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BAYELSA GUBER POLL: GROUP ALLEGES PLOT TO RIG ELECTION THROUGH VIOLENCE IN OPU NEMBE

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BAYELSA GUBER POLL: GROUP ALLEGES PLOT TO RIG ELECTION THROUGH VIOLENCE IN OPU NEMBE

•••SAYS VOTERS SHOULD NOT BE DISENFRANCHISED

By: Michael Mike

The Bayelsa Political Watch has alerted the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies of a plot to rig the next gubernatorial election in the state.

The group called on the security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to avoid any inducement and not become complicit in the odious plot designed to sabotage the election in the state.

The group also called on the security chiefs in the country to prevent further violence in Nembe Bassambiri, Nembe Local Government Area of the State.

The Coordinator of the group, Nadione Harrison also called on the State Government to collaborate with security agencies irrespective of political differences to protect lives and property on Election Day.

The group also called on the candidates in the November 11 polls to ensure that innocent Bayelsa citizens are not murdered because of the desperation for political power.

Nadione noted that emphasis must be placed on the sanctity of the lives and property of Bayelsans at all time including the day of the governorship poll.

He stated that the group finds it pertinent to raise the alarm in view of the increasing possibility of repeated violence in Nembe Bassabiri as shown by the political violence and killings in the area on August 12.

He recalled that over 22 people were killed during the pre Election Day violence in the same Opu Nembe (Bassambiri) in 2019.

Nadione said that more worrisome was the fact that those who carried out the violence that led to the mindless killings and incapacitation of innocent Bayelans have not been brought to book.

He urged those who desire to win elections to appeal to voters through intensified political campaigns and not through the deployment of arms and ammunition and the slaughter of innocent people as orchestrated in Opu Nembe.

He said that every reasonable parent would be concerned about deployment of innocent Corpers to areas with records of violence without reassurance from the security agencies and INEC.

The group commended the decision of the State Government to halt further aggravation of the political violence in the area by banning the activities of the Council of Chiefs and Youths’ Council in Opu-Nembe on September 2.

The group said that the decision which was taken to restore public peace and order in Opu-Nembe indicated clearly that the government placed emphasis on the protection of lives and properties.

“As the governorship election in Bayelsa draws closer, we find it necessary to call on the security agencies and the Indepedent national election commission to focus special attention on violence prone areas in the state.

“The recent politically related killings in Opu Nembe on August 12, a few months to the election makes it necessary for the appropriate agencies to take proactive measures to prevent further loss of lives.

“This state cannot forget in a hurry the mindless slaughter of 22 persons in the last gubernatorial election in the state. We are of the view that such heinous crimes committed under the cover of politics can be prevented.

“We commend the state Governor, Senator Douye Diri, for the proactive step of of banning activities of Council of Chiefs and Youths’ Counci in the volatile area.

“It is important to note that no parent would readily allow his ward to be deployed as corp members to carry out election duties in areas where desperate politicians can cut short their lives.”

BAYELSA GUBER POLL: GROUP ALLEGES PLOT TO RIG ELECTION THROUGH VIOLENCE IN OPU NEMBE

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Fact Check: No attack on former COAS Buratai – what really happened in Buratai, Borno

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Fact Check: No attack on former COAS Buratai – what really happened in Buratai, Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Recent reports claiming that former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd), narrowly escaped death in an alleged Boko Haram ambush in Borno State are categorically false and misleading.

Zagazola Makama can confirm that there was never any attack on the retired general, contrary to statements made by Senator Ali Ndume and recklessly amplified by several media outlets without a shred of verification.

What actually happened was a coordinated three-pronged attack by ISWAP terrorists on military facilities in Buratai town, Biu Local Government Area, on Friday. The assault targeted the Battalion Headquarters, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, and Command Secondary School – not Lt.-Gen. Buratai or any convoy associated with him.

Let us be clear:
Lt.-Gen. Buratai was nowhere near the ambush, and at no point was his life in danger. This is not a matter of semantics, it’s a matter of truth versus dangerous misinformation.

