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IBB Denies Involvement In Dele Giwa’s Assassination

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IBB Denies Involvement In Dele Giwa’s Assassination

IBB denies involvement in Dele Giwa’s assassination. Former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd.), has once again distanced himself from allegations linking him to the assassination of veteran journalist and Editor-in-Chief of Newswatch, Dele Giwa.

Dele Giwa, known for his critical stance against Babangida’s military regime, was tragically killed by a parcel bomb at his residence in Ikeja, Lagos, on October 19, 1986. The shocking assassination remains one of Nigeria’s most controversial unsolved crimes.

Two days before the attack, a senior official of the Directorate of Military Intelligence had accused Giwa of stockpiling arms to incite a socialist revolution in Nigeria.

Concerned about the grave allegation, Giwa immediately contacted his lawyer, the renowned human rights activist, Gani Fawehinmi.

The following day, Colonel Halilu Akilu, a security chief, reportedly reassured Giwa that the accusation was a misunderstanding and that there was no cause for concern.

However, just hours later, a parcel marked with the seal of the Presidency arrived at Giwa’s home. His son, Billy, received the package and handed it to him.

As Giwa opened the parcel at the dining table in the presence of Newswatch’s London correspondent, Kayode Soyinka, it exploded, killing him instantly and leaving a lasting mark on Nigeria’s press freedom history.

Amid longstanding allegations of government involvement, Babangida addressed the issue in his newly launched autobiography, A Journey in Service, presented in Abuja on Thursday.

He criticized the media’s approach to the investigation, stating that the adversarial stance of the press hindered efforts to uncover the truth. He expressed hope that the mystery behind Giwa’s assassination would one day be solved, either in his lifetime or in the future.

“When the Obasanjo administration reopened the case at the Oputa Panel, I expected new evidence to emerge. Unfortunately, nothing substantial came up. Like many mysterious crimes, this one remains unresolved,” Babangida noted.

 

The book launch was attended by notable figures, including President Bola Tinubu, former Nigerian presidents, military leaders, and top business magnates such as Alhaji Aliko Dangote. Also present were former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar, Namadi Sambo, and Yemi Osinbajo, alongside key political figures like Labour Party’s Peter Obi and NNPP’s Rabiu Kwankwaso.

The keynote speaker was former Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, joined by ex-Sierra Leonean President Ernest Koroma. The event also attracted governors, industrialists, technocrats, and traditional rulers.

While Babangida maintains his innocence, the Nigerian public continues to demand justice and clarity on Dele Giwa’s assassination, a case that remains an enduring mystery in the nation’s history.”

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Oyo/Osun Customs Seizes Pistol, Magazines, Detonating Cords in N4.1bn Smuggling Interception

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Oyo/Osun Customs Seizes Pistol, Magazines, Detonating Cords in N4.1bn Smuggling Interception

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Oyo/Osun Area Command, has intercepted a pistol, six pistol magazines, a pump-action magazine and 60 detonating cords among prohibited goods with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N4.1 billion, in a major anti-smuggling operation aimed at protecting national security.
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The Acting Customs Area Controller (CAC), Oyo/Osun Command, Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Wale Adewole, disclosed this on Thursday, 17 September 2026, during a press briefing at the Command’s Operational Headquarters in Ibadan.

The seizure also included 573 Nigeria Police Force crests and 92 yards of police camouflage uniform fabric, raising concerns about criminal elements using security-related materials to impersonate law enforcement officers.

“We will continue to pay particular attention to items that have implications for national security and public safety, while ensuring that legitimate businesses and law-abiding members of the public are not unduly impeded,” Adewole said.

Other items intercepted included 2,012 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice, 550 bags of 25kg foreign parboiled rice, 2,440 wraps of Cannabis sativa, 1,150 used tyres, 17 used vehicles and 450 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit, totalling 5,000 litres.

The Command further seized 10 containers of corrosive mercury, 105 bales and 28 sacks of used clothing, as well as 48 packs of Tramadol. Adewole emphasised the importance of intelligence-driven enforcement and collaboration with sister security agencies in tackling smuggling.

Customs

Customs

Meanwhile, the Command generated N65.66 billion in revenue between January and August 2026, representing a 13.88 per cent increase from the N57.66 billion recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.

