Troops of 12 Brigade Nigerian Army Lokoja on 3 January 2026 have recorded significant operational successes following coordinated fighting patrols and ambush operations conducted across parts of Kabba Bunu and Yagba West Local Government Areas of Kogi State.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

Acting on credible intelligence on movement of bandits from Adankolo general area towards Agbadu Bunu in Kabba Bunu LGA, troops swiftly deployed and laid a deliberate ambush at bandit identified crossing point. The bandits subsequently ran into the troops’ ambush position and were engaged, forcing them to withdraw with indications of casualties as blood stains were observed during exploitation of the area. In the course of the encounter, troops neutralized two bandits and recovered one AK 47 rifle, one magazine, ninety nine rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one locally fabricated gun and eleven cartridges.

In a related development, further intelligence revealed movement of bandits around Saminaka village in Yagba West LGA. Troops, in conjunction with local vigilantes, conducted a fighting patrol to the village and adjoining forested areas. On arrival, the village was observed to have been deserted, prompting troops to dismount and exploit the surrounding forest and routes leading towards the Saminaka Sabo Rijiya road. Troops made contact with an unconfirmed number of bandits and engaged them, leading to their withdrawal through the forest. During subsequent exploitation, troops traced the withdrawal route and discovered one neutralized bandit,one AK 47 rifle and seventeen rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

During the same operation, troops also arrested a suspected bandit logistics supplier identified as Sunday Adedotun, from Odo Eri village in Yagba West LGA. The suspect was apprehended on a farmland within Saminaka village and claimed to assist farmers in transporting produce after harvest. Items discovered at the settlement included cartons of energy and soft drinks, bottled water and harvested farm produce. The suspect is currently in custody undergoing investigation.

The series of operations underscores the sustained pressure being mounted by troops against criminal elements within the area and their support networks.

The Commander 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Kasim Umar Sidi commended the troops for their professionalism, courage and timely response to credible intelligence, noting that their actions reflect the high level of commitment to duty. He further assured the public that troops will continue to sustain aggressive patrols, ambushes and intelligence driven operations to deny criminal elements freedom of action within the area.

Credit: Hassan Abdullahi, Lieutenant
Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations, 12 Brigade Nigerian Army – 03 January 2026.

A physically challenged artisan, Solomon Umudi, has accused operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) of unlawfully seizing his car in Benin City, the Edo State capital, over inscriptions he wrote on it criticising the government, including “Nigerians are hungry.”....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

Umudi, who said he earns a living making car seats, stated that the incident occurred after he used his vehicle to express frustration over the country’s economic hardship and governance challenges.

According to him, the writings on the car included statements such as: “Tinubu is the worst president, Nigerian pastors have failed us, no judiciary in Nigeria, Nigerians are hungry.”

Narrating his ordeal, Umudi said that without inviting him for questioning, the DSS operatives did not follow due process before taking away his car.

“As you can see, I’m a physically challenged person. In my country, it is as if nobody is allowed to speak the truth again,” he said.

He lamented what he described as the growing suppression of small business owners and youths, arguing that harsh economic conditions and insecurity had made survival difficult.

“I have handwork for myself, but the way things are going in this country, we are being frustrated to the extent that people who have small businesses, and the youths, are no longer doing anything,” Umudi said.

Explaining the reason for the inscriptions, he said they reflected his personal experiences and the hardship faced by many Nigerians.

“I bought a car, and to express myself on how I’m feeling, I wrote on it, ‘Tinubu is the worst president, Nigerian pastors have failed us, no judiciary in Nigeria, Nigerians are hungry,’ to let people know that what I wrote on the car is how I feel because of what we are going through,” he said.

Umudi also disclosed that he had personally paid ransom in the past to secure the release of a kidnapped student, underscoring the impact of insecurity on ordinary citizens.

“It will shock you to know that last year, I paid ransom to secure the release of someone who was going to school and was kidnapped,” he added.

He alleged that DSS operatives used deception to seize his car around the Akezuwa and Stadium Road areas of Benin City.

“All of a sudden, the DSS used a trick and came and carried my car.

“They drove close to the car and pretended to hit it, and before I knew what was happening, they came out of their own vehicle, rushed my car, and before I could get someone to take the car out of the road, they hijacked it, even though it was not blocking traffic.

“But the DSS did not invite me. They just came, hijacked the car around Akezuwa and Stadium Road, Benin City, collected the keys from the driver, and zoomed off with the car. Till now, I don’t know where they took the car to, whether their office or elsewhere,” Umudi said.

