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Troops rescue 47 from ISWAP enclave in Borno

Mustapha USMAN
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Troops rescue 47 from ISWAP enclave in Borno

TROOPS of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have rescued 47 persons, mostly women and children, from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) enclave in Kangarwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Acting Military Information Officer of OPHK, Mohammed Goni, a captain, on Tuesday in Maiduguri.

Goni said the victims were rescued following sustained offensive operations by troops against ISWAP strongholds in the Lake Chad region.

He said the rescue was made possible through aggressive ground and air assaults that forced the terrorists to abandon their positions, creating an opportunity for the captives to escape from prolonged detention.

The military spokesman added that the rescued persons were receiving medical attention at a secured location, while arrangements are being made to provide them with the necessary humanitarian assistance.

He said relevant agencies are collaborating with the military to facilitate the victims’ rehabilitation and eventual reintegration into society.

Goni noted that the latest rescue underscored the commitment of Operation Hadin Kai to protecting civilians while sustaining efforts to degrade terrorist capabilities in the North-East.

He reaffirmed the resolve of the Theatre Command to intensify offensive operations aimed at dismantling remaining ISWAP networks and restoring lasting peace and normalcy across the region.

The ICIR reports that Kangarwa has long been one of the areas affected by insurgent activities around the Lake Chad Basin. The region has served as a stronghold for ISWAP and other terrorist groups due to its difficult terrain and proximity to several islands and waterways that have historically provided cover for fighters.

Over the years, thousands of residents of communities in Kukawa, Marte, Abadam and other parts of northern Borno have been displaced by insurgent attacks, while many women and children have been abducted during raids on villages and farming settlements.

The latest rescue came amid intensified military operations by Operation Hadin Kai across the Lake Chad region.

Earlier in June, the military announced the rescue of 360 women and children from terrorist enclaves in the North-East, as security forces stepped up efforts to dismantle remaining insurgent networks.

However, despite these gains, ISWAP continues to stage attacks on communities and security formations in parts of Borno State, underscoring the persistent security challenges facing the region two decades after insurgency began in Nigeria.

Eight killed in Kebbi farmer-herder clash as insecurity worsens in North

Mustapha USMAN
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Eight killed in Kebbi farmer-herder clash as insecurity worsens in North

NO fewer than eight persons have been killed in a violent clash between farmers and herders in Gulma town, Argungu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The Kebbi State Police Command confirmed the incident on Tuesday, June 23, saying one farmer and seven herders lost their lives during the violence, while five persons, including a woman, were rescued by security operatives.

The command’s spokesperson, Bashir Usman, said the crisis erupted around 3pm on Monday after a herder identified as Yaron Buba-Dogo allegedly allowed his cattle to stray into the farmland of one Aminu Ala, destroying crops.

According to him, an altercation ensued between the two men, during which the farmer was allegedly stabbed in the neck and died on the spot.

The killing sparked outrage among residents, who reportedly mobilised and attacked the herder, killing him and setting his body ablaze.

Usman said the violence subsequently escalated as the mob launched attacks on members of the affected community.

He added that in spite of efforts by security personnel to restore order, four additional persons were killed and their bodies burnt beyond recognition. Two more corpses were later recovered from a farmland on the outskirts of Gulma Town.

The police spokesman noted that security operatives rescued five persons trapped during the violence and evacuated them to the Argungu Divisional Police Headquarters for protection.

He explained further that a joint security team comprising the police and other security agencies was deployed to the area to prevent further breakdown of law and order fthe incident.

The state government has also imposed a curfew on the affected community as authorities intensify efforts to restore peace.

The latest violence comes amid growing insecurity across northern Nigeria, where communities continue to grapple with farmer-herder conflicts, banditry and attacks by armed groups.

Farmer-herder clashes have remained a recurring security challenge in several states, particularly in the North-West and North-Central regions, where disputes over grazing routes and farmland frequently turn deadly.

The Kebbi incident occurred barely a day after the Plateau State Police Command confirmed the killing of 20 persons in an attack on Kawel community in Mushere District of Bokkos Local Government Area.

