Security Operatives Kill Suspected Kidnappers In Delta 

Four suspected kidnappers were killed in a joint operation involving local police and local hunters in Delta State, which was a significant victory for security forces.

An AK-47 rifle and live ammunition were also recovered as a result of the raid. As a result of intelligence reports indicating the presence of suspected kidnappers operating along the Abraka railway axis, a coordinated offensive began on Tuesday, June 4th, at around 3 a.m.

A tactical operation was launched following the tip-off, and the armed suspects were engaged in a fierce gun battle between a joint team of police, local hunters, vigilante organizations, and anti-cult volunteers.

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According to a statement from the Delta State Police Command, which was signed by its spokesman Bright Edafe, four of the suspected kidnappers were shot and later gave up the ghost, while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

One AK-47 rifle and thirteen rounds of live ammunition were also recovered from the scene by security personnel.

A recently rescued kidnapping victim identified one of the deceased as the leader of the gang that had abducted him in a remarkable moment during preliminary investigations, further confirming the suspects’ criminal connections.

Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, praised the courage and synergy of the involved parties, saying: “Rearing to the success of the operation.
The police commissioner, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, praised the bravery of the police officers, hunters, vigilantes, and anti-cult volunteers and warned them to keep up the pace.

He assured the general public that the Command would work harder to combat crime and advance community policing initiatives.

The Command is “remaining committed to fostering community engagement and maintaining the fight against crime” according to the statement.

OVERVIEW OF THE FULL STATEMENT

4th June, 2025

PRESS ELEASE

A COMBINED TEAM OF POLICE AND HUNTERS ENGAGES SUSPECTED KIDNAPPERS, FOUR DEAD, AND ONE AK-47 RIFLE RECOVERED IN ABRAKA.

Following a coordinated intelligence-led joint operation by the Abraka police patrol team, local hunters, and anti-cult volunteers, which resulted in the recovery of firearms and the murder of four suspected kidnappers, the Delta State Police Command made a significant breakthrough.

According to reliable information regarding the alleged kidnappers’ activities along the Abraka Rail way axis, the joint operation was carried out today, 4/06/2025 at around 0300hrs. One AK-47 rifle, along with thirteen rounds of live ammunition, were recovered during the operation by joint operatives of the Police, hunters, vigilantes, and anti-cult volunteers. Four of the suspected kidnappers were shot during the gunfight, and the others later gave up the ghost, while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

One of the deceased suspects was a leader of the gang that kidnapped him, according to a recently rescued kidnapped victim during a preliminary investigation.

The police operatives, hunters, vigilantes, and anti-cult volunteers were praised for their bravery by the commissioner of police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, and warned them to keep up the pace.

The Commissioner assured the Command that it will continue to promote community involvement and maintain the fight against crime. The control room phone numbers on 08036684974, 08114895600, and 08025666914 are therefore urged for members of the public to dial the command in cases of emergency.

Mudslide Kills 11 People In Kaduna

A mudslide at a local block-making site in Yar-doka village in Damau District of Kaduna State claimed the lives of 11 people and injured seven others.

When a heap of sand they were digging under suddenly collapsed, burying the victims, who were mostly children, under its weight, they were working at the block-making site.

The Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (KADSEMA) has visited the community to assess the situation, the incident’s cause, and to express condolences to the residents following the incident.

Although the investigation was still being conducted, Usman Mazadu, the executive secretary of KADSEMA, attributed the mudslide to a preventable human disaster.

In Kaduna, police also detained two Air Force officers and other personnel.

“We’re here to express our condolences to our brothers, and we pray that God will comfort the families who lost loved ones.” We pray for the sick to rest in heaven, Mazadu.

“We’re also grateful to His Excellency Senator Uba Sani, who quickly distributed relief materials to the injured after learning about this incident. We greatly appreciate the governor’s swift action in easing Doka’s suffering. This is a significant loss for Kaduna State as well as the Doka community.