He insisted that the car was not obstructing traffic at the time and that he was not given any explanation or invitation for questioning.

“They would have at least invited me for questioning, as it happens in sane places. Invite someone you feel committed an offence, and if the person refuses to honour the invitation, then you can take action,” he said.

Umudi further claimed that less than 30 minutes after his vehicle was taken, a governor’s convoy passed through the same area.

Describing the incident as an attempt to silence him, Umudi insisted that he would continue to speak out.

“So it means that in this country, I cannot speak my mind. I can’t express myself over what I’m going through. It is not as if the government is assisting me or assisting physically challenged people. Yet, if we speak out, it is a problem,” he said.

“They started the fire, and the fire will start burning now. I will continue to speak out because nobody can still afford to feed in this country. I’m hustling on my own, and that is how I’m feeding.

“There is nothing the government is doing for us. If we manage to do small things, the government still doesn’t want us to talk. They now come to hit my head so that I will not talk. I will talk and continue to talk until I die.”

He stressed that freedom of expression is a fundamental right in a democratic society.

“It is my right to express myself. That is why we are in a democracy. I have the right to criticise the government. I have the right to criticise the governor and the president,” Umudi said.

He also highlighted the lack of basic infrastructure, noting that he often carries a generator in his car to power his work.

“The pastors there, are they not men of God? The judiciary there, are they not human beings? Talk to them. Don’t be afraid of them. When people talk, the government listens and takes the necessary action to do something for the people, fix roads, and provide electricity.

“My generator is even inside the car because whenever I’m going out or going to work, I carry the generator. Is that how it is supposed to be in a country?” he asked.

Umudi called on authorities to listen to citizens’ concerns rather than suppress dissent, warning that the action taken against him would not deter his resolve.

“A country that is supposed to provide for its citizens, meanwhile, they travel abroad. Do they not see what is happening there and replicate that in Nigeria? This thing they did to me now, I’m coming for them!” he said.

He explained that his movement is deliberately keeping multiple options open to avoid accusations of secret deals or collusion, noting that different political paths are being considered.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

Former Kano State Governor and national leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has declared his readiness to work with other political forces ahead of future elections, saying he is open to contesting either as President or Vice President, depending on agreements reached with trusted allies.

Kwankwaso made the declaration while addressing party members and supporters in Hausa in Kano State, emphasizing that his priority is to align with trusted allies who share his political values, rather than pursue personal ambition.

“What we want first of all are those who will agree with me and whom I love, for me to lead, whether as number one or number two,” Kwankwaso said.

He explained that his movement is deliberately keeping multiple options open to avoid accusations of secret deals or collusion, noting that different political paths are being considered.

“In order not to accuse people wrongly or say there is collusion, we will have option one, option two, option A, option B, and so on,” he said.

The former governor added that his consultations have focused largely on grassroots mobilisation, particularly in Kano State, where he said political issues from past elections are being resolved from the bottom up.

“Whether we are moving around the grassroots, whether we are moving around Kano State, or whether we have to stop and prepare acceptance in one place where we will surely achieve success, we will do so, God willing,” he stated.

Kwankwaso also appeared to criticise political negotiations that fail to deliver tangible value, especially for young people, saying promises without substance would not be accepted.

“When people say they will give us youths or supporters, we ask: how many, and in what form? What exactly have they brought?” he queried, suggesting that his camp is now more deliberate and cautious in political engagements.

He revealed that high-ranking political figures, including national party leaders, have been holding talks with his movement, describing them as “people of status and dignity” who did not come casually.

According to him, the strength of his political base lies at the grassroots, and discussions are ongoing about forming alliances, either within the NNPP or with other political parties.

“We have found a base at the grassroots, and we are hopeful of getting a political party that we will join with others, whether it is the NNPP or whichever party it may be,” Kwankwaso said.

Reflecting on the 2023 general elections, the former governor acknowledged that controversies and disagreements arose, but insisted they are now being addressed at the community level, especially in Kano State.

“Many people made various statements in 2023, but all these issues we are resolving at the grassroots. In Kano State, God willing, there will be no problem at all,” he assured.

Kwankwaso stated that his political journey as one driven by resilience, dignity and determination, signalling that his next move would be guided by strength rather than desperation.

“This journey is one of firm determination. This struggle is based on strength, on firm determination, and on dignity,” he said.

Ahead of Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election, the NNPP led by Kwankwaso and the Labour Party (LP) led by Peter Obi explored forming an alliance. However, talks collapsed because both sides wanted their candidate to be the presidential flagbearer, leaving the question of who would serve as running mate unresolved. This disagreement ultimately thwarted the move.