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The Kebbi State Police Command has begun a sweeping security offensive following coordinated bandit attacks on communities in Shanga Local Government Area that left at least 44 people dead.

The affected villages, Gebe, Kalkami, Kawara, Kasoshi, Awaye, Tungar Rini, Binuwa and Dabe, came under simultaneous assault in what authorities described as a well-planned operation by armed groups.

The attacks triggered an immediate escalation of security deployments across the state.

Police said the clearance operation was launched in line with directives from the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, and is focused on forests, border communities, farmlands and other high-risk areas believed to serve as hideouts and transit routes for bandits.

The spokesperson of the command, SP Bashir Usman, confirmed on Friday that the intervention was already yielding results and helping to restore calm.

“Massive deployments of police and other security agencies have led to the return of relative calm in the affected areas, while discreet investigations are ongoing,” he said.

He added that joint security teams were conducting coordinated patrols alongside intelligence-led stop-and-search operations across vulnerable corridors.

In an early breakthrough, operatives recovered two AK-47 rifles along the Illo–Kamba axis, signaling initial progress in the crackdown.

The Commissioner of Police, Umar Hadejia, called on residents to support ongoing efforts by sharing timely and credible information with authorities.

“We urge members of the public to remain vigilant, report suspicious movements, and cooperate fully with security agencies,” he said, appealing to traditional rulers, religious leaders and youth groups to assist with intelligence gathering.

Authorities emphasized that community cooperation will be crucial to sustaining the operation and preventing further attacks.

Security agencies say the ongoing offensive will rely heavily on intelligence-led strategies and community collaboration to dismantle bandit networks and cut off their supply routes.

Kebbi: Police launch statewide offensive after deadly attacks, recover weapons

The Nigerian Army troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have debunked claims and reports on social media that 17 soldiers, including a Brigade Commander, lost their lives during an exchange of fire between troops and insurgents in Benisheikh.

Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, in a statement, described the reports as false and a calculated attempt to discredit the troops.

According to the statement, two officers and two soldiers lost their lives during the incident.

“OPHK categorically refutes the claim that the official and verified report, as earlier released through Defence Headquarters, clearly stated that two officers and two soldiers paid the supreme price in the course of the engagement,” it said.

It said the insinuation that the Brigade Commander’s vehicle was unserviceable is equally incorrect, adding that the Commander was mounted on a high-grade Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, which was temporarily immobilised in the heat of combat while he was actively coordinating the counter-assault.

It further said that the pictures and videos being circulated in connection with the incident are unrelated to the Benisheikh attack and are being deliberately misrepresented to reinforce false narratives.

The statement urged the public to disregard such content, which is clearly intended to misinform and create unnecessary panic.

It frowned at the distortion of operational facts and the use of such an unfortunate incident for personal or political gains or propaganda, adding that such actions not only mislead the public but also diminish the sacrifices, courage, and professionalism of officers and men who continue to risk their lives daily in defence of the nation.

Nigerian Army debunks claims of 17 soldier deaths in Benisheikh

Paul Onuachu has been ruled out of Trabzonspor’s trip to Alanyaspor due to a muscle injury, DAILY POST reports.

According to a statement on the club’s official website, Onuachu sustained the injury during Friday’s training session.

The forward was then omitted from the travelling squad for Saturday’s game.

The 31-year-old’s absence will be a big blow for Trabzonspor, who are in a three-way battle for the title with holders Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe.

Onuachu was on target in the Black Sea Storm’s 2-1 win over Galatasaray last weekend.

The Nigeria international has scored 24 goals in 28 appearances across all competitions for Trabzonspor this season.

Turkey: Onuachu ruled out of Trabzonspor vs Alanyaspor with injury

The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, has expressed frustration over the conduct of the United States President, Donald Trump, and Russia’s leader, Vladimir Putin, saying he’s “fed up” because their decisions are driving fluctuations in energy costs in the UK.

Starmer made the remarks during a visit to the Middle East, where he advocated for greater energy self-sufficiency.

He emphasized that renewable energy remains the fastest route to achieving that goal.

