Troops of Sector 2 of the North East Joint Task Force under Operation Hadin Kai have killed 24 fighters of Boko Haram following a failed attack on Kukareta community in Damaturu Local Government Area (LGA) of Yobe State. The insurgents were neutralised in the early hours of Tuesday after launching what the military described as a coordinated assault on the border community along the Damaturu–Maiduguri road. According to the Media Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Lt Col Sani Uba, the attack began shortly after midnight and lasted until about 3:00 am, when troops successfully repelled the assailants. He said the soldiers responded with what he termed a deliberate offensive-defensive operation, forcing the attackers into a disorderly retreat. “ During the engagement, troops inflicted heavy casualties on the attackers and killed 24 terrorists ,” Uba said in a statement. He added that troops recovered a cache of weapons and ammunition during ongoing exploitation of the area. READ...

The Supreme Court has reserved judgment until 27 July 2026 in a high-stakes tax dispute between the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Bayelsa State Internal Revenue Service over N5.5 billion.   A five-member panel led by Justice Ibrahim Saulawa fixed the date on Wednesday after both sides adopted their final written addresses.   Representing the federal government, Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), urged the apex court to overturn earlier rulings of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal, which had directed that the disputed funds be paid to Bayelsa.  Fagbemi argued that the state failed to follow the Personal Income Tax Act, which requires disputes to first be heard at the Tax Appeal Tribunal.   He also criticised the lower courts for relying on documents from a third party not joined in the suit, calling it a miscarriage of justice. READ ALSO : Onoh Hails Tompolo at 55, Praises Role in Niger Delta Thereafte...

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has dismissed reports suggesting it is selling scrap materials or equipment from its refineries, describing the claims as false and misleading. In a public notice on Friday signed by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, the company said it has not authorised any sale of scrap metals, refinery components or equipment, nor has it issued bids, tenders or expressions of interest for such transactions. NNPC also warned that individuals are allegedly posing as company representatives or agents, claiming to facilitate the sale of so-called refinery scrap.  It said those individuals are not authorised and are attempting to defraud members of the public. READ ALSO : PTDF Begins PhD Scholarship Interviews for Over 2,100 Overseas Applicants The company urged individuals, corporate organisations and industry stakeholders to disregard any such solicitations and to exercise caution when approached with offers linked to refi...

Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has begun interviews for 2,102 candidates shortlisted for its Overseas Scholarship Scheme (OSS) Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s oil, gas and wider energy workforce. The interviews, which commenced on Monday at the PTDF headquarters in Abuja, form part of the Fund’s long-term strategy to build high-level human capital by sponsoring advanced research in petroleum technology, engineering, geosciences, energy economics and related fields. By placing scholars in selected international and local institutions, the programme is designed to expose beneficiaries to cutting-edge research while ensuring that expertise gained is ultimately deployed to support Nigeria’s energy transition and industrial development. Speaking during the exercise, the Deputy General Manager, Education and Training at PTDF, Dr Bello Mustapha, said the PhD interviews followed the successful conclusion of interviews for Master’s degree can...

iPhone users are being warned about a rise in scam emails designed to imitate official communications from Apple and trick recipients into handing over sensitive personal information. According to reports, the latest wave of phishing attempts targets Apple ID and iCloud users, with messages claiming that storage is full or that an account is at risk of being suspended.  The emails are designed to look legitimate, using Apple branding and urgent language to pressure users into clicking malicious links. What the scam looks like According to UK consumer group Which?, scammers often make dramatic claims such as warning that " all your photos will be deleted " unless immediate action is taken. The group has advised recipients who receive such emails not to click on any links. Many of the messages state that a user’s iCloud storage has been suspended or is about to be disabled. Others warn of unusual account activity or security threats. In each case, users are urged to verify the...

Prominent political figure and former South-East spokesman to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Dr Denge Josef Onoh, has paid tribute to Niger Delta leader Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, widely known as Tompolo, on the occasion of his 55th birthday. In a statement released to mark the milestone, Onoh described Tompolo as a symbol of courage, strategic foresight and steadfast commitment to his people, commending his enduring role in the Niger Delta struggle and broader national development. Onoh pointed to Tompolo’s roots in the Gbaramatu Kingdom, saying that his rise from the creeks to national prominence reflects resilience and strong cultural grounding.  He admired Tompolo’s continued connection to tradition, including his annual visits to the sacred Aziza Forest, as evidence of respect for heritage and spirituality. The former lawmaker also praised Tompolo’s transition from militancy to institutional engagement, particularly his leadership of Tantita Security Services. READ ALSO : 2...

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused authorities of attempting to obstruct its National Convention by pressuring the owner of its booked venue to withdraw access, despite a signed agreement and full payment. In a statement issued on the eve of the convention, the party said the management of Rainbow Event Centre informed it of " mounting pressure " from the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to cancel the booking. According to the ADC, the venue owner was allegedly warned that his operational licence could be revoked if the event went ahead. " After paying all the required fees and putting finishing touches to preparations for our convention tomorrow, the owner of Rainbow Event Centre has just informed us that he is under pressure from the FCDA and the FCT Minister ," the statement said. Despite the claim, the party insisted it would proceed as scheduled, citing a binding co...

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), under Operation Hadin Kai, have arrested a 15-year-old boy over his alleged involvement in a deadly attack on a military base in Borno State that claimed the lives of a senior officer and two soldiers. The suspect, identified as Tijjani, was apprehended on Sunday in Ngamdu while reportedly on an errand to purchase food for members of his group.  In a video confession circulated by the military, the teenager said he participated in coordinated attacks on Benisheik and Ngamdu last Thursday. Recall that the assault resulted in the death of Oseni Braimah, Commander of the 29 Task Force Brigade, alongside two other soldiers, after suspected Boko Haram fighters struck the base. Speaking in Hausa, Tijjani said the attackers moved from Jilli and returned there after the operation.  He claimed he was sent out with N850,000 to procure logistics when he was intercepted by troops.  The suspect added that he had left other fighters behind i...

The Yobe State Government has dismissed reports circulating online that an airstrike targeted residents of Geidam Local Government Area(LGA), insisting the military operation was deliberate and aimed at a terrorist hideout. In a statement on Sunday, the Special Adviser on Security Matters to Governor Mai Mala Buni, Brig Gen Dahiru Abdulsalam (retd), said the government was compelled to respond to what it described as misleading claims capable of causing public panic. According to the statement, the Air Component of the Joint Task Force (North-East), under Operation HADIN KAI, carried out a precision airstrike on Saturday, 11 April 2025.  The target was Jilli, identified by security agencies as a long-established stronghold of Boko Haram, located in Gubio Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State. Abdulsalam stressed that the mission was intelligence-led and formed part of sustained efforts to degrade terrorist networks operating in the North-East.  READ ALSO : Tinubu Summons ...

President Bola Tinubu on Monday summoned an emergency security meeting with Nigeria’s service chiefs and heads of intelligence agencies at the State House in Abuja, as questions mount over the country’s security outlook. The closed-door session brought together the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu; the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas; and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Anele.  Also in attendance were the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Oluwatosin Ajayi; the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed; the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. It was said that the meeting was convened to review recent security developments nationwide and to assess emerging threats across several regions. The discussions come days after the United States Department of State issued a trave...