News
Abuja UN House Bombing : Court Fix December 5 for Continuation of Trials
The DSS accuse the five terror suspects led Al-Barnawi, of being the masterminds of the August 26, 2011, bombing of the United Nations Complex in Abuja.
UN Complex Bombing: Court Admits Evidence in DSS Case Against Al-Barnawi, Other Terror Suspects
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday admitted in evidence three video clips supplied by the Department of State Services (DSS) to puncture claims of duress by five suspected masterminds of the 2011 bombing of the United Nations complex in Abuja facing trial.
The presiding judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, fixed December 5 for continuation of the trial-within-trial of five defendants, including Khalid Al‑Barnawi.
The trial -within – trial, will involve the playback of video clips in the courtroom to determine the veracity of claims by the defendants that they made their extra-judicial statements before the DSS under duress.
The DSS accuse the five terror suspects led Al-Barnawi, of being the masterminds of the August 26, 2011, bombing of the United Nations Complex in Abuja.
At least 20 people were killed and more than 70 others injured in the attack.Captured in 2016, Al-Barnawi is facing trial alongside four other terror suspects – Mohammed Bashir Saleh, Umar Mohammed Bello aka Datti, Mohammed Salisu, and Yakubu Nuhu aka Bello Maishayi.
The trial suffered several delays due to legal and procedural challenges thrown up by the defendants, including the absence of legal representation on several occasions the suspects were brought to court.
However, all that changed after Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi’s appointment as Director – General, with him insisting on speedy trial for suspects he inherited as well as for those arrested under his watch.
The DSS recently requested the court to grant accelerated hearing in the case, a request Justice Nwite granted, same way judges trying DSS cases against terror suspects Mahmud Muhammad Usman aka Mahmuda, Muhammed Usman aka Abu Bara’a, as well as those standing trial in the Yelwata and Benue massacres, have obliged the DSS DG’s request for speedy trial.
Following the conclusion of playing back the video clip of the first defendant, Justice Nwite fixed December 5 for the commencement of playing back the video clips of the on other defendants.
Earlier on Friday, Justice Nwite had admitted the extra-judicial statements made by three other persons charged by the DSS for alleged terrorism.
The trio are being tried for allegedly spying on the US, and Israel s interests for certain individuals in Iran.
Haruna Ali Abbas, Ibrahim Hussaini Musa and Adam Sulaiman were accused of spying on the US, and Israel ‘s interests for individuals in Iran.
The case, which had been ongoing since 2014 and re-assigned multiple times, reached a point in August 2025 during a trial-within-trial to determine if the defendants’ alleged extra-judicial statements were made voluntarily or under duress.
While the defendants claimed that they were coerced, harassed and intimidated to make their statement, the prosecution held that the statements were made voluntarily.
The prosecution claimed that the accused persons read through the statements, through the cautionary words and signed, hence, should be admitted in evidence. Justice Nwite who ordered a trial within trial allowed both parties to call witnesses who gave evidence.
The prosecution who called three witnesses said they conducted their operations within the best standard procedure, as they paid attention to the welfare of suspects in their custody in terms of food and medication while also allowing them access to their families.
The defendants on the other hand recounted their alleged torture in the DSS facility, alleging that they were beaten and given inhuman treatment.
After hearing arguments from both the prosecution and defense counsel, Justice Nwite ruled that the defendants statements be admitted in evidence.
The Judge held that the prosecution through the witnesses proved to the court that they were not forced to make their statements.Justice Nwite after admitting the statements as exhibits adjourned the matter to January 22, 2026 for substantive hearing.
News
BREAKING: Two-Storey Building Collapses in Ajuwon, Residents Feared Trapped
A two-storey residential building has collapsed along Baale Road (also referred to as Baale Street) near Ajuwon Bus Stop in Ajuwon/Akute, Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, on Monday, 27 July 2026, leaving several occupants feared trapped under the rubble.
The incident, which occurred in the Lagos-Ogun border community, triggered panic among residents and passers-by as the structure gave way unexpectedly. Crowds quickly gathered at the scene while waiting for emergency responders. Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes of people attempting to dig through the debris by hand.
