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Thirty-six serving personnel of the Armed Forces are set to face trial over alleged involvement in a mutiny case, following the constitution of a General Court Martial by the Defence Headquarters.

The decision was announced on April 24 2026, in a statement issued by the Defence Headquarters, a fresh step by military authorities to address allegations bordering on attempts to undermine constituted authority.

Military authorities indicated that the move is connected to an earlier position taken in January, when concerns around the case were first made public.

The court martial is expected to handle the cases within the framework of military law, with proceedings to follow established legal procedures.

“All cases will be addressed within the extant legal frameworks of the military justice system,” the Defence Headquarters stated.

The Armed Forces also signaled that the process would be guided by fairness, with assurances that the rights of the affected personnel would be respected throughout the trial.

The development reflects ongoing efforts within the military to reinforce discipline and maintain order within its ranks, especially in matters considered critical to national stability.

DHQ sets up court martial to try 36 soldiers over alleged mutiny plot

Corps members in Adamawa State under Batch A, Stream II of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have been sworn in at the orientation camp in Damare, Girei Local Government Area.

The swearing-in of the 1,822 corps members, held on Friday, featured the administration of the oath of allegiance by Justice Balula Ikaro Ladokya, who represented the State Chief Judge, Justice Hafsat Abdulrahman.

The Chief of Staff to Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, Chief Amos Edgar, who stood in for the governor, assured the corps members of their safety throughout their service year.

He described Adamawa as a peaceful and hospitable state, adding that the state government places a high priority on the welfare and security of corps members.

In her remarks, the Adamawa State NYSC Coordinator, Osoroh Caroline Chinedu, described the orientation course as a critical phase of national service.

She expressed appreciation to the state government for its continued support, particularly in the areas of infrastructure development and the prompt payment of enhanced allowance.

Adamawa swears in 1,822 NYSC members

Chinese-made bottle caps, labels, cartons and counterfeit glass are driving the production of fake spirits across Africa, the Alliance Against Counterfeit Spirits (AACS) said, warning that the trade poses a direct threat to public health and government revenue.

Speaking at a one-day workshop, organised by the Spirits and Wines Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and themed “Combating Illicit Trade in the Spirits and Wines Industry in Nigeria,” AACS Experience Executive and Non-executive Director David Francis said the influx of “dry goods” from China has changed the scale of counterfeiting since the COVID-19 pandemic.

“What we’re now seeing particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic is the emergence of fake bottles. And fake bottles are genuinely problematic for us because at least in the old days of genuine bottles you had some kind of restriction in terms of the amount that could be produced. But what we’re seeing now coming out of China is the production of fake glass,” Francis said.

Francis said China remains the biggest source of dry goods, with recent raids netting almost 50,000 Cognac caps, 12,000 fake bottles with production moulds in Shandong province, and 70,000 Cognac bottles ready for export.

“When we target these dry goods, we really get ahead of downstream assembly and production of counterfeiters, but also actually we access scale,” he said.

The health risks are severe, Francis warned. “Last year in Brazil, in October, November 2025, 14 consumers died in the Brazilian market through the consumption of methanol-tainted counterfeit alcohol. This is a public health challenge that we must take extremely seriously,” he said. He added that the incident caused legitimate spirit sales in Brazil to fall by about 70% overnight.

Presenting figures on the extent of the illicit trade in West Africa, Donovan Hackart, an expert investigator and risk management consultant, said Chinese dry goods are fueling counterfeiting in West Africa.
Data presented at the workshop showed that 339,105 dry goods valued at $2,859,420.89 were seized in 2023, 375,121 valued at $2,263,825.45 in 2024, and 284,612 valued at $1,666,223.06 in 2025, bringing the total to 998,838 items valued at $6,789,469.40.

AACS enforcement across Africa revealed that in Nigeria alone, 36 premises were raided in 2023 with products valued at $317,261.62 seized; 66 premises in 2024 with $2,323,722.80 in products; and 105 premises in 2025 with $14,488,786.86 in products.

