Fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) were observed conducting mass burial rites for approximately 30 of their members following a series of devastating airstrikes by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

Credible military sources told Zagazola Makama that the terrorists conducted burial rites in the Mallam Fatori axis after a series of precision air interdiction missions carried out by the Nigerian military under Operation HADIN KAI.

The sources said the strikes were executed after intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) reports confirmed the movement of ISWAP fighters along waterways around the Kaniram Island area.

An ISR platform had earlier observed a large number of boats estimated at over 30 positioned along the riverbank, with associated human activity indicating the presence of terrorists coordinating logistics and movement.

Following positive identification, air assets conducted multiple precision strikes on the targets.

“The initial strike disrupted and destroyed several of the boats used by the terrorists for transportation and logistics,” a source said.

Subsequent strikes targeted fleeing and regrouping elements within nearby vegetation, leading to further neutralisation of fighters.

According to Battle Damage Assessment (BDA), more than 30 terrorists were killed across the engagements, while several others were seen escaping into adjoining hideouts.

Further intelligence, including post-strike imagery and intercepted visuals, later confirmed that ISWAP members conducted mass burial rites for those killed during the operation in the Mallam Fatori axis.

“The burial activities observed serve as clear confirmation of the scale of losses inflicted on the terrorist group,” the source added.

In a related development, additional strikes were carried out at nearby locations, including Sowolwolo, where a separate group of terrorists was engaged and eliminated.

Military authorities noted that the sustained air operations have significantly degraded the operational capability of ISWAP elements in the Lake Chad region, particularly their mobility and ability to coordinate attacks.

The Nigerian military reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining pressure on terrorist groups and consolidating gains recorded in ongoing operations aimed at restoring peace and stability in the North East.

Justice Mikhail Abdullahi of the Minna High Court has sentenced Abdulwahab Sule, a former staff member of the National Examinations Council (NECO), to 25 years imprisonment for certificate forgery.

Sule was convicted on April 21, 2026, after being prosecuted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on a three-count charge related to using a forged diploma certificate to secure employment.

Sule, who was dismissed from NECO in 2020 following the discovery of irregularities in his credentials, was found guilty on a three-count charge of dishonestly using a forged document as genuine, possession of a forged document, and making false statements.

Investigations by the ICPC revealed that the convict fraudulently used a forged Diploma certificate purportedly issued by the Federal University of Technology, Yola (now Modibbo Adama University, Yola) to secure employment with NECO in January 2009, where he remained until his dismissal in September 2020.

Further findings showed that the certificate, dated March 18, 2008, did not emanate from the institution, as confirmed by the university during verification.

The Commission also established that the convict had not completed his studies and still had outstanding courses at the time he claimed to have graduated.

In addition, Mr Sule was found to have knowingly made false representations to NECO’s Director of Human Resource Management in August 2020, falsely claiming that he had obtained the Diploma certificate.

During ICPC’s investigation, the convict admitted that he did not complete his studies and disclosed that he paid the sum of N30,000 to procure the forged certificate from an individual.

Upon conviction, the Court sentenced him to twelve (12) years imprisonment on Count One, ten (10) years on Count Two, and two (2) years on Count Three. The sentences are to run concurrently, meaning he will effectively spend twelve (12) years in prison.

The ICPC reiterates its commitment to sanitising public institutions and warns that individuals who engage in forgery, falsification of records, and other corrupt practices will be brought to justice.

The Commission also urges organisations to sustain regular verification of staff credentials to prevent similar occurrences and strengthen institutional integrity.

President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of a new campus of the Nigeria Police Academy in Erinja, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State, alongside a special take-off grant of N15bn to fund the facility’s development.

A statement signed on Monday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the approval fulfils the provisions of the Nigeria Police Academy (Establishment) Act, 2021, which empowers the institution to operate as a multi-campus university across the country.

According to the statement, the ₦15 billion intervention fund will be sourced from the 2026 allocation of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and will finance priority infrastructure, academic facilities, student accommodation, and essential training assets for the new campus.

The decision to site the academy in Erinja followed a high-level consultative meeting involving the Minister of Police Affairs, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, officials of the Federal Ministry of Education, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC).

Deliberations at the meeting focused on critical considerations, including student intake capacity, funding sustainability, academic quality assurance, and the long-term manpower needs of the Nigeria Police Force, which is currently expanding its recruitment.

President Tinubu said that establishing additional campuses for the Police Academy is aimed at strengthening institutional governance, enhancing modern policing education, and bolstering national security.

“The intervention fund will be sourced from the TetFund 2026 allocation to finance priority infrastructure, academic facilities, student accommodation, and core training assets.

“A high-level consultative meeting involving the Minister of Police Affairs, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, officials of the Federal Ministry of Education, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) recommended the siting of the new campus in Erinja.

“The meeting considered student intake capacity, funding realities, academic quality assurance, and the long-term needs of the Nigerian Police Force, which is currently recruiting more men.

“President Tinubu believes the expansion will strengthen institutional governance, modern policing education, and national security”, the statement said.

The Nigeria Police Academy, with its main campus in Wudil, Kano State, is a degree-awarding institution responsible for training officers of the Nigeria Police Force as part of ongoing efforts to improve professionalism and operational capacity within the country’s internal security framework.