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Kidnappers have killed a Nigerian Army non-commissioned officer, Abdulfatai Odutola, over a delay in ransom payment.

According to report, Odutola, a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO), was abducted on February 15, 2025, along the Abuja-Jos highway.

He was reportedly travelling to Yola, the Adamawa State capital, at the time of the incident.

His kidnappers had demanded a ransom of N20 million for his release.

A military internal memo earlier obtained by newsmen reads, “Pls information reaching me now from this sldr whisky that MWO Abdulfatai Odutola (CC 23 BDE Yola) was kidnapped yesterday along Abuja-Jos Road, while returning to Yola. He left Ilorin on Friday 14th of Feb 2025 and slept at Abuja. He continued his movement from Abuja yesterday b4 the incident happened to him.

“Currently they are demanding N20,000,0000 for his release. Pse appropriate authority should help the sldr.”

However, another internal memo revealed that the body of the senior personnel has been recovered.

“Information reaching us now from Yola is that the above MWO Abdulfatai Odutola’s body was discovered by police from Jos forest killed by his kidnappers after passing deadline for payment of 20 million naira ransom payment demanded by his kidnappers. Also his car was discovered. Kindly take action.”

It was reported that Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists killed three army personnel during an attack on a military base in Borno State.

The terrorists reportedly attacked the military facility in Isige town, Gwoza Local Government Area, for several hours.

According to a source, the terrorists destroyed several buildings and stole two gun trucks during the assault.

“There was an attack recently in Borno, one Staff Sergeant with two private soldiers were killed. However, the army authorities are silent over the attack which happened at a base in Isige Town, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

“They burnt one military vehicle while they went away with two gun trucks, later reinforcement came from nearby unit but then the Boko Haram fighters have left,” the source said.

Controversial Nigerian singer, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, says he is no longer interested in making trouble but is now all about making money. Nigerian home decor ideas

The Zazu crooner stated this in a video he shared on his Instagram page this morning, hours after an Ogun State Magistrate Court in Isabo, Abeokuta, on Thursday, February 21, granted him N2 million bail in a case of assault filed against him by the Ogun state police command.

Portable was arraigned by the Ogun State police command for allegedly assaulting three officials of the Ogun Planning and Development Permit Authority (OGPDPA).

In a video shared, the singer expressed gratitude and declared his intention to focus on financial success rather than trouble.

“My fans, thank God for everything. If you have God, you have everything. I need money. I am not looking for trouble anymore. I’m now focused on making money. I have N2 million bail debt. I need more money. I am looking for money.”

President Bola Tinubu has commended former President Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida for the courage to admit M.K.O Abiola’s victory in the June 12, 1993 election.

The President, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the launch of Babangida’s autobiography, ‘A Journey in Service’, and the fundraising ceremony for the IBB Presidential Library Project on Thursday, February 20, also commended the former leader’s efforts and contributions to the history and growth of the country.

The President noted that the former leader’s admission to Abiola’s victory would help in setting the records properly.

His remarks was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday, February 20.

The statement partly reads: “President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday in Abuja, said former President Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida showed unusual courage and patriotism by admitting that late M.K.O. Abiola won the June 12 election in 1993.

“The President, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the launch of Babangida’s autobiography, ” A Journey in Service,” and the fundraising for the IBB Presidential Library Project, saluted the former leader’s contribution to the country’s history and development.

“General Babangida confirmed for the first time in 32 years that Chief Abiola had won the historic June 12 election based on collated results.

“The annulment was a watershed moment in Nigeria’s democratic history, precipitating a political crisis and hastened his exit from power.

“President Tinubu said the former leader’s admission about Abiola’s victory will help to set the records properly.

” ‘I am glad about the revelation of June 12. My General, we will not forget to pray for you. I listened to you carefully. I am not here to read a speech. I am here to pay homage.

” ‘Let me say thank you for everything, for who you are, what you are, and how you have contributed to the history of this great country’, he said.

“Babangida served as Nigeria’s leader from August 1985 to August 1993.

“President Tinubu said he will continue to do his best for the country by making tough decisions to reposition the economy.

“He called on Nigerians to refocus their time, energy, and resources on building the country that remains their home and be more mindful of changes in global migration laws that could impede their dreams of a better life.”

Former Military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) has said late BasHorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola won the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

The June 12 election has been a heated topic with several accounts of the events narrated by different parties.

DailyTrust reports that in his autobiography: “A Journey in Service,” which was launched in Abuja, on Thursday, February 20, the former Nigerian leader said he was convinced that Abiola won.Nigerian home decor ideas.

This is according to Prof Yemi Osinbajo, Nigeria’s immediate past Vice President, who reviewed the book.

“He also answers the question of whether Abiola actually won the June 12 election, and I quote him, ‘although I am on record to have stated after the election that Abiola may not have won the election, upon deeper reflection and a closer examination of all available facts, particularly the detailed election results, which are published as an appendix to this book, there was no doubt that MKO Abiola won the June 12 elections.”

The former Vice-President quoted IBB to have said, given another chance, he would handle the events of the June 12 election differently.

