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A police-led joint security team has arrested nine suspects and recovered three AK-47 rifles, a pump-action gun, charms and other items during a stop-and-search operation in Isuofia, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The operation was conducted in the early hours of Friday, August 28, 2026, by the Joint Operation Base, Aguata, led by the Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP Austin Elaigwu.

The team comprised personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Immigration Service, and the Agunechemba Security Outfit.

According to the Anambra State Police Command, the security operatives intercepted two vehicles at a checkpoint in Isuofia—a custom-coloured Sienna and an ash-coloured Toyota RAV4.

A search of the vehicles reportedly led to the arrest of nine suspects, comprising seven males and two females, while the firearms and other items were recovered.

The suspects allegedly told investigators during preliminary interrogation that they were security operatives operating in a neighbouring state. However, police said they could not satisfactorily explain their identities, affiliations, possession of the firearms or the reason for their movement into Anambra State.

The suspects and recovered items have been taken into custody as investigations continue.

The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, commended the joint security team for the operation, describing the recovery as a result of intelligence-led policing and effective stop-and-search measures.

The police command said the investigation would determine the identities and affiliations of the suspects as well as the purpose of their movement and possession of the recovered firearms.

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Irked by the lopsidedness in salaries of civil servants, Executive Secretary of Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Professor Shuaib Aliyu has moved for the harmonisation in the salary structure of federal government workers.

Speaking when the chairman of National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), Major General Junaid Bindawa led a delegation of the management staff of the commission on a courtesy visit to PTDF in Abuja, Aliyu stated that the problem with the country’s development is lack of strong capital development and that can be corrected through well-motivated workforce.

Consequently, he called on NSIWC to work towards bridging the dichotomy in salaries and wages and achieve harmonisation as no single sector is more important than the other.

He also noted that because of lack of motivation, teaching profession is almost becoming a dumbing ground for job-seekers, especially in the primary and secondary levels, adding that the country cannot develop without human resources.

Aliyu said that the PTDF was ready to collaborate with NSIWC in areas of training in human capital development as the commission plays a critical role in welfare and motivation of workforce.

He noted that since the mandate of the NSIWC has to do with welfare of staff, the collaboration will be reciprocal as the commission has expertise in salary administration in which the PTDF will benefit from.

Earlier, Chairman of NSIWC, Major General Junaid Bindawa (rtd) had said that the commission and the PTDF have a strategic role in human capacity development. So, there’s need for the two agencies to collaborate in the area of training.

The chairman noted that PTDF had extended invaluable support and collaboration to the commission, particularly in the areas of capacity building and human capital development.

He expressed the need, therefore, to renew the collaboration with more vigour.

In a statement, Head, Press and Protocol, Mr Emma Njoku, quoted Bindawa as saying that although the mandates of PTDF and NSIWC are distinct, there are significant areas of convergence that provide a strong basis for deeper institutional collaboration.

‘’Such convergences are in areas of developing indigenous human and institutional capacity for the petroleum industry through education, training, research and development, and other interventions aimed at building the technical and professional competencies required for national development’’ he noted.

The NSIWC boss explained that the commission has a critical responsibility in the area of salaries, incomes and wages policy, including advising government on remuneration matters, promoting a fair, sustainable and coherent remuneration system within the public service, and undertaking relevant research, analysis and policy development in support of national economic and labour policies.

Bindawa also noted that both institutions therefore share a common interest in human capital development, institutional effectiveness, productivity, research, evidence-based policy and the development of highly- skilled manpower as the commission is also a stakeholder in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021.

“The PIA gave a major participatory role to NSIWC in determining remuneration as a major stakeholder in the future of the oil and gas sector under Part III: Section 13(2), Section 21(a-c), Section 35 g(i-iii) and Section 44(a-c), he explained.

The commission’s chairman said the commission would, therefore, welcome discussions with the management of PTDF on how to establish a more structured framework for co-operation between the two institutions.

Highlight of the event was the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on capacity building. (The Sun)

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The African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, said he is fit and healthy, dismissing age concerns ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

“Do I look to you like someone who has reached 80 years of age?” he asked the BBC Hausa interviewer.

He had been asked if his age would not affect his ability to provide effective leadership if elected.

The interviewer noted that Atiku would be “almost or nearly 80 years old” by the time Nigerians vote in 2027, and asked what he would say to those who considered him too old.

He responded: “You went and voted for someone who is 80, I mean 90 years old. How old is President Bola, 90?”

When the interviewer corrected him, saying Tinubu was not yet 80, Atiku responded, “Do I look to you like someone who has reached 80 years of age?”

Also, Atiku said it was wrong to claim he had become an obstacle to the opposition coalition.

“That is a baseless accusation levelled against me. I was actually the one who initiated the coalition. Nobody else. I, Atiku Abubakar, started it,” he said.

He added that Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, are the two major opposition figures who had left the group.

“It was just Kwankwaso… he was with us at first, then he left.

“Yes, and also Peter Obi. It’s just them, but the rest of us are still here continuing our work.”

Atiku expressed optimism that they would all still work together for the good of the country.