Zagazola Makama, has previously reported how the ground troops, with critical support from Nigerian Air Force Super Tucano jets, repelled the attackers decisively.

During the encounter, two ISWAP gun trucks were destroyed, while a third was recovered during follow-up operations. Several terrorists were killed, including over 20 in airstrikes during their retreat through Mangari.

So how did this snowball into a national headline falsely claiming a “near-death” experience for the former army chief?
Because some politicians spoke irresponsibly, and certain media platforms ran with the story without basic verification, an unforgivable dereliction of journalistic duty, especially in a region as sensitive as the North East.

The media owes the public and the Armed Forces of Nigeria the duty of responsible reporting, not alarmist fiction wrapped in sensational headlines. The security situation in Buratai is under control, and troops continue to dominate the area to prevent any further attacks.

Let this stand as a final and factual rebuttal:
There was NO attack on Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai. Period. Stop twisting the truth for cheap headlines.

Fact Check: No attack on former COAS Buratai – what really happened in Buratai, Borno

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Again, NAF Jets Decimate Terrorist Enclave in Bukar Meram in Lake Chad

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Again, NAF Jets Decimate Terrorist Enclave in Bukar Meram in Lake Chad

By: Zagazola Makama

As part of ongoing efforts to sustain pressure on terrorist elements and deny them freedom of action, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) has conducted another successful air interdiction mission at a terrorist enclave in Bukar Meram, located in the southern axis of the Lake Chad region.

Zagazola Makama was reliably informed by sources that the mission, which was executed in the early hourz of Monday, June 9, at about 0545 hours, was carried out under the auspices of Operation KALACHEN WUTA II.

The sources said that the operation formed part of a broader strategy aimed at disrupting terrorist activities before, during, and after the Eid-el-Kabir Sallah period.

He said that intelligence-led surveillance revealed that the terrorists were regrouping at the Bukar Meram location with intent to launch coordinated attacks on Marte and Monguno general areas.

Prompted by this credible intelligence, the Air Component swiftly mobilised to engage the enclave. Airstrikes were conducted with precision, leading to the neutralisation of several terrorists.

The strikes also resulted in the destruction of critical terrorist logistics, including supply vehicles, makeshift shelters, and weapons storage points.

The decimation of the enclave not only inflicted significant losses on the terrorists but also disrupted their operational planning and movement.

The sources added that Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) conducted after the mission confirmed that the planned attacks on Marte and Monguno were effectively thwarted.

Further intelligence gathering is ongoing to assess enemy reactions and possible movement patterns following the successful interdiction. Ground troops have also been placed on heightened alert to exploit the gains of the airstrike and maintain pressure on fleeing remnants.

Again, NAF Jets Decimate Terrorist Enclave in Bukar Meram in Lake Chad

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French tourist found dead in Gboko hotel

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French tourist found dead in Gboko hotel

By: Zagazola Makama

A 67-year-old French national, Mr. Pietier Gilles, has been found dead at a hotel in Gboko town in Benue state.

Zagazola Makama report that the deceased, believed to be a French tourist, was found dead on Saturday at Hotel Jovina, Gbokon, where he had lodged on June 6.

According to a police sources, on Sunday, the hotel manager, Mr. Emmanuel Terhide Laha, reported the incident to the “A” Division Police Station at about 5:45 p.m. on June 8.

Laha informed the police that the tourist fell ill on June 7 but declined to be taken to a hospital. Concerned about his deteriorating condition, the hotel management brought in a medical practitioner to examine him. He was, however, discovered to have died.

“On receipt of the information, the Divisional Police Officer led a patrol team to the hotel where photographs of the scene were taken. The body was evacuated to the General Hospital in Gboko for preservation and autopsy,” the police said.

Gilles reportedly arrived in Nigeria from Niger Republic on May 19, 2025, traveling on a sports bicycle as part of what is believed to be a long-distance tour.

Police sources said investigation will be conducted, and all relevant diplomatic channels are being engaged to handle the situation appropriately.

French tourist found dead in Gboko hotel

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