Category: Uncategorized

The Nigerian Army has stepped up its offensive against bandits in Bauchi State, leading to the destruction of several camps, including the notorious Azuge and Hari camps, significantly disrupting criminal activities in the area.

Troops have also recorded fresh successes in ongoing clearance operations across criminal enclaves in Bauchi.

A report from Army Headquarters in Abuja explained that troops of the 33 Artillery Brigade, working in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), carried out a major clearance operation in the Dajin Madam Forest.

According to the report, “Troops have neutralised a number of bandits during the operation, while others fled under sustained military pressure.”

It further explained that 19 family members of the bandits, comprising six women and 13 children, were taken into custody, while several motorcycles used by the criminals were destroyed to limit their mobility.

According to the report, security forces also recovered a cache of items, including an AK-47 magazine, packs of tramadol, police and military uniforms, as well as two horses, indicating attempts by the criminals to impersonate security personnel.

The report stated that troops have since established a firm hold in the forest to consolidate gains and prevent any regrouping by fleeing bandits.

In a related development, troops conducted a follow-up operation in Mainamaji as part of efforts to exploit gains from recent airstrikes on bandit hideouts. The Army said the operation recorded no contact, suggesting that sustained military pressure has weakened bandits’ presence in the area.

The Army reiterated its commitment to maintaining pressure on criminal elements until lasting peace is restored and urged the public to support security agencies with timely and credible information.

Army destroys bandit camps in Bauchi

The Federal Government has expanded its maternal and newborn health programme to 32 states and recorded nearly 79,000 emergency medical transports nationwide as part of efforts to reduce preventable deaths among women and newborns.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, disclosed this during a ministerial press briefing in Abuja to mark Safe Motherhood Day 2026, according to a statement shared on the ministry’s official X handle on Wednesday.

Pate said Nigeria has made progress in expanding access to maternal health services but still faces challenges in ensuring timely, high-quality, and respectful care.

He explained that this year’s theme, “Closing the Gap: From Coverage to Quality Care for Every Mother,” underscores a shift toward prioritising quality, timeliness, and equity in healthcare delivery.

“Central to the intervention is the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII), now operational in 32 states. The programme targets leading causes of maternal and neonatal deaths through data-driven strategies aimed at strengthening service delivery, emergency obstetric care, and referral systems,” the ministry said.

Pate, who was represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary Daju Kachollom, highlighted progress under the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System, noting that emergency services are now active in 136 MAMII local government areas, with 612 ambulances deployed across 340 LGAs and Emergency Medical Teams nationwide.

According to him, 78,962 beneficiaries have been transported, with pregnant women accounting for about 60 per cent of cases so far.

The ministry further stated that the government, through the National Health Insurance Authority, is expanding access to Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care services, a development aimed at addressing financial barriers.

It added that over 32,000 women and 1,700 newborns have benefited across more than 250 health facilities.

According to the ministry, the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Muyi Aina, pointed out that investments in frontline services are improving access and continuity of care with increasing antenatal attendance reflecting growing confidence in the health system.

The ministry also noted that in recent data, antenatal care attendance has increased by 20 per cent in programme areas, while 166,463 previously unregistered pregnant women have been identified and linked to care across eight states.

It added that the government has also distributed over 111,000 maternity kits nationwide and supplied essential maternal and newborn commodities to 968 primary healthcare centres, benefiting an estimated 1.2 million women and newborns.

Additional support includes the distribution of 243,198 family planning commodities, more than 10,000 reproductive health equipment units, and the recruitment of over 5,000 health workers.

Development partners, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), commended Nigeria’s progress and reaffirmed their support for ongoing reforms, particularly to strengthen quality and system coordination.

The Federal Government further reiterated the need for sustained collaboration across all levels, calling on state governments, health workers, communities, and partners to scale efforts and ensure that ongoing reforms translate into improved outcomes for every Nigerian mother and newborn.