In an interview on ITV’s Talking Politics podcast, Starmer said: “I’m fed up with the fact that families across the country see their bills go up and down on energy, businesses’ bills go up and down on energy because of the actions of Putin or Trump across the world, saying to businesses across the country: ‘we’ve just got to be, we’ve got to put up with being on the international market.

“We need energy independence, and the only way to get energy independence is to go even more quickly to renewables because we’re not going to get it on the international market.”

His criticism of both leaders came shortly before he held a phone conversation with Trump.

When asked whether he raised those concerns directly, Starmer responded that he had shared regional perspectives with the US president and stressed that any ceasefire effort must include Gulf nations to be effective.

He added: “They have very strong views on the Strait of Hormuz. We spent most of the time on the call talking about the practical plan that’s going to be needed to get navigation through the strait and the role that the UK is playing.”

I’m fed up – UK PM Starmer hits Trump, Putin

President Donald Trump said Friday that US warships are being reloaded with weaponry to strike Iran if talks in Pakistan fail to produce a deal, in an interview with the New York Post.

“We have a reset going. We’re loading up the ships with the best ammunition, the best weapons ever made — even better than what we did previously and we blew them apart,” the Post quoted Trump as saying.

“And if we don’t have a deal, we will be using them, and we will be using them very effectively.”

In a brief and cryptic message on his Truth Social network earlier, Trump had spoken of the “WORLD’S MOST POWERFUL RESET!!!”

Vice President JD Vance headed to Islamabad on Friday to lead the US delegation in this weekend’s talks with Iran, with a warning to Tehran not to “play” Washington.

AFP

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The Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency has insisted that due process was followed in the appointment of Barrister Aminu Junaidu as Chairman of the Investment and Securities Tribunal, IST.

The Centre stressed that the process was backed by the constitutional authority of President Bola Tinubu.

Addressing a press conference on Friday in Abuja, the Centre’s Executive Director, Pastor David D. Yakubu, dismissed claims that the appointment violated the Investment and Securities Act 2025 as unfounded and lacking evidence.

Junaidu assumed office on October 26, 2025, following his appointment by President Tinubu.

The Centre noted that reforms introduced by the agency since the appointment is being emulated by contemporaries in other countries.

It pointed out that on March 13, 2026, the Ethiopian Ambassador to Nigeria visited the IST to study its processes. Also, a delegation from Ethiopia’s capital market institutions called at the IST on March 27, 2026.

“Such engagements are not routine. They reflect a level of confidence in the Tribunal’s direction and signal that its reforms are gaining recognition beyond Nigeria’s borders,” Yakubu added.

Speaking on the legal controversy surrounding Junaidu’s appointment, the Centre maintained that it was properly approved by President Tinubu within his constitutional powers.

It dismissed claims that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation acted outside legal bounds in announcing your appointment, describing the process as a standard administrative procedure for heads of agencies.

“Governance is not static. Administrative decisions evolve in response to institutional needs and national priorities. To interpret this flexibility as illegality is to misunderstand the nature of executive responsibility,” Yakubu said.

The Centre also addressed concerns over qualification, noting that Junaidu, as a former Attorney-General of Zamfara State, brings extensive experience in governance, legal advisory, and institutional management.

It warned that narratives capable of undermining confidence in Nigeria’s capital market must be approached with caution.

“While public scrutiny is essential in a democracy, it must be grounded in facts and exercised with a sense of proportion. Interventions that amplify uncertainty without sufficient basis risk weakening the very institutions they seek to protect,” Yakubu said.

The Centre urged stakeholders to prioritise stability, assess leadership based on measurable outcomes, and allow reforms to mature, emphasising that Nigeria’s progress depends on both decisions made and how they are interpreted.

Appointment of Investment, Securities Tribunal chair followed due process – CSO

The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed April 14 for the hearing of a suit filed by Nafiu-Bala Gombe seeking to stop the Sen. David Mark-led African Democratic Congress (ADC) from parading itself as the party’s leaders.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that Justice Emeka Nwite fixed the date, following the hearing notices issued to parties in the suit.

Gombe, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, had sued ADC, Mark, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Chief Ralph Nwosu as 1st to 5th defendants respectively.