Armed men reportedly invaded the community in the early hours of Sunday, killing residents before fleeing the area.

The attack was the latest in a series of deadly assaults that have continued to plague Plateau communities despite repeated security interventions.

President Bola Tinubu had in April pledged to deploy 5,000 CCTV cameras to the state as part of measures to curb insecurity, but attacks have persisted in several communities.

The fresh killings in Kebbi and Plateau have renewed concerns over the country’s worsening security situation, particularly in rural communities where residents remain vulnerable to communal violence, bandit attacks and other forms of armed conflict.

Tinubu’s security pledge faces test in Plateau as police confirm 20 killed in Bokkos attack

News Agency
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Tinubu’s security pledge faces test in Plateau as police confirm 20 killed in Bokkos attack

THE Police Command in Plateau State has confirmed the killing of 20 persons in an attack on Kawel community in Mushere District, Bokkos Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Alfred Alabo, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Jos.

Alabo said the attack occurred in the early hours of Sunday when armed men invaded the community.

According to him, the Commissioner of Police (CP) Bassey Ewah, immediately directed the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Bokkos to mobilise personnel to the area following a distress report.

The PPRO said police operatives, working in collaboration with the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), and other security agencies, engaged the attackers in a gun battle, forcing them to retreat.

The police spokesman said 18 persons were confirmed dead at the scene, while three others sustained injuries and were rushed to the hospital for treatment.

“Regrettably, two of the injured victims were confirmed dead by a medical doctor, bringing the total number of casualties to 20,” he said.

Alabo stated that the remains of the victims had been released to their families for burial after relatives declined autopsy.

The PPRO said the CP had commiserated with the families of the victims and residents of Bokkos LGA over the attack.

He said that Ewah assured the public that security agencies would spare no effort to identify, arrest, and prosecute those responsible for the attack.

“The CP had directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations and the Area Commander in Pankshin LGA to relocate to the affected area to coordinate security operations.

“These are measures put in place to avoid future attacks,” he said.

He added that additional tactical teams and personnel of the Police Mobile Force had also been deployed to restore calm and commence a manhunt for the perpetrators.

The PPRO urged residents to remain calm, go about their lawful activities, and provide credible information to security agencies to support efforts aimed at maintaining peace and security in the state.

The ICIR reports that the attack following similar onslaughts on the state by armed non-state actors who persistently unleashed mayhem on communities in the state.

President Bola Tinubu promised in April that the Federal Government would deploy 5.000 CCTV cameras to the state to help contain insecurity. Despite the pledge, the crisis has since persisted.

 

 

Pate, Atsenuwa to lead WSCIJ’s national conversation on democracy beyond elections

Esther Tomo
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Pate, Atsenuwa to lead WSCIJ’s national conversation on democracy beyond elections

IMMEDIATE past Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Kashere and professor of Communication at Bayero University, Kano, Umaru Pate, will deliver keynote address at the 18th Wole Soyinka Centre Media Lecture Series scheduled for July 13 in Lagos State.

The event, themed “Beyond the Ballot: Measuring Democracy Through Security, Welfare, Accountability and Public Trust,” will also feature the public presentation of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) 2025 Journalism & Civic Space Status Report, which will be reviewed by Ayodele Atsenuwa, a professor at the University of Lagos.

In a statement on Monday, the organisers said the lecture would interrogate whether Nigeria’s democracy is delivering meaningful outcomes for citizens beyond elections, with particular focus on governance performance in key sectors namely security, welfare, accountability and public trust.

They stated that the conversation would focus on shifting attention from electoral contests alone to broader questions of how democratic systems translate into real-life impact for citizens.

“The lecture seeks to examine whether democracy is delivering security, welfare, accountability, and public trust,” the organisers said.

The programme will also feature the Democracy Delivery Conversation, a high-level dialogue bringing together journalists, academics, policymakers and civic actors to examine the role of the media in democratic governance.

The discussion will focus on how journalism can strengthen accountability systems and deepen democratic engagement through sustained scrutiny of public institutions.

