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‘Release Nnamdi Kanu now, our patience has run out’ – Benue activists tell Nigerian Govt

A coalition of rights activists in Benue State, under the aegis of Benue Concerned Citizens, BCC, on Friday demanded the immediate release of leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu. The Benue activists made the demand in a statement signed by Michael Oboh, Chairman, and Chief Chris Awo, Secretary. The statement is
‘Release Nnamdi Kanu now, our patience has run out’ – Benue activists tell Nigerian Govt

A coalition of rights activists in Benue State, under the aegis of Benue Concerned Citizens, BCC, on Friday demanded the immediate release of leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.

The Benue activists made the demand in a statement signed by Michael Oboh, Chairman, and Chief Chris Awo, Secretary. The statement is titled ‘Release Nnamdi Kanu Now – Freedom is non-negotiable. Benue stands with the nation. Our patience has run out’.

The statement is coming on the heels of similar demands by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and some other eminent Nigerians who are calling for Kanu’s release.

The IPOB leader is currently facing terrorism charges brought against him by the Nigerian government.

The statement, made available to journalists on Friday, read: “The Benue Concerned Citizens (BCC) issues a final warning to the Federal Government of Nigeria: the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is an act of profound injustice that we will no longer tolerate.

“We are not alone. The voice of reason is growing louder across the nation. From the calls of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to the planned mass protests by citizens, the message is unified and clear: Release Nnamdi Kanu.

“The government’s own courts have pointed to the illegality of his detention. The recent courtroom charade of endless adjournments, now hinging on a medical report, is a sham and an insult to the intelligence of every Nigerian. You cannot break a man through “extraordinary rendition” and then feign concern over his health to delay justice.

“Our symbol is the palm tree. We bend, but we do not break. Our resolve is now unyielding.”

The Benue group, in calling for Kanu’s immediate and unconditional release, also demanded respect for the rule of law by the Nigerian government and its agencies, as well as an end to political persecution.

The statement added, “We hereby declare our three non-negotiable demands:

“Immediate & unconditional release: Mazi Nnamdi Kanu must be freed from the custody of the DSS immediately. Not tomorrow. Not after another adjournment. Now.

“An end to political persecution: The state-sponsored repression of voices advocating for self-determination and equity must cease. The government fights shadows of its own creation while the nation burns.

“Respect for the rule of law: Obey your own courts. Respect domestic and international law. The flagrant disregard for judicial decisions is the hallmark of a dictatorship, not a democracy.

“The Benue Concerned Citizens hereby serve notice: If Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is not released immediately, we will mobilize and join the nationwide protests en masse. We will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with every Nigerian who values justice over tyranny.

“This is not a request. It is an ultimatum. Our silence is broken. Our patience is exhausted.”

The Benue Concerned Citizens, BCC, described itself as “a grassroots movement dedicated to advocating for justice, human rights, and democratic principles for the people of Benue and Nigeria at large”.

“Our symbol, the palm tree, represents our resilience, dignity, and unwavering commitment to truth,” the group explained.

‘Release Nnamdi Kanu now, our patience has run out’ – Benue activists tell Nigerian Govt

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Nnamdi Kanu’s release: I’ll set aside my political differences with Jonathan, Atiku – Sowore

Former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, on Friday said he would set aside his political differences with ex-President Goodluck Jonathan and former Vice president Atiku Abubakar to push for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB. Sowore said he has reached out to Jonathan, Atiku and some southeastern political leaders
Nnamdi Kanu’s release: I’ll set aside my political differences with Jonathan, Atiku – Sowore

Former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, on Friday said he would set aside his political differences with ex-President Goodluck Jonathan and former Vice president Atiku Abubakar to push for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

Sowore said he has reached out to Jonathan, Atiku and some southeastern political leaders about the planned protest.

Featuring on News Central’s Breakfast Central, the activist insisted that Kanu’s trial is a persecution and not prosecution.

