CSP Yakubu Zakari-Deba, the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the Yobe State Government House, has publicly apologised to Mr. Babagana Kolo, a reporter with the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) in Damaturu, for allegedly assaulting him.

Deba tendered his apology on Friday during a visit to the NTA office in Damaturu, expressing deep regret over the incident that occurred earlier in the week at the Yobe State House of Assembly complex.

Reports indicated that the CSO had struck Kolo during a brief commotion outside the Assembly chambers, just hours before Governor Mai Mala Buni presented the 2026 budget proposal.

Speaking at the visit, Deba explained that the altercation happened while he was attempting to control a large crowd trying to gain access to the gallery.

“I was directed to ensure the security of about 73 attendees for the budget presentation,” he said.

“When I noticed some people trying to bypass the mandatory security screening, I moved in to maintain order. Unfortunately, the incident occurred in the process. It was a mistake, and I sincerely apologise.”

The visibly remorseful officer assured journalists of his respect for their work and pledged to foster better relations between security personnel and the media.

Responding, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Yobe State Chapter, Mr. Rajab Mohammed, commended Deba for showing maturity and humility by acknowledging his mistake and apologising publicly.

Mohammed urged security personnel to always treat journalists as partners in nation-building rather than adversaries, adding that effective collaboration between both professions was essential for peace and development.

The visit concluded with group photographs and friendly exchanges between the CSO and the NTA reporter.

Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have apprehended three suspected criminals in Ohimini Local Government Area, Benue State, following intelligence-led operations.

Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, acting Media Information Officer of OPWS, disclosed in a statement on Friday that the suspects were intercepted on Wednesday, November 5, along the Otukpo–Enugu Road near the Amoda axis during a routine patrol.

The suspects; John Isaac (22), Baba Emmanuel (17), and Sunday Thomas (19), all residents of Otukpo LGA were riding a motorcycle when stopped for a search.

The troops recovered three mobile phones and ₦20,200 from them.

Preliminary investigations suggest the suspects were on their way to commit a criminal act before being intercepted.

The suspects are now in military custody for further investigation and necessary action.

Major General Moses Gara, Force Commander of OPWS, praised the troops for their vigilance and professionalism, urging them to maintain heightened surveillance to protect farmers and rural communities, especially during the harvest season.

He reaffirmed OPWS’s commitment to ensuring peace and stability across Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba States.

The arrests come shortly after renewed attacks in Ohimini LGA, where four people were reportedly killed in separate incidents.

The Local Government Chairman, Adole Gabriel, confirmed that two farmers were killed on Monday and another two on Tuesday afternoon, highlighting the ongoing security challenges in the area.

The President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Francis Wale Oke, has called on President Bola Tinubu to collaborate with U.S President Donald Trump in tackling what he described as the ongoing “Christian genocide” in Nigeria.

Speaking in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Friday, Oke said the evidence of widespread violence against Christians across Nigeria could no longer be denied.

He cited attacks and abductions in Benue, Taraba, Plateau, Niger, Southern Kaduna, and Ondo States, including the killings of Deborah Samuel and the abduction of Leah Sharibu and the Chibok schoolgirls, as proof of systematic persecution.

“There is a Christian genocide in Nigeria. There’s no other name for it,” he said.

“No Christian group is attacking Muslims. The patience of the church is being stretched.”

Oke praised Trump for previously designating Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over religious violence, noting that the former U.S. president had pledged to confront the situation.

He urged Tinubu not to dismiss Trump’s concerns but to seek his partnership instead.

“President Tinubu should not oppose Trump but rather cooperate with him to eliminate radical groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP,” Oke added.

“Working together will help Nigerians live in peace.”

The PFN leader stressed that the violence was being perpetrated by extremist elements who claim to act in the name of Islam but do not represent the wider Muslim community.

He emphasized that the federal government has a constitutional duty to protect all citizens, regardless of faith.

“Government must act decisively and not politicize the crisis,” he said.

“This administration inherited the problem, but it must now face it squarely.”

Meanwhile, President Tinubu has reportedly begun consultations with religious leaders as part of efforts to address Trump’s recent warnings of possible U.S action against terrorists operating in Nigeria.

Samuel Ojeogwu, brother of Nollywood actress Regina Daniels, has been charged in court for alleged criminal conspiracy, trespass, assault, intimidation, and theft, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police confirmed on Friday.

The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, said the case arose from a petition filed with the FCT Metro Area Command on October 28, 2025, naming Ojeogwu and three others.

“On October 28, 2025, the FCT Metro Area Command received a petition against Samuel Ojeogwu and three others, alleging criminal conspiracy, trespass, assault, criminal intimidation, theft, and cyberbullying,” Adeh said.

She noted that Ojeogwu ignored multiple police invitations before he was eventually arrested in Lagos under a court-issued warrant and transferred to Abuja for investigation.

Following the investigation, Ojeogwu was arraigned in a competent court in Abuja on November 6, 2025, and charged with the offences.

The court remanded him in custody pending fulfillment of bail conditions, SP Adeh added.

The police spokesperson reaffirmed the command’s commitment to professional policing, due process, and the rule of law.

The case has intensified ongoing family tensions involving Regina Daniels.

In a viral video, the actress was seen breaking down in tears, expressing her distress over her brother’s detention. “I will go back,” she said, lamenting her family’s struggles.

The video came amid reports of marital issues with her husband, Senator Ned Nwoko, whom she previously accused of domestic violence.

Nwoko denied the allegations, attributing her behaviour to alleged drug and alcohol use, and urged her to undergo rehabilitation.

Amid the family and personal challenges, Regina recently celebrated the reconciliation of her estranged parents, who reunited after years apart, providing a glimmer of hope during a turbulent period for the actress and her family.

Over 16 residents of Sabo village, Murai ward, Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State have reportedly been abducted by armed bandits, DAILY GAZETTE learned.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, November 6, 2025, amid heightened vigilance by local community vigilantes.

Youths from neighboring Gidan Matan Aure village had mobilized to protect their own settlement, anticipating attacks on nearby communities.

A villager, Muhammad Usman, confirmed that the bandits stormed Sado village without warning, overwhelming the local vigilantes due to their superior numbers. Sado district head, Aliyu Saidu, said:

“The vigilantes did their best to repel the attack, but the bandits overpowered them. So far, 16 people have been kidnapped, including women, children, and the elderly. We are still trying to account for everyone.”

One source, Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Sado, shared the personal toll of the raid:

“I received a call about the attack and immediately thought of my friend Nasiru, who had left my shop the previous night. I tried calling him, but there was no response. He and his wife have been taken.”

This marks the second major attack on the community since last year, when bandits abducted the village head, Aliyu Sa’idu, prompting him to relocate temporarily to Morai due to trauma.

Residents are now living in fear, gathering in the village square and anxiously awaiting possible calls from the kidnappers.

Families displaced by the raid are scattered across nearby areas, with many uncertain about the fate of their loved ones.

Umar Rabiu, whose elder brother was among those abducted, appealed to authorities:

“We are urging the government and security forces to intervene and rescue the victims.”

This latest attack comes weeks after bandits abducted six butchers and animal dealers returning from Magajin Maitarko market along Dogon Santsi forest in Gusau Local Government Area.

A relative of the victims, Ishiaku Umar, described the ordeal:

“The bandits blocked the Gusau – Dansadau road on Friday evening. One victim was left behind, and another is now in critical condition. The kidnappers even contacted the victims using their mobile numbers.”