Yusuf Gagdi, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Navy, has argued that the payment of ransoms only emboldens bandits to persist in their criminal activities. During a plenary session on Wednesday, the House moved a motion urging the federal government to discontinue its rehabilitation and reintegration program for arrested insurgents and criminals.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Gagdi’s position on this issue includes the following points:

• Refusing to pay ransoms would eventually discourage bandits from continuing their criminal actions.

• There is no logical justification for rehabilitating individuals who commit murder.

• Rehabilitated criminals often become informants within the nation’s security architecture.

• Insurgents, kidnappers, and bandits should not be trained or reintegrated into the security system.

• When questioned about appropriate punishment for insurgents, Gagdi stated that those who intentionally kill, kidnap, or torture citizens do not deserve to survive and should be killed.

A combined operation by the Military Intelligence Brigade (MIB) and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) has led to the arrest of a suspected ISWAP informant, 30-year-old Isa Janyu, in Monguno, Borno State. The arrest occurred on July 4 during a targeted operation at Kasuwan Shanu, where items including a mobile phone, a knife, and cash were recovered from the suspect. Investigators believe Janyu, a native of Kukawa, specialized in identifying wealthy residents to facilitate kidnappings for ransom. He is currently being held by the Headquarters Sector 3 Military Intelligence Brigade as part of broader military efforts to dismantle terrorist support networks in the North-East.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a separate incident, an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion occurred on July 2 along the Komala village axis in Konduga, Borno State. Details of the attack include:

• A trailer transporting passengers from Maiduguri to Damboa struck an IED suspected to have been planted by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists.

• The explosion resulted in one fatality at the scene and left nine other passengers with various injuries.

• A joint team of military, police, EOD personnel, CJTF members, and local hunters responded to the site to evacuate the injured and handle the body of the deceased.

• EOD personnel secured the area following the blast, and security forces are continuing to conduct operations to prevent further attacks.

Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has disclosed that he has not received the plot of land pledged to the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winning team by the Nigerian Federal Government following their victory. Speaking on Peter Crouch’s podcast, the 38-year-old noted that while the squad was promised land during the celebrations hosted by then-President Goodluck Jonathan, he remains unaware of the location of his own plot.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Mikel, who retired in 2022 after a successful 18-year career, also confirmed that he has rejected multiple offers to join the management of Nigerian football. His reasons include:

• Criticism of Leadership: He accused the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) leadership of clinging to power for personal financial gain while lacking the necessary football expertise.

• Fundamental Disagreements: Mikel stated he refuses to work with the current administrators because their objectives do not align with his own vision for the sport.

• Commitment to Progress: He emphasized that Nigerian football could significantly improve if funds were properly managed and directed toward the right developmental areas.