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The Gombe State Government has assured host communities that exploration activities are still ongoing at Kolmani amid concerns over the dismantling of some drilling equipment at the site.

The state commissioner of energy and mineral resources Sunusi Ahmad Pindiga, made the clarification after leading a joint delegation from Gombe and Bauchi States to the Kolmani project site.

The visit was prompted by complaints from host communities over the movement of a drilling rig from the site to another location outside the two states.

“When I was informed about the situation, I contacted the field base manager, who invited us for an on-the-spot assessment. I then notified the Bauchi State Commissioner for Natural Resources, and we assembled a high-powered delegation from both states to visit the site,” Pindiga explained.

The delegation was received by the Field Base Manager of AOML, the company handling the drilling operations, alongside a representative of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). The officials clarified that the rig that was moved had completed its assigned drilling tasks.

“The rig that was taken out was a small one, and it had already completed over 10,000 meters of drilling. A bigger rig is required for the next phase of re-entry into KR 2, KR 3, and KR 4 wells,” the commissioner said.

Pindiga also disclosed that two wells have been completed with oil deposits straddling both Bauchi and Gombe States, while three additional wells have been drilled on the Gombe side. He also noted that two fields have been cleared, and casting has been done on the Bauchi side in readiness for the larger rig.

The Plateau State government has lampooned the Nigerian Army over its failure to arrest or neutralise the gunmen who invaded Jebbu Binde village of Ta-Hoss District in Riyom Local Government Area on Monday, July 14, 2025, where over 30 people were killed and property with millions of naira destroyed.

The Commissioner for Information, Joyce Ramnap, who spoke on behalf of the government on a Channels Television programme, ‘The Morning Brief’ on Friday, blamed the military for not arresting or neutralising any of the gunmen who were suspected to be Fulani militias despite the proximity of a checkpoint to the community.

Ramnap noted that with a military checkpoint barely 200 meters from the attacked community, the troops would have easily apprehended the attackers but failed to do so, a development which has raised questions on their commitment to protecting the lives and property of Nigerians.

The commissioner stated that from the response the government gathered, it was glaring that none of the invaders were arrested despite operating in the community for several hours.

She said the government was exasperated that the community that was attacked by the marauders is close to an access road which has military checkpoints.

“It is not a hidden community that we would say it is far, and that is why the people were not able to access help,” the commissioner said.

“We do not want to stereotype and say that the entire Army compromised in this case. However, there is room to do more investigation, and the governor specifically requested that at least they should have been some form of arrest.

“If you are that close and you engaged them closely like that, you should be able to say this is where they followed and the measures to arrest them, but so far, no arrest has been made,” the commissioner added.

Ramnap, who described the fresh killingsas unprovoked and despicable, lamented that the gunmen also go into the farmlands to destroy crops.

She reiterated Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s resolve that the state government will do everything possible to protect the people from further attacks by “bloodthirsty marauders” and ensure that peace returns to the state.

The Executive Chairman of Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, Melvin Ejeh has appealed to the Federal Government for urgent intervention and support in rebuilding communities devastated by repeated attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

The call followed a comprehensive eight-hour assessment of critical public infrastructure across 15 settlements in Usha, Ogwule Kaduna and Ogwule Ogbaulu wards in Agatu West.

The assessment was aimed at facilitating the safe return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and guiding the rehabilitation of essential facilities.

Speaking during the security assessment tour, Ejeh emphasized the pressing need for the restoration of basic infrastructure to enable displaced residents to return home and resume their lives.

“We are working assiduously to ensure that our people have unfettered access to fundamental infrastructure, including roads, schools, hospitals, markets and traditional palaces, which are indispensable for their safe and dignified return.”

The tour revealed that some communities— such as Iwarri, London, Ikpele 2 and Egwuma— have started seeing the return of residents, with many resuming farming activities.

However, several others, including Ejima 1 and 2, Okpokpolo, Ogwumogbo, Ajomanchi, Ogbai and Akele, remain abandoned due to destroyed infrastructure and security concerns.

Ejeh expressed gratitude to Governor Hyacinth Alia for his commitment to the security and welfare of Agatu people, while also acknowledging President Bola Tinubu for ongoing federal support.

“The Federal Government needs to make deliberate efforts to address the plight of Agatu people.

“We need support in rebuilding our infrastructure, providing more security formations, and creating an enabling environment for our people to return and rebuild their lives,” he said.

