Troops rescue six abducted victims in Borno

 

Soldiers of the Joint Task Force, North East, Operation Hadin Kai, said they rescued six women and children abducted by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in Ngoshe village, Gwoza Local Government Area, Borno State, North East Nigeria.

 

A statement on Friday by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, Lt. Col. Sani Uba said the victims were rescued during a coordinated operation following sustained offensives, including air interdiction missions targeting terrorist hideouts in the Mandara Mountains.

 

He said troops acted on credible intelligence and intercepted the victims while returning from a successful overnight offensive operation in the early hours of May 1, 2026 around Amuda, a deserted area between Ngoshe and Gava, known for terrorist movement.

 

Those rescued, he said were: 18-year-old Zainab Idris; 17-year-old Fatima Abubakar; 24-year-old Maimuna Abdulrashid; one-year-old Muhammad Idris; seven-year-old Sadiq Abdullahi, and five-year-old Fatima Abdulrashid.

According to the spokesman, preliminary debriefing showed that the victims were among residents abducted during an attack on the Ngoshe community on March 3, 2026.

 

The victims were said to have been held in captivity in a terrorist enclave in Gava before they managed to escape.

 

The victims were given first aid and medical attention at a military facility before being handed over to community leaders and later reunited with their families in Ngoshe through the Wali of Ngoshe, Alhaji Shuaibu Dabawa, in what the statement described as an emotional ceremony.

 

The Armed Forces of Nigeria, Uba said reaffirmed their commitment to securing communities, rescuing abducted persons and eliminating terrorist elements across the North-East, urging residents to continue providing credible intelligence to security agencies. Sunrisereporters.

Kwankwasiyya chieftain resigns from ADC

 

A key figure in the Kwankwasiyya movement in Dala Local Government Area of Kano State, Kabiru Adamu Abdullahi, has resigned from the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Newspotng reports that Abdullahi, who is a House of Assembly aspirant, announced his resignation in a letter dated May 1, 2026, and addressed to the ADC chairman in Kofar Ruwa Ward.

 

According to Abdullahi, his resignation from ADC took effect immediately.

 

In the letter shared on his Facebook page, Abdullahi thanked the party for the opportunity to be a member.

He said, “I hereby formally resign my membership of All Democratic Congress (ADC) at Kofar Ruwa Ward with immediate effect.

 

“I sincerely appreciate the opportunity given to me to be part of the party and wish you and the party the very best in your future endeavours.

 

“Kindly accept this as my official notice and communicate the same to the appropriate authorities.”

 

Abdullahi is considered one of the prominent Kwankwasiyya leaders in Dala.

 

In a separate Facebook post, he linked his decision to the directive of the movement’s leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

 

“This is the order of Jagora,” he wrote, using the term commonly used by members of the movement to refer to Kwankwaso.

Top ADC leaders consider NDC after Supreme Court ruling

 

More leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) are considering moving to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) following the Supreme Court judgment on the ADC leadership dispute.

The apex court had returned the substantive leadership dispute to the Federal High Court for continuation, a development some party leaders said had left the ADC facing fresh uncertainty ahead of the 2027 general elections.

 

An ADC chieftain who spoke with Punch said the Supreme Court ruling did not fully resolve the party’s leadership crisis, warning that the substantive case at the Federal High Court could still affect the party’s plans.

 

The chieftain said, “There is nothing much to celebrate in the verdict. It is like postponing the evil day. The substantive matter is at the Federal High Court, and we have many bridges to cross on that.

“If, as expected, the Tinubu administration manipulates the judiciary against us, that will be too late for us, and it may hand Tinubu a cheap victory.” Newspot.

2027: ALGON gives Tinubu unflinching support, suspends erring officers

 

 

As the next presidential elections gathers momentum, President Bola Tinubu has secured the full support of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) for his second term bid.

This was one of the major decisions of the Association at its recent National Executive Council (NEC) according to a statement signed by Hon. Anani Hamisu Mohammed, Plateau ALGON Chairman and National Publicity Secretary of the Association.

The meeting also meted out disciplinary measures against some of its members for anti-union activities.

Mohammed’s statement was based on the Communiqué of the 54th (expanded) National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Association held on 29th April, 2026, in Abuja.

 

 

The NEC which is the decision-making organ of the Association was presided over by the National President, Hon Bello Lawal, with NEC members drawn from across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in attendance.

Also present, were three past ALGON National Presidents, Hon Felix Akabue, Hon. Alabi Kolade David and Hon. Aminu Mu’azu Maifata alongside the Chairman Board of Trustees (BOT), Chief Odunayo Ategbero and other Board Members.

 

According to the statement after a robust deliberation on the state of the Association and the nation, NEC resolved as follows: “ALGON NEC unanimously endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for another term in office come 2027.

“ALGON NEC declared total solidarity with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, affirming that his policy trajectory has restored dignity, fiscal capacity and functional autonomy to Nigeria’s 774 Local Governments and Area Councils.

“NEC recognised that continuity of his administration will deepen the grassroots governance.

 

“NEC unanimously endorsed the indefinite suspension of Hon. Zakari Iliyasu – Chairman Agwara LGA and ALGON Chairman, Niger State for alleged impersonation, acting against the interest of the Association and abuse of constitutional provisions of the association.

“Also suspended from the Association are Hon. Abubakar Danladi Abdullahi, Chairman Kaiama LGA and ALGON Chairman, Kwara state alongside Hon. Abba Shehu Tambuwal of Tambuwal LGA, the ALGON Chairman, Sokoto state for their various roles in (allegedly) trying to destabilize and bring disunity to the Association,”, the statement said.

The Association then urged individuals and groups not to deal with the suspended persons on behalf of ALGON.

“NEC with one voice, unanimously passed a vote of confidence in the leadership of the National President, Hon. (Engr.) Bello Lawal” following the adoption of a motion to that effect.

The NEC urged security agencies to deal decisively with any individual or persons illegally parading themselves as agents or officials of ALGON.

FG okays ₦150bn PPP extension of Bodo-Bonny Road

 

 

The Federal Government has approved a ₦150 billion extension of the Bodo-Bonny Road and Bridges Project in Rivers State under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP).

 

This is part of a wider infrastructure push that includes solar lighting, landscaping, and CCTV surveillance on major highways.

 

Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja when he received the management of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited in his office.

 

A statement by the Director, Information  and Public Relations in the Ministry,  Mohammed  Ahmed,  said President Bola Tinubu had approved the extension of the recently completed Bodo-Bonny Road, with a 12-month completion deadline and a clause to prevent cost variation. The project will use concrete technology for a lifespan of 50 to 100 years and will be presented to the Federal Executive Council for ratification.

 

“Government is not only constructing roads but delivering world-class infrastructure that supports economic growth, enhances safety, and improves the quality of life,” Umahi said.

 

He added that the administration had also approved solar-powered street lighting and tree planting along major corridors to improve night-time visibility, boost security, beautify the highways, and stimulate commerce in host communities.

 

To strengthen road safety, the government plans to deploy Closed-Circuit Television surveillance systems on key highways, backed by monitoring centres. Umahi said the measure would cut emergency response time to under 10 minutes.

 

The project design includes rest areas, relief stations, and truck parking yards at strategic locations. Umahi said engagements with host communities were ongoing to secure land for the facilities. Contractors have been directed to use savings from project costs to fund solar lighting and tree planting.

 

Umahi  commended stakeholders, noting that the infrastructure drive under the Renewed Hope Administration had recorded “unprecedented” impact across all regions.

 

During the visit, NLNG Managing Director, Engr. Adeleye Falade, presented a model of a Compressed Natural Gas ship to the minister, signaling the company’s commitment to cleaner energy solutions in transportation and maritime sectors. Both parties discussed collaboration on sustainable infrastructure.

End.

S/Court rules on ADC, PDP leadership disputes today as H/Court nullifies Mark’s ADC congresses

 

The Supreme Court has fixed Thursday, April 30, for judgments in the leadership disputes rocking the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Earlier on Wednesday, an Abuja High court had nullified the congresses organized by the Senator David Mark’s faction of the ADC.

 

It would be recalled that the apex court had reserved judgement in the ADC case, prompting the opposition party to petition the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) that time was not on its side.

