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NAF airlifts sensitive electoral materials for Ekiti gubernatorial polls, others

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The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has airlifted sensitive electoral materials for the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election and a series of senatorial and federal constituency by-elections scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2026, in line with its commitment to supporting democratic governance through Aid to Civil Authority operations.

The airlift operation, conducted between June 15 and 16, 2026, was undertaken at the request of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to facilitate the security and timely movement of sensitive electoral materials from Abuja to designated locations across the country.

In a statement yesterday, NAF’s Spokesman, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the Service leveraged its strategic airlift capabilities to transport the sensitive electoral materials from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to designated airports in Enugu, Rivers and Kano states, ensuring that INEC receives the materials within the stipulated timeline ahead of the elections.

Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, commended the professionalism and dedication of NAF personnel involved in the operation, noting that the successful airlift underscores the Service’s unwavering commitment to supporting democratic institutions and national development.

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Aneke reaffirmed the NAF’s readiness to continue to provide timely and effective support to civil authorities in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities.

Relatedly, INEC has commenced the distribution of sensitive election materials for the Ondo South Senatorial District by-election ahead of the Saturday polls.

The exercise was conducted under the supervision of electoral officials, security agencies, and representatives of participating political parties as ballot papers, result sheets, and other sensitive materials were deployed to designated locations across the senatorial district.

The by-election became imperative following the appointment of Senator Jimoh Ibrahim as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

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The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Ondo State, Mutiu Agboke, while speaking at the distribution exercise held within the premises of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Akure, yesterday, confirmed that all logistics arrangements for the smooth conduct of the exercise had been finalised.

Meanwhile, stakeholders of Nigeria’s electoral process have urged INEC to ensure strict compliance with the electronic transmission of election results as a critical test of the reforms introduced under the new Electoral Act.

The call was made, yesterday, during a multi-stakeholder roundtable on legal compliance and electoral integrity organised by the Youth Electoral Reform Project (YERP-Naija) and The New Generation Girls and Women Development Initiative (NIGAWD) held in Ado-Ekiti.

Participants at the forum stressed that the Ekiti governorship election, the first major polls to be conducted under the provisions of the 2026 Electoral Act, presents an opportunity for INEC to demonstrate its commitment to transparency and accountability through the seamless electronic transmission of polling unit results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).

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Executive Director of NIGAWD and South-West Coordinator of YERP-Naija, Abimbola Aladejare-Salako, said the election would serve as a litmus test for the implementation of electoral reforms championed by youth groups and civil society organisations following concerns raised over the conduct of the 2023 general elections.

In a goodwill message, Programme Director of the National Democratic Institute (NDI), Bem Aga, commended YERP-Naija and its civil society partners for their sustained advocacy that culminated in the passage of the 2026 Electoral Act.

Aga said NDI was proud to support the Youth Electoral Reform Project, noting that NIGAWD serves as the South-West secretariat of the initiative.

He described citizen participation and credible elections as two fundamental pillars of democracy and expressed satisfaction that youth-focused organisations had moved beyond advocacy to monitoring the implementation of the reforms they championed.

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However, stakeholders at the roundtable specifically called on INEC to provide clear guidelines on the implementation of Section 60 (3) of the Electoral Act, which makes electronic transmission mandatory while also providing alternative procedures where communication networks fail.

They expressed concerns that the exception clause could be abused if adequate safeguards are not established and demanded assurances that any alternative process would be transparent, verifiable and subject to public scrutiny.

The forum also urged INEC to clarify the implementation of Section 18 (1) of the Electoral Act, which provides for downloadable Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) for voters whose cards have been lost or damaged ahead of the election.

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Sugar Mummy Beaten To Nearly Death By 20 Year Old University Lover After Finding Her With His Course Mate In Bed

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Tonderai Mupindu, a 20-year-old man from Mvuma, Zimbabwe, was sentenced to 12 months in prison for assaulting his 45-year-old lover, Anna Fadzai Katoma.

The conflict arose after Mupindu discovered Katoma in bed with his friend, Vitalis Masamha. Initially shocked, he later confronted her at a local beer hall.

When Katoma denied any infidelity, Mupindu reacted with violence, resulting in visible injuries to her face.

Following the assault, Katoma reported Mupindu to the police, leading to his arrest.

