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Crisis Escalates Across Northern Community After US Air Strikes 

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Armed groups have intensified violence across several northern states of Nigeria in the wake of United States air strikes targeting Islamic State–linked militants in Sokoto State, findings by Saturday Punch have revealed.

Between December 25, 2025 and January 2, 2026, no fewer than 47 people were killed and 35 kidnapped in a series of attacks by bandits, Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters, according to media tallies. Over a dozen others were injured in the spate of violence.

Communities in Adamawa, Zamfara, Kwara, Plateau, Nasarawa, Yobe, Kano and Kebbi states were targeted in attacks attributed to different armed groups.

In Kogi State, suspected bandits abducted several people from the Omi‑Ara community in Yagba West LGA, while in the same council area, gunmen attacked the Odo‑Ere community, kidnapping at least four residents.

On December 30, women and children travelling from Wanke to Gusau were kidnapped but later rescued by security forces.

In Kwara State, over eight people were abducted in an attack on the Adanla community in Ifelodun LGA on December 27.

In Kebbi State’s Shanga LGA, coordinated gunmen attacks on Kaiwa, Gelawu and Gebbe villages on December 29 left at least eight people dead.

In Zamfara State, an assault on Sabon‑Layi village in Gusau LGA saw 16 women abducted, two people killed, and several injured.

Plateau State also reported violence, with seven farmers killed in an attack on the Bum community in Jos South LGA.

In Kwara’s Ile‑Ire district, the traditional ruler of Aafin community, Oba S. Y. Olaonipekun, and his NYSC‑serving son were abducted, community sources said.

Gunmen attacked the Kunza community in Ashigye village, Lafia LGA, Nasarawa State, killing three people and injuring nine on December 31.

On December 26, bandits kidnapped five travellers along Ogbe‑Egbe Road and injured another.

ISWAP also claimed to have fired mortars at a Nigerian military camp in Goniri, Yobe State, though the extent of damage was not disclosed.

Boko Haram Massacre In Adamawa

Confirming yet another brutal strike, the Chairman of Hong LGA in Adamawa State, Usman Inuwa, said Boko Haram killed 14 people in the villages of Mubang and Zar, near the Sambisa Forest.

“Around 9pm on that day, Boko Haram invaded Mubang and Zar villages… They killed 14 people, shot two people and burnt dozens of houses with foodstuffs,” Inuwa said.

He lamented that the vast, ungoverned areas around the forest made villages vulnerable to attacks.

In Kano State, bandits attacked Yankwada, Babanduhu and other villages in Shanono LGA on Thursday night, killing one person and rustling livestock.

The assailants, riding about 50 motorcycles, engaged troops in a heavy gun battle that lasted into Friday morning.

Alhaji Yahya Bagobiri, Chairman of the Shanono/Bagwai Community Security Forum, claimed the raid was retaliatory after nine of their members were killed in clashes with the military last week.

When contacted, the Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for 3 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Capt. Babatunde Zubairu, confirmed the attack but disputed the scale of violence.

“All the details are true except that they didn’t kill anyone and there was no rustling of cows,” he said in a WhatsApp message.

A community leader, speaking on condition of anonymity because of security concerns, said fighters displaced by the U.S. air strikes in Sokoto may be moving into neighbouring states.

“Yes, there are movements. Terrorists are infiltrating Niger and Kaduna through parts of Katsina and the Zamfara borders. Some from Kebbi are also running towards Kwara and the South‑West,” the source said.

According to him, the threat has heightened tensions in rural communities, prompting local armed groups to enforce internal discipline, including the seizure of rifles and motorcycles from members who breach peace agreements.

The source also noted increased aerial surveillance with Nigerian Air Force aircraft conducting daily patrols over parts of Birnin‑Gwari, Niger State and areas bordering Kebbi. He said no Boko Haram or ISWAP attack had been recorded in Kaduna since the airstrikes, describing current actions as preventive.

Meanwhile, suspected bandits invaded Adanla community in Igbaja, Ifelodun LGA, on Wednesday evening, abducting eight residents and injuring several others, forcing many villagers in Aafin and Adanla to flee to neighbouring towns and farms in fear of further assaults.

