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Plateau witnessed low turn out in the re-run election

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Plateau witnessed low turn out in the re-run election

By: Bodunrin Kayode

It was an obviously low turn out of voters in Plateau State for the re-run election which took place in the plateau north senatorial constituency

This was because most of the prospective voters in the senatorial zone learnt about 24 hours before the election that their party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) logo was missing from the ballot paper.

Consequently, most of the residents decided to stay indoors amidst the “no movement” directive by the government rendering the polling units in the northern senatorial zone of Plateau State with abysmally low turn out.

While some of the polling units in the zone got their materials as early as 8am enough for the exercise to start, some of them got theirs quite late but in spite of that, they waited endlessly for the voters pinging their phones because there was nobody to conduct accreditation with in their units.

Some party agents in some wards in Rantia, Jenta, down to new haven were seen calling their people to come out from their apathy and vote because most residents who are supporters of PDP did not come out for the exercise.

Some of the voters complained that they did not see their party PDP on the ballot paper so they opted for some other friendly parties instead of going home like that while those who were supporters of the All Progressive Congress (APC) queued patiently for their candidates.

A resident who lives in Rantia and who preferred not to be named told this reporter that they were not happy that the political wrestling match between the elders of the PDP which ended in the appeal court recently has robbed them of vital seats in the national assembly and now they had to vote for candidates they never planned for.

“we were frustrated when we heard 24 hours ago that our party the PDP was not on the ballot paper for today’s election so we came out to vote for another party expectedly.

” Since the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) excluded the PDP we listened to our elders who advised us to vote for the Action Democratic Party (ADP) which was the only one that will support the interest of the people in the Senate.

” imagine we sent our agents to monitor the off load of the materials at the central bank of Nigeria (CBN) only to find out that the PDP was excluded from the ballot papers they were going to distribute today.

” At first they did not want our agents to see, but when we insisted we must check to avoid mistakes, our agents were mad to see that they were playing on the intelligence of the people all these days knowing that they had dropped off the PDP from the ballot”.

” On a whole, it was a low turn out averagely in the entire metropolis except for a few exceptions. Imagine at the hill station junction where a polling unit is located at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ,) only 25 people voted out of 250 registered. Just 10%, to me that was very low indeed”.

On the status of the election in Barkin Ladi, another source told this reporter that the election was peaceful in the area except that most people especially young people stayed off out of disappointment.

Last minute adoption with the absence of pdp on the ballot

This reporter learnt that not to loose completely, a last minute adoption was made by the elders of the PDP not mentioned in a hurriedly circulated text message to different wards that their teeming supporters should rather vote the ADP instead of going home to lament.

It went thus:” we deeply regret the minor setback that our party, the PDP, and its candidates have experienced leading up to the upcoming re-run election on Saturday.

” However, let us not allow this distraction to deter us as loyal party members. Let us prioritize the welfare of Plateau State above party affiliation.

” If you genuinely care about Plateau State, we urge you to support candidates who will assist Governor Caleb Mutfwang in making our state better. The most suitable candidates, who have undeniably demonstrated their capability in doing so, are PRINCE PAM MWADKON DACHUNGYANG from the ADP FOR THE Senate and
HON. DANIEL ASAMA from the LABOUR PARTY for Jos North/Bassa in the Federal House of Representatives.

“We believe that by electing these candidates, we will be acting in the best interest of Plateau State as a whole.

“Therefore, we kindly request that every one of you come out in large numbers to vote for these candidates on Saturday. Please spread the word so others can act the same. May Plateau Succeed” said the message they kept passing around.

But that was obviously too late for a lot of residents who swore that it is either PDP or nothing at all.

Plateau witnessed low turn out in the re-run election

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Festac DPO, CSP Matilda Ngbanoyen, dies during medical treatment in Lagos

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Festac DPO, CSP Matilda Ngbanoyen, dies during medical treatment in Lagos

By: Zagazola Makama

The Lagos State Police Command has announced the death of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Festac Division, CSP Matilda Ngbanoyen, who passed away while receiving medical treatment in Lagos.

The incident occurred on Oct. 24, 2025, at about 11:30 p.m., when the officer reportedly died at the Mayriamville Medical Centre, Bode Thomas, Surulere, during a medical session for fibroid treatment.

Following the report, a delegation from the Command visited the hospital to confirm the development and make necessary arrangements.

“The corpse was evacuated to a public morgue for preservation and autopsy,”sources said.

The Command said arrangements were underway, in collaboration with the late officer’s family, to accord her a befitting burial.

CSP Ngbanoyen was described as a dedicated and disciplined officer who served the Nigeria Police Force with commitment and professionalism.

The Command expressed condolences to her family, colleagues, and friends over the tragic loss.

Festac DPO, CSP Matilda Ngbanoyen, dies during medical treatment in Lagos

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Widower mourns slain nurse wife in Maiduguri

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Widower mourns slain nurse wife in Maiduguri

By: Zagazola Makama

Hamza Ibrahim Idris, a bereaved husband in Maiduguri, Borno, has paid a touching tribute to his late wife, Nurse Hadiza Musa, who was allegedly murdered by suspected phone snatchers.

In a heartfelt message titled “Ga Masoyiyata Nurse Hadiza Musa”, the widower expressed deep sorrow over the death of his wife, describing her as a virtuous woman, devoted mother, and compassionate health worker who dedicated her life to saving others.

“It’s been three days since my heart has burned with the pain of losing my wife, my life partner, Nurse Hadiza Musa, who was killed in cold blood by those who snatched her phone,” he wrote.

“She was not just a wife she was my confidant, the mother of my three children, and the other half of my soul. We lived in love, understanding and mutual support, building dreams and hoping to grow old together. But now, that dream has been shattered,” he said.