Across Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria and Togo, 75 premises were raided in 2023 with products valued at $3,273,209.75; 162 premises in 2024 with $2,687,870.83; and 157 premises in 2025 with $14,586,300.41.

On his part while welcoming participants Managing Director of SWAN, Michael Ehindero, said the conversation “is about the value of human life.”

He told participants that illicit trade includes counterfeiting, smuggling, illegal production and tax evasion, and manifests as fake products, adulterated alcohol made outside licensed facilities, and parallel imports that bypass safety checks.

“These liquids are often made without quality controls, without regulatory oversight, and without regard for human health. They may contain harmful substances, unsafe alcohol levels, or toxic additives—posing serious risks including poisoning, long term health damage, and in extreme cases, death,” Ehindero said.

He added that beyond health, illicit trade drains tax revenue and damages Nigeria’s reputation, citing government advisories warning visitors about counterfeit alcohol during festive periods such as “Detty December.”

“The fight against illicit trade requires stronger public private collaboration, intelligence gathering and effective regulatory enforcement, improved consumer awareness, and above all, a shared commitment to protecting lives,” he said.

SWAN, whose members include Bacardi, Diageo, Guinness Nigeria, Moet Hennessy, Nigerian Breweries and Pernod Ricard Nigeria, said the workshop marks the start of a larger campaign against illicit trade in the sector.

Fake Bottles From China Worsening Africa’s Illicit Alcohol Crisis — AACS is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Bauchi State Police Command has reiterated that the state government’s restrictions on the operations of motorcycles and tricycles remain in force, warning that violators will be prosecuted.

The command disclosed this in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu.

According to the statement, the measure was introduced through an executive order by the state government to curb rising criminal activities, particularly at night.

The police said the restriction on motorcycles begins at 8 pm, while tricycles are barred from operating from 10 pm.

The command also dismissed allegations circulating in a viral video by one Ishak Abubakar, popularly known as “Major”, who claimed he was assaulted by police officers and denied his fundamental rights.

The police described the allegation as false and misleading, stating that it was aimed at discrediting the command and undermining security operations in the state.

According to the statement, the incident occurred on April 18, 2026, when officials of the Bauchi State Road Traffic Agency (BAROTA) were enforcing the executive order at the Wunti under-flyover within the Bauchi metropolis.

The agency reportedly intercepted some riders for violating the restriction, after which the suspects allegedly contacted Abubakar, who arrived at the scene and confronted the enforcement team.

The police said Abubakar allegedly obstructed the officials, insulted them, and attempted to incite riders against the enforcement exercise, thereby causing a disturbance.

Following a report to the A Division Police Headquarters, officers were deployed to the scene, and the suspect was arrested for further investigation.

The command further stated that while in custody, the suspect allegedly continued to behave violently and hit parts of his body against the cell structure, an action which officers documented.

Police said Abubakar was subsequently arraigned before a magistrate’s court on April 20, 2026, on charges bordering on obstruction, assault, and insulting public officers in the discharge of their duties.

The command noted that an investigation team has also been constituted to review all aspects of the incident and ensure due process.

Police reaffirm motorcycle, tricycle restrictions in Bauchi

The Adamawa State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has intercepted 107 migrants residing illegally in the state.

Parading the suspected irregular migrants, the State Comptroller of Immigration, Sani Jega, said the interception followed coordinated surveillance and intelligence operations carried out across identified locations.

Of the 107 undocumented individuals apprehended, 77 are Cameroonians, 21 are Nigeriens, six are Burkinabe nationals, and three are Chadians.

Further investigation and profiling revealed that the Cameroonian and Chadian nationals are suspected of involvement in job scam operations.

The NIS State Command Controller appealed to members of the public to be vigilant and promptly report any suspicious movement or activities involving irregular migrants to the nearest immigration formation.

