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El-Rufai Sues ICPC for ₦1bn Over Alleged Illegal Raid on Abuja Residence

Published

4 hours ago

February 23, 2026

Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai

El-Rufai Sues ICPC for ₦1bn Over Alleged Illegal Raid on Abuja Residence

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has instituted a ₦1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over the alleged unlawful invasion and search of his Abuja residence.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja, El-Rufai is asking the court to invalidate a search warrant issued on February 4 by a Chief Magistrate of the Magistrate’s Court of the FCT, describing it as defective, vague, and unconstitutional.

The former governor, through his legal team led by Oluwole Iyamu, argued that the warrant lacked specificity, contained material drafting and typographical errors, was overbroad, and was issued without probable cause, thereby violating his constitutional right to privacy under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

El-Rufai named the ICPC, the Chief Magistrate of the FCT Magistrate’s Court, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Attorney-General of the Federation as respondents in the suit.

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According to court documents, operatives of the ICPC and Nigeria Police Force allegedly invaded El-Rufai’s residence at House 12, Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Abuja, on February 19 at about 2:00 p.m., acting under the disputed warrant. He claimed the operation amounted to a gross violation of his fundamental rights, including the right to dignity of the human person, personal liberty, fair hearing, and privacy, as guaranteed under Sections 34, 35, 36, and 37 of the Constitution.

The former governor further urged the court to rule that any evidence obtained during the search is inadmissible, having been procured through an illegal and unconstitutional process. He also sought an injunction restraining the respondents from relying on, using, or tendering any items seized during the operation.

As part of his reliefs, El-Rufai demanded ₦1 billion in damages, broken down into ₦300 million as compensatory damages for psychological trauma and emotional distress, ₦400 million as exemplary damages to deter future misconduct by law enforcement agencies, and ₦300 million as aggravated damages for what he described as the malicious, high-handed, and oppressive conduct of the respondents. He also requested ₦100 million as cost of litigation, covering legal fees and associated expenses.

In his legal arguments, Iyamu maintained that the warrant violated provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, particularly Sections 143–148, as well as Section 36 of the ICPC Act, 2000. He argued that the warrant failed to clearly describe the items to be seized, was improperly addressed, and lacked the sworn information required to justify its issuance.

An affidavit in support of the application, deposed to by Mohammed Shaba, stated that officers involved in the raid did not submit themselves for search, seized personal documents and electronic devices, and have failed to return the items. He added that the incident caused humiliation, distress, and psychological trauma to the former governor.

The case is expected to test the limits of search-and-seizure powers of anti-graft and law enforcement agencies, as well as reinforce judicial scrutiny over the use of search warrants in high-profile investigations.

El-Rufai Sues ICPC for ₦1bn Over Alleged Illegal Raid on Abuja Residence

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Ten Killed in Coordinated Bandit Attacks in Plateau

Published

1 hour ago

February 23, 2026

Trends Admin

Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Olugbemiga Adesina

Ten Killed in Coordinated Bandit Attacks in Plateau

Fresh violence rocked Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State on Sunday night, leaving at least 10 people dead in coordinated attacks on Jol and Dorowa Babuje (Rob District) communities. Local leaders confirmed the assaults occurred between 8:00 pm and 9:00 pm, sparking fear and outrage among residents.

The National President of the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYMA), Barrister Solomon Dalyop, told reporters that nine people were killed in Dorowa Babuje, while one person died in Jol. He said the attackers arrived on motorcycles from the Manga axis in Jol, despite prior warnings to security agencies about suspicious movements.

Operation Rainbow, Plateau State’s specialized security outfit, was already deployed in Jol and successfully repelled the attackers, helping to limit casualties. In Dorowa Babuje, the assailants were reported to have emerged from the Jong-Wereh area, where they had allegedly been camping for some time. Dalyop praised the swift intervention of the military, which prevented the death toll from rising further.

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Efforts to obtain an official statement from the Plateau State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the Public Relations Officer, Alfred Alabo, did not respond to calls. The Nigeria Police is yet to issue a formal comment on the attacks.