The grieving husband described Hadiza as a woman of faith, humility and kindness who always put others first.

“As a nurse, she devoted her life to saving others with a smile and compassion. Yet, the life she saved was taken unjustly she died in faith and martyrdom,” he added.

He recounted the pain of their children’s repeated questions: “Daddy, where is Mommy?” a reminder, he said, of the irreplaceable void left by her death.

“Each time I hear those words, tears flow. In their faces, I see hers a woman of truth, love, and belief,” he said.

Offering prayers, he said: “Oh Allah, the Most Merciful, forgive her shortcomings, elevate her rank, grant her Aljanna Firdaus, bless her children, and give me strength and patience.”

He added that though Hadiza was gone, her love remained in his heart and prayers, expressing hope of reuniting with her in the hereafter “where there will be no pain, no tears, and no separation.”

“May Allah forgive and have mercy on my beloved wife, Nurse Hadiza Musa. May her grave be a garden of paradise. May He grant me patience and protect our children,” he concluded tearfully.

The incident, which occurred recently in Maiduguri, has sparked outrage among residents who have called for stronger security measures to curb rising cases of phone snatching and violent attacks in the city.

Widower mourns slain nurse wife in Maiduguri

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Waidi Shuaibu: from Theartre Commander to Army Chief — chronicling a transformative leadership journey

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Waidi Shuaibu: from Theartre Commander to Army Chief — chronicling a transformative leadership journey

By: Zagazola Makama

Maj.-Gen. Waidi Shuaibu’s appointment as the new Chief of Army Staff marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to consolidate gains in the fight against insurgency and strengthen national security.

Before his elevation to the apex position in the Nigerian Army, Gen. Shuaibu served as Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) in the North-East, where his 14-month tenure was defined by tactical innovation, operational success, and deep civil-military engagement. His leadership transformed the counter-insurgency landscape, restoring relative stability to vast areas once dominated by Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists.

Upon assuming command of OPHK, Maj.-Gen. Shuaibu prioritized operational readiness, launching an extensive refurbishment of key military assets to boost troop morale and combat capability. He spearheaded the repair of vital armoured platforms, including ten VP1 Type 89 APCs, five BMPs, three Steyr APCs, and six Camel MRAPs, ensuring optimal deployment for the 2024 dry-season operations.

These efforts culminated in the historic deep-clearance operations into Sambisa Forest and the Tumbuktu Triangle in early 2024, which dealt devastating blows to terrorist hideouts, supply chains, and command structures. His coordinated offensive operations neutralized more than 567 terrorists and dismantled several high-value enemy enclaves between February 2024 and March 2025.

Under his leadership, the integration of air and ground components reached new heights. The Nigerian Air Force component executed over 230 sorties and 232 interdiction missions, clocking more than 567 flight hours, while the UAV Command carried out 760 ISR operations totaling 6,674 hours. These precision missions enhanced battlefield awareness, enabling ground troops to conduct over 9,800 patrols, 2,700 ambushes, and 990 clearance operations with high success rates.

Intelligence-led operations resulted in the arrest of 161 terrorist logisticians and the surrender of over 121,000 insurgents and their families — a remarkable milestone that shifted the dynamics of the North-East conflict toward peacebuilding and reintegration.

Maj.-Gen. Shuaibu’s counter-insurgency philosophy went beyond the battlefield. He introduced the Local Community Policing and Peace Enforcement (LCPPE) model in February 2024 — an initiative that deepened trust between the military and local communities. This approach paved the way for stabilization operations, including the resettlement of more than 4,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Kukawa and other restored communities.

He also promoted civil-military cooperation through humanitarian and religious initiatives, including a Qur’anic Recitation Competition aimed at fostering moral resilience and unity among troops and civilians. Three participants were later sponsored for the Hajj pilgrimage — a gesture that reinforced goodwill and trust.

A hallmark of his tenure was the focus on infrastructure and troop welfare. He initiated the renovation and modernization of the Joint Task Force (North-East) Headquarters complex, constructed new escort and drivers’ lounges, refurbished soldiers’ accommodation, and built 30 two-bedroom community-based quarters for military families.

Additionally, the installation of long-range surveillance cameras in Monguno, Gajiram, and Kekeno enhanced operational intelligence and perimeter monitoring, further strengthening theatre-wide security.

Maj.-Gen. Shuaibu’s command period witnessed the elimination of several notorious terrorist leaders, including Tahir Baga and Abu Rijal, whose deaths crippled jihadist coordination and recruitment. His effective decapitation strategy was complemented by humanitarian outreach, leading to a steady return of normalcy in major population centres across Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states.

In recognition of these achievements, the North-East Theatre under his command received the Security Watch Africa Award in December 2024 as the Most Outstanding Defence Command in Africa, underscoring the effectiveness of his leadership and innovation in asymmetric warfare.

Now as Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Waidi Shuaibu is expected to replicate his transformative approach on a national scale. Security analysts and defence watchers believe his deep operational experience and emphasis on community-driven stability will guide the Nigerian Army toward renewed efficiency and professionalism.

His appointment signals continuity, discipline, and modernization — values he consistently championed throughout his command. Stakeholders within defence and civil sectors alike express optimism that his era will usher in strategic reforms to fortify Nigeria’s military capabilities and accelerate victory against insecurity.

Maj.-Gen. Shuaibu’s rise from Theatre Commander to Army Chief embodies the success of merit, dedication, and results-oriented leadership, a journey rooted in courage, intellect, and an unyielding commitment to peace and stability in Nigeria.

Waidi Shuaibu: from Theartre Commander to Army Chief — chronicling a transformative leadership journey

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