Nigeria Immigration intercepts 107 irregular migrants in Adamawa

No fewer than 200 casual workers disengaged by the Bauchi State Ministry of Education have appealed to the state governor, Bala Mohammed, to consider them for permanent employment.

The affected workers, who served as fingerprint terminal operators, appealed to their chairman, Musa Alfa, in a statement issued on Friday.

Alfa described the disengagement as unjust, expressing what he termed “deep pain and a strong sense of injustice” over the development.

He said, “For over seven years, we have faithfully served as fingerprint terminal operators, dedicating our time, energy, and lives to supporting the education system in Bauchi State. Despite being on casual appointment, we carried out our duties with sacrifice, commitment, sincerity, and fear of God.”

According to him, the operators played a critical role in strengthening discipline and accountability in schools by ensuring teachers’ attendance and punctuality.

“Our work has not been ordinary—we ensured teachers reported to duty on time and carried out their lessons effectively, thereby supporting teaching and learning across the state,” he added.

Alfa, however, lamented that despite their years of service, they were disengaged without prior notice, fair hearing, or consideration of their contributions.

“It is heartbreaking and deeply painful that after all these years of sacrifice, we were suddenly disengaged without legal warning or fair hearing,” he said.

He further noted that the decision has thrown many families into hardship, as most of the affected workers depend solely on the job for survival.

“Today, this decision has thrown over 200 households into hardship, uncertainty, and emotional distress. Some of us have no other source of income and are struggling to feed our families,” he stated.

The chairman urged the state government to reconsider the decision and include them in the ongoing recruitment exercise, citing their experience and qualifications.

“We are already trained and experienced. Many of us hold ND, NCE, and degree certificates. All we ask for is fairness, compassion, and an opportunity to continue contributing to the development of our state,” he said.

The group specifically called for the immediate review of their disengagement, reinstatement into service, and priority consideration in the ongoing employment process.

When contacted, the Information Officer of the Bauchi State Ministry of Education, Jalaluddeen Usman, confirmed that the ministry was aware of the disengagement but declined to comment on the workers’ appeal.

“There is no reaction as regards their appeal,” he said.

Disengaged Bauchi education workers seek permanent employment

A new hearing date has been set in the long-running trial of former domestic workers of ex-First Lady Patience Jonathan after weeks of delays and growing public attention.

A source familiar with the case told SaharaReporters, “The new date is May 22. The Chief Judge later surrendered to the pressure from the media.”

The update comes amid claims by relatives of the detained workers, who accuse authorities in Bayelsa State of interfering with the judicial process to keep the accused in custody.

The workers have been in detention since 2019 over allegations that they stole jewellery said to belong to the former First Lady. According to reports, they have also faced renewed intimidation, especially after recent media coverage highlighted their situation.

A family source alleged that prison officials increased threats against the detainees, claiming there were instructions from the state government to keep them locked up indefinitely and to prevent the chief judge from handling the case.

The source also suggested that the delays may be politically driven, alleging that powerful figures connected to the former First Lady could be influencing the process ahead of the 2027 elections.

The case has lasted for over five years and has reached a stage at which the defendants were expected to present their defence. However, repeated adjournments, the absence of the presiding judge, and failure to set hearing dates have slowed progress.

Family members insist the prosecution has not proven its case, arguing that key confessions were forced.

Some defendants earlier told the court they were tortured during interrogation.

The prolonged detention has affected the health of the accused. One of them, Sahabi Liman, died after his condition worsened while in custody, raising concerns about prison conditions.

“My father was granted bail about three years ago to treat himself. At some point, he improved, but his condition worsened again,” his son said.

“I was with him the night before he died. Around midnight, we got a call that he had passed away.”

Family members blamed his death on the physical and emotional stress caused by the long detention without resolution. Sources also said several of the remaining defendants are dealing with serious health issues and have limited access to proper medical care.

Fifteen domestic workers were arrested in 2019 over claims that they stole jewellery reportedly worth hundreds of millions of naira. Since then, one has died, while the others remain in custody, still denying the allegations.

