ICPC arrests El-Rufai’s doctor over alleged false statements, court order breach

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested Professor Bello Abubakar, the personal physician to former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, over allegations of making false statements and facilitating what the anti-graft agency described as a violation of a court-approved medical visit.

The Commission disclosed that Professor Abubakar was taken into custody on Tuesday following a visit to the National Hospital, Abuja, which it said was approved solely for El-Rufai to receive medical attention while in ICPC custody.

According to a statement issued by the Commission’s spokesperson, John Odey, the ICPC granted El-Rufai’s request for medical consultation in compliance with an order of the Kaduna State High Court and in line with its statutory obligation to protect the rights, dignity and welfare of persons in its custody.

The anti-graft agency explained that the Kaduna State High Court had fixed July 6, 7 and 8, 2026, for the accelerated hearing of criminal charges pending against the former governor.

However, on the first day of hearing, El-Rufai did not appear in court. According to the prosecution, when ICPC officers arrived to escort him to the courtroom, he declined to leave, insisting that he wanted to consult his personal physician.

The Commission further claimed that no prior request had been made for the medical consultation. It also alleged that when questioned by the Commission’s medical doctor, El-Rufai reportedly said he had no immediate medical complaints but stated that his wife, Asia El-Rufai, who is also one of his legal counsel, requested that he see Professor Abubakar.

Following arguments by both parties, the court adjourned further proceedings until July 15, 2026, to hear El-Rufai’s application seeking the trial judge’s recusal and to await the decision of the Kaduna State Chief Judge on a pending petition requesting that the case be transferred to another judge.

Despite the adjournment, the ICPC said it facilitated the former governor’s visit to the private wing of the National Hospital under strict security arrangements.

According to the Commission, its medical and security personnel remained outside the consultation room at the request of El-Rufai’s family while he was purportedly being examined by his attending physician.

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However, the anti-graft agency said the visit took an unexpected turn after photographs allegedly showing El-Rufai meeting with political associates surfaced on social media.

The ICPC said one of El-Rufai’s political associates, Isa Ashiru Kudan, posted photographs on Facebook at about 2:00 p.m., claiming they had just concluded a meeting with the former governor.

According to the Commission, the photographs showed El-Rufai alongside Professor Abubakar, Isa Ashiru Kudan and three other individuals inside the hospital at a time when the visit was expected to be strictly for medical consultation.

The Commission alleged that the meeting exceeded the scope of the court-approved hospital visit and constituted a violation of the court’s order.

“The images and post indicated that the arranged medical visit was utilised for activities outside the scope contemplated by the court and the ICPC. This is a clear violation of the court order,” the statement said.

The ICPC further stated that it had exercised patience, professionalism and courtesy in handling El-Rufai and other suspects in its custody but alleged that such courtesies had been abused.

It added that it would formally draw what it described as El-Rufai’s “flagrant disobedience of court orders” to the attention of the court.

The Commission also announced the arrest of Professor Abubakar, alleging that he made false statements during the course of the hospital visit. It said the physician remains in custody while investigations continue.

“The professional and humane nature of the ICPC should not be taken for granted,” the Commission said, adding that it would not tolerate the abuse of its goodwill by any individual or group.

The latest development marks another twist in the ongoing legal proceedings involving the former Kaduna governor. As of the time of filing this report, Nasir El-Rufai, Professor Bello Abubakar, and their legal representatives had not publicly responded to the allegations made by the ICPC.

It remains unclear whether the Commission will file additional charges arising from the alleged breach of the court-approved medical visit. The case is expected to return to the Kaduna State High Court on July 15, when the court will consider the pending applications and determine the next stage of the trial.

ICPC arrests El-Rufai’s doctor over alleged false statements, court order breach

Army detains surrendered terrorist kingpins in Borno

The Nigerian Army has recorded a major breakthrough in its counter-insurgency campaign after two senior terrorist commanders voluntarily surrendered to troops of Operation HADIN KAI in Borno State, providing valuable intelligence expected to strengthen ongoing military operations against insurgents in Nigeria’s North-East.

Military authorities described the surrender as another significant setback for terrorist groups operating in the region, saying the information obtained from the suspects is already helping security forces identify operational cells, logistics routes and remaining insurgent hideouts.

The development was announced on Tuesday in a statement issued by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Capt. Mohammed Goni.

According to the statement, the two commanders—identified as Munzirs, a senior rank within the terrorist hierarchy—surrendered to troops of Sector 2 in Geidam, Yobe State, on July 4, 2026. They were subsequently transferred to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on July 5, where they are currently in military custody undergoing extensive screening and interrogation.

The military disclosed that the surrendered commanders are undergoing comprehensive profiling, debriefing and intelligence exploitation as part of efforts to obtain strategic information that could accelerate the fight against terrorism.

According to the Army, preliminary interrogation indicates that the two suspects occupied influential leadership positions within the terrorist organisation and possess extensive knowledge of its command structure, operational strategies, logistics network and support systems.

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Military authorities said intelligence already extracted from the suspects has provided critical insights into how the group sustains its operations, moves personnel and weapons, and coordinates attacks across the North-East.

The Army believes the intelligence will significantly improve ongoing intelligence-led operations aimed at locating, disrupting and dismantling the remaining terrorist enclaves operating across the region.

The military described the surrender as another indication that sustained military offensives are weakening terrorist organisations and forcing their leaders to abandon the insurgency.

