The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Shehu Gabam, says President Bola Tinubu is walking a tightrope regarding his second term bid.

Gabam said Tinubu may not survive till 2027 as his re-election chances are hanging by a thread.

Gabam asserted previous presidents who faced issues within the first two years of their tenure ended up losing their re-election bid.

He made the assertion while appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme yesterday.

Gabam recalled that former President Goodluck Jonathan failed because opposition started in his second year.

According to Gabam: “No president that was elected to serve four years and has issues in two years can survive.

“Jonathan’s opposition started within two years – he lost election.”

Gabam also noted that the ministers in Tinubu’s cabinet lacked the capacity to push the president’s vision.

He said Nigeria has never faced the economic hardship they are facing today.

Recall that Gabam met with former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and allies of former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, on Monday.

The meeting has got tongues wagging and triggered speculations about an imminent political alliance ahead of the 2027 elections.

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In Lagos State, a deadly road accident on Thursday claimed the life of a yet-to-be-identified driver.

The driver was burnt to death during the incident which happened along the Lekki-Epe Expressway.

The driver was said to have lost control of the vehicle collided with a moving truck, causing an eruption of inferno that engulfed the vehicle.

The spokesperson for the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Adebayo Taofiq, confirmed the incident on Friday.

Taofiq stated that the impact of the collision led the vehicle to catch fire while the driver was trapped in the inferno.

He disclosed that efforts by emergency responders could not rescue the driver from death as he was recovered dead.

He said: “The incident involved a Toyota Highlander Jeep (GGE 432 JC) and an empty Sino tipper truck.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that the Toyota Highlander Jeep, travelling inward Ajah, lost control while in motion, veered across the expressway, and collided with the moving Sino tipper truck heading toward Epe.

“The collision resulted in the Toyota Highlander catching fire, with the driver tragically trapped inside.”

The body of the driver was said to have been handed over to his family.

He continued, “LASTMA Officers, in conjunction with the Lagos State Fire Services (Epe Division), acted swiftly to extinguish the fire and recover the remains of the driver.

“The deceased’s body was subsequently handed over to his family members, who arrived at the scene from Epe.”

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In Ekiti State, one Omodara Dada will spend the next seven years of his life behind bars for burglary, a court has ruled.

The 26-year-old was convicted and sentenced by an Ekiti State High Court, Ado Ekiti Division. .

Dada was said to have robbed one Fakiyesi Tope of his N64,000 phone and N8,000 cash while armed with a knife in 2022.

According to the charge sheet, the convict committed the crime on February 13, 2022, at Ado Ekiti, within the jurisdiction of the court

He was arraigned before Justice Lekan Ogunmoye on July 19, 2022, on a count charge of armed robbery contrary to Section 312 (2) of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2011.

The victim had in his statement to the police, stated, “I am a hotel manager. On the fateful day, I was sleeping in my hotel room, I woke up suddenly when I heard a sound. I saw the defendant trying to remove my Plasma television, I attempted to shout, but he brought out a knife. He threatened to stab me if I shouted.

“I later discovered that he had packed my phone and a cash sum of N8,000 that I placed on the table. I held him from behind when he wanted to escape, and I called for help. He was overpowered with the assistance of others, apprehended and handed over to the police,” he stated.

To prove his case, the prosecutor, Albert Adeyemi, called three witnesses and tendered statements of the victim and defendant, a knife and a cash sum of N8,000 among others as exhibits.

The defendant, who did not call any witness and spoke in his defence through his counsel, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy.

In his judgement, Justice Ogunmoye said, “The evidence produced at the hearing in support of the greater offence is short of sustaining the charge of armed robbery, but established beyond reasonable doubt, the lesser offence.

“The defendant is convicted for the offence of burglary under Section 323 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State.

“He is sentenced to seven years imprisonment to start running from the date of his detention at Federal Correctional Facility, Ado-Ekiti,” the judge pronounced

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In Sokoto State, a local security personnel (name withheld) has mistakenly taken his own life after a rescue operation.

The deceased, who was said to be an operative of the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps, shot and killed himself after participating in the joint operation in the state.

66 kidnap victims were rescued during the operation led by the army on Monday at Tidibali forest in the eastern part of the state on Monday.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Col. Ahmed Usman (retd.) confirmed the incident to newsmen on Wednesday.

According to him, the operative died as a result of accidental discharge shortly after the security operatives returned to their base after the operation.

“The incident happened shortly after they had returned to their base from the operation.

“He was with his gun when it mistakenly fired and shot him. He died shortly afterwards,” he said

The SA said a lot of successes were recorded in the ongoing operation which he said was being sponsored by the state government in a bid to crush bandits in the state.

“So far, 66 kidnap victims have been rescued and several bandits killed during the operation.

“The operation is a continuous one because we want to rid the state of criminal elements, particularly bandits,” he said.

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At least two police officers were killed when a clutch of rampaging Boko Haram terrorists attacked the Nganzai Police Division in Borno State.

The terrorists were said to have attempted to invade the police station on Wednesday at about 12:10 a.m. but were repelled by the cops on duty.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, disclosed the development in a statement on Thursday.

