The Niger State Government has revealed how terrorist leader, Abubakar Abba, was arrested by the Department of State Service in the state.

Abba was the leader of the Mahmuda terror groups, which pitched its tent and operated in Niger and Kwara states.

He was captured in Wawa, the Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.

Governor Mohammed Bago’s Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, on Wednesday announced Abba’s arrest in a statement in which he said the terror kingpin had been moved to the nation’s capital, Abuja, for further investigation.

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“Yes, it is true. I can confirm that the leader of Mahmuda, which is one of the most dangerous terror groups in West Africa, Abubakar Abba, has been arrested by the DSS.

“He was apprehended alive through an intelligence-led operation by the DSS.

“This is a huge victory for us as a people and as a government, and President Tinubu deserves commendation for this cheering news.

“Abba’s arrest demonstrates the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to truly ending insecurity and promoting the well-being of Nigerians,” Ibrahim said.

Mahmuda, an offshoot of the deadly Boko Haram terror group, was also believed to have ties with the Islamic State and was responsible for a series of attacks across Kwara and Niger states.

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The terror group had reportedly launched two attacks in one day in Kwara state on June 3—first killing three villagers in the morning and then four more in the evening, and leaving the community in mourning.

Mahmuda’s foot soldiers, usually clad in camouflage and often riding on motorcycles, continued their rampage, with at least three villagers killed in a fresh assault.

This indicated the group’s sustained threat.

A recent large-scale attack in Kwara reportedly resulted in the killing of seven residents, while several others were abducted.

The terror group had also reportedly struck numerous villages near Kainji Lake National Park while a market in Kwara was also attacked, killing four Fulani men, a local guard, and a 19-year-old bystander.

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Another attack killed 15 vigilantes in Kemanji village.

The Mahmuda terror group reportedly established bases in forested areas linking Niger, Nasarawa, Kwara, and Kogi states.

It carried out activities including illegal mining, forced labour and extortion of herders and farmers.

Meanwhile, the Niger State governor has applauded the DSS operation as a strong demonstration of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the safety and welfare of Nigerians.

Barely days after his suspension as the General Manager of Legacy FM, Ebonyi State, Godfrey Chikwere, known as Baby Mouth, has received two awards from separate organisations.

Recall that Chikwere was suspended by the privately owned station’s management, who cited repeated breaches of its code of conduct.

The suspension came shortly after Chikwere, in a Facebook post, criticised the handling of state matters by Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru.

In that post, he accused the administration of poor communication, underperformance, and lack of policy direction.

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In response to the controversy on social media, the station’s owner, Senator Obinna Ogba, denied that the governor influenced the decision, insisting the suspension was purely internal.

However, in a Facebook post on Wednesday, Chikwere appeared unfazed by the development, revealing he had been honoured within 72 hours by the National Youth Council of Nigeria and Champions Cathedral.

“Yesterday, 12/08/2025, during the commemoration of the 2025 International Youth Day, I was honoured for my contribution to youth development in Ebonyi via the media.

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“The second award is from Champions Cathedral in recognition of my input in society development.

“To me, I dedicate these awards to all of us who have lent our voices, talent, tact and intellect for society’s growth and development.

“Without your voices, mine alone would have been a mere noise. It’s our award and your award,” Chikwere wrote.

Female officers of the Nigeria Police Force have condemned what they described as targeted and misogynistic attacks on some of their colleagues recently promoted by the Police Service Commission, following the recommendation of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

Omoyele Sowore had in a Facebook post, alleged preferential promotion of one Bukola Kuti and other female officers.

In a separate interview with our correspondent, he also claimed that if the IGP had nothing to hide, he would have released the complete list of promotions, “like the 29,000 officers elevated after the #PoliceProtest, but he can’t because of exposing his secret upgrades of loyalists like Muyiwa Adejobi and sidekicks like Bukola Yemisi Kuti and Yemisi Ademosu.”

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However, in a statement signed on Wednesday by the Force Gender Advisor to the Inspector-General of Police, Aishatu Abubakar Baju, the female officers voiced deep shock and disappointment at what they described as recent unwarranted attacks on their colleagues.

The statement alleged that the criticism, led by Sowore and his associates, singled out female officers for criticism, ignoring their male counterparts promoted under the same process and criteria

“Female police officers are integral to the maintenance of law and order, and as dedicated public servants as well as mothers, sisters, and wives, they deserve the utmost respect and dignity,” it stated.

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They maintained that promotions in the Force are earned strictly on merit, whether through years of exemplary service or exceptional performance.

Baju added “Women who meet these standards are equally entitled to recognition and career advancement as their male colleagues.

“The insinuation that female officers’ promotions are unmerited or based on gender bias is not only unfounded but also reflects deep-seated misogyny.

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“Such remarks undermine the sacrifices, professionalism, and hard work of women in uniform who risk their lives daily in service to our nation.”

The officers demanded that Sowore retract his statement and apologise to them for the perceived gender attack and ridicule.

“We therefore demand the immediate retraction of these derogatory statements and a formal public apology to the women of the Nigeria Police Force.

“We reaffirm that no amount of intimidation or smear campaigns will deter us from discharging our duties with the highest level of professionalism, integrity, and commitment to national security,” the statement concluded.