US Withdraws Counterterrorism Troops From Nigeria

By: Manoah Kikekon 

The United States military has successfully withdrawn the majority of its forces deployed to Nigeria’s Lake Chad Basin following the conclusion of a highly strategic, high-impact joint counterterrorism operation.

The announcement was made by the Commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, during a digital press briefing marking the conclusion of the 2026 African Chiefs of Defense Conference in Luanda, Angola.

The mission, which began in February 2026 with the deployment of approximately 200 elite U.S. military personnel, aimed to dismantle escalating threats from the Islamic State (ISIS/Daesh) and associated extremist networks in the volatile border region.

General Anderson confirmed that with the core objectives of the localized tactical operation fulfilled, the specialized personnel have rotated back to Washington D.C., though the foundational security alliance remains fully intact.

“And so that operation in the Lake Chad Basin of Nigeria not only helped the countries in that immediate region; it also helps countries globally as that disrupts the ISIS network. And so and then we have withdrawn much of our forces that were just there for that operation, but are continuing the partnership that Nigeria has asked for to help continue with the intelligence sharing and the understanding that’s necessary to be able to prosecute these difficult tasks.” General Anderson, said.

The temporary troop deployment followed a sharp increase in bilateral defense ties after U.S. President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, vowing aggressive support to eliminate terrorist enclaves.

The security architecture yielded swift, devastating results. On December 25, 2025, U.S. assets executed targeted airstrikes destroying two major terrorist strongholds in the Bauni Forest, located within the Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The peak of the joint campaign, however, culminated in the successful elimination of Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, the global second-in-command of ISIS, who was neutralized at his hidden base of operations in Borno State. Al-Minuki was heavily responsible for steering the terrorist group's global recruitment, media operations, and international strategy.

General Anderson lauded Nigeria’s defense infrastructure, describing the West African nation as an exceptionally capable regional superpower with an advanced military capable of absorbing and executing complex joint-force strategies.

“I think the partnership that we’ve shown recently with Nigeria, where Nigeria’s a very capable and large country it’s got a strong economy; it’s got a large, educated population; it’s got a very capable military. But there are things that we have learned in the counterterrorist fight over several years that we were able to assist and integrate with them to help them with their intelligence and help with the intelligence sharing that eventually led to a cooperative effort..." General Anderson, Said.

The AFRICOM chief elaborated on the exact nature of the collaborative victory:

"...where we were able to bring some unique capabilities that the U.S. brings and be able to prosecute together the number two leader within the ISIS or Daesh organization who is responsible for much of their global operations, their global media, and their recruiting. So I think as we go forward, that is an example of how we’re looking at engaging with partners to help them be more effective by only bringing unique U.S. capabilities that allow the partner to be effective in these fights.” General Anderson, Commander added.

Beyond regional counterterrorism, General Anderson advocated for an aggressive, pan-African intelligence-sharing framework to combat transnational organized crime and maritime smuggling.

To illustrate the immense power of shared intelligence, Anderson pointed to a historic maritime operation along the West African coast, where a U.S. interagency tip-off led to the single largest drug bust ever recorded at sea.

“I was able to coordinate through our interagency in the United States, through AFRICOM, and then notify some of the partners. And eventually it was a Spanish ship that interdicted the ship that had 31 tons of cocaine on it, and it turns out is the largest interdiction of drugs at sea that we’ve ever seen.”.General Anderson, noted.

Police Arrests Masquerade Following Fatal Attack on 24-Year-Old

By: Manoah Kikekon 

IBADAN, OYO STATE – A traditional procession in the Labiran area of Ibadan turned fatal on Sunday, July 5, 2026, resulting in the death of 24-year-old Sefiu Kehinde. The Oyo State Police Command has since launched a full-scale investigation into the incident, which has sparked renewed concerns over the violent excesses sometimes associated with masquerade parades in the state.

According to police reports, the principal suspect a masquerade identified as Asoleke has been taken into custody. The arrest followed a distress call made to the Mapo Divisional Police Headquarters by a relative of the deceased, Mrs. Aderemi. She reported that her younger brother had been brutally set upon by the masquerade and his followers while they were parading through the neighborhood.

Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, detailed the harrowing moments of the attack in a statement issued on Monday. "The complainant reported that earlier the same day, at about 4:00 p.m., she received a distress call from her elder sister, informing her that a masquerade, identified as Asoleke, and its followers, while parading through Labiran area of Ibadan, allegedly attacked her younger brother, Sefiu Kehinde, with axes and cutlasses," the statement noted. Despite a swift response from officers led by the Divisional Police Officer of Mapo, the victim was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.