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He was charged and sentenced by Magistrate Constance Mutandwa, who noted that jealousy played a significant role in his actions.

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Troops neutralize Alhaji Tukur notorious terrorist commander, brother to terror kingpin, recover arms in Zamfara

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Troops of the Joint Task Force North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA (JTF NW OPFY) have neutralized a notorious terrorist commander Alhaji Tukur, younger brother of terrorist kingpin Alhaji Shehu Bagiwaye, while responding to an attack on farmers around Dogon Kade in Zamfara State.

Several other terrorist fighters sustained gunshot wounds and fled the area during the battle.

This followed as troops thwarted coordinated terrorist attack in the state, recovering arms and other combat equipment.

According to the Nigerian military in a statement, troops of Sector 2 responded swiftly to credible intelligence indicating an impending terrorist attack on communities in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

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The statement said, working alongside local security volunteers, the troops engaged the terrorists in a fierce gun battle and repelled the assault, forcing the attackers to retreat with several casualties.

The statement noted in a separate operation the same day at Sabon Gari, also in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, troops mobilized swiftly following reports of terrorist activities. On sighting the advancing troops, the terrorists abandoned their mission and fled into nearby bushes. A subsequent exploitation of the area led to the neutralization of one terrorist and the recovery of a motorcycle used by the fleeing terrorists.

In Katsina State, troops of Sector 2 on a fighting patrol engaged terrorists along the Danmusa–Yantumaki axis in Danmusa Local Government Area. The troops overwhelmed the terrorists, forcing them to abandon their position and flee. A follow-up exploitation of the area led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, two magazines loaded with 25 rounds of ammunition, and one motorcycle.

In a further show of the Theatre’s air-land synergy, the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted a large group of terrorists numbering about 300 on motorcycles moving from the Sunke – Kumbo axis towards Bayazaki riverine area to Gummi, with the intention of unleashing mayhem on innocent civilians. Three air platforms were deployed along the terrorists’ axis of advance. On sighting the air assets, the terrorists attempted to flee for cover under trees but were successfully engaged and neutralized with precision airstrikes, thwarting their nefarious plan.

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Making this disclosure in the statement, Media Information Officer Joint Task Force (North West)Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja said the Theatre commends the Nigerian Air Force for this decisive and timely air interdiction, which further degraded terrorist capabilities.  The spokesman further said, the Joint Task Force North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA remains resolute in sustaining offensive operations against terrorist and criminal elements across the theatre, and reassures residents of its unwavering commitment to denying terrorists freedom of action, protecting lives and livelihoods, and restoring lasting peace and security across the North West.

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Two Boko Haram Commanders Surrender In Yobe

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Two senior Boko Haram commanders have surrendered to troops of the North East Joint Task Force, Operation HADIN KAI, in Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State, marking another development in the military’s campaign against insurgents in the North-East.

The development was made public on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, by the Acting Media Information Officer of Headquarters Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni. He said the two commanders surrendered to troops of Sector 2 on July 4 before they were taken to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

According to the military, the two men were identified as “Munzirs,” a title used by senior figures within the Boko Haram leadership structure. They are currently being held by the military, where they are undergoing profiling, questioning and intelligence assessment.

The military said early findings from the interrogation showed that the two men held key positions within the terrorist group. Because of their roles, they are believed to have detailed knowledge of the group’s operations, command system, movement of supplies and other internal activities.

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Security officials said information gathered from the two commanders is already helping ongoing intelligence work. The details are expected to support military operations aimed at locating remaining terrorist camps, disrupting their activities and weakening their networks across the North-East.

The military believes the surrender is another blow to the terrorist group and a sign that continued military operations are affecting its strength. According to the statement, sustained attacks by ground troops, air operations and intelligence efforts have reduced the ability of the insurgents to move freely and coordinate their activities.

Operation HADIN KAI also said the continued pressure on Boko Haram fighters has forced more members of the group to abandon the insurgency instead of remaining in the battlefield.

The military added that the latest surrender reflects the gradual weakening of the terrorist organisation as security operations continue across the theatre of operation.

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It assured Nigerians that troops would maintain the current pace of operations by acting on useful intelligence, carrying out more offensives and working closely with other security agencies and partners until the remaining terrorist groups are defeated and lasting peace is restored across the North-East.

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