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Unknown soldier exposes how brigade guards were ambushed, killed
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•DHQ debunks voice note, kills 30 Boko Haram
A viral voice note allegedly from one of the soldiers in the Presidential Guards Brigade who were ambushed by terrorists has explained how some officers and men of the Brigade were killed by Boko Haram insurgents in the operation at Bwari/Kubwa road in Abuja.
But Defence Headquarters in a swift reaction yesterday, debunked the voice note, disclosing also that the military killed at least 30 of the terrorists that launched the attack.
The voice note explained: ”There’s one particular school of law which the terrorists wrote to, that they were coming to attack. The moment the school received the letter they informed our battalion, which is the Guards Brigade.
”Instantly, we went there and started an all round defence deployment. We were now contemplating that these people who said that they were coming to attack the school may have plan B to attack another place, so we now looked for a nearest prominent target that they may come for as well, and that happens to be one Veritas University, very close to the law school, like 3.2km away.
”We went there as well to create all round defence. We were there for over two weeks before this attack came up on Sunday. Normally in the night, we often observed some torchlight in the bush at that Veritas University, they say ‘Ah Ah, who are these people in this bush’.
”We asked those security men in that school, ‘is this how you people normally observe torchlight? They said no. So when it was dawn, we advanced into the bush. It was on Sunday; I went with them myself. Do you get it? I was there.
“When we got there, we saw where the terrorists smoked, killed goat, ate. We saw their tramadol, that was when we confirmed that these people are in this bush. We now re-enforced.
”We had some backup who brought APC, gun trucks, Artillery Team. We now advanced into the bush on Sunday, searching for them. We got to a point where is a body of water and some rock.
”The gun truck could not channel into that particular route, so we had to park them there. That was why we had casualties, to be sincere with you.
“We parked the AA, we parked the GPMG, we parked the gun trucks because we couldn’t advance with them. We went into the bush with our rifles alone and the Ak-47 we were all carrying.
”We didn’t even carry RPG, I am telling you the simple truth. We thought they (terrorists) might just be a pocket of enemy, that maybe they will not be more than 20, 30 or thereabout.
“So the moment we went into the bush, they had seen us from a very far distance, we didn’t see them. They now laid ambush, waiting for us to come and penetrate. They flanked us from left and right, so the moment we got to their own area of responsibility, AOR, my brother it’s a long story. They engaged us.
“We lost four soldiers in my unit; it was three units that went there, 177 and 102 from Keffi, including my unit, 7 guards’ battalion. They dislodged us because they were fully prepared. They used Mortar Shells, IED explosive devices, they shelled us but we still managed to kill 12 of them.
”They succeeded in killing one captain, one lieutenant and two soldiers in my unit. In another unit, we lost one soldier of 177 battalion Keffi, while 102 battalion lost one soldier as well.
“But at least, we engaged them to some extent, so that is the situation but from now, we have been dislodging them since that day through re-enforcement. In short, I don’t think any of them is in that bush again, they’ve all fled through this Kaduna route but we will follow them, we will bombard that place.
”We will go back to the place the gun truck could not penetrate. As I’m talking to you, I’m in National Hospital but we just bless God for everything. So that’s it.
“It is not that they have the mind to face soldiers, they knew we were outside, that is the reason they couldn’t come outside. Had it been there were no soldiers in that law school, the terrorists would have scattered that school but they waited because they knew soldiers were outside and we remained there like it was our barrack.
”We manned the road leading to the school with 10 soldiers everyday, armed with rifles and gun truck. That is how we’ve been doing it till the attack. If you hear anything other than what I am explaining to you now is a lie.
”Everybody is just gathering information to say many things on social media that are not real. As I’m talking to you now, I’m in National Hospital and they are communicating with me because I’m with some soldiers here as well that are injured. You guys should just be helping us in prayers. May God help us all.”
Dismissing the voice note at a briefing in Abuja yesterday, Defence headquarters said the person in the viral voice note was an unknown soldier without identity and should be ignored.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Bernard Onyeuko, who debunked the voice note, also said the action of the military authorities in going after the terrorists in Bwari after receiving intelligence on their plans, showed that issues of tackling security challenges were being taken seriously.
“You now know that the military is not sleeping. The soldiers were in that bush for about two weeks. They were not going for a tea party. It is because they were trying to seek and find these terrorists that this incident happened,” he said.
