Tuesday, July 28, 2026

Troops Kill Two Terrorists, Rescue 12 Kidnap Victims, Recover Weapons, Livestock in Benue, Katsina Operations

By
Web Administrator
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Nigerian troops have recorded fresh breakthroughs in the fight against terrorism and banditry, killing two suspected terrorists, rescuing 12 kidnapped victims, recovering a cache of weapons and ammunition, arresting a suspected terrorist and reclaiming dozens of rustled livestock during separate intelligence-led operations in Benue and Katsina states.

The successful operations were carried out by troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation WHIRL STROKE and Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, as security forces sustained pressure on criminal groups operating across the North-Central and North-West regions.

Rescued captives.

In Benue State, troops of Sector 1, Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE, working alongside the Benue State Civil Protection Guard, neutralised two suspected terrorists and rescued three kidnapped victims during a coordinated offensive in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area.

According to the military, the operation commenced at about 3:00 a.m. on July 16 and concluded the following day after troops advanced through Takum in Taraba State to Tse Togo and Utenge communities across River Yooyo at Orter Camp, where intelligence indicated that armed terrorists had established a hideout.

On reaching the camp, troops engaged the suspects in a fierce gun battle, killing two of the terrorists while forcing others to flee.

Troops with other rescued captives.

The operation also led to the rescue of three abducted victims identified as Mr. Nyityo Abraham, a teacher; Mr. Uzuegwu Chukwuemeka Decency, a spare parts dealer; and Mr. Terhember Tavarshima, a farmer, all from Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State. The military said several other captives escaped from the terrorists’ camp during the exchange of gunfire.

Troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, one G3 rifle fitted with an optic sight, one pistol, 19 AK-47 magazines, 181 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, 40 rounds of 7.62×51mm ammunition, nine rounds of 7.62mm Tavor ammunition, a Moniepoint Point-of-Sale (POS) device, as well as two pairs each of desert and woodland camouflage uniforms.

Commending the troops, the Force Commander of Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE, Major General Moses Gara, praised their courage, resilience and professionalism throughout the operation.

Weapons recovered by troops from terrorists. Photo: Nigerian Army

He reaffirmed his commitment to eliminating terrorists and other criminal elements within the Joint Operations Area while appreciating sister security agencies and local communities for their continued support and cooperation.

In a separate operation in Katsina State, troops of Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, rescued nine kidnapped victims, recovered 56 rustled livestock and arrested a suspected terrorist during multiple intelligence-driven operations across the state.

During a fighting patrol in Faskari Local Government Area, troops of Sector 2 rescued nine kidnapped victims comprising three women, four men and two children.

Some of the recovered rustled livestock.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the victims had been abducted by terrorists on July 9, 2026, along the Tsafe-Kuchere Road in Tsafe Local Government Area of neighbouring Zamfara State.

The victims told security personnel that they managed to escape from the terrorists’ enclave after their captors fell asleep before they were intercepted and rescued by troops. They are currently in military custody pending reunification with their families.

In another operation based on credible intelligence, troops responded to reports of terrorists rustling livestock in Bakori Local Government Area.

On sighting the advancing troops, the armed men reportedly opened fire but were overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the soldiers and fled into the surrounding bush, abandoning 56 rustled animals comprising four cattle and 52 sheep.

The recovered livestock have been secured by the military and will be handed over to the appropriate local authorities.

Meanwhile, troops also arrested a suspected terrorist during routine operations in Danmusa Local Government Area.

According to the military, preliminary exploitation of items recovered from the suspect revealed materials believed to be linked to terrorist activities. The suspect remains in military custody and is undergoing further investigation.

Reacting to the successful operations, the Theatre Commander of Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, commended the troops for their professionalism, vigilance and resilience in sustaining pressure on criminal elements operating across the theatre.

He reaffirmed the Joint Task Force’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations in collaboration with other security agencies and law-abiding citizens until terrorism, banditry and other forms of criminality are decisively defeated across the North-West.

