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The Headquarters of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army and Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke has dismissed reports circulating on social media that the late Commanding Officer of the 20 Model Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Emmanuel Gabriel Okoye, was killed in a bandit attack.
In a statement issued on Thursday by Lieutenant Umar Muhammad, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, the Army described the reports as misleading, inaccurate, and devoid of verified facts.

According to the statement, Lt. Col. Okoye died on June 13, 2026, after a brief illness and not as a result of any operational incident or attack by bandits, contrary to claims made on some social media platforms.

“The circumstances surrounding his demise are clear and have been duly communicated through official channels,” the statement said.

The Army expressed concern over what it described as the growing spread of false narratives regarding the officer’s death, noting that such speculation was not only misleading but also insensitive to the bereaved family and the institution.

It warned that the circulation of unverified information could create unnecessary anxiety among military personnel, their families, and members of the public.

The Brigade further lamented that some individuals and media platforms had chosen to speculate about the death of the senior officer without seeking confirmation from official sources.

Consequently, the Army urged journalists and members of the public to disregard the reports and avoid sharing unsubstantiated claims that could undermine public confidence and dishonour the memory of the deceased officer.

The statement reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to transparency, professionalism, and responsible information dissemination, while encouraging the public to seek clarifications through official military communication channels.

Army discloses what led to battalion commander Okoye’s death

The governorship candidate for the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, in Kano State and former Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, has called on the Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf to present solid evidence to back his claims that funds were diverted from local government councils via his (Gwarzo) son, Mujahid Aminu Abdussalam.

Gwarzo’s remarks came in response to statements made by the spokesperson for Governor Yusuf, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa that funds from local government councils were funneled to the former deputy governor through his son.

In a statement released on Thursday by his spokesperson, Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu, Comrade Gwarzo characterized the allegations as unfounded, outrageous, and a completely absurd effort to damage his well-established integrity throughout his public service.

“These allegations are simply products of the Governor’s imagination and lack any factual basis. We therefore firmly challenge the accuser to present credible and verifiable evidence to support these malicious claims. Mere accusations, regardless of how frequently they are repeated in the media, do not constitute proof,” the statement continued.

The NDC governorship candidate asserted that throughout his career in public service, he has adhered to the principles of transparency, accountability, and the rule of law.

He expressed his belief that the truth will eventually come to light and urged the public to dismiss what he termed as baseless allegations.

Kano: ‘Provide evidence of fund diversion’ – NDC guber candidate, Gwarzo challenges Gov Yusuf 

 Terrorists suspected to be bandits have attacked an 18-seater passenger bus along the Kabba–Okene Road in Kogi State, abducting all passengers on board.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, shortly after the vehicle passed the vicinity of Kogi State University in Kabba.

It was gathered that the white commercial bus was intercepted by heavily armed attackers who forced the vehicle to a stop before whisking away all occupants to an unknown destination.

A local platform, Egbe Makun Parrot, reported that the assailants carried out the operation along the highway, a route that has witnessed growing security concerns in recent years.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers led the passengers into a nearby bush while leaving the vehicle behind at the scene.

As of the time of filing this report, the abandoned bus was still reportedly at the location where the attack occurred, while the whereabouts of the victims remained unknown.

The latest incident has created fears among commuters and residents who regularly travel along the Kabba–Okene Road, with many calling on security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the highway and rescue the abducted passengers.

It was previously reported that suspected armed robbers have shot and killed a serving officer of the Nigeria Police Force, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Sunday Idakwo, while he was on duty along the Lokoja-Abuja Expressway.

A top security source told SaharaReporters on Wednesday that the slain officer, ASP Idakwo, was attached to the Safer Highway Patrol of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command.

According to the source, the officer was carrying out his official duties when he came under attack from armed robbers operating along the highway.

“This ASP Sunday Idakwo, attached to the Safer Highway Patrol, FCT Command, was killed today while on duty along the Lokoja-Abuja Expressway. He was attacked by armed robbers,” the source said.

The circumstances surrounding the attack were still unclear as of the time of filing this report. 

However, security sources said the incident has heightened concerns over the growing insecurity on major highways across the country, particularly routes linking the Federal Capital Territory to other parts of Nigeria.  