 

However, on Wednesday, the apex court announced that the judgement would be delivered by 2pm, on Thursday.

A five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Mohammed Garba, had fixed the matter for judgment after parties adopted their final written addresses.

 

Mark, who leads a faction of the party, is challenging the March 12 judgment of the Court of Appeal, which ordered parties to maintain the status quo in the dispute.

 

In his appeal, the former Senate President argued that the appellate court exceeded its jurisdiction and insisted that the crisis bordered on internal party affairs, which courts lack powers to adjudicate.

 

The suit was initiated by aggrieved party members led by Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is contesting the legitimacy of the Mark-led leadership of the party.

 

Other respondents in the appeal include the ADC, its National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and a former national chairman, Ralph Nwosu.

 

Mark is also seeking an order restraining INEC from recognising any leadership other than his faction, pending the determination of the appeal.

 

However, the respondents urged the apex court to dismiss the appeal, maintaining that the lower court was properly seized of the matter.

 

In a letter dated April 28, 2026 and signed by Shaibu Enejoh Aruwa, ADC counsel, the Mark-led faction said if the judgment of the apex court is not delivered within the next three days, the ADC “stands the grave and irreversible risk of being excluded from participating in the 2027 General Election”.

 

The Mark-led faction said the development would deny the constitutional right of millions of Nigerians to contest the elections under the platform of the party.

 

“My Lord, this appeal was graciously heard expeditiously on the 22nd April, 2026 and judgment was thereafter reserved to a date to be communicated by the court,” the letter reads.

 

“However, My Lord, we are most respectfully constrained to request for my Lord’s kind intervention and directive in ensuring that the judgment is rendered timeously having regard that INEC the 4th Respondent in the said Appeal purportedly, acting pursuant to the judgment of the lower court in

 

“Appeal No: CA/ABJ/145/2026 acted to remove or de-recognize the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) leaving the ADC without leadership at the moment even though the ADC remains a recognized registered political party in Nigeria.

 

“My Lord, we also respectfully draw Your Lordship’s attention to the INEC Timetable for the 2027 General Elections and the activities in readiness which have already commenced.

 

“Your Lordship’s would find attached copies of the INEC Press Release de-recognizing the leadership of ADC and the Revised INEC Timetable for the 2027 General Elections.

 

“My Lord, the ADC’s ability to comply with these statutory requirements to participate in the 2027 General Elections is wholly dependent on the timely delivery of the judgment in the instant Appeal.

 

“Without the delivery of judgment within the next three days from the date of this letter, the ADC stands the grave and irreversible risk of being excluded from participating in the 2027 General Elections.

 

“This would disenfranchise millions of Nigerians who have subscribed to the ideals of the ADC and deny them their constitutional right to freely associate and contest elections through a political party of their choice.

 

“My Lord, we are mindful of the enormous responsibilities and workload of this Honourable Court. We are equally aware that justice delayed, in this peculiar circumstance, would amount to justice denied. The entire political future of our client and the legitimate expectations of its members nationwide now hangs in the balance.” DAILY TRUST.

How a solemn moment in Mogadishu made Osinbajo dump alcohol for good

 

 

It was supposed to be a quiet Sunday. Preach, grab two cold Heinekens, head back to his room, read his Bible. But in a crowded restaurant in war-torn Mogadishu, Somalia, Yemi Osinbajo walked into a moment that would sober him for life.

 

The former Vice President, then a UN legal officer and pastor, shared the story in a viral video now ricocheting across social media.

 

“I like my red wine once in a while, and then I like my beer,” Osinbajo, 69, admitted. He was serving in the justice sector of the United Nations mission in Somalia. Sunday fellowship was done. The plan was simple.

 

“On this particular Sunday, I was coming back from the Fellowship where I had preached, and I was just hoping to buy two canned Heineken and go to my room and read my Bible,” he recalled.

He stepped into the restaurant. His colleagues were already there — drinking. Then they saw him. Drinks disappeared under tables. Bottles shifted. Faces dropped.

 

Osinbajo asked a Danish colleague why. The reply cut deeper than any sermon.