Justice Nwite had adjourned the case sine die (indefinitely) at the last hearing date to await the decision of the Court of Appeal.

The judge adjourned the matter indefinitely after counsel for the defendants informed the court of an appeal filed against the lower court order.

However, the Appeal Court, in its March 12 judgment, ordered the parties to return to the trial court and maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

Against the appellate court’s judgment, INEC, on April 1, removed the names of Mark and Aregbesola from its official portal and website as ADC’s national chairman and national secretary respectively.

In reaction to INEC’s decision, the Mark-led leadership, in a motion on notice filed on April 7 by Sulaiman Usman, SAN, prayed the court to order the commission to restore their names as they were, prior to the institution of the suit by Gombe.

They also sought an order for an accelerated hearing.

Meanwhile, Mark and Aregbesola have urged the court “to dismiss the suit in limine for want of jurisdiction.”

The former Senate President, in his preliminary objection filed on April 7 by his lawyer, Usman, argued that Gombe lacked the locus standi to file the suit, having voluntarily resigned his position as deputy national chairman of ADC.

He argued that the suit is predicated on falsehood and suppression of material facts, particularly concerning the plaintiff’s resignation.

The embattled national chairman stated that the subject matter of the suit borders on internal affairs of a political party, which are non-justiciable.

According to him, the plaintiff has disclosed no reasonable cause of action.

“This honourable court lacks jurisdiction to entertain this suit.

“The suit constitutes a gross abuse of court process,” he added.

Aregbesola, in his consequential counter-affidavit deposed to by Anthonia Nwafor from the law firm of M.E. Sheriff & Co, equally urged the court to dismiss the suit.

He said Gombe, in his suit, seeks to approbate and reprobate at the same time because he is no longer a member of the National Executive Committee of ADC, having resigned his position as the deputy chairman of the committee to make way for smooth and effective coalition and restructuring.

He stated that the party communicated Gombe’s resignation to INEC in compliance with its standard rules and guidelines.

Aregbesola, who said the suit is unmeritorious, sought an order awarding him the sum of N50 million as costs for being discommoded by defending the suit.

On his part, Nwosu, in his preliminary objection filed on April 7 by his lawyer, P. I. Oyewole, equally prayed the court to dismiss the suit.

The ex-party’s national chairman, who argued that the case is premature, submitted that Gombe had failed to exhaust the internal dispute resolution mechanism before filing the suit.

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The Ekiti State Chapter of the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL) has formally been inaugurated with members pledging to deploy their legislative experience to ensure the reelection bid of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Biodun Oyebanji.

The forum which comprises all former lawmakers both at the National Assembly, House of Assembly and Councillors unanimously promised to use their residual antecedents to strengthen governance and democracy in Nigeria.

The inauguration ceremony, held at Lady Jibowu Hall, Government House, Ado-Ekiti, was performed by the National Coordinator of the Forum, Hon. Raphael Nnanna Igbokwe, on behalf of the Convener, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President.

In a communique issued at the end of the event, the Forum expressed satisfaction with the impressive turnout and the commitment of members to good governance, democratic consolidation and sustainable development in Ekiti State and Nigeria at large.

Members of the forum unanimously agreed to deploy their wealth of legislative and governance experience to provide advisory support and strategic insights aimed at enhancing effective service delivery at all levels of government.

The Forum also resolved to mobilise widespread grassroots and institutional support for Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji’s second-term bid, citing his developmental strides and commitment to the progress of the state.

Performing the inauguration, the National Coordinator of the Forum, Hon. Raphael Nnanna Igbokwe commended the Convener, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, for his foresight in establishing the NFFL as an enduring political and governance platform, describing it as a “permanent reservoir of experience and expertise” available for national development and citizen mobilisation.

Also speaking, Dr. Ifeoluwa Arowosoge, General Coordinator, Ekiti State Chapter said the inauguration of the group in Ekiti would give past legislators some sense of belonging and enable them to contribute to the growth and development of the state using their wealth of experience and expertise.

