A Kogi State High Court, presided over by Justice Abdul Nicodemus Awulu, has sentenced Jibrin Halilu to death for his role in the kidnapping and murder of Uche Andrew Offo, a hotel owner in Obajana. Halilu was found guilty of conspiracy and kidnapping, in violation of the Kogi State Kidnapping and Other Related Offences Prohibition Law, 2023.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The incident occurred on March 23, 2023, when Halilu and an armed gang abducted Offo from his hotel, the Everready Hotel. Although Offo’s family paid a ₦2.5 million ransom, he was killed after recognizing Halilu—his own neighbour—among his abductors. Halilu was eventually arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) on December 4, 2025, and was also linked to the April 2, 2023, kidnapping of Ibrahim Abdullahi in Lokoja, for which a ₦5 million ransom was paid.

This verdict is part of a series of recent major legal successes for the DSS:

• Owo Church Attack: On June 3, 2026, a Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced four men—Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, and Abdulhaleem Idris—to death for the 2022 terror attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, which resulted in over 40 deaths and 100 injuries.

• Katsina Arms Courier: Just 24 hours prior to the Kogi ruling, a Katsina State High Court sentenced a female arms courier apprehended by the DSS to death.

Security sources stated that these consecutive convictions serve as a strong message that those involved in terrorism, kidnapping, and violent crime will be held accountable and face the full extent of the law.

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has argued that electoral manipulation persists in Nigeria largely because voters fail to remain at polling units to safeguard their ballots. During a recent trip to Washington, D.C., Obi pledged to do everything in his capacity to protect votes leading up to the 2027 general elections. However, he emphasized that the ultimate responsibility for ensuring electoral integrity lies with the citizens, urging them to actively monitor the counting process rather than leaving immediately after casting their votes. Obi stated that if voters insist on monitoring their polling units, their votes will be counted; he criticized the tendency of some citizens to vote and then rely on prayer instead of taking ownership of the electoral process, asserting that Nigeria’s core challenge is a leadership issue.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi claims that election rigging continues in Nigeria because citizens do not adequately defend their votes at the polling stations. While promising to work toward protecting the ballot for the 2027 elections, Obi noted that true electoral accountability depends on the public’s willingness to stay and ensure that votes are correctly tallied. He suggested that many Nigerians contribute to the problem by leaving their polling units early and expecting supernatural intervention, reaffirming his view that the nation’s primary struggle remains one of leadership.

The Federal University Birnin Kebbi (FUBK) community is in mourning following the death of Zaharadeen Nuhu, a 300-level Biochemistry student. Nuhu, an indigene of Niger State, succumbed to severe machete wounds inflicted by suspected thieves who raided his off-campus hostel in Kalgo Local Government Area, Kebbi State.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Professor Ibrahim Magawata, the university’s Dean of Student Affairs, confirmed the heartbreaking loss in an official circular released on Thursday, June 11, 2026. According to the Dean, Nuhu was rushed to a medical facility following the brutal assault but tragically passed away early Thursday morning.

University Response and Security Measures In the wake of the killing, the university administration has taken several steps to address the security crisis:

• The incident has been formally reported to the Kalgo Division of the Nigeria Police Force, and an investigation is currently underway.

• Security patrols have been heightened in Kalgo and other surrounding communities where students reside.

• Management intends to engage with private hostel owners to implement stricter safety protocols, including the installation of better lighting and the hiring of night guards.

Advisories to the Student Body The university has urged its students to remain calm, law-abiding, and vigilant. Students have been advised to:

• Avoid moving around late at night.

• Travel in groups whenever possible.

• Report any suspicious activities or individuals to security agencies immediately.

• Refrain from spreading unverified rumors that could incite panic.

Growing Concerns Among Students Despite the university’s assurances regarding student welfare, many students remain deeply concerned about the security of off-campus housing. Anonymous students reported a history of threats, including phone snatching, sexual harassment, and physical assaults. They are calling for immediate, collaborative action from the university, law enforcement, and landlords to ensure such a tragedy never happens again.

Zaharadeen Nuhu was laid to rest on Thursday following a Janazah prayer held at the Federal Teaching Hospital mosque in Birnin Kebbi. The university management has extended its deepest condolences to the grieving family, friends, and the entire student body, while praying for the repose of his soul.