News

How Terrorist Leader, Abubakar Abba, Was arrested – Niger Govt

Published

3 weeks ago

August 13, 2025

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.

“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.

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.

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.

News

NECO To Streamline English Exam, Slashes Questions

Published

2 hours ago

September 3, 2025

Editor

The National Examinations Council has announced a reduction in the number of objective questions for the English Language Paper III in the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination Internal. Effective from the 2026 SSCE Internal exams, the total number of questions will be reduced from 100 to 80.

In an official notification made available to The PUNCH on Wednesday, signed by the State Coordinator for Osun State, Sunday K. Bolaji, dated September 1, 2025, stated that the new paper structure includes six sections.

Antonyms (10 questions), Appropriateness of Registers (10 questions), Appropriate Interpretation of Idioms, Phrasal Verbs, and Foreign Words (10 questions), Synonyms (10 questions), Grammatical Structures (30 questions), and Cloze Text (10 questions).

The time allocated for Paper III will also be adjusted to 50 minutes. This change aims to streamline the examination process and enhance the testing experience for students.

Previously reported by The PUNCH, on August 29, NECO confirmed it will fully transition from the traditional paper-and-pencil examination method to a computer-based testing system, starting with the November/December 2025 SSCE external.

This shift aligns with the Federal Government’s July 2025 directive to deploy private and public CBT centres nationwide for school-based SSCEs by 2026.

NECO has invited interested CBT centre operators across Nigeria to apply for accreditation, subject to strict technical, infrastructural, and security requirements to ensure examination integrity and smooth implementation.

This move aims to modernise Nigeria’s examination system, reduce malpractice, and improve operational efficiency while expanding digital education access nationwide.

News

JUST IN: Ex-Ondo SDP Governorship Candidate Dies

Published

5 hours ago

September 3, 2025

Editor

The candidate of the Social Democratic Party in the November 16, 2024, Ondo State governorship election, Bamidele Akingboye, is dead.

His death was confirmed on Wednesday in a statement by his aide, Oyeniyi Iwakun.

According to the statement, Akingboye died earlier on Wednesday at his residence in Victoria Garden City, Lagos.

The statement read, “Known for his unwavering integrity, humility, and generosity, Akingboye left an indelible mark as a successful businessman and a mentor to many across Nigeria and beyond.

“He is survived by his wives, children, grandchildren, and siblings. The family has requested privacy during this period of grief, adding that burial arrangements and further details will be communicated in due course.”

Akingboye contested the November 2024 governorship election but lost to the incumbent governor and candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

After the poll, Akingboye and the SDP rejected the result, alleging widespread irregularities.

The party claimed its agents were harassed and chased away from polling units, while voters were intimidated.

Akingboye himself insisted that the exercise was marred by malpractices and urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to cancel the election.

News

VIDEO: Police Arrest Syndicate Hypnotising Victims Under Guise Of Seeking Directions In Delta

Published

5 hours ago

September 3, 2025

Editor

The Delta State Police Command has arrested seven suspects specialised in defrauding victims under the guise of seeking directions.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Edafe Bright, disclosed this in a post on X.com on Tuesday, explaining how the syndicate approaches their victims, hypnotises them and cart away with their money and valuables.

He wrote, “Have you ever come across people who pretend like they are looking for direction? Have you ever met a victim who they lured and ended up taking all their money, phones and jewellery? Watch till the end to find out their strategy, and please share for others to learn.”

In the accompanying video, Edafe added, “We’ve been hearing of this syndicate that usually acts in the guise of looking for direction and eventually manages to hypnotise their victims, lure them, collect their money, phones and even their jewellery. It is no longer a fairy tale because today we have about seven suspects who are very good at that, but the hands of the law have finally caught up with them.”

One of the suspects in the video described the act as a “419 business” that requires three persons called Cashama, Jejeti and Citama, respectively.

The suspect went ahead to explain the strategy they use in defrauding their suspects and the role of the three members in the scheme.

Another suspect added that the gang has netted about N2.7 million through this tactic from five victims.

One of the victims, identified as Fullness, recounted his experience, stating that he was approached by a man who seemed lost and was ignored by other people. He took pity on the man and agreed to help.

He noted that upon entering their vehicle, he lost all sense of awareness and was later defrauded of ₦2.5 million in cash, a phone worth ₦1.6 million, and another phone valued at ₦400,000.

Another victim, identified as Daniel, also explained how the gang collected jewellery and gadgets worth over N7 million from him.

Watch the video below:

https://x.com/MobilePunch/status/1963169979609551162?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1963169979609551162%7Ctwgr%5Ea8a95bacc0b76a0da87621d733811182f7c60d86%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fpunchng.com%2Fvideo-police-arrest-syndicate-hypnotising-victims-under-guise-of-seeking-directions-in-delta%2F