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The Niger Police Command has arrested Abubakar Isah Mokwa, a 29-year-old postgraduate student at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University of Agriculture and Mechanic (IBBUL) in Lapai, on allegations of cyberbullying, cyberstalking and other cybercrime-related offenses, following a formal complaint reportedly instigated by Governor Umaru Bago.

The arrest, which took place at Mokwa’s residence in Lapai around 11:00 pm. on Thursday has sparked widespread controversy, with critics alleging it is a targeted move to suppress dissent.

Mokwa, a known social media critic of Bago’s administration and popularly referred to as ‘Sen Isah Mokwa,’ was detained by operatives from the Lapai Divisional Police Headquarters and subsequently transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at the command headquarters in Minna for further investigation, according to SP Wasiu Abiodun, the Police Public Relations Officer for Niger State Command.

Abiodun confirmed the arrest in a statement on October 24, stating that Mokwa remains in custody pending further developments, which will be communicated to the public in due course.

According to sources close to the case, including a lawyer representing Mokwa’s family, the Niger State government, under Bago’s directive, had ordered police to file charges of terrorism and cybercrime against Mokwa, specifically citing his use of the satirical nickname ‘Governor Amunike’ to criticize the governor.

The moniker, a reference to former footballer Emmanuel Amunike, is often used to mock politicians perceived as making unfulfilled promises.

Mokwa is expected to face formal charges of cyberbullying next week, though he remains in detention as of Saturday, October 25, 2025.

The complaint, lodged by representatives of the State Government, stems from Mokwa’s social media posts, including a Facebook entry six days before his arrest, where he listed grievances against Bago’s administration.

These included ongoing banditry in Zones B and C, unpaid pensions, inadequate aid for flood victims in Mokwa, unfulfilled scholarship promises, high fees (N360,000 per session) at a new state university, underfunding of IBBUL with ‘zero infrastructure,’ and the abandonment of the IBB Teaching Hospital after its relocation to Minna.

While acknowledging some progress on road and bridge projects, Mokwa criticised their slow pace and incomplete status.

Hours before his arrest, Mokwa expressed concerns for his safety, alleging that two officers from the Lapai division had visited his student lodge earlier that evening and inquired about his whereabouts from his roommate, identified as Dula.

In a statement with reporters, he declared: ‘There has been a suspicious move by two Lapai division police officers this evening at my lodge. If before tomorrow anything happens, Dula knows the policemen who came. Tell the world I only stand for the truth and nothing but the truth, and I will never back down on that.’

Mokwa’s supporters, family, and human rights advocates have condemned the arrest as an attack on free speech, situating it within a broader pattern of alleged government crackdowns on dissent in Niger State.

Farouk Mokwa, identifying himself as the suspect’s brother, posted on X that the detention lacked evidence and accused the Lapai Divisional Police Officer of acting on orders without due process, ‘When individuals that choose not to be swayed by the ineptitudes of the government are being picked and bundled like criminals, what hope is left for the future of opposition?’ he wrote, rallying support under the hashtag #FreeSenIsahMokwa.

A family lawyer confirmed the arrest, noting the case is bailable but expressing concern over Mokwa’s continued detention.

As of Saturday morning, Niger State government officials had not responded to requests for comment on the allegations or the arrest.

Police authorities reiterated that the investigation is ongoing, with no formal charges filed as of the latest updates.

Mokwa’s supporters continue to mobilise online under #FreeSenIsahMokwa, warning that the case signals a troubling clampdown on democratic freedoms in Niger State.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has refuted claims circulating on social media suggesting it misappropriated funds received from FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Soccernet.ng reports.

This has arisen following the poor performance of Nigerian football on the continent and on the global stage.

In an official statement by the NFF, they clarified that the funds received from the two bodies [FIFA and CAF] are tied to specific development projects and are subject to regular auditing and financial oversight.

‘The Nigeria Football Federation finds it expedient to reiterate that the monies it receives from the world football-governing body, FIFA and the continental governing body, CAF, like other Federations, are usually tied to specific purposes and not gifts to the Federations,’ the NFF wrote.

