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Anti-graft battle: It’s no longer business as usual, says Soyinka

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President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption battle got a ‘pass mark’ from an unusual quarter yesterday. It was rated above average by Prof Wole Soyinka.

The literary giant, however, scored the President below average on the anti-terror war.

Soyinka spoke on the Bristish Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) programme, Hardtalk, anchored by Zeinab Badawi on Monday.

Appraising the anti-graft battle, Soyinka said:  ”We have this issue of corruption, which is… and I frankly despise those who try to trivialise it in Nigeria simply because they don’t like the face of the man who is behind it.

“But, it’s no longer business as usual in Nigeria because we have bankers who are on trial; we have legislators who are on trial and we have former governors who are on trial. Immediately they step out of the office, they are grabbed by the anti-corruption agencies. On corruption, as far as I’m concerned, he scored the best.”

On the anti-terror war, the literary icon said: “Take for instance, the issue of Boko Haram, if action had been taken at the beginning, and we are not talking about the time of the reign of Jonathan. When the first governor decided to make his state a theocratic state… that was when action should have been taken.

“The President of that time compromised because he was ambitious and he needed the support of the state governor. And when you start a theocracy, a movement will berth and killings will start. They start saying, that you are not holy enough’ and the killings start.”

He said the President should have learnt from the past by nipping in the bud the clashes between herders and farmers.

“Well, he is making progress, but then another problem has sprung up and that is where the problem is. Yes, he is very slow in responding. Buhari has failed in that respect.”

The Nobel laureate also defended his support for Buhari during the 2015 election, saying he was a better option to stop Dr. Goodluck Jonathan who, he said, was not doing enough to pilot the affairs of the country as President.

Soyinka said: “Gen. Buhari didn’t really win…, he won by default, because it was impossible to continue with Jonathan. Yes, I did use that expression, born-again democrat. The reason I used that expression is because when somebody compete in an election first time, second time, third time, fourth time and persists, he must believe in democracy.”

Justifying his support for Buhari, a former military head of state, Soyinka said: “First of all, Nigeria is not peculiar in that respect. We’ve had examples like that everywhere. We’ve had many military people doing that. So, the transition is not impossible.

“On the second circumstance, the fact that Nigeria has shown the military what a huge failure they were, makes it possible for one to identify the possibility of exception. In any case, I keep emphasising that Nigerians had difficulty of making a choice. Like I said, it was between the devil and the deep blue sea.”

Reflecting on his detention in the 60s and how he wrote on toiletries, Soyinka said:  “Yes, it was a solitary confinement. I was deprived of books – writing materials. So, I had to create my own world. So, toiletry paper became my template in which I could create the micro world in which I lived.

“They were supplying toiletries and they were so generous with it. Mostly, I was writing short, short pieces, mostly poetry. Somehow, I did get out. At a time, I have a book smuggled to me. Everything had to be hidden.”

The professor said it was high time the younger generation took the baton from the older generation, who he referred to as fogies.

He said: “I compare today with the dreams, aspiration that we had in those days when we considered ourselves as the ones going to lift the continent to world standard and make it competitive anywhere. But that has not happened.”

On this year’s presidential election, won by incumbent President Buhari, the playwright said: “It was one of the most depressed elections we’ve ever had. For me, it wasn’t possible for me to make a choice. I’m talking for myself. The simple reason is that the two candidates, they both had history. One is immediate, and the other is past, which made one to look for alternative.

“I want us to define the youth very carefully. There are some young people that will still compound or are worst than the rulers. I’m talking about those youths with fresh and good vision. I’m talking about those who felt ashamed of what Nigeria is today. Those who have traversed the world a bit and seen how things are done, and achieved in other countries. And analyse the problems of Nigeria, not contend to the old ideas. I’m talking about those youths that will get their priority right.”

When asked the chances available to the youth in Nigeria, where money plays a great role, Soyinka said: “When we started encouraging young people to come out, there was one person spearheading that movement and they could have come up with a consensus candidate.

 

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UPDATED: Police Arrest Adeyemi Over Alleged False Claim as PFIPC Director-General in Osun

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Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Response Team (IRT) have arrested Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-styled Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), in Osun State.

Adeyemi, who had been the subject of an intensive manhunt by security agencies, was apprehended following intelligence-led operations weeks after investigations into allegations about the purported federal agency’s activities.

According to the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, the suspect was arrested without incident by a team of IRT operatives and has been moved into police custody for further interrogation.

He confirmed the arrest while speaking to our correspondent in Abuja.

His arrest followed days of coordinated efforts by security operatives, who had earlier raided his family residence while tracking his whereabouts. Reports indicated that investigators questioned his family members during the search for the suspect.

Adeyemi came into national prominence after controversy erupted over the operations of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, an organisation widely described by government officials as having no legal backing or official recognition.

The controversy deepened following allegations that the suspect claimed close links with top government officials and allegedly used the platform to project influence in government circles.

Oyo police rescue abducted farmer after joint security operation
The matter also generated public attention after claims surfaced that huge sums of money were exchanged in connection with promises of government appointments. Those allegations remain under investigation and have not been proven in court.

The Presidency had earlier distanced itself from the activities of the organisation, while the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, denied any connection with the group or its activities, maintaining that neither the office nor the Presidency authorised the operations of the PFIPC.

Police investigators are expected to interrogate Adeyemi on the circumstances surrounding the establishment and operations of the organisation, the authenticity of documents allegedly used in its activities, and claims that some individuals were deceived into believing it was an official government body.

