The Kebbi State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its ongoing fight against terrorism and banditry with the arrest of seven suspected terrorists during coordinated intelligence-led operations in Bagudo Local Government Area of the state.

The suspects were apprehended on June 5, 2026, during a series of security operations targeting criminal networks operating within the Soda Forest axis and surrounding border communities. The operations form part of the Command’s sustained efforts to dismantle terrorist cells, disrupt logistics channels, and curb violent crimes across affected areas.

According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Kebbi State Command, SP Bashir Usman, security operatives acting on credible intelligence intercepted three suspects along the Illo–Lolo Road while they were travelling on a Haojue motorcycle from the Soda Forest area towards nearby border communities.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were allegedly on a mission to procure food supplies intended for criminal elements hiding within the forest. The suspects were identified as Muhammadu Bande, Aliyu Abubakar, and Muhammadu Aliyu. The motorcycle used by the suspects was also recovered during the operation.

In a separate operation conducted along the Bakin Ruwa–Ka’oje axis, security operatives arrested four additional suspects identified as Haruna Abubakar, Abubakar Lawali, Anme Shehu, and Yahaya Shehu. The arrests were made as police intensified efforts to dismantle criminal networks and deny suspected terrorists freedom of movement within the area.

Police authorities disclosed that all seven suspects are currently in custody and are assisting investigators. Ongoing investigations are expected to determine the full extent of their alleged involvement in criminal activities and establish possible connections to recent security incidents in the area, including an attack that resulted in the deaths of three officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

The Command stated that the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

Speaking on the development, the Commissioner of Police, Kebbi State Command, CP Umar M. Hadejia, described the arrests as a significant operational success in the state’s ongoing campaign against terrorism, banditry, and other forms of violent crime.

He commended the professionalism, resilience, and dedication of the operatives involved in the operations, noting that their efforts had contributed significantly to improving security in affected communities. The police commissioner also expressed appreciation to members of the public whose timely and credible information aided the success of the operations.

CP Hadejia reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven policing strategies aimed at dismantling criminal networks, disrupting their supply chains, and restoring lasting peace and security across Kebbi State.

He further urged residents to remain vigilant and continue collaborating with security agencies by providing useful and timely information on suspicious activities. According to him, all information received from members of the public would be treated with the highest level of confidentiality.

The Kebbi State Police Command assured residents that efforts to combat terrorism, banditry, and related crimes would continue unabated, adding that further updates would be provided as investigations progress.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The federal ministry of finance says it has approved payments to more than 1,240 contractors across ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

In a statement on Monday, Mary-Ann Duke, senior special assistant on communication and press secretary to the minister of finance, said the approval followed a verification and reconciliation exercise to validate outstanding obligations.

Duke said contractors with verified claims of N100 million or less were prioritised in the latest batch of payments.

“The Federal Ministry of Finance has approved payments to more than 1,240 contractors, providing immediate liquidity support to businesses across the country and reinforcing the Federal Government’s commitment to meeting its financial obligations,” the statement reads.

The ministry said the payments would provide relief to indigenous businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), enabling them to return to project sites, pay workers and settle suppliers.

“Contractors prioritised for payment in the most recent batch are those with verified claims in the region of N100 million or less,” Duke said.

The ministry added that the federal government has processed more than N700 billion in verified obligations owed to local contractors in recent months.

The statement said within the month of May alone, approximately N436.6 billion in transactions were processed, demonstrating a significant acceleration in payment activity aimed at unlocking liquidity and supporting economic growth.

According to the ministry, prioritising smaller contractors is intended to spread the impact of the disbursements across sectors and regions, while helping businesses sustain operations, preserve jobs and complete ongoing projects.

The ministry said the latest payments are also expected to boost confidence among contractors, suppliers and service providers doing business with the government.

In January, local contractors prevented Doris Uzoka-Anite, the former minister of state for finance, from accessing the ministry.

Six months later, the senate constituted a panel to engage the finance ministry on debts owed to contractors.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Finance, James Faleke, has said Nigeria’s quest for rapid development depends largely on the willingness of civil servants to uphold integrity and due process, even in the face of pressure from political office holders.

Faleke spoke in Abuja on Sunday evening on the sidelines of the launch of a book titled “The Nigerian Legislature: A Practical Guide for Lawmakers,” written by the retiring Clerk of the House Committee on Finance, Oscar Okoro, to mark his 60th birthday and retirement from service.

The lawmaker said civil servants remain the backbone of governance and play a critical role in ensuring that government policies and programmes are implemented in line with established rules and procedures.

“The civil service mainly builds the country. They are the technocrats. They are the people that we politicians rely on,” Faleke said.

“And if the civil servant decides to get this done properly, I think the country will be better off. Even when the politician says, let us do it the other way, and he says no, let us follow the rules, I think Nigeria will be better off.”

According to him, dedication to national development requires a genuine commitment to the country’s success and institutions.

“It is about dedication to the development of Nigeria. When you trust and believe in the country, you will want to see the success of the country,” he added.

Faleke described Okoro as a dedicated, committed and hardworking public servant whose career should serve as an example to younger generations entering public service.

“Okoro is a very hardworking guy. Unlike others, he is not money-conscious; he just wants to see things done accordingly and appreciably. For every time I push him hard, he works harder. I believe he is going to succeed very well in his retirement,” he said.

Also speaking, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, Abubakar Saidu, said his relationship with Okoro had grown beyond official engagement into a family bond.

He described the retiring clerk as a consummate professional whose conduct and work ethic offer valuable lessons for younger public servants.

“He is very dedicated, very patient. He is a professional, excellent and committed as well as exemplary when it comes to the job,” Saidu said.

The House spokesman, Akin Rotimi, also paid tribute to Okoro, describing him as a model public servant whose career embodied integrity, diligence and commitment to duty.

“My encouragement to people in service is that this is the kind of person to model and pattern their careers after, people who have integrity and diligence as their watchword,” Rotimi said.

He noted that although the National Assembly has institutional mechanisms for mentoring and leadership development, Okoro’s experience and expertise would be difficult to replace.

Responding, Okoro attributed his achievements in public service to God, hard work, patience and humility.

“Life itself is a very difficult and cautious journey. You have to know your onions, be hardworking, be patient, humble and respectful. If these are lacking, you are bound to fail either in the National Assembly or anywhere in life,” he said.

The retired clerk said he would return to legal practice and consultancy while devoting more time to mentoring young people and serving God.

Earlier, the reviewer of the book, Professor Kabir Danladi of the Department of Public Law, Ahmadu Bello University, described the publication as a reflection of the author’s dedication during his 27 years of service.

Danladi said the 335-page book provides a practical guide to the workings of Nigeria’s legislature, particularly the National Assembly, covering its constitutional foundations, internal structures, legislative procedures, oversight responsibilities and relationship with other arms of government.

According to him, the book is organised into nine chapters and offers both historical and practical insights into legislative practice, making it a valuable resource for lawmakers, political actors, students and citizens seeking a deeper understanding of parliamentary governance.