Participants will explore the role of the media in improving governance outcomes and reinforcing public trust in democratic processes.

The event includes the presentation of the WSCIJ 2025 Journalism & Civic Space Status Report, which documents trends in media freedom and civic participation in Nigeria.

The report continues WSCIJ’s longitudinal tracking of journalism and civic space, building on earlier editions such as “Hushed Voices and the Media’s Defence of Civic Space (2012–2022), Hushed Voices in an Election Year (2023), and Shrinking Freedoms (2024)”.

The organisation said the report provides an evidence-based assessment of developments affecting democratic participation and media freedom in the country.

According to WSCIJ, it examines developments affecting media freedom, civic participation and public accountability, while identifying both opportunities and challenges for democratic governance.

Held annually on July 13 to mark the birthday of Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, Grand Patron of WSCIJ, the lecture series has, for nearly two decades, convened stakeholders in journalism, governance and civic advocacy to reflect on democratic accountability.

This year’s edition will bring together journalists, academics, policymakers, civil society actors, development partners, students and citizens to reflect on how democratic performance should be measured beyond elections.

 

Police suspend DPO over alleged N500,000 extortion in Rivers

Marcus FATUNMOLE
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Police suspend DPO over alleged N500,000 extortion in Rivers

THE Police Command in Rivers State has suspended a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) from office following allegations of extortion and misconduct.

The command’s spokesperson, Blessing Agabe, a superintendent of police, disclosed this to journalists on Monday in Port Harcourt.

Agabe said the action followed reports circulating on social media alleging that the officer collected N500,000 from a suspect to secure his release from detention.

According to the reports, a payment receipt indicated that the money was transferred to an Opay account bearing a name alleged to belong to the DPO.

The reports also alleged that the officer arrested a mother of two and charged her in court after she reported that her husband had assaulted and injured her.

Agabe said the Commissioner of Police in Rivers, Olugbenga Adepoju, had ordered a comprehensive investigation into the allegations.

She stated that the officer was immediately relieved of his duties pending the outcome of the investigation.

“In response to the allegations and in line with the command’s commitment to transparency, accountability and professionalism, the officer has been removed from office pending a thorough and impartial investigation,” she said.

The police spokesperson said the commissioner had expressed concern over the allegations and reaffirmed the command’s zero-tolerance stance to misconduct.

According to her, the police command will not condone abuse of office or any conduct capable of undermining public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force.

“Adepoju has assured residents that the investigation will be conducted diligently, professionally and without bias,” she added.

Agabe reiterated the command’s commitment to maintaining high standards of integrity, discipline and service delivery.

She also encouraged residents to continue reporting cases of alleged misconduct through appropriate channels.

The spokesperson assured the public that any officer found culpable after investigation would face appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with extant regulations. (NAN)

Court remands Sowore in Kuje Correctional Centre

Nanji Nandang VENLEY
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Court remands Sowore in Kuje Correctional Centre

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday ordered the remand of Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of African Action Congress (AAC), in Kuje Correctional Centre.

Justice Mohammed Umar, in a short ruling, ordered Sowore to be kept in the correctional centre pending the hearing and determination of his motion for stay of the order for revocation of his bail and bench warrant.

Umar also dismissed Sowore’s earlier application seeking the judge’s recusal from the case on the ground of alleged bias.

The judge then adjourned the matter until June 24 for hearing of the application for stay.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the motion for stay was filed by the defendant’s new lawyer, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, a senior advocate.

NAN earlier reported that Sowore, also the publisher of Sahara Reporters, arrived at the court in company of members of his group with placards.

Umar had, on June 16 revoked a bail granted to Sowore following his failure to appear in court his trial.

The judge, in a ruling on an oral application made by the lawyer to the State Security Service (SSS), Akinkolu Kehinde, a senior advocate, also issued a bench warrant for his arrest.

The SSS is prosecuting Sowore for allegedly making false claims against the person of President Bola Tinubu by referring to him as “a criminal” in a post he made on his “X” and Facebook accounts.(NAN)

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer resigns

Nurudeen AKEWUSHOLA  and  News Agency
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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer resigns

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced his resignation as leader of the Labour Party after less than two years in office.