Mazadu explained that the purpose of the visit was to conduct an on-the-spot analysis of the tragic incident and to make amends with the community. He expressed his condolences to the entire Yar-doka village population and the state as a whole at the devastation caused by the governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani.

DSS Asks Court To Restrain Utomi From Shadow Govt Activities

The Federal High Court Abuja has been urged by the Department of State Services (DSS) to stop Prof. Patrick Utomi from making any public statements or attending rallies relating to his alleged plan to establish a shadow government in the nation.

Following reports that Utomi, who is reportedly currently abroad, has planned protests, road shows, media interviews, and related activities after his return to the country on June 6, 2025, the organization filed a new application for the same title.

The defendant/respondent (Utomi), his agents, privies, associates, workers, or any other person acting through him from holding rallies, public lectures, public lectures, press releases, television programs, jingles, or any other public enlightenment program(s) intended to sensibilize, instigate, spread, or in any way promote the alleged” shadow government/shadow cabinet “or its objectives or goals with the view of establishing the said” shadow government “pending the hearing and determination of

DSS operatives’ photos in a file

According to the DSS legal team, which is led by Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), the application’s grounds include that Utomi’s proposed rallies, road shows, and actions “would seriously threaten public order, safety, and national unity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

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It was the DSS’s responsibility to avert any threat to public order, safety, or national unity because it is legally obligated to safeguard the nation’s internal security and to prevent any threats to the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s constitutional authority and its constituent institutions.

It stated that Utomi had made statements and actions to undermine the outcome of the case that was pending before the court and that he is aware of before the court filed the substantive suit.

Turji
A court gavel

According to the DSS, Utomi, who is currently abroad and is scheduled to return on June 6 plans to stage road shows and rallies in a bid to stir up public discontent in order to fund his alleged “shadow government/shadow cabinet,” according to monitoring and intelligence reports.

The DSS further states in an accompanying affidavit that Utomi’s intention is to organize road shows and rallies that can elicit a sizable turnout of Nigerians, causing major upheaval to the public order, facilitating riots and violent protests, as well as the recent “End SARS” protests in 2020.

If the defendant/respondent’s alleged actions are not stayed, they could lead to mayhem with the potential for anarchy, loss of lives, and property, according to the statement.

The Defendant/Respondent’s actions and proposed allies pose a serious threat to the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s public safety, public order, and national unity.

Utomi made statements that could undermine the pending lawsuit on May 26 during the fourth edition of the Topaz Lecture Series, which was held by the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Mass Communication Class of 1988 Alumni Association.

Utomi defended the establishment of the purported shadow government in the statements, which were widely published in newspapers and on social media platforms. In addition, they stated that if the lawsuit succeeds in favor of the DSS, he and his group will adopt a different name.

Utomi has been in person with his Counsel Professor Mike Ozekhome (SAN) since May 20, 2025, according to the SSS, and has been served with the originating procedure in this case.

“Due to the fact that the defendant/respondent (Utomi) has been served with the originating process in this suit by courier as required by this honorable court, the defendant/respondent (Utomi) is aware of the proceeding of this action before this Honorable Court.”

The defendant/respondent’s actions may result in a fait accomplice in the court unless this honorable court intervenes and grants this application.

White House makes misleading claims about Democratic opposition to tax bill

The White House claimed in a news release that the party was opposed to every individual item in the “big, beautiful bill,” the broad-ranging tax and spending bill being proposed by US President Donald Trump, because it was “the party that opposed the legislation as a whole.”

Such a tactic is misleading, especially since the White House referenced measures in the bill that Democrats have supported to improve Americans’ lives and aren’t the justifications Democrats have used to justify their opposition to the “big beautiful bill.”

What the White House claims Democrats oppose is verified by this fact:

They oppose the most significant tax cut in history, which will result in a double-digit percent decrease in their tax bills. In fact, Americans earning between $30, 000 and $80, 000 will pay around 15% less in taxes”.

The tax bill’s specifics are still pending. According to analysis from the Tax Policy Center, it would reduce taxes for middle-class households by an average of 2.4 percent in its current form.

