In recent operations across the North East, troops of the Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have neutralized scores of terrorists and recovered a significant cache of arms and ammunition.

Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) in a statement said intelligence has confirmed the killing of JULAIBIB, a top ISWAP commander operating within the Gujba axis of the Timbuktu Triangle, during an encounter around Kimba, Damboa LGA of Borno State, on 30 January 2026.

According to the statement, the elimination of the terrorist leader has thrown ISWAP elements in the area into disarray, with several fighters reportedly neutralised during the operation.

In a related operation, troops of OPHK, working in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force, neutralised 3 terrorists during a well-coordinated ambush between Ngazalgana and Lamusheri communities in Borno State.

It said the operation followed credible intelligence on insurgent movements in the area, as troops laid an ambush along the identified route and engaged the terrorists with effective firepower, resulting in the neutralisation of 3 insurgents, while others fled with gunshot injuries.

The statement said troops recovered two AK-47, adding that the operation forms part of sustained efforts to deny terrorists freedom of movement and degrade their operational capabilities across the Theatre.

It said troops also recorded multiple successes in Adamawa State, adding that on 29 January, 2026, troops responded swiftly to a distress call from Barama community, Mubi North LGA, foiling an armed robbery attempt. Two armed robbery suspects attempting to attack a student of the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, were arrested. One suspect sustained a gunshot wound to the thigh while attempting to confront the troops and was evacuated to the Federal Medical Centre, Mubi, for treatment.

The suspects were subsequently handed over to the Nigeria Police for further investigation. Items recovered include 3 cutlasses, 2 laptops, 4 mobile phones, and one power bank.

Former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, has formally joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC) after resigning from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Duke registered as an ADC member in Ward 5 of Calabar Municipality, where he collected his party membership card, marking his official entry into the opposition party.

His move comes amid recent internal concerns within the ADC in Cross River State. Former ADC governorship candidate, Dr Effiong Nyong, had written to the party’s National Chairman, protesting the inclusion of some individuals from the state in the ADC’s 50 Wise Men and Women Policy Manifesto Committee.

Nyong faulted a statement by the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, which listed persons who, according to him, neither resigned from the PDP nor made contributions to the ADC, calling for their removal.

Political observers believe Duke’s swift formal registration may be linked to the controversy, as the former governor had earlier been named among prominent figures associated with the party.

Recall that Duke previously left the PDP for the Social Democratic Party (SDP), where he emerged as the party’s presidential candidate under controversial circumstances.

Meanwhile, ADC leaders in Bakassi Local Government Area have intensified calls on Cross Riverians to identify with the party, describing it as a credible alternative ahead of future elections.

Rising from a stakeholders’ meeting involving chapter executives, ward chairmen, and secretaries, party leaders accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of misrule and urged Nigerians to reclaim the country.

In a statement signed by the Bakassi Chapter Chairman, Emmanuel Asuquo, and Secretary, Eko Boco, the party reaffirmed its loyalty to the ADC national leadership, pledging support for the National Chairman, Senator David Mark, and National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, while urging undecided citizens to join the party’s “transformative agenda.”

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has confirmed it is actively engaging with Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to resolve the persistent political crisis in Rivers State.

The party’s National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, disclosed this on Thursday during an appearance on TVC’s ‘Beyond The Headlines’ show, noting that despite Wike not being a registered member of the APC, his influence and alignment with President Bola Tinubu make his involvement crucial.

“Of course, as you know, Wike is an avowed supporter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, even though not a member of the political party,” Basiru said. “So, as somebody who is interested in the success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Rivers State is critical to that success, and of course, definitely he will be engaged, and he’s been engaged on an amicable resolution in the state as expected.”

Basiru explained that the party was pursuing quiet consultations to restore stability to the state, emphasising that not all actions being taken would be made public.

“Quiet consultations are ongoing to address the situation,” he added. “Not every measure being taken will be made public through the media.”

He assured that the Rivers crisis would be settled amicably “without winners or losers,” and hinted that further details would be made public in the coming days.

JomogNews reports that the Rivers political crisis deepened after Governor Siminalayi Fubara officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling APC on December 9, 2025. The defection followed months of tension between Fubara and Wike, a former Rivers State governor, over control of the state’s political structure.

Fubara’s switch, which many analysts saw as a major realignment ahead of the 2027 general election, came after several members of the Rivers State House of Assembly had already joined the APC.

In response, Wike publicly criticised Fubara, accusing him of violating previous agreements and questioning his political future.

The FCT Minister argued that Fubara lacked genuine support within the APC, claiming the governor was “being misadvised” and had slim chances of securing a second term in 2027 elections.

Despite the governor’s defection, tensions persisted within the APC-controlled House of Assembly, which on January 8 initiated impeachment proceedings against Fubara, a move widely believed to have been influenced by Wike’s loyalists. The impeachment process, however, has been stalled by ongoing court cases.

Addressing claims that the APC was dominated by political elites, Basiru dismissed the notion, insisting that the ruling party remains a “mass-based organization.”

“The APC is a very serious political party. We are a mass-based organization, and going by the figures from our mass-based e-registration system, we are sure that APC is the party to beat in all elections,” he said.

“We are loved by the Nigerian people, and they are trooping out to join the APC. We have made tremendous progress in the registration of new members that we have embarked upon. We are very comfortable that we are not an elite organization.”

Basiru added that the APC remained focused on strengthening its grassroots structures and mobilising Nigerians under its socio-democratic ideals.

“Our tradition is socio-democratic, pro-people, and we are working to strengthen our party. We are mobilizing, conscientizing, and showing Nigerians why the pan-Nigerian political party, the APC, is the party to be in,” he said.

“We are resilient and persistent in ensuring that we pass our message and get people to join our political party. As I speak now, the mass of Nigerian people are joining our party in large numbers.”