Gumi’s Son, Ahmed, Eyes Seat At Kaduna Assembly, Set To Contest In 2027

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February 23, 2026

By Ayodele Oni

Bowing to call to serve from his Constituency, Mubarak Ahmad-Gumi, a son of Kaduna-based Islamic cleric Ahmad Gumi, has declared his intention to contest for a seat in the Kaduna State House of Assembly in 2027.

He said he will run on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) to represent the Doka/Gabasawa constituency in Kaduna State.

According to him, the decision followed repeated calls from people in the constituency who urged him to step forward and seek elective office.

Mubarak Ahmad-Gumi currently works as a legislative aide to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.

He explained that his role in the National Assembly has given him practical knowledge of how laws are made and how government policies affect citizens.

He believes this experience has prepared him for the demands of serving as a lawmaker at the state level.

He also spoke about the need for young Nigerians to move beyond discussions on social media and become directly involved in politics.

In his view, many young people have the skills, ideas and exposure needed to contribute to governance.

He said the country’s growing youth population should be guided through informed decisions and the use of technology to solve problems.

On his reason for seeking office, he said his plan is built on service and responsibility.

He wants to be accessible to the people of Doka/Gabasawa and ensure that their concerns are presented clearly in the state assembly.

He added that representation should be practical and focused on real issues affecting communities.

Describing the present political climate, he said the country is at a point where older leaders and younger citizens must work together.

He compared the process to a gradual change, where new ideas steadily join existing experience.

According to him, youth participation should not be seen as a struggle for control but as consistent involvement that leads to balanced leadership over time.

Mubarak Ahmad-Gumi holds a degree in Management Information Systems with a minor in Public Administration from the University of Sharjah.

He is also studying for a Master’s degree in Data Analysis and Statistics at the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna.

PENGASSAN To FG: Sell 51 Percent Shares In NNPCL, Executive Order Not The Solution

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James Orji

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February 23, 2026

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In the aftermath of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Executive Order to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL to pay all oil and gas revenues to the Federation Account, President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, Festus Osifo has called on the federal government to diversify interests from the state owned refineries.

Following the president’s last week order, not a few Nigerians insist that the action will reduce corruption in the government -controlled oil company, regarded by many as a cesspit of corruption.

The PENGASSAN president said the only way out of the current inefficiency and corruption in the state-owned oil firm, is for the government to sell 51 percent stakes to investors, saying the same model has worked in the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Company, NLNG.

The magazine had earlier reported that the union had warned that over 4000 jobs risk being lost because of the Executive Order.

Reaffirming the Union’s position on the issue, Osifo, who spoke on Channels Television programme, Sunday Politics yesterday said the solutions to NNPCL current problem is for the federal government to sell 51 percent stakes in the refineries to investors who have the capacity to turn them around.

The sale, Osifo said, should not be politicised or made to favour cronies of those in government.

He stressed that the inefficiency in the refineries is because they are under state control, saying the federal government should hands off more that half of its stakes, and become a minority shareholder.

The four NNPCL owned refineries are currently comatose despite past efforts by the government to make them work.

“ The government should take a minority stake in the refinery and sell the majority stake,” Osifo said.

“At least, the government should sell a minimum of 51 per cent to investors. And these investors should be refiners. They shouldn’t just be portfolio investors or politicians or friends of the political class.

“But sell at least 51% of this refinery, you sell it to refiners. So we are not against the government selling a majority stake in the refinery.”

He said new investors will be able to make sound decisions, capable of driving the refineries to profitability.

He said, “So when they are making decisions, their decisions are not subjected to any political whims and caprices. That is actually what we have advocated. The government should divest its interest in the refineries and allow a minimum of 51 per cent of its shareholding.

“Give it to private investors, let them invest, and allow them to come around the refineries. The advantage of it is that it will not be politicised. Businessmen will make business decisions that will impact and help them make a profit. That has been our position.

“Thank God, that is the direction this new NNPC management has said they are driving it to bring in investors and divest from it. But they should not sell it 100 per cent. The reason is because of energy security.”

Obi Urges JAMB to Act, Says Students Must Not Pay for System Failures

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The Source

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February 23, 2026

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Former presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has called on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to urgently address the difficulties faced by candidates registering for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, warning that students must not suffer because of administrative shortcomings.

Obi raised the concern after observing large crowds and confusion at JAMB’s office in Amawbia, Anambra State, noting that similar reports have emerged from other parts of the country. The situation, he said, appears linked to the proscription of several Computer-Based Test centres over alleged infractions.