Onyeuko said the troops of 7 Guards Battalion and 176 Battalion conducted the operation in junction with the air component of Operation Whirl Punch, adding that the clearance patrol around Bwari general area lasted between July 24 and 26, 2022.
He added that no fewer than 30 of the terrorists were killed in a combined efforts of the Army and Nigerian Airfoce.
“Ground troops also recovered six motorcycles, two AK47 rifles, 1 fully loaded LMG magazine, among others during mob up”.
He assured members of the public, especially residents of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, and its environs not to panic over the recent security breaches witnessed in the country, saying the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies were tackling the security challenges, with a view to ending insurgency activities in the affected areas.
Major General Onyeuko said: “The hierarchy of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies wish to reassure Nigerians of its commitment and pact with all Nigerians.
“People should go about their normal businesses as their safety is guaranteed. The support and cooperation of all Nigerians is hereby solicited as security is everybody’s business”.
Kaura Namoda is the second-largest city in Zamfara State, but it is currently under seige as bandits led by the kingpin Kachalla Bello Dansadiya seem committed to destroying the community completely.
This medium reports that the latest student abduction is just part of a terrifying, ongoing pattern.
It is also reported that two senior lecturers have been held for over two months, despite ransom being paid.
A local resident remains in captivity after an attack on the Low-Cost area, adding that, an elderly District Head in his 80s was also abducted from his home right next to a military base.
Two wives and five family members of a senior paramilitary officer were taken three weeks ago, despite urgent calls made to security forces during the attack.
According to him, despite numerous complaints and suggestions forwarded to the authorities, nothing has changed, pointing out that as a result, fearful staff and students are fleeing the town for their own safety.
He lamented that, allowing these criminals to attack, kidnap, and return to their base unchallenged is an affront to our national security.
Kaura stressed that, with a military base located near the Low-Cost area of the town, proactive measures must be taken immediately before the bandits attempt something even more embarrassing to our forces.
We are urgently calling on the Ministry of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the DSS, and all relevant authorities to come to our rescue, he said.
Do not wait for them to strike—take the fight directly to their dens, deploy more operatives and equipment, and protect our community and the Polytechnic before frustration drives residents to take matters into their own hands.
The National Vice Chairman (Southeast) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ray Nnaji, has raised alarm over an alleged threat to his life by suspended Enugu governorship aspirant, Chief Sampson Chukwu Nnamani.
Nnaji alleged that the threats followed Nnamani’s recent suspension from the party over alleged anti-party activities and actions considered capable of undermining the unity of the PDP.
Addressing journalists during a press conference in Enugu on Wednesday, the PDP zonal chairman claimed that Nnamani threatened him during a telephone conversation on Saturday, May 23, 2026.
According to Nnaji, the suspended chieftain accused him of lying, vowed to “deal” with him, and wished serious illness upon him.
“On the 23rd of this month, he called me sometime after 11am and told me that I’m a liar, that he’s going to deal with me, and that the sickness affecting him should visit me,” Nnaji said.
He explained that he initially dismissed the remarks as a joke, reminding Nnamani that “he is not God,” but later became alarmed following subsequent developments.
Nnaji said the crisis escalated after he appeared on a live programme on Urban Radio where he spoke about Nnamani’s suspension, allegations of parallel primaries, and forgery accusations involving another party figure, Chief Uche Nnaji.
He further alleged that shortly after the radio programme, he visited the gym at Rich-Crest Hotel in Independence Layout, Enugu, where he has reportedly exercised for more than 10 years, but was asked to leave by two security guards acting on Nnamani’s instructions.
“I was still exercising when two security men approached me and said Chief Sampson Chukwu Nnamani had directed that I should no longer be allowed into the gym because I am now considered a security risk,” he stated.
Nnaji described the action as shocking and a breach of his valid subscription agreement with the facility, noting that he had already paid for two months.
The PDP chieftain argued that the development confirmed that his safety was under threat.
“I came to address the press so the world will know that my life is in danger as far as Chief Sampson Chukwu Nnamani is concerned because he has openly said he is going to deal with me,” he declared.
Explaining the background to the dispute, Nnaji alleged that tensions began after the PDP governorship primary election in Enugu State.
According to him, Nnamani, dissatisfied with the emergence of Chief Uche Nnaji, allegedly organised a parallel primary and declared himself a candidate.
He said the party leadership rejected the exercise, insisting that the PDP would not tolerate acts of indiscipline.