FG Expands Maternal Health Programme, Records 79,000 Emergency Responses is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Nigerian Army troops under Operation Hadin Kai have repelled an attack by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters in Benisheikh, Borno State, preventing what could have been a takeover of the town.

Sources told security analyst Zagazola Makama that the attack occurred at about 11:15 p.m. on April 14, 2026.

According to the sources, soldiers from the Headquarters 29 Task Force Brigade came under heavy attack but were able to hold their ground and repel the insurgents, forcing them to retreat in confusion.

The sources confirmed that no soldier lost his life during the clash. However, three personnel were injured in the exchange of gunfire.

The wounded soldiers have been taken to the 7 Division Medical Services and Hospital, where they are receiving treatment.

The military said it could not immediately confirm how many of the attackers were killed or injured.

It added that troops are still combing the area to track down fleeing fighters and assess the damage.

Officials noted that while the general security situation in the region is currently calm, it remains unpredictable.

Troops repel insurgent attack in Borno

Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KSCHMA) has taken a decisive step to enhance transparency and accountability in

Nigeria’s capital market infrastructure firm, Central Securities Clearing System Plc (CSCS), has rolled out a suite of new services designed to

According to ITV News, the blockade of all of Iran’s ports began on Monday afternoon, after the Islamic Republic had effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping more than a month ago.

Temi Otedola, the wife of Nigerian singer Mr Eazi, has revealed that her to keep malice and avoids confrontation whenever he is upset with her.

She made this known during an episode of their joint podcast, where she described his approach as “a bit childish,” noting that he often resorts to sending lengthy messages instead of addressing issues face-to-face.

She recalled an incident when she discovered he was upset with her through an email, despite them being in the same apartment.

“The way I found out that Tosin [Mr Eazi] was actually angry with me on a Monday was that he sent me a long message. And bear in mind that we are sitting in the same flat.

“I was minding my business, responding to my emails, and I got a message saying everything he was upset about me for. While I was reading it my body was already becoming hot. At some point, I couldn’t even read it because I was so angry.

Because I have asked him ten times if he was upset with me and he said nothing. Honestly, if you’re in the same flat as someone else, I think it is a bit childish not to go up and speak to them.

“Yes, but that is what you’re comfortable with. You find it easier to express yourself by typing. I have gotten some long emails in the past. At least you’re getting it out. But it would be nice if you could just sit down with me and have it out,” she expressed.

Responding, Mr Eazi admitted that he finds it easier to communicate his feelings through writing rather than verbal discussions, especially during tense moments.

“I would prefer to sit down with you and talk things out. But I see that sometimes when we sit down to talk, I don’t hit the nail on the head. Also, I think if I communicate during tense moments, I might sound too harsh.

“I don’t think texting someone you’re sitting next to is the best way to communicate. But that is my way. And everybody just needs to find what their way of communication is and communicate. For me, it’s typing.

“When I want to really express myself, I can do it via typing better than speaking. Because then I can read it again and cross-check my tone,” he said.

My Husband Is Childish, Holds Grudges – Temi Otedola is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The northern wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged Christians to stop engaging in hostile religious exchanges, saying believers cannot defend God through insults or abusive arguments.

In a statement on Wednesday, the northern CAN Chairman, Joseph Hayab, cautioned Christians, particularly youths and clergy, to exercise restraint in the face of growing religious provocations on social media.

Hayab said many of the ongoing online debates, often presented as a defence of the faith, were contrary to biblical teachings and risk deepening divisions among religious groups. He noted that such engagements are “vain and unprofitable arguments,” and warned that they frequently degenerate into strife and ungodliness.

“The Bible warns Christians against engaging in vain arguments. From a biblical angle, vain arguments include reckless, unprofitable and provocative debates. Believers in Christ are, therefore, instructed to avoid vain arguments because they generate strife, ungodliness, and ruin both the speakers and the listeners,” he said.

His remarks stemmed from heated exchanges between members of different faiths on social media, including inflammatory posts, videos, and comments targeting religious figures and beliefs that have repeatedly gone viral.

