News
Kanu lists Wike, Buratai, Danjuma, Umahi, others as witnesses as defence begins amid failed protest
Kanu lists Wike, Buratai, Danjuma, Umahi, others as witnesses as defence begins amid failed protest
By: Zagazola Makama
Hours after a poorly attended nationwide protest demanding his release, detained leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, made a dramatic turn on Tuesday, declaring readiness to open his defence in the ongoing terrorism trial at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The protest, which was led in parts of Abuja by the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 elections, Omoyele Sowore, recorded low turnout across the country as residents largely shunned the call for mass action.
In many cities, including Enugu, Owerri, Onitsha, Port Harcourt, Aba, and Umuahia, residents said they chose to stay away from the demonstration because the matter was already before the court and feared it could be hijacked by miscreants to unleash violence.
In Abuja, where Sowore led a small group of demonstrators to the Federal High Court complex, police dispersed the gathering and arrested 13 persons, including Kanu’s special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, and his brother, Emmanuel Kanu.
However, the detained IPOB leader filed a motion of preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court to continue with his trial. He filed the objection the same day a team of medical experts enpanelled by the court to determine his health status, turned in a report that he was medically fit to stand trial.
In a fresh motion he personally filed on Tuesday, October 21, Kanu assured the court that he was prepared to begin his defence “pursuant to the order of this honourable court made on the 16th day of October 2015, directing the defendant to commence his defence on the 24th day of October 2025.”
Kanu informed the court, presided by Justice James Omotosho, of his plan to call a total of 23 witnesses divided into two categories. The first category, he said, would be those he called “ordinary but material witnesses”.
He further informed the court that his second category of witnesses would be “vital and compellable” and shall be “summoned under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.”
In the notice Kanu personally signed, suggesting that he may have fired his team of lawyers led by Kanu Agabi, SAN, the IPOB leader told the court that, in view of the number of witnesses he intends to call, the court should consider granting a 90-day timeframe to enable him conclude his defence.
He told the court that he would “testify on his own behalf, providing a sworn account of the facts, denying the allegations, and explaining the political context of his statements and actions.”
Among those Kanu listed as “compellable witnesses” are a former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), a former Chief of Army Staff, Gen Tukur Buratai (rtd), as well as Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Hope Uzodinma, Governors of Lagos and Imo States respectively.
He further listed current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Nyesom Nwike, his Works’ counterpart, Dave Umahi, and the immediate past governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu. He also listed the immediate past Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, the immediate past Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, NIA, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, his then-collegue at the State Security Service, SSS, Yusuf Magaji Bichi, and several withnesses whose identities he didn’t reveal.
Kanu, in the notice, promised to “provide the sworn statements of all voluntary witnesses to this honourable court, and to notify the prosecution within a reasonable time.”
He assured that “no precious time of the honourable court would be delayed,” stressing, “and it would interest the honourable court that and the general public that justice is not only done but manifestly seen to have been done.”
Kanu’s motion offering to open his defence came on the same day a magistrate court in Abuja ordered the remand of his special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor and 12 others who were among those protesting against Kanu’s continued trial.
The police charged the 13 persons with various offences, including criminal conspiracy, disobedience of a lawful order, inciting disturbance, and disturbance of public peace, contravening sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code Law.
The 13 defendants named in two separate first information reports (FIRs) are Ejimakor, Kanu’s brother, Emmanuel, Joshua Emmanuel, Wilson Anyalewechi, Okere Kingdom Nnamdi, Clinton Chimeneze, Gabriel Joshua, Isiaka Husseini, Onyekachi Ferdinand, Amadi Prince, Edison Ojisom, Godwill Obioma, and Chima Onuchukwu.
The magistrate, who stood down the case, later ordered that the defendants be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre and adjourned the case until October 24 for arraignment.
As the court resumes on Thursday, observers say Kanu’s decision to represent himself and summon high-profile witnesses marks a new phase in a case that has tested Nigeria’s judicial system, national security, and political tolerance.
Meanwhile, security has been intensified in and around the Federal High Court complex, as authorities brace for possible crowd movements when the trial resumes.
Kanu lists Wike, Buratai, Danjuma, Umahi, others as witnesses as defence begins amid failed protest
Troops Arrest Five Suspected Terrorist Logistics Suppliers in Borno
By Zagazola Makama
MAIDUGURI — Troops of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), have arrested five female suspected terrorist logistics suppliers in Ngurusoye village, Borno State.
The suspects were intercepted at about 6:48 p.m. on Aug. 17 by troops of 151 Task Force Battalion deployed in the area, following intelligence on their activities.
