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JUST IN: Natasha Storms Abuja Court Over Akpabio, Bello Defamation Claims

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Suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, was on Thursday present at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, where she is standing trial over criminal defamation charges brought against her by the Federal Government.

The embattled lawmaker arrived at the courtroom around 10:30 a.m., ahead of the 11:00 a.m. session, as she awaited the arrival of the trial judge.

The charge, designated CR/297/25, was initiated by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Mohammed Abubakar.

READ ALSO: Natasha Wins As Court Hits Akpabio With N100k Fine

It alleges that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan made defamatory statements about Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

According to the prosecution, the comments were made during a live appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on April 3, 2025.

During the broadcast, Akpoti-Uduaghan reportedly claimed that both political figures conspired to end her life outside Abuja and disguise it as a local mob attack.

In her words: “Let’s ask the Senate President why in the first instance did he withdraw my security, if not to make me vulnerable to attacks? He then emphasised that I should be killed, but I should be killed in Kogi. What is important to me is to stay alive because dead men tell no tales. Who is going to get justice for me?”

The Federal Government argues that the senator was fully aware that such statements could damage the reputation of the individuals named.

The charges further accuse her of linking both Akpabio and Bello to a plotted meeting that allegedly involved plans for her elimination. She allegedly said:

It was part of the meeting, the discussions that Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello that night, to eliminate me. When he met with him, he then emphasised that I should be killed, but I should be killed in Kogi.”

Additionally, the senator is alleged to have made another damaging statement about Senate President Akpabio during a phone call with one Sandra C. Duru on March 27, 2025.

In the conversation, Akpoti-Uduaghan reportedly suggested that the organs of the late Iniubong Umoren were used for Akpabio’s ailing wife.

That girl that was killed, what’s her name, umm Imoren Iniubong, her organs were actually used for the wife, because the wife was really ill… when they killed the girl, and her organs were used for the wife.”

The Federal Government maintains that the senator either knew or should have known that such remarks would cause serious reputational damage to Senator Akpabio.

The Senate President, the former Kogi governor, and four others are expected to testify in court as prosecution witnesses in the ongoing case.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has consistently maintained that she is a target of political intimidation and has repeatedly alleged threats to her life. The court proceedings continue.

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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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