Hayab, citing biblical passages, Titus 3:9 and 2 Timothy 2:23, stressed that Christians must not respond to provocation with hostility, even when their faith is ridiculed or misunderstood.

“As a Christian leader, I do not teach, encourage or instruct church members or any Christian at all to insult the divinity of another faith just because some disgruntled persons say or write awful things about Jesus or Christianity. An honest study of the Bible will help you understand that as an ardent follower of Christ, you cannot ‘fight for God, ‘” he added.

He further maintained that God, being omnipotent, does not require human defence through verbal attacks, warning that such actions only diminish the essence of Christianity.

“Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ can ‘fight’ those who fight Him. From a Christian biblical viewpoint, no one can battle against the Lord because He is an omnipotent warrior who never loses,” he said.

The cleric also warned against copying what he described as “misguided religious zeal,” stressing that reacting emotionally to provocation undermines the message of love and peace central to Christianity.

“Such debates are unprofitable, worthless, and causes of ungodliness. Therefore, the biblical instruction is to avoid, shun, or have nothing to do with them,” he said, adding that using abusive language in the name of defending the faith not only misrepresents Christianity but also weakens its moral authority.

According to him, Christians using abusive words with others do not portray strength nor defend their faith; instead, such derides the Christian faith, makes a mockery of Christ’s spiritual authority and dims the bright light the Christian gospel brings to the world.

Avoid Religious Insults, Northern CAN Warns Christians is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The immediate past Secretary to the Ondo State Government (SSG), Dr Taiwo Fasoranti, says President Bola Tinubu assumed office at a critical time in Nigeria’s history.

Fasoranti, the son of Afenifere national leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Akure.

He said the president had tackled many of the challenges confronting the country.

“The dividends of democracy are visible for all to see. We are not there yet, but with the reforms introduced so far, I believe we will get there.

“Look at the dollar-to-naira exchange rate; it has started declining, which reflects a stabilising economy.

“Insecurity is also being addressed with deliberate attention. Security challenges are a global issue,” he said.

Fasoranti further noted that the president’s Renewed Hope Agenda had yielded positive results for the country.

“All we can do is support him to ensure that the initiatives aimed at strengthening our democracy are sustained by encouraging and backing these laudable projects.

“Clearly, no one has been left behind.
“I believe Tinubu has performed well. Another four-year term will further secure his legacy in the annals of history.

“In 2027, I am 110 per cent confident of his victory. I have no doubt in my mind,” he said.

Fasoranti, who also spoke on his ambition to represent Ondo Central Senatorial District, said his decision to contest was driven by a strong desire to serve the people.

“I believe our people deserve quality representation, purposeful leadership, and committed service. I also believe we can do better than what we currently have.

“My goal is to serve my community and ensure they benefit from the dividends of democracy under the present administration, where I served as SSG.

“The state is currently on a steady path under the leadership of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. The best we can do is attract more federal presence in this dispensation.

“This will help stabilise ongoing programmes and sustain them while introducing fresh ideas from the federal level,” he said.

The former SSG added that, given his background and grounding in Afenifere’s Omoluabi ethos, he would remain accountable to the people.
Fasoranti said he had consulted widely and adequately prepared before joining the senatorial race, and expressed confidence in victory.

He also noted that his experience as a physician who worked at the presidential villa for 15 years, as well as his network of allies, would be beneficial to the district.

“I am not a stranger to Abuja, and I believe returning there as a senator will greatly benefit Ondo Central.

“We are not novices when it comes to delivering development. Our track record speaks for itself,” he said.

NAN reports that Fasoranti, who was appointed SSG by Ayedatiwa in 2024, resigned on April 3 to contest the Ondo Central Senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections.

Tinubu’s Re-Election Assured by His Performance, Says Fasoranti is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Kano State Government has announced plans to recruit newly graduated postgraduate scholars into the state civil service, aiming to fill critical manpower gaps and accelerate development across key sectors. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf made the revelation while presenting academic certificates to 110 indigenes who recently completed their postgraduate studies under the state’s Foreign Postgraduate […]