Commissioner of Police for Oyo State, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a comprehensive investigation. While Asoleke remains in detention, authorities are currently conducting a manhunt for four other suspected accomplices who fled the scene.

"The Command wishes to assure members of the public that efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining perpetrators," DSP Olayinka added. "The Oyo State Police Command remains committed to the protection of lives and property and will continue to take decisive action against all forms of criminality across the state." The police have urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with law enforcement by providing any credible information that could lead to the capture of the remaining suspects.

Olorunda LCDA Partners with ActionAid & HUFFPED to Boost Women’s Leadership

By: Manoah Kikekon

BADAGRY, LAGOS –  Olorunda Local Council Development Area (LCDA) has hosted a transformative one-day workshop titled the "Local Rights Programme: Women Empowerment, Participation, and Leadership." The event, organized in collaboration with ActionAid Nigeria and the Humanity Family Foundation for Peace and Development (HUFFPED), focused on equipping women with the tools for economic independence and active roles in local decision-making.

Held on Friday July 3 2026 at the Olorunda Secretariat, Badagry Lagos State, the workshop addressed the critical need to transition women from the sidelines of community development into the core of security architecture and governance.

Niri Goid, ActionAid’s Women’s Rights Programme Manager, and the guest speaker emphasized that the inclusion of women in decision-making is not merely a gesture, but a necessity for sustainable development.

"Gone are those days when the women fold their hands and allow the men to lead alone," Goid stated. "Women should be interested in leadership and should ask to be included in all levels of leadership because decisions that are made there are pertaining to their lives. We are looking at how we would start women peer education to train them on the importance of participation in every area that affects their lives."

Goid further challenged the status quo regarding security, noting, "Security is not meant for men alone. Women, in collaboration with men, have the responsibility to ensure security around them... they must contribute their quota in security, peace-building, and development."

Representing the Humanity Family Foundation (HUFFPED), Adebowale Kehinde pointed to the harsh reality revealed by their baseline surveys: women are eager to lead, but are frequently thwarted by restrictive traditional and social norms.

"We have observed that when it comes to elections, you see the women in the rural areas are recognized. Their recognition should be sustained to make sure the women remain relevant," Kehinde noted. 

He argued that economic independence is the key to breaking these chains, adding, "We are telling the local government that rural communities need to be carried along in their empowerment programs. We support women to be economically independent so that we can have more representation across all areas of our society."

Hon. Ambe Itunuoluwa, The representative of the Chairperson Olorunda LCDA, welcomed the initiative as a vital "eye-opener." Hon. Itunuoluwa praised the foundation laid by the current Chairperson in empowering local women and pledged that the council would expand these efforts to reach even the most underserved communities.

"I will like to encourage all women to make sure they are educated so that they can be a valuable asset in their various communities," Hon. Itunuoluwa said. She also issued a call to action for the organizers, pleading with ActionAid to ensure the program's continuity, as sustained education is essential to empowering women to claim their space in society.

Badagry Chief Debunks Lawmaker Setonji’s Claims of Facilitating Road Project

By: Manoah Kikekon 

Chief Joshua Atingan and Engr. Setonji David 

BADAGRY, LAGOS — Chief Joshua Atingan, the Baale of Agelaso Land in Ajara, Badagry, has openly debunked claims made by Engr. Setonji David, the Chief Whip of the Lagos State House of Assembly. The traditional ruler refuted assertions that the lawmaker facilitated the construction of the critical Agelaso road and the Agelaso-to-Torikho road project.

The statement was made following a publication by News Peddlers where Posu Davis, the Media Aide to Hon. Setonji David, credited the lawmaker with attracting the infrastructure project to the community.

Expressing deep disappointment over the publication, Chief Atingan revealed that his phone had been ringing endlessly with calls from residents who were well aware of his personal, multi-year advocacy for the road.

"Those who know my efforts in the past five years have been calling since the publication, asking how could someone else claim the glory of my tireless efforts? I felt so bad seeing the publication, remembering how I worked to make sure that the project is approved." Chief Atingan said.

Related News: 

Lagos Assembly Member David Setonji Facilitates Construction of Three Major Roads in Badagry

The Baale further pointed out that Hon. Setonji David's complete absence from the construction site since the inception of the work serves as proof that the lawmaker had no hand in its approval.

