A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday ruled that the trial of two leaders of the Ansaru terrorist group, Mahmud Usman and Abubakar Abba, captured by the Department of State Services (DSS), will begin on January 15, 2026.

The trial, which was initially slated to begin on Wednesday, was shelved by the trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, following a plea by counsel to the accused persons for time to enable them to be served with the charges and to study the charges’ proof of evidence.

At Wednesday’s proceedings, counsel to the accused persons, B. I Bakum told the court that the charge and proof of evidence were still with the DSS, where the terror suspects were being detained on the orders of the court.

The lawyer prayed the court that the two defendants be moved to a correctional centre to enable easy access and ensure a prompt and hitch-free trial.

However, counsel to the DSS, David Kaswe, an Assistant Director in the Federal Ministry of Justice, opposed the defendants’ lawyer’s prayer.

Kasawe prayed the court to begin the trial as scheduled since, according to him, the witnesses were in court.

He said that protocol in the DSS required the defendant’s lawyer to write to the agency seeking permission to see his clients and copy him, adding that the lawyer had failed to for so.

Kaswe pleaded with the Judge to order the defendants’ lawyer to always respect the protocol of the DSS by writing formally for permission to visit the defendants, and also to copy him so that he would be of assistance.

Justice Nwite, in a brief ruling, said he would, in the interest of fair hearing, consider the submission of the defendants’ lawyer and move the trial to a future date.

Moving the trial to January 15, 2026, Justice Nwite ordered the defendants’ lawyer to always write DSS for permission to visit his clients and copy the prosecutor.

Usman and Abubakar Abba are being prosecuted for terrorism by the DSS. However, Usman has pleaded guilty to Count 10 in the 32-count charge, which bordered on economic crime.

While Abubakar Abba pleaded not guilty to the 32-count charge on terrorism offences, Usman denied the remaining 31 counts.

Usman was on September 11, sentenced to 15 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to one count of the charge against him.

He admitted before the court that he engaged in illegal mining activities and used the proceeds to acquire arms that aided his terrorism and kidnapping activities.

At the arraignment, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Babadoko Abubakar, alleged in the charges that the two defendants committed the crimes between 2015 and 2024.

Among others, they were accused of bombing Wawa Military Cantonment in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, receiving training in weapon handling, and fabricating improvised explosive devices.

The DSS alleged that they belonged to foreign terror groups, engaged in terrorism financing and kidnapping, and received training on war tactics from a terrorist organisation in Mali.

In another charge, the DSS accused them of kidnapping a Customs officer and another Immigration officer, who was later killed while in their custody.

The secret police claimed that the accused persons collected ransoms running into millions of naira from families of their victims before their capture by the DSS.

They were accused of engaging in the unlawful mining of mineral resources without a valid license, from which they also made millions of naira.

One of the charges by the DSS against the two defendants is that the huge sums made from kidnapping ransoms and unlawful mineral mining were deployed to the procurement of large quantities of arms and ammunition, including improvised explosive devices.

The DSS further alleged that the two men received training on terrorism and war tactics in Sudan and Mali, and also facilitated the same for their followers.

In another charge, they were accused of concealing information on terror attacks on various locations in Niger State.

Following their denial of the charges, Justice Emeka Nwite had ordered them to be remanded at the DSS facility in Abuja.

Ansaru, a breakaway faction of the Boko Haram terrorist group, was linked to several high-profile attacks and kidnappings across the country.

Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a, is answering to a 32-count charge the DSS preferred against him and his alleged deputy, Abubakar Abba, popularly called Mahmud Al-Nigeri or Isah Adam/Mallam Mamuda.

DSS alleged that the defendants, who were captured between May and July 2025 after intelligence-led operations by security agencies, masterminded various acts of terrorism.

A man who laced sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two boys under 13.

Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.

The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.

However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a boy under 13.

Prosecutors have been given two weeks to consider if they will proceed with this charge, meaning Ruben could still stand trial.

He was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.

‘Sweet game’

Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined Ruben’s offending to the court.

She said his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp that he ran.

“The defendant, for at least 27 years, has run a holiday camp,” she said.

“There is a long history of children feeling sick at the camp over many years.”

Ruben played a “sweet game” with the children, Mrs Prior KC said, in which he would go into the boys’ rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets “as quickly as they can”.

She told the court Ruben had played this game with the boys “for many years”, and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.

She said Ruben had been able to explain this away as the children being “overwrought by enjoyment”, until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.

Mrs Prior KC added: “This year his stepson had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.

“They decided to have a look in the defendant’s belongings.”

Mrs Prior KC said items including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepson notified the police about his concerns.

She said Ruben went on to play the “sweet game” with six boys that night – Saturday 26 July – and they were all ill the following morning.

“The police had not gone out by that stage,” she added.

The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), previously told the BBC it was investigating Leicestershire Police’s handling of the incident.

Mrs Prior KC said the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben’s stepson called the police again.

She said Ruben then played the “sweet game” in a room of five children.

Mrs Prior KC said police did then attend, and Ruben was arrested at a nearby pub, where he was having a meal with some of the children.

She said eight of the children were taken to hospital, with five of them being “very ill”.

Devices belonging to Ruben were later analysed and were found to contain more than 50 category A indecent videos of children, which are the most serious kind.

Category B and C videos were also found.

The 17 charges admitted by Ruben were:

• One count of sexual assault of a child under 13
• One count of assault of a child under 13 by penetration
• Eight counts of cruelty to a person under 16 years, in relation to eight separate victims
• One count of acquiring or possession of dutiable goods, namely temazepam, by fraudulent intent
• Three counts of possession of a class C drug, namely flubromazolam, diazepam and temazepam
• Three counts of making indecent photographs of children

Temporary Det Ch Insp Neil Holden said: “This has been a horrific, complex and emotional investigation involving multiple young, innocent, vulnerable victims and a man who committed the vilest crimes.

“Our focus today must of course remain on the young victims and with the support of partners and dedicated family liaison officers, we have and continue to support their welfare and to ensure their safeguarding going forward.”

BBC

The southern Indian state of Karnataka, which is also home to some of the world’s biggest IT firms, has become the first in the country to offer paid menstrual leave to all working women in formal jobs.

Under the new policy, women aged 18 to 52 working in government and private companies can take one day of menstrual leave every month, which cannot be carried forward. No medical certificate is required to avail the leave.

The policy covers 350,000 to 400,000 women in the formal sector, although it excludes a much larger cohort – estimated to be six million – who are engaged as domestic workers, daily-wage labourers, and gig workers in the unorganised sector.

Experts say the policy should extend to the informal sector.

But the state’s menstrual leave policy is still being regarded as significant for being the first to include the private sector, applying to workers regardless of job type or contract.

The concept of menstrual leave is not new. Countries like Spain, Japan, South Korea and Indonesia already offer menstrual leave. Some Indian states also offer limited menstrual leave: Bihar and Odisha give two days per month to government employees, while Kerala provides it to university and industrial training institute staff.

But in India, the move to give an extra day off to women sparks debate over potential gender bias and equality concerns.

Others argue it’s a necessary right, allowing women to avoid losing pay or working through unavoidable menstrual pain.

“This is one of the most progressive policy decisions for women that the government is implementing,” Santosh Lad, Karnataka’s labour minister, told the BBC.

An official from Nasscom – a non-profit trade association of the IT and BPO industries – told the BBC that many companies in Karnataka already provide menstrual leave, so implementing the government order wouldn’t be an issue.

Pratibha R, president of the local Garment and Textile Workers’ Union, welcomed the decision, noting that most female garment workers get barely 11 leave days a year.

However, some women feel that the policy will be hard to implement.

Menstruation remains taboo in many parts of India, with women often barred from temples or isolated at home as “unclean” during their periods.

“How can one go and seek menstrual leave when we don’t even speak about it [menstruation]? Our society has not reached that level,” Anunita Kundu, a manager at a software company, told the BBC.

Aruna Papireddy, another IT worker, said: “If you ask me, leave is not required. Women have reached high positions without even mentioning the M word.”

Pushpendra, a social scientist who goes by one name, says the real challenge is battling the deep-seated stigma around menstruation.

“If a woman seeks two days’ leave in Bihar, it is understood that it is because of menstruation. It has facilitated women, but it has not empowered them.”

He notes that in many parts of India – including Bihar, which has offered menstrual leave for decades – shopkeepers still wrap sanitary pads in old newspapers.

Efforts to de-stigmatise menstruation in the past have included empathy exercises for men in the neighbouring state of Kerala. Yet in 2018, protests erupted in the state against lifting the ban on menstruating women from visiting Sabarimala temple, one of the holiest shrines in southern India.

Some women in Karnataka say the government’s menstrual leave policy could make people more comfortable discussing menstruation.

“Calling it menstrual leave helps in fighting the stigma,” said Shreya Shree, a teacher based in Bengaluru city.

Sapna S, an associate dean at Christ University and head of Karnataka’s menstrual leave committee, urged women to take advantage of the policy.

“What is needed is an attack on the social conditioning that exists. Women should not be apologetic or shy to ask for menstrual leave,” she said.