The NFF said on Friday that this fresh clarification has become necessary in view of misinformation by some fellows on social media that the Federation ‘collects’ millions of dollars from FIFA on an annual basis, as if such monies were gifts to the Federation.

‘The country’s football-governing body explained that every monies received from FIFA or CAF is tied to a specific purpose, and both FIFA and CAF send their auditors to audit the accounts in which the money is received at the end of every year.

‘The NFF also explained that monies meant for development purposes are usually tied to specific projects and programmes, while the FIFA Forward monies are also properly specified and under strict adherence to financial regulations, compliance, monitoring and auditing at every stage of the project or program.

‘FIFA Forward projects, such as the ongoing NFF/FIFA Players’ Hostel and new training pitches inside the MKO Abiola National Stadium, are subjected to strict controls, monitored and verified at every stage of the work.

‘Every stage is verified, assessed and sanctioned before further monies are released to the FIFA-approved consultants, to whom the monies are paid directly.’

Governors of the 36 states of the federation have expressed their support for ongoing efforts by the Federal Government, through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to restore price stability and strengthen confidence in the nation’s economy.

The governors made this known after a briefing on the issue by the Deputy Governor (Economic Policy) of the CBN, Dr. Muhammad Sani Abdullahi, who represented the CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso at the fifth meeting of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) held in Abuja on Thursday night.

The governors, in a communiqué signed by the NGF Chairman and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, commended the leadership of the Department of State Services (DSS) for its proactive engagement with the sub-national authorities.

They assured of their commitment to deepen intelligence sharing and collaboration with federal security agencies to enhance peace and stability across the states.

The communiqué reads: ‘We, members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), at our meeting held today, deliberated on issues affecting the country.

‘The forum received a presentation from the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, represented by the Deputy Governor (Economic Policy) Dr. Muhammad Sani Abdullahi, on the bank’s ongoing stabilization efforts to restore price stability and strengthen confidence in the economy.

‘The briefing highlighted recent policy measures, including the tightening of monetary policy, unification of exchange rate windows, and recapitalisation of banks, to curb inflation, enhance liquidity management, and consolidate macroeconomic stability.

‘Governors commended the CBN’s coordinated approach with fiscal authorities and underscored the importance of sustained collaboration to safeguard growth and state fiscal sustainability.

‘The forum received a presentation from the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi on emerging security threats and intelligence-led strategies to strengthen subnational coordination.

‘The briefing focused on countering violent extremism, managing inter-communal tensions, and addressing security risks linked to economic hardship and political transition.

‘Governors expressed appreciation to the DSS for its proactive engagement and reiterated their commitment to deepen intelligence sharing and collaboration with federal security agencies to enhance peace and stability across the states.

‘The forum noted that the Reserved Seats for Women Bill (HB1349) will be voted on between November 4-6, 2025.

‘The Bill seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to create special constituencies exclusively contested by women in the National and State Assemblies as a temporary measure to enhance gender representation.

‘Governors were urged to engage their Senators, Members of the House of Representatives, and State Assemblies to support the Bill’s passage and affirm Nigeria’s commitment to equity and inclusive governance.’

According to the communiqué issued at the end of the meeting by the CBN, the Deputy Governor (Economic Policy), Dr. Muhammad Sani Abdullahi briefed the governors on key monetary policy initiatives currently being implemented by the apex bank to sustain macroeconomic stability.

He explained that the CBN had continued to tighten monetary policy in response to inflationary pressures, while also pursuing exchange rate unification and bank recapitalisation to consolidate financial sector resilience.

The Deputy Governor stated that these measures are designed to ensure a stable macroeconomic environment, enhance liquidity management, and support the productive sectors of the economy.

He noted that the CBN’s approach has been anchored on close coordination with fiscal authorities, aimed at harmonising monetary and fiscal strategies for sustained economic growth.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has threatened to invoke its powers ‘to make the necessary orders’ should the detained self acclaimed leader of the proscribed separatist group Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, fail to utilise the opportunity accorded him to conduct his defence in the terrorism charges against him.

