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Updated: Chadian President Idriss Deby dies, son takes over

Chadian President Idris Derby has died at the age of 68.
He was said to have died while visiting troops on the frontline of a fight against northern rebels, the army said on Tuesday, the day after Deby was declared the winner of a presidential election.
Reuters reported that Deby’s son, Mahamat Kaka, was named interim president by a transitional council of military officers, spokesman Azem Bermendao Agouna, said in a broadcast on state television.
The late Chadian leader came to power in a rebellion in 1990 and was one of Africa’s longest-ruling leaders.
According to the report, Deby and his army have been seen as a reliable Western ally in a turbulent region afflicted by jihadists. His campaign said on Monday he was joining troops on the frontline after rebels based across the northern frontier in Libya advanced hundreds of km (miles) south toward the capital N’Djamena. L1N2MC20E
The exact cause of death was not yet clear but a European diplomatic source said he had been killed.
“A call to dialogue and peace is launched to all Chadians in the country and abroad in order to continue to build Chad together,” Bermendao said, surrounded by several officers.
“The National Council of Transition reassures the Chadian people that all measures have been taken to guarantee peace, security and the republican order,” he said.
Deby, whose opponents accused him of repressive rule, pushed through a new constitution in 2018 that would have allowed him to stay in power until 2033 – even as it re-instated term limits.
He took the title of “Marshal” last year and said before last week’s election: “I know in advance that I will win, as I have done for the last 30 years.”
He was dealing with mounting public discontent over his management of Chad’s oil wealth and crackdowns on opponents.
But in the election results announced on Monday, Deby was credited with 79 per cent of the vote, handing him a sixth term in office. Several leading opposition figures boycotted the poll.
Western countries have seen Deby as an ally in the fight against Islamist extremist groups, including Boko Haram in the Lake Chad Basin and groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State in the Sahel.
His death is a blow to France, which had based its Sahel counter-terrorism operations in the Chadian capital, N’Djamena.
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Kaduna governor revokes land approved sold by El-Rufai

Kaduna governor revokes land approved sold by El-Rufai
Kaduna State Government has revoked institutional houses and plots of land sold in the state by the administration of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
Governor Uba Sani on Tuesday ordered the revocation of the properties within Alhuda-huda College, Zaria; Queen Amina College, Kaduna and Government Commercial College, Zaria.
Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Dr. AbdulKadir Mu’azu Meyere, who announced the revocation in a statement, said the decision was taken for overriding public interest and for the common good.
He said efforts were being made to ensure all payments made to the government coffers in respect of the sold houses are refunded.
He said, “In line with its commitment to human capital development and to ensure conducive atmosphere for teaching and learning in schools, the Kaduna State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Senator Uba Sani, had revoked all previous sales of institutional houses and land allocations within Alhuda-huda College, Zaria, Queen Amina College, Kaduna and Government Commercial College, Zaria for overriding public interest and for the common good.
“The revocation was approved last year and the revocation order has been conveyed to all allottees, while steps are being taken to refund amounts paid in respect of the sold houses as directed by His Excellency, the Governor of Kaduna State.
“As one of the key pillars of His Excellency’s Human Capital Development, Uba Sani noted that effective learning can best take place in a conducive atmosphere without distractions and sundry interferences.
“The governor has always argued that education is not just a leveler but also a ladder for upward mobility which can transform lives and improve livelihoods.
“To secure the future of our children, the Governor has been expanding access to education in the last two years, by bridging the infrastructural deficit at both primary and secondary schools across Kaduna State.
“In fact, one of the first decisions that His Excellency took upon assuming office was the slashing of the school fees of Kaduna State-own tertiary institutions on August 21, 2023.
“Apart from tertiary institutions, the Senator Uba Sani administration has also improved access by building new primary and secondary schools as well as blocks of classrooms since he became Governor of Kaduna State.
“Indeed, the Sani-led administration has built over 2,336 new classrooms, renovated more than 707 others and provided 3,704 and 30,742 furniture, for teachers and pupils.
“Similarly, Kaduna State Government, has sunk 51 boreholes, provided 918 cubicle toilets for both pupils’ and teachers’ use in all the Local Governments to make learning more conducive.”
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IGP orders withdrawal of mobile police officers from VIPs