The suspects were identified as Falmata Jibrin, 53; Hajja Zaragon, 50; Falmata Ali, 50; Inagana Modu, 30; and Falmata Abubakar, 13.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that troops recovered various items from the suspects, including 65 packs of sweet candies, 117 packs of biscuits and 167 sachets of Dangote salt, among other assorted provisions.
The suspects and recovered items have been handed over to 21 Special Anti-Banditry Mobile Police Regiment (21 SAB MOPOL) for further investigation and necessary action.
The arrests form part of ongoing intelligence-led operations by troops under Operation HADIN KAI and Operation DESERT SANITY V to disrupt terrorist logistics networks and deny insurgents access to food, supplies and other materials needed to sustain their activities.
Security sources said the overall situation across the theatre remained calm but unpredictable, while troops continued to maintain satisfactory morale and operational readiness.
Troops Arrest Five Suspected Terrorist Logistics Suppliers in Borno
Troops Arrest Two Suspected Terrorists, Recover Weapons in Adamawa
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI, in collaboration with local hunters, have arrested two suspected terrorists and recovered weapons during an intelligence-led operation in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
The operation was conducted at about 10:15 a.m. on Aug. 16, by troops of B Company, 232 Battalion, Garaha, working with hunters.
The suspects were identified as Hyema Luka, 20, and Hyellaki Manasse, 47.
According to security sources, the operation followed credible intelligence that led troops to the suspects and their associates in the area.
Preliminary investigation revealed that Luka had sustained a gunshot wound to his right foot during an attack in Yau village, near Garaha, Hong LGA, on Dec. 24, 2025.
Further investigation reportedly led to the arrest of Manasse, who was allegedly treating the injured suspect at Bilamari village in Hong Local Government Area.
During preliminary questioning, Luka claimed that he was forcibly abducted by terrorists while working on his farm at Lamba village in Hong LGA sometime in 2025.
He reportedly told investigators that he was subsequently compelled to fight alongside the terrorist group.
Security sources said Luka escaped from the terrorist camp during the night of Aug. 14, 2026, before his eventual arrest.
Items recovered from the suspects include one mobile phone, one SIM card, two bows and arrows, one locally made sword and four locally fabricated firearms.
The suspects are currently in the custody of 232 Battalion for further investigation.
The latest operation forms part of sustained intelligence-led efforts by troops under Operation HADIN KAI and Operation DESERT SANITY V to identify and dismantle terrorist networks operating across the North East.
Security sources said the situation across the theatre remained calm but unpredictable, while troops continued to maintain high operational readiness across their areas of responsibility.
Troops Arrest Two Suspected Terrorists, Recover Weapons in Adamawa
Troops Foil Attack on Manja Community, Disperse Armed Herders in Plateau
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE (JTF OPEP), Sector 8, have foiled an attempted attack on Manja community in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Zagazola Makama reports that the incident occurred at about 4:44 p.m. on Aug. 20, when troops responded to reports of armed Fulani herders moving alongside their cattle in the area.
The armed men were reportedly accused of destroying farmlands and attempting to attack the Manja community.
The troops swiftly deployed to the location and established contact with the armed group.
On sighting the troops, the suspects fled alongside their cattle into the surrounding bushes, abandoning their reported attempt to attack the community.
The troops subsequently dominated the general area and commenced offensive operations to prevent the armed group from regrouping or launching further attacks.
Security sources said the operation was part of ongoing efforts by JTF OPEP to protect vulnerable communities and prevent attacks in areas affected by farmer-herder tensions.
Meanwhile, troops across the Operation ENDURING PEACE Joint Operations Area have continued routine patrols aimed at safeguarding schools, places of worship and other critical national infrastructure.
The military also said troops remained committed to sustaining security operations across the area to protect residents and maintain peace.
The latest operation underscores the continued security challenges in parts of Plateau State, where tensions over farmland, grazing activities and access to land have occasionally triggered violent confrontations.
Security forces are expected to sustain patrols and offensive operations across vulnerable communities to prevent criminal elements from exploiting the situation and to safeguard civilians.
Troops Foil Attack on Manja Community, Disperse Armed Herders in Plateau
Troops Arrest Five Suspected Terrorist Logistics Suppliers in Borno
Troops Arrest Two Suspected Terrorists, Recover Weapons in Adamawa
Scholarship or Trap? Why Northern Nigerian Youth Must Verify Foreign Opportunities
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
FAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions5 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News1 year agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Opinions5 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Politics1 year ago2027: Why Hon. Midala Balami Must Go, as Youths in Hawul and Asikira/Uba Federal Constituency Reject ₦500,000 as Sallah Gift