The LG chairman commended the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, and all service chiefs for sustaining peace in the area, adding that his administration would continue working closely with security agencies to ensure the safe and permanent return of displaced residents.

He said through sustained rehabilitation efforts, the Agatu Local Government Council aims to rejuvenate war-torn communities and restore lasting peace and development.

Ejeh in the same vein, stressed that Federal Government involvement is crucial to overcoming the current humanitarian crisis and rebuilding the future of Agatu.

The Kano/Jigawa Area Command of Nigeria customs service (NCS), has intercepted 420 kilograms of pangolin scales during intelligence-led operation in Kano metropolis.

Area Comptroller, Dalhatu Abubakar, disclosed this in a press briefing in Kano.

He revealed the seizure was made on Wednesday around 7:00 p.m. following a joint operation by personnel from the Customs special wildlife office, the customs intelligence unit, and the customs police unit.

“One male suspect was arrested in connection with the illegal wildlife trade and is currently in custody undergoing further investigation,” Abubakar revealed.

The Comptroller reiterated the service’s efforts to combat illicit international wildlife trade “The interception represents a significant disruption to transnational criminal networks involved in the trafficking of endangered species,” he said. “This seizure sends a strong message to traffickers that wildlife crimes will not be tolerated in Kano State or anywhere else.”

He added that the arrested suspect will be charged in line with relevant national and international laws once investigations are completed.“It is our collective responsibility to protect these endangered species for future generations,” he emphasized.

A traditional chief who was kidnapped along with a commercial motorcyclist in a community close to Akure, Ondo State, has been rescued by operatives of the State Security Network Agency known as Amotekun Corps.

According to the security outfit, the victims were rescued from their abductors following alarm raised by residents, which led to the overnight chase of the kidnappers.

While revealing this to journalists at the headquarters of the Corps in Akure, the state capital, the Amotekun Commander, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye stated that the victims were rescued without the payment of ransom.

The Amotekun boss, who also disclosed that five kidnapping cases were foiled in the state within the last two weeks, stated that no fewer than 17 suspects were arrested for various crimes.

“With the joint efforts of the local hunters, men of Amotekun walked overnight, pursued the kidnappers, and were able to retrieve the two of them, the chief and the Okada rider that was kidnapped.

“The tactical team under the leadership of the area commander of our Zone 6, the people were released, and three suspects identified as part of the gang were arrested within 48-hours. We have them here, both the victim and the suspects,” Adeleye said.

Flying Eagles forward Kparobo Ariehi has joined Norwegian second division club Mjondalen on loan from Lillestrøm.

Ariehi only moved to Lillestrøm from Beyond Limits Academy early this year, penning a four-year contract

The 18-year-old has made two league appearances for Lillestrøm since his arrival at the club.

The move will allow the youngster have more regular playing time.

Ariehi was part of the Flying Eagles squad to the 2025 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations.

He scored once goal in six appearances for Nigeria at the competition.

New Super Falcons star Chioma Okafor will be sidelined with a hand injury for at least 12 days.

Okafor is yet to make an appearance for Nigeria at the ongoing 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

The University of Connecticut forward was a surprise inclusion in the Super Falcons squad for the competition.

The 20-year-old was born to a Nigerian father and a Malawian mother.

Okafor opted to represent Nigeria on the eve of the competition.

The injury will keep her out for the rest of the competition.

The Super Falcons will be in action against the Copper Queens of Zambia on Friday (today).

The Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, on Thursday, flagged off the state’s jail delivery exercise with the release of 21 inmates from the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre — among them, a man who had spent 18 years behind bars without trial.

The released inmate, Gospel Nwibari, was reportedly arrested in 2007 at the age of 14 and had remained in detention ever since, with no formal trial or access to legal representation.

Justice Amadi explained that many of the affected inmates had no case files or traceable charges.

The chief judge noted that while some were accused of serious crimes such as murder and armed robbery, justice must still follow due process.

“Many of these inmates had no case files and no means to trace the charges against them. Continuing to detain them serves no justice purpose,” the chief judge said.

According to him, all releases were subject to verification by the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) and were recommended by correctional authorities following detailed case reviews.

Justice Amadi also used the opportunity to counsel the released inmates, urging them to turn a new leaf and avoid falling back into crime, warning that the road ahead may not be easy, especially in communities still grieving from the alleged offences.

“Society may not always be forgiving. But the law must remain just and humane,” he said.