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DHQ Goes After New Terror Group Lukarawas, Blames N’West Residents

‘Lukarawas is affiliated with ISIS in Sahelian region, particularly Mali and Niger Republics. And this is the first time the Sahelian jihadists are making an incursion in our country.

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The military yesterday unfolded a new terrorist group with base in Sokoto and Kebbi states in the Northwest where they are already causing havoc.

It announced the bid to take out the terrorists and obliterate them from Nigeria’s territory.

“Now that we know where they are, we are already going after them, and we will take them out,” Defence Headquarters spokesman Maj-Gen Edward Buba said yesterday.

According to him, the group Lukarawas, is linked to Islamic State (ISISI) and it members crossed into Nigeria from Niger Republic.

He added that when they settled in areas between Sokoto and Kebbi, the people did not raise the alarm or reported to security operatives or the military until they started their nefarious activities.

Gen. Buba said: “‘Lukarawas is affiliated with ISIS in Sahelian region, particularly Mali and Niger Republics. And this is the first time the Sahelian jihadists are making an incursion in our country.

“The terrorists took advantage of the gaps in cooperation between Nigeria and the Republic of Niger, and exploited difficult terrains to make incursions in remote areas in some North Western states to spread their ideology.”

The defence spokesman said the group was accommodated by the locals who initially thought that the group meant well for them, adding that they failed to report the movement to the military and security agencies.

General Buba added: “The people did not report on time until they started causing havoc and placing levies on them.

“Now that we know where they are, we are already going after them, and we will take them out.”

Buba gave assurance that troops had sustained Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) to degrade the terrorists.

He added that the terror group had continued to take advantage of the vast under-governed areas to hide and evade troops as well as harass the locals.

According to him, troops are locating them and eliminating the threat.

General Buba said that the new terror group in Sokoto and Kebbi States emerged from the Republic of Niger after the coup that led to the breakdown of military cooperation between Nigeria and Niger.

In 2009, Nigeria got her first taste of terrorism when the Boko Haram group started its operation in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.

The activities of the group gained tempo after its leader, Mohammed Yusuf, was killed.

Its members started with the slogan: Education (Boko) is Haram.

They launched an insurrection which spread like a wild fire in the Northeast.

The military is still battling to clear out the terrorist, fifteen years after.

While the military was battling Boko Haram in the Northeast, bandits were the problem in the Northwest until yesterday’s announcement of the Lukarawas terrorist in that geo-political zone.

Nine wanted, 481 killed

Also yesterday, the DHQ said nine terrorist had been declared wanted in the Northeast.

They are: Abu Khadijah, Abur Rahman, Dadi Gumba, Abu Yusuf, Musa Wa’a, Usman Kanin Shehu, Ibrahim Suyeka, Ba Sulhu, and Idris Taklakse.

General Buba said the wanted persons hail from the North East region, and have been causing havoc in the area.

He urged the public to provide useful information that could lead to the arrest of the criminals.

General Buba said troops neutralised 481 terrorists, arrested 741 criminals, rescued 492 kidnap victims, recovered 480 weapons and 9,026 ammunition during operations across the country last month.

He said “this another evidence of the sterling performance of the military against terrorist across states in the North since last year.”

Northcentral ‘gang leaders’ begging to surrender

General Buba said the military had opened its surrendering corridors to some Northcentral terror gang leaders who have indicated interest to drop their guns.

He said the terrorists have been under intense superior firefight of the military, losing fighters day-by-day, hence, had no other option that to surrender.

Buba said: “Like I have always said, the terrorists are left with the option of surrendering or killed in the battle field. There is no third option.

“For those that are now willing to surrender, surrendering is part of war. In war, there is a window of surrendering. When an enemy raises his hands up and drops his weapon, it is crime to shoot at him. And we are a professional force. They have indicated they want to surrender, but they are afraid if we will take them out in the process. But we have assured them that we will create a safe corridor for them to surrender and drop their arms, and we will receive them. Afterall, we are receiving surrendered terrorists in the Northest.”

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Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race

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The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”

He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”

Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.

He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.

“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”

The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.

He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”

“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”

Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.

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Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency

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The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.

In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.

Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.

“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote

Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.

The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.

‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.

President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded

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Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience

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Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.

The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.

In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.

He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”

The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.

Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.

“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”

Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.

“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”

The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.

By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.

The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.

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