 

“You are the priest, and we cannot be drinking around the priest,” the man said.

 

That was it. No lecture. No scripture. Just a mirror held up by men who expected more from him.

 

Osinbajo said it hit like conviction. In that instant, faith, calling, and choice collided. He understood the biblical truth: many things are permissible, but not all are beneficial.

 

“Since that day, I have never consumed alcohol,” he said.

 

The moment in Mogadishu ended a private habit and forged a public witness. From Attorney General of Lagos State, 1999 to 2007, to Nigeria’s 14th Vice President, 2015 to 2023, Osinbajo kept the vow.

 

Born March 8, 1957, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria and APC stalwart is also a pastor. But on that Sunday in Somalia, it wasn’t his title that changed him — it was the quiet shame of others who saw the priest before he saw himself.

 

Sometimes, the most powerful altar call doesn’t come from a pulpit. It comes from a beer hiding under a table. Culled ffom The ConclaveNG

 

 

2027: Simon Okeke makes case for Obi, urges Atiku to reciprocate Igbo support

Elder statesman and former Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Chief Simon Okeke has made a special case for Peter Obi to be supported to fly the flag of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2027 presidential election.
In a special message he personally signed on Tuesday, Okeke also made a passionate appeal to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to support Obi’s ambition by withdrawing from the race.
Titled “A passionate appeal from an Elder statesman to all patriotic Nigerian members of African Democratic Congress (ADC)”, Chief Okeke reminded Atiku of the overwhelming support he had received from the South East in all the presidential elections the former VP contested and urged him to reciprocate this in 2027.
He drew the former VP’s attention to the reality that the 2027 presidential election is for the south hence the inevitability of transferring his support to Obi.
Beyond these, Okeke insisted that Obi deserves the support of all ADC stakeholders as according to him, Obi is the most acceptable presidential aspirant.
Below is the unedited copy of of Chief Okeke’s statement:

A PASSIONATE APPEAL  FROM AN ELDER STATESMAN TO ALL PATRIOTIC NIGERIAN MEMBERS OF AFRICAN DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS (ADC)*

*PETER OBI PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDACY – APPEAL TO ALL PATRIOTIC NIGERIAN MEMBERS OF ADC.*

*Peter Obi* may not be getting it right in some areas. Being human, it should be expected. No one is perfect. Nonetheless, among all the presidential aspirants today, he is the most acceptable nationwide. At no time in the political history of Nigeria before, during and after our Independence till this date has any candidate from any part of Nigeria enjoyed such a universal nationwide acceptance, not even the great charismatic *Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe (Zik).*

*The Atiku Question*:
On Atiku Abubakar’s Presidential bids up to 2023, no Northern presidential candidate had ever enjoyed the massive support of the people of South East as he has.
It was Atiku’s presidential bid in the 2023 contest that diminished PO’s margin of victory in that election.

One would expect that 2027 contest will give Alhaji Atiku a good opportunity to reciprocate the same support he has progressively received from the South East by him not only withdrawing from the contest which by convention is for Southern candidates to serve out balance of term of 4 years, but to throw his weight behind Peter Obi. Failure to do this will portray him to be opposite of what we thought he is – a true friend of Ndigbo.
He needs to show appreciation of our South East support for his several presidential bids.

I appeal to our Northern and South Western brothers and friends to see the equity and justice in supporting Peter Obi’s presidential bid since his victory will put the burden of the Nigeria-Biafra war behind us permanently.

Long live Federal Republic of Nigeria.

*Chief (Dr.) Simon Nsobundu Okeke, OON, OFR, FNIVS, FRICS,*
(*Ochendo*),
*Former Chairman, Police Service Commission*.

FG fixes new civil servants’ allowance structure

 

 

The Federal Government has announced October 1, 2026, as the implementation date for a new allowance structure for civil servants on Grade Levels 01 to 17.

The revised package covers duty tour allowances, estacode, training, travel, resettlement, and other work-related benefits under the Public Service Rules 2021.

This was contained in a circular issued by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission and signed by its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ekpo U.O. Nta.

The circular was reportedly forwarded to key government institutions, including ministries, departments and agencies, as well as senior officials in the executive, legislative and judicial arms of government.

