News
Kefas Inaugurates Taraba Security Advisory Committee
By Aga Samuel Imoter, Jalingo
Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, on Wednesday inaugurated the Taraba State Security Advisory Committee, a high-level independent body established to strengthen the state’s security architecture through intelligence-led strategies, conflict prevention and enhanced collaboration among security stakeholders.
The committee was inaugurated at the Banquet Hall of TY Danjuma House in Jalingo and is expected to provide timely, evidence-based advice to the state government on security issues as part of efforts to consolidate peace and respond effectively to emerging threats.
Speaking at the inauguration, Governor Kefas said the establishment of the committee demonstrates his administration’s commitment to institutionalising a proactive and sustainable security framework anchored on intelligence gathering, early warning systems, community participation and inter-agency collaboration.
“The establishment of this committee underscores our determination to build a security system anchored on intelligence gathering, early warning mechanisms, community participation and seamless collaboration among all relevant agencies,” the governor said.
He explained that the committee would strengthen intelligence coordination, promote community-based security initiatives, deepen cooperation between security agencies and government institutions, and recommend practical measures to address evolving security challenges.
Kefas urged members of the committee to carry out their responsibilities with patriotism, professionalism and integrity, stressing that confidentiality and objectivity should guide their work.
“Your recommendations must always reflect the collective interest of Taraba State. The security, peace and stability of our people should take precedence over every personal, political or sectional consideration,” he added.
Responding on behalf of the committee, its chairman, Jonathan Kure, thanked the governor for the confidence reposed in the members and pledged their commitment to supporting the administration’s efforts to sustain peace and security across the state.
Kure described the committee as an important platform that would complement the work of security agencies by providing strategic advice on emerging security threats.
Also speaking, the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Gebon Timothy Kataps, said security remains a top priority of the Kefas administration, noting that the government has continued to invest in operational equipment and logistics to strengthen the capacity of security agencies.
He recalled that the Zonal Security Consultative Team recently toured all 16 local government areas of the state, engaging traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders to identify local security concerns and recommend community-driven solutions.
According to Kataps, the newly inaugurated advisory committee will build on those engagements by providing strategic policy direction, strengthening intelligence coordination and fostering closer collaboration among government institutions, security agencies and local communities.
He said the inauguration marks another milestone in the state government’s broader security reform agenda aimed at institutionalising intelligence-led governance, improving inter-agency coordination and creating a safer environment for investment, economic growth and sustainable development.
Details of the committee’s operational framework, reporting schedule and implementation mechanisms were not disclosed at the inauguration.
News
WAEC releases 2026 WASSCE certificates on digital platform
By Abigail David
The West African Examinations Council has announced that the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination for School Candidates certificates are now available on its Digital Certificate Platform.
WAEC made this known in a post on its official X handle on Friday, urging candidates to access their certificates through the platform.
“The 2026 WASSCE for School candidate Certificate is now available for access on the WAEC Digital Certificate Platform,” the examination body said.
Candidates can access, download and share their certificates through the platform by visiting the official WAEC website or using the WAEC Digital Certificate mobile application.
The digital certificate platform provides two categories of access: Certificate Access, for individuals who want to view, download or share their certificates, and Certificate Confirmation, for institutions and organisations seeking to verify candidates’ certificates.
How to access WAEC certificate online
To access the 2026 WASSCE certificate online, candidates should:
- Visit the official WAEC website and access the Digital Certificate Platform.
- Select Certificate Access.
- Provide the required examination details and identification information.
- Complete the verification process, including any OTP authentication where required.
- View and download the digital certificate.
- Save the certificate securely or share it with institutions that require it.
WAEC also advised candidates to use its official digital certificate application, available on the Google Play Store, to access their certificates.
The certificate platform is separate from the WAEC result-checking portal, which candidates use to check their examination results.
The development comes after WAEC released the results of the 2026 WASSCE for School Candidates. WAEC said 1,950,726 candidates sat for the examination, with 1,200,514 candidates, representing 61.54 per cent, obtaining credits and above in at least five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.
The 2026 examination was conducted between April 21 and June 19, 2026, with candidates across more than 24,200 secondary schools participating.
