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SECURITY

Russian Flags: Police arrest 31, producers, distributors

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The Nigeria Police Force said, on Monday, that it arrested 31 persons for what it described as “treason” for producing and distributing Russian flags and calling for anarchy.

Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, said 30 persons were arrested in Kaduna while one person, who was recruiting persons for distribution of the flags, was arrested in Kano.

Adejobi also said that as at today, Monday, the number of persons arrested “who are not protesters but criminal elements, rioters” in connection with the #Endbadgovernance protest, are 873, up from 861 at the weekend.

He spoke during the joint press briefing of spokespersons of security and response agencies at the headquarters of the Department of State Services, DSS.

‘They’re not protesters’

Adejobi said, “What we are having in the country right now are protests, demonstrations, and riots.

“Those arrested are rioters, armed robbers, looters and criminal elements. Arrest of criminal elements should not be described as arrest of protesters.

“Those arrested so far across the country are criminally-minded persons, looters engaged in criminal offences such as vandalization and destruction of public and critical infrastructure.

“So we should use the appropriate description for them — they are not protesters.

Speaking on allegations of using live bullets against the protesters as alleged at the MKO Abiola Stadium, ACP Adejoba said the Police and sister security agencies have operated in line with rules of engagement while managing the protest.

He said “Using tear gas against protesters when they resort to violence is allowed anywhere in the world.

“We have reiterated that we will not fold our hands to see violence again.

“In some states protesters have been so violent; up to the extent they attempted to break into government house and offices here.”

Continuing he said misuse of words is the greatest cause of errors.

“We need to use our words contextually this time around. I know we are aware that we are having protests in Nigeria.

“At the same time, we are aware we have riots in some states in Nigeria. So arrests of certain individuals who have been riotous should not be seen as the arrest of protesters. Let us get it clear.

“There are some states in Nigeria they have been having peaceful protests. Security agencies have been engaging them in some states.

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“I’m sure, and I know you are aware, that some governors and public office holders have been engaging them. You can only engage a gathering, an assembly, that is friendly and accessible.

“Where you have individuals wielding stones, offensive weapons, dangerous weapons and all the likes; I don’t think a reasonable man will move close or be in the middle of such a gathering,” he noted.

MKO Abiola Stadium clash

On tear gas canisters fired at National Stadium: “The is the Federal Capital Territory, the heartbeat of our own great nation.

“Based on the court ruling the FCT Police CP asked them to use Mashood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja. Not the Umaru Yar’adua Expressway which cater to traffic from the Airport Road, City Gate, City Centre etc

“So I think we need to get things right. The venue is Mashood Kashimawo Abiola Stadium in Abuja. So if you see any individual on this expressway, I think that person has deliberately and willfully violated the agreement or the court ruling.

“We need to be law-abiding in this country. We need to obey rule of law in this country. Our presence is not to harass anybody, not to intimidate anybody, but for us to protect our national assets.

“You see deployments including every deployment at the three arm zone of the country. Three arm zone harbours the heartbeat of this country; where we can say is the capital of Nigeria, where we have the judiciary, the legislative, and of course the Villa.

“Eagle Square is opposite and, of course, located at the same area. I’m sure you know it also harbours the Remembrance Arcade, where we always honour our fallen heroes.

“These are critical assets to us in Nigeria and we value them so much. We don’t want certain individuals to vandalize or cause any destruction.

“You agree with me that in some areas in Abuja we recorded riots and this protest was violent. I know you know kubwa, you know Maraba axis, where property were destroyed and some set ablaze.

‘We only arrested criminals’

“Anywhere we have these violent engagements, I don’t think we should refer to such an assembly or a gathering or a procession as peaceful anymore.

“I want to confirm again that those that have been arrested so far, to the best, best of my knowledge and with the records I have from all the states, are criminally minded individuals.

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“They went out and actually engaged in various criminal offences ranging from armed, robbery, homicide, mischief, or the one we call malicious damage, massive destruction of private and public facilities owners and in pains, as I speak with you.

“So I don’t want us to use the word protesters for those who are actually. To the best of our knowledge and based on our findings, they are rioters and of course, criminally minded individuals.

“Let us mind our words and let’s use appropriate words so that we do not heat up the polity and paint the government and security forces in a negative light.

“We have reiterated on several occasions that we will not fold our arms to see anarchy in the land again.

“We cannot afford to have the violence that we experienced during the last violent Endsars in 2020. Up till now, many are still in pain and we cannot allow such a thing to repeat itself.

… in Lagos

“In the southern part as witnessed in the east, in Lagos, in some parts of Rivers. I’m sure you know, police and other security agencies have not engaged protesters.

“However, in some states, Kebi Nasarawa, Kano Kaduna, Zamfara they have been so much violence and destruction. In fact, they went as far as some trying to take over the government houses in these states.