Justice James Omotosho said this while adjourning further hearing in Kanu’s terrorism trial till October 27 following an oral application for adjournment by the defendant, who is currently conducting his case after sacking his lawyers on Thursday.

At the resumption of proceedings on Friday, prosecuting lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, told the court that the case was scheduled for defence and that he was ready.

When it was his turn to speak, Kanu said he would be representing himself, and then told the court that he would not be able to open his defence as earlier planned, because he had not been able to access the case-file.

He said his lawyers left him on October 23, and since then he had not been given the case-file.

Kanu said those who were to bring the case-file to him in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), where he was being held, were unable to do so.

He prayed the court for an adjournment till Monday, October 27 to enable him access the case-file and familiarise himself with its contents.

Kanu told the court that he was expecting witnesses from all over the world, including the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Kenya and Ethiopia.

He applied for an order that the DSS should allow him access to people even on Saturday and Sunday for the purpose of preparing his defence.

When asked by the judge if he was aware that Kanu was calling witnesses from outside the country, Awomolo said he did not know where the defendant’s proposed witnesses were coming from, but he knew that Kanu listed a number of people who he planned to call.

Awomolo said the prosecution was only interested in the defendant bringing his witnesses to court to conduct his defence as ordered by the court.

He urged the court to note that Kanu has expended two, out of the six days allocated to him to open and close his defence, without being able to begin his defence.

Awomolo said: ‘The court should note that he (Kanu) has six days. He has spent two days, including today. I urge the court to stick with the case schedule earlier announced.’

In his intervention, Justice Omotosho expressed doubt if the leader of Kanu’s former legal team, Kanu Agabi (SAN) would hold on to the defendant’s case-file after he announced his withdrawal from the case.

He noted that the defendant did not raise the issue the previous day (Thursday) when Agabi and other senior lawyers in his former legal team were in court.

The judge recalled that when he granted accelerated hearing in the case, none of the parties objected. He said days were accordingly allocated to each side to conduct its case. He added: ‘I will still stick to those numbers of days.’

Justice Omotosho said although he did not believe that Agabi would keep the case-file after withdrawing from the case, he would grant the adjournment sought by Kanu in the interest of justice and fair hearing.

The judge said: ‘The defendant has sought an adjournment till Monday for him to open his defence. The court will grant that request.

‘The right under Section 36 of the Constitution is a sacred right. The right is more than giving opportunity to the defendant. The right is not that the defendant must be compelled to exercise the right.

‘Now that the opportunity is not being used, I want to beg the defendant in the name of the Almighty God to utilise this opportunity.’

Justice Omotosho noted that Kanu’s failure to utilise the opportunity was denying other defendants in other cases before his court the opportunity to have their cases heard.

He added: ‘If the opportunity is not utilised, the court will not hesitate to invoke its powers.

‘We should make use of the judicial time given to us. The court will not continue to waste its time.

‘At the appropriate time, the court will invoke its powers and make the necessary orders,’ the judge said.

Justice Omotosho noted that although Kanu did not provide evidence that the DSS was eavesdropping on his interactions with his lawyers, the court granted his request to meet with his lawyers in the courtroom on October 22.

The judge said he was surprised that the defendant and his legal team did not fully utilise the time allocated to them for that meeting, which was between 9am and 2pm.

He then declared: ‘Henceforth, this court will not grant such an opportunity again. The claim that the DSS is eavesdropping on his interactions with his lawyers was not supported by evidence.

‘The DSS should provide him with opportunities to meet with his counsel. The DSS should give him access to his counsel even on Saturday and Sunday,’ the judge said and adjourned till October 27.

Court grants Sowore, 13 other pro-Kanu protesters bail at N500,000 each

A Magistrate’s Court in Kuje, Abuja has granted bail to politician and online publisher, Omoyele Sowore, and 13 others arrested during Monday’s protest staged by them in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to compel the Federal Government to release Nnamdi Kanu, who is undergoing terrorism trial.