Although it receives a sizable tax cut, it is not the biggest tax cut ever. That was 2.9% in 1981 under Ronald Reagan.

It is accurate to say that tax bills will drop by a little more than 11 percent across all tax brackets, at least in the near future. The Non-Partisan Joint Committee on Taxation estimates that those making between $30, 000 and $80, 000 will receive 15% less.

They oppose NO TAX ON TIPS for law enforcement, nurses, and other workers in the service sector, as well as NO TAX ON OVERTIME for the millions of Americans who work in the industry.

Their opposition to Trump’s tax and spending bill is the only way to prove this.

The idea of no tips tax has been supported by both Democrats and Republicans. On the campaign trail, both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump made the pledge to do so. The No Tax on Tips Act, which was approved by the US Senate on May 20, was supported by Senate Democrats. The bill was co-sponsored by prominent Democrats, including Nevada Senator Jacky Rosen, and was unanimously approved by Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas.

They oppose historic tax cuts for seniors, they claim.

Democrats have generally opposed tax cuts for seniors outside of the “big beautiful bill.” Numerous Democrats have supported legislation that would increase seniors’ tax breaks. A Republican-led bill that would increase the standard deduction for adults over 65 would be co-sponsored by California’s Democratic Senator Jimmy Panetta.

The “You Earned It, You Keep It Act,” which would essentially eliminate taxes on social security benefits, was introduced by House Democrats in 2024. However, the bill has never been passed through the committee.

They oppose a tax credit increase for children, they claim.

Again, they oppose Trump’s “big beautiful bill,” not the child tax credit.

Democrats have long advocated for expanding the child tax credit. Senate Democrats introduced legislation to expand the child tax credit in April, including legislation introduced by Colorado’s Michael Bennett and Georgia’s Raphael Warnock. The proposed legislation would permanently increase the tax credit, from $2,000 to $6,000 for newborns, from $4,000 to $4,000 for children between the ages of one and six, and from $3,000 to $3,000 for children between the ages of six and seventeen.

The “big beautiful bill” would increase the child tax credit by only $500, which would start in 2028.

They oppose the creation of new savings accounts for infants and the possibility for children to grow naturally in America.

House Republicans created new children’s savings accounts in the “big beautiful bill.” For every child born between January 1st, 2025 and January 1st, 2029, the accounts would include a $1, 000 gift.

Famous Democrats have actually backed the idea of savings accounts for newborns, which is why they have been.

The American Opportunity Accounts Act, which would provide $1,000 to newborns and up to $2,000 in annual contributions, was introduced by Cory Booker of New Jersey in 2018. In 2023, he reintroduced the bill.

They oppose expanding access for hard-working American families to childcare.

This is a false statement. Child care access is not covered by the White House link, but rather the Paid Family and Medical Leave Credit. Employees who have worked a year and make $57,600 or less are eligible for up to 12 weeks of paid leave under Trump’s bill.

Democrats have focused on expanding access to child care, including universal pre-K, while doing so gives parents more time at home. Republicans fought a Democratic plan to keep open child care facilities that had been struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2023.

In order to protect their communities, they are opposed to historic border security.

Trump reportedly increased Trump’s chances of winning in November 2024 by putting pressure on Republicans to vote against a bipartisan border security bill last year. Republicans’ plans to use US military installations for migrant detention have been criticized by Democrats as a waste of resources from the Department of Defense. Democrats have long opposed funding for the border wall, even during Trump’s first term.

A border wall would, according to a 2018 Stanford University analysis, only reduce migration by 0.6%. Despite this, the “big beautiful bill” allocates more than $50 billion to finish the wall and the maritime crossings, $45 billion to build and maintain detention facilities, and $ 14 billion to transport.

“They oppose expanded health savings accounts,” which give Americans more options and freedom of spending.

This is a bit accurate. Democrats have not been strong supporters of health savings accounts. The socioeconomically disadvantaged, who may not have the funds to contribute to the accounts, are not helped, according to the opinion. Democrats have voiced opposition to the bill’s potential $ 880 billion cut in funding for crucial government programs like Medicaid.

