News
Court Shifts Trial of Ansaru Terrorist Suspects to January 2026
The trial, initially scheduled to begin on Wednesday, was adjourned by Justice Emeka Nwite following pleas by defense counsel for additional time to be served with the charges and to study the proof of evidence.
• Federal High Court Abuja
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ruled that the trial of two leaders of the Ansaru terrorist group, Mahmud Usman and Abubakar Abba, captured by the Department of State Services (DSS), will commence on January 15, 2026.
The trial, initially scheduled to begin on Wednesday, was adjourned by Justice Emeka Nwite following pleas by defense counsel for additional time to be served with the charges and to study the proof of evidence.
During today’s proceedings, defense lawyer Bala Bakum informed the court that the charge and proof of evidence remained with the DSS, where the suspects are being detained on court orders.
He requested that the defendants be moved to a correctional facility to enable easier access and ensure a smooth trial.
However, DSS counsel David Kaswe, an Assistant Director in the Federal Ministry of Justice, opposed the application, insisting that the trial proceed as scheduled since witnesses were already present in court.
Kaswe argued that DSS protocol requires defense counsel to formally request permission to visit clients and copy the prosecutor, a procedure he said had not been followed.In his ruling, Justice Nwite emphasized the need for fair hearing and adjourned the trial to January 15, 2026.
He directed the defense lawyer to comply with DSS protocol by formally writing for permission to visit the defendants and copying the prosecution.
Usman and Abba are being prosecuted on terrorism charges.
Usman has pleaded guilty to Count 10 of a 32‑count charge relating to economic crimes, while denying the remaining 31 counts. Abba pleaded not guilty to all charges.
On September 11, Usman was sentenced to 15 years in prison after admitting to have engagied in illegal mining and using the proceeds to acquire arms for terrorism and kidnapping activities.
The defendants are accused of bombing the Wawa Military Cantonment in Niger State, receiving weapons training, fabricating improvised explosive devices, and engaging in terrorism financing.
The DSS further alleged that the suspects kidnapped a Customs officer and an Immigration officer—who was later killed in custody—collected millions of naira in ransom payments, and engaged in unlawful mineral mining without a valid license.
Proceeds from these activities were allegedly used to procure arms and ammunition, including IEDs.
Investigators also claim the defendants received training in Sudan and Mali, facilitated similar training for followers, and concealed information on planned terror attacks in Niger State.
Ansaru, a breakaway faction of Boko Haram, has been linked to several high‑profile attacks and kidnappings across Nigeria.
Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a, and his alleged deputy Abubakar Abba, popularly called Mahmud Al‑Nigeri or Isah Adam/Mallam Mamuda, were captured between May and July 2025 in intelligence‑led operations.
News
FG launches GovGuideNigeria to boost citizens governance access
GovGuideNigeria platform is accessible through WhatsApp and the web, and is available in English, Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba to ensure wider accessibility for citizens across different linguistic backgrounds.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijan, has said that Nigerians can now access the government information and services through the newly launched GovGuideNigeria.
The artificial intelligence-powered platform was launched on May 21 by the government in collaboration with Meta, the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), and local developer partner Publica AI.
According to the Minister, the platform is accessible through WhatsApp and the web, and is available in English, Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba to ensure wider accessibility for citizens across different linguistic backgrounds.
Tijani stated that the platform provides users with easy access to information from more than 35 federal ministries and over 60 government agencies.
He described the initiative as part of the government’s efforts to improve public service delivery through technology and digital innovation.
Sade Dada, Head of Public Policy, Meta, said during the launch “Meta’s open-source AI is critical to economic growth and productivity — and GovGuide Nigeria, is a clear example of what this looks like in practice.
Ignatius Willie, CEO, Publica AI said, “Today is not just a product launch. It is a step towards democratising how Nigerians engage with their government. With GovGuide Nigeria, we are not simply digitising access to public services; we are making them conversational, multilingual, and available on the channels Nigerians already use every day.
News
DHQ says JAS terrorists carried out Oyo kidnap
The DHQ denied reports suggesting it referred to terrorists operating in the South-West as ordinary criminals, insisting that such interpretations were inaccurate and misleading.
Photo: Maj Gen Michael Onoja
The Defence Headquarters disclosed that the attackers behind the Oyo abduction were members of the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad terrorist group displaced by sustained military offensives across the country.
Latest week, schools in communities at Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, were attacked by terrorists ; they abducted pupils, teachers and other residents from Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle.
The incident also left several persons dead, while one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was later killed after a video linked to the attack surfaced online.
In a statement signed by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Michael Onoja, the DHQ confirmed said that the attack was perpetrated by terrorists of the JAS Group that have been dislodged from other parts of the country due to high-intensity operations being conducted all over the country.
The DHQ denied reports suggesting it referred to terrorists operating in the South-West as ordinary criminals, insisting that such interpretations were inaccurate and misleading.
“It is, therefore, inaccurate and misleading to suggest that the Defence Headquarters, at any point, referred to vicious and violent terrorists as criminals,” Onoja stated
News
NYSC warns against night travel as 2026 Batch B Stream I orientation begins June 10
The orientation exercise will officially end on Tuesday, June 30, 2026.
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) announced Thursday that the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream I Orientation Course will begin on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, with the reception and registration of prospective corps members across the country.
In a statement signed by Caroline Embu, Director, Information and Public Relations, NYSC said that the registration would end at midnight on Friday, June 12, in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The NYSC added that the swearing-in ceremony for prospective corps members mobilised for the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream I service year would also take place on Friday, June 12.
The orientation exercise will officially end on Tuesday, June 30, 2026.
The scheme wished all mobilised Nigerian graduates safe journeys to their various orientation camps nationwide and reiterated its warning against night travel.
It advised prospective corps members to suspend their journeys once it is 6pm and spend the night at any available corps members’ lodge, military formation, police station, outpost, or palace of a traditional ruler before continuing the next morning.
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