Abiola, candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the election adjudged as Nigeria’s freest, was up against Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC).

The results of the election were trickling in when the military regime ordered the then National Electoral Commission (NEC) under the leadership of late Professor Humphrey Nwosu to halt the exercise.

In his book, Babangida was quoted to have said he was happy that ex-President Muhammadu Buhari acknowledged Abiola and honoured him with the greatest national title of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR).

The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has convicted and sentenced one Nwachukwu Ifeanyi, over currency racketeering.

The convict was arrested on February 9, 2024, by operatives of the EFCC Special Task Force following credible intelligence linking him with currency racketeering.

Investigations revealed that he used his shop, located at 98 Douglas Road, Owerri, Imo State to hawk new Naira notes, and has been prosecuted on an amended one-count charge, bordering on currency racketeering to the tune of N500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira).

This was disclosed in a statement on the X handle of the anti-graft agency on Thursday, February 20.

The statement partly reads: “The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has secured the conviction and sentence of one Nwachukwu Ifeanyi, a currency racketeer before Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court, sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu State.

“He was prosecuted on an amended one-count charge, bordering on currency racketeering to the tune of N500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira).

“The charge reads: “That you, Nwachukwu Ifeanyi, sometime in February 2024, at Douglas Road, Owerri, Imo State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, hawked the total sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000.00) mints in Five Hundred Naira (N500) denominations, issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21 (4) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007 and punishable under Section 21 (1) of the same Act”.

“He pleaded “guilty” when the charge was read to him, following which prosecution counsel, Blessing Obasi called on Isaac Adole Enemona, an EFCC operative to review the facts of the case.

“Enemona informed the court that the convict was arrested at No. 98 Douglas Road, Owerri, Imo State on February 9, 2024, while selling N500 (Five Hundred Naira) denominations, totalling N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand). The witness identified the exhibit money, Exhibit “Registration Form, documents printed from the convict’s phone, the Certification of Identification and the statements the convict voluntarily tendered on February 9, 10, 14 and 15, 2024, which were all admitted in evidence.

“The prosecution thereafter, asked the court to convict and sentence him accordingly, while the defence counsel, Alex Williams prayed the court to temper justice with mercy, stating that, “he is a first-time offender who has chosen not to waste the time of the court.”

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A dramatic confrontation unfolded in the Senate on Thursday when Senate President Godswill Akpabio instructed the Sergeant-at-Arms to escort Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central out of the chamber.

The incident was sparked by a report from Senate Chief Whip, Mohammed Monguno, who informed the chamber that Uduaghan, had refused to move to a newly assigned seat.

Monguno explained that the seat reassignment was necessary to fill gaps left by two opposition senators who recently defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Referencing Senate Order 24, Monguno emphasised his role as Chief Whip, while also citing Order 6, which grants the Senate President authority to assign and reassign seats as needed.

He further pointed out that senators are expected to speak only from their designated seats, giving Akpabio the power to deny recognition to anyone speaking from an unassigned position.

In protest, Senator Uduaghan stood up from her original seat, invoking Order 10, claiming her privileges had been violated.

However, Akpabio swiftly ruled her out of order, affirming that she could not be recognised while speaking from an unauthorised location.

When Senator Natasha raised her hand to speak, she was denied recognition by the Senate President for not addressing the chamber from her newly assigned seat.

Unwilling to relent, Senator Natasha vocalised her objection, openly challenging the Senate President’s decision.

She said: “I don’t care if I am silenced. I am not afraid of you. You have denied me my privilege.

“I’m not afraid of further being silenced. I will not be shoved into the corner. As the Senator duly elected by my people, I choose to remain in this seat, come what may. The worst you will do Mr. Senate president is to suspend me.”

The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, has claimed that there is no evidence to prove that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is funding Boko Haram or any other terrorist group.

Speaking after a meeting with the Nigeria Governors Forum in Abuja late Wednesday, Mills emphasised that no country condemns the violence perpetrated by Boko Haram more strongly than the United States.

He further assured that if any credible evidence of such claims surfaces, the U.S. government would collaborate with Nigerian authorities to investigate the matter thoroughly.

Mills said: “Let me be clear—there is no friend of Nigeria stronger in condemning Boko Haram’s violence and disregard for human life than the United States. We have labelled Boko Haram as a foreign terrorist organisation since 2013, blocking the group from transferring assets to the US and allowing us to arrest and seize its members.

“We cooperate in investigations with the Nigerian government. I can assure you that we have strict policies and procedures to ensure that USAID funding or any other US assistance, whether from USAID, the Department of Defence, or the State Department, is not diverted to terrorist groups like Boko Haram.

“There is absolutely no evidence of such diversion, and if we ever had evidence that any programme funding was being misused by Boko Haram, we would immediately investigate it with our Nigerian partners.

“So, when it comes to Boko Haram, the United States stands with Nigeria in wanting to rid this country of the scourge that this organisation represents.”

On February 13, Congressman Scott Perry, a Republican from Pennsylvania, accused USAID of funding terrorist groups, including Boko Haram.

He made these claims during the first hearing of the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency.