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The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has intercepted two persons in Adamawa State with ₦34 million in cash, with the suspects allegedly linked to a kidnapping syndicate.

The suspects were intercepted with the cash during an operation in the state.

The Comptroller of Immigration Service, Sani Sule-Jega, disclosed this at a media briefing in Yola, the Adamawa State capital.

According to him, preliminary investigations showed that the suspects claimed the money was intended to pay ransom for their abducted brother.

In a separate operation, the Adamawa State Command of the NIS also intercepted 17 irregular migrants at Rumde Baruw in Yola North Local Government Area of the state.

The undocumented migrants were intercepted at a private three-bedroom residence during an operation by officers of the command.

Sule-Jega said preliminary profiling showed that 13 of the migrants were Cameroonian nationals, comprising eight males and five females, while the remaining four were Chadian nationals, all males.

The Comptroller noted a shift in the accommodation pattern of undocumented migrants, particularly their increasing use of private and unregistered apartments instead of conventional lodging facilities such as hotels.

He said the service was intensifying surveillance and intelligence-led operations to identify and address emerging patterns of irregular migration in the state.

Sule-Jega reiterated the command’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity, improving migration management and strengthening border security.

He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide credible information that could assist security agencies in maintaining peace and security across the state.

The suspects and recovered cash have been taken into custody for further investigation and necessary action in accordance with established procedures and applicable laws.

The Comptroller General of Immigration has directed that the suspects and exhibits be handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation.

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Senate President Godswill Akpabio has petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate a viral social media statement allegedly attributed to him in which he purportedly warned Northerners that they would “suffer the most” if President Bola Tinubu loses the 2027 election.

The statement, circulated on Facebook and other digital platforms alongside Akpabio’s photograph and official designation, has sparked controversy, prompting the Senate President to formally deny making the remark.

In a petition signed by his Chief of Staff, Chinedu Akubueze, Akpabio described the publication as “manifestly false, inflammatory and dangerously divisive,” urging the DSS to investigate its origin and distribution.

The viral graphic attributes the following statement to Akpabio: “Northerners, you will be the ones to suffer the most, if you allow Tinubu to lose the election.”

Akpabio, however, said there is no credible evidence linking him to the statement.

According to the petition, no identifiable date, venue, speech, interview, audio or video recording, official statement or credible media report has been produced to authenticate the alleged quotation.

The Senate President alleged that the graphic was deliberately fabricated and presented as an authentic statement with the aim of misleading the public, inflaming regional sentiments and portraying him as hostile to Nigerians from the North.

Akpabio also drew the DSS’s attention to several individuals allegedly identified through a preliminary review of publicly accessible Facebook records as among the early amplifiers of the disputed material.

The petition named Abdullai Musa, who allegedly shared the graphic in a Facebook group known as “Sheik Muhammad bin Uthman Group 24,” and Uzoma Chilaka, whose Facebook post allegedly reproduced the graphic alongside commentary attributed to Boniface Uzoma Chilaka and Engineer Ibrahim Umar Ammar.

It further referenced a verified Facebook account belonging to Ibrahim Umar Ammar, which allegedly later reproduced the graphic and substantially similar commentary.

Akpabio’s office, however, stressed that the individuals mentioned in the petition should not be presumed guilty, describing them only as “material persons of interest” whose activities could assist investigators in tracing the origin and circulation of the disputed publication.

The Senate President is asking the DSS to investigate the publication records, devices, communications and provenance of the graphic in accordance with Nigerian law.

The petition comes amid heightened political activity ahead of the 2027 general elections and growing concerns over the spread of inflammatory, misleading and fabricated political content on social media.

The statement was issued by Jackson Udom, Special Assistant to the President of the Senate on Media.

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The Kano State Government has announced plans to establish additional military bases in security-prone parts of the state following growing concerns over the infiltration of armed bandits from neighbouring states.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf disclosed the development after meeting with the Minister of Defence, saying the Federal Government had agreed to strengthen military presence in vulnerable areas of the state.

The proposed military bases are expected to cover areas considered vulnerable to bandit attacks, including Shanono, Bichi, Gwarzo, Doguwa and Tudun Wada, among others.

The move comes amid increasing security concerns in communities located close to Kano’s borders with neighbouring states, where residents have reportedly faced attacks by armed criminals, resulting in deaths, injuries and disruption of economic activities.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Taju Usman, disclosed the latest government resolutions after a September 5, 2026 meeting involving Governor Yusuf and the chairmen of the 44 local government councils.

Also at the meeting were the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the state Accountant-General.

Usman said security dominated the meeting, alongside discussions on infrastructure and human capital development.

According to him, Governor Yusuf’s meeting with the Defence Minister produced an agreement on the need for additional military bases in local government areas identified as vulnerable to security threats.

He said the proposed bases would complement existing security structures involving the Nigeria Police Force, Neighbourhood Watch and Forest Guards.

The commissioner said the initiative was aimed at improving rapid response to attacks, strengthening security coverage, protecting communities and safeguarding lives and property.

N27.8bn ICT Centres for 44 LGAs

Beyond security, the state government announced a series of development initiatives targeted at the 44 local government areas.

Usman said contracts had been awarded for the construction and provision of Computer-Based Test and Information and Communication Technology centres in all 44 LGAs.

The project, valued at N27.8 billion, is expected to improve students’ access to internet-enabled facilities for Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board examinations and other computer-based tests.

The commissioner said implementation would commence immediately.

Rural Ambulances for Every Ward

The government also resolved to provide one rural ambulance to each ward across the state as part of efforts to improve access to emergency and basic healthcare services.

According to Usman, two drivers would be employed for each ambulance, with preference given to qualified residents of the affected wards.

Solar Streetlights, EV Charging Points

The state government is also planning a pilot scheme for electric vehicle charging stations at strategic locations across the Kano metropolis.

Usman said the charging infrastructure would initially be introduced as a pilot project before possible expansion based on its performance.

He added that the installation of solar-powered streetlights across the 44 LGAs would begin immediately, following facilitation by Honourable Abba Bichi.

The project, he said, would improve public lighting, enhance security and support the state’s sustainable development efforts.

More Grassroots Appointments

The government also approved the appointment of 50 special reporters for each local government area and 35 advisers for local government chairmen.

Usman said 15 of the adviser positions would be allocated to members of the former APC structure.

He said the appointments were designed to improve grassroots communication, public engagement and administrative effectiveness.