They oppose scholarships that let people choose the educational options that best suit their families, according to them.

The White House conflates the debate over school choice with scholarships in the proposed legislation. Republicans claim that by allowing students to have the opportunity to access a higher standard of education, funds that otherwise go to the public school system can be redirected to private institutions.

Doctor Who star Varada Sethu breaks silence on exit after needing time to ‘process’ things

Doctor Who aired its latest season finale on Saturday night, in which the likes of Ncuti Gatwa, Varada Sethu and Millie Gibson appeared to bid farewell to the BBC show

Varada Sethu has shared a message following Doctor Who’s season finale on Saturday night(Image: BBC Studios/Disney/Bad Wolf via AP)

Cast member Varada Sethu has now broken her silence following the season finale of Doctor Who on the weekend. The episode, which featured the departure of her co-star Ncuti Gatwa, is thought to mark her exit from the show.

Varada, 33, played companion Belinda Chandra in the latest season of the BBC show. The character made her debut in the first episode, which aired in April, and then bid farewell to the Doctor – played by Ncuti, 32 – in Saturday’s finale.

The actor has since addressed her apparent departure from Doctor Who in a lengthy post shared on Instagram today. Varada wrote about her experience as a cast member alongside various photos, including several of her and Ncuti.

She wrote in the caption: “Wow wow wow wow wow. I’m sooo late to the party (as always), but needed to take a few days to process this show, this finale and everything & everyone it has brought into my life, what it all means.

“My heart has doubled in size. I have felt so so full of gratitude and love, I still feel I haven’t found the words to express it. It has been a true gift to know a woman like Belinda, I will never forget our journey together.”

Ncuti Gatwa, in a blue outfit and white top, and Varada Sethu, in a white top and jeans, stood on the TARDIS set of Doctor Who in a promo photo.
Varada Sethu (right), pictured with co-star Ncuti Gatwa (left), has issued a statement on social media following Doctor Who’s recent season finale(Image: BBC Studios/Disney/Bad Wolf/James Pardon)
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Praising her co-stars, she continued by writing: “Thank you [Ncuti] for being my partner in crime, my beloved Doctor. You are unending, pure magic, what a privilege it’s been to bear witness to it. Mom & Dad forever. My sweet angel [Millie Gibson], thank you for your kindness, for always lifting me up, you have stolen everyone’s hearts!! I cannot wait to see what life has in store for you.”

Varada then expressed gratitude for some colleagues who worked behind-the-scenes. She wrote: “For teaching me and showing me love & support like I’ve never known before.” She added in the post this week: “Thank you to every beautiful soul involved in this madness.”

She concluded: “And of course to the beautiful fans, thank you soooo much for embracing Belinda, for all the kind words, all the joy! I think I finally understand what you meant [Russell T. Davies] when you said my life would never be the same. I feel transformed. Thank you thank you thank you.”

The post has amassed more than 16,000 likes and former colleagues reacted in the comments section. Ncuti wrote: “MOM AND DAD FOREVER. Love you endlessly.” Whilst co-star Millie said in her reply to Varada: “I LOVE YOU.”

Varada’s post comes after lead Ncuti addressed his own departure from Doctor Who. Last week’s season finale, the Reality War, on Saturday night saw his Fifteenth Doctor regenerate – showing Billie Piper in his place – in a bid to save Poppy (played by Sienna-Robyn Mavanga-Phipps), who in one reality was the child of the Doctor and Belinda.

Ncuti Gatwa, in a blue outfit and white top, in a scene set outside the TARDIS out in space in which the Doctor regenerates on Doctor Who.
The finale saw Ncuti’s Fifteenth Doctor regenerate at the end of the episode, which is also thought to mark the departure of co-stars like Varada(Image: BBC Studios/Bad Wolf/PA Wire)

In a video message shared by the BBC, Ncuti said: “It’s a role that demands a lot of you physically and emotionally and mentally. The actors playing the Doctor are only actors playing the Doctor. Unfortunately, we are mere mortals.”