The latest operations underscore the military’s continued reliance on intelligence-led offensives to dismantle terrorist enclaves, rescue kidnapped victims, disrupt criminal logistics and restore security in some of the country’s most troubled regions.

NDLEA Declares Four Wanted Over Imo Meth Lab, Freezes ₦9.84bn

By
Kazeem Busari
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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has declared four suspected members of a major drug trafficking syndicate wanted over their alleged involvement in the operation of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Imo State and an extensive drug money laundering network.

The agency identified the wanted suspects as Nnamuka Kelvin Uchenna, also known as Odogwu; Emmanuella Chinonso Iroka; Nnamuka Ifeanyi Kingsley; and Ekechi Franklin Chijioke, alias Ekene Okwunaga.

The declaration followed an order issued by Justice Iniekenimi Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court sitting in Owerri, Imo State, after the NDLEA filed an application in Suit No. FHC/OW/CS/22/2026 on July 3, 2026.

According to the anti-narcotics agency, the suspects went into hiding after operatives uncovered a clandestine methamphetamine production laboratory at Isiozi in Umuaka, Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State on February 25, 2026.

During the raid, NDLEA officers recovered 18.4 kilograms of methamphetamine alongside other equipment and materials used in the illicit production of the dangerous synthetic drug. Subsequent investigations allegedly linked the four suspects to the illegal laboratory.

The agency said extensive forensic and financial investigations into the syndicate also led to the freezing of bank accounts linked to the suspects, with a combined balance of ₦9,840,873,566.66.

In addition, the NDLEA obtained interim forfeiture orders covering several high-value assets allegedly acquired with proceeds of drug trafficking. The assets include a filling station, multiple multi-storey residential buildings and four Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) bearing registration numbers RLU 148 AJ, KJA 563 FZ, BWR 249 DY and FST 208 HU.

Reacting to the development, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), described the operation as another significant breakthrough in the agency’s campaign against drug trafficking and illicit financial networks.

“This latest operation reaffirms our unwavering commitment to tracking down drug kingpins and their collaborators, no matter how sophisticated their network or how long they attempt to evade justice,” Marwa said.

He added that the discovery of the clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Njaba and the seizure of billions of naira in suspected illicit proceeds demonstrate the agency’s determination to dismantle criminal enterprises operating behind legitimate businesses.

“The discovery of this clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Njaba, and the subsequent freezing of nearly ten billion naira in illicit funds, alongside the forfeiture of a filling station, multi-storey buildings and four exotic SUVs, sends an unambiguous message that the illegal drug business is no longer a safe haven for criminals seeking to launder their ill-gotten wealth through legitimate enterprises,” he said.

Marwa assured Nigerians that the agency would continue to pursue the fleeing suspects and all other members of the syndicate until they are brought to justice.

“I want to assure Nigerians that the Agency will not relent in going after the fleeing suspects and anyone else linked to this syndicate. We will continue to deploy financial and forensic intelligence to trace, freeze and forfeit assets acquired through drug trafficking, just as we will not hesitate to invoke the full weight of the law against fugitives who think they can hide from justice,” he stated.

The NDLEA boss also appealed to members of the public to assist security agencies with credible information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects.

 

 

Court Forfeits Aisha Achimugu’s ₦8.9bn to Federal Government

By
Kazeem Busari
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Aisha Achimugu

Justice Jude Onwugbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, Abuja, on Thursday ordered the final forfeiture of assets valued at approximately ₦8.9 billion linked to businesswoman Aisha Achimugu to the Federal Government.

The forfeited items include jewellery worth ₦4.645 billion, 11 exotic vehicles valued at ₦4.293 billion, $50,000 in cash, and ₦30 million in local currency. Justice Onwugbuzie delivered the ruling while granting an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the permanent seizure of the properties, which the anti-graft agency argued were proceeds of unlawful activities.

The EFCC had urged the court to permanently forfeit the assets, maintaining that they were connected to illicit dealings. The court agreed with the commission’s position and ordered the jewellery, vehicles, and cash to be finally transferred to the Federal Government.

