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Brig Gen Samaila Uba Assumes Role as Director of Defence Information

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Brigadier General Samaila Mohammed Uba, a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (FNIPR) and an experienced strategic communication specialist, has assumed office as the new Director of Defence Information (DDI).

A seasoned military officer with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from the prestigious Bayero University Kano (BUK), his appointment signals a renewed focus on strategic communication within the military.

The handover took place during a brief ceremony at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), following a recent reorganization within the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

​Brig. Gen. Uba took over from Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, whom he appreciated for his achievements during his tour of duty.

In his inaugural address, Brig Gen Uba pledged to steer the Directorate under four strategic priorities: unity of purpose, timeliness and transparency, digital innovation, and media collaboration. He commended his predecessor for his contributions and wished him success in future endeavours.

Born on July 1, 1968, in Tudun Wada, Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State, Brig Gen Uba began his military journey at the Nigerian Defence Academy as part of Short Service Combatant Course 30. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on March 13, 1993, and initially served in the Directorate of Army Public Relations before transitioning to the Infantry Corps.

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His academic journey includes Tudun Wada Primary School and Saint Thomas Secondary School in Kano, where he earned his First School Leaving Certificate and West African School Certificate in 1981 and 1986 respectively. He later graduated from Bayero University Kano in 1990 with a degree in Mass Communication. He also obtained a Post-Graduate Diploma in Public Administration from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration in 2009 and a Master’s degree in Strategic and Development Studies from Bangladesh University of Professionals in 2019.

Throughout his career, Brig Gen Uba has completed all relevant military courses, including the Senior Staff Course at Ghana Armed Forces Command & Staff College and the National Defence Course at the National Defence College in Bangladesh. He has held numerous command, staff, and instructional roles, including Officer in Charge of Administration at the Infantry Centre and School, Commander of the 401 Special Forces Brigade in Borno State, and Public Relations Officer for the Nigerian Contingent to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Rwanda. He also served as Public Relations Officer to a former Chief of Army Staff, where he played a key role in projecting a positive image of the Nigerian Army.

Brig Gen Uba was a distinguished member of the Directing Staff and Chief Instructor at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji. He was seconded to the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College in Gwagwalada as the DHQ Training Team Leader, training customs officers in command and staff responsibilities. He also served as Deputy Director Peacekeeping Operations and Director Personnel Services at Army Headquarters. Until his recent appointment, he was the Director of the Department of Joint Studies at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji.

He is the recipient of numerous awards and decorations, including the Grand Service Star, Distinguished Service Star, Field Command Medal, Passed Staff Course double dagger (++), National Defence College (Bangladesh), Nigerian Army Outstanding Tactical Command Medal, and the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award Medal.

Brig Gen Uba is affiliated with several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Nigerian Institute of Management, Nigerian Army Resource Centre, and the Nigerian Society of International Affairs. He is happily married with children and enjoys playing squash and reading in his leisure time.

 

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JUST IN: National Assembly to Re-gazette Tax Laws Amid Controversy

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

 

The National Assembly has directed the Clerk to re-gazette four major tax reform acts and issue Certified True Copies of the versions officially passed by parliament, following public controversy over discrepancies in the published laws.

In a Friday statement, House Spokesman Akin Rotimi said the leadership of both chambers authorized the move to “protect the integrity of the legislative record,” describing it as an administrative step to accurately reflect parliamentary decisions.

The directive addresses growing scrutiny over the Nigeria Tax Act (2025), Nigeria Tax Administration Act (2025), Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act (2025), and Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act (2025)—particularly concerning harmonization of bills, documentation sent for presidential assent, and the versions eventually published in the Official Gazette.

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Rotimi emphasized that the legislature is addressing the matter within its constitutional authority. Last week, the House formed a seven-member Ad Hoc Committee to investigate the legislative and administrative handling of the acts.

“The Committee, alongside relevant National Assembly bodies, is conducting an institutional review to establish the sequence of events and identify any contributing factors,” he stated, noting the review will examine potential “lapses, irregularities, or external interferences.”

