Court Asks Kanu To Open Defence After Sacking Own Legal Team

By: Our Reporter

A federal high court sitting in Abuja on Thursday adjourned till Friday to enable the detained self acclaimed leader of the proscribed separatist group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, begin his defence.

Kanu, who was scheduled to open his defence in his ongoing terrorism trial on Thursday, dramatically fired his legal team.

When the case was called, Kanu Agabi (SAN), who had led Kanu’s legal team until Thursday, announced his decision, with other Senior Advocates in the team, to withdraw from the case.

Agabi said the reason for their withdrawal “is because the defendant has taken this case back from us and we respect that.”

He gave the name of the other SANs, withdrawing to include: Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), Joseph Akubo (SAN), Paul Erokoro (SAN), Emeka Etiaba (SAN) and one other.

Following Agabi’s announcement, Justice James Omotosho turned to Kanu, who was in the dock, for his response.

Kanu confirmed sacking all his lawyers, telling the court that he was willing and ready to conduct his case by himself.

Justice Omotosho then, ordered other members of the defendant’s legal team who were in court, except the SANs to vacate the courtroom.

The judge thereafter turned to the defendant and asked him to open his case.

Kanu begin by arguing about the jurisdiction of the court to further conduct his trial. He was subsequently overruled by the judge, who insisted that he most proceed with his defence.

At that point, Ikpeazu intervened and drew the attention of the court to the fact that their (Kanu’s lawyers’) withdrawal took effect on the morning of Thursday.

He prayed the court to grant Kanu some time to gather his thoughts and compose himself for the task ahead.

Prosecuting lawyer did not object, following which Justice Omotosho adjourned till Friday, October 24 to enable the IPOB open his defence.

Court Asks Kanu To Open Defence After Sacking Own Legal Team

Troops kill over 50 terrorists as they repel multiple attacks in Borno, Yobe — military

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have killed more than 50 terrorists and repelled multiple coordinated attacks on military locations across Borno and Yobe States, in what has been described as the biggest blow against insurgents in 2025.

The Nigerian military said the simultaneous attacks occurred between midnight and 0400 hours on Thursday when terrorists launched assaults on troops’ positions in Dikwa, Mafa, Gajibo and Katarko, situated within Sectors 1 and 2 of the Joint Operations Area.

Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North East (OPHK), in a statement on Thursday in Maiduguri, said the troops fought gallantly and professionally, repelling the attacks and inflicting devastating losses on the terrorists.

“In all instances, troops stood firm, fought gallantly, and professionally repelled the attacks, dealing the terrorists a heavy, decisive and bloody blow,” Uba stated.

He said the coordinated ground and air operations, backed by precision strikes from the Air Component of OPHK, led to the neutralisation of over 50 terrorists across all the locations.

According to him, troops also recovered 38 AK-47 rifles, seven PKT machine guns, five RPG tubes, two GPMGs, hand grenades, and thousands of assorted rounds of ammunition after the clashes.

“The precision strikes, coupled with enhanced battlefield awareness provided by the Theatre’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets, gave troops additional leverage and impetus to respond with overwhelming and lethal force,” Uba added.

He disclosed that over 70 wounded terrorists were being pursued by ground troops, with the Air Component maintaining close coordination to ensure total clearance of the fleeing remnants.

Intelligence reports, he said, indicated that the attackers who stormed Dikwa and Gajibo manoeuvred from the Cameroon axis, while those who attacked Katarko emerged from the Timbuktu Triangle, a notorious terrorist enclave.

Uba said some gallant troops sustained injuries but were in stable condition, while some vehicles and buildings in Mafa and Dikwa were gutted by fire following RPG and drone attacks by the terrorists.

He noted that despite the heavy onslaught, the troops maintained control of all their positions and repelled the coordinated strikes with renewed strength and professionalism.

“The Military High Command has commended the gallantry, doggedness and renewed charge of the troops. Their steadfast performance once again reaffirms the military’s unwavering resolve and capacity to defend the nation’s territorial integrity,” he added.

Security analysts described the coordinated defeat of the terrorists across multiple fronts as the single largest operational success against insurgents in 2025, marking a major turning point in the counter-terrorism campaign in the North East.

Troops kill over 50 terrorists as they repel multiple attacks in Borno, Yobe — military

Troops rescue two kidnapped victims, neutralise bandits in Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 2, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), have rescued two kidnapped victims and neutralised two suspected kidnappers during a clearance operation in Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation followed a reported abduction of two persons along the Wanka–Dengi road in Kanam LGA.

According to the source, troops trailed the relative of one of the victims, who had been instructed by the kidnappers to drop a ransom at Madam Forest, where the operation took place.

“During the rescue operation, troops made contact with the kidnappers, resulting in the neutralisation of two armed bandits, while others fled into the forest,” the source said.

Troops rescue two kidnapped victims, neutralise bandits in Plateau