There was commotion on Sunday, August 31, at a field in Suleja, Niger State, as residents looted relief materials meant for distribution to the public. 

A distribution exercise was scheduled to take place on 31 August 31, with relief materials arranged ahead of the exercise. 

However, impatient locals rushed the grab the relief items, trampling fellow residents in the process. 

“Nobody should go out. Security should lock the gate, nobody should go out,” someone is heard announcing repeatedly with a microphone. 

Armed uniformed personnel are seen trying unsuccessfully to restore order. 

At one point, men with sticks are seen guarding the relief materials, and they used the sticks to flog residents who rushed towards the items to loot them. Still, this did not deter the locals, as they continued to grab relief materials and run off with them. 

After the gate was locked at the instruction of the MC, locals are seen climbing the fence to escape with their loot. 

After the gate was locked at the instruction of the MC, locals are seen climbing the fence to escape with their loot. 
 

Watch the video below.

The Nigerian Navy has dismissed a serving officer, a Lieutenant, and sentenced him to three years in prison after he was found guilty of engaging in a sexual relationship with the wife of a fellow officer.

The punishment followed the conclusion of a Special Court Martial (SCM), which convicted the officer on four counts, including sexual relations with a service personnel’s wife, scandalous conduct, and deceiving a witness.

His dismissal and imprisonment officially took effect on November 23, 2024, but were formally executed on August 29, 2025, at the Nigerian Navy Institute of Technology (NNIT) Parade Ground in Sapele, Delta State.

Sources confirmed that the verdict was reached after a thorough legal review of the trial proceedings, ensuring that the accused officer was properly arraigned and that due process was strictly followed.

“The SCM, at the conclusion of its proceedings, found the dismissed officer guilty as charged, hence the sentence of three years’ imprisonment and dismissal from the Nigerian Navy,” a source disclosed.

The Navy Board upheld the decision, reaffirming the service’s zero tolerance for misconduct that undermines discipline and professionalism.

The case has become one of the most high-profile disciplinary actions in the Nigerian Navy in recent years, serving as a stern warning to officers against violations of military codes of conduct.

Renewed Hope Global, a pro-Tinubu group, has requested the president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, to take immediate corrective action over what they described as the “shameful spectacle” at the association’s recent annual general conference in Enugu.

The group expressed dismay over what they termed “stage-managed antics” involving Seun Okinbaloye, a journalist, as well as “a parade of shoddy characters” who, according to them, “desecrated the platform with crass and unbecoming behaviour”.

Okinbaloye had asked the participants if their lives had improved under the Tinubu-led administration, to which the majority of them responded with a resounding “No.”

The pro-Tinubu group said the conduct brought the NBA, Nigeria’s oldest professional membership organisation, into public ridicule.

According to the group, “This descent into partisan theatrics and cheap sensationalism is unacceptable. Under your watch, the NBA must not be allowed to drift into the murky waters of partisanship or down the path of ignominy.”

They demanded a public apology from the NBA to its members and the Nigerian public, a review of conference protocols to prevent a repeat, and disciplinary action against those who “brought the association into disrepute.”

They warned that failure to act would be taken as tacit approval of the events and could “irreparably damage the credibility” of Osigwe’s administration.

Renewed Hope Global stressed that the NBA, with over 140,000 lawyers in 129 active branches across the country, is Africa’s most influential legal network and must safeguard its legacy.

Watch the video of NBA delegates insisting their hopes have not been renewed below.

Simon Ekpa, a pro-Biafra agitator, has been sentenced to six years in prison by a Päijät-Häme district court in Finland for terrorism offences.

In a ruling delivered on Monday, the court found Ekpa guilty of inciting terrorism and participating in the activities of a terrorist group.

According to Yle, a Finnish newspaper, the court said Ekpa had used his “significant social media following” to stoke tensions in Nigeria’s south-east region between August 2021 and November 2024.

In a unanimous ruling, the three-member panel of judges also stated that Ekpa was an influential member of a militant separatist movement whose goal was to actualise the carving out of a Biafra state from Nigeria.

The district court also noted that Ekpa had supplied certain groups with weapons, explosives, and ammunition “through his network of contacts in the region, and he was also found to have encouraged his followers on social media platform X to commit crimes in Nigeria”.

The court also convicted Ekpa of aggravated tax fraud and violating the provisions of the Attorneys Act.

