The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday revoked the bail it granted Omoyele Sowore, the publisher of Sahara Reporters, over his absence in court for his trial.

Justice Mohammed Umar, in a ruling on an oral application made by the lawyer to the Department of State Services (DSS), Akinkolu Kehinde, SAN, also issued a bench warrant for his arrest.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the DSSS is prosecuting Sowore for allegedly making false claims against the person of President Bola Tinubu by referring to him as “a criminal” in a post he made on his “X” and Facebook accounts.

Justice Umar had, on June 5, fixed Tuesday for ruling on application by Sowore, through his lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, seeking the judge’s recusal ftom the case.

However, when the case was called, neither Sowore not his lawyer was in court.

The court was then informed that the defendant had sent a letter seeking an adjournment of the matter.

But responding, the DSS counsel opposed the application for adjournment sought.

Kehinde argued that there was no cogent reason adduced by the defendant for the application.

He, therefore, prayed the court to revoke his bail and issue a bench warrant for his arrest.(NAN)

 
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested five suspected members of a kidnapping and banditry syndicate operating around the outskirts of Abuja, including a pregnant woman accused of providing food and logistical support to the criminal network.
 
The suspects were apprehended during a security operation carried out in the Byazin area of the FCT on June 11, 2026.
 
Speaking while parading the suspects in Abuja, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, said the operation led to the arrest of several gang members, the rescue of kidnapped victims, and the neutralisation of other suspects during an exchange with security operatives.
 
Among those arrested was Hauwa Shafiu, who police said was heavily pregnant at the time of her arrest. Investigators allege that she played a key role in sustaining the gang by supplying food and other essential items to both the kidnappers and their captives while they operated from their hideouts.
He said, “As a follow-up to that operation, upon further engagements, we stormed a suspected bandits’ and kidnappers’ hideout within the same area and arrested some suspects.
 
“One of the suspects, Shafiu, operates as a logistics supplier and cook for the criminal gang and their hostages. She was heavily pregnant at the time of her arrest, even though her pregnancy did not deter her from continuously committing this heinous crime,” the commissioner said.
 
He added that upon her arrest, he ordered that she be taken to a hospital, where she subsequently gave birth.
 
“The baby is sound and safe. She too is sound. We have provided every medical need while we watch her recuperate,” he said, noting that she remained in the police clinic.
 
Other suspects arrested are Yahaya Abdullahi, Muhammed Yunusa, and Shamsudeen Mustapha.
 
Speaking on them, Sanusi said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were part of a criminal network involved in kidnapping and banditry within and around the FCT and had strategically embedded themselves inside a local community located approximately one kilometre from the territory’s boundary.
 
“The group had infiltrated and integrated into a local community just about one kilometre away from the FCT itself, enabling them to gather intelligence and coordinate repeated attacks on targeted persons and locations,” the commissioner said.
 
He said exhibits recovered from the suspects included four motorcycles, 31 pieces of 500mg tramadol tablets, 10 pieces of 50mg tramadol tablets, five phones, one POS machine, cooking utensils, and N320,000 cash.
 
The commissioner said the cash was part of the proceeds from a recent kidnapping ransom.
 
“According to the confession of one of the suspects, the N320,000 was his share of a N7 million ransom paid to the kidnappers,” he revealed.
 
He also disclosed that a suspect confessed to having dispatched a motorcycle to help two fleeing bandits escape during the June 11 operation — confirming that two persons who evaded arrest that day had been assisted from within the network.
 
He said Mustapha was an active drug supplier to the bandit network.
 
The commissioner announced that the command, in collaboration with the FCT Administration, would demolish the identified hideouts of the suspects.
 
“We have an arrangement. Since we have identified their houses, we are moving from here to go and demolish those houses in collaboration with the FCT administration. Any such houses that we continue to identify, we will continue to bring down,” he said.
 
He also declared several bandits wanted whose photographs had been obtained, warning that the command was prepared for confrontation.
 
“As they are looking for us, we are equally looking for them,” he said.