While acknowledging that authorities may have legitimate reasons to sanction erring centres, Obi urged the examination body to adopt a more balanced and humane approach. He suggested that centres under investigation could be permitted to offer limited services under strict monitoring to prevent further violations.

He further recommended that, where the approval of new centres may take time, JAMB could temporarily utilise previously approved centres under close supervision to reduce the pressure on state offices.

With the registration deadline approaching, Obi warned that many candidates – some travelling long distances and even spending nights away from home – risk missing the examination through no fault of their own.

“Students cannot be made to suffer the failings of a system to which we have all, in one way or another, contributed,” he stated, calling for swift and compassionate intervention to ensure that no young person’s academic future is jeopardised by avoidable administrative bottlenecks.

FCT Council Election: PDP Heads To Court, Alleges Manipulation

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James Orji

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February 23, 2026

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The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has disclosed that it’s prepared to challenge the FCT Council elections results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. The opposition part has therefore constituted a special legal team , headed by its National Legal Adviser, Shafi Bara’u, Esq to challenge the results in the court.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, said in a statement on Sunday that the PDP was not satisfied with the outcome of the election, accusing election officials and security agencies of compromising the election to favour the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

The ruling party, according to the results announced by the Prof. Amupitan-led had declared APC winner of five Councils, while tPC won the Abuja Municipal Area Council,

The APC based on the rsults announced by INEC, won in Abaji, Bwari, Kwali and Kujehe Council areas.

But the PDP said the election was compromised, and as such will seek redress in the court of law. The party also congratulated the only PDP candidate that emerged winner in the Chairmanship election, Mohammed Kasim, saying the party is happy because its candidate won despite alleged manipulation and fraud, including cases of vote buying which took place during the election.

“We specifically congratulate the chairman-elect of Gwagwalada Area Council, Mohammed Kasim, and the councillors who have been declared successful by the Independent National Electoral Commission,” the party said.

“This victory, though less in number than we anticipated, is particularly gladdening because it is against the background of unprecedented intimidation, high-powered money politics and brazen executive brigandage.

“Reports and video evidence abound where armed security personnel were used to cart away result sheets at polling units, intimidate voters and unduly influence the outcome of the elections.

“The incredible voter apathy in these polls is a direct response to the anti-people Electoral Act 2026, where the people have completely lost faith in electoral outcomes conducted under this Act.

“These local council polls may just be a foreshadowing of the forthcoming general elections in 2027 if changes are not urgently made.”

Apart from the FCT, the ruling APC also recorded victories in the bye elections conducted by INEC in Rivers and Kano states last Saturday.

Electoral Act: Bugaje Says NASS Has Lost Credibility

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James Orji

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February 23, 2026

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Former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Vice Chairman of the North West Usman Bugaje has knocked the National Assembly over the recently passed 2026 Electoral Act. The Act, the magazine reports, was passed last week and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had gone ahead to assent to it despite complaints by not a few Nigerians that it fell short of their expectations.

Critics of the new Act have criticized the Nigerian Senate and House of representatives for excluding the clause requiring real-time electronic transmission of election results. But Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in his reaction last week disclosed that what the National Assembly passed reflected the true aspirations of many Nigerians.

But speaking on Channels Television programme, Sunday Politics the former PDP chieftain said the lawmakers have disappointed Nigerians and lost credibility as an institution.

Bugaje while also reacting to the remark of Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, to the effect that the decision of the Senate was based on the results of the consultations it held with many Nigerians, said the comment of the former Lagos State Commissioner for Information was untrue, saying what the NASS passed was clearly a departure from the demands of Nigerians.

He accused the lawmakers of introducing ambiguity into the Electoral Act instead of acceding to the demands of many Nigerians for a real-time transmission of election results.

“I don’t agree with the position of the Senate Leader, Senate Opeyemi Bamidele. And I don’t think Nigerians agree with his position,” Bugaje said.

Adding “It is very sad that someone of his standing would speak in this manner. Is he assuming that Nigerians do not know what happened in the Senate? His own colleagues came out chanting ‘APC ole.’ The cameras were there. Nigerians saw it. You cannot insult our intelligence by pretending otherwise.

“The Senate resisted mandatory real-time electronic transmission of results. When pressure mounted, they introduced ambiguity instead of clarity. These things happened in full public view.

“Before this, there was the issue of the tax law, the version signed was reportedly different from what was passed. A committee was set up. Till today, Nigerians have heard nothing about that committee.

“So when the National Assembly has already lost credibility, what reason do we have to simply believe verbal assurances?

