NEWS
Courts Will Decide el-Zakzaky’s Fate, Presidency Tells Shiite Members

By Mathew Dadiya, Abuja
The Presidency has warned members of the el-Zakzaky-led Shiite group to desist from needless violent street protests and await the decision of the court in Kaduna where their leader is currently being tried.
According to the Presidency, the case of el-Zakzaky is before the court in Kaduna and his supporters should focus on his on-going trial instead of causing daily damages, disruptions and public nuisance in Abuja.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, on Friday, stated that it’s wrong to be in court and resort to violence at the same time in order to get justice for anybody accused.
According to him, the destruction of public property in the name of protest is not within the rights of this group of Shiite members and no government anywhere would have tolerated a situation where any group would take over public roads in cities as they have done in Abuja and interfere with the rights of other citizens who are prevented from reaching their destinations.
“We imagine a situation where families are taking their loved ones to hospital for emergency treatment and they are held up needlessly by the protesters. No government anywhere in the world would turn a blind eye to this unlawful behaviour.
“As far as this country’s Ministry of Justice is concerned, the case involving rl-Zakzaky is no longer in its domain.
“The Federal Government no more has hands in the matter and to that extent, the government at the centre can be said to be clear of any alleged violations of court orders as being trumpeted everyday.
“These rallies and street dances ostensibly to openly insult the President and other leaders, threatening bloodshed will lead nowhere because President Buhari will not ask the country’s judiciary to abandon due process and set a suspect free.
“At the same time, the administration is determined to enforce the decision of the court clearly issued.
“The Buhari administration has absolutely no hand in the on-going court case and the courts are free to determine the bail request and the final outcome. The mentality that you are above the law and that your own rights are superior to other people’s rights is unacceptable.
“You can’t be provoking other citizens by interfering with their own rights on public roads and disrupting their businesses and call it democratic freedom. In democratic traditions, their rights end where the rights of others begin.
“Law abiding citizens must avoid deliberate lawlessness. It is not within the rights of any group to enter protected public institutions such as the National Assembly by force to attack police and destroy public and private property,” Shebi said.
Continuing, the presidential spokesperson pointed out that “it is always advisable to embrace dialogue and eschew violence in all our actions so that we can continue to live together in peace.”
“We therefore appeal to the Shiite group to stop deliberate provocations that result in violence and fatalities and allow the trial of El-ZakZaky to take its course,” the Presidency warned.
NEWS
DHQ Rebuts Allegation of Internal Sabotage in Benue Massacre

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed the allegation suggesting that internal sabotage within the Nigerian military contributed to the tragic events in Yelwata, Benue.The Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, in a statement on Tuesday, said the claims were unfounded and not supported by credible evidence.
Gusau said the Nigerian military had consistently denied any involvement in the massacre. According to him, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has publicly stated that the military was not responsible for the killings in Yelwata.“Furthermore, the Nigerian Military has emphasized its commitment to protecting civilians and upholding the rule of law.“There is no credible evidence to substantiate claims of internal sabotage within the military related to the Yelwata incident.“Investigations by independent bodies, including human rights organizations, have not found any links between the military and the perpetrators of the massacre.“The violence in Yelwata is part of a broader pattern of intercommunal clashes in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region, primarily between farmers and herders.“These conflicts are driven by longstanding disputes over land and grazing rights, ethnic tensions, and competition for resources,” he said.Gusau said that while the military had been deployed to maintain peace, the root causes of the violence lied in complex socio-economic and political factors.He added that attributing the Yelwata massacre to internal sabotage within the Nigerian military was misleading and detracts from the real issues at play.According to him, it is essential to focus on addressing the underlying causes of intercommunal violence and to support efforts aimed at fostering dialogue, reconciliation, and sustainable peace in the affected regions.“The CDS has only called for a holistic approach and the need for the cummunities and the security agencies to work closer to address the issue.“He also call on the communities not to hide criminals and also assure them the military ans other security agencies are there to protect lives and properties of law abiding citizens,” he added. (NAN)NEWS
Benue killing: NAF Deploys More Air Assets in Op Whirl Stroke

