in Plateau State. This operation follows closely on the heels of the apprehension of five gunrunners just three days earlier in Jos North Local Government Area.

On September 18, 2024, intelligence-led operations at the Banana Island Hotel in Bokkos Town led to the arrest of Matawal Bitrus and Thomas Benedict, who were reportedly finalizing the sale of arms valued at approximately Five Million Naira (₦5,000,000). Security forces recovered two AK-47 rifles, one automatic pistol, and three AK-47 magazines during the operation.

The suspects are currently in custody for interrogation, with authorities aiming to uncover information that could lead to the arrest of additional members of the criminal syndicate. The recent arrests and arms recoveries highlight a persistent threat of criminal activity that transcends ethno-religious lines, emphasizing the need for a united front against such threats.

“Criminality is a common enemy that we must jointly tackle to afford law-abiding citizens the freedom to carry out their socio-economic endeavors without fear,” stated Major Samson Nantip Zhakom, Military Public Information Officer for Operation Safe Haven. He reiterated the importance of community involvement in providing credible information to assist security agencies in their operations.

Operation Safe Haven remains committed to combating the proliferation of firearms, which is a major contributor to security challenges in the region. The military has called upon the citizens of Plateau, Bauchi, and Southern Kaduna to actively participate in efforts to ensure a safer environment.

As the operation continues, the security agencies are resolute in their mission to disrupt illegal arms trafficking and enhance the safety of the communities they serve.

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Lagos 2027 gets hot as Hamzat, Rhodes-Vivour make INEC final list [FULL LIST]

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The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has unveiled the final list of Lagos State governorship candidate.

The list is contained in a document released by INEC on Saturday in preparation for the 2027 general elections.

According to the document, the Lagos State deputy governor, Femi Hamzat is listed at the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Also on the list is Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour as the African Democratic Congress, ADC, candidate.

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Find attach below document containing the full list.

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Pantami’s Name Missing As INEC Releases Final List Of Gombe Gov Candidates

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has omitted former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, from its final list of governorship candidates for Gombe State ahead of the February 6, 2027 election.

Politics Nigeria reports that the commission released a list of 16 cleared candidates for the election, but Pantami’s name was missing despite his earlier inclusion in the provisional list published on August 29.

Among the candidates on the final list are Bala Bello Tinka of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Babayo Ardo Kumo of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).

Others include Zubairu Mu’azu Halilu of the Labour Party (LP), Lamela L. Silas of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Ibrahim Jalo Abubakar of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and Adamu Mohammed Ma’aji of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Pantami’s exclusion comes amid a series of legal disputes over his emergence as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the state.

The former minister had initially sought the APC governorship ticket but left the party after it settled for Gwamna as its consensus candidate. He subsequently joined the PDP and emerged as the party’s flag bearer through voice affirmation at its governorship primary.

However, a Federal High Court sitting in Gombe nullified his initial emergence on May 26, following a challenge to the primary process.

The court ordered a fresh primary election, which Pantami won on September 29 with 2,054 votes, defeating Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki and Usman Aliyu Garry.

Garry had challenged Pantami’s emergence, arguing that the required primary election was not properly conducted before the former minister was declared the party’s candidate.

Despite winning the court-ordered rerun, Pantami’s eligibility remained in doubt following the Supreme Court’s September 24, 2026 judgment on provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 governing political party membership registers and candidate eligibility.

The Supreme Court affirmed the constitutionality of Sections 77(5), 77(6) and 77(7) of the Electoral Act 2026 and upheld INEC’s revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 elections.

The provisions bar political parties from fielding candidates whose names were not included in the membership registers submitted to INEC within the stipulated period.

INEC has maintained that parties found to have violated the requirements will not be permitted to participate in the elections through candidates whose nominations breach the law.

Mohammed Haruna, an INEC national commissioner in charge of information and voter education, said the commission would not allow parties to replace candidates affected by the provisions.

Haruna made the clarification during an appearance on Trust TV’s programme on Wednesday evening, explaining that allowing substitutions would enable political parties to benefit from their own violations.

INEC Chairman Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan

He cited previous disputes involving Zamfara and Plateau states to illustrate the consequences of parties failing to comply with electoral requirements.

“It’s like you committed an offence. And then, you come and benefit from it,” Haruna said.

He added that allowing parties to substitute candidates in such circumstances would amount to permitting them to benefit from an offence they had committed.

Haruna also indicated that the commission expected to make a definite pronouncement on the implications of the Supreme Court judgment by the following Tuesday.

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