Similarly, a former House of Representatives member, Congressman Bimbo Daramola who is a member of the Advisory Council of the forum charged members to work together as one family, embrace progressive engagement, and the advancement of democratic values in Ekiti State and Nigeria.

Speaking at the event, the Secretary to Ekiti State Government, Professor Habbibat Adubiaro and the Chief of Staff to Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Oyeniyi Adebayo appreciated the past legislators for the confidence reposed in the President and the Governor and promised that Governor Oyebanji would continue to work hard for the progress and development of the State.

2027: National Forum of Former Legislators back Tinubu, Oyebanji for second term

Mikel Arteta challenged Arsenal to pile pressure on Manchester City by extending their lead at the top of the Premier League before their title rivals play 24 hours later.

Arteta’s side host Bournemouth on Saturday and second-placed City travel to Chelsea on Sunday as the title race approaches a pivotal moment.

The Gunners are nine points ahead of City, having played a game more than Pep Guardiola’s team.

That lead would increase to 12 points if Arsenal defeat Bournemouth, putting City under intense pressure to take maximum points from their tricky trip to Stamford Bridge.

Asked how important it would be to move further ahead of City, Arteta told reporters on Friday: “The closer we get, the relevance and importance of the match increases, obviously, and tomorrow is a big day for us.

“The players know it, our supporters know it, it’s early kick-off, so get up early, have an early breakfast, bring your lunch, bring your dinner, as you say in England, and let’s go all together for it because it has to be a big day.”

After losing to City in the League Cup final and to second tier Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals, Arsenal bounced back with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League quarter-final first-leg on Tuesday.

The Gunners are chasing a first English title in 22 years, as well as their maiden Champions League crown.

And Arteta is convinced that they can finish the season with both trophies, which would finally end their six-year silverware drought since lifting the FA Cup.

“First of all, the capacity we have as a club and as a team, the will to win,” Arteta said to explain his belief.

“We recognise the opportunity ahead and we are going to do our best to achieve it.”

Arteta’s Arsenal contract expires in 2027 and the Spaniard remains fully committed to the club after reports of talks over a new deal.

“There’s no news on that. We have no time to discuss that now. The full focus is on what we have to do from here until the end of the season,” he said.

“I am fully committed and really happy and I feel good. My family is good and I still have so much ambition to do with this football club, and for now we are in a good place.

“This job is about the present and what you do on the day. Give your very best and feel that you are the person that can lead and inspire the group to achieve great things for the club.”

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Barcelona legend Gerard Pique has extended words of encouragement to the club’s star, Pau Cubarsi, ahead of the Blaugrana’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg match against Atletico Madrid next Tuesday.

Earlier this Wednesday Hansi Flick’s team suffered a 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid at Camp Nou during the first leg.

Following Pau Cubarsi’s red card in the 44th minute, Julian Alvarez opened the scoring for the visitors with a well-placed free-kick. In the second half, Alexander Sorloth increased his team’s advantage against the Catalans in the 70th minute.

Cubarsi, who was shown a straight red card for a last-minute foul on Giuliano Simeone, took to Instagram to acknowledge his lack of discipline.

The 19-year-old centre-back expressed in his social media post, “One action determines the match and the tie. That’s football, and I accept responsibility for the outcome. There is still a long way to go in this two-legged tie, and we are more united than ever: we are a family, and we have always demonstrated that. Moving forward, with hard work and determination, we will never give up.”

Pique, who secured nine La Liga titles and three UEFA Champions League trophies with Barcelona from 2008 to 2022, remarked,” “With your head held high, kid. You’ll smash these guys on your way back.”

Cubarsi, who is set to play in his team’s La Liga match against Espanyol on Saturday, has been a crucial starter for Flick’s squad this season. He has made 39 starts out of 42 appearances across all competitions for the Catalans, scoring once in a 2-1 La Liga defeat to Girona.

With Cubarsi unavailable for selection against Atletico Madrid on April 14, Flick is expected to give Ronald Araujo a starting position in the forthcoming Champions League match. He may also opt to reposition Eric Garcia deeper and start either Fermin Lopez or Gavi in the midfield.

UCL: ‘You’ll smash these guys’ – Gerard tells Barça star ahead of second leg clash