This development marks the latest in a series of forfeiture orders against Achimugu and her associated companies. In March 2026, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja had affirmed the final forfeiture of $13 million traced to Achimugu’s firm, Oceangate Engineering Oil & Gas Limited. In that ruling, the court held that the company failed to establish a legitimate source for the funds and dismissed claims that the money represented gifts to Achimugu, noting that neither she nor any alleged donors appeared in court to substantiate the assertion.

The $13 million had previously been placed under interim forfeiture following EFCC investigations into suspicious cash transactions linked to oil block acquisitions.

Gbajabiamila Sues Alleged Fake Presidential DG for ₦15bn Over ‘48% Kickback’ Claims

By
Web Administrator
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Femi Gbajabiamila

Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has instituted a ₦15 billion defamation suit against Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, over allegations that he demanded a 48 per cent kickback from a ₦27.3 billion take-off grant allegedly approved for a federal agency.

The suit marks the latest development in the controversy surrounding Adeyemi, who is separately facing criminal charges over allegations of forgery, impersonation and the use of forged presidential appointment documents in connection with the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), an agency the Presidency has described as non-existent.

Adeniyi Adeyemi

In the civil action, Gbajabiamila is asking the court to award him ₦10 billion as general damages, ₦5 billion as aggravated damages and ₦200 million as the cost of the suit. He is also seeking an order compelling Adeyemi to publish a retraction and apology in five national newspapers and on all social media platforms where the alleged defamatory statements were made.

According to court documents obtained by Channels Television, the Chief of Staff denied ever meeting, speaking with or maintaining any form of relationship with Adeyemi. He equally denied authorising anyone to demand or receive money on his behalf.

The suit, filed by a legal team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Kemi Pinheiro, alongside fellow senior advocates Folu Oguntade, Olukayode Enitan and Chukwudi Enebeli, described Adeyemi’s allegations as false, malicious and defamatory.

The action followed claims made by Adeyemi during a press conference in which he alleged that Gbajabiamila demanded a 48 per cent kickback from a purported ₦27.3 billion take-off grant for the agency. Adeyemi further alleged that the Chief of Staff received ₦400 million through a proxy and later demanded an additional ₦200 million to facilitate presidential approvals.

In his statement on oath before the court, Gbajabiamila firmly denied the allegations, insisting that he had never demanded or received any money from Adeyemi, abused his office or interfered with law enforcement agencies in relation to the matter.

He also rejected allegations linking him to the death of Babatunde Tanimola, whom Adeyemi had identified as an intermediary in the alleged transactions. The Chief of Staff further denied claims that he was connected to an alleged assassination attempt on Adeyemi or that he influenced investigations by security agencies.

Court filings revealed that Gbajabiamila’s solicitors had, on July 6, 2026, issued a cease-and-desist letter demanding that Adeyemi retract the allegations and apologise. The demand was subsequently published in national newspapers the following day.

However, instead of withdrawing the claims, the suit alleged that Adeyemi granted additional interviews, including one with social media influencer VeryDarkMan and another on Politics Today on Channels Television on July 13, 2026, where he allegedly repeated the allegations.

Gbajabiamila told the court that during one of those interviews, Adeyemi admitted that he had never met him personally and had not independently verified the identity of the individual he believed to be the Chief of Staff. According to the suit, Adeyemi acknowledged that all alleged communications were conducted through the late Babatunde Tanimola.

The claimant argued that despite those admissions, Adeyemi continued to publicly repeat the allegations, thereby causing further damage to his personal and professional reputation.

Gbajabiamila maintained that the accusations falsely portrayed him as corrupt, accusing him of bribery, abuse of office and other forms of official misconduct.

He told the court that rather than engage in a public media exchange, he opted to seek judicial redress in order to protect both his reputation and the integrity of the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President.

The court documents also disclosed that Adeyemi is already standing trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja in a separate criminal case involving allegations of forging presidential documents and appointment letters linked to the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.