The statement reads, “At about 12:10 am, unknown gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram terrorists attempted to invade Nganzai Police Division. Gallant officers on duty repelled the terrorists after a series of gun battles.”

During the attack, Daso said the terrorists threw hand grenades, causing injuries to two officers.

“The terrorists threw hand grenades, which unfortunately landed on a shelter tent behind the division, fatally wounding two officers,” Daso said.

He added that the Commissioner of Police, Borno State Police Command, Yusufu Lawal, visited the station.

Lawal commended the officers for their bravery and offered condolences to the families of the deceased officers.

“The Commissioner of Police, Borno State Police Command, Yusufu Mohammed Lawal, psc, visited Nganzai Police Division today, 9th January 2025, commended officers for their resilience, and condoled with the families of the two officers who lost their lives,” the statement added.

He also noted that the police recovered explosives belonging to the terrorists during the scene assessment.

“During the scene assessment by the Commissioner of Police, two hand grenades were recovered by the EOD-CBRN Base 13, Maiduguri. The bodies of the deceased have been taken to the State General Hospital, Maiduguri.”

“The Commissioner of Police commended the gallant officers who stood their ground to prevent the attack and condoled with the families of the two officers who lost their lives,” he said.

The police spokesman, however, reiterated the command’s dedication and commitment to ensuring safety and security for all in the state

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The Imo State Police Command has confirmed the killing of at least eighteen persons in a series of attacks by gunmen in Imo State.

The attacks and wanton killings took place in Umukabia, Eziawa, Ihittenasa, Umuhu, Amaoku, and Amaebe communities in Orsu Local Government Area of the State on Sunday.

A former Chairman of the Nigerian Human Rights Commission, Prof Chidi Odinkalu, who hails from Orsu, had raised alarm over the tragic incident via his X-handle on Monday.

Odinkalu tweeted, “Information is coming thro of what appears to have been systematic slaughter last night across several communities in Orsu LGA of Imo State, SE #Nigeria, including in Amaebu, Awo-Idemili, Eziawa, Umuhu-Okabia. Interim casualty count ATM is 23 but it looks like it could be higher.

“For obvious reasons, I am unable to share images from the scenes or of the remains of affected persons on this platform. They are too gory for words. The government at various levels – local, state, federal – does not appear to have noticed nor heard any of this.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident to newsmen saying an investigation had commenced.

He said the police was determined to unravel the circumstances surrounding the coordinated attacks by gunmen.

Okoye said, “The police are aware of the killings and already CP Aboki Danjuma has set up a high-powered security team involving the different security agencies to unravel the case. The CP appeals to people to remain calm.”

According to Punch, the residents had celebrated their annual Masqueraders’ Day, involving Umuhu, Amaoku, Amaebe, and the other communities, on Sunday, to mark the Yuletide.

After the masqueraders’ show, some holidaying locals who returned for Christmas and New Year decided to go to a drinking joint to have some fun.

However, a passers-by later discovered that everyone in the shop was lying in the pool of blood with suspected heavy machete wounds on their bodies.

A source who pleaded anonymity said, “Everybody in the joint, all nine people were discovered dead, whether customers or attendants. They had been butchered with deep machete cuts all over.

“We were just a few blocks away from there and nobody heard any sound of gunshot or argument. We suspect that it was members of the Indigenous People of Biafra and Eastern Security Network that are behind this,” he said.

Furthermore, he said three corpses were discovered in Umukabia consisting of family members, five corpses in Eziawa village, and another five corpses in Ihittenasa all with machete cuts that same January 5.

“I can’t explain how these incidents happened and nobody noticed. There were three people in Umukabia, five in Ezinwa, and another five in Ihittenasa villages and nobody saw the killers come in nor when leaving. Orsu lost 18 promising lives in one day.

“We suspect that these killings were done with inside collaboration with Orsu boys who are members of IPOB and ESN members that we don’t know”, the source said.

Orsu had for four years been under the control of the proscribed IPOB and ESN who succeeded in chasing out the locals.

However, the military had sustained a massive onslaught on the groups and successfully recovered some communities which made people to start returning to Orsu gradually including the holidaying victims.

Meanwhile, a police source who pleaded anonymity said killers were trying to instil fear into Orsu people and make them leave their communities again.

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The Nigerian military has indicted foreign countries in the deepening security crisis, especially perennial terrorism, that the country is grappling with.

The military alleged that these countries are providing Boko Haram with weapons and financial support for their heinous activities.

The Chief of Defence Staff of Nigeria, General Christopher Musa, levelled the allegation during an interview with Al Jazeera on the lingering security crisis in Nigeria.

General Musa expressed concerns regarding the continued nefarious activities of Boko Haram over the past 16 years, despite the Nigerian military’s efforts to eliminate the group.

He specifically pointed to evidence that many Boko Haram fighters captured by the military were found in possession of funds linked to powerful foreign nations, suggesting that international actors may be complicit in supporting the group.

General Musa called on the United Nations to investigate the sources of funding and training for Boko Haram militants, highlighting the group’s continued operations despite the military’s acclaimed successes in weakening them.