“Nigerians have consistently demanded mandatory real-time electronic transmission of results. Eight years ago, institutions responsible for communications infrastructure confirmed 93 percent network coverage and that was during the era of 3G and 4G. Today, we have 5G.

“Bandits in remote forests upload videos on TikTok. So what infrastructure excuse are we talking about? INEC itself said during public hearings that it is ready for real-time electronic transmission. So what exactly is the problem? Unless the intention is to rig,” Bugaje contended.

After signing the bill into law last week, President Tinubu said the country was not ready for real-time transmission of election results, because of internet infrastructure deficit, stressing that election results could also be hacked online.

NAF Strategic To Nigeria’s Maritime Security – NIMASA DG

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James Orji

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February 23, 2026

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The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola is seeking enhanced cooperation between the Agency and the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, with the aim of strengthening tactical air support within the Deep Blue project.

Dr Mobereola said this during a courtesy visit to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall S. K. Aneke at the NAF Headquarters in Abuja on Friday. He emphasized the role of the Air Force as a strategic partner in enhancing maritime security in Nigeria and sustaining the momentum of the Deep Blue Project’s success.

According to the DG, “we are here to seek the Air Force’s support given the importance of tactical air surveillance to the Deep Blue Project. Nigeria is the only African country with the record of zero piracy within the last 4 years. The Deep Blue Project platforms have been used to achieve zero piracy and sea robberies in the Gulf of Guinea and we need your collaboration to sustain this momentum”.

Dr. Mobereola further emphasized that international trade depends on security, which is why vessels prefer to go to or transit through countries where they are secured. “With the traffic we have now, we need to show more security might through collaboration to strengthen our trade viability because of the risks attached to our route. We need these collaborations to sustain what we have achieved so far with the Deep Blue Project”.

The NIMASA DG expressed hope that the collaboration with the Nigeria Air Force will reduce response time.

On his part, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall S.K. Aneke noted that the Air Force desires to be “a very supportive and collaborative partner with NIMASA and is ready to match the Agency step by step and side by side to achieve the desired results.”

He noted that “collaboration between NIMASA and the Nigerian Air Force under the Deep Blue Project can be strengthened through a joint strategic framework, integrated command structures, and a standing steering committee to ensure shared objectives and accountability. Establishing a joint maritime domain awareness fusion cell will enable real-time intelligence sharing, synchronized surveillance, and faster response to maritime threats and ensure sustained operational effectiveness across Nigeria’s territorial waters and exclusive economic zone.

The Air Force Chief added that the Air Force can also support NIMASA outside the Deep Blue Project operations by providing its own ISR platforms, tactical air support, and rapid airborne deployment for interdictions and search and rescue missions.

While thanking the NIMASA DG for the basic trainings the Agency has provided the aircraft pilots under the Deep Blue Project, Air Marshall Aneke also highlighted areas of operational challenges needing NIMASA’s attention to include bridging the communication gap between NAF operators and NIMASA, higher level and in-depth maintenance trainings, readily available fueling of aircrafts to avoid delays on missions, and provision of flying kits among others.

Aneke therefore pledged the Air Forces’s collaboration and assured that the request by NIMASA has been noted and that things will begin to move at thrice its speed going forward

President Tinubu Hails Wike, Attributes APC’s Victory In FCT Council Polls To Him

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Adesina Soyooye

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February 23, 2026

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By Adesina Soyooye

Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, should go ahead and walk with a swagger, like there are springs attached to his heels.

In the heat and controversy which followed his conduct during the Council Poll Election in the FCT – touring polling booths, declaring a 22-hour curfew, President Bola Tinubu has praised him to high heavens and expressed pride in the Minister’s conduct.

In a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Presidential Adviser on Information and Strategy, where President Tinubu also lauded the conduct of by-elections in Rivers and Kano States, praised the Independent National Electoral Commission, Security Agencies, and commended the winners, the President attributed the unprecedented victory of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the FCT Council Polls to Minister Wike.

He said the Minister’s achievement in the FCT, yielded political dividends to the APC for which it came out victorious in the Council Polls even though Wike is not of the APC.

Said Onanuga: “President Tinubu commends the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for his remarkable achievements in the territory, which have yielded political dividends to the governing All Progressives Congress (APC).

“The President congratulates the APC national leadership, Kano and Rivers leaderships, and all members of the party on the victories at the polls.

“President Tinubu lauds the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and voters for the peaceful and successful conduct of the elections.

“He further commends the courage and discipline displayed by all the contestants, stating that democracy is enriched with the vibrancy of participation and competition.”

