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First Anniversary: Okpebholo Boasts on Security, Health, Anti-Corruption Scorecards

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Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, marked his first year in office with a message of action, discipline and results, beating his chest on security, health reforms, governance and the 2027 elections.

Biztellers reports that Gov Okpebholo made the assertions at a media interface, where he pointed out that leadership is easiest when anchored on respect, but insisted public safety requires uncompromising strength.

According to Gov Okpebholo, nightlife has fully returned to Benin after years of violence. He maintained that his administration already crushed the criminal gangs destabilizing the state.

“We warned them. They tested us. We acted decisively,” he said, confirming arrests and demolition of gang hideouts.

On kidnapping, he said that Edo has turned the corner. He pointed out that over 300 vigilante personnel have been trained and deployed, contributing to three straight weeks with reduced crime rate. “Edo is not a place for criminals,” he declared.

He reaffirmed strong support for State Police, describing grassroots policing as the future of Nigeria’s security architecture.

Gov Okpebholo also spoke on sweeping reforms in the health sector, which he described as “comatose” before he took office. He confirmed that over 80 primary healthcare centres have now been renovated across all 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs), with newly recruited doctors and nurses deployed and retained through improved remuneration.

ALSO READ: Edo Cracks Down on Drug Cartels, Arrests Breastfeeding Mother, Six Others

A former deputy governor, he said, personally thanked him after his mother’s community received its first-ever resident doctor.

On infrastructure, the Governor highlighted the revival of the iconic Edo Line, now strengthened with 50 new CNG buses, adding to the 100 already delivered under his administration.

On politics, Gov Okpebholo expressed confidence that the All Progressives Congress (APC) remains the party to beat ahead of the 2027 general election.

“We promised 2.5 million votes, and we are not joking,” he said, adding that President Tinubu’s support has amplified the party’s popularity across Edo.

He pointed to ongoing flyovers at Ramat Park and Adesuwa, as well as new road networks along Sapele Road, as proof that performance, not propaganda will shape 2027.

Gov Okpebholo concluded with an apt pact, “Edo people trusted me to deliver. I will not betray that trust.”

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Why NYSC Stopped Orientation Exercise for Corps Members in Niger State

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Gombe NYSC Prioritises Safety of Corps Members

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has explained the reason behind the suspension of the 2026 Batch B Stream I Orientation Course for prospective corps members deployed to Niger State.

In a notice shared on its official X account on Sunday, the scheme said the orientation exercise was put on hold due to ongoing renovation work at the state’s orientation camp.

According to the NYSC, the temporary suspension affects all prospective corps members (PCMs) posted to Niger State for the current orientation programme.

SEE ALSO: NYSC Under Fire As Sowore Plans Protest Over Withheld Certificate of Corps Member

“This is to notify the General Public and Prospective Corps Members (PCMs) deployed to Niger State for the 2026 Batch B Stream I Orientation Course that their Orientation Course Exercise is suspended for now due to ongoing renovation work at the Orientation Camp,” the statement read.

The scheme assured affected corps members that alternative arrangements would be communicated soon, noting that they would be informed of a new reporting date and venue once preparations are completed.

“PCMs affected should note that they will be contacted at a short notice on where and when to report for their Orientation Course,” the NYSC added.

The management also apologised for the inconvenience caused to both the prospective corps members and their parents.

“The Management regrets all inconveniences to the affected PCMs and their parents,” the statement said.

The suspension comes months after a devastating windstorm damaged critical facilities at the NYSC orientation camp in Paiko, located in Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger State.

The storm reportedly affected several structures, including male hostels, the multipurpose hall, kitchen and staff quarters.

Following the incident, the Niger State Government commenced rehabilitation and renovation works aimed at restoring the camp’s infrastructure to a suitable condition for hosting corps members.

While the 2026 Batch B Stream I Orientation Course began nationwide on June 10 and is expected to conclude on June 30, corps members posted to Niger State will now have to await further directives from the NYSC regarding their orientation exercise.

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Terrorists on the Run as Troops Destroy Camp, Rescue Kidnap Victims in Zamfara

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Troops Kill 5, Arrest Others During Raid In Kastina Terrorist Camp

The Nigerian Army has recorded another success in its ongoing offensive against terrorism and banditry in Zamfara State, forcing terrorists to flee their hideout, destroying their camp, and rescuing three kidnapped victims.

According to an operational report released on Saturday, troops of Sector 2, Operation Fansan Yamma, carried out the operation on June 12 across communities in Zurmi and Shinkafi Local Government Areas of the state.

The report stated that troops conducting a fighting patrol through Birnin Saba, Yanbuki, and Sabon Garin Daudawa communities came into contact with terrorists operating in the Yanbuki District of Zurmi LGA.

SEE ALSO: How Troops Forced Kidnappers to Abandon Two Bank Staff in Taraba

During the encounter, troops engaged the criminals in a gun battle, successfully neutralising one terrorist while others escaped into nearby areas.

Security forces recovered several items from the scene, including rifles, four magazines loaded with ammunition, two motorcycles, seven mobile phones, two MP3 players, woodland camouflage trousers, and an inner vest.

Maintaining pressure on the fleeing terrorists, the troops advanced toward Sabon Garin Daudawa. On sighting the approaching soldiers, the terrorists reportedly abandoned their camp and fled.

The troops subsequently cleared the area and destroyed the camp to prevent it from serving as a base for future criminal operations.

In the course of the clearance operation, three kidnapped victims were rescued and safely evacuated from the area.

The military said the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to rid Zamfara and other parts of the North-West of terrorist and bandit groups responsible for attacks, kidnappings, and other criminal activities.

The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining aggressive operations across the region until lasting peace and security are restored to affected communities.

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DSS Foils Arms Smuggling Operation, Arrests Suspect Linked to Zamfara Bandit Leader

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The Department of State Services (DSS) has intercepted a shipment of weapons allegedly destined for a notorious bandit kingpin operating in Zamfara State and arrested a suspected arms courier in Kano State.

According to an operational report obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the suspect was apprehended on Friday in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State following intelligence-led operations by DSS operatives.

ALSO READ: Pastor Escapes Into Bush as Gunmen Kidnap His 9-Year-Old Son in Ondo Attack

The report disclosed that the suspect was intercepted while transporting a cache of arms and ammunition from Maigatari Local Government Area of Jigawa State to Funtua in Katsina State, from where the weapons were expected to be delivered to criminal elements.

Items recovered from the suspect included three AK-47 rifles, four rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) tubes and warheads, as well as two empty magazines.

Security sources said preliminary investigations linked the weapons consignment to a suspected bandit leader believed to be operating in parts of Zamfara State.

During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed that he had been contracted to move the weapons from Maigatari to Funtua and was promised a payment of N450,000 upon successful delivery.

The report noted that investigations are ongoing to uncover the network behind the arms trafficking operation and identify other individuals connected to the movement of the weapons.

Authorities described the arrest as a significant breakthrough in efforts to disrupt the flow of arms and ammunition to criminal groups responsible for violent attacks, kidnappings, and other security threats across the North-West region.

The suspect remains in DSS custody and is expected to face further investigation and possible prosecution in accordance with the law.

The development comes as security agencies continue to intensify intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling logistics networks that support banditry, terrorism, and other forms of organised crime across Nigeria.

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