"Since the project commenced, no one has seen Setonji here, so why is he claiming the glory? If it was truthfully facilitated by Setonji, you would have seen him here, but till date, he has not visited the site, which shows he's not the one." Chief Atingan, said.

To solidify his position, Chief Atingan shared official correspondence proving his direct engagement with both state and federal government organs over the years.

In a formal reminder letter dated May 30, 2024, addressed to the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development at the Secretariat in Alausa, Ikeja, the Baale pleaded for the implementation of the project's second phase:

"I want to first of all commend the State Government for alleviating the suffering of my community dwellers... but our hardship is not completely over or eradicated yet not until the second phase of the project is completed as planned and designed by your competent engineers... may I report that the non-execution of the second phase of the project may absolutely mar the project or render it useless."

The traditional ruler had also previously scaled the matter to the Federal Government, writing a distress letter to the Permanent Secretary of the Ecological Project Office under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) in Abuja.

In that letter, titled “Request for Intervention in Construction of Road and Drainage System Along Agelasho, Erekiti - Ikoga Road,” Chief Atingan highlighted how students, workers, and motorists in Agelasho, Agbovipe, Erekiti, and Ikoga communities were forced to "wade through the pond" and navigate severe floodwaters during rainy seasons.

Prominent community leaders and residents have stepped forward to validate the traditional ruler's claims, urging political actors to respect the truth.

Mukaila Oluwafemi, a former councillor in the axis, confirmed via telephone that the specific road project was the result of the Baale’s hard work, though he acknowledged the lawmaker's efforts on other separate grid lines.

"To the best of my knowledge, the road in question was facilitated by the Baale of Agelaso. It’s important we continue to appreciate private individuals who are not in government but are doing their best to support and complement the efforts of those in office." Mukaila Oluwafemi said.

Oluwafemi cleared the air on which projects belonged to whom, stating: "For clarity: The road from behind Ajara Grammar School to New Market, etc., was facilitated by Hon. Setonji David. The particular road you posted about was the effort of the Baale of Agelaso. As individuals and news platforms, let us also verify facts before publishing to avoid spreading misinformation to the public."

Reacting aggressively via a WhatsApp call, Mr. Folorunsho Miwawiwe, a well-known son of Badagry, chided our reporter for stirring community friction.

"Where do you get that information? Stop publishing things that will cause controversy in the community. It was that Baale who facilitated that road; it even affected my fence, which I was aware of a year before now. Setonji is my person, but it's not proper taking another person's glory." Miwawiwe said.

When contacted to respond to the heavy backlash and clarify the position of the lawmaker, Hon. Setonji’s Media Aide, Posu David, declined to offer a counter-statement or defense, simply responding: "Ignore Please."

₦53.39bn Drug Bust: Nigeria Customs Deals Massive Blow to Smugglers at Apapa Port

 By: Manoah Kikekon 

LAGOS, NIGERIA — In one of the most significant anti-smuggling operations of the year, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted and handed over nine containers of illicit narcotics and unregistered pharmaceuticals worth a staggering ₦53.39 billion to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

The formal handover, which took place in Lagos on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, marks a major milestone in the country’s ongoing war against fake drugs and transnational drug trafficking networks.

The massive haul, intercepted by the vigilant officers of the Apapa Area Command, included 6.7 metric tonnes of Cannabis Sativa, 339,800 bottles of Codeine cough syrup, expired pharmaceutical products, and various counterfeit medicines. Officials confirmed the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized goods stood at exactly ₦53,396,309,734.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, emphasized that the success of the operation was anchored on painstaking intelligence gathering, advanced scanning analysis, rigorous physical examinations, and seamless inter-agency collaboration.

CGC Adeniyi stressed that the true value of the interception lies not in the multi-billion naira price tag, but in the human lives saved from the devastating grip of substance abuse and unregulated medical products.

“These seizures represent far more than monetary value. They represent lives protected, families preserved, communities secured and countless young Nigerians shielded from the devastating consequences of drug abuse and unsafe medicines.”

The Customs boss issued a stern, uncompromising warning to international maritime traffickers and local collaborators, declaring that the era of treating Nigerian maritime gateways as weak links is officially over.

“To those who seek to use our ports to traffic illicit drugs, expired pharmaceuticals or other prohibited goods, let today’s operation send a clear and unmistakable message that Nigeria’s ports are no longer safe haven for smugglers or organised criminal networks.”