According to one eyewitness identified as Anthony, only a single male occupant managed to escape before the building became completely inaccessible. The survivor reportedly told those at the scene that his wife and children remained trapped inside.
Preliminary reports indicate that at least three people — including a grandmother, her toddler grandchild, and another man — have been rescued from the rubble and taken to hospital. Several others are still feared trapped. The exact number of people affected, including any injuries or fatalities, has not been officially confirmed by authorities at the time of reporting.
The Executive Chairman of Ifo Local Government, Hon. Idris Kusimo, has arrived at the scene and is coordinating with residents and responders. Rescue operations involving locals and emergency personnel are ongoing.
Urgent Appeal
An urgent call has gone out to the Ogun State Government, Ogun State Emergency Management Agency, relevant state fire and rescue services, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and all other emergency responders to immediately mobilise fully equipped teams to the location to rescue those still trapped beneath the debris.
Further updates will follow as official information becomes available. Residents in the area are advised to stay clear of the site to allow unhindered access for rescue teams.
News
TCN Foils Theft Attempt, Recovers Tower Members at Bauchi Substation
The Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, foiled an attempted theft at its 330/132kV transmission substation in Bauchi on Friday, July 24, 2026, at about 9:34pm.
Security personnel at the substation intercepted suspected vandals attempting to remove critical tower members. The suspects fled the scene on sighting the guards.

An inspection of the area led to the recovery of 12 transmission tower angle irons, one heavy-duty metal measuring scale, and a white pickup truck believed to have been used for the operation.
The recovered items and the vehicle have been handed over to the Railway Division Police Station, Bauchi, for further investigation.
No equipment was carted away and no injuries were recorded during the incident.
TCN commends the prompt response of its security team, whose vigilance prevented the theft of or damage to critical transmission infrastructure.
TCN reiterates the need for host communities to report suspicious activities around power installations to security agencies or the nearest TCN office.
News
ISWAP Finance Chief Surrender To Nigeria Military
The senior operative surrendered to troops of 3 Battalion under 24 Task Force Brigade at about 06:45 WAT on 25 July along the Ladari-Jegarawa-Tunokalia axis of the Gamboru-Wulgo Main Supply Route. He arrived with two male children, voluntarily laying down his arms before the troops.
Credit: Operation HADIN KAI
Military authorities confirmed on Monday a senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) finance operative, has surrendered to Operation HADIN KAI in Nigeria’s North-East.
Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operates HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement, emphasising that the surrender followed coordinated land and air offensives that have intensified pressure on terrorist enclaves, contributing to a growing wave of defections.
The senior operative surrendered to troops of 3 Battalion under 24 Task Force Brigade at about 06:45 WAT on 25 July along the Ladari-Jegarawa-Tunokalia axis of the Gamboru-Wulgo Main Supply Route.
He arrived with two male children, voluntarily laying down his arms before the troops.
Preliminary profiling by the Theatre Command identified the individual as the chief finance operative of the ISWAP enclave at Jubillaram, where he reportedly managed the terrorist group’s financial activities and logistics support.
Military authorities further disclosed that about 46 terrorists and their family members have voluntarily surrendered in recent days, suggesting that the combination of kinetic operations and intelligence-led campaigns is steadily weakening ISWAP’s cohesion and sustainment capabilities.
-
Business18 hours agoNaira Exchange Rates To Foreign Currencies Monday, July 27
-
Business16 hours agoPhillips Consulting Report Ranks Enugu Nigeria’s Fastest Improving State
-
News2 days agoZamfara LG Chairman Abduction: Security operatives intensify rescue efforts
-
Sports17 hours agoSaudi’s Club Al-Ittihad Table €10.5m Bid For Super Eagles Captain Ndidi
-
Business16 hours agoNigerian Exchange Emerges Top In Africa By Dollar Values
-
Politics15 hours agoWhy I committed to one term presidency – Peter Obi
-
Business17 hours agoRural Electrification Agency targets 3.7GW solar manufacturing to close Nigeria’s power gap
-
Business17 hours agoIMF Warns of AI Financial Shocks Across Institutions, Markets