As part of sustained efforts to restore peace and stability across the North Central region, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has deployed additional air assets under Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS).This is contained in a statement by the Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, on Tuesday in Abuja.
Ejodame said the strategic move had reinforced the NAF’s commitment to enhancing security, supporting ground operations, and reassuring communities affected by banditry, kidnapping, and communal unrest. He said the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, conducted a firsthand evaluation of air operations under OPWS, to assess the effectiveness of these expanded efforts.According to him, the visit included a high-level strategic engagement held on Tuesday, at the Headquarters Tactical Air Command, Makurdi.Ejodame said the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; a representative of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Adm. Olusegun Ferreira; the Commander of OPWS; and the Maritime and Air Component Commanders, alongside other key stakeholders, were part of the meeting.According to Ejodame, critical updates were provided on the current tempo of joint operations aimed at restoring lasting peace across the region.In his remarks, the CAS revealed that the newly deployed air assets had been successfully integrated into ongoing operations, delivering real-time intelligence and precision targeting support.He stated NAF aircraft had continued to conduct surveillance, armed reconnaissance, close air support, and precision strike missions with remarkable success.Abubakar noted that the current deployment aligns with the Federal Government’s overarching mission to stabilise the Middle Belt region.He highlighted the impact of recent coordinated air and ground operations across Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba States, which have led to the dismantling of several militia camps, bandit enclaves, and criminal hideouts.“These outcomes reinforce our unwavering commitment to protecting innocent lives and supporting national peace-building initiatives.“As long as peace is threatened, our resolve remains unshaken.“The NAF will continue to deliver timely, decisive air support in synergy with sister services, ensuring the protection of lives and properties while advancing our mission of restoring peace to the Middle Belt and beyond,” he said.The Service Chiefs jointly emphasised the importance of synergy among the armed forces and other security agencies, noting that jointness remains a cornerstone for operational success under Operation Whirl Stroke.They reiterated that the ongoing operations are part of a broader goal to create a secure environment where residents can live and conduct their legitimate activities without fear. (NAN)NEWS
Tinubu Reiterates Commitment to Fast-Track Approvals for Viable Projects

President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday restated the determination of his administration to fast-track approvals for viable infrastructural projects in the country.Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, made this known at the 2025 Nigeria Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Summit on Tuesday in Abuja.
The president therefore urged private sector partner to be focused and more committed. According to him, what matters to the average Nigerian is the availability of basic infrastructure such as power, roads, health facilities and quality schools. He called for a more strengthened public-private sector partnership that emphasises innovation, efficiency, commitment and integrity above mere capital and investments.” We need more than investment. We need innovation, we need efficiency, and above all, we need integrity.” I urge you to look beyond the risks and recognise the immense opportunity to shape a nation that is not just rising, but ready.“The projects that emerge from this summit must not gather dust on paper or linger in bureaucratic limbo.” We will fast-track approvals for viable projects. We will ensure coordination across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to enable swift implementation.“We do this because we know that what matters to the average Nigerian is not promises, but power in their homes, roads to their farms, access to clean water, modern hospitals, and quality schools. We must build.” We must deliver. And we must do it together,” he said.He observed that a 21st-century economy cannot be built on 20th-century infrastructure, pointing out that the “old model of public-only infrastructure funding is no longer sustainable.“Our national aspirations far exceed what public budgets alone can deliver. That is why we must innovate, and why we must work together.” We are not looking for investors to carry burdens. We are offering opportunities to create value.” We seek long-term partners who are ready to help us bridge our infrastructure gap with purpose and precision,” he added.Tinubu recalled that his administration, on assumption of office two years ago, was quite aware “that a functional relationship between the public and private sectors would be the magic wand of transformation.”He reaffirmed that the administration was still fully committed to that very public-private partnership that is passionate about delivering sustainable and inclusive infrastructure.” We have strengthened the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission and enhanced its capacity to regulate, superintend, and de-risk PPP transactions.” We are determined to deliver infrastructure that is both sustainable and inclusive. Our economic reforms have laid a stable foundation.” From the removal of unsustainable subsidies to the liberalisation of the foreign exchange regime and the optimisation of government revenues, we have acted boldly and responsibly.“We are streamlining bureaucratic bottlenecks and improving transparency in our project pipelines.” We have aligned our processes with global best practices and investor expectations.”The President urged participants to ensure the event is “remembered not for fine speeches, but for bankable projects, signed deals, and enduring progress.”The Minister of Interior, Mr Tunji Ojo, commended the ICRC for championing game-changing projects across diverse sectors.Ojo noted that with President Tinubu and Vice-President Shettima in the saddle, Nigeria is taking its rightful place in the comity of nations.The Regional Director, Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa, IFC, Dahlia Khalifa, applauded the ongoing reform in Nigeria’s PPP framework.Khalifa acknowledged IFC’s collaboration with authorities across key sectors to achieve the country’s overall objectives and strengthening the existing relationship between the organisation and Nigeria.She added that Nigeria under President Tinubu has demonstrated strong commitments to timely and transparent resolution of disputes arising from PPP projects.Solomon Quaynor, the Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialisation at the African Development Bank, said the theme of the summit implies that partnerships are not just optional but are essential.He said the infrastructure deficits “demand that the government and the private sector work together in commercially viable PPPs.”Quaynor added that the bank was working with other partners on the Lagos-Abidjan highway project to boost regional economic integration in West Africa.“PPPs are complex long-term projects. They need to be designed properly and designed to survive different political administrations because by their very nature, they are long-term,” he stated. (NAN)