Adeniyi highly commended the leadership and officers of the Apapa Area Command for maintaining a high level of professionalism and alertness. He reiterated the commitment of the NCS to continuously scale up its intelligence-led operations and deepen its strategic alliances with both national security organs and international enforcement partners.

High-ranking representatives from the NDLEA and NAFDAC who received the massive consignments lauded the Nigeria Customs Service, describing the event as a landmark achievement in inter-agency cooperation.

The agencies jointly pledged to launch an aggressive follow-up investigation to track down the financiers of the illicit shipments, dismantle their distribution networks, and ensure that all perpetrators face the full wrath of the law.

Lagos Assembly Member David Setonji Facilitates Construction of Three Major Roads in Badagry

 By: Manoah Kikekon 

Engr. David Setonji and roads under construction 

BADAGRY, LAGOS – In a move aimed at boosting infrastructure and socio-economic development, the Lagos State Government has commenced the construction of three major roads in the Badagry Local Government Area. The project, facilitated by Hon. Engr. David Setonji, the House of Assembly member representing Badagry Constituency II, covers Agelasho Road, the Agelasho-Toriiko link, and Yafin Road.

The initiative is part of a broader commitment by the state government, under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to upgrade transport corridors and enhance public access within the Local government. For residents who have long endured poor road conditions, the development marks a significant milestone in the delivery of the "dividends of democracy" to the grassroots.

While the road construction is widely welcomed by the community, the execution process has sparked anxiety among property owners in the Agelasho area. Field observations reveal that several residential houses and shops have been marked for demolition, as they fall within the expanded right-of-way required for the road project.

Local resident Tunde Hunge expressed frustration regarding the current strategy. "We have been suffering on these roads for years, so this construction is a good thing. However, the expansion seems lopsided. Initially, markers were placed on the left side of the road, but suddenly, we see marks on the right side as well. This will destroy many livelihoods and affect a large number of shops and homes," Hunge noted.

Addressing concerns about the potential displacement of residents, Davis Posu, Media Aide to Hon. David Setonji, explained that the projects are being executed in phases. He emphasized that the legislator is prioritizing community welfare even as infrastructure works proceed.

"We are being careful to ensure the process does not overly affect the people, as many residents in these areas are average citizens surviving on their small businesses and apartments near the road," Posu stated. He confirmed that the office is actively in discussions regarding compensation for those whose properties must be removed.

Furthermore, Posu highlighted that Hon. Setonji is currently engaging with the state government to secure approval for additional urgent infrastructure projects, including the long-abandoned Ikoga-Erekiti to Ajara road. "This is far from playing politics; it is about fulfilling promises and ensuring Badagry residents benefit from state government initiatives," he added.

For many in Badagry, the road projects are a long-overdue response to years of perceived neglect. Residents are optimistic that the improved connectivity will eventually ease transport challenges for school children, commuters, and traders alike.

As the construction continues, the community remains watchful, hoping that the state government will balance the urgent need for modern infrastructure with the humanitarian need to minimize the impact on local households. With further projects rumored to be in the pipeline, the spotlight remains on how effectively the current administration can transform Badagry’s economic landscape without leaving its most vulnerable citizens behind.

Barrister Medemaku Abayomi Noah Sworn in as NBA General Secretary

 By: Manoah Kikekon

BADAGRY, LAGOS – The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Badagry Branch affectionately known as the "Heritage Bar" has officially welcomed Barrister Medemaku Abayomi Noah as its new General Secretary. 

The eloquent Badagry-born legal practitioner was sworn into office on Tuesday, marking a significant milestone in his professional career and his dedicated service to the local legal community.

The inauguration, which took place amidst colleagues and well-wishers, also confers upon Barrister Noah a prestigious role as a Statutory Member of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigerian Bar Association. 

This dual appointment places him at the heart of both local branch administration and national policy advocacy, a testament to his rising influence within the legal profession.

Reflecting on his new mandate, Barrister Noah expressed profound gratitude for the trust reposed in him by his colleagues. 

"To the Glory of God and a confirmation of professional development, I was elected and sworn in today, as the General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, Badagry Branch (Heritage Bar), and at the same time I became a Statutory Member of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigerian Bar Association," he stated. "I am grateful for this opportunity to serve!"

As he steps into this critical role, the legal community in Badagry expects Barrister Noah to leverage his eloquence and professional experience to foster growth, transparency, and improved administrative standards within the Heritage Bar. His transition into the national fold as a NEC member is equally anticipated to bridge the gap between local branch concerns and national legal discourse, further solidifying the branch's standing in the national association.