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Six ISWAP fighters surrender to troops in Borno

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Six suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province, alongside their family members, have surrendered to troops of the 192 Battalion, Sector 1, Operation Hadin Kai, in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

The Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Lt. Col. Mohammed Goni, who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, said preliminary investigations revealed that the group fled from the Guduf Bubayagwa and Chikide terrorist enclaves in the Mandara Mountains of Gwoza LGA.

The statement read, “The Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), has continued to sustain its operational momentum across the North-East Theatre, recording another series of significant successes through relentless search-and-rescue operations, intelligence-led missions and coordinated security efforts aimed at denying terrorist groups freedom of action.”

In Askira/Uba Local Government Area, Goni said troops of the 115 Task Force Battalion, on July 7, 2026, while conducting ongoing search-and-rescue operations, successfully rescued two additional abductees from a terrorist hideout.

“During the operation, troops recovered cash totalling One Million, Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N1.2m), suspected to be proceeds of criminal activities, as well as food items and other logistics believed to have supported terrorist operations,” he said.

He added that the rescued victims had been evacuated to a secure location, where they were receiving medical care and psychosocial support.

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“Additionally, six suspected ISWAP terrorists, alongside their families, surrendered to troops of the 192 Battalion (Main), Sector 1, OPHK. Preliminary investigations revealed that the families escaped from the Guduf Bubayagwa and Chikide terrorist enclaves in the Mandara Mountains, Gwoza LGA.

“Items recovered from the terrorists and their families include the cumulative sum of One Million, Five Hundred and Forty-One Thousand, Five Hundred Naira (N1,541,500), two Tecno mobile phones and other items,” he stated.

The army spokesman also said troops apprehended a suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP logistics supplier at the Molai checkpoint while in possession of large quantities of medical supplies without the required clearance.

“The suspect and the items are in custody for further interrogation,” he said.

During the same period, Goni said troops of Operation Hadin Kai deployed at the Forward Operating Base, Logomani, in Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State, under Sector 1, successfully repelled a coordinated attack by ISWAP terrorists.

“Although the insurgents briefly breached a section of the base’s defensive perimeter during the intense firefight, the troops rapidly regrouped, mounted a determined counter-offensive and decisively repelled the attackers, inflicting significant casualties and forcing the surviving terrorists to flee with varying degrees of gunshot wounds.

“Regrettably, one gallant soldier paid the supreme price, while two gun trucks and some combat enablers were damaged during the engagement,” he said.

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According to him, the situation at FOB Logomani remains firmly under the control of Operation Hadin Kai troops, with reinforcements deployed, exploitation operations ongoing and additional measures being implemented to strengthen the base’s defensive capability.

In another operation, Goni said troops of the 232 Battalion, acting on credible intelligence, arrested a notorious criminal in Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

He added that follow-up operations led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, two magazines and 28 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

“The suspect and recovered items are currently in military custody, while further investigations are underway to identify and apprehend other members of the criminal network,” he said.

Meanwhile, troops of the 149 Battalion also arrested two suspected terrorist logistics suppliers in Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno State.

Recovered items included cash, a Volkswagen Golf car, construction materials, household items and other supplies suspected to have been destined for terrorist elements.

“The suspects are currently undergoing interrogation, while the recovered items remain in military custody as investigations continue,” he added.

As part of ongoing offensive operations, Goni said troops of the 24 Task Force Brigade, in conjunction with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, carried out a clearance operation on known terrorist enclaves around Wulgo.

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“During the operation, troops exploited the terrorists’ hasty withdrawal and recovered a sack containing assorted illicit drugs abandoned by the fleeing insurgents,” he said.

He noted that the recovery further demonstrated the sustained pressure being mounted on terrorist groups, disrupting their operations and denying them freedom of movement.

In Sector 2, troops of the 233 Tank Battalion, in conjunction with hunters, intercepted and arrested a suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP logistics supplier from Ngirya village in Tarmuwa Local Government Area with five motorcycle tyres.

“The suspect and the items are in military custody for investigation,” he added.

According to Goni, the latest operational gains underscore the effectiveness of sustained offensive operations, actionable intelligence and collaboration among security agencies and auxiliary forces in dismantling terrorist logistics networks, disrupting criminal activities and protecting vulnerable communities across the North-East.

“Headquarters Operation HADIN KAI assures the public that ongoing search-and-rescue operations will continue with unwavering resolve until every abducted person is accounted for and safely reunited with their families,” he said.

He also warned individuals supplying food, fuel, construction materials, transportation or any other form of logistics to terrorist groups to desist immediately.

“Anyone found aiding, abetting or collaborating with terrorist elements, directly or indirectly, will be identified, apprehended and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” the statement added.

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EFCC says it froze Osun account over ‘fraudulent handling’ of N11bn ecological, intervention funds

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has explained that it froze the bank account of the Osun state government over alleged fraudulent handling of N11 billion ecological and intervention funds.

The anti-graft agency, in a statement on Wednesday, said it has been investigating the Osun state government since March regarding the alleged mishandling of the funds.

According to the agency, some officials of the state government, including the accountant-general of the state, had been interviewed by EFCC investigators.

The agency said amid the probe, it observed that huge transfers of funds were being made from the account into different corporate entities since August 2.

“These ongoing investigations of the state government would not have warranted any placement of Post No Debit order on its account but for the precipitate and unwarranted movement of funds from the accounts to different suspicious accounts since August 2, 2026,” the statement reads.

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“The Commission noticed huge transfers of funds into different corporate entities and had to swiftly halt the trend by freezing the accounts from which such heavy funds are being moved.