The FCT High Court has directed Adeyemi to enter an appearance within 14 days after being served with the originating processes, warning that judgment may be entered against him in default if he fails to respond within the stipulated period.

The civil proceedings are separate from the ongoing criminal prosecution against Adeyemi, whose allegations against the Chief of Staff remain unproven and are the subject of active litigation before the courts.

Court Orders Final Forfeiture of Rayhaan University, Radio Station, 46 Other Properties Linked to Ex-AGF Malami

By
Laziz Olatunde
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The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of 48 properties linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), to the Federal Government after ruling that the assets were reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik delivered the judgment on Wednesday, granting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s application for final forfeiture after holding that the anti-graft agency had established a prima facie case that the properties were not acquired from legitimate sources of income.

Among the assets forfeited are Rayhaan University in Kebbi State, including its permanent site, temporary site, third campus and the Vice Chancellor’s residence, as well as Rayhaan Radio located along the Sani Abacha Bypass in Birnin Kebbi.

The court also ordered the forfeiture of several hotels and commercial properties, including Meethaq Hotels in Jabi and Maitama, Abuja; the former Harmonia Hotels in Garki, Abuja; Zeennoor Hotel in Kano; luxury residential buildings in Maitama, Asokoro, Gwarimpa and Wuse II in the Federal Capital Territory; commercial plazas in Abuja and Kano; filling stations; warehouses; factories; agricultural facilities; and large parcels of land in Kebbi State.

Also forfeited are Rayhaan Agro Allied Factory, including its factory buildings, machinery, plant units, mosque and staff quarters; Azbir Arena and its associated hotel, printing press, gallery, gardens, mosque, clothing outlet, pharmacy and supermarket; the Al-Afiya Energy tanker garage; Rayhaan Security House; an uncompleted commercial plaza opposite the Central Motor Park in Birnin Kebbi; Amasdul Oil and Gas Limited filling station; and several residential developments acquired through the Khadimiyya for Justice and Development Initiative.

In her judgment, Justice Abdulmalik held that the EFCC successfully demonstrated that the assets were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities and that the respondents failed to establish that the properties were acquired with lawfully earned income.

According to the court, the respondents merely asserted ownership of the assets without producing credible evidence showing the legitimate sources of the funds used to acquire them.

The judge further held that in non-conviction-based forfeiture proceedings, it is insufficient for claimants to merely state that they own the properties. Rather, they must present evidence tracing the acquisition of such assets to lawful sources of income.

The judgment followed an earlier interim forfeiture order granted by Justice Emeka Nwite on January 6, 2026, after the EFCC filed an ex parte application through its counsel, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN).

Following the interim order, the commission published notices in national newspapers inviting any interested persons to appear before the court and show cause why the assets should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

In response, Malami and 14 other respondents, including members of his family and associates, filed applications challenging the interim forfeiture order. They also questioned the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the matter and urged Justice Abdulmalik to dismiss the EFCC’s request for a final forfeiture.

The parties adopted their arguments during proceedings on May 27, 2026, after which the court reserved judgment.

Delivering the ruling on Wednesday, Justice Abdulmalik dismissed the objections raised by the respondents and ruled that they had failed to discharge the evidential burden required under the law by proving that the properties were acquired with legitimate funds.

Malami has consistently denied wrongdoing in matters relating to investigations involving his tenure as Attorney-General. However, Wednesday’s judgment relates specifically to the ownership and source of funds used to acquire the listed properties. There has been no criminal conviction against the former Attorney-General in connection with the forfeiture proceedings, which were determined under Nigeria’s civil asset forfeiture framework.

Police Rescue Abducted Five-Year-Old Girl, Arrest Two Suspected Kidnappers in Ibadan

By
Kazeem Busari
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The Oyo State Police Command has rescued a five-year-old girl abducted from her home in Ibadan and arrested two suspected kidnappers following a technology-driven intelligence operation that also uncovered part of the gang’s activities.

The Command said the victim, Miss Fikayo Gbemiga, was rescued unharmed after operatives of its Anti-Kidnapping Squad tracked down the suspects’ hideout using intelligence and other investigative tools.