SR

The police in Lagos state have arrested two ladies identified as Shallon Daniels, 22, and Peace Ijeoma, 27, for blackmailing online business vendors and taking their business pages down if they fail to pay a ransom.

Several business owners had lodged a complaint at the Lagos police command, Special Crime Investigation Department SCID against the suspects. 

The business owners alleged that the suspects and others currently at large created a group called ‘Witches of China’ that churns out defamatory and libelous publications against some online vendors and publishes them if the online vendors fail to pay the ransom demanded. 

The suspects and their cohorts then massively report the business pages of their victims who fail to pay the ransom demanded until the business page gets deactivated. 

The victims told the police that the actions of the suspects caused them fear, emotional distress, and substantial damage to their business reputation. The victims also told the police that they suffered financial losses as a result of the actions of the suspects and their accomplices.

Following a discreet investigation, the police successfully nabbed two of the suspects.

Confirming their arrest to LIB, the command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, called on other victims who are yet to report to come forward and give their statements.

She said the suspects will be charged to court when the investigation into the matter is concluded.

A 26-year-old legal practitioner has d!ed after reportedly suffering a cardiac arrest while celebrating Ghana’s victory over Panama in their opening match of the FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.

The deceased, Sara Araba Tettey, a newly qualified lawyer and alumna of the Faculty of Law at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), was said to have collapsed moments after jubilant scenes erupted following the Black Stars’ victory.

Local media reported that Ms Tettey, who was called to the Ghana Bar earlier this year, was working with O & A Legal Consult and was widely regarded by colleagues and friends as one of the country’s promising young legal professionals.

According to eyewitness accounts, she was watching the match with friends at Standard Hostel, a private student hostel at Bomso near the KNUST campus in Kumasi, when she suddenly became unresponsive amid celebrations after the final whistle.

Friends and other patrons at the hostel immediately rushed her to the KNUST Hospital, where medical personnel battled to save her life.

Sources indicated that doctors and emergency responders administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for approximately 45 minutes in an effort to revive her. 

Despite the intensive medical intervention, she was pronounced d3ad shortly afterwards.

Friends and former classmates described Ms Tettey, affectionately known as “Araba Tettey,” as intelligent, hardworking, compassionate and full of promise.

The body has been deposited at the hospital mortuary pending autopsy and funeral arrangements.

•Names them after Obi of Onitsha, Chinua Achebe United Nigeria Airlines has unveiled two Boeing 737-800NG aircraft, named after two Igbo icons: the Obi of Onitsha, His Majesty Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe, and the late literary giant, Professor Chinua Achebe. The unveiling held on Thursday, 18th June, 2026, was unique as it was not framed […]

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RE: MISLEADING REPORTS ON THE DEATH OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL EMMANUEL GABRIEL OKOYE

The attention of Headquarters 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke has been drawn to a publication circulating on social media containing misleading and inaccurate information regarding the death of the late Commanding Officer of 20 Model Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Emmanuel Gabriel Okoye.

For the avoidance of doubt, Lieutenant Colonel Emmanuel Gabriel Okoye passed away on 13 June 2026 after a brief illness. His death was neither the result of a bandit attack nor any operational incident, as falsely insinuated in some social media reports. The circumstances surrounding his demise are clear and have been duly communicated through official channels.

The dissemination of unverified information and speculation regarding the cause of his death is not only misleading but also insensitive to the deceased officer’s family and the Nigerian Army.

The Nigerian Army is concerned about the spread of false narratives capable of causing unnecessary anxiety among its personnel, their families, and members of the public. It is regrettable that some individuals and platforms have chosen to speculate about the death of a distinguished officer without recourse to verified facts or official sources.

Accordingly, the Brigade urges members of the public and media practitioners to disregard these misleading reports and refrain from sharing unsubstantiated information that undermines public confidence and disrespects the memory of the deceased officer.

Headquarters 6 Brigade Nigerian Army remains committed to transparency, professionalism, and the responsible dissemination of information. Members of the public are encouraged to seek clarification through official military communication channels.

Lieutenant Colonel Emmanuel Gabriel Okoye served the nation with dedication, professionalism, and honour. The Nigerian Army continues to mourn his passing and prays for the peaceful repose of his soul.

UMAR MUHAMMAD 

Lieutenant 

Acting Assistant Director 

Army Public Relations 

6 Brigade Nigerian Army 

18 June  2026

 The National Leader of NDC Senator Seriake Dickson has announced the death of one of his aides DSP Zamani Tanko rtd in a road a cash in Abuja 

His post

It is with deep sadness that I announce the sudden passing of my beloved departed aide DSP Zamani Tanko (RTD) who over the years has become a brother and member of my family, who served Nigeria loyalty as a police officer for 35 years and was my personal staff handling sundry issues in addition to his security responsibilities. 

Yesterday morning, I received a sudden call that he was involved in an accident having appeared to have collided with a truck in Abuja. He became unconscious and was rushed to the hospital. My aides rushed to the scene and took him to the National Hospital. I rushed there myself after I was informed. We made arrangements for prompt medical treatments which were offered but unfortunately after the surgery by a team of surgeons assembled to bring him back to life, we received a call later that afternoon that he could not make it. 

I, my entire family and members of my staff have been devastated since this call. 

On behalf of my family and member of my staff who are all mourning, we thank Zamani Tanko for his loyal, faithful and dedicated service to our country and his humble and loyal service to me in the past fifteen years during which time he had become not only one of my most trusted aides but also a trusted family member. He was fundly called ‘uncle Zamani’ by my family members who right now are devastated as a result of his passing. 

I pray God to comfort his wife, family and grant his soul eternal rest as we work with his family to give him a befitting funeral. 

Yesterday evening upon hearing the sad news, I received our presidential candidate; Mr Peter Obi who visited and spent time consoling me and my family. The national chairman of the NDC Senator Moses Cleopas also led a team of the working committee to visit me. I also thank Alhaji Buba Galadima who also visited to condole with me. I thank them all for their prompt visit upon hearing the sad news. 

I wait to work with the family on the burial programs at which I expect a number of people to join me and the family to bid him a final farewell. 

Adieu Zamani!

A Lagos high court in Ikeja has dismissed claims by Helen Prest-Ajayi, the former beauty queen, that she is the sole and lawful widow of Tosin Ajayi, founder of First Foundation Hospital.

The ruling came in response to a suit filed by Adenike Oluyemisi Ajayi and her children, who challenged Prest’s assertion of being Ajayi’s only wife and her contestation over the ownership of his estate.

During earlier hearings, Adenike had referred to Prest as a concubine, while Prest maintained that she entered into a traditional Kalabari marriage with Ajayi in 1996, conducted under Kalabari native law and custom with her family’s full consent.

She presented photographic evidence showing Ajayi with members of her family to support her claim. Prest also argued that Adenike had left the matrimonial home and become estranged, making her the de facto sole wife.

However, Oluwatoyin Odusanya, the presiding judge, ruled against Prest on Wednesday.

The court declared Adenike as the sole and lawful wife of Ajayi, holding that separation, no matter how prolonged, does not automatically dissolve a valid marriage under Nigerian law. As such, Adenike remains legally married to the deceased.

The court dismissed Prest’s claim of a Kalabari customary marriage, adding that she failed to provide sufficient evidence to support it, including photographs, as well as the date and venue of the alleged ceremony.

The court said that even if the marriage had been proven, it would still be invalid, as evidence showed that Prest was still legally married to her ex-husband Davies.

Odusanya also described the claim as an “afterthought” and pointed out inconsistencies in Prest’s earlier statements in court.

The judge said in previous suits, Prest had variously described herself as a common-law partner and at another time as being in a civil-law union with the deceased.

Odusanya also ruled that Adenike is entitled to one-third of Ajayi’s personal estate and is the only person qualified to apply for letters of administration over his estate.

The judgment settled the dispute at the high court level and granted Adenike and her children all the reliefs they sought in the case, while Prest’s claim to be recognised as the late hospital founder’s spouse was dismissed.

Prest became Miss Nigeria at the age of 19 in 1979 and went on to represent Nigeria at the Miss World 1979 pageant. She has three daughters, one of whom was with Ajayi.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has identified four critical priorities for Nigeria as the country seeks to harness the growing use of dollar-pegged stablecoins for cross-border payments while safeguarding monetary stability and financial integrity. In a new Country Focus note released as part of Nigeria’s 2026 Article IV consultation, the IMF said stablecoins have emerged […]

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