A High Court in Maiduguri has sentenced an 18-year-old herdsman, Adamu Mohammed, to death for the killing of a fellow herdsman, 19-year-old Adamu Ali, during a clash in Auno, Konduga local government area of Borno State.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Justice Mohammed Maina ruled that the prosecution had established beyond reasonable doubt that Mohammed struck Ali on the head with a cutlass during an altercation in the bush on January 19, 2025. Ali subsequently died at the Borno State Specialist Hospital in Maiduguri.

Court records indicate that although Mohammed initially pleaded guilty, the plea was formally recorded as not guilty due to the capital nature of the offense. The prosecution presented two witnesses and submitted exhibits, including Mohammed’s own statements and a medical report, confirming that he attacked the deceased with a cutlass.

The defense claimed that Mohammed acted in self-defense, but the court dismissed the argument, citing inconsistencies in his testimony and a lack of evidence that he could not have retreated to avoid the fatal blow. Justice Maina described the force used as excessive and unjustified, noting that Mohammed’s actions met the criteria for culpable homicide punishable by death under Section 191(a) of the Borno State Penal Code Law, 2023. Mohammed was subsequently sentenced to death by hanging.

According to Nivo News, four children lost their lives in Borno State following an explosion caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) in Banki town, Bama Local Government Area. The incident occurred on Friday at approximately 12:40 p.m. behind Banki Motor Park in Wajari Ward, police confirmed.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Keneth Daso, stated that the explosion happened while a 12-year-old boy, Mustapha Tijja, and four friends were playing in a makeshift structure. The IED, reportedly discovered in nearby bushes, detonated accidentally. Mustapha sustained injuries and was immediately taken to the FHI 360 Clinic, where he is receiving treatment.

The children who died have been identified as Awana Mustapha, 15; Malum Modu, 14; and Lawan Ibrahim and Modu Abacha, both 12. Authorities have restored calm in the area, and investigations are ongoing. The Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Abdulmajid, warned the public against handling unknown objects and urged immediate reporting of suspicious items.

According to Nivo News, the Edo State government has terminated the appointment of Chief Press Secretary Fred Itua in what appears to be part of a pattern of late-night administrative decisions. The abrupt dismissal highlights a governance style critics describe as nocturnal, with sacks, redeployments, and appointments often occurring outside regular hours.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Itua’s tenure has drawn scrutiny for his confrontational approach to public communication. Rather than engaging the public strategically or fostering constructive discourse, he became known for a series of hostile remarks directed at dissenting voices. Analysts note that this approach often confused volume with effectiveness, undermining the role of a government spokesperson.

As a manager of the state’s public image, Itua was criticized for inefficiency and a lack of strategic discipline. Observers suggest that his combative communication style frequently countered the administration’s objectives instead of advancing them. The recently issued dismissal letter hinted at a potential redeployment, though speculation about a transfer to a respected media institution such as the Observer newspaper has prompted caution from media stakeholders, who fear that Itua’s past conduct could damage the organization’s long-established credibility.

Experts contend that Itua may be better suited for positions requiring oversight rather than independent leadership, emphasizing that effective communication leadership demands emotional intelligence, maturity, and the ability to elevate public discourse. Itua’s legacy, they argue, is likely to be remembered less for achievements and more for the turbulence his communication style created.

As with previous sudden administrative changes in Edo State, questions remain about who might next face a similar fate in a government whose decisions often unfold under the cover of night.