In the election held on Saturday, February 21, APC won in five out of the six Local FCT Councils. And the Peoples Democratic Party, just to show that it is still breathing, in coma as it is, won one Local Council – Gwagwalada.

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, turned out a huge disappointment as it won none.

“Wike Interfered With FCT Council Election” – TMG, CISLAC

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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February 22, 2026

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Thumbs down FCT, Kano, Rivers Polls

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, and its partner, Transition Monitoring Group, TMG, have warned against the continued erosion of public confidence and trust in Nigeria’s electoral process and democratic order.

This is as they roundly condemned what they described as widespread subtle manipulations and political interference by political actors, and general voters apathy that characterized last weekend’s FCT council polls ,and by-elections in Kano and Rivers states.

The advocacy groups also raised serious concern over logistical shortcomings and other inadequacies that dogged the conduct of the elections.

In a statement on Sunday February 22, 2026, from Executive Director Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, CISLAC and TMG, while acknowledging the peaceful nature of the polls, however decried the existence of several avoidable challenges, which, in the end, marred the exercise.

Nyesom Wike - FCT Minister — **Nyesom Wike.**

Particularly, the group condemned the disturbing incident of political interference and manipulation of the polls, warning that such dangerous anti-democratic postures have tended to undermine, and even erode public trust in the system.

The Civil Society groups blamed the growing trend of voter apathy, and low turn out of voters, during last weekend election on lack of public confidence and trust.

According to CISLAC/TMG, when citizens no longer turn out to exercise their civic responsibilities, then, it is no longer an election, but a selection process.

The groups expressed serious concern that during last weekend polls, voter turnout was generally low, with many polling units recording abysmal participation.

According to them, in some polling units, there were reported cases of as small as only ten voters turning up to exercise their civic duties.

They warned that persistent voter apathy and unchecked growing public distrust, have the dangerous potential of threatening the nation’s democracy.

The advocacy groups also emphasized the challenges that were faced during the exercise including late deployment.of electoral personnel and materials, leading to the disenfranchisement of not a few voters.

According to them, there were widespread instances of voter suppression, particularly against women and the vulnerable groups, most especially in high-density areas.

According to the advocacy groups, there were many documented cases of women and the elderly being subjected to economic intimidation with a view to discouraging them from participating in the elections.

The groups expressed serious disappointment with the conduct of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister Nyesom Wike, who it accused of interference in the conduct of the FCT Council polls.

The civil society groups noted that the Minister’s presence at several polling units during the election was intended to, and successfully intimidated voters and even electoral officials.

They described the visit as patently inappropriate, and anti-democratic, insisting that the development greatly undermined the credibility of the exercise.

According to CISLAC/TMG, the Minister being not a registered voter in the FCT, with no clearly assigned constitutional role in the conduct of the polls, was not supposed to be seen within the polling units.

The groups, therefore, urged President Tinubu to, as a matter of urgent importance, educate Government officials on the need to refrain from actions capable of eroding public trust and confidence in the country’s electoral process.

They expressed the fears that the continued interference and manipulation of by public officials may in the end weaken both domestic and international confidence in the credibility of future elections in the country.

This is as groups once again condemned the imposition of curfew, particularly on the FCT before, and during the elections.

They attributed the long period of movement restrictions, as part of the reasons for the general low voter turnout witnessed during the exercise.

Citing reports from election observers, they noted that many voters could not vote because of their inability to access their polling unitswhich were arbitrarily relocated .

“Incidents of vote-buying were also observed in some areas, underscoring the continued vulnerability of the electoral process to monetary inducement” CISLAC/TMG noted .

The groups called on INEC to conduct the collation and declaration of results with the highest standards of integrity , transparency ,and professionalism ..

They equally urged security agencies to ensure that their operatives assigned election duties operate strictly within the confines of extant rules and regulations .

Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway: HITECH Has Conquered The Obstacles – Umahi

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Adesina Soyooye

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February 22, 2026

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Dave Umahi - Works Minister — Engr. Dave Umahi

By Adesina Soyooye

No other construction company can bear the cost HITECH has borne without asking for a review

The Minister for Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has disclosed that Section One of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, will be commissioned in May 2026.

Umahi gave this assurance on Saturday, February 21, 2026, when he inspected the project, just as the Federal Government has doubled its effort on the strategic coastal corridor which links Lagos to the South-South and South-East.

The progress recorded so far on the legacy project, Umahi said, shows the determination of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to deliver transformative infrastructure even with the difficult terrain and environmental challenges.

Umahi noted that deep soil conditions, which have pits reaching over 20 metres, tested engineering limits but were successfully handled by HITECH.