 “I don’t think the police and other security agencies in these affected states have done anything wrong by engaging them. It is important at that time to engage them professionally. And this what we have done.

‘873 arrested; no #EndSARS protester in custory’

“We have arrested so far 873 suspects and these suspects are those who are directly connected to one criminal offence or the other. Where anyone alleges the Police have arrested protesters, please let us know the protester.

“I want to use this opportunity to set the record straight. One of the demands of protesters is that the federal government should release those who are being incarcerated in prisons for #endsars protests.

“We have seven names. Take-it-back movement alleged that they are protesters. Our statement from the police is that we don’t have any protesters in any of our facilities in Nigeria.

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“Those incarcerated in correctional center facility are criminals who have been charged to court and they were charged to court for armed robbery, murder and other criminal offences.

“No single endsars protester is still being incarcerated or kept in any of our facilities in Nigeria.

Whoever wants to challenge this should come up, I have their names there. I’m going to share the names with you; offenses committed, for which were charged to courts and dates. I have them.

“I contacted my colleague from Correctional Service. We did our findings and we noticed that the names they rolled out are not protesters but those who went to attack us.

“I think one or two of them are those who went to the palace of the Oba of Lagos. Is oba’s palace part of the #Endears protest? Is it a police station? I don’t think the Oba’s palace in Lagos is part of police facility. So we need to set this record straight.

Russia flags

“Again, we have been able to arrest some individuals who were calling for some fashion at who engage themselves in what I call treasonable felony.

“To carry the flags of a foreign country on a sovereign land is a criminal offense. We have arrested them.

Just this morning, we have arrested one Ahmed Tailor from Kano, in Kano local government area, for producing a large quantity of Russian flags giving them to young Nigerians to go and fly for reasons best known to him.

“We are profiling him. We want to get other sponsors like him. As I speak with you, the same thing has happened in Kaduna.

“We’ve been able to arrest 30 of them with the same Russian flags and don’t want us to believe that for now, at this stage, we are still having a protest.

“The undertones of this protest, based on our intelligence before it commenced on 1 August 2024, have begun to manifest.

“Because I don’t think #endbadgovernance peaceful protest should generate to a level where a foreign country’s flag will be flown in Nigeria.

“And it’s spreading from one state to another and to another place. Are we still having a protest? That is a big question for all of you.

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FOREIGN NEWS

A New Era? US and Saudi Arabia Near Landmark 30-Year Nuclear Agreement

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The United States is set to announce a landmark 30-year nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia, aimed at establishing a civilian nuclear program in the kingdom, according to reports from US media outlets.

The deal, expected to be unveiled Wednesday, comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
The New York Times cited US officials confirming that the Trump administration would formally sign and announce the agreement, which is projected to generate billions of dollars for the US nuclear industry.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the pact could allow US companies to build a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia.
However, the proposal has drawn opposition from US lawmakers across party lines and Israeli officials, who fear the program could be diverted toward developing nuclear weapons.
While the deal will be submitted to Congress, its approval is not required for implementation. Washington has also sought to link the nuclear agreement to broader strategic goals, including Saudi Arabia’s potential normalization of ties with Israel and a US-Saudi defense pact.
Saudi Arabia has long insisted on its right to pursue a civilian nuclear program, similar to the UAE, which signed a nuclear deal with Washington in 2009 but does not enrich uranium.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking in Manila, declined to confirm the deal but assured that Washington would not enter any agreement that risks nuclear proliferation.
The announcement comes as the US war with Iran continues to destabilize the region, with Yemen’s Houthi rebels threatening to blockade Saudi ports, a move that could disrupt global oil supplies.

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ICPC Uncovers 908 Ghost Workers — Guess Which Agency Tops the Fraud List

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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says it has uncovered 908 ghost workers across several federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), recovering about ₦942 million allegedly siphoned through fraudulent payroll schemes.

ICPC Chairman Musa Aliyu disclosed that the discovery followed a probe launched in 2024 after irregularities were detected in pension payments.
The investigation revealed widespread payroll manipulation, with fictitious names inserted into salary systems to divert public funds.Aliyu alleged that some senior officials enrolled relatives and associates on government payrolls, pocketing their salaries.
In one case, a suspect reportedly placed his wife, son, and mother-in-law on the payroll while also collecting salaries of 12 other workers.
The investigation covered at least 50 federal MDAs, with the Nigeria Police Force recording the highest number of ghost workers at 570.
Other affected institutions include:
National Water Resources Authority — 80 ghost workersFederal Ministry of Works — 56
Ministry of Foreign Affairs — 24
Ministry of Defence — 19
Ministry of Power — 17Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment — 17
Federal Ministry of Health — 15
Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation — 12
Aliyu added that the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Ministry of Interior were also implicated, though the number of ghost workers in those institutions is still under review.
The ICPC says investigations are ongoing, with efforts focused on strengthening payroll integrity and ensuring accountability across government agencies.