They were arraigned on Friday before Magistrate Abubakar Umar Sai’id on two First Information Reports (FIRs) filed by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

Named along with Sowore in the FIR are: Barrister Aloy Ejimakor (a member of the legal team sacked by Kanu on Thursday), Prince Emmanuel Kanu (said to be Kanu’s relative), Joshua Emmanuel and Bishop Wilson Anyalewechi.

Others are: Barrister Okere Kingdom Nnamdi, Clinton Chimeneze, Gabriel Joshua, Isiaka Husseini, Onyekachi Ferdinand, Amadi Prince, Edison Ojisom, Godwill Obioma and Chima Onuchukwu.

The 13 are charged with criminal conspiracy, disobedience of order promulgated by public officer, inciting disturbance and disturbance of public peace.

The police said the offences are contrary to sections 152, 114 and 113 of the Penal Code Law.

The FIRs read:

*That on 20 day of October, 2025, you (1). Barrister Aliyu Ejimakor, (2). Prince Emmnauel Kanu, (3). Joshua Emmanuel, (4). Bishop Wilson Anyalewechi, (5). Barrister Okere Kingdom Nnamdi, (6). Clinton Chimeneze, (7). Gabriel Joshua, (8). Isiaka Husseini, (9). Onyekachi Ferdinand. (10). Amadi Prince, (11). Edison Ojisom, and (12). Godwill Obiama, all male adults of FCT Abuja were arrested by a team of security agents in different locations within FCT while involving yourselves in inciting disturbance, and breach of public peace in disobedience to a court order, denying other citizens the freedom of movement, disrupting free flow of traffic while chanting war songs and requesting for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, who is undergoing lawful trial at the Federal High Court in a manner that threatens national security.

You thereby committed the above mentioned offences.

*That on 20th day of October, 2025, you Chima Onuchukwu male adult of Ebonyi state, was arrested by a team of police officers at gate 8, Aso Villa, FCT Abuja, while carrying placards written, ‘Free Nnamdi Kanu’ and inciting disturbance, and breach of public peace in disobedience to a court order, and denying others citizens the freedom of movement, disrupting free flow of traffic while chanting war songs and requesting for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, who is undergoing lawful trial at the Federal High Court in a manner that threatens national security. You thereby committed the above mentioned offences.

They pleaded not guilty when their alleged offences were read to them during yesterday’s proceedings. Shortly after, their lawyers argued their bails, which the court granted with conditions.

Each of them was granted bail at N500,000 with two sureties in like sum. They were each required to submit their passports, present a verified National Identification Number (NIN) and a three-year tax clearance certificate as part of the conditions.

The court adjourned further hearing till December 15.

Meanwhile, a Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed October 27 for the arraignment of Sowore and two others on a separate charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) in which he is accused of making false claim against President Bola Tinubu by calling him a criminal.

The two other defendants listed in the five-count charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025 are X Incorp (formerly Twitter) and Meta (Facebook) Incorp.

The charge was filed on September 16, few days after an earlier request by the DSS on Facebook and X, the platforms allegedly deployed by Sowore for the said false claim, to pull the misleading message down.

In the charge, Sowore, a serial presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), is accused of contravening the provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024 and the Criminal Code Act.

Their arraignment was to be held before Justice Mohammed Umar on September 30, but was postponed to October 27 when a defence lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, told the court that his client was not yet served with the charge sheet as required.

Abubakar, who represented Sowore, noted that one of the defendants – X Incorp – was not represented by either a lawyer or an official and claimed that his client was not yet served with the charge.

The defence lawyer contented that in a criminal case, it is mandatory that all the defendants are present in court for a proper arraignment to take place.

At that point, the judge, Justice Umar, looked through the case-file and confirmed that X and Meta were served with the charge electronically, through their email addresses.

On noting that Sowore was yet to be served personally (as required), the prosecuting lawyer sought the court’s permission to serve Sowore (who was in court) during the proceedings, a request the judge granted.

Sowore’s lawyer, however, prayed for an adjournment to allow his client, who was just served the charge, adequate time and opportunity to prepare for his defence as provided under Section 282(6) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.