Nnaji also accused Nnamani of circulating a Sahara Reporters publication alleging that the PDP cleared Chief Uche Nnaji despite forgery allegations.
The PDP zonal chairman stated that party leaders attempted to resolve the matter amicably during a meeting held at the residence of elder statesman, Chief Jim Nwobodo, but claimed that Nnamani ignored reconciliation efforts and continued his media attacks against the party.
According to Nnaji, a petition against Nnamani originating from Chief Uche Nnaji’s political ward was presented before the party’s expanded State Executive Committee on May 20.
He said the meeting was shifted to May 22 to allow Nnamani appear and defend himself, but alleged that despite receiving invitations through SMS, WhatsApp, and courier delivery alongside copies of the petition, he failed to attend.
Nnaji stated that the expanded working committee, made up of more than 50 stakeholders and local government party chairmen, unanimously voted to suspend him.
“When the question was put to the house, nobody opposed the suspension. The decision was unanimous,” he said.
He further alleged that Nnamani later accused him of masterminding the suspension process and drafting the suspension documents.
Nnaji, who is also a legal practitioner, defended his role, saying any legal advice he offered the party was done strictly in his professional capacity.
He disclosed plans to petition the Commissioner of Police, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Department of State Services (DSS) over the alleged threats.
“I will formally notify the Commissioner of Police, the Inspector-General of Police, and the DSS so they are aware of these threats,” he stated.
He also revealed plans to institute legal action over what he described as the unlawful termination of his gym access despite an existing contractual agreement.
Meanwhile, attempts to obtain the reaction of Chief Sampson Chukwu Nnamani were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls and text messages sent to his phone before press time.
…Lament Absence Of Ngige, Moghalu Others
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Foundation members of the All Progressives Congress APC in Anambra state have protested what they call the hijack of the party by members of the People’s Democratic Party PDP at just concluded State Congress.
They further lamented the absence of former governor and Minister Sen Chris Ngige, former National Auditor of the party Chief George Moghalu, former National Youth leader of the party Chief Uzoma Igbonwa and others during the Congress.
According to the spokesman of the foundation members Mr Uchenna Adika from Onitsha North local government area ; members such as Chief Ike Ekwensi and Chief Kene Nzekwe were both disqualified and denied access to purchase forms for the post of Deputy Chairman and Chairman, most original members of the party.
“What you saw that took place there at the party Secretarate is a hijack of the party by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and not the real APC stalwarts”
“Some of us went to buy forms for the post of state Chairman they refused to sell to us and there are some of us who actually purchased forms for the post of Deputy Chairman but they were disqualified by them and you call it internal democracy in the party ”
The group questioned that ; “,At what point did all these people join the APC ? ”
“There should be a demarcation between the Renewed Hope Ambassadors campaign organization of Mr President and the leadership of the APC in Anambra state” he said.
But Sen Uche Ekwunife during the Congress contended that what the party did was I line with the provisions of the APC constitution adding that the party at this point do not need Photoshop executive members who do not have capacity or anything to offer for the growth and progress of the party .
“Our outgoing Chairman Chief Basil Ejidike is not going because he did not do well or that he is incompetent but he has been there for seven years and there is the need to regig the party ”
“It is not about becoming an executive member of the party for Photoshop or just to be there ”
“We did basketing and consensus in line with the provisions of our party Constitution and we are looking at people that had capacity to work and deliver and not rubber stamp executive ” she said.
By Chinedu Sabastine
The second edition of the Enugu Tech Festival (ETF 2.0) has concluded with a record-breaking 53,000 physical participants, reinforcing Nigeria’s growing ambition to emerge as a continental hub for digital innovation.
Held from 24 to 27 February 2026 at the Enugu International Conference Centre, the four-day festival exceeded its projected target of 50,000 attendees, drawing innovators, founders, investors, policymakers and students from across Nigeria and beyond.
Convener of the festival and Enugu State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Prince Lawrence Ezeh, described the turnout as “a resounding validation of Enugu’s vision to become a technology trailblazer in Africa.” He noted that the festival also attracted hundreds of online participants globally.
The event was broadcast live on Africa Independent Television (AIT) and reportedly ranked among the top five trending global events on social media during its run—an unprecedented level of digital engagement for an African technology convergence.
“We set out to inspire 50,000 innovators, thinkers, founders, investors and digital talents. To see nearly 60,000 people here—not registrations but real engagement—shows that the African tech narrative is shifting from perception to measurable impact,” Dr Ezeh said.