Investigators are also expected to determine whether other suspects were involved in the alleged scheme and whether additional offences, including impersonation, obtaining by false pretence, forgery and conspiracy, may have been committed.

As of press time, the Nigeria Police Force had yet to issue a detailed official statement on the arrest or announce possible charges against the suspect. Demographics

The arrest is, however, expected to advance investigations into one of the most controversial cases involving the alleged use of a non-existent government agency to project influence within the Presidency.

Adeyemi is expected to remain in police custody pending the conclusion of investigations and possible arraignment before a competent court.

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Breaking : Nigerian Soldiers Kill ISWAP Cameraman, Uncover Foreign Terrorist Network in Borno

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Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised an Islamic State West Africa Province cameraman and recovered video materials indicating the presence of three foreign facilitators, including a Palestinian Arab identified as a trainer and a Moroccan Arab serving as a medical doctor for the terrorist group in Borno State.

The Acting Military Information Officer, Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Muhammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

According to him, the operational success was recorded on Saturday following a failed infiltration attempt by members of ISWAP terrorists into Cross Kauwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.

Goni said the terrorists attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to breach the troops’ position and loot cholera medical supplies.

The statement read, “Troops of 19 Brigade, Sector 3, Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have decisively foiled an attempted infiltration by ISWAP terrorists into Cross Kauwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers and forcing them to retreat in disarray.

“The successful defence of the location further demonstrates the vigilance, combat readiness and operational effectiveness of troops who continue to deny terrorist elements freedom of action across the North East Theatre.”

The failed attack, he said, occurred at about 10:20 p.m. on July 11, 2026, when the terrorists attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to breach the troops’ position.

“Alert troops swiftly detected the hostile movement and responded with coordinated and overwhelming firepower, compelling the terrorists to abandon their mission of looting cholera medical supplies and withdraw in confusion after suffering severe losses,” Goni said.

According to him, the attempted looting further lends credence to recent intelligence reports of a cholera outbreak within terrorist enclaves, as well as reports of the execution of some affected members by the group.

“The neutralisation of a terrorist cameraman during the failed assault led to the recovery of a Sony camcorder containing highly sensitive recordings of terrorist activities, including operational footage and propaganda materials.

“Preliminary forensic analysis of the last available video recorded prior to the attack indicates that the operation was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders (Qai’ds), alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators. They include a Palestinian Arab identified as Abu Ishaq, assessed to be ISWAP’s overall trainer; a Moroccan Arab identified as Abu Thaiba, a medical doctor serving within the terrorist network; and another Arab operative whose identity is yet to be established,” he added.

He said the presence and active involvement of the foreign nationals further reinforced intelligence assessments that ISWAP continued to benefit from external support, specialist expertise and transnational terrorist linkages.

“Following the successful engagement, troops immediately dominated the area and conducted exploitation operations to ascertain the full extent of the terrorists’ losses,” he added.

The Army spokesman said troops recovered the Sony camcorder, several rounds of PKT and 7.62mm Special ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other combat items during the operation.

He further stated that initial analysis of post-engagement satellite imagery revealed terrorists evacuating the bodies of some of their neutralised fighters during their withdrawal.

“This has since been corroborated by credible human intelligence sources, which confirmed that the terrorists suffered heavy casualties, with many others sustaining gunshot wounds during the engagement,” he said.

According to him, two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds during the firefight and were promptly evacuated by air for advanced medical care, adding that both personnel remained in stable condition.

“The failed infiltration attempt represents yet another significant operational setback for ISWAP and caps a costly weekend for the terrorist group following sustained offensive operations and intensified military pressure across the North East Theatre,” he said.

He added that the outcome underscored the increasing difficulty the terrorists faced in executing coordinated attacks against highly alert and combat-ready troops while further degrading their combat capability, morale and freedom of action.

“Operation HADIN KAI remains resolute in sustaining offensive operations, protecting vulnerable communities and dismantling terrorist networks until lasting peace and security are fully restored across the North East,” he assured.

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BREAKING: Security Forces Rescue Kidnapped Pupils, Teachers in Oyo Forest Operation

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Eight kidnappers arrested

Ibadan, Oyo State – Nigerian security agencies have successfully rescued a group of kidnapped pupils and teachers following a coordinated operation in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Photos circulating after the operation show the rescued victims gathered in a rural forest location alongside security personnel shortly after they regained their freedom.

According to available information, the victims were abducted by suspected kidnappers before security operatives launched an intensive search-and-rescue mission. The operation, carried out through coordinated efforts by security agencies, led to the safe recovery of the pupils and their teachers.

The rescued victims have since been reunited with security officials and are expected to undergo medical examinations and trauma counselling before being reunited with their families.

Authorities have not yet disclosed whether any arrests were made during the operation or if a ransom was paid. However, investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend those responsible for the abduction.

The successful rescue has been welcomed by residents of the area, who commended the swift response of the security agencies while calling for increased security around schools and rural communities to prevent similar incidents.

The incident once again highlights the persistent security challenges facing some parts of the country, particularly the threat of school-related kidnappings, which have raised concerns among parents, educators, and community leaders.

Security agencies have assured the public that efforts are continuing to track down the perpetrators and strengthen measures aimed at protecting schools and vulnerable communities across the country.

Further official details are expected as the authorities provide updates on the operation.

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