In a statement issued by Francis Nwaze, Minister Umahi’s Senior special Assistant on Media, the Minister said:

“We have no doubt that a man who worked with a very courageous President to tame the Atlantic Ocean can always subdue the challenges we have on this coastal route.

“Well, the section where we are is not the most challenging section of this route. This is section one, chainage 34.

“What we are seeing here is not different from what we saw in chainage 18.

“From the data from HITECH, the pit here is twenty meters deep, an average of 18 to 21 meters deep here and at chainage 18, we had about 22 meters deep of pit, and so HITECH conquered it.“

Umahi praised the resilience and commitment of HITECH Construction Company, and explained that unexpected soil discoveries were being addressed at the contractor’s cost, without any upward review of the project sum.

He said: “No other contractor can bear this kind of risk. You have proven that you are not working for money, but for the success of the country.”

The Minister said that the 3-kilometre stretch currently under inspection is nearing completion, with sub-filling expected to be concluded within days. Once opened, motorists will be able to drive seamlessly from Ahmadu Bello Way through Lekki, with access extending toward the Dangote Refinery axis as work progresses on Section Two.

“So this section which is about 3km, I’ve been told that in the next seven days, the entire sub-filling will be done, and then the entire road will be open to traffic. So you can drive all the way from Ahmadu Bello down to Lekki without stopping.

“And of course, section two, you can go much ahead of that, even up to Dangote Refinery. And so the deal is that by May, we want to have section one commissioned, but we have an issue. And the issue is, can I take the risk of saying to HITECH, this three kilometer that is a big issue, because at chainage 18, we had to expose that section to rain for 6 months. And so using lumps, using one-inch stone base and sharp sand, we were able to consolidate that place within six months.

“But this one is not passing through the rainy season, and so I now have a choice to say, you must put the concrete before the end of April, and that will be my risk but I won’t bear that because we can’t open this project to increase the cost.

“So what we are doing is, by the month of March, we will now do our consolidation test and see what it looks like. And by the month of April, if we have good consolidation, then we will put our CRCP within two weeks and then commission by the 20th May.”

Umahi also noted and condemned the vandalism along the corridor, especially, the cutting of metal fences and dumping of refuse into manholes. He warned that such acts endanger lives and infrastructure. The Minister lauded security agencies for their vigilance and emphasised that offenders would be prosecuted.

“And to address the issue of vandalization, the issue of cutting our beautiful metal fence, the issue of opening the manholes and dumping refuse there, I thank the Commissioner of Police, I thank the Inspector General of Police, I thank your commitment. I’ve seen a number of vehicles. Anyone that is caught should be charged to court immediately. We have our seven-man SAN that will take up any litigation about this route.

“And for the manhole, we have to find a way of temporarily seal it so that they can’t easily open it. But we have a duty to talk to our people. It is satanic for people to cut the metal fence. It is satanic for people to open the manhole and dump refuse there.

“This is not about the President alone. It’s not about HITECH or the Ministry of Works. It’s about the development of Nigeria.”

Section two Umahi said is, also, expected to be delivered before the end of the year. All bridges across both sections, he said, are projected for completion by April 2027.

“Some people are not happy because they thought we were going to fail. They thought the President would fail. But when God brings you on board, there’s no power that can bring you down.

“This President has eight years to retake our country. And so those who are not happy should go and complain to God. You can see all the indices for our macroeconomy: the stability of the naira, our foreign reserve at $49b, inflation down to about 15%. These are not magical.”

ACP Abubakar Balteh Dies In Road Crash

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Adesina Soyooye

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February 22, 2026

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By Adesina Soyooye

The Nigerian Police Force has lost one of its officers.

Assistant Police Commissioner, Abubakar Balteh has died in a vehicle accident.

Until his tragic death, ACP Balteh was in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) at the Borno State Command.

According to the announcement by the Borno State Command, ACP Balteh died on Saturday following the vehicle accident.

The Command in a statement expressed deep regret over the loss, and described the late officer as a dedicated and diligent professional who served the force with commitment until his passing.

The Command’s statement was signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso on behalf of the Commissioner of Police.

“Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un,” which translates to “Indeed, we belong to Allah and indeed to Him we shall return.”

The Command did not, however, disclose the circumstances surrounding the accident but noted that further information, including burial arrangements, would be communicated later.

He said ACP Balteh’s death “marks a significant loss to the Command, particularly to the Criminal Investigation Department, where he played a key leadership role in overseeing investigations and maintaining law and order within the state.”