According to the police, the child was abducted from her family’s residence in the Iyana Offa area of Ibadan on July 3, 2026, prompting the launch of an intensive investigation.

The Command said its Anti-Kidnapping Squad deployed technological resources and intelligence-led policing techniques to identify and monitor the suspects, leading to a breakthrough on July 11, 2026, at about 10:30 p.m.

The operation culminated in the arrest of two suspects, identified as Adegboye Seyi Sunday, 37, and Adegboye Elijah Adefemi, 25, at their hideout in the Mojoyin Molade area of Iwo Road, Ibadan.

Police investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly gained unlawful access to the complainant’s residence before abducting the five-year-old girl and demanding a ransom of ₦10 million from her family.

Acting on credible intelligence gathered during the investigation, operatives stormed the hideout at about 10:35 p.m., successfully rescuing the child unharmed and arresting both suspects before they could relocate the victim or evade arrest.

The rescued girl was immediately taken for medical evaluation and care following the operation.

Further investigation revealed that the suspects had already received ₦1 million from the victim’s family as part of ransom negotiations.

According to the police, the payment was made on July 8, 2026, in Gbongan, Osun State.

The suspects are currently assisting investigators, while efforts are ongoing to recover the ransom already paid and apprehend other members of the kidnapping syndicate who remain at large.

Oyo Police Bust Railway Vandalism Syndicate, Recover Stolen Rail Tracks Worth ₦200m

By
Kazeem Busari
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The Oyo State Police Command has arrested three suspected members of a railway vandalism syndicate and recovered stolen railway tracks valued at approximately ₦200 million, in what authorities described as a major breakthrough against economic sabotage and the destruction of critical national infrastructure.

The Command said the suspects were apprehended following a timely tip-off from a vigilant resident, whose intelligence enabled operatives of the Command Monitoring Unit to intercept the stolen railway materials before they could be transported to their intended destination.

According to the police, the operation was carried out on July 14, 2026, at about 1:45 p.m. in the Gambari, Orile-Igbon area of Oyo State.

The arrested suspects were identified as Waheed Ayinde, 54; Muhammed Sani, 27; and Hassan Ibrahim, 22.

Recovered during the operation were vandalised railway tracks estimated to be worth ₦200 million and a HOWO truck with registration number CAL 972 XA (Cross River State), which investigators believe was being used to transport the stolen materials.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the railway tracks were illegally removed from Niger State before being transported into Oyo State as part of a coordinated criminal operation, with Lagos identified as the syndicate’s intended final destination.

Police investigations further showed that each of the suspects allegedly played specific roles in the operation. According to the Command, one of the suspects served as the contracted truck driver responsible for conveying the stolen railway materials to Lagos, another allegedly coordinated aspects of the operation, while the third provided a temporary storage facility in Ogbomoso pending the clandestine movement of the railway tracks to their final destination.

The Command disclosed that the suspects have made useful confessional statements and are cooperating with investigators.

Police said efforts are ongoing to track down other members of the syndicate who remain at large, recover additional exhibits linked to the operation and conclude investigations before prosecuting all those involved.

Reacting to the operation, the Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, praised the vigilance of the member of the public whose information led to the arrests, describing the success as evidence of the effectiveness of intelligence-led policing and community collaboration.

The police commissioner urged residents to continue supporting law enforcement agencies by providing credible and timely information on criminal activities, assuring that every actionable intelligence report would receive a swift operational response.

 

 

Spain Beat France 2-0 to Reach First World Cup Final Since 2010

By
Kazeem Busari
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Spain’s Marc Cucurella (left) and Rodri (16) try to stop France’s Michael Olise (11) during their World Cup semifinal match in Texas on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Spain booked their place in the FIFA World Cup final for the first time in 16 years after defeating France 2-0 in Tuesday’s semifinal, with teenage sensation Lamine Yamal producing another match-winning display and Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro finding the net.

The victory sends La Roja into only the second World Cup final in the nation’s history, where they will face either defending champions Argentina or England at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.