The attacks come amid a disturbing pattern of insecurity in Riyom and surrounding areas, which have recently experienced repeated night raids, ambushes, and community displacement. Residents are now demanding a sustained security presence and long-term peacebuilding measures to prevent further bloodshed.

In the aftermath, youths and community leaders blocked major highways leading to Jos on Monday, protesting the killings and urging authorities to apprehend the perpetrators. Demonstrators warned that they would not clear the roads until action is taken to secure their communities.

The latest violence underscores the urgent need for enhanced security strategies, intelligence-driven policing, and federal-state collaboration to protect residents in Plateau State’s most vulnerable communities.

Ten Killed in Coordinated Bandit Attacks in Plateau

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Police Dislodge Bandit Camps, Arrest Gunrunners in Kaduna

Published

1 hour ago

February 23, 2026

Trends Admin

Police Dislodge Bandit Camps, Arrest Gunrunners in Kaduna

The Kaduna State Police Command has achieved major operational successes in the last two weeks, including the dislodgement of bandit camps, the arrest of suspected gunrunners, and the seizure of illegal firearms and narcotics, officials confirmed at a press briefing on Monday.

State Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, said the operations were intelligence‑led and conducted across Kajuru, Tafa, Igabi, and Kauru Local Government Areas. Several bandit camps were destroyed, with some suspects neutralised during firefights and others escaping with injuries.

He also revealed that the police recovered a range of illegal weapons, including:

Three AK‑47 rifles
21 fabricated firearms
One sub‑machine gun (SMG)
Two English pistols and four fabricated pistols
Large quantities of hard drugs

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Muhammad highlighted the arrest of five suspected notorious gunrunners. On February 20, the Anti‑Kidnapping Unit apprehended a suspect from Jaji, Igabi LGA, who had six fabricated AK‑47 rifles, three revolvers, two pistols, seven AK‑47 magazines, and a pair of black Wellco boots. A second suspect from Unguwar Rogo, Jos North, was also taken into custody. Preliminary investigations show the suspects are involved in illegal arms fabrication and supply, fueling criminal activities within and beyond the state.

Earlier, on February 17, police intercepted three suspects at Kasuwan Magani in connection with an illegal arms transaction. Recovered items included one fabricated AK‑47 rifle and a pump-action gun.

The commissioner emphasized that the successes reflect the command’s commitment to proactive, intelligence-driven policing aimed at cutting the supply chain of illegal arms and dismantling criminal networks linked to banditry and violent crimes.

Muhammad further appreciated the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for leadership support, the Kaduna State Government for logistics assistance, and members of the public for providing credible intelligence, saying:

“Together, we shall ensure that Kaduna State remains secure for all law-abiding citizens.”

Police Dislodge Bandit Camps, Arrest Gunrunners in Kaduna

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BREAKING: Panic at MMIA as Fire Breaks Out at Old Terminal

Published

1 hour ago

February 23, 2026

Trends Admin

Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA)

BREAKING: Panic at MMIA as Fire Breaks Out at Old Terminal

A fire outbreak on Monday rocked the old terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, triggering panic among passengers and airport workers.

The incident, which occurred during peak operational hours, saw thick smoke billowing from a section of the terminal building, forcing travellers and staff to evacuate parts of the facility.

Eyewitnesses said the situation created confusion as passengers hurriedly moved away from the affected area while airport officials directed them to safer locations within the premises.

Officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed that emergency response teams, including the airport fire service unit, were immediately deployed to the scene.

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According to sources at the airport, firefighters were able to contain the blaze before it spread to other sections of the terminal. There were no immediate reports of casualties as of press time.

Although the exact cause of the fire had not been officially disclosed, preliminary information suggested it may have originated from one of the service or administrative sections of the old terminal.

The incident reportedly caused temporary disruption to passenger processing and flight operations, with some activities briefly suspended as safety checks were carried out.

FAAN assured passengers and members of the public that the situation had been brought under control and that a thorough investigation would be conducted to determine the cause of the fire and assess the extent of damage.

Further updates are expected from airport authorities as operations gradually return to normal.