News
Dumburum was a Haven for Bandits, No Apologies for its Bombing – Gov Yari
Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara says the government will not apologise over the alleged killing of villagers in the state during the bombardment of suspected bandits’ camps in Dumburum village in Zurmi local government area of the state.
The governor, who made the statement when a seven-man investigation team on the matter visited him at his Talata-Mafara private residence, said Dumburum village had served as a hideout for criminals over the last three years.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the state’s Council of Chiefs had, a fortnight ago, alleged that innocent citizens were recently bombarded through air strikes in the area by personnel of the Nigeria Air Force.
“As far as I am concerned and as the head of government in the state, I haven’t seen anything wrong done by the Air Force. I haven’t received any brief on such matter.
“Dumburum has been a criminal hideout for over three years and the Emir of Zurmi had once asked me to go and wipe out the area, saying all those residing there were bandits.
“So, I am surprised that the emir will be part of those saying innocent people were killed in an encounter in the area,” Yari said.
The governor, who said some powers were working against the state, maintained that “some people will stay in Abuja and fabricate things against the operations in Zamfara in order to distract the operation,” warning, “this we must not allow.”
“Please, all security agencies, especially the Air Force, should continue with your usual constitutional duties and the state government will give you all the support to facilitate your concentration in trying to bring back peace which has eluded the state since 2007.
“You should continue with fire power to show the criminals that there is a government in place and we won’t negotiate with them again because when we did that in the past, the leaders pretended as if all was well while they allowed their boys to continue to lay siege to the communities,” the governor added.
Handing over a letter of condolence to the governor from the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadique Abubakar, the team leader, AVM Idi Lubo, said it was part of Abubakar’s concern in case the allegations were true.
He said, “the Chief of Air Staff has directed us to properly investigate the matter in order to unravel the truth.
“We have visited other stakeholders and discovered that there was misinformation which we have now resolved and wish to assure the people of the state that we shall continue to discharge our assigned responsibilities in protecting the innocent with professionalism.”
The team, which was conducted round by the Commander of 207 Quick Response Group, Squadron Leader Sunkanmi Thomas, thanked all stakeholders for the support given to the Air operations in the state.
NAN also reports that the team visited heads of security agencies, traditional rulers and government officials, among others, while in the state.
(NAN)
The Rivers State House of Assembly has commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The legislature kicked off the process at plenary on Thursday.
The lawmakers are accusing Fubara and his deputy of gross misconduct.
Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, is presiding over the session.
The day’s proceedings bear the imprimatur of renewed hostilities between Fubara and his predecessor Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
On December 5, 2025, a horde of the Rivers assembly lawmakers led by the speaker, announced their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Days later, Fubara formalised his own switch from the PDP to the APC.
Most of the Rivers lawmakers have stayed loyal to Wike.
TheCable
The 2023 vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, has declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election, positioning himself as a stabilising figure within the party following the recent departure of its presidential flag-bearer, Peter Obi.
Baba-Ahmed announced his ambition on Wednesday at a rally held at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, barely a week after Obi defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a move that has intensified debates about the future of the opposition.
Addressing party members and supporters, Baba-Ahmed said his presidential aspiration was long-standing and not influenced by Obi’s political decisions. “I have made myself to contest for the office in 2027. I’m not following anybody’s trajectory or stepping into anybody’s shoes,” he said.
He recalled that his interest in the presidency predates the 2023 election.
“Can I please remind you that before His Excellency Governor Peter Obi filed for the presidency, I aspired for the presidency before him? The records are there for you to see,” he added.
The former lawmaker also reflected on his earlier political journey, noting that he once sought the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party before aligning with Obi in the Labour Party.
“In October 2018, I participated in the primaries of the then PDP in Port Harcourt and walked to Obi for his vote, and he smiled at me. What a gentleman he was,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed explained that his decision to serve as Obi’s running mate in 2023 was driven by a desire for national unity.
“I saw a rare opportunity for national unity to have elected Peter Obi in 2023. And that is why I decided to flow with it,” he stated.
Responding to questions around religion and ethnicity, Baba-Ahmed insisted that constitutional rights, not identity, should define leadership choices.
“Yes, I am a practising Muslim. But I’m a Nigerian, and the constitution allows me to contest. You asked about my ethnicity. Yes, I am a Hausa man, and the Nigerian constitution also allows me to contest. I’m doing this because Nigeria needs help,” he said.
While declaring his interest, Baba-Ahmed stressed that he would respect party and electoral processes. “As a law-abiding citizen and a loyal party member, until the timetable is released by INEC and the leadership of the Labour Party calls for interested aspirants, I will not say anything about it. But remember I told you that Nigerians know the truth,” he said.
Reacting to the declaration, Labour Party National Chairman, Julius Abure, praised Baba-Ahmed for remaining with the party despite speculation of possible defections following Obi’s exit. He said the move demonstrates the party’s resilience and continuity.
“On the night Peter Obi defected, I received a telephone call from our Vice-Presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Dr. Datti Baba-Ahmed. He said he is not leaving the party because it was the platform upon which he, along with the former candidate, received millions of votes from Nigerians,” Abure said.
Abure added that Baba-Ahmed proposed a gathering of party stakeholders to reaffirm unity. “He asked me to organise an event where members can come together. That is why we are having this gathering here today. The Labour Party is intact, we will not let Nigerians down,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed’s declaration has reshaped internal dynamics within the Labour Party and injected fresh momentum into early manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 presidential election, as opposition parties continue to adjust to shifting alliances.
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has granted the former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami and two others, bail in the sum of N500 million with two sureties.
The sureties, according to the judge, must have landed property in Asokoro, Maitama, Gwarinpa.
He added that they must submit their travelling documents to the court.
The documents of the properties are to be verified by the deputy chief registrar of the court while the sureties are also to depose to affidavit of means.
Malami was also ordered to deposit his travelling documents with the court and must not travel out of the country without the permission of the court.
The former AGF and his sureties were also ordered to deposit their two recent passport photograph with the court.
Meanwhile, Malami has been ordered to be remanded in Kuje prison pending his perfection of the bail conditions.
Justice Nwite subsequently fixed February 17 for commencement of trial of the corruption charges.
The same bail were extended to Malami, son Abdulaziz Malami, and an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, Hajia Asabe Bashir,.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed a 16-count alleged money laundering charge against Malami, his son and his wife.
