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U.S. Conducts Surveillance on Sambisa After Sokoto Airstrikes

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

 

The United States has resumed intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations over northeast Nigeria, focusing on militant activity in the Sambisa forest. This comes just days after U.S. airstrikes targeted ISIS-affiliated fighters in Sokoto State on Thursday night.

According to flight-tracking data shared on Saturday by Sahel terrorism analyst Brant Philip, a U.S. aircraft—identified as a Gulfstream V, a model frequently modified for ISR missions—was observed operating over Borno State.

“The United States resumed ISR operations today on ISWAP in the Sambisa forest, Borno State in northeast Nigeria, after a pause of one day following the strikes in Sokoto State,” Philip stated on X, formerly Twitter.

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The mission appears directed at Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), the primary ISIS affiliate active in Nigeria’s northeast and the Lake Chad region.

Open-source analysts report that the current series of U.S. ISR flights over Nigeria began on November 24, originating from Ghana, which functions as a logistical hub for American military operations in West Africa. The aircraft, linked to U.S. special mission provider Tenax Aerospace, has conducted near-daily flights since the campaign started.

Sources familiar with the operations indicate the surveillance serves multiple objectives, including intelligence gathering on militant groups and locating an American pilot kidnapped in neighboring Niger.

The renewed U.S. military engagement follows a recent meeting in Washington between National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Tensions have risen in recent weeks over former President Donald Trump’s threats of military intervention in Nigeria.

After the meeting, Hegseth stated the Pentagon would work “aggressively” with Nigeria to end what he termed the “persecution of Christians by jihadist terrorists.”

Thursday’s airstrikes in northwestern Nigeria—reportedly targeting ISIS-linked militants—were characterized by Trump as the “first fulfilment” of that commitment.

In a message following the operation, he warned, “More strikes would follow.”

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Kano Committee Inspects Facilities Ahead of Safe Corridor Project Take-Off

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The Coordinator of the Safe Corridor Programme and Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, on Sunday led members of the programme committee Team on an inspection tour of facilities at the Corporate Security Institute, Gabasawa, ahead of the commencement of the project

The Safe Corridor Programe is a non-kinetic initiative designed to support rehabilitation, empowerment, reintegration, through reorientation, and peace building, to achieve security and stability in Kano community, as part of a broader efforts to address security challenges especially daba fight and other related activities through non- kinetic approaches.

During the visit, the committee inspected key places including accommodation facility, training hall, sports areas, classes ad other essential structures expected to support the successful implementation of the programme.

Speaking during the inspection, Comrade Waiya said the initiative reflects the commitment of the Kano State Government towards strengthening peace, social stability, and community development through dialogue, Sensitization, and empowerment.

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He noted that, adequate preparations are being made to ensure a smooth and successful take-off of the project, while assuring that the committee remains focused on delivering on its mandate.

Members of the committee during the tour expressed satisfaction with the level of preparedness at the facility, stating that arrangements are being concluded ahead of the official launch of the programme.
Some of the personalities who were part of the tour team included: Alh. Shehu Mohammed, Sarkin Shanu, Alh. Alh. Aliyu Umar Harazimi, Dan Amar, Hakimin Gobirawa, State Commander, of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Alh. Lawan Dahiru, Alh. Sabiu Bako, a businessman, Representatives of the civil society organizations, as well as other critical stakeholders

During, the visit, the Commissioner, for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, assured the people of Kano that, His Excellency, Alh. Abba Kabir Yusuf, is. committed to addressing the challenges of daba and political thuggery in the State.

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Kano ADC Chairmen Endorse Atiku Abubakar as Party’s Presidential Candidate

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Abbas Yushau Yusuf

The African Democratic Congress Chairmen of the 44 Local Governments in Kano have endorsed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the presidential candidate of the party in the 2027 general elections.

Tijjani Rabiu Bashir, the ADC Chairman of Dambatta Local Government, stated this while addressing newsmen in Kano on behalf of the remaining chairmen of the local governments.

According to Tijjani Rabiu Bashir, the 44 Local Government Chairmen of the ADC have unanimously agreed that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is their candidate for the 2027 presidential election under the platform of the ADC.

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The chairman said that after due consultation and considering the situation in which Nigeria finds itself, they have unanimously agreed and adopted Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as their presidential candidate.

“We have agreed to endorse Alhaji Atiku’s candidacy due to his competence and pedigree, ensuring peace, uniting the nation, and his efforts toward enduring peace throughout the federation,” said Rabiu Bashir.

They further called on all stakeholders to support the candidature of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to ensure a prosperous Nigeria.

 

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President Tinubu Clinches APC Presidential Ticket with 10.9m Votes

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Bola Tinubu has emerged as the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate for the 2027 general election after securing nearly 11 million votes in the party’s nationwide primary election.

The results, drawn from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, showed President Tinubu in a commanding lead over fellow aspirant Stanley Osifo, cementing his dominance within the ruling party ahead of the next electoral cycle.

President Bola Tinubu secured 10.99 million votes to defeat his sole rival, who polled 16,504 votes, in the All Progressives Congress presidential primary election held across 8,809 wards nationwide.

The figures were announced during the ongoing national collation of results at the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.

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Governors of 31 states, alongside other senior party figures serving as state coordinators and collation officers, presented the outcomes of the direct primaries to the Presidential Primary Election Committee chaired by former Senate President Pius Anyim.

In the South-West, Tinubu recorded commanding victories in key states considered strongholds of the party. He polled 814,988 votes in Lagos, 322,485 in Ogun, 181,996 in Ondo, 142,754 in Oyo, 100,888 in Osun, and 85,340 votes in Ekiti. Osifo managed only marginal figures in the zone, including 1,186 votes in Lagos and 929 votes in Oyo, while recording zero votes in several states.

The North-West also delivered overwhelming support for the President. Kaduna produced one of the highest figures with 618,914 votes for Tinubu, while Kano returned 500,852 votes. Katsina gave him 467,003 votes, Gombe recorded 450,517, Kebbi delivered 292,972, Sokoto returned 301,000, and Zamfara added 321,579 votes. Osifo’s performance remained weak across the region, with only scattered votes recorded in a few states.

In the North-Central region, Tinubu maintained a wide lead with 310,990 votes in Kwara, 285,436 in Nasarawa, 241,720 in Plateau, 197,370 in Kogi, 175,487 in Niger, and 374,787 votes in Benue. The Federal Capital Territory also delivered 36,103 votes to the President, while Osifo failed to secure any vote there.

The South-East and South-South zones equally produced impressive numbers for Tinubu.

He secured 582,960 votes in Imo, 383,382 in Enugu, 207,579 in Ebonyi, 161,005 in Abia, and 43,034 in Anambra. In the South-South, Tinubu polled 407,646 votes in Delta, 389,197 in Akwa Ibom, 280,082 in Rivers, and 227,192 in Bayelsa. Osifo recorded modest figures in a handful of states, including 1,007 votes in Abia and 384 votes in Anambra.

At the end of collation, Tinubu emerged with a total of 10,999,967 votes, while Osifo garnered 16,504 votes nationwide.

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