Speaking outside 10 Downing Street on Monday, June 22, an emotional Starmer said he had always acted in what he believed were the country’s best interests.

“Every decision I have taken has been about putting the country I love first. That is why I will resign as leader of the Labour Party,” he said.

Starmer said the Labour Party would begin the process of selecting a new leader in July and confirmed that he would remain Prime Minister until a successor is chosen before Parliament returns from its summer recess in September.

“I will remain in post as Prime Minister until the contest is complete, and I will do everything I can to ensure an orderly handover of power,” he added.

The announcement came after months of mounting pressure on Starmer’s leadership, fuelled by a series of scandals, high-profile resignations and growing dissatisfaction within the party. Until the weekend, he had insisted he would remain in office and fight off calls to step down.

Attention has now turned to veteran politician Andy Burnham, who returned to Parliament after winning a crucial by-election on Thursday, strengthening expectations that he could emerge as a leading contender for the Labour leadership.

Starmer’s departure means Britain is on course to have its seventh Prime Minister in a decade, underscoring a period of prolonged political instability that began after the 2016 Brexit referendum.

Although Starmer was credited with rebuilding Labour and leading the party to a decisive election victory in 2024, ending 14 years of Conservative rule, his government struggled to maintain public support.

His administration faced criticism over welfare reforms, defence spending plans and a controversial diplomatic appointment involving Peter Mandelson, which triggered calls for his removal earlier this year.

Starmer also faced increasing pressure from the rising popularity of the anti-immigration Reform UK party, which made significant gains in local elections in May.

In his farewell remarks, Starmer pledged his full support for his successor.

“I will also give my successor my full and unequivocal support, knowing that they will inherit a Britain that is far stronger and fairer than the one I inherited two years ago,” he said.

In 2024, Starmer won the biggest parliamentary majority for Labour since 1997 after 14 years of ‌Conservative-led government.

But opinion polls have shown the 63-year-old Labour Party leader and former lawyer is deeply unpopular with voters after a series of policy missteps and scandals.

This led to mounting pressure from his own Labour Party on him to quit following the decisive by-election win by his rival, Andy Burnham, to claim a parliamentary seat in North-West England.

AIJC opens entries for African Investigative Journalist of the Year Award

Blessing OTOIBHI
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AIJC opens entries for African Investigative Journalist of the Year Award

AFRICAN journalists and investigative journalists are invited to submit entries for the African Investigative Journalist of the Year (AIJY) Award, one of the continent’s leading honours recognising excellence in investigative journalism.

Organised by the Wits Centre for Journalism and the African Investigative Journalism Conference (AIJC), with support from Absa Africa, the award celebrates outstanding investigative stories that uncover hidden truths, hold powerful individuals and institutions accountable, and serve the public interest.

The award is open to journalists or teams working across all media platforms, including print, broadcast, and digital media. Eligible entries must be investigative stories focused on Africa and published or broadcast in African media outlets during the qualifying period specified by the organisers.

The overall winner will receive a cash prize of US$5,000. In addition, finalists will have their flights, accommodation, and conference fees covered to attend the African Investigative Journalism Conference, where the award ceremony takes place.

Entries will be assessed based on originality of the investigation and its revelations; quality, persistence, courage, and innovation demonstrated during the reporting process; and impact of the story and its contribution to public accountability and public interest.

Applicants are typically required to submit copies of the published or broadcast investigative work; a short biography and photograph of each entrant, and a publication or broadcaster logo.

Others are a brief motivation outlining the story’s background, impact, challenges, and investigative process, and additional materials, such as transcripts for broadcast entries, where applicable.

Interested journalists should review the official rules and submission guidelines before sending their entries through the designated application platform.

Applications are open to investigative journalists from across Africa who have produced impactful reporting that advances transparency, accountability, and public interest journalism.

The deadline for applications is July 10, 2026.

Interested applicants can apply here.