“The EFCC’s preventive mandate is a public-inclined framework of safeguarding public funds, assets and resources.

“The Commission cannot watch idly while a state government’s account is being pillaged.”

The anti-graft agency said it is aware of the forthcoming Osun governorship election, adding that it is “uncharitable” to overlook the huge transfers of funds over the “excuse of an upcoming election”.

“The Osun State government account was frozen to save public funds from being looted,” the agency said.

In a letter dated August 5, 2026, and signed by Adenike Babalola, assistant commander of the EFCC on behalf of the director of investigation, the anti-graft agency directed First Bank not to allow withdrawals from the Osun state government’s statutory allocation account as part of an ongoing investigation.

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The agency instructed the bank to place a post-no-debit restriction on the account pending the conclusion of the probe.

Reacting to the development, Ademola Adeleke, Osun governor, said the state government will not accept a situation in which federal government agencies trample upon the rights of subnational governments.

Adeleke said the Osun government has been witnessing numerous sponsored attacks, including the harassment of Accord party members and the move to stall the operations of LGAs in the state.

Adeleke said he has directed the attorney-general of the state to challenge the “illegality”.

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Osun threatens lawsuit as EFCC freezes govt account 10 days to election

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Less than 24 hours after Governor Ademola Adeleke alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was planning to freeze the state government account domiciled with First Bank, the anti-graft agency has reportedly freezed the account, according to Vanguard.

The account, reportedly used for the payment of workers’ salaries, was placed on “Post No Debit” status by the anti-graft agency.

The development came hours after Governor Ademola Adeleke raised the alarm that the EFCC was planning to freeze the state government’s accounts and those of top government officials ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

In a statement issued earlier on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, Adeleke described the alleged move as an attempt to cripple government activities before the poll.

The governor had insisted that there was no legal basis for freezing the accounts of a state government, arguing that the EFCC lacked the statutory powers to take such action.

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However, a source reportedly told Vanguard that the account had already been restricted.

“I can confirm that the state government account has been frozen by the EFCC. It is no longer an allegation. The governor will address the press shortly to update the public on the situation,” the source reportedly told Vanguard.

The reason for the restriction was not immediately known as of the time of filing this report.

The EFCC had yet to issue an official statement on the development.

The development comes as Osun prepares for its August 15 governorship election, with the account restriction expected to generate political reactions ahead of the poll.

Meanwhile, the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, had said he has the mandate of the governor to sue the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for freezing the government accounts.

Jimi-Bada said a ‘Post no debit’ letter from the EFCC was forwarded to the management of the First Bank where Osun government accounts were domiciled on Wednesday.

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The commissioner, who expressed readiness to proceed to court, said the move by the anti-graft agency may hamper government’s business, noted that Governor Ademola Adeleke was not using state funds to run its campaign for reelection.

“I have the mandate of the governor to proceed to the Federal High Court to challenge this move. EFCC can investigate the accounts but it can’t freeze the accounts without order of court.

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WAEC releases 2026 WASSCE results, withholds 167,486 candidate’s results over malpractice 

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The West African Examinations Council says it is withholding the results of 167,486 candidates, representing 8.59 per cent of those who sat the 2026 Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination for School candidates, over alleged examination malpractice.

This was disclosed by the Head of WAEC Nigeria National Office, Dr Amos Dangut, who announced the release of the results in Lagos on Wednesday.

The number of withheld reults, however, represents a decline from the 9.7 per cent recorded in 2025.

Dangut said the council withheld the affected results due to various infractions, including the increasing use of mobile phones in examination halls despite the existing ban and organised cheating in some schools.

“The increasing use of cell phones in the examination hall, in spite of the existing ban, and organised cheating in some schools, are other nagging issues,” Dangut said.

He added that some supervisors and invigilators found assisting candidates in malpractice had been arrested and would face disciplinary action through the relevant state ministries of education.

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A total of 1,959,668 candidates from 24,207 schools registered for the examination across Nigeria, Benin Republic, Côte d’Ivoire and Equatorial Guinea, while 1,950,726 candidates eventually sat for the examination.

1,200,514 candidates (61.54 per cent) obtained credits and above in at least five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.

1,687,378 candidates (86.50 per cent) secured credits and above in a minimum of five subjects, with or without English Language and Mathematics.

The number of candidates who obtained credits in five subjects including English and Mathematics dropped by 1.42 percentage points compared with the 2025 examination.

Of the 1.2 million candidates who achieved credits in English and Mathematics:

558,883 (28.65 per cent) were male.

641,631 (32.89 per cent) were female.

Overall, 997,267 females (51.12 per cent) and 953,459 males (48.88 per cent) participated in the examination.

WAEC said 1,834,695 candidates, representing 94.05 per cent, had their results fully processed and released, while the results of 116,031 candidates (5.95 per cent) were still being processed.

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The council also disclosed that 1,213 candidates with special needs participated in the examination. They included:

137 visually impaired candidates;

491 candidates with hearing impairment;

55 spastic and mentally challenged candidates; and

41 physically challenged candidates.

The 2026 examination marked the second edition of the Computer-Based WASSCE for School Candidates, following the introduction of the format by WAEC.

Dangut said the council introduced several innovations, including the Digital Examiner Mark System to improve the speed of processing results, serialisation of question papers to curb malpractice, and a new portal that allows candidates to generate e-PINs directly for checking their results.

The examination was conducted between April 24 and June 19, 2026, with 102,708 examiners involved in marking across 88 marking venues.

Dangut, who described the briefing as his third and final engagement as WAEC Nigeria National Office head, said candidates sponsored by states indebted to the council would not have their results released until the outstanding payments were cleared.

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