An operative of the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps, whose name has not been disclosed, tragically shot and killed himself in an accidental discharge after participating in a joint operation that rescued 66 kidnap victims.

The operation, led by the Nigerian Army, took place on Monday at Tidibali Forest in the eastern part of Sokoto State.

Colonel Ahmed Usman (rtd), the Special Adviser to Governor Ahmed Aliyu on Security, confirmed the incident on Wednesday. He stated that the operative died from an accidental discharge shortly after returning to their base from the operation.

“The incident occurred shortly after the team returned to their base. He was handling his weapon when it accidentally fired, fatally wounding him. He died soon after,” Usman explained.

Usman highlighted the successes of the ongoing operation, which has been instrumental in the state’s efforts to combat banditry.

In addition to rescuing 66 kidnap victims, the operation has also resulted in the deaths of several bandits.

“The operation is ongoing as we are committed to eliminating criminal elements, especially bandits, from the state,” he added.

Earlier reports indicated that the rescued victims were taken to Isa town in the Isa Local Government area for further care.

Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has opposed the Federal Government’s request to resume his trial.

His legal representative, Aloy Ejimakor, disclosed this in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday.

Kanu, according to his lead counsel, rejected the Federal Government’s effort to restart the trial and insisted that the trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako, should recuse herself from the case.

Ejimakor emphasized that Justice Nyako’s decision to step aside was still valid and in effect.

“Our position is based on the fact that Justice Nyako entered and enrolled an order recusing herself on September 24, 2024, and to date, that order remains extant and subsisting. It has not been set aside by any competent court,” Ejimakor explained.

He further accused the prosecution of attempting to mislead the court, insisting that Kanu no longer has a case before Justice Nyako.

“For the avoidance of doubt, as of September 24, 2024, the defendant no longer has any case to answer before Justice Binta Nyako,” Ejimakor added.

Kanu, who is facing seven charges of treasonable felony and terrorism, has denied all allegations.

He was first arrested on October 14, 2015, after returning to Nigeria from the United Kingdom. He was granted bail in 2017 on health grounds after being detained at Kuje Correctional Facility.

After a military raid on his home, Kanu fled the country and returned to the UK but was re-arrested in Kenya in 2021 and repatriated to Nigeria, where he has been detained by the Department of State Services.

At the last court session on September 24, 2024, Kanu requested that Justice Nyako recuse herself, citing a loss of confidence in her ability to handle the case.

Justice Nyako agreed to step down and referred the case file to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for reassignment.

However, the Chief Judge returned the case to Nyako, arguing that, having handled the matter since 2015, she was best positioned to conclude it.

The Chief Judge directed that if Kanu still wanted her to step aside, he needed to file a formal motion with an affidavit outlining his reasons, serve it on the prosecution, and await Nyako’s determination.

Despite this, the Federal Government’s counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), requested a new trial date in a letter dated December 5, 2024, addressed to the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court.

Awomolo contended that the Chief Judge’s decision reinstated Justice Nyako as the trial judge.

During previous proceedings, Kanu had forcefully demanded Justice Nyako’s withdrawal, stating that he no longer trusted her impartiality.

He also repeated his objections to her handling of his repeated bail applications, which were turned down by the judge.

Addressing the judge, Kanu said, “My Lord, I have no confidence in this court anymore and I ask you to recuse yourself because you did not abide by the decision of the Supreme Court. I can understand it if the DSS refused to obey a court order, but for this court to refuse to obey an order of the Supreme Court is regrettable. I am asking you to recuse yourself from this case.”

In response, Awomolo urged Justice Nyako to disregard Kanu’s claim of disobeying a Supreme Court order and continue with the trial.

“My Lord, you should not recuse yourself on the basis of this mere observation which does not have anything to do with the Supreme Court. It is an incompetent observation. We urge this court to proceed with the hearing,” Awomolo stated.

However, Kanu objected vehemently, waving a document he said was a copy of the Supreme Court’s ruling.

He read aloud a section that called into question the impartiality of the trial court. Kanu insisted that his objection was not personal but was based on his belief that the trial was inconsistent with constitutional provisions.

In the end, Justice Nyako confirmed her decision, saying, “I hereby recuse myself and remit the case file back to the Chief Judge.”

Troops from the 5 Battalion of the Nigerian Army have successfully neutralized members of a criminal gang responsible for the killing of four soldiers and the kidnapping of two Korean expatriates in Kalaogbokolo, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The attack occurred on December 12, 2023, and targeted employees of Daewoo Company.

The operation was announced in a statement by Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, the Acting Deputy Director of Public Relations for the 6 Division Army.

Acting on credible intelligence, the troops carried out a well-coordinated cordon-and-search operation, which led to the discovery of a significant arms cache.

The recovered weapons included an AK-47 rifle, a Fabrique Nationale rifle, a pump-action gun, two locally made rifles, multiple rifle magazines, and several rounds of ammunition.

Two members of the criminal gang were arrested during the operation.

However, while being transported for further questioning, the suspects attempted to flee into the bush.

A prolonged chase ensued, culminating in the neutralization of both individuals.

The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army reiterated its commitment to ensuring the security of the region, emphasizing that criminals involved in such violent acts will be relentlessly pursued and held accountable, no matter how long it takes.

The Army urged the public to continue cooperating by providing useful intelligence to assist in maintaining peace and security.

“This operation highlights the military’s determination to bring violent criminals to justice and restore stability to the affected communities,” the statement concluded.

Daniel Agbebaku, 26, and Fatima Alao, 60, were arraigned on Tuesday at an Ojo Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing iron clips valued at N9.8 million.

The accused face charges of conspiracy and theft, to which they both pleaded not guilty.

According to the prosecution, led by ASP Simon Uche, the crime occurred between October and November 2024 in the Ojo area of Lagos.

Agbebaku is accused of conspiring with others, now on the run, to steal 6,550 iron clips from the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).

It is alleged that Agbebaku sold the stolen iron clips to Alao, who received them knowing they were stolen.

The prosecution stated that the actions violated Sections 287, 350, and 411 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

Magistrate L.K.J. Layeni granted bail to both defendants in the sum of N500,000 each, with two sureties each. The case was adjourned until February 4 for further hearing.