Police recover lifeless twins from drain in Onitsha, detain suspects 

News Agency
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Police recover lifeless twins from drain in Onitsha, detain suspects 

THE Anambra Police Command has recovered the lifeless bodies of a set of twins inside a drain in Okpoko, near Onitsha, Anambra State.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Ikioye Orutugu, disclosed this in a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, a superintendent of police.

Orutugu stated: “The police operatives attached to Okpoko Divisional Police Station, in the early hours of June 21, 2026, received the information about the discovery of the lifeless bodies of a set of twins abandoned in a drain along Cooperative Street, Nwokedi, Okpoko.

“Following the report, operatives immediately swung into action, secured the scene, gathered vital evidence, and commenced investigations. The preliminary investigation led to the identification and arrest of the biological parents of the infants, who are currently in police custody.”

He further stated that the suspects were assisting investigators in unravelling the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident.

He condemned the act in strong terms, noting that every child deserves protection, care, and the opportunity to live.

“This discovery of lifeless bodies of twin infants in a drain at Okpoko is a disturbing case of man’s inhumanity to man and a gross violation of the sanctity of human life,” he stated.

The police chief gave assurance that anyone found culpable in the incident would face the full weight of the law.

He added that investigation into the matter was ongoing and further developments would be communicated to the public, in due course.

Orutugu commended the operatives for their swift response and diligent investigative efforts that led to the arrest of the parents of the deceased babies soon after the incident was reported. (NAN)

Lassa fever deaths rise to 214 as fatality rate reaches 25% – NCDC

News Agency  and  Marcus FATUNMOLE
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Lassa fever deaths rise to 214 as fatality rate reaches 25% – NCDC

LASSA fever has claimed 214 lives in Nigeria, with the case fatality rate climbing to 25.0 per cent.

This was contained in the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention’s (NCDC) Lassa Fever Situation Report for Week 23 (June 1 to June 7).

This, the agency said is up sharply from 18.9 per cent during the same period in 2025. It said that both suspected and confirmed cases have also increased compared to 2025.

“New confirmed cases held steady in week 23, matching the count from week 22. Infections were reported in Edo, Ondo, Bauchi and Ebonyi.”

The NCDC explained that no new healthcare worker infections were reported during the week, adding that the outbreaks had spread across 23 states and 109 Local Government Areas since January 2026.

According to the organisation, five states account for 84 per cent of all confirmed cases.

“Ondo leads with 28 per cent, followed by Bauchi 25 per cent, Taraba 15 per cent, Edo 10 per cent, and Benue six per cent. The remaining 16 per cent of cases are spread across 18 other states with confirmed infections,” it said.

The Centre said young adults were most affected, and the predominant age group fell between 21-30 years, with cases ranging from one to 93 years and a median age of 30 years.

The National Lassa fever multi-partner – the multi-sectoral Incident Management System (IMS) – have remained activated and has been supporting response activities at federal, state and LGA levels, noted the NCDC.

The ICIR reports that Lassa fever kills scores of Nigerians yearly, with the Nigerian government often appearing helpless to contain the crisis.

Between January and June 29, 2025, Nigeria recorded 790 confirmed cases of Lassa fever and 148 deaths, according to a situation report by the (NCDC).

A situation report by the NCDC revealed that 806 cases of Lassa fever were recorded across the country in the first quarter of 2024.

Also, the NCDC report, analysed by The ICIR, showed that the virus killed 150 people within the period.

The Centre said Nigeria might have recorded the highest number of Lassa fever cases in 2023, with 8,542 suspected cases, 1,170 confirmed cases, and 200 deaths across 28 states.

The confirmed cases reported that year indicated a 9.7 per cent increase from those reported in 2022.

NCDC describes Lassa fever, which causes acute viral haemorrhagic fever, as a virus caused mostly by the type of rodents known as the multimammate rat or the African rat.

The disease can be spread through direct contact with urine, faeces, saliva, or the blood of infected rats or contaminated objects, faeces, saliva, or the blood of infected rats.

Person-to-person transmission can also occur through direct contact with an infected person’s blood, urine, faeces, vomitus, and other body fluids.

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