Spain took control of the contest in the 22nd minute when Oyarzabal calmly converted from the penalty spot after Yamal’s relentless pressing forced a costly error inside the French penalty area.

The 19-year-old winger, who celebrated his birthday just a day before the match, chased down a loose ball after veteran defender Lucas Digne misjudged a header. Digne attempted to clear the danger but instead caught Yamal with a late challenge after the ball had struck the teenager’s arm, prompting the referee to award a penalty.

Oyarzabal made no mistake from 12 yards, scoring his fifth goal of the tournament and handing France their first deficit of the World Cup.

Spain doubled their advantage in the 58th minute through Pedro Porro after a slick one-two with Dani Olmo carved open the French defence.

Olmo managed to return the ball to the advancing Porro moments before being bundled over by defender Dayot Upamecano, allowing the Tottenham full-back to finish clinically and put the match beyond France.

Yamal thought he had added a third goal shortly after, but his effort was ruled out following a tight offside decision.

Speaking after the victory, Porro praised Spain’s collective effort rather than individual performances.

“We gave it our all in order just to go through to the final,” Porro said.

“We knew that we’re a very tough team, we’re doing things really well. This is our team, it’s not about me.”

France, the world’s top-ranked side, had entered the semifinal hoping to become only the third nation to reach three consecutive FIFA World Cup finals. Instead, Didier Deschamps’ side will now contest Saturday’s third-place playoff in Miami Gardens.

The defeat also ended France’s six-match winning streak at the tournament, matching the nation’s longest run achieved during the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

Spain, meanwhile, continued their remarkable dominance on the international stage by eliminating France in a major semifinal for the third consecutive summer.

Yamal had inspired Spain to a 2-1 victory over France in the UEFA Euro 2024 semifinals before starring again in last year’s UEFA Nations League triumph over Les Bleus.

Ahead of this latest encounter, Yamal had boldly declared after Spain’s quarterfinal victory over Belgium that France should fear his side—a prediction that proved prophetic.

Spain were dominant throughout the contest despite facing one of the tournament’s stingiest defences.

France had conceded only two goals in six matches before the semifinal but struggled to contain Spain’s fluid attack.

The Spaniards also created several first-half chances, including an Alex Baena free-kick that struck the defensive wall after Adrien Rabiot was booked for fouling Dani Olmo.

Later in the half, Fabian Ruiz was denied from close range after France goalkeeper Mike Maignan’s misplaced clearance gifted possession to Spain.

At the other end, goalkeeper Unai Simón produced another assured performance to register his sixth clean sheet of the tournament, having conceded just one goal in seven matches.

Spain’s latest victory also extended their unbeaten run in normal time to 37 matches, comprising 28 wins and nine draws, since March 2024.

The streak sets a new national record, surpassing the previous mark of 35 consecutive unbeaten games achieved between 2007 and 2009.

With confidence soaring and history within touching distance, Spain will now bid to win a second FIFA World Cup title when they face either Argentina or England in Sunday’s final.

Nigeria Exceeds OPEC Oil Quota as Crude Production Hits 74-Month High in June

By
Laziz Olatunde
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Nigeria’s oil production recorded its strongest performance in more than six years in June 2026, with crude oil output surpassing the country’s Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) production quota as total crude and condensate production climbed to 1.735 million barrels per day (mbpd).

Latest industry production data showed that Nigeria produced an average of 1,735,398 barrels of crude oil and condensates daily during the month, marking the fourth consecutive month of production growth and underscoring the country’s gradual recovery in the upstream petroleum sector.

Of the total output, 1.56 million barrels per day came from crude oil, while condensate production averaged about 180,000 barrels per day. The crude oil output exceeded Nigeria’s 1.5 million barrels per day OPEC quota, meaning the country achieved 104 per cent of its assigned production target.

The June crude oil production level also represents Nigeria’s highest monthly crude output since April 2020, making it the country’s best performance in 74 months.