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Something Doesn’t Add Up!” — Rufai Oseni Tears Into Police Explanation of Officers Saluting Suspected Bandits

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Arise News anchor, Rufai Oseni, has reacted to the viral video of a policeman waving at ‘vigilante men’.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Morning Show’, Rufai insisted that Nigerians are not daft.

Recall that there was a viral video on Wednesday where a policeman was seen waving at large numbers of armed men previously tagged as
bandits.

However, the police, in a statement on Thursday, clarified that the said group of armed men riding on motorcycles were members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, VGN.

Airing his own opinion, Rufai said, “Do they think Nigerians are daft or we don’t have brains?

“I don’t know when the police started giving salutes to vigilantes, and they carry some sophisticated weapons. So, the vigilante will be passing on motorcycle. Police will see them, police will be waving. Oh, vigilante, go ahead, go ahead.

“You see, we live in a mess. And this mess has been largely caused by our political class because of their own selfishness,” he said.

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Anambra Security Outfit Claims Major Breakthrough, Neutralizes Three Gunmen Linked to Soludo Aide Attack

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The Anambra State-owned security outfit, Agunechemba, has successfully dislodged a terror group’s camp in Aguata Local Government Area, killing three armed men while several others escaped with gunshot wounds.

The operation, carried out Tuesday night by Agunechemba operatives attached to the FOB Unit in Aguata, led to the recovery of a Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG), AK-47 rifles, the gang’s operational white Hilux van, charms, handbags, and other incriminating items.

In a statement on Wednesday, Agunechemba’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Nweke Nweke, revealed that the gang had previously attacked the convoy of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s Chief of Staff, Ben Nwankwo, killing four people, including two police officers and two civilians.

According to Nweke, the raid was conducted in partnership with the police after intelligence gathering pinpointed the gang’s hideout. During a fierce gun battle, three members of the group were neutralised.

“This gang had been masquerading in Federal Government security uniforms and had previously attacked the convoy of the Chief of Staff to Governor Soludo. Their downfall came during a firepower encounter with our operatives,” the statement read.

The gang was reportedly operating across Anambra South Senatorial District, engaging in kidnapping, armed robbery, and other violent crimes.

Prince Ken Emekayi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Security; Sylvester Ofodeme, Chairman of the State House of Assembly Committee on Internal Security; and Chief Chinenye Ihenko, Agunechemba’s Head of Operations, hailed the operation as a major breakthrough in the fight against insecurity.

The recovered weapons and vehicle are expected to aid further investigations into the group’s activities.

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This latest success underscores the state government’s ongoing efforts to clamp down on criminal networks and restore peace across Anambra.

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Why Akpabio Is Warning Governors About State Police

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Senate President Godswill Akpabio has cautioned Nigerian governors against abusing state police when it is finally established.

Akpabio issued the warning on Tuesday during plenary as the National Assembly prepares to approve state police to tackle insecurity in the
country.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday sent a Constitution Alteration Bill to the National Assembly, seeking the establishment of state police.

The Nigerian Senate fixed Wednesday (today) for the passage of the state police bill.

“Many of us like to go back home after we are through here, without being afraid of the state police.

“Even the current governors will one day leave office, they should not be afraid of the state police they created.

“Your conscience will be looking at you, and they will be interested in what you say. Since 1960 Nigeria did not have the courage to decentralize the police. This is the first time we’ll do it.

“And this will be done in two phases; one will be through alteration of the constitution and the other one we will embed an Act of
Parliament in order to bring out the modalities to avoid abuses,” Akpabio said.

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Hours After Sunday Igboho’s Ultimatum, Kidnappers Free Abducted Family

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Residents of Igboho in Oyo State erupted in celebration after a kidnapped family, including a pregnant woman, her children, and a sibling, were released following a two-hour ultimatum issued by Yoruba activist Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho.

Videos circulating on social media showed large crowds singing, dancing, and rejoicing at the victims’ return to the community.

The release came shortly after Igboho addressed community leaders and traditional rulers, expressing outrage over rising kidnappings and insecurity in the area.

He accused some elements within the Fulani community of involvement in the abductions and referenced a recent case where a ransom bearer was allegedly killed.

“I am Sunday Igboho. I am calm because my fathers asked me to be calm with you. Let this be the last time such a thing will happen,” he warned, while giving a two-hour deadline for the release of the victims.

Igboho had earlier shown restraint at the request of traditional rulers but threatened decisive action if his ultimatum was ignored. Details of exactly how the victims were freed remain unclear, but the swift development has been widely attributed to his intervention.

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“That Is Nonsense” — Peter Obi Breaks Silence on Nnamdi Kanu Protection Claims

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Presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has responded to reports alleging that he is shielding the convicted
leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.

