Military Personnel, 

Terrorists believed to be members of Boko Haram launched an attack on Kawuri village in the Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State on Sunday night, destroying three military armoured tanks and three patrol vehicles belonging to the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).

Sources confirmed that during the attack, several residents fled into the bush for safety.

Despite the damage, the military engaged the assailants and repelled the attack. Fortunately, no casualties were reported during the skirmish.

However, as the terrorists retreated, they planted Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) along the Konduga-Kawuri road to impede any reinforcements.

On Tuesday morning, as reinforced troops navigated the same route, one CJTF member, Abba Godori, stepped on an IED and was killed instantly.

Attempts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Kenneth Daso, for confirmation of the incident were unsuccessful.

However, a retired senior civil servant in the area confirmed the attack and expressed concern over the resurgence of Boko Haram attacks in Borno State since the beginning of the year.

Late Salome, 

The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has condemned the shocking murder of 24-year-old Salome Adaidu, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, allegedly by her estranged lover in Karu, Nasarawa State.

At the time of her death, Salome was serving at Nicon Insurance in Abuja.

In a statement released on Tuesday by her Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Jonathan Eze, the minister expressed deep sorrow over the crime and called for swift justice for the deceased and her grieving family.

Describing the murder as “senseless and brutal,” Imaan emphasized that such acts have no place in a civilized society.

She called for urgent measures to ensure the safety and protection of women and girls throughout the country.

“As a mother, it pains me to comprehend the horrific killing and dismemberment of a promising young woman like Miss Salome Adaidu,” the minister said.

“It is high time for parents and communities to take responsibility for the safety of women, girls, and children. We must speak out when we see something wrong. This cannot continue.”

The minister also stressed the importance of respecting the fundamental human right to life and urged law enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances of Salome’s death, ensuring that the perpetrator is brought to justice.

Imaan reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting Salome’s family during this difficult period and reiterated her call for an end to violence against women and girls in the country.

“We assure the family that we will do everything within our power to ensure that justice is served,” the statement read.

The minister also urged Nigerians to unite in condemning the murder and to work together to build a society where women and girls can live free from violence and abuse.

“I extend my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the victim. No one should have to lose their life, especially young women and girls who have so much potential ahead of them,” she added.

Emmanuel Eneoli, the former President General of Udi Town in Enugu State, has been remanded in custody at the Enugu Correctional Facility following allegations of vandalizing electricity infrastructure in the community and other offenses.

The remand order was issued on January 20, 2025, by Magistrate S.O. Chukwuani of Court 1, Enugu North, in connection with the charges against Eneoli and others regarding their involvement in damaging electricity installations and promoting violence within the community.

Eneoli is facing a four-count charge, which includes accusations of inciting violence and conspiracy to promote local war.

The charges are as follows:

Count I: “That you, Emmanuel Eneoli and others now at large, between April and December 2024, in Umuoka community, Udi local government area, conspired to commit a felony by promoting local war and inciting violence, an offense punishable under Section 495(a) of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Enugu State, Nigeria, 2004.”

Count II: “That you, Emmanuel Eneoli and others, aided and abetted in carrying out warlike activities against Chief Benjamin Onyia, the incumbent Chairman of Umuoka community, Chief Flavor Eze, and other community leaders, an offense punishable under Section 86 of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Enugu State, Nigeria, 2004.”

Count III: “That you, Emmanuel Eneoli and others, conspired to commit the felony of vandalism, an offense punishable under Section 6 of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”

Count IV: “That you, Emmanuel Eneoli and others, unlawfully tampered with and damaged electric fittings/powerlines supplying electricity to the Umuoka community, an offense punishable under Section 9 of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”

The case has been adjourned to February 3, 2025, for further proceedings.

A police inspector identified as Ibrahim has been found dead in a hotel room following an encounter with a woman he met online.

The tragic event unfolded early last Thursday, three months after he had invited Maryam Abba, a woman from Dutse, Jigawa State, to meet him.

According to eyewitnesses, the two checked into the hotel on Wednesday evening and engaged in intimate relations.

On the following morning, around 6am, it was reported that after another encounter, Ibrahim began to exhibit erratic breathing before falling unconscious.

Concerned by his condition, Maryam tried to revive him by sprinkling water on him, but when there was no response, she urgently called the hotel manager, Danlami Palasa.

He then alerted the Gwagwalada police division.

Upon arrival, officers discovered the inspector’s lifeless body in the hotel room.

His remains were transported to the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, where medical personnel confirmed his death.

Investigators retrieved several items from the room, including a watermelon, a substance believed to be an aphrodisiac, a phone charger, and the police inspector’s ID card.

Authorities are conducting further investigations into the cause of his death.

Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has filed a suit at the High Court of Enugu State against Bashir Ahmad, former Special Assistant on Digital Communication to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, for defamation related to terrorism.

Kanu, through his legal team led by Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, stated that Ahmad defamed him on or about January 19, 2025, through a post on the X App (formerly Twitter).

Kanu alleged that Ahmad’s statement, later published on Talkofnaija.com and phoenix-browser.com, was false and damaging.

Ahmad had stated, “Anybody advocating for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, a terrorist and the leader of the proscribed terrorist organization IPOB, should be considered a sworn enemy of this country.”

In a post on his X account, Ahmad referred to Kanu as a terrorist and described anyone supporting his release as a “sworn enemy of this country.”

He added that he would only support Kanu’s release if the separatist leader underwent rehabilitation and renounced his derogatory views about Nigeria.

Ahmad stated, “I can only advocate for his release when he is truly rehabilitated, so he stops seeing Nigeria as a zoo and the citizens as animals that deserve to be brutally killed.”

The court documents sighted by DAILY GAZETTE, Kanu is demanding N100 billion in damages.

He argued that Ahmad’s defamatory statements portrayed him as, “A convict who has been pronounced guilty for the crime of terrorism. A terrorist or a felon who engages in an act of terrorism. An irresponsible and violent person that has no regards for the sanctity of human lives. An irresponsible person that has no regards for the sanctity of being granted bail.”

Kanu claimed that these words, in their natural meaning, suggested that he was a terrorist and undermined his reputation, integrity, and honesty.

The IPOB leader contended that the defamatory statements went beyond fair comment, were malicious, and were meant to damage his character and public image.

Kanu further argued that these publications had a widespread impact, particularly in Enugu and Nigeria, where he has many supporters, colleagues, and family members.

Kanu said, “The Defendant’s libelous publications and utterances have seriously injured the Claimant’s character, credit, reputation and integrity. That the Defendant has by his defamatory publications brought the Claimant to scandal, contempt, odium, public humiliation and embarrassment for which he is entitled to monetary damages, injunctive relief and apology among others.”

The IPOB leader also sought a declaration that Ahmad’s statements about him being a terrorist were defamatory and libelous.

Among other demands, Kanu called for Ahmad to issue an unreserved apology in a letter that should be published in full-page advertisements in three national newspapers—The SUN, Daily Trust, and Guardian.

Kanu also requested a perpetual injunction, restraining Ahmad from making further defamatory statements, and sought an order for Ahmad to pay N100 billion in general and exemplary damages as well as the cost of the suit.

The Federal Government has unveiled the National Health Fellows Program, aimed at engaging youth across all 774 local government areas in Nigeria.

In a statement issued on Monday by President Tinubu’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the government called for applications from Nigerians aged between 25 and 35 for the initiative.

The program will see selected candidates working in their local government areas, where they will be compensated and provided with the necessary resources to contribute positively to the health sector.

Onanuga emphasized that the application deadline for the program is January 27, 2025.

Eligibility Criteria for the Program:

• Age between 25 and 35 years
• A bachelor’s degree in health-related fields, IT, or social sciences
• Demonstrable interest or experience in public health, health-related NGOs, or community leadership
• Availability to commit full-time to the fellowship
• Must be an indigene of the local government area being applied for
• Ownership of a smartphone with data capabilities (for communication via WhatsApp, Zoom, etc.)
• A recommendation from a university dean, NYSC place of assignment, or a reputable organization vouching for character and leadership
• Strong analytical skills and entrepreneurial drive.

Just two days after a deadly tanker explosion claimed the lives of over 99 people in Niger State, another truck accident in the state has led to a similar incident, with residents rushing to scoop oil from the fallen vehicle.

The latest event occurred in Bida town on Monday, when a tanker carrying groundnut oil fell near the AYM Shafa filling station.

In a widely shared video, people, mainly young individuals, were seen collecting the oil that had spilled from the truck.

While some gathered the oil, others quickly fled to avoid any dangerous situation.

Residents in the area spoke about the incident.

Yinusa Jiya, a local, said that the individuals were not deterred by the previous tragedy, even though they initially thought the tanker might be carrying petrol.

Fatimah Mohammed, another eyewitness, confirmed that the tanker was indeed transporting groundnut oil.

This incident comes just days after the catastrophic tanker explosion near Dikko Junction in Gurara Local Government Area, which killed at least 98 people.

The death toll has continued to rise as more victims succumbed to injuries in the hospital.

In response to the situation, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to intensify its public awareness campaign against the dangerous practice of scooping fuel from fallen tankers.

The Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) has expressed concern over the high number of casualties and the extent of the injuries, while the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) confirmed that 86 bodies were buried in a mass grave on Sunday.

Several others remain hospitalized with severe burns.