Counts in the charge read:

*That you, Omoyele Sowore, adult, male on or about the 25th day of August, 2025 did use your official X handle page, @Yele Sowore, to send out a message/ tweet as : ‘This criminal @officialPBAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly,’ which you know the said message to be false but posted it for the purpose of causing a breakdown of law and order in the country, especially among individuals, who hold divergent views on the personality of the President and CommanderinChief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 24 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024.

*That you, Omoyele Sowore, adult male on or about the 26th day of August, 2025 did use your official Facebook page, Omoyele Sowore, to send out a message/ post as : ‘This criminal @officialPBAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly,’ which you know the said message/post to be false, but posted it for the purpose of causing a breakdown of law and order in the country, especially among individuals who hold divergent views on the personality of the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 24 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024.

*That you, Omoyele Sowore, adult, male on or about the 25th day of August, 2025 using the instrumentality of X, via your official X account @Yele Sowore, did knowingly published defamatory material on your online platform viz: ‘This criminal @officialPBAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly,’ against the personality and reputation of the President and Commander _inChief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 375 of the Criminal Code Act.

*That you, Omoyele Sowore, adult, male on or about the 26th day of August, 2025 using the instrumentatity of Facebook, via your official Facebook account Omoyele Sowore, did knowingly published defamatory material on your online platform viz: ‘This criminal @officialPBAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly,’ against the personality and reputation of the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 375 of the Criminal Code Act.

*That you, Omoyele Sowore, adult, male on or about the 26th day of August, 2025 with intent to cause public fear and disturbance, published false information on your official X and Facebook accounts @Yele Sowore, respectively, against the personality and reputation of the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 59 of the Criminal Code Act and punishable under the same Act.

Flying Eagles captain Daniel Bameyi has expressed his excitement after being shortlisted for the 2025 CAF Young Player of the Year award, Soccernet.ng exclusively reports.

The young defender has enjoyed a steady rise in recent months following his move to Europe, where he currently plays for Slovenian side NK Primorje.

Bameyi’s performances at the youth international level have earned him continental recognition. The nomination boosts him as one to watch in the near future.

‘I’m really excited and proud to be nominated. It’s a big motivation for me to keep pushing and improving. Being recognized by CAF is a huge honour, and it inspires me to work even harder to achieve more. I’m thankful to my teammates, coaches, and everyone who has supported me along the way,’ Bameyi told Soccernet.ng.

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); Justice Helen Ogunwumiju of the Supreme Court; and rights activist, Femi Falana (SAN) have called for improved funding for criminal justice sector and continuous capacity building for its operators to ensure efficiency.

Fagbemi, Ogunwumiju, Falana and others spoke in Abuja at a public lecture held to mark the 10th anniversary of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), signed into law by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.

The lecture, themed: ‘The Administration of Criminal Justice Act: The past, the present and the future,’ was organised by the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies (CSLS), headed by Professor Yemi Akinseye-George (SAN).

Fagbemi, who was represented by the Director, Administration of Criminal Justice Reform, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Leticia Ayoola-Daniels, said the future of criminal justice reform must be built on effective implementation of the relevant laws and not mere intentions.

The AGF spoke about the many reforms and interventions undertaken by the Federal Ministry of Justice in the last few years, including the refurbishment of three courtrooms in Kirikiri Prison in Lagos, which he plans to hand over before the end of the year.

The AGF stressed the need for continuous capacity building trainings for operators of the criminal justice system to increase its performance and ensure accountability.

He said: ‘It is important that we promote non-custodial measures in sentencing. We need to leverage technology for speed, transparency and efficiency as this will help to decongest courts’ dockets.’

Justice Ogunwumiju, who was one of those instrumental to the birth of the ACJA, said although the ACJA is not perfect, it has positively impacted on the criminal prosecution system in the country.

She encouraged criminal justice stakeholders to scale up their enforcement of the ACJA in view of its many innovative provisions.