The process, he added, complies fully with the Constitution, the Acts Authentication Act, and parliamentary standing orders.

While the re-gazetting aims to “clear any ambiguity,” Rotimi clarified that the review “does not constitute, imply, or concede any defect in the exercise of legislative authority.” He also stated the action is without prejudice to other arms of government and does not affect existing rights or legal processes.

Reaffirming its commitment to constitutionalism and the rule of law, the House pledged to take “appropriate corrective measures” if procedural refinements are needed.

The public was urged to allow the institutional process to proceed “without speculation or conjecture.”

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Airstrikes: Activist Sowore Decries Reckless Breach of Sovereignty By the U.S Government

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has issued a fierce condemnation of a confirmed U.S. military airstrike inside Nigeria, labeling the action a dangerous breach of sovereignty and an “imperialist move” by President Donald Trump.

Sowore’s warning follows President Trump’s announcement on Truth Social that he had ordered a “powerful and deadly strike” against ISIS fighters in northwest Nigeria. Trump justified the operation, stating the militants had been “viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians” and that he had delivered promised retribution: “there was hell to pay.”

While the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed the strike was conducted “at the request of Nigerian authorities,” Sowore argued that direct foreign military intervention is a catastrophic precedent.

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“Nobody should be rejoicing about this,” Sowore stated. “The U.S. could help the Nigerian military, but U.S. military carrying out an attack inside Nigeria is extremely dangerous, reckless, and bad.”

He described the event as “a sad day for the so-called African liberation and Independence.”

The strike triggered panic on the ground in Sokoto State. Residents of Jabo village reported a sudden, loud explosion on Christmas night, with many fearing an imminent attack. “It happened suddenly… The explosion caused fear, but thank God it did not land among people,” one eyewitness said.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed gratitude for “Nigerian government support & cooperation” and ominously added there would be “more to come.”

The operation marks a sharp and controversial escalation of U.S. counter-terrorism activity in West Africa, raising urgent questions about sovereignty, foreign intervention, and the future of regional security partnerships.

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Nigeria Aides U.S in Sokoto Airstrike Against ISIS

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Donald J. Trump has announced that the United States carried out targeted military strikes against ISIS–affiliated militants in north-west Nigeria, marking a sharp escalation in American counter-terrorism operations in West Africa.

In a late-night statement published on Truth Social, the U.S. President said the operation was conducted under his direct orders as Commander-in-Chief, describing it as “a powerful and deadly strike” aimed at extremist elements responsible for repeated attacks in the region.

According to Mr Trump, the militants had been involved in brutal assaults on local communities, particularly targeting Christian populations. He said he had previously warned the group of consequences if the violence continued.

“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorist scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians… I have previously warned these terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was,” the statement read in part.

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He added that the “Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes,” asserting that the U.S. would not allow extremist groups to flourish under his leadership.

While the President praised the American military, he also issued a stern warning to the militants, saying there would be further consequences if attacks on civilians persisted.

Confirming the development, the Nigerian government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that it provided the intelligence needed to the United States government concerning the airstrike.

“In line with established international practice and bilateral understandings, this cooperation includes the exchange of intelligence, strategic coordination, and other forms of support consistent with international law, mutual respect for sovereignty, and shared commitments to regional and global security,” said the ministry.

It further stated that Nigerian authorities remain engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America, in addressing the persistent threat of terrorism and violent extremism.

On the particular location of the strike in the northwestern part of the country, netizens, particularly from Sokoto State, have confirmed that a rocket landed in Jabo Ward, under Tambuwal LG of Sokoto State, Nigeria this same night.

Similarly, the United States Africa Command(AFRICOM), an organization responsible for the United States military operations in the continent, in a series of posts on X, said the airstrikes were launched based on requests of the Nigerian government.

“AFRICOM conducted a strike at the request of Nigerian authorities in Sokoto State killing multiple ISIS terrorists. Lethal strikes against ISIS demonstrate the strength of our military and our commitment to eliminating terrorist threats against Americans at home and abroad,” the statement reads.

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