BBC

The 2025 Law Week of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria, Abuja Branch, opened with strong endorsements from the leadership of the National Assembly for the Reserved Seats Bill, as Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu declared it essential to boost women’s political representation in Nigeria.

The event, themed “Advancing Women’s Representation: Reserved Seats and the Future of Nigeria’s Legislature,” brought together lawmakers, diplomats, legal experts, and gender advocates to chart a path toward greater inclusion in national governance.

Represented by Senator Idiat Oluranti, Akpabio lauded FIDA for championing gender equality, describing the theme as timely and reflective of the urgent need for inclusiveness in legislative leadership.

He shared personal reflections on his upbringing, crediting his late mother’s resilience for shaping his values.

“A balanced government is a stronger government. No nation rises without its women,” Akpabio said. “Reserving seats for women is a task that must be done—and will be done.”

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, delivered a compelling keynote address, warning that Nigeria could no longer ignore its “structural imbalance” in political representation.

Citing statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Kalu noted that although women make up 49.43% of the population, they occupy fewer than 5% of seats in the National Assembly—a ranking of 178 out of 182 countries globally.

“When women are absent from the legislature, perspectives disappear, conversations narrow, and our laws lose the balance democracy requires,” he said.

Kalu—sponsor of the Reserved Seats Bill (HB 1349)—argued that decades of advocacy had not dismantled systemic barriers, including party gatekeeping, campaign financing challenges, and sociocultural norms. He emphasized that implementing reserved seats would cost less than 1% of the National Assembly’s annual budget, yet yield enormous national benefits.

He further disclosed that the Constitution Review Committee, which he chairs, has placed inclusion at the heart of its agenda, with ongoing public hearings and nationwide consultations.

The Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to initiatives that advance women’s rights and leadership.

Representing Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara stressed that the bill “is a correction, not a favour,” insisting that political parties must dismantle barriers that keep women out of leadership.

Diplomatic representatives also threw their weight behind the bill.
The UK Deputy High Commissioner, Gill Lever, urged FIDA to sustain its advocacy and mentor emerging leaders, noting, “When women hold political positions, society prospers. It’s an economic strategy.”

Likewise, Swiss Ambassador Patrick Egloff described the present moment as “a tremendous opportunity” for Nigeria to empower the girl child with role models who reflect their aspirations.

Delivering her goodwill message, FIDA International President Ezinwa Okoroafor reassured skeptics that the reserved seats proposal is a temporary corrective measure with a mandatory review after 16 years.

“This bill is a game-changing opportunity. I urge the National Assembly to embrace it,” she said.

A serving member of the Katsina State House of Assembly representing Bakori Local Government Area, Engr. Abdurrahman Ahmad Kandarawa has led the recovery of 45 individuals kidnapped by terrorists for an extended period.

SaharaReporters learnt that the release, which took place last week Friday, came following a renewed “peace agreement” between local leaders and the bandits, aimed at ending prolonged hostilities in the region.

In a video obtained by SaharaReporters, one of the bandits involved in the abduction revealed that the agreement was honoured due to promises made by both sides. 

The terrorists emphasised that, having fulfilled their commitments, the security agencies and government should not escalate the situation, allowing their people to return safely to the town to resume normal life.

Hon. Abdurrahman, who spearheaded the negotiation, drew parallels to international peace efforts, citing the Gaza-Israel agreement. 

“Even in the world, peace agreements are made to ensure coexistence,” he said. “There is nothing wrong in making peace to secure a lasting and peaceful future for our people.”

Earlier,  SaharaReporters reported that terrorists in the early hours of Monday stormed the Maga Comprehensive Girls’ Secondary School in Kebbi State, abducting an unspecified number of female students and killing at least one staff member. 

A school guard was also injured during the attack, which occurred around 5:52am. 

The attackers invaded the school compound while the students were preparing for morning routines, launching their assault with sporadic gunfire.  

SaharaReporters also gathered that the gunmen not only abducted several female students but also left a trail of fear and chaos in their wake.

However, residents noted that the terrorists have not gone far and are urging the Federal and State governments to take urgent action to rescue the girls.

SaharaReporters earlier reported that terrorists launched a deadly attack on Rogun Village in Kpada District of Patigi Local Government Area, Kwara State, killing two security operatives. 

A security source told SaharaReporters on Monday that the incident occurred late Sunday night when the terrorists, locally dubbed as bandits, stormed the police outpost in Rogun and opened fire on officers on duty.

According to the source, the attackers engaged the security personnel in a fierce gun duel that lasted several minutes. 
By the time the shooting subsided, two security operatives — a police constabulary and a vigilante officer — had been confirmed dead. 

