Category Nigeria News

A minor was saved during military operations in Plateau State’s Riyom region thanks to the 3 Division and Operation Safe Haven.

Major Samson Zhakom, the spokesman for Operation Safe Haven, made this disclosure in a statement released on Friday.

According to him, “Preliminary investigation revealed that the minor had been sold by his uncle, who is currently at large,” three years prior.

The boy’s family has since been reunited with him with the councillor for Zamko Ward in the state’s Langtang North Local Government Area, according to the army.

According to Zhakom, soldiers allegedly launched an ambush close to the Jeb community based on credible information from armed bandits seen along the Kampani–Kombodoro road in the Wase Local Government Area. &nbsp,

The criminals were forced to flee during the early hours of July 24, 2025, as a result of a firefight that saw troops engage them in. &nbsp,

Read more about the police’s arrest of a robbery in Akwa Ibom.

One AK-47 rifle, two magazines, and five rounds of 7.62mm (special) ammunition were recovered during a follow-up operation, according to &nbsp. He stated that efforts are being made to track down and apprehend the suspects.

He claimed that search efforts were still being made to locate the fugitive bandits.

Operation Safe Haven’s spokesman also reiterated the army’s commitment to taking swift action against all criminals who threaten regional stability.

See the following statement in its entirety:

PLATEAU STATE’S 3 DIVISION/OPERATION SAFE TROOPS HAVE RERECOVER WEAPON, AMMUNITION, AND RESCUE MINOR

According to reliable information, troops dumped ambush along bandits’ routes close to Jeb Community after spotting bandits riding on motorcycles and with AK-47 rifles along the Kampani – Kombodoro road in Plateau State’s Wase Local Government Area (LGA). In response, on July 24, 1920, troops made contact with the bandits and engaged them in a fierce firefight, causing the bandits to flee. One AK-47 rifle, two AK-47 magazines, and five rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition that the criminals had left behind were all recovered by the troops from the general area. &nbsp,

The recovered weapon and ammunition are being held for investigation. Meanwhile, troops are currently searching for the bandits who are fleeing.

Additionally, during raids carried out on criminals’ hideouts in the Riyom general area on July 22, 2025, troops rescued a 12-year-old boy. The boy’s uncle, who is currently at large, sold him out three years ago, according to a thorough investigation. The boy has been handed over to the Plateau State councilor for the Zamko Ward, who is supposed to bring the child to his immediate family. &nbsp,

Troops from the 3rd Division/Operation SAFE HAVEN continue to exploit people and are strong allies for criminal activity that needs to be traced and ended in the interest of national security. &nbsp,

Samson Nantip Zhakom&nbsp

Major

Media Information Officer

Operation SAFE HAVEN

Olufemi Thomas, a former executive secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), has been found guilty by the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, for breaking the country’s cash transaction cap law.

He was cleared of all charges of money laundering by the court, though.

Justice Olayinka Faji ruled that Thomas had been held legally innocent of all six of the charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC admitted during the trial that it had not established that the defendant had been unlawfully enriched and that it had not investigated several of his allegations during the trial.

In response, the court mandated that Thomas pay a 10 million dollar fine and the EFCC return all funds seized from him within 14 days.

Following his conviction on count 5, which involved making a payment in cash that was above the permitted $5 million threshold, the fine was levied.

The judge argued that “the act of paying above the cash threshold is a violation” even though it was not proven to be the result of unlawful activity.

Thomas was required to pay a 10 million dollar fine instead of going to jail and be unable to travel abroad until the fine has been paid in full.

Read more about the EFCC’s investigation into a suspect with undeclared $14, 567, and other foreign currency at Lagos Airport.

Kabiru Sidi, the only defendant in the case, was found guilty by the court, who was also on the same count as him because he falsely claimed to be the owner of $2.1 million during the EFCC’s investigation.

On a revised seven-count charge, Thomas and Sidi were first arraigned on June 28, 2017, for making false statements regarding the movement of $ 2,198,900 allegedly in cash.

The EFCC claimed that its Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 had arraigned the duo in a statement from its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale.

Money laundering and the unlawful transfer of cash, according to Thomas’ six charges, which were brought against him in a violation of the 2011 Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act (as amended).

On the other hand, Sidi was charged with lying to an EFCC official.

At the hearing, both men entered a not-guilty plea. In his final written statement, Ekele Iheanacho, the prosecution’s senior attorney of Nigeria, stated in his final written address that, “In accordance with the charge, the prosecution called six witnesses, and the defendant made a no-case submission,” which was overturned and later overturned by the Appellate Court on the grounds that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against the defendant.