He said: “We all know that one of the tenets of justice is speedy and fair trial and we all know that what happened in Kanu’s case was that there is no trial going on, its just theatrics.

“We as the people who understand, fought for and tried our best to human rights have a duty to let the country know that this sad development in our polity, we can’t pretend that Nnamdi Kanu is undergoing trial, this not trial, not prosecution but persecution.

“I made it known that I’m going to set aside my political differences with some people.

“It should be on record that this is only regarding the struggle for Nnamdi Kanu’s release, I have reached out to many people, I did reach out to Atiku through his aide that he should come on board. Presently, I’m surprised that it happened very fast.

“I reached out to eastern political leaders first like governors of Anambra, Abia, Peter Obi and none have responded until Atiku, I reached out to Abaribe but he has not publicly confirmed his intent to join.

“I’m going to reach out to more people, I’m going to reach out to Goodluck Jonathan so he would take a position on this. So I don’t think that anybody should take this as a political opportunity as they are trying to present it.”

Nnamdi Kanu’s release: I’ll set aside my political differences with Jonathan, Atiku – Sowore

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Late Gen Vatsa’s family thanks Tinubu for posthumous state pardon

The family of the late General Mamman Jiya Vatsa has commended President Bola Tinubu for granting a posthumous state pardon to the former FCT minister. General Vatsa was executed in 1986 over an alleged coup plot against General Ibrahim Babangida’s regime. Recall the late Vatsa was executed alongside nine other military officers in 1986 after
Late Gen Vatsa’s family thanks Tinubu for posthumous state pardon

The family of the late General Mamman Jiya Vatsa has commended President Bola Tinubu for granting a posthumous state pardon to the former FCT minister.

General Vatsa was executed in 1986 over an alleged coup plot against General Ibrahim Babangida’s regime.

Recall the late Vatsa was executed alongside nine other military officers in 1986 after a Military Tribunal found them guilty.

The family in a statement issued by its spokesman, Mr. Jonathan Vatsa, described the news of the pardon as the greatest moment of joy since Vatsa’s execution 39 years ago.

He thanked Tinubu for wiping away their tears and consoling the family.

Jonathan Vatsa stated that the late General was innocent of the purported coup plot, and the family had consistently appealed to every successive administration since then to grant their son a state pardon to enable the family run a foundation in his honour.

The family maintained that the late General was innocent and a victim of a frame-up.

“A highly respected Military General, late Domkat Bali once said in an interview that the evidence against General Vatsa was weak and that he doesn’t know whether he was supposed to have been killed.

“That is why the family still maintained that the late Vatsa was innocent of the coup. But we still thank President Tinubu for his magnanimity in granting him the state pardon.

” Today is the happiest moment in the life of the family after 39 years of sorrow and sadness following the killing of our late father, brother and uncle.

“Justice can never be denied but can only be delayed, the family is convinced that the late Vatsa must be a Happy person today in his grave by this singular act of compassionate by president Tinubu,” the statement said.

However, the statement expressed sadness that the state pardon came when some family members were not alive to witness it.

Late Gen Vatsa’s family thanks Tinubu for posthumous state pardon

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Customs intercepts contraband worth over N109m in Kebbi

The Kebbi State Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with Operation Whirlwind, has intercepted various banned items valued at N109.6 million within three weeks. Comptroller Mahmoud Ibrahim, who disclosed this during a press conference at the command’s headquarters in Birnin Kebbi, said the seizures were made as part of renewed efforts
Customs intercepts contraband worth over N109m in Kebbi

The Kebbi State Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with Operation Whirlwind, has intercepted various banned items valued at N109.6 million within three weeks.

Comptroller Mahmoud Ibrahim, who disclosed this during a press conference at the command’s headquarters in Birnin Kebbi, said the seizures were made as part of renewed efforts to curb smuggling and protect the national economy.

