News
Edo Primaries: Fayemi commends Tinubu, Ganduje; slams Oshiomhole’s interference
Edo Primaries: Fayemi commends Tinubu, Ganduje; slams Oshiomhole’s interference
By: Ahmed Sajoh
Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the immediate past Governor of Ekiti State and ex-Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), has commended the Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje-led National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the decision to cancel and reschedule the controversial gubernatorial primaries in Edo State.
He noted that this decision had restored the confidence of members of the Edo State chapter of the Party in a fair, impartial, and transparent exercise and showed that the APC is interested in producing a popular candidate.
Fayemi also applauded the President and Leader of the Party, HE Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for not interfering and allowing due process on the issue of the APC gubernatorial primaries in Edo State.
“I wish to thank the President for allowing the Party to function independently on this sensitive issue and thus assure our teeming members in Edo State that the process for the gubernatorial primaries will be free, fair, and transparent,’’ he said.
Fayemi, however, strongly condemned the questionable role of Senator Adams Oshiomhole, a former governor of the state and National Chairman of the APC, in the truncation of the initial exercise.
He recalled that Oshiomhole had also played a disruptive role in the last gubernatorial election in Edo State, which ultimately made the APC lose the state to the opposition.
“Ideally, as a leader, he should have ensured a level playing field for all the aspirants but he was trying to impose a candidate in a manner that’s not free and fair, ‘’ he said.
Fayemi added: ‘’Earlier, Oshiomhole had attempted to eliminate some aspirants from contesting in the primaries and failed. This is reminiscent of his high-handedness as National Chairman when he manipulatively schemed Governor Godwin Obaseki out of the electoral process. That action led to the unfortunate loss of Edo State by the APC.
“It would appear the ground was being prepared by Oshiomhole yet again for the APC to lose the coming election in Edo state because of his unconscionable behaviour. However, the party has demonstrated independence and impartiality in cancelling and reordering the primaries.
‘’We hope the fresh primaries will now take place in an atmosphere deemed free and fair by all, for the sake of our great party.
‘’Oshiomhole may decide to support any of the aspirants if he chooses not to be neutral but the process must be open, free, and transparent, following the laid down rules. My interest is the APC and the party must put its best foot forward in the forthcoming elections.’’
Edo Primaries: Fayemi commends Tinubu, Ganduje; slams Oshiomhole’s interference
Five soldiers killed, three missing in clash with insurgents in Niger
By: Zagazola Makama
Five soldiers were killed and three others declared missing following a clash between Nigerien Defence and Security Forces (FDS) and suspected Islamic State fighters in Sanam, Tillabéri Region of western Niger.
Security sources said the incident occurred on Feb. 12, 2026, during a confrontation between troops and suspected members of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS) operating in the area.
The clash reportedly took place in Sanam Zone, a locality near the Niger–Mali border known for recurrent armed attacks by jihadist groups.
According to the sources, the soldiers were engaged in an operation when they came under heavy attack, leading to a standoff. Five personnel were confirmed dead, while three others were declared missing after the encounter.
The Tillabéri Region has remained a hotspot of insurgent activities due to its proximity to Mali and Burkina Faso, with security forces frequently conducting operations to contain armed groups.
Authorities are yet to release an official statement on the latest incident, while search efforts are reportedly ongoing to locate the missing soldiers.
Five soldiers killed, three missing in clash with insurgents in Niger
Army, police rescue 12 kidnapped victims in Ekiti border attack
By: Zagazola Makama
A Combined Army and Police operatives have rescued 12 kidnapped victims following an armed attack by suspected kidnappers in Oke-Ako area of Ekiti State.
Sources disclosed that the incident occurred on Feb. 13 at about 9:00 a.m., when sporadic gunfire was heard near their base. Preliminary assessment indicated the gunshots were from an assault launched by suspected kidnappers in the area.
Army troops, in collaboration RRS,Anti-Kidnapping Squad (AKS), and local security outfits, swiftly mobilised to the scene. On sighting the security forces, the attackers engaged in a gun duel, but were overpowered and forced to retreat into the forest, taking two victims with them.
Through intensified operations, the security forces successfully rescued 12 victims unhurt, while one, identified as Jeremiah Gambo, sustained a gunshot injury and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital in Ikole Local Government Area for treatment.
The troops also recovered an unregistered Boxer Bajaj motorcycle, a white Nissan Cabstar pick-up with registration number EJG-96XB, and a wine-coloured Toyota Corolla with registration number KLE-575AE, all belonging to the victims.
Army, police rescue 12 kidnapped victims in Ekiti border attack
Forest guard arrested for allegedly killing son in Monguno, Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
A member of the Forest Guard in Monguno Local Government Area of Borno State has been arrested for allegedly shooting his son to death.
Sources said the incident occurred on Feb. 13 at about 5:40 p.m. at the RRR Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp in Monguno.
The case was reported to the Monguno Division at about 6:20 p.m. by Maidugu Mustapha of Gana Ali Ward, who alleged that Mohammed Ibrahim Angoli, 28, a Forest Guard member, fatally shot his 24-year-old son, Ajiya Mustapha, in the back with an AK-47 rifle.
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Monguno led a patrol team to the scene, where photographs were taken and the victim was evacuated to General Hospital, Monguno.
A medical doctor on duty confirmed the victim dead on arrival. The corpse was subsequently deposited at the hospital mortuary for autopsy.
The suspect has been arrested and the firearm recovered as exhibit.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Maiduguri, has commenced investigation into the incident.
Forest guard arrested for allegedly killing son in Monguno, Borno
Five soldiers killed, three missing in clash with insurgents in Niger
Benue Police repel bandits attack in Ugba, one suspect arrested, one bandit killed
Army, police rescue 12 kidnapped victims in Ekiti border attack
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