Ncuti, who also reflected on the experience elsewhere in the video, released on Saturday, added: “I would love to have the energy and the youth to be able to do this full time for the rest of my life, but my knees are telling me it’s time.”

And in a statement, he said: “You know when you get cast, at some point you are going to have to hand back that sonic screwdriver and it is all going to come to an end, but nothing quite prepares you for it. This journey has been one that I will never forget and a role that will be part of me forever.”

Ncuti said elsewhere in the statement: “The fans are truly the final character and beating heart of this show and I can’t thank the Whoniverse, and the Whovians, enough for welcoming me in, and making this such a touching experience. I’ve loved every minute of it, but now is the time to hand over the keys to that beloved blue box.”

There had been speculation over his potential departure in recent months. It came after Ncuti, who starred in two seasons of Doctor Who, reportedly revealed in an unaired moment on the Graham Norton Show in October last year that he would be “filming the third series next year”.

Amid recent speculation, just days prior to the finale’s broadcast, the BBC confirmed to the Mirror that Ncuti had not been “axed”. A spokesperson told us at the time: “Whilst we never comment on the future of the Doctor, any suggestion that Ncuti Gatwa has been ‘axed’ is pure fiction.”

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Addressing the future of the show, they added: “As we have previously stated, the decision on season 3 will be made after season 2 airs and any other claims are just pure speculation. The deal with Disney+ was for 26 episodes – and we still have an entire spin off, The War Between the Land and the Sea, to air. And as for the rest, we never comment on the Doctor and future storylines.”

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Trump must facilitate legal challenges of deported Venezuelans: Judge

A federal judge in the United States has decided that Venezuelan immigrants who were deported to El Salvador under a obscur 1798 law must be able to contest their removals and detention. &nbsp,

President Donald Trump’s latest failure to use the Alien Enemies Act to quickly remove alleged gang members from the US without the proper process is the ruling from Judge James Boasberg on Wednesday.

Trump claimed that the US’s Tren de Aragua gang’s presence represented an invasion at the time of his initial invocation of the wartime law in March.

Boasberg quickly blocked Trump’s use of the law to quickly deport detainees, but two planes carrying 238 deported people had already left the US for El Salvador. The judge’s request to turn the plane around was rejected by the Trump administration.

Boasberg has since stated that he has found cause to believe the administration acted in vain.

As part of a deal with the Trump administration, the deportees were housed in El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Centre, or CECOT prison, upon arrival.

Boasberg claimed in the order on Wednesday that there was “significant evidence” that many of the imprisoned in El Salvador had no connection to Tren de Aragua.

According to Boasberg, they “throw on flimsy, even frivolous, accusations” and “slumber in a foreign prison.

Prior to now, court records had previously suggested that some of the men may have been deported based solely on their clothing or tattoos.

Before being flown, the administration “plainly deprived” the immigrants of a chance to challenge their removals, according to Boasberg.

He declared that their cases must now be heard before a court, as they “would have been if the government had not provided constitutionally inadequate process.”

They must now receive that process, according to Boasberg, which was improperly withheld. The government could smuggle someone off the street, hand him over to a foreign nation, and then effectively foreclose any remedial course of action after this relief.

The Trump administration was not specifically required to bring deported people back to the US in the ruling.

Prior to the US Supreme Court’s ruling, the Alien Enemies Act required that those deported be given a chance to challenge their removal, and it put a stop to some planned deportations that could have been carried out legally.

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals is expected to send a case to the highest court for a final decision in the future.

Till then, the Alien Enemies Act has been upheld by three federal judges in New York, Texas, and Colorado. Trump was within his rights to invoke the law, according to a fourth federal judge in Pennsylvania.

Trump campaigned on the promise to deport “criminal” non-citizens from the US in large numbers, but his efforts have been hindered by pending immigration court cases and legal challenges.