In an interview with Nevon News hosted by Rufai Oseni, the former Anambra Governor said he openly criticises every wrong done in Nigeria,
including the South East.

During the interview, Rufai told Obi that his critics are alleging that he does not criticise Kanu

Rufai said, ” Your critics allege that you don’t come out openly to criticise whatever is done wrong by Nnamdi Kanu because he is from
your place.”

But Obi responded saying, “that is nonsense, absolute nonsense. They don’t follow me because if you follow me, I criticise whatever
things that are wrong, whether in the East, North, or anywhere.

“But in criticising it, I keep saying that we should look at it holistically”.

On whether Nnamdi Kanu has done anything wrong to deserve his sentencing, Obi said “Nobody is perfect.”

According to him, “we all have the wrong side of us but I’m saying that in building the future, we use the experiences of things we didn’t
do well to do it better.

“Every human being has done wrong things in the past, whether it is Nnamdi Kanu, Sunday Igboho or Peter Obi, we have all done
something wrong.”

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NEWS

Anambra: Police command addresses students on safety

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By Chuks Collins, Awka
o

The Anambra State Police command has stepped up it’s community policing teachings with interaction with schools

The package includes personal/corporate safety, and crime prevention strategies.

The Command while engaging the students and their school authorities on Tuesday, 11th February 2026, in an interactive session focused on school safety, personal security awareness, and crime prevention.

During the season the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations Department) Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Oruru Harrison enlightened the students of Sacred Heart Academy Ifite Ogwari, in Ayamelum Council area of the State on the dangers of cultism, drug abuse, bullying, cybercrime, and other social vices.

He emphasised the importance of vigilance, responsible conduct and prompt reporting of suspicious activities in and around the school premises.

The Command encouraged students to imbibe positive relationships with law enforcement agencies and reassured them of the readiness of the police to respond swiftly to distress calls and security concerns affecting educational institutions.

The Police command also urged school administrators to strengthen internal security measures and maintain close collaboration with security agenciesbso as to proactively address potential threats.

The Command remains steadfast in its resolve to safeguard schools and create an enabling environment for academic excellence across the State.

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SECURITY

Security Boost: Enugu South Chairman Backs Osun-Trained Forest Guards

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Dr. Caleb Onyema Ani, Chairman of Enugu South Local Government Area, in a group photograph with members of the Forest Guard after addressing them at the council headquarters.

The Executive Chairman of Enugu South Local Government Area, Dr. Caleb Onyema Ani, has has welcomed members of the council’s Forest Guard following their completion of a 10-week intensive security training programme in Osun State.

Addressing the officers at the council headquarters, Ani described the training as a significant step in strengthening grassroots security structures and enhancing the operational capacity of personnel tasked with safeguarding local communities.

The officers underwent rigorous instruction at Ila Orangun, as part of a state-coordinated initiative designed to bolster tactical proficiency, intelligence gathering, and coordinated response mechanisms.

The Enugu South contingent, led by Sector Commander Okechukwu Ugwu, formed part of a larger group of approximately 1,040 forest guard personnel drawn from political wards across Enugu State.

The programme focused on modern security strategies, surveillance operations, and techniques aimed at addressing criminal activities, particularly within forested and rural environments.

Ani commended the officers for their discipline, resilience, and dedication, noting that their willingness to undertake demanding training outside the state reflected a deep sense of responsibility and professional commitment.

He characterised the successful completion of the programme as a milestone in the ongoing efforts to reinforce the security architecture at the local level.

Caleb Onyema Ani, Chairman of Enugu South Local Government Area, addressing members of the Forest Guard at the council headquarters.

According to the chairman, the training initiative underscores the government’s proactive approach to tackling evolving security challenges.

He expressed confidence that the enhanced knowledge and tactical skills acquired by the officers would translate into improved vigilance, more effective patrol operations, and strengthened protection of forests and vulnerable communities.

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Emphasising the collaborative nature of security management, Ani reiterated that ensuring peace and safety requires sustained synergy among federal, state, and local authorities, as well as active engagement with community stakeholders.

He urged the officers to remain professional, vigilant, and community-oriented in the discharge of their duties, stressing that public trust remains fundamental to the success of security operations.

The chairman also acknowledged the leadership of Ugwu throughout the training period, encouraging him to ensure the effective deployment of the knowledge gained.

He advised the officers to uphold the highest standards of conduct, discipline, and service delivery.

Reaffirming the council’s support, Ani pledged to provide the necessary logistical and operational backing to enable the Forest Guard perform optimally.

He assured the officers of continued motivation and institutional support, recognising the critical role they play in maintaining law and order.

The reception concluded with renewed assurances from the officers to intensify their efforts toward safeguarding lives and property, as well as sustaining peace and security within Enugu South Local Government Area.

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