By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna

Troops of the 73 Battalion (Motorised), Operation HADIN KAI, have taken into custody a man suspected of being a member of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) after he reportedly surrendered in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State. Security sources said the suspect approached troops at about 6:47 p.m. on July 14 in the Cashew Plantation area during routine security operations.

According to the sources, the suspect told troops during preliminary interrogation that he was an ISWAP member from Warabe in Pulka, Gwoza Local Government Area, and had voluntarily surrendered. He also allegedly said he disposed of an AK-47 rifle in a river before making contact with the troops.

The sources further claimed that the suspect admitted to participating in three attacks on Delwa alongside other members of the armed group.Items recovered from him included a bicycle, a cutlass, a bicycle repair solution, a bicycle pump, a spoon and ₦6,500 in cash.

Military sources said the suspect remains in custody and is undergoing further investigation to obtain intelligence that could support ongoing counter-insurgency operations. Operation HADIN KAI has continued efforts to encourage the surrender of insurgents while conducting operations against armed groups in Nigeria’s North-East.

The Bayelsa State Government has unveiled Abdul Maikaba as the new Technical Adviser of Bayelsa United Football Club, charging him to lead the team back to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) this season. Maikaba was presented alongside his assistant, Elechi Ngozi, on Thursday at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa by Deputy Governor Dr. Peter Akpe, who represented Governor Douye Diri.

Akpe said Bayelsa United remains a key sporting institution in the state and noted that Maikaba’s appointment followed a merit-based selection process. He expressed confidence that the club could secure promotion within one season.”Our target is within this one season: go back to the Premier League,” the deputy governor said. Chairman of the club’s Interim Management Board, Dr. Peter Singabele, disclosed that Maikaba signed a one-year performance-based contract, describing him as an experienced coach with a proven record in Nigerian football.

In his remarks, Maikaba thanked the state government for the opportunity and pledged to work with the club’s management and supporters to achieve promotion. He highlighted previous achievements, including winning the 2013/14 NPFL title with Kano Pillars, lifting the FA Cup with Akwa United and guiding several clubs to promotion. He also said Bayelsa United would organise a pre-season tournament featuring 12 teams, including the eight quarter-finalists of the 2026 Prosperity Cup, to identify emerging talent.

By Abel Zwanke, Lafia

Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has launched a two-day training programme for more than 50 beneficiaries of the Sule Economic Empowerment Development Scheme (SEEDS), with each participant set to receive a solar-powered digital kiosk to support small businesses.

The training, organised by the Nasarawa State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, began on Tuesday in Akwanga as part of the state’s efforts to reduce youth unemployment, promote entrepreneurship and encourage self-reliance.

Represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Kwanta Yakubu, Governor Sule said the initiative was designed to equip young people with practical skills and business tools to create sustainable sources of income.”This scheme is designed to provide an enduring legacy in youth economic empowerment and poverty alleviation in Nasarawa State,” the governor said. He added that beneficiaries would undergo practical sessions at the Wing Commander Abdullahi Ibrahim Vocational and Training Institute in Lafia before receiving the kiosks.

Managing Director of Pinnacle Hi-Tech Kich Media Limited and Chief Consultant to the SEEDS project, John Uzor, said the kiosks would support services including digital payments, POS transactions, airtime and data sales, utility bill payments, examination registration, phone charging and other business activities.

According to the organisers, the workshop covers business management, customer relations, digital literacy and financial record-keeping. Resource persons were drawn from Pinnacle Hi-Tech Kich Media Limited, the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), MTN and Opay. Beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the initiative, pledging to use the kiosks to establish sustainable businesses and improve their livelihoods.