The Supreme Court Justice, who spoke about her experience as a magistrate, advised that trainings and capacity building efforts on the provisions of the ACJA should be directed at the magistracy level where majority of the criminal cases are handled.

Justice Ogunwumiju also spoke about the need to involve the law enforcement agents, particularly the Investigating Police Officers (IPOs), who should be well tutored on what is required of them under the ACJA.

She said it was important that magistrates are educated on issues like long detention, non-custodial sentencing, among others to enable them appreciate the implications of the orders they make.

Falana, in his lecture, titled: ‘A decade of the ACJA: Charting the course for criminal justice reform in Nigeria,’ argued that the criminal justice system, as it is currently constituted, discriminates against the poor.

He noted that despite the transformative potential of the ACJA, persistent structural and institutional problems continue to hinder its full realization across Nigeria.

Falana, whose lecture was read by Chionye Obiagwu (SAN) argued that challenges still being experienced in the criminal justice sector expose deeper governance deficits and demonstrate how criminal justice reform is inseparable from issues of political accountability, public finance, and human rights enforcement.

He identified some of such challenges to include poor justice sector funding, weak implementation of the ACJA provisions, inadequate human capacity, low application of technology, among others.

Falana said: ‘Poor funding translates to inadequate courtrooms, absence of stenographic recording, delayed case files and congested dockets which frustrate ACJA timelines.

‘The next phase of ACJA reform must integrate human rights and social justice. Equality before the law will remain fiction if the poor cannot access justice.

‘Legal aid must be constitutionally guaranteed and funded. ACJA implementation should be aligned with Chapter Two rights on welfare, education and social justice,’ he said.

Prof. Akinseye-George, who is the President of the CSLS, while addressing the press after the event, identified some salient recommendations contained in the presentations by all the speakers.

The Senior Advocate who stressed the need for judges and magistrates to minimise the use of imprisonment as the only tool deployed to punish crime, assured that the various recommendations would be collated for necessary actions.

He appealed to the National Assembly to urgently pass the Administration of Criminal Justice Bill, which is meant to correct some lapses noted in the 2015 ACJA, noting that the Bill had been before the National Assembly since 2023.

Among other speakers at the event were former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Justice, Senator Dahiru Umar; former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Justice, Prof. Ali Ahmad; Justice Joseph Oyewole of the Court of Appeal and the Director, Legal and Prosecution at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Sylvanus Tahir (SAN).

Security forces conducting internal operations nationwide have neutralised several terrorists and apprehended 83 others in coordinated efforts against non-state actors and other criminal groups.

They rescued 23 kidnap victims, recovered a large cache of weapons, and recovered 14,550 liters of stolen crude oil and petroleum products from oil thieves over the past week.

The Director, Defence Media Operations Maj-Gen Markus Kangye, revealed this in a statement yesterday.

According to him, the Nigerian military operation was designed to combat specific threats, secure our citizens and provide a secure environment for economic activities to thrive.

The military spokesperson stated that troops, in conjunction with hybrid forces, conducted operations from October 16 to 23 in various locations in the North East, including Gwoza, Konduga, and Monguno in Borno State; Madagali and Maiha in Adamawa State; and Tarmuwa in Yobe State. During the operations, scores of terrorists were neutralized, 13 others were arrested, and three kidnap victims were rescued.

In the North West frontline, Gen. Kangye revealed that offensive operations conducted from October 16 to 23 in various locations, including Tsayanwa, Dan Musa, and Faskari in Katsina State; Kebbe, Goronyo, and Gudu in Sokoto State; Tsafe, Maradun, and Sakaba in Zamfara and Kebbi States; and Kajuru and Tudun Wada in Kaduna State, resulted in the elimination of several terrorists, the arrest of 11 others, and the rescue of 14 kidnap victims.

He said similar operations conducted by troops of Operation Enduring Peace in Barkin Ladi, Bassa, Jos North, Riyom, Jos East, and Mangu Local Government Areas of Plateau State; Zangon Kataf, Jama’a, Kaura, and Tafawa Balewa Local Government Areas of Kaduna and Bauchi states, resulted in the elimination of several violent extremists, the arrest of 24 others, and the rescue of three kidnap victims.