The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Olatunji Disu, says the creation of the state police does not mean abolition of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

Disu stated this while addressing personnel of the police force, on Monday in Dutse, Jigawa.

He said the clarification was imperative to address concerns among officers and men of the force surrounding the creation of the state police.

The I-G said the legislative development concerning the creation of the state police has generated considerable discussion within policing circles and across the nation in recent weeks.

“I am aware that many officers and men have questions, concerns and in some cases, genuine anxiety about what this development may mean for the future of the Nigeria Police Force, and for your individual careers.

“As your Inspector-General of Police, it is important that I address these concerns directly and provide as much clarity as possible. Let me begin by assuring every officer here today that there is no cause for panic.

“The creation of state police does not mean the abolition of the Nigeria Police Force. It does not mean the cancellation of your rank, the loss of your employment, the forfeiture of your pensions, or the erosion of your accrued rights and benefits. Your future remains protected,” Disu said.

According to Disu, the objective of the reform is to strengthen Nigeria’s overall policing architecture by creating additional policing structures that are closer to the communities they serve, while maintaining a strong national policing institution capable of addressing inter-state, national and transnational security threats.

He said that under the proposed framework, the NPF would evolve into what would be known as the Federal Police Service.

The development, he said, should not be seen as a weakening of the institution, rather a strategic repositioning that would enable the NPF to focus more effectively on its national mandate.

Disu said the structures and capabilities that have made the NPF an indispensable component of Nigeria’s security architecture would remain in place.

“Our zonal and state formations will continue to exist. Our specialised formations and units, including the Police Mobile Force, Counter-Terrorism Unit, SWAT, the Anti-Bomb Squad, the VCRU, INTERPOL, Cybercrime Unit and other strategic operational assets, will remain critical components of the Federal Police Service.

“These units will continue to provide the specialised capabilities required to address terrorism, organised crime, cyber threats, interstate criminality and other complex security challenges,” he said.

Disu assured that the reform was intended to expand policing opportunities, not diminish them, stressing that no officer would be compelled to leave the Federal Police Service.

He said that any movement of personnel into the state police structure would be facilitated through the Voluntary Transfer Programme (VTP), designed to ensure that officers are able to make informed choices regarding their future careers within the new policing structure.

“The guiding principle behind the VTP is simple: choice, fairness and transparency. Officers who wish to remain within the Federal Police Service will have the opportunity to continue their careers within the federal structure, while those who may wish to serve within emerging State Police Services will be able to indicate their interest through clearly defined processes when the time comes,” he said.

He assured that welfare, professional standing, career progression, pension benefits and legitimate expectations of the personnel would be fully protected throughout the transition.

Disu said that he would continue to engage relevant authorities and stakeholders to ensure that every decision taken reflects the best interests of those who have devoted their lives in serving the nation.

“Many of you have devoted decades of your lives to this institution. You have served in difficult terrains, confronted dangerous criminals, and made enormous sacrifices in service to our nation,” he said.

He urged the personnel to remain calm, focused and professional, and not be distracted by rumours, speculation or misinformation.

The I-G also enjoined the personnel to discharge their duties diligently and maintain the high standards expected of them, adding that whatever shape the future architecture of policing will take professionalism, discipline, integrity and commitment to service as the defining qualities of a successful police officer.

Mr Haruna Yahaya, the Commissioner of Police in Jigawa, lauded Disu for the visit, describing it as a clear demonstration of his commitment to effective leadership, professional policing, personnel welfare and operational efficiency within the NPF.

Yahya, who was represented by Abdullahi Wase, said Jigawa has continued to be one of the most peaceful and secure states in the country.

He attributed the feat to the support of the I-G; commitment of the police personnel, effective collaboration among security agencies, cooperation of traditional, religious institutions and the people of the state.

The CP assured of the personnel loyalty, commitment to duty and determination to the successful implementation of the policing agenda of the NPF.

Highlights of the event included questions and answer sessions.

Disu was in Jigawa to attend the 8th Executive Committee Meeting of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council (NTRC).

The theme of the meeting is: “Peace, Unity and Development of the North.” (NAN)