Attendance Breakdown and Daily Focus
Organisers disclosed that Day One recorded 20,000 participants, Day Two 15,000, Day Three 13,000, and Day Four 5,000 attendees. Each day was structured around a central theme, featuring contributions from government, global tech firms, startups and academia.
The theme for ETF 2.0 was “Coal to Code: Energy in New Form.”
Policy, Investment and Innovation
Day One focused on policy and governance and was officially declared open by Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, who emphasised technology and innovation as central pillars of his administration’s development agenda.
“We are witnessing an economic renaissance powered by technology… The global economy is now driven by ideas, code, data and innovation,” Mbah said, adding that Enugu has chosen to be “a producer, not a spectator” in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Dignitaries including Sweden’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Anna Westerholm, toured exhibition halls showcasing startups, coding boot camps, robotics demonstrations and AI-powered agricultural tools.
Observers from Britain and other European markets noted a shift in Nigeria’s tech discourse—from aspirational rhetoric to implementation-driven frameworks with measurable outcomes.
Day Two spotlighted entrepreneurship and investment. A curated “Deal Room” facilitated engagements between startups and venture capitalists, while masterclasses addressed scaling, product-market fit and cross-border expansion. Investors from Lagos, Nairobi, London and Dubai attended, reflecting rising global interest in African digital enterprises.
Dr Ezeh described the festival as “a bridge between talent and capital,” positioning Enugu as an emerging investment gateway to South-East Nigeria’s technology corridor.
Day Three explored artificial intelligence, blockchain and Web3 technologies, featuring a live hackathon with teams developing solutions in fintech, healthcare diagnostics and climate-smart agriculture. Panels also examined responsible AI governance and decentralised finance regulation.
Youth Empowerment and Lasting Impact
The closing day blended innovation showcases with awards and cultural performances. Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, reaffirmed federal support for youth-led innovation and research commercialisation.
Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Chidiebere Onyia, described ETF 2.0 as “a landmark achievement” that has elevated Enugu’s global profile.
One of the festival’s most tangible outcomes was its youth empowerment initiative. Hundreds of young participants received laptops and tablets, while selected startup founders and innovation teams were awarded ₦10 million grants each to accelerate product development and market entry. Additional groups received smaller grants to support training, prototyping and community tech hubs.
“Inspiration without tools is incomplete,” Dr Ezeh said. “We are placing real resources in the hands of those who will shape the ecosystem.”
A Growing Continental Signal
Beyond speeches and exhibitions, ETF 2.0 functioned as a marketplace of ideas, ambition and opportunity. Cultural performances and digital art installations underscored the festival’s message that technology and cultural identity can coexist.
For international observers, the festival reflects a broader continental shift: Africa’s youthful, tech-savvy population is increasingly entrepreneurial and globally connected.
Against persistent challenges such as infrastructure gaps and regulatory uncertainty, Enugu’s successful convening of over 53,000 innovators sends a clear signal—subnational governments are stepping forward as active ecosystem builders.
As the curtains fell on ETF 2.0, Dr Ezeh reflected on what he termed “Africa’s defining decade.”
“This festival is not an endpoint,” he said. “It is the foundation. We are building from Enugu to the world.”
If ETF 2.0 is any indication, that ambition is already gaining momentum.
While the Nigerian Police Force said 75 persons were confirmed killed in the assault on Woro and Nuku communities, local sources and international observers put the death toll significantly higher.
In a statement on X on Friday, the US Mission in Nigeria described the attack as “horrific,” saying more than 160 people were feared dead, with many still unaccounted for.
“The United States condemns the horrific attack in Kwara state in Nigeria, which claimed the lives of more than 160 people, with the death toll still unconfirmed and many still unaccounted for.
“We express our deepest condolences to the families of those affected by this senseless violence,” the statement read.
It welcomed President Bola Tinubu’s directive to deploy security forces to protect affected communities.
The reaction adds to international condemnation of the attack, which had earlier drawn rebukes from the United Nations and the Republic of Türkiye.
Tinubu had ordered the deployment of an army battalion to Kaiama and approved the creation of a new military command to lead the operation, following the assault on Woro and Nuku communities.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had also ordered the immediate deployment of tactical and intelligence teams to Kaiama and surrounding communities to restore calm and prevent further attacks.
Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said the deployment of troops under Operation Savannah Shield would help deter further violence, adding that security forces were already on the ground.
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