Sahara Reporters

Until ISWAP released the video of how they killed him, the Nigerian Army claimed that Brigadier-General M Uba was not abducted. It turned out to be a tactical attempt to buy time to rescue him, to distract the enemy from searching for him as rescue operation was ongoing.

However, some of the last moments and final communication from the army commander, Brigadier-General, have emerged, shedding light on the composure and courage of the senior officer before he was captured and killed by the ISWAP terrorists.

In a WhatsApp chat seen by SaharaReporters, Brig.-Gen. Uba appeared to remain calm and determined even as troops from Operation Hadin Kai raced to reach him. 

Shortly after a video call in which he confirmed he was alive, he sent messages that captured both his resolve and the urgency of the situation.

In one message, he asked his coordinating team: “Are they going to pick me or direct me on where to go?”

He was reassured: “Sir, they will remain overhead and coordinate with the troops moving towards you, Sir.”

As time passed, the General provided another update: “My battery is 31% now.”

His final words, a mix of hope and resilience, came as he tried to make himself visible to the air component: “Sir, I am on foot, but once I see the aircraft, I can raise my peak cap.”

These were the last messages received from Brig.-Gen. Uba before contact was lost.

Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that General Uba was killed by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters after the terrorists reportedly intercepted and tracked his location along the Damboa–Biu axis in Borno State, multiple security sources have confirmed.

The tragic incident occurred shortly after the Brigade Commander had participated in a successful joint air–ground offensive against insurgents in the area. 

The General had earlier spoken with his superiors, confirming that he was safe following the operation and was regrouping with his team.

However, the officer’s communication may have inadvertently exposed his coordinates. 

He was captured alive while the terrorists interrogated him briefly before summarily executing him. 

Earlier reports detailed a joint military operation in which the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft swiftly intervened to rescue ground troops who had come under heavy ambush by ISWAP terrorists.

The operation began when ground forces, led by the Brigadier General, advanced into the area, unaware that the route had been booby-trapped.

Following an intense exchange of gunfire, the sudden surge in terrorist numbers forced the commander to order a tactical withdrawal and issue a distress call for air support.

Responding, NAF aircraft diverted from ongoing missions to provide close air support, delivering decisive strikes that helped disperse the terrorists and rescue the military commander, his troops, and accompanying members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).

SaharaReporters on Saturday reported that top military brass including the Operation Hadin Kai, Theatre Commander, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, stormed the military base in Damboa, Borno State, to lead rescue operations for some abducted army personnel.

SaharaReporters had learnt that the abduction of the officers followed a violent ambush by fighters of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) that left two soldiers and two members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) dead. 

The attack, which occurred on Friday night also led to the reported abduction of Brigadier General M Uba, along with two other soldiers.

Although the Nigerian Army in a release earlier denied the abduction of the 25 Brigade Commander, soldiers who spoke with SaharaReporters confirmed that the commander was not yet back to the base.

Multiple military sources told SaharaReporters that the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), Major General Abubakar, and the Sector 2 Commander arrived in Damboa shortly after the attack to coordinate rescue efforts and enhance troop morale.

“The Brigadier General who was abducted managed to send his live location to colleagues,” a senior military source revealed.

“They traced it and found the spot, but there was no trace of him. It’s unclear if his phone died or was seized by the terrorists.”

Another source added that the abducted officer appeared to have access to his phone under duress.

“Even yesterday morning, he made a video call to his dry cleaner but warned him not to talk,” the source said.

Despite deploying troops to the location shared by the officer, they returned without success. One soldier who was shot and abducted along with him was reportedly freed, but the senior officer and two others remained missing.

The sources noted that in response to the crisis, one Brigadier General Mustapha has been appointed to lead the 26 Task Force Brigade in Damboa, while troops previously engaged in the rescue operation were withdrawn early Sunday.

According to top military officers, “Information reaching us revealed that the Brigadier-General was abducted alongside three other soldiers. However, one of the soldiers was shot and left behind in the bush.

“Those who returned to the camp on foot yesterday were two Majors. A commander has been temporarily appointed to oversee the affairs of the Brigade pending confirmation from Army Headquarters.

“Another Brigade Commander, Brigadier-General Mustapha, has also been appointed. Nigerian Army top commanders have stormed the Damboa base in Borno State to rescue the Brigadier-General and two soldiers still in Boko Haram captivity.”

SaharaReporters previously reported that ISWAP fighters ambushed a Nigerian military convoy late Friday night, killing multiple soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), in northeastern Nigeria.

The attackers, armed and highly organised, targeted the convoy in what appears to be a coordinated strike, leaving a trail of casualties and panic in the region.

Credit: Sahara Reporters