He noted that these militants have also devised new strategies, such as using unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) for surveillance and targeting security forces.

Addressing why Boko Haram continues to regroup and carry out attacks, Musa pointed to the financial support from foreign entities. He further urged the United Nations to step in and help identify those funding and arming the insurgents.

“Over 120,000 Boko Haram members have surrendered, and many have been found with money from powerful foreign countries. Where are they getting this money? Who is training them? Who is supplying them with weapons?” Musa said.

He emphasized the need for the international community to investigate the global funding networks that enable Boko Haram to continue its insurgency.

While expressing uncertainty about which countries might be sabotaging Nigeria’s security, General Musa stressed that Nigeria is not the only country in the Sahel and West Africa facing such challenges.

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At least three people have reportedly lost their lives in a deadly attack launched by a cult group on a community in Bayelsa state.

The attack happened on Wednesday night when the armed cultists suspected to be members of the Greenlanders invaded Igbogene community, a suburb of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa capital.

The cultists, numbering about 10 and armed with dangerous weapons, were said to have invaded the community at about 8:00 pm, causing residents to scamper for safety.

A resident, who who spoke in confidence, told NAN on Thursday that the son of the former head of the Community Vigilante Group was the first person gunned down close to his house.

According to him, the second person, who was not a cultist, was shot when he could not disclose the whereabout of his elder brother.

Investigations show that the attack was triggered by rivalry between two notorious cult groups, the Bobos and Greenlanders; while the cultists involved in the fight are residents and indigenes of the community.

Also speaking, the Youth President of the Igbogene Community, Mr Ezekiel Igbenivie, who confirmed the development, said those involved had absconded, but “one of the persons shot is still alive and receiving treatment in the hospital.”

The arrival of the Police teams of operation Door Kapoor Division, the Anti-Kidnapping Squad and the Rapid Response Team calmed down the situation.

The spokesman of the Bayelsa Police Command, DSP Musa Mohammed, who also confirmed the incident, identified those shot as Donaldson Mison, 28; Addy Mulan, 27; and Greenboy Dudella, 29.

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The governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, has stated that despite the controversies surrounding the tax reform bills, President Bola Tinubu and governors of the North still enjoy a smooth and cordial relationship.

The governor expressed concern over efforts to cause rancour, resentment, division and fracture the relationship between Tinubu and the governor.

He stated that governors who worked for his emergence as president won’t turn on him now

Governor Sule spoke when he received a delegation from the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, who visited him at the Government House in Lafia on Wednesday.

He explained that what the northern governors wanted was further consultation on the tax reform bill before the National Assembly, which encompasses the Value Added Tax.

He accused some persons of peddling false information with the intent to create division and cause political tension through baseless insinuations that the northern governors were opposed to the president.

According to Sule, people who were opposed to Tinubu’s presidency are now pretending to be his better supporters more than those who fought for his victory.

“For some people making noise and saying the Northern governors are fighting the President, nobody is fighting the President. How could you fight a President who has made you look good? This is the truth. All we are saying is that some aspects of it, we need to look into it,” he said.

Sule thanked President Tinubu for enacting policies that have made governance and development easy in Nasarawa State without going into debt, saying he could not kick against a leader who has made meaningful contributions to the state’s progress.

The governor said there was a need for better understanding of some of the provisions in the tax reform bills. “We called for the withdrawal of the bills to review some aspects. They said it’s a wrong language, that amendments can be made without withdrawing the bills. I said that’s fine. I’m not looking for any trouble,” he explained.

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The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and socio-political organization, Afenifere, has admonished governors in the South-West to heighten security in the region.

The admonition followed claims of movement of bandits into the South-West. Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, had on Monday disclosed that bandits fleeing military onslaught in some part of northern Nigeria are relocating to and setting up their camps in Oyo State.

“During a security briefing this morning, I learned that some bad elements from the North-West are relocating here due to military heat in their zones,” Makinde said.

Reacting to Makinde claims in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, Afenifere said such security concern should not be treated with scant regard.

The organization therefore called on all the governors of the South-West to, “as a matter of urgency, hold a meeting to map out strategies to expel the bandits from the region and to ensure that such elements do not infiltrate Yorubaland at any time again”.

“For these objectives to be achieved, there is the need to carry certain groups along.

“These are the security agencies that will implement whatever security decisions are reached, traditional rulers and heads of local vigilantes known as ‘Ode’”, the statement said.

Afenifere advised that the strategies that are being devised should include functional up-to-date equipment for those who would be on the fields, attractive incentives and the deployment of modern technologies to assist in identifying the bandits and their hideouts.

While urging security agencies and citizens not to take the issue of security lightly, Ajayi noted that traditional rulers and community leaders in different parts of Yorubaland must not keep quiet whenever they notice any indication of security threat.

“For example, until the governor made the revelation on Monday, such grave security danger was unknown to members of the public, yet there are people living in the Fashola area where the bandits were reported to have established a camp.

“It is not unlikely that similar camps could be found in some other parts of the South West, hence the need for urgent and effective action,” the statement added.

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