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BREAKING: Shock Results Emerge From Ekiti Governorship Election [FULL RESULTS]

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Results from the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election are beginning to trickle in from polling units and local government areas across the state, with electoral officials collating votes amid keen interest from political parties and supporters.

While the outcome remains uncertain, early figures are expected to provide an indication of the direction of the closely watched contest.

 

PU08, ward 10, Ekiti-east LGA, Ekiti state

ADC – 17

APC – 151

PDP – 28

PU016, ward 09, Idi Igi Ose, Ijero LGA

APC: 93

ADC: 22

PU002, ward 10, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti state.

ADC: 3

APC: 163

PDP: 32

PU008, ward 09, Best way, Ijero LGA

APC: 160

PDP: 35

ADC: 25

PU004, ward 11, Oke Ode, Ijero LGA

APC: 229

PDP: 35

ADC: 34

PU005, ward 11, Oke Ode, Ijero LGA

APC: 253

PDP: 30

ADC: 21

PU016, ward 11, Emmanuel Anglican Nur/Pry School, Ijero LGA

APC: 36

PDP: 4

PU009, ward 08, Oko Ejemu, Ijero LGA

APC: 121

ADC: 17

PDP: 7

PU005, ward 08, Fajuyigbe, Ijero LGA

APC: 146

PDP: 14

ADC: 10

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Nigerian Gov Announces Fresh Public Holiday for Workers Across State

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The Ekiti State Government has declared Friday, June 19, 2026, a work-free day for public servants in the state.

Naija News reports that the government said the holiday was to enable workers to travel to their respective voting centres ahead of the governorship election scheduled for Saturday, June 20.

This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Permanent Secretary to the Head of Service, Janet Ajibola.

“His Excellency, the Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, has graciously declared Friday, 19th June, 2026, as a work-free day for all public servants across the state,” the statement read.

Ajibola said the directive was addressed to commissioners, special advisers, the Secretary to the State Government, permanent secretaries, the Clerk of the House, heads of tertiary institutions, the Registrar of the High Court of Justice, general managers, executive secretaries and heads of departments.

“For the purpose of public safety and continuity of essential services, hospitals and health centres, fire service departments and other essential service providers are exempted and shall continue to provide appropriate services,” the statement added.

The Permanent Secretary urged heads of exempted essential institutions to ensure uninterrupted service delivery during the election period.

She also directed chief executive officers and accounting officers across state parastatals to ensure compliance and wide circulation of the directive.

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BREAKING: Mixed Reactions as Tinubu Announces Fresh Appointment

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The news of Kunle Elebute by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the chair of the Governing Board of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN). has started generating reactions from Nigerians.

Kunle Elebute, a renowned chartered accountant and financial management consultant, as the chair of the Governing Board of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN).

This was disclosed in a statement by the presidency on Thursday, June 18, adding that his appointment, adding that his appointment was meant to strengthen corporate governance, deepen accountability and transparency, as well as enhance the confidence of investors within the financial reporting ecosystem of Nigeria.

According to The Punch, Elebute is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) with over 40 years of professional experience in Nigeria, West Africa and the world at large. Elebute had earlier served as the senior partner and chief executive officer of KPMG Nigeria, the KPMG West Africa chairman and the chairman of KPMG Africa.

Also, he had served on the regional and global boards of KPMG, such as its Global Board Audit Committee.

In the statement, he was described as a highly respected professional with wide experience in financial advisory services, auditing, strategic transformation, risk consulting and corporate governance.

Below are some of their comments: 

Segun Benson said the appointment should have gone to another qualified person in another region of the country:  “I would have expected Mr President to appoint a qualified person from another region.. no shades.”

Dimeji Lawal said that Nigerians are on the lookout for the effect of the appointment: “The appointment is one thing. The impact of the appointment is what Nigerians will be watching.”

Danjuma claimed that Tinubu’s appointments are following a particular pattern of the late former president Muhammadu Buhari: “I like Tinubu for this, he is following the footsteps of Buhari, who fulanised Nigeria with his appointments.”

Shamsuddeen commended the appointment of Elebute by President Tinubu, describing it as wonderful: “That’s another wonderful selection by President Tinubu GCFR by appointing Mr Elebute. Congratulations sir.”

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