By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reportedly eliminated scores of bandits in air strikes in Zamfara state.

Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, said a component of Operation Fansa Yanma launched air strikes on bandits’ hideouts targeting Yusuf Yellow, “a notorious bandit leader”, in Tsafe LGA of Zamfara.

According to the publication, a senior security source who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed that the intelligence-led operation was highly successful.

The publication said the strikes were carefully coordinated based on credible intelligence.

“The mission was executed with precision to degrade their operational capabilities,” the source confirmed to Zagazola Makama.

The publication added that it remained unclear as of press time if Yusuf Yellow was among those killed in the air raid.

“Security forces are currently conducting surveillance to assess the full impact of the operation,” the publication said.

The Nigerian military has intensified air and ground offensives under Operation Fansa Yanma, to restore peace and stability in the region.

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has cautioned Mrs. Unoma Akpabio, wife of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, to refrain from interfering in the ongoing allegations of sexual harassment and intimidation leveled against her husband.

The trouble began when Akpoti-Uduaghan refused to sit in a designated seat during a Senate session, citing Order 10 of the Senate Standing Rules. The situation escalated further when she appeared on Arise News, where she accused Akpabio of blocking her motions, maligning her, and intimidating her after she allegedly rejected his sexual advances.

Reacting to the allegations, Mrs. Akpabio held a press conference in Abuja, dismissing the claims as baseless. She insisted that both families had maintained a cordial relationship for years—even before Akpoti-Uduaghan’s marriage—and suggested that the accusations were politically motivated.

However, in a March 1, 2025 letter addressed to Mrs. Akpabio through her lawyer, Victor Giwa, Akpoti-Uduaghan firmly advised her to stay out of the matter, stressing that the allegations were personal to the Senate President and that he should defend himself.

The letter, titled “Stay Away from Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Sexual Harassment and Intimidation Allegation Against Sen. President Godswill Akpabio; To Safeguard Your Sanity and That of Your Family,” warned that further interference could escalate the issue unnecessarily.

“Our client has tolerated all the harassment from the Senate President but was eventually forced to speak out,” the letter partly read. “The allegations are personal to him, and our client believes he has the capacity to defend himself. We suggest you leave the defense to the Senate President to maintain your sanity and that of your family.”

Akpoti-Uduaghan also stated that she possesses concrete evidence to back up her claims and remains committed to defending Nigerian women against harassment.

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

A National Youth Service Corp member, Rofiat Lawal, who was abducted along the Benin-Ore Expressway on Tuesday has regained freedom after her family paid a ransom of N1.1m

The abductors were said to have demanded an N20m ransom which her family appealed that they could not afford.

Following back-and-forth negotiations, the kidnappers reportedly reduced the N20m ransom to N5m.

Giving an update on the incident, Lawal’s friend identified as Agbakwara, who was privy to the incident, disclosed on Saturday that Aminat has regained her freedom.

Sharing a video of the victim in a Facebook post, Agbakwara wrote, “In the early hours of Friday, the kidnappers pressured us, warning that if we failed to meet their demands, we should not expect her return.

“In desperation, I reached out to everyone I could, her colleagues in school, the Muslim association, her friends from her hometown, my fans, and her family.

“Through the collective efforts and generosity of so many, we were able to raise N1.1 million, which was sent at 4:20 pm on Friday to an account provided by the kidnappers.

“The recipient, Isaac Ayo, claimed that his sister had also been kidnapped and assured us he would deliver the ransom alongside his own.”

He stated that Lawal was finally reunited with her family on Saturday morning.

“For hours, we anxiously waited. Finally, at around 10 pm, we received the long-awaited call: they had been released and taken to the hospital.

“This morning, we got another call confirming that Rofiat was on her way home, and the others had also safely returned to their families.

“I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed, shared the news, and tagged the necessary authorities. Your support made this possible,” he concluded.

The Punch