The Department of State Services (DSS) has intercepted a large cache of weapons allegedly smuggled into Nigeria from the Niger Republic, amid growing concerns over potential security threats ahead of the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The operation, which took place in Dawakawa, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, resulted in the recovery of 21 AK-47 rifles, four PKT machine guns and 825 magazines, Naija News learnt.

The weapons were reportedly seized after DSS operatives tracked suspected terrorist networks allegedly involved in transporting illegal firearms into the country.

A security source, cited by Daily Trust, disclosed that some terrorist groups had changed their methods of moving weapons following increased arrests and seizures by security agencies.

According to the source, the groups have resorted to using women and animals, particularly camels, to transport illegal weapons into and across different parts of Nigeria.

The source further revealed that the DSS had tracked down one of the field commanders allegedly assigned to orchestrate violence before and during the 2027 general elections.

The latest operation comes amid several arrests of women suspected of serving as arms couriers for terrorist and bandit groups across the country.

Earlier in the week, DSS operatives arrested a suspected female arms courier, Hafsat Umar, in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

She was reportedly found in possession of 12 grenades and two ammunition belts.

Umar is said to be the 14th woman arrested by the DSS over alleged illegal arms transportation between February 2025 and November 2026.

Intelligence reports reportedly indicated that she had travelled to Niger State to obtain ammunition intended for delivery to a notorious bandit leader, Saidu Marafa, who operates from Kani Kawa in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The arrests have been recorded across Zamfara, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Taraba, Kaduna and Plateau states.

One of the recent cases involved the arrest of Aisha Mohammed in Keffi, Nasarawa State, last month.

She was allegedly transporting weapons and ammunition through a suspected arms dealer and kidnapper identified only as Sani.

DSS operatives reportedly recovered 202 rounds of 7.62mm AK-47 ammunition and three empty AK-47 magazines from her.

In September 2026, two other suspected female arms couriers, Chika Aguzie and Blessing Nwamba, were arrested at separate locations in Ebonyi State over their alleged involvement in supplying weapons and explosives to commanders of the proscribed Eastern Security Network (ESN).

The suspected recipients included Chinonso Amobi Okafor, popularly known as Temple, and another commander identified as B44, who were reportedly operating in Anambra State.

The operation also resulted in the recovery of 14 wraps of improvised explosive device (IED) detonators.

Similarly, in August, DSS operatives arrested Rabiatu Halidu along Abacha Road in Katu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

She was allegedly found with 501 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.

In February, another suspect, Aisha Ibrahim, was arrested in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, with 975 rounds of ammunition reportedly recovered from her.

Earlier in January, Sakina Muhammad and Badariyya Abubakar were arrested along the Wukari-Jalingo Road in Taraba State.

Security operatives reportedly recovered one AK-47 rifle, 984 rounds of special ammunition, 105 rounds of GPMG ammunition and 14 empty AK-47 magazines from the suspects.

The DSS also recorded several arrests in 2025 as part of efforts to disrupt the supply of weapons to bandit groups.

One of the suspects, Rahane Sanusi, was arrested in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State while allegedly transporting ammunition from an illegal arms dealer in Sokoto State to a notorious bandit leader, Ibrahim Bare, also known as Baba, in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Other women arrested during the period included Suwaiba Abubakar, Halima Umar, Firdausi Haruna, Saidya Ibrahim and Fatima Sani. Various quantities of weapons and ammunition were reportedly recovered during the operations.

Meanwhile, the DSS has also secured convictions against some women arrested over terrorism-related activities.

Earlier this year, the Federal High Court in Abuja convicted three female arms couriers identified as Halima Abdullahi, Safiya Salihu and Halima Umar after they were arraigned on terrorism-related charges.

The court subsequently sentenced each of them to 20 years in prison.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that the purported resignation letter of Nafiu Bala, former Deputy National Chairman (North-East) of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), was not authentic.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Justice Peter Lifu made the declaration in his judgment delivered on November 5, a Certified True Copy (CTC) of which was obtained by Punch on Wednesday.