BACKGROUND

Ekpa is a self-acclaimed disciple of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

After Kanu was extradited to Nigeria from Kenya in June 2021, Ekpa was appointed as the lead broadcaster of Radio Biafra.

Weeks later, IPOB announced Ekpa’s dismissal, citing his refusal to sign the rules of engagement of Radio Biafra.

The development strained the relationship between IPOB and Ekpa, with the Finland-based lawyer going on to form a splinter secessionist group.

The separatist used his social media platforms, especially X, to issue sit-at-home directives in the south-east geopolitical zone, while calling for attacks on security operatives.

On numerous occasions, IPOB distanced itself from the activities and directives of Ekpa.

In November 2024, Ekpa was arrested by law enforcement in Finland.

He was subsequently sent to prison by the district court for “spreading terrorist propaganda on social media”.

In March 2025, the federal government designated Ekpa a “terrorism financier”.

Abraka community in Ethiope-East Local Government Area of Delta State erupted in outrage on Saturday evening after soldiers chasing suspected internet fraudsters, popularly called yahoo boys, reportedly shot and killed a pregnant woman.

The incident sparked an immediate protest by indigenes, residents, and students, who stormed the streets in anger against the soldiers.

According to Daily Post, eyewitnesses informed journalists that troops of Operation Delta Sweep had attempted to stop a group of suspected fraudsters driving past a checkpoint.

When the men allegedly refused to stop and sped off, the soldiers gave chase, firing sporadically.

A stray bullet reportedly struck the pregnant woman, who died instantly before help could reach her.

Council Chairman Vows Justice

The Ethiope-East Local Government Chairman, Hon. Chief Augustine Ogedegbe, expressed outrage over the killing, promising that the council would ensure justice for the deceased.

In a statement on his official Facebook page, Ogedegbe described the death as both painful and avoidable.

“It is deeply concerning to see incidents like this, which diverge from the intended duties of combating crime and ensuring public safety. We will pursue this issue with the seriousness it deserves and ensure that justice is served,” he vowed.

He assured that steps were being taken to forestall similar tragedies in the future, adding that the role of security agencies must remain centred on protecting lives and property.

While condemning the conduct of the soldiers, Ogedegbe urged residents of Abraka to remain calm and law-abiding as the authorities engage security agencies for accountability.

He also extended condolences to the bereaved family: “Our heartfelt sympathy goes to the family of the deceased. We pray for strength and comfort during this difficult period.”

• Five farmers killed by Boko Haram in Borno

A boat mishap in Gummi Local Council of Zamfara State has claimed the lives of 15 villagers, while three others remain missing.

The incident occurred on Friday when residents of Danmaga, Tungar Maigunya, Nasarawar Kifi and neighbouring villages in Birnin Tudu ward attempted to cross the river with a single canoe while fleeing from advancing bandits.

An eyewitness, Malam Bashiru Gago Yan Kifi, told The Guardian that panic spread when news broke that the bandits were approaching the riverbank. He explained that the canoe, already filled to capacity, capsized after two women forced their way on board during the third trip out of fear of being left behind.

“Only one canoe serves the entire community, with a capacity of just 16 passengers. But in desperation, more people climbed on board. The boat overturned, and many drowned,” Yan Kifi said.

He added that villagers cross the river daily for farming and trade, often risking their lives due to the absence of safe transport and life jackets. “Rescue efforts recovered 12 bodies on Friday, while three more were found. Search operations are still ongoing for the remaining three missing persons. Victims included eight housewives, three babies, and four youths. They were buried on Friday night after funeral prayers led by Liman Yahaya.”

The village head of Nasarawar Kifi, Alhaji Muhammadu Chigari, confirmed the tragedy, describing it as a devastating blow to already traumatised communities. “We were observing Friday prayers when we heard about the accident. Our people worked tirelessly to rescue survivors, but sadly, many lives were lost,” he said.

Reacting, the spokesperson of Zamfara State Governor, Sulaiman Bala Idris, described the mishap as tragic and regrettable. He said Governor Dauda Lawal had directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the Zamfara Emergency Management Agency (ZEMA) to provide relief materials, support rescue efforts, and commiserate with affected families and the Gummi emirate.

In a related development, a least five farmers were reported killed by Boko Haram insurgents on Saturday in Goshe, a community in the Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

Sources said the victims were working on their farms in the morning when the insurgents attacked them.