The defendant argued that the defendant needed to demonstrate how legitimately he seized the funds when the law mandated. He claimed, among other things, that he had a large income from his farming businesses. His financial statement contained the proof that he had grown.

Iheanacho had also stated, “This is a case of money laundering, where the issue of concealment of transaction is crucial, and that is why the law mandates that such transactions go through financial institutions so that there will be a trial,” before closing his argument. Any claim that makes otherwise will violate Section 1 of the Money Laundering Act’s justification.

He therefore urged the court to reject the first and second defendants’ arguments and declare them innocent.

However, the court found the first defendant innocent on the money laundering counts in its decision.

Adijat Adeleye, the state’s commissioner for women’s affairs and social development, claims the state has taken custody of an abandoned 2-day-old child at the state’s Yewa South Local Government Area’s Sayedero Market.

The woman who found the baby last week and gave it to the police later learned.

However, the woman claimed that the baby disappeared after the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development intervened, urging “well-meaning members of the society to help me find the child” in two separate viral videos.

The commissioner responded to the video by stating that the baby was in good condition and that the ministry had given the baby proper custody after the police had obtained necessary documentation.

She claimed that the woman’s actions were an attempt to “emotionally blackmail the government and mislead the public” in an interview on Thursday in Abeokuta.

Ogun government denies renaming Tai Solarin University of Education.

The woman who found the baby’s alleged planned adoption was also rejected by the commissioner.

Because of the future, we don’t typically let those who are familiar with a baby’s history adopt him or her. In a setting where their stories are known, “we don’t put a child up for adoption,” she said.

Adeleye stated that Governor Dapo Abiodun, who was “the father of all rescued babies in the state up until adoption,” is now the parent.

The state government is the owner of any child found in Ogun State. Because they are all the children of the governor, the governor of the day is always the first name we use for them.

It has been there ever since Prince Dapo Abiodun’s arrival, not something that started with him. Some of the children have surnames Amosun (referring to former governor Ibikunle Amosun), while others have surnames Abiodun (depending on when they are discovered).

No orphanage or individual had the right to place a child up for adoption without the ministry’s approval, she claimed, despite state laid-down adoption rules and guidelines.

The Emir of Gusau, His Royal Highness, Ibrahim Bello, passed away on Friday in the early hours of his life after a brief illness, according to the minister of state for defense, Bello Matawalle.

Matawalle cited his significant contribution to promoting peace and development in a statement he personally signed and issued to the press.

“It is heartbreaking to see HRH Ibrahim Bello, the Emir of Gusau, pass away. We mourn the loss of his royal guidance and wise counsel on pressing issues involving security, education, health, and economic growth, especially as his death leaves a wide gap in many facets of life,” Matawalle said.

The Minister made it clear that the Emir’s contributions were crucial in a time when the state is working toward overcoming numerous obstacles and building a brighter future.

READ MORE: Governor Lawal mourns after Emir of Gusau passes away at age 71.

He continued, “The Emir passed away when his unwavering royal service was most indisputable.”

The Emir’s immediate family, the Gusau Emirate Council, and Zamfara State’s entire population are all in Matawalle’s thoughts and prayers.

In response to disputes between farmers and herders across the state, the Rivers State Government established a farmer-herder committee.

Ibibia Worika, the secretary to the state government (SSG), explained that despite agriculture remaining a key component of Nigeria’s economy, conflicts within the sector, particularly among farmers and herders, had caused lost lives, displacement, and disruption of economic activities.

Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, the administrator of Rivers State, is in the best interests of the community, according to Worika, who is also the committee’s chairman. This will foster dialogue, promote justice, and ensure a peaceful coexistence. &nbsp,

According to him, “This farmers and herders committee was established as a proactive measure to identify and address early warning signs of tension between farmers and herders across the state, mediate and resolve disputes peacefully through community-based, non-violent mechanisms, and ensure that grazing and farming activities are conducted within the bounds of law and environmental sustainability.”

READ ALSO: Principal Disqualified For Selling School Property in Bauchi

The committee will also provide recommendations for the government regarding sustainable land use, pasture management, and water resource management, as well as encourage community dialogue and dialogue through advocacy and community outreach.

The SSG added that the committee’s composition reflected the government’s inclusive and cross-sectoral approach, including members from traditional institutions, security organizations, farmers’ associations, herders’ organizations, civil society organizations, and relevant ministries like justice, local government, and agriculture.

Worika emphasized that the committee should exercise care, respect, and diligence.

“Our goal is to prevent conflict as well as to foster trust and forge partnerships between the various communities that support our economy and peace,” he continued.