News
Bandits Attack Kaduna Millennium City, Kill Vigilante, Abduct Woman, Son
By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Armed bandits, in large numbers, have again reportedly launched an attack, killing a local vigilante, Mustapha Baba, and abducting a woman and her son at Kyauta, Millennium City, in Kaduna State.
The brother of the deceased, Yusuf Baba, who confirmed the incident on his social media handle, said Mustapha Baba was shot by the bandits during the attack and rushed to Barau Dikko Specialist Hospital, Kaduna, where he later died on Wednesday night.
The terrorist group reportedly attacked a house located near the popular Mai-Rago Friday Mosque in the area.
According to a family source, the attackers demanded to see the owner of the house but later abducted his wife and son when they could not find the main target.
Series of attacks
It was gathered that the incident is the latest in a series of attacks targeting Kyauta and other communities within Millennium City.
A previous attack was reported at the Police Estate in Baban Saura, where five residents were reportedly abducted.
During a recent security meeting, residents of Millennium City appealed to the Kaduna State Government and security agencies to improve road access to some parts of the community as part of efforts to address insecurity.
Stakeholders demand action
The Chairman of the Millennium City Security, Development and Enhancement Forum and Chairman of Katukan Danhonu Community, Alhaji Abu Mohammed, said stakeholders had identified the completion of the Eastern Bypass road project as a top priority, describing the abandoned road and bridge construction as a major challenge to effective security operations in the area.
The stakeholders urged the Federal Government to expedite work on the Eastern Bypass and complete the bridge to improve accessibility for security agencies, facilitate the movement of heavy-duty vehicles and ensure prompt emergency response to security threats.
They also called for the deployment of additional police and military personnel, as well as more sophisticated security equipment, to strengthen the capacity of security agencies to combat banditry and protect communities in the area.
Police yet to comment
The police had yet to issue any official statement regarding the attack as at the time of filing this report on Thursday.
News
Gov Sule Commends DSS, Other Security Agencies Over Rescue of Kidnapped Victims in Nasarawa State

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, has lauded the Department of State Services (DSS), for rescuing kidnapped victims and dislodging a criminal camp on the outskirts of Atabula village, Aloshi District, Obi LGA of the state.
Governor Sule spoke on the heels of the recent rescue, by DSS operatives, of one Joseph Obagwu, who had gone to secure the release of his son, Samuel Olom Obagwu, a student of the Federal University of Lafia (FULAFIA).
DSS officers had on the same Tuesday arrested three members of the kidnap syndicate at Gidigidi Hotel, behind Shinge Market in Lafia LGA. The suspects were identified as Abdullahi Musa, Titus Baka Fidelis, and Sani Adamu.
It was revealed that Adamu had received ₦200,000 from the victim’s family, as part of the ransom demanded by the syndicate.
Governor Sule described the arrests as a demonstration of the effectiveness and dedication of the security agencies, urging them to sustain the momentum and remain resolute in the fight against criminal elements.
He appealed to citizens to remain vigilant and provide timely, credible and useful information to security agencies, stressing that collective vigilance and cooperation are essential to maintaining peace and security in the state.
Also commending the DSS, the traditional ruler of Duduguru community, in Jenkwe Development Area of Obi Local Government Area (LGA) of Nasarawa State, Chief Pius Ogu, said the rescue operations had brought huge relief to his community.
He disclosed that the elder Obagwu was abducted after paying Two million Naira ransom for the release of his son, a FULAFIA student who was earlier kidnapped on August 11, 2026.
“The kidnappers released the son and took in the father as replacement,” disclosed the traditional ruler.
He continued, “the DSS operatives, apparently acting on credible intelligence,stormed the kidnappers’ camp in the early hours of Tuesday, forcing them to flee into nearby bushes. In the process, they successfully rescued the victim, Joseph Obagwu, who had been held hostage since August 15, 2026. The operatives thereafter razed the criminals’ camp”.
He added that the suspects are currently in custody for interrogation,” stressing that the rescue and arrest had brought so much relief to his community.
“We used to hear that the DSS has been unrelenting in its effort to wipe out kidnapping and other forms of violent crimes across the country. We witnessed this first hand, and are very happy for it.
“As the agency continues to deploy a combination of intelligence-driven operations, sustained surveillance, and strategic collaboration with sister security agencies to track down perpetrators and dismantle their hideouts, we, the citizens pledge our support to help them continue on this great path,” he declared.
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