Under the new structure, officers on Grade Levels 16 to 17 will receive ₦109,000 as duty tour allowance for official trips, while workers on Grade Levels 01 to 04 will get ₦30,000.

The government also reviewed kilometre allowances for official movement, with permanent secretaries expected to earn ₦664 per kilometre, while officers on Grade Levels 01 to 04 will receive ₦174 per kilometre.

For foreign trips, permanent secretaries will now receive $1,040 as estacode, while officers on Grade Levels 15 to 17 will get $737. Workers on Grade Levels 01 to 06 are expected to receive $357.

Civil servants undergoing long-term training programmes lasting one year or more will receive ₦150,000 for books and project support, while those on shorter courses will get ₦125,000.

For local training programmes, officers on Grade Levels 16 to 17 will receive ₦33,877.5 per day, while workers on Grade Levels 01 to 04 will get ₦9,034.1 daily.

The new structure also introduced annual allowances for workers in the education sector, with science and mathematics teachers on Grade Level 14 expected to earn up to ₦480,000 yearly.

Laboratory attendants on the same grade level will receive ₦216,000 annually.

In addition, eligible workers will receive resettlement allowances pegged at 10 per cent of their annual consolidated salary, while qualified government drivers will receive a non-accident bonus of ₦150,000 yearly.

The commission stated that allowances already listed in the Public Service Rules without fixed amounts would continue to be guided by existing provisions, while other unresolved payments would be addressed through subsequent circulars.

According to the government, the period before the October implementation date is intended to allow ministries, departments and agencies to make necessary adjustments to their budgets and payroll systems.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress has reacted to the development, saying the increase in allowances does not reflect the current economic realities facing workers.

The Acting General Secretary of the NLC, Benson Upah, said the review falls short of addressing the growing cost of living and called for stronger measures to improve workers’ welfare across the country. Starnews.

Obi Media Office raises the alarm over clandestine move to suppress him

 

The Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR) has raised the alarm over moves to truncate the 2027 presidential ambition of the chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

In a statement on Monday, the Media Office said the plan was to limit the freedom of the former Governor of Anambra State and deny him access to the Nigerian people.

It said the Office “ wishes to alert members of the public and indeed international democratic watchers of various surreptitious schemes to limit his freedom and deny him access to the Nigerian people.

 

“The Media office is privy to the various schemes being put in place clandestinely to limit Obi’s freedom.

“Already there have been recent and recurring reports of Peter Obi being prevented from speaking at public institutions, specifically focusing on the recent cancellation of his lecture at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and similar incidents at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and other public institutions.”

​

​ Describing the plot as “worrisome”, it insisted that the development “is not an isolated administrative hiccup; but a symptom of a deepening democratic malaise.

“This incident follows a disturbing pattern occurring over 10 times in recent months—where public institutions, including his alma mater, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), have revoked platforms for the presidential aspirant at the eleventh hour.

​“It’s a well-established fact that Universities are, by definition, the “marketplace of ideas.” Intended to be sanctuaries for critical thinking, rigorous debate, and the free exchange of perspectives, but in an attempt to suppress our principal’s, public institutions are succumbing to external political pressures and intimidation.

 

“In the words of Obi himself, “such occurrences now point to a troubling pattern that should concern all well-meaning Nigerians”.

“POMR would want to reiterate that Universities and other public institutions of learning must remain platforms where ideas can be shared freely without restriction.”

 

​“The irony is stark that while Mr Obi has been welcomed to speak freely at notable global centres of excellence—including Oxford, Harvard, Cambridge, and Yale—within his own country, the doors of public learning are increasingly being bolted.

“This disparity raises a critical question: What is the state of a nation that fears the dialogue of its own citizens within its own halls of learning?

​

​“We like to therefore call upon the administrative heads of public institutions and the relevant governing bodies to resist political intimidation and uphold the sanctity of academic freedom.

“A country that silences its thinkers and its leaders within its ivory towers is a country that risks intellectual and social stagnation.

​“We stand for an open Nigeria where the “force of argument” always supersedes the “argument of force”, the statement concluded.