According to him, the intercepted items include 100 bales of second-hand clothing, 444 laptops, several wraps of cannabis sativa, 143 mini sacks of donkey meat, 140 cartons of foreign spaghetti, 100 bags of foreign parboiled rice, and 20 jerry cans of vegetable oil, all with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N109,595,761.

Ibrahim also announced plans to conduct a comprehensive tour of border stations in Kamba, Dolekaina, Bagudo, Maje, Sabgana/Tsamiya, and Lolo, to assess operations and identify challenges firsthand.

Customs intercepts contraband worth over N109m in Kebbi

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Lassa Fever: NCDC reports 11 new cases, two deaths across four states

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed 11 new cases of Lassa fever and two related deaths across four states within one week. According to the agency’s latest situation report for Epidemiological Week 37, the new infections were detected in Ondo, Bauchi, Kogi, and Anambra States. The figures show a slight
Lassa Fever: NCDC reports 11 new cases, two deaths across four states

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed 11 new cases of Lassa fever and two related deaths across four states within one week.

According to the agency’s latest situation report for Epidemiological Week 37, the new infections were detected in Ondo, Bauchi, Kogi, and Anambra States. The figures show a slight decline from the 13 cases reported in the previous week.

According to the center from January to Week 37, a total of 7,673 suspected cases and 895 confirmed infections have been recorded across 21 states and 106 local government areas.

Within the same period, 166 deaths have been reported, representing a case fatality rate (CFR) of 18.5 per cent which is an increase from the 16.9 per cent recorded in 2024.

The report further revealed that 90 per cent of all confirmed cases originated from five high-burden states, which are; Ondo (33%), Bauchi (23%), Edo (18%), Taraba (13%), and Ebonyi (3%) while the remaining 10 per cent were spread across 16 other states.

Although the overall number of suspected and confirmed cases in 2025 is lower than that of the same period in 2024, the NCDC expressed concern over the rising fatality rate.

Lassa Fever: NCDC reports 11 new cases, two deaths across four states

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Tinubu corrected historical injustice pardoning Herbert Macaulay, Vatsa, others – Lagos APC

The Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Friday said President Bola Tinubu corrected historical injustice and set the ball rolling for national healing and forgiveness by granting state pardon to Herbert Macaulay, former Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, and 173 others. Describing the decision as courageous and compassionate, the state chapter of
Tinubu corrected historical injustice pardoning Herbert Macaulay, Vatsa, others – Lagos APC

The Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Friday said President Bola Tinubu corrected historical injustice and set the ball rolling for national healing and forgiveness by granting state pardon to Herbert Macaulay, former Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, and 173 others.

Describing the decision as courageous and compassionate, the state chapter of the party said the pardon as yet another display of the President’s humanity, fairness, and statesmanship.

The state Publicity Secretary of APC in the state, Mogaji Seye Oladejo, said Tinubu’s gesture goes beyond symbolism, stressing that it reaffirms his belief in restorative justice and national healing, and in the power of forgiveness to strengthen unity.

In a statement he signed, Oladejo said: “By honouring Herbert Macaulay – one of Nigeria’s founding nationalists – the President has corrected a historical injustice and reaffirmed the dignity of those who fought for our freedom.

“For the living beneficiaries, this act opens a new chapter of hope, redemption, and reintegration. It demonstrates that justice in a democracy must balance accountability with mercy.

“Once again, President Tinubu has shown that the Renewed Hope Agenda is not just about infrastructure and economy – it is about building a fair, humane, and inclusive nation.”

Oladejo added that the pardon has restored faith in Nigeria’s justice system, deepened reconciliation and reminded citizens that a nation’s greatness lies not only in how it punishes, but also in how it forgives.

The Lagos APC commended Tinubu for leading with heart, courage, and vision.

“His action reflects true leadership – firm, fair, and forward-looking,” Oladejo added.

Tinubu corrected historical injustice pardoning Herbert Macaulay, Vatsa, others – Lagos APC