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The United States has praised Nigeria for a landmark mass terrorism trial that concluded this past week, in which 386 suspected militants linked to Boko Haram and the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) were convicted in just four days.

U.S. Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs Massad Boulos posted the commendation on X on Sunday, stating: “The United States commends the Nigerian government for its strong commitment to expediting trials addressing terrorism and related crimes.

We welcome the convictions of 386 Islamist militants in cases that had previously faced significant delays in the courts, and we recognize this as an important step toward accountability and justice.” Boulos emphasised the importance of efficient and transparent judicial processes in tackling insecurity and strengthening public confidence in the legal system.

The trial, which marked the ninth phase of Nigeria’s mass terrorism trial exercise, commenced on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, and concluded on Friday, April 10.

Defendants were arraigned before 10 judges of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, despite the Easter vacation period that commenced on the same day.

A total of 508 defendants were brought before the courts. Of those, 386 were convicted and sentenced to various jail terms ranging from five years to life imprisonment based on the gravity of the charges and their courtroom confessions.

Eight defendants were discharged while two were acquitted. A batch of 112 suspects whose cases could not be concluded will be arraigned in the next phase scheduled for June 15 to 18, 2026.

Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, commended the ten Federal High Court judges for sacrificing their Easter holiday to serve in the special courts, calling their efforts a demonstration of commitment to justice and national security.

He also noted that Amnesty International, the Nigerian Bar Association, the National Human Rights Commission, and other civil society groups monitored the proceedings to ensure transparency and adherence to due process.

Beyond punishment, courts also ordered rehabilitation and de-radicalisation for many of the convicts, aimed at reintegrating them into society and preventing future violence.

The convictions mark a significant milestone in Nigeria’s long-running battle against insurgency in the northeast, which has displaced millions of people over the past decade.

U.S. Commends Nigeria For Convicting 386 ‘Islamist Militants’ is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has criticised supporters of Peter Obi, describing them as “monsters” and warning that they could undermine his political ambitions ahead of the 2027 elections.

In a series of posts on X on Sunday, Dabiri-Erewa said the former Labour Party presidential candidate bears responsibility for the conduct of his supporters, popularly known as Obidients.

“@PeterObi has actually raised monsters. By God’s grace @officialABAT will win the 2027 elections. When it’s the turn of the south east and who knows, if the lot falls on him, I hope he knows that these obingos/ Obi-dients will ironically be his downfall. He needs to call them to order,” she wrote.

The NiDCOM chairman doubled down on her position in subsequent posts, insisting that the behaviour of Obi’s supporters could ultimately harm his political prospects if not addressed.

“They will eventually be Peter Obi’s downfall if he does not call them to order,” she added in response to another user’s comment.

Dabiri-Erewa also defended her decision to engage critics online, rejecting the notion that her role as a public official should prevent her from responding to attacks.

“This is my personal account. You can hack it again if you so wish. So because I’m a public official, I should keep quiet to Rada Rada rede rede of @PeterObi’s toxic obidients??” she wrote.

Her remarks followed the reactions of Obi’s supporters to her earlier post about her meeting with Nigerians in Silicon Valley, California.

“While in Silicon Valley, California, I met with incredible Nigerian professionals with a passion to contributing to Nigeria’s growth . I could not leave Silicon Valley without a ride in a driverless car .Special thanks to Kunle Adeyemo for the ride and the tour,” she tweeted.

The post Peter Obi raised monsters, Obidients will be his downfall - Abike Dabiri appeared first on Vanguard News.

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The Secretary, New Nigerian Peoples Party, Enugu State, and Chairman, Kwankwasiyya Northern Movement, Southeast, Hon Aliyu Adamu Kwankwaso, weekend, drummed support for a joint ticket of Mr Peter Obi and Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso during the 2027 presidential election.

Aliyu, who spoke in Enugu, said Mr Obi should be the presidential candidate while Senator Kwankwaso should be his vice. According to him, the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians should be placed above personal reasons. THE WHISTLER reports that in 2023, Obi ran for the president under the Labour Party while Kwankwaso bore the flag of the NNPP. Both of them have joined the African Democratic Congress.

Hon Adamu said Obi and Kwankwaso share common ideologies that are capable of moving Nigeria to the next level. According to him, “The Kwankwasiyya Movement is built on ideology. This ideology is built around the youths and how to make a better society. You can attest to what I am saying from what is happening in Kano. Despite the incumbent governor decamping to the APP, the masses in Kano have shown that they are still with Senator Kwankwaso. We in NNPP have shown that we are with Kwankwaso.”

He said Obi and Kwankwaso did not work together during the 2023 election because of the political dynamics then. “No reasonable Nigerian should be happy that Kwankwaso and Obi were not able to work together in 2023. Politics they say is a game of interest. I recall that a committee was set up then, and we had many meetings with some stakeholders of then Labour Party. Kwankwaso was in for that discussion. Kwankwaso was still looking at the events in Kano then.

“Then Kwankwaso was of the belief that he had an edge over Peter Obi. But under the current situation, there must be sacrifices. I am of the support that Peter Obi should be the presidential candidate. The interest now is not about who will be the president or not, but how to rescue Nigeria. Both of them have now realised that they need to work together. A typical northerner has shown his support for Obi. The courtship between Obi and Kwankwaso is going to yield good fruits to Nigerians.”

He advised Nigerians to forget the past and put the interest of the country first. “If we are going to live in the past, we cannot achieve one Nigeria. The future is giving us a good sign. That a typical northerner is today shouting that Obi can be a better president should give us hope. This is the time to get things right in the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.”

2027: Kwankwasiyya Faithful Declares Support For Obi Presidency is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

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Security operatives have destroyed suspected criminal hideouts and arrested one person during a joint operation in Kogi State.

Details of the operation were contained in a post shared on X on Sunday by security analyst Zagazola Makama.

According to the post, troops of the Nigerian Army’s 12 Brigade carried out the operation alongside personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and local vigilante groups in Omala Local Government Area.

The operation reportedly took place in the early hours of April 10 at Akpagogo Forest, under the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Omala.

The security team was said to have combed through the forest, during which they arrested a suspect accused of violating grazing regulations in the area.

A further search of the forest led to the discovery and destruction of camps believed to have been used by criminal elements as hideouts.

The suspect has since been handed over to the Divisional Police Headquarters in Abejukolo for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The operation is part of ongoing efforts by security agencies to clear criminal hideouts and improve safety in parts of Kogi State.

Security operatives destroy criminal hideouts, arrest suspect in Kogi

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APC legacy stakeholders have submitted three names to Abba Kabir Yusuf as nominees for the vacant Deputy Governor position.

In a statement issued in Kano on Sunday, Magaji Umar Gwammaja said the list includes Rabiu Sulaiman Bichi, Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, and Murtala Sule Garo.

He noted that the move follows the resignation of former Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo on March 27, 2026.

Gwammaja described the nominees as experienced leaders, adding that Bichi stands out for his administrative background across state and federal roles.

He also highlighted Rurum’s legislative experience and Garo’s long service in local government and the state executive council.

“The list will be forwarded to security agencies for proper screening to ensure they meet the required standards,” Gwammaja said.

He added that after the checks, the governor is expected to consult with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“This step will ensure national synergy and political alignment. After these high-level consultations, the governor will transmit the final selected name to the Kano State House of Assembly for formal screening and confirmation in accordance with constitutional provisions,” he said.

APC Legacy Group submits three nominees for Kano Deputy Governor vacancy