Adewole attributed the revenue growth to improved compliance, stakeholder engagement and trade facilitation, while reaffirming the Command’s commitment to combating smuggling, safeguarding national security and facilitating legitimate trade.
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Police Arrest 47 for Impersonating State Security During Bauchi By-election

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Police Arrest 47 for Impersonating State Security During Bauchi By-election

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested 47 people allegedly posing as operatives of a state-owned security outfit during the by-election in Disina State Constituency, Shira Local Government Area of the state.
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The suspects were arrested at various polling units on Saturday while allegedly armed with guns, cutlasses and sticks, contrary to the Electoral Act and security directives issued ahead of the election.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.

Habib said, “Following our deployment for election duty in Disina State Constituency, Shira LGA, 47 operatives claiming to be members of a state-owned security outfit were arrested within polling units.

“They were found in possession of guns, cutlasses and sticks, in contravention of the Electoral Act and the security directives earlier issued.”

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The PPRO added that the suspects were immediately taken into custody, while firearms and other dangerous weapons were recovered from them.

He said, “The suspects were immediately taken into custody. Exhibits, including firearms and other dangerous weapons, were recovered from them.”

According to Habib, the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, condemned the development and directed that the suspects be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.

Recovered weapons from the arrested suspects | Credit: Bauchi State Police Command
He quoted the CP as condemning “this blatant disregard for lawful directives and attempt to undermine the electoral process.”

Habib said the suspects had been transferred to the SCID, Bauchi, “for discreet investigation and prosecution in accordance with the law.”

The command reiterated its commitment to ensuring a peaceful, credible and hitch-free by-election.

It warned that “any person or group, regardless of status, who attempts to disrupt the electoral process or cause a breach of peace will be decisively dealt with.”

The police also called on members of the public to remain law-abiding and report suspicious activities to the authorities.

Police

Police

PUNCH reports that the Bauchi State Police Command, in a statement issued on Friday, September 18, 2026, outlined security arrangements for the bye-elections in Disina State Constituency, Shira LGA, and Sakwa State Constituency, Zaki LGA.

In the statement, the command declared that “state-owned security outfits, quasi-security agencies, private security guards and vigilante groups are not allowed to participate in election security coverage.”

The command stated that only “statutorily recognised security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security are mandated to provide security for the elections.”
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Nigeria Customs Hits Economic Saboteurs, Seizes Cannabis, Others Worth ₦2.4bn in Ogun

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Nigeria Customs

Nigeria Customs Hits Economic Saboteurs, Seizes Cannabis, Others Worth ₦2.4bn in Ogun

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun I Area Command, has intensified its crackdown on smuggling and other forms of economic sabotage, recording seizures of contraband worth a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦2.469 billion.
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The Acting Customs Area Controller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, disclosed this on Thursday, 17 September 2026, during a press conference at the Command’s headquarters in Idiroko, where he reviewed its operational activities and achievements.

He said the seizures included 1,204 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 3,893 parcels of cannabis weighing 1.878 tonnes, 428 pneumatic tyres, 8,675 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 24 bales of second-hand clothing, four sacks of used shoes and 500 litres of diesel.

Afeni said the seizures resulted from intelligence-led enforcement operations and improved inter-agency collaboration, stressing that the Command remained committed to strengthening border security while facilitating legitimate trade.

“Our concerted operational strategies, intelligence-led enforcement, and enhanced inter-agency collaboration have yielded remarkable, tangible results across all key focus areas,” he said

A major highlight of the seizure was the interception of a 2026 Range Rover Sport with a DPV of ₦417,011,982. “Our relentless anti-smuggling drives have dealt severe blows to illicit trade networks operating across Ogun State.”

In line with inter-Agency collaboration, the seized parcels of cannabis sativa were handed over to a representative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation.

Nigeria Customs

Nigeria Customs

Receiving the items, the Commander, NDLEA Idiroko Special Command, Olasumbo Akande, urged Nigerians to join the campaign against rampant drug abuse. “Idiroko remains a no-go area.

The Nigeria Customs, NDLEA, and other sister agencies will always come together to say “No” to hard drugs coming into our country or using our border as a transit for illegal goods,” he said.
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