Court fixes May 22 for trial of Patience Jonathan’s ex-domestic workers

The Nigeria Police Force, through the Force Intelligence Department – Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS), has recorded a major operational breakthrough with the arrest of three (3) notorious armed robbery suspects and the recovery of ten (10) stolen vehicles in Kaduna State.

The suspects; Abubakar Musa (36), Hassan Umar (30), and Joshua Raphael (20), were apprehended on 16th March 2026 in Kaduna State.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the principal suspect, Abubakar Musa, is a dismissed Corporal of the Nigerian Army who has been impersonating a serving soldier to evade detection while carrying out armed robbery operations with his accomplices.

Further findings indicate that the syndicate specialized in the theft and movement of stolen vehicles, often removing or altering registration details to conceal their identity and ownership.

The operation led to the recovery of ten (10) vehicles of various brands, including Toyota Hilux trucks, Toyota Corolla cars, a Pontiac Vibe GT, a Honda vehicle, a Lexus car, and a Toyota RAV4 SUV, with several of the vehicles found without registration numbers.

Investigations are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and recover additional exhibits.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, commends the operatives for their professionalism and reiterates the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to combating criminal activities and ensuring the safety of lives and property.

A former governorship aspirant in Zamfara State, Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has petitioned the Department of State Services, DSS, over what he described as attacks on former Governorship Candidate in Zamfara State and All Progressives Congress, APC, Chieftain, Abdulaziz Yari by one Jackson Ude and some media houses.

Shinkafi, who is the Executive Director of Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development, directed Dexter Law Firm to petition the Inspector General of Police and Director General and the, DSS.

The acknowledged copies of the letters from the DSS and the office of the IGP were sighted by the DAILY POST on Friday.

The petition titled ‘Complaint of Criminal Defamation, Libel and Cybercrime’, said that false statements are injurious to the integrity and character of Yari and others affected.

DAILY POST learned that on the 16th day of April, 2026 Ude was said to have made false statements and allegations against Yari, claiming “that the former governor is sharing billions to politicians, keeping the records for blackmail purposes and lobbying to become Vice President should President Bola Tinubu decide to drop Vice President Kashim Shetima.”

The petition said the above false statements are injurious to the character of Senator Yari and are aimed at defaming his hard earned reputation.

“It is unfathomable to people of good conscience that a person who has participated in building goodwill and good character will now be part of its destruction,” the petition file by A.Y Salihu ESQ, for Dexter Law Firm, said.

“The above statements were targeted at the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, the Presidency and close associates and members of the ruling party like “The First Lady – Senator Remi Tinubu, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress- Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, Senator Abdulaziz Yari and Gilbert Chargoury etc.

“Jackson Ude is acting and working on behalf of the opposition parties in Nigeria to destroy the image of the strong associates of the Presidency as mentioned above and to defame them as general elections are fast approaching.

“In line with the provisions of the law, Jackson Ude and others should be put to the strictest investigations and form of proof in line with the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act 2024. They should also face the full consequences of the law.”

The petitioner asked that the DSS and security authorities invite all those mentioned in the petition for questioning.

“In order to safeguard the fundamental rights of our client, its affected members and Senator Abdulaziz Yari and prevent further criminal defamation of character, we urge your good office to investigate this matter thoroughly.

“The Executive Directors of our client are available and willing to give maximum cooperation to security agencies for a thorough investigation of the purported allegations as contained in the statements of these amorphous persons who are ill motivated to blackmail esteemed individuals and heat up the polity for the government.”

2027: Shinkafi petitions DSS, IGP over alleged defamation of ex-Zamfara Gov, Yari

 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announces he was diagnosed with prostate cancer  but says it was caught at a very early stage and fully treated.

He adds the tumor showed no spread, and after targeted treatment, he’s now describing his health as “excellent.”

Netanyahu requested a delay of his medical report to not be released during the height of the war.