‘In another development, on 19 October 2025 in a planned raid operation, troops arrived at the residence of a wanted notorious extremist leader identified as Alhaji Muhammed Sule (aka MP) at Rawaya village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State,’ Kangye said.

‘No contact was made during the raid. However, following weapons were recovered from the suspect’s residence; 2 AK47 rifles, one G3 rifle, one revolver pistol, 6 magazines and 1,202 live ammunition. Weapons recovered are in troops custody, while a manhunt of the suspect is ongoing to affect arrest.’

To come right out with it, this piece is a response to the surprise expressed by Farook Kperogi, a US-based academic and public affairs commentator, that some Nigerians could mock politician cum human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, after his encounter with the police during the Free Kanu protest in Abuja on Tuesday. Sowore, the emeritus chairman and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), no doubt surprised even himself as he nearly broke Usain Bolt’s 100 metres sprint record at the instance of the teargas fired by policemen on patrol during the protest he led for the release of Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

A video that went viral on social media later that day showed Sowore as he gathered momentum at the sight of a police patrol van, and bolted at the sound of teargas without alerting his fellow protesters of imminent danger. The result was the arrest of eight protesters who, according to the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, were taken into custody for contravening a court order restricting them from certain parts of the federal capital city.

In a post on his Facebook page, US-based academic and public affairs commentator, Farook Kperogi, could not help wondering why Sowore was being mocked by his detractors for voting with his feet at the sound of teargas from an advancing police vehicle.

He said: ‘I honestly can’t understand why some Nigerians are mocking Omoyele Sowore for retreating after security forces fired what sounded like live rounds during the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja today. They are cynically framing it as cowardice. Really?

‘So bravery now means standing unarmed before flying bullets? And if he had died, they would have called him foolhardy. You may disagree with his politics, which is entirely legitimate, but you can’t deny that Sowore has the courage of his convictions.

‘He’s out there risking his life, comfort, safety and freedom for what he believes in, while most of his critics never stepped beyond their keyboards.’

Ordinarily, a citizen in Sowore’s situation should attract public support and sympathy, even though his choice of protest as second nature was a personal decision. Protests and agitation are critical ingredients of democracy and governance, especially in a pluralistic society like ours, and Sowore has ridden the crest of them since his days as a students’ union leader in the early 1990s. Asking him to live without engaging in protests now is like asking a fish to live without water. He is now so used to protesting that when there are no issues to protest against, he creates one. That probably informed his decision to launch the agitation for Kanu’s release via public protests while the IPOB leader’s kinsmen were busy working out legal and political solutions.

While Kperogi may have seen Sowore as a hero by his decision to swallow Paracetamol for another person’s headache, it is not so with many Nigerians who see him as nothing but a busybody desperate for public attention. One man’s meat, after all, is another man’s poison. Besides his scant regard for constituted authorities, Sowore is yet to imbibe the twin virtues of respect and humility, which have repeatedly brought him into conflicts with people in authority and created a gulf between him and others whose sympathy he ought to gain.

In the instance of Kanu, Sowore’s case becomes even more complicated. Based on the atrocities committed by the foot soldiers of the IPOB leader, he was arrested and kept in prison. He was, however, granted bail in April 2017 only for him to flee and launch vitriolic attacks on the country from his base abroad, using the armed wing of IPOB known as the Eastern Security Network. During the ENDSARS riot in 2020, he seized the opportunity of the crisis to bark orders to his foot soldiers from his Radio Biafra on who and where to attack in Lagos, Port Harcourt and other Nigerian cities.

Unfortunately for him, he was re-arrested in Kenya in 2021 and brought back to Nigeria, following which he was arraigned for acts of terrorism. The prosecution has since closed its case, while Kanu and his lawyers decided to embark on legal gymnastics when it was time to open their defence. In the midst of all this, Sowore saw an opportunity to hog the spotlight and seized it with both hands. He allegedly approached some Igbo political leaders, who declined support for any form of public protest, preferring a legal and political solution to the matter. Disappointed at their response, he turned to some undiscerning Igbo traders and apprentices, suborning them into the unwholesome project.