Production figures also revealed Nigeria’s growing capacity to approach the coveted two million barrels per day mark. During June, combined crude oil and condensate production peaked at 1.89 million barrels per day, while the lowest daily production recorded during the month stood at 1.57 million barrels per day.

The latest figures extend a steady upward trend witnessed over the past four months. Average daily production rose from 1.483 million barrels in February to 1.546 million barrels in March, increased further to 1.663 million barrels in April, climbed to 1.700 million barrels in May before reaching 1.735 million barrels in June, representing a 2.2 per cent month-on-month increase.

Industry data attributed the sustained improvement to stable production activities across most oil-producing assets and the absence of major pipeline outages during the review period.

The enhanced operational stability helped improve production uptime and crude evacuation efficiency, allowing operators to sustain higher output levels despite isolated operational disruptions.

Although a few production assets experienced brief shutdowns, the impact on national output remained minimal. Scheduled turnaround maintenance programmes were also completed without causing significant disruptions to overall production.

The sustained increase in production was credited to the continued efforts of operators and stakeholders to improve operational efficiency, strengthen asset integrity and enhance production reliability across Nigeria’s upstream petroleum industry.

A breakdown of production by export terminals showed that Bonny Terminal remained Nigeria’s highest-producing stream in June, recording an average output of 318,280 barrels per day, up from 293,880 barrels per day in May.

Forcados Terminal followed with an average daily production of 306,360 barrels, an increase from 289,900 barrels recorded the previous month.

Qua Iboe Terminal produced an average of 164,730 barrels per day, representing a slight decline from 173,360 barrels per day in May, while Escravos Oil Terminal improved its performance to 138,030 barrels per day, compared with 135,470 barrels per day recorded a month earlier.

Offshore producer Bonga ranked as the fifth-largest producing terminal during the month, posting an average daily output of 103,660 barrels, marginally higher than the 102,540 barrels per day achieved in May.

The latest production performance is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s position within OPEC, improve crude export earnings and support the Federal Government’s drive to increase oil production while sustaining operational stability across the country’s oil and gas sector.

Abia Police Arrest 31 Suspects in Drug Hideout Raids, Destroy Criminal Camps in Umuahia

By
Kazeem Busari
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UMUAHIA — The Abia State Police Command has intensified its crackdown on criminal hideouts across the state, arresting 31 suspects and destroying several camps allegedly used for drug bunkering and other criminal activities during coordinated operations in Umuahia.

The Command said the operation was carried out in line with the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Danladi Isa, who instructed strategic officers to sustain clearance operations and raids on criminal enclaves across the state.

According to the police, operatives attached to the Central Police Station (CPS), Umuahia, working in collaboration with community vigilantes, conducted intelligence-led raids on identified black spots around the Mission Hill/New Road axis, popularly known as “Down Below.”

The area was described as a secluded valley stretching into the bush and allegedly serving as a hideout for criminal elements. Another location at Amuzukwu, which police said had become notorious for drug bunkering and sheltering criminals, was also raided.

During the operation, police arrested 30 male suspects aged between 22 and 46 years and one female suspect. Officers also recovered various substances suspected to be illicit hard drugs.

The Command disclosed that on July 1, 2026, operatives returned to the same locations based on fresh intelligence and discovered several huts, tents and makeshift camps allegedly used by criminal syndicates for hiding and selling illicit drugs.

Police said approximately eight tents and camps, constructed with baboon sticks and tarpaulin materials, were destroyed and burnt during the operation in a bid to dismantle the criminal networks and disrupt their activities.

The Command confirmed that all 31 suspects have been charged to court and remanded in a correctional facility pending further legal proceedings.

Reacting to the operation, Commissioner of Police Danladi Isa reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to combating crime and ensuring the safety of residents across the state.

He said the police would continue to review and implement improved operational strategies to take the fight directly to criminal hideouts and maintain zero tolerance for crime and criminality in Abia State.

The latest operation forms part of the Abia State Police Command’s ongoing campaign to dismantle criminal networks, curb drug-related offences and reclaim areas identified as safe havens for criminals.

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