The David Mark-led faction of the ADC had relied on the disputed letter as evidence that Bala voluntarily resigned from his position before the party’s leadership change that resulted in Mark emerging as National Chairman.

However, Justice Lifu said his examination of the signature on the letter alongside those on Bala’s sworn witness statements revealed significant differences.

The judge consequently ruled that the document could not be accepted as proof that Bala willingly relinquished his position in the party.

He also clarified that the certification of a document does not automatically establish the authenticity of a disputed signature.

According to him, certification only confirms that a copy accurately represents a document in the custody of the certifying authority but does not necessarily prove that the person named on it actually signed it.

The judge stated, “The fact that a document is certified, however, does not, by that fact alone, settle a genuine dispute as to whether the person named in it, actually signed it.

“Certification may establish the status of the copy as a true copy of the document in the custody of the certifying authority; it does not necessarily establish the authenticity of the disputed signature.”

Justice Lifu further explained that a court could compare disputed signatures with established specimens without necessarily requiring expert testimony.

Delivering his decision on the document, he said, “I am not satisfied that Exhibit ADC-1 represents the genuine act of the plaintiff. I therefore reject it as reliable proof that the plaintiff voluntarily resigned from his position as Deputy National Chairman of the 1st defendant (ADC).”

The Mark-led faction had maintained that Bala resigned on May 17, 2025, and that the decision was formally communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Bala, however, repeatedly denied authoring the letter, insisting that his signature on the document was forged. In April 2026, he publicly disowned it.

He had said, “I wish to state that this paper did not come from me, and that is not my signature on it. The signature you see there was forged.”

In another part of the judgment, Justice Lifu ruled that the emergence of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola at the ADC’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting on July 27, 2025, did not meet the legal requirement for a democratic election under Section 82(3) of the Electoral Act.

The judge maintained that the exercise of the National Executive Committee’s powers and INEC’s recognition of the leadership could not substitute for compliance with the provisions of the law.

The judgment subsequently nullified the David Mark-led leadership of the ADC as well as the nomination of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate.

Meanwhile, the Mark-led faction has rejected the court’s decision and filed an appeal, further deepening uncertainty over the party’s preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has pledged that no Nigerian would go to bed hungry if he is elected president in the 2027 general election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Obi promised that his administration would prioritise tackling hunger, poverty and insecurity while creating more opportunities for Nigerians to improve their standard of living.

The former Anambra State governor made the pledge during a town hall meeting in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, where he presented some of his plans for the country ahead of the 2027 elections, Naija News reports.

He maintained that Nigeria could become a prosperous and united nation under the right leadership, assuring that the welfare and security of citizens would remain central to his administration.

According to Obi, his government would focus on fighting corruption, promoting national unity and creating an environment where Nigerians could pursue their aspirations without fear.

The NDC flagbearer also promised to generate employment opportunities for young Nigerians, particularly by supporting them to establish and expand their businesses.

Addressing the country’s worsening security challenges, Obi urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to take urgent action to tackle the persistent attacks and killings across different parts of Nigeria.

He, however, assured that if elected, his administration would confront insecurity directly and work towards restoring peace in communities affected by insurgency and terrorist activities.

Obi expressed concern that continued violence had displaced thousands of Nigerians, forcing many to abandon their homes and struggle to meet their basic needs.

He further pledged to give young Nigerians greater opportunities to participate in governance, insisting that their voices and contributions would be recognised under his administration.

The former governor said he understood the concerns of Nigerians and was prepared to implement the necessary changes to improve their living conditions.

Speaking at the event, Obi said, “We are seeking office to be able to ensure that people can go to bed without being hungry. We will care for you. We are not a government for a few people. We are seeking office to unite Nigeria and secure the country. Nigeria is one.”

Earlier, Obi, accompanied by his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and other NDC officials, visited the Tor Tiv and Chairman of the Benue State Council of Chiefs and Traditional Rulers, Professor James Ayatse, at his palace in Gboko.

The delegation subsequently visited Yelewata, a community situated along the Makurdi-Lafia Road in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.