Considering the weight of the allegations against Kanu, which border on the killing of innocent Igbo and non-Igbo indigenes by the militant arm of IPOB, calling on the authorities to set its leader free without trial is most insensitive. While no one has declared Kanu guilty of the allegations, it is only fair, even to him, that he makes maximum use of the opportunity he has to defend himself in court. Sowore should put himself in the shoes of the family members of the military couple allegedly beheaded and turned into mincemeat by some IPOB members, among other dastardly killings, as well as the mass destruction and jailbreaks facilitated by the groups during the 2020 EndSARS protests and judge whether it is fair to set Kanu free without trial.

Considering the momentum of grandstanding he built before the protest day, the personal aggrandizement behind his desperation to lead the Free Kanu protest, the insensitive nature of the protest with regard to the families and relations of the victims of Kanu’s violent agitation and the anti-climax that attended the entire project, it was difficult not to laugh when Sowore burst into speed at the sound of teargas.

Former Big Brother Naija housemate Samuel Jacob popularly known as Sammie has opened up about his struggles with depression after the show.

In an Instagram video, he revealed how he experienced depression multiple times, crying alone in his Lekki house, despite appearing fine on the outside.

He revealed facing financial difficulties, with more debit alerts than credit alerts, making it hard to sustain life in Lagos.

Sammie said: ‘One year after the show, I cannot count how many times I was depressed. Facts. I would be in my Lekki house. I would cry. Big boy like me with my beards. I would sit down and I would cry.

‘And tell God why. There days I would say God thank you. There days I would say ah ah.

‘There days I would not have lights. My meter would do beep. All of these factors are things that kind of affected my lifetime because living in Lagos became very difficult for me.

‘I didn’t know what exactly what to do with life because I was not done with school. I left for the show. Now I am in Lagos.

‘The so-called star boy but, I was not making money. If I go through my alerts, I will see debit alerts, then I would now see one credit alert of one million naira.

‘Then that’s how the money would go. For before, debits, debits, debits, debits. So there was no money coming in but there was a life to sustain and it was messing my head up.

‘Above all, you see people around you living a life. In Lagos, you see one small boy pull up in his G-Wag and play. Everybody’s living.

‘Others are living fake life. If I go dey follow person. I don’t even know what to say with regards to that. But my point is, you have a personal life and how you influence that life matters if your mental health is in order.

‘I say again, with regards to what’s happening around you, you have a personal life after the show and how that personal life is influenced is determined by where your mental state or your mental health is. Me, I will cry in my house. I will go through a lot.

‘I will now chop my indomie. I will now wear my fine shirt and I will now go out. Nobody will know I’m going through a lot’.

The Gombe State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Col. Abdullahi Bello (retd), has died.

Bello died in a motor accident along the Malam Sidi-Gombe road on Friday.

According to a statement from the Director-General (Press Affairs), Government House Gombe, Ismaila Misilli, the commissioner was returning from Maiduguri, Borno State, where he attended the North-East Regional Consultation on the Development of a National Disarmament, Demobilisation, and Reintegration framework when the accident happened.

The crash also claimed the life of his police orderly, Sergeant Adamu Hussaini, while the commissioner’s driver sustained injuries and is currently receiving treatment.

Reacting to the sad news, Governor Muhammadu Yahaya, expressed sorrow, describing the late commissioner as ‘a disciplined officer and dedicated public servant who brought his wealth of military experience, leadership, and patriotism into the service of Gombe State.’

The governor added, ‘Col. Abdullahi Bello (retd) will be remembered as a pillar of discipline, courage, and selfless service. He carried out his duties with unmatched diligence and a deep sense of responsibility.

‘On behalf of the government and people of Gombe State, the governor extended condolences to the family of the deceased, his associates, and the Balanga Local Government community, praying Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannat Firdaus,’ the statement added.

Yahaya further prayed for the speedy recovery of the commissioner’s driver who survived the crash.