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EFCC denies persecution claims against Bauchi gov, urges him to face governance

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied claims by the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, that it is being used by the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, to harass him.

The anti-graft agency said the governor’s claims were “as wild as they are far-fetched”.

“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission views with great displeasure the claims of Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, about the commission being used by political opponents, particularly the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to persecute him and his aides.

“These claims are as wild as they are far-fetched. The EFCC is an independent agency created to fight economic and financial crimes,” the EFCC said in a statement by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, on Friday.

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It said it remains non-partisan and discharges its mandate without affection or ill will, adding that the attempt to portray it as a pliable agency that pandered to the demands of certain political interests was mischievous and condemnable.

“It is derogatory for Mohammed to ascribe the commission’s activities in Bauchi State to the influence of Mr. Wike. It is important to state that no political office holder is in a position to influence the investigative activities of the commission.

“If Bala Mohammed wants to be honest, he would have revealed to Nigerians that he was standing trial for money laundering at the time he won election as governor of Bauchi State.

“Only the constitutional immunity from prosecution, which his current office attracts, has put that case in abeyance. Who also influenced the commission to investigate him in 2016 and charge him in court?” the statement added.

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The EFCC explained that in the instant case, the facts against some officials of the Bauchi State Government were already placed before the court.

Members of the public can access the charges and decide for themselves whether the case is borne out of vendetta or is a product of painstaking investigation by the EFCC.

“They will also understand why Bala Mohammed, as the approving authority in Bauchi State, is mentioned in the charge,” it stated.

On Terrorism Financing
The agency further said that “crying wolf over issues of terrorism financing is like clutching at straws”.

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“The commission did not invent the law, and where there are offences punishable by extant laws, EFCC will be failing in its responsibility to do otherwise,” it said.

The anti-corruption agency, therefore, said that public accountability should be the priority of politicians of all persuasions.
According to the EFCC, it is the height of hypocrisy for opposition politicians to be quick to scream persecution each time an opposition figure is called to account, but remain mute when a member of the ruling party faces the same ordeal.

“Recently, the commission arraigned a ranking member of the ruling party in court for alleged corruption, and not a whimper of persecution was heard from any of the political divide.

“Governor Mohammed should face the governance of Bauchi State and allow the EFCC focus more on cleaning the financial space of the nation, in line with its assigned mandate,” the statement added.
The Bauchi governor had accused the Federal Government of using the EFCC to harass him and officials of his administration because of his refusal to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

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He also accused Wike of planning to create crisis in Bauchi, an allegation the minister denied.

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Gunmen abduct RCCG Pastor in Ondo

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Suspected gunmen have abducted a cleric with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), identified as Pastor Gbenga Sanny, in Ondo State.

It was gathered that Sanny was seized by three gunmen on Sunday evening in the presence of his children.

Sources who confirmed the abduction to The Nation on Monday said the incident occurred at about 7.00 p.m in front of his residence located at Ilu-Abo community in Akure North Local Government.

Sanny, who is also a staff of the Akure North Local Government Area of the state, was taken to an unknown destination by the attackers.

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His wife reportedly escaped the attack.

“The three armed men reportedly came out of the nearby bush and whisked him away,” one of the sources revealed.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the police command, Jimoh Abayomi said investigation has been launched into the abduction case.

He stated that officers and tactical teams of the command have already been mobilised to the area and working to secure the safe rescue of the victim and apprehend those responsible for the crime.

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Father of four missing after being swept away by floodwaters

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A man was carried away by floodwaters at Christian Village in the Greater Accra Region on June 7, 2026, during a heavy downpour.

The victim, a father of four, reportedly slipped into a gutter while helping colleagues desilt it, and despite rescue efforts, the strong current swept him away.

Recounting the incident in a video shared by Ask Media on social media on June 8, 2026, eyewitnesses said the incident occurred while the victim and three others were clearing a heavily clogged drainage system to improve water flow during the rains.

The area is known to flood whenever there is heavy rainfall, prompting residents to regularly engage in desilting exercises.

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One eyewitness said the victim lost his footing during the exercise and fell.

“He slipped and fell into the river while we were removing debris. I tried to hold him by his collar, but I couldn’t keep hold of him. The current was too strong,” the eye witness recounted.

Despite immediate attempts to rescue him, he was swept away by the raging floodwaters and has since gone missing.

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Houses razed as soldiers, police clash with Delta community youths

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An orgy of violence broke out weekend in Emede community, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, as a joint operation of soldiers and police in the community turned bloody with many injured and houses burnt.

It was gathered that the joint security team under the aegis of “Operation Delta Sweep” comprises of personnel from the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies had stormed the community to arrest an alleged drug kingpin but met resistance.

Vanguard sources claimed that the security team invaded a hotel when they could not find their target where they meet a group of guests and youths who were on a celebration spree.

Sources said; “The people were having a birthday party at the hotel when suddenly the security team stormed the place. They subjected everyone to a search and demanded that they drop their phone for search too.

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“Some of the youths tried to resist the search of their phones at the hotel resulting to a shouting match. Soon the place became chaotic and there was serious resistance against the security team who fire multiple gun shots to desperse the surging crowd.

“While some youth sustained injured during the scuffles, one particular security personnel was unlucky as mobs who had gathered in large number descended on him before he was rescued.

Sensing danger following the overwhelming numbers of mobs who had gathered at the scene, the security team reportedly beat a retreat and went for reenforcement.

Irked by the development, the security team reportedly invaded the community at night unleashing mayhem on the community and in the process razed down the hotel and several other residential houses.

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Efforts to get comment from the Police Public Officer, SP Bright Edafe proved abortive as of press time.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Isoko South Local Government Area in Delta State, Hon.(Comrade) Warri Ovoke Friday, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to restoring peace in the wake of recent violent confrontations involving youths and security agencies in Emede.

During visits to the affected areas where properties were destroyed, Warri assured residents of lasting peace and urged them to remain calm.

The council chief, accompanied by the traditional ruler of the kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Johnson Egbo, Ewhiri II, Security agencies among others visited the affected areas to assess the security situation, offer sympathies to impacted families, and engage with community leaders and stakeholders on strategies for achieving lasting peace.

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The chairman had earlier imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in Emede town, restricting movement of humans and vehicles outside homes between the hours of 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM.

Warri assured residents and the general public that Emede remains calm and peaceful, with the government closely monitoring all activities to ensure lasting peace.

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