Junaid Jibrin, a legislative aide to the district’s senator, Muhammad Ndume, commented on the attacks in a Facebook post.

“A dark cloud has once again fallen on the Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. By mid-morning on Saturday, while innocent farmers were simply tilling their land in search of daily sustenance, suspected Boko Haram insurgents descended upon them in cold blood, Five precious lives were cut short,” Mr Jibrin wrote.

“Ordinary people, whose only ‘fault’ was to step into their farms to feed their families and contribute to the community, were silenced forever. This is our story, such horrors visit us almost daily, especially upon our farmlands.

“May the Almighty forgive their shortcomings, grant them eternal rest, and shield us all from the hands of those who take innocent lives. Ameen,” Jibrin added.

However, the police spokesperson in Borno, Nanum Keneath, when contacted by this reporter, said they were yet to receive the information.

Reuben Kovangiya, a spokesperson of the Nigerian military’s Operation Hadin Kai fighting the insurgency, also said he could not confirm the attack.

Recent offensives by troops of Operation Hadin Kai had led to the killing of about 20 Insurgents.

Carried out between Saturday and Sunday, the operations hit terrorist hideouts in Tamsu Ngamdu, Dalakaleri, Gaza and Loskori Kura villages.

Nigeria’s Federal Government has dismissed the allegation made by a former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, that it empowers bandits as a policy.

In a statement by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) on Monday, it described the allegation as baseless, adding that the ONSA does not coordinate a policy of payments and incentives to bandits.

“In that interview, he alleged, falsely, that the ONSA coordinates a policy of payments and offers incentives to bandits. This claim is baseless.

“At no time has the ONSA, or any arm of government under this administration, engaged in ransom payments or inducements to criminals.

“On the contrary, we have consistently warned Nigerians against paying ransom. El-Rufai’s allegations are not only false but also contradict verifiable facts on the ground,” the statement signed by Zakari Mijinyawa for the Office of the National Security Adviser, partly read.

It explained that from inception, the government adopted a dual strategy — decisive kinetic operations and community engagements — aimed at addressing local grievances.

“The result is evident in areas such as Igabi, Birnin Gwari, Giwa, and other parts of Kaduna that once suffered untold terror in Kaduna state but are now experiencing relative peace.

“The efforts of our gallant military and security agencies in capturing or eliminating notorious bandits have been widely reported in the media. Recently, leaders of Ansaru, who previously established bases in Kaduna, were apprehended,” it stated.

The ONSA said it was unfair and insulting to the memories of our security personnel for El-Rufai to deny the sacrifices made by the military.

It added, “These successes came at a cost; some of our brave officers paid the supreme price. For a former governor of a state in the person of El-Rufai to deny these sacrifices on national television is both unfair and deeply insulting to the memories of our security personnel.

“We urge El-Rufai and all political actors to desist from dragging national security institutions into partisan battles.

“The fight against banditry is a collective struggle, not a platform for political point-scoring.”

The “kiss-the-bandits policy”

Speaking on Sunday Politics, a Channels Television programme, El-Rufai alleged that the Federal Government was deliberately empowering armed bandits through policies that provide them with monthly allowances and food supplies, asserting that the approach was a “kiss-the-bandits policy” driven by the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).

“What I will not do is to pay bandits, give them a monthly allowance, or send food to them in the name of non-kinetic. It’s nonsense; we’re empowering bandits,” the former governor said.

He argued that such measures only embolden the criminals and worsen insecurity. 

“You don’t empower your enemy; you don’t give him money to go and buy sophisticated weapons. That is why the insecurity problem has not gone away and will not go away as long as this policy continues,” El-Rufai added.

The former minister of the Federal Capital Territory maintained that negotiations and incentives for bandits were counterproductive. 

“My position has always been that the only repentant bandit is a dead one. Let’s kill them all. Let’s bomb them until they are reduced to nothing, and then the five per cent that still want to be rehabilitated can be rehabilitated,” he insisted.

El-Rufai further claimed that residents of northern states such as Katsina, Zamfara, and Kaduna are aware of the alleged government-backed appeasement. 

“They can deceive, they can cover up, they can do propaganda, but those that live in Katsina, those that live in Zamfara, those that live in Kaduna… they know what is happening,” he said.

Challenging the authorities, he added, “Let the governor or anyone come and deny. When the time comes, we will reveal everything.”