IGP orders withdrawal of mobile police officers from VIPs
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the withdrawal of mobile police officers from VIPs across the country.
The directive is contained in a statement on Tuesday, issued by the spokesman for the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Muyiwa Adejobi.
He said the move was part of the reorganisation of the Police Mobile Force (PMF).
“He expressed concern over the diversion of PMF personnel to non-core roles, including escort and guard duties for private individuals and VIPs, a trend which has undermined the unit’s effectiveness,” the statement read.
“To address this, the IGP has announced a series of measures including the immediate withdrawal of PMF personnel from unauthorized deployments, regular quarterly training focused on ethics and professionalism, and mandatory standby of fully equipped, combat-ready units across all Squadrons for rapid tactical support.”
According to the IGP, all PMF Commanders will be held accountable for the conduct of their personnel.
The IGP however urged them to lead proactively through regular training, inspections, and mentorship aimed at upholding discipline, respect for human rights, and operational excellence.
THE IGP’S FULL STATEMENT BELOW:
PRESS RELEASE
INTERNAL SECURITY: IGP REORGANIZES POLICE MOBILE FORCE FOR EFFECTIVENESS
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has announced the immediate reorganization of the Police Mobile Force (PMF) as part of efforts to strengthen internal security and enhance operational readiness. The directive was unveiled during a conference with PMF Squadron Commanders at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, on Tuesday, 22nd April, 2025.
The IGP emphasized the need to reposition the PMF in line with its original mandate as the Nigeria Police Force’s elite strike unit, designed to respond swiftly to riots, emergencies, and violent threats.
He expressed concern over the diversion of PMF personnel to non-core roles, including escort and guard duties for private individuals and VIPs, a trend which has undermined the unit’s effectiveness.
To address this, the IGP has announced a series of measures including the immediate withdrawal of PMF personnel from unauthorized deployments, regular quarterly training focused on ethics and professionalism, and mandatory standby of fully equipped, combat-ready units across all Squadrons for rapid tactical support.
The IGP also declared that PMF Commanders will be held accountable for the conduct of their personnel and urged them to lead proactively through regular training, inspections, and mentorship aimed at upholding discipline, respect for human rights, and operational excellence.
Reaffirming the Force’s commitment to restoring the PMF to its rightful role as a disciplined and dependable tactical arm, the IGP highlighted plans to introduce new leadership strategies and capacity-building initiatives designed to meet modern security challenges and align with global best practices.
The Inspector-General of Police while extending appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his support, acknowledged the critical contributions of the Force’s international partners in enhancing training and technical capacity.
The IGP charged all PMF Squadron Commanders to embrace the reform as a professional and moral responsibility, reiterating that the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to its mandate of safeguarding lives, property, and national security.
ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI,
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FORCE HEADQUARTERS
ABUJA.
News
Tinubu returns to Nigeria after France, UK trip

Tinubu returns to Nigeria after France, UK trip
President Bola Tinubu has returned Nigeria after his working visit to France and the UK.
Tinubu was received by senior officials of his administration when he arrived at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Monday night.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu returns to Abuja after a visit to Paris and London,” presidential aide Dada Olusegun wrote in a post on his X handle.
Some of the officials who were at the airport to welcome Tinubu are the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume; the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The President left for Paris, the French capital, on April 2 for a “short working visit,” according to presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga.
Onanuga said during the visit, the president will review his administration’s feats.
But his recent travel has divided opinions among Nigerians, especially in the wake of renewed killings in some parts of the country, particularly in Plateau and Benue states.
Leaders of the opposition, including Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s Atiku Abubakar, were vocal in their criticisms of the president’s continued stay in Europe despite the crushing wave of insecurity ravaging the country.
However, the presidency stoutly defended Tinubu’s trip, saying the Nigerian leader did not travel to seek medical care as speculated in some quarters.
“Sometimes on social media, somebody will be tweeting, you don’t even know who the person is; it can be somebody who has mental health issues somewhere,” presidential spokesman Daniel Bwala said on an edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today.
“You just see that information is coming out. “The president did not go to see a doctor; he’s on a working visit and we have been publishing his activities”.
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