According to the statement, coordinated land and air operations conducted by Operation HADIN KAI, supported by improved surveillance and intelligence gathering, have continued to restrict the movement of insurgents, destroy logistics bases, eliminate command structures and reduce their operational capacity.

The Army noted that increasing pressure from troops has made it difficult for many terrorist fighters and commanders to remain on the battlefield, compelling them to surrender.

“The latest surrender further reinforces the growing disintegration of the terrorist organisation,” the statement said.

Military officials added that sustained offensives have continued to deny terrorists freedom of movement while disrupting their ability to recruit fighters, transport weapons and launch coordinated attacks.

The surrender of the two senior commanders follows a series of similar developments recorded by the military in recent months.

Only days earlier, Operation HADIN KAI announced that more than 76 suspected ISWAP fighters, alongside members of their families, voluntarily surrendered following sustained military offensives across parts of the North-East.

The military attributed the growing wave of defections to relentless air strikes, coordinated ground assaults and intelligence-driven operations that have destroyed terrorist camps, disrupted supply routes and isolated several insurgent leaders.

Security analysts say the surrender of senior commanders is particularly significant because they often possess strategic information capable of exposing hidden camps, financing networks, recruitment channels and planned attacks.

Counter-insurgency experts have repeatedly emphasised that intelligence obtained directly from surrendered commanders provides information that cannot always be gathered through aerial surveillance or electronic monitoring.

Military sources believe the intelligence obtained from the latest surrender will help security agencies identify remaining terrorist strongholds, recover illegal weapons and rescue civilians still held captive in remote camps.

The information may also assist troops in preventing future attacks by exposing operational plans and identifying collaborators supporting insurgent activities.

Despite recording significant gains, the Nigerian military insists that operations against terrorist groups remain ongoing.

Operation HADIN KAI reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining the current operational tempo until all terrorist networks operating across the North-East are dismantled.

The military said troops will continue to leverage actionable intelligence, intensify offensive operations and strengthen collaboration with other security agencies and relevant partners to restore lasting peace, security and stability in the region.

The latest development adds to a series of operational successes recorded in recent months, including the rescue of kidnapped civilians, the destruction of terrorist camps, the recovery of arms and ammunition, and the surrender of dozens of insurgents.

Although security experts acknowledge the progress made by the armed forces, they caution that lasting peace will require sustained military operations, strengthened border security, effective intelligence sharing, community engagement and post-conflict stabilisation programmes to prevent terrorist groups from regrouping.

The Federal Government has repeatedly reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating terrorism and restoring normalcy across Nigeria’s North-East, maintaining that military operations will continue until all remaining terrorist cells are dismantled and displaced communities can safely return to their homes.

Army detains surrendered terrorist kingpins in Borno

Tragedy in Benue as Woman Allegedly Sets Boyfriend’s Two Daughters Ablaze Over Suspected Infidelity

ZAKI-BIAM, Benue State – A wave of shock and grief has engulfed the quiet community of Zaki-Biam in Ukum Local Government Area following the gruesome death of two young sisters, aged 4 and 6, who were allegedly set ablaze by their father’s girlfriend in a fit of jealousy.

The suspect, identified as Mbalumen Ikyenge, is currently in police custody after she reportedly locked the victims inside a hut and set it on fire late Sunday night, believing that her boyfriend, Aondoyima Ierkwagh, was harbouring another woman inside the premises.

According to eyewitness accounts, trouble began when Ikyenge visited her boyfriend’s residence and was asked to leave. She allegedly refused, insisting that another woman was hiding in the house. An argument ensued, but the boyfriend reportedly dismissed her claims and retired for the night.

However, around midnight, neighbours were jolted from sleep by the sight of flames and the sound of crackling fire coming from a thatched hut within the compound. It was later discovered that Ikyenge had set the structure ablaze, unaware that the only occupants inside were the boyfriend’s two young daughters—not the alleged rival she had been hunting for.

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The victims, whose names have not been released by authorities, suffered severe burns. They were immediately rushed to a nearby medical facility by sympathisers, but were pronounced dead on arrival due to the degree of their injuries.

Confirming the incident, the Benue State Police Command said the suspect was arrested shortly after the attack and has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for interrogation. A police source revealed that Ikyenge has made “statements implicating herself,” but has not yet offered a clear motive beyond suspicion of infidelity.

“We are treating this as a case of culpable homicide and arson,” the source said. “It is heartbreaking that two innocent children lost their lives because of an adult’s unfounded suspicion.”

The father of the deceased, Mr. Ierkwagh, was said to be inconsolable at the scene, wailing and blaming himself for the relationship that led to the tragic outcome. Community elders have condemned the act, describing it as “barbaric” and “unacceptable,” and have called for the full weight of the law to be brought against the suspect.

Local leaders have also urged the police to ensure a speedy investigation, while women’s groups in the area are using the tragedy to counsel couples on resolving disputes without resorting to violence.

As of press time, the police have not stated whether the suspect would be arraigned in court, but sources confirm that murder and arson charges are being prepared.

The bodies of the two sisters have been deposited at a morgue, pending autopsy and burial arrangements.

This tragic incident has once again cast a dark shadow over the growing spate of domestic violence in the region, leaving the community to mourn what many have called a “senseless and avoidable” loss of innocent life.

Tragedy in Benue as Woman Allegedly Sets Boyfriend’s Two Daughters Ablaze Over Suspected Infidelity