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NSCDC Accuses Police of Shielding Illegal Miners, Seeks Probe
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has petitioned the senate over the alleged shooting of its mining marshals by police officers and the obstruction of efforts to prosecute illegal miners arrested in Nasarawa state.
In the petition addressed to the committee on ethics, privileges and public petitions, John Onoja Attah, commander of the mining marshals, alleged that officers from the force intelligence department (FID) of the police attempted to derail ongoing court cases involving illegal mining operations at Rafin Gabas in Kokona LGA.
“The senate committee is humbly requested to intervene in the police’s deliberate spreading of falsehood and obstruction of prosecution of illegal miners arrested at Rafin Gabas,” the petition reads.
Attah said his team arrested some suspected illegal miners, including one Ali Tanko and several Chinese nationals on 25 October 2024, after receiving a petition from Capital Apex Synergy Global Limited, which claimed that they were mining without a licence.
“They admitted to mining on the site since 2021 without any valid documentation,” he noted in the petition.
He added that the suspects’ confessional statements were taken in the presence of their lawyers and recorded on video.
Attah said the suspected illegal miners were charged in cases FHC/ABJ/CR/577/2024 and FHC/ABJ/CR/131/2025, which are both pending before the federal high court in Abuja.
He said the mining marshals were at the site to preserve evidence when soldiers, who were there initially, withdrew on 26 March 2025 upon learning the operations were illegal.
“However, when we returned to the site on 3 April 2025, we found policemen sent by one CSP Abdulmajeed of the FID, who, without any engagement, opened fire on our men,” he said.
He identified the officers involved in the shooting as Yarima Yunusa, Hasurana Lamshi, Oliver Kutuya and Raymond Ibrahim.
Attah added that the officers were arrested and handed over to the police with their rifles.
However, he lamented that despite an allegation of attempted murder, Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector-general of police (IGP), failed to investigate the matter.
“This was not the first time the IGP ignored serious allegations,” he said.
He recalled a similar incident on 12 February 2025 in the Lege community, Ondo state, where policemen allegedly protecting illegal miners shot at his men.
“Even after handing over the suspects to the police, they were never investigated,” he said.
He alleged that on 8 April 2025, Abdulmajeed led 30 policemen from FID to the Rafin Gabas site, where they assaulted and arrested four mining marshals — Salihu Nda Mohammed, Yusuf Attahiru, Sambi Amos Joel and Mustapha Mohammed.
“They were pressured to implicate me but refused,” Attah said.
He claimed that the police began a counter-investigation targeting Capital Apex Synergy Global Limited, the original complainant, to frustrate the prosecution of illegal miners.
“False witnesses were recruited, and fake petitions were submitted to discredit us,” he said.
Attah also alleged that Abdulmajeed orchestrated multiple invitations from the police to tarnish his reputation and derail the court proceedings.
“Knowing their intentions, I declined to appear and instead submitted a detailed response to the DIG FID,” he said.
The commander said he was later shocked to discover that the police sought and obtained a court order to restrain the mining marshals from operating at the site.
This, he alleged, was to “legitimise” the actions of the illegal miners.
He called on the senate to investigate the police’s role in the alleged attacks, cover-ups, and efforts to sabotage ongoing prosecutions.
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Brazil Beat Haiti 3-0, Boost Knockout Hopes
Brazil strengthened their chances of advancing to the knockout stage of the World Cup with a commanding 3-0 victory over Haiti today. The South Americans delivered a disciplined performance, combining attacking flair with defensive solidity to secure three crucial points.
From the opening whistle, Brazil imposed themselves on the match. Their midfield trio dictated tempo, recycling possession and stretching Haiti’s defensive lines. Within the first 15 minutes, Brazil’s pressure paid off when striker Gabriel Silva converted a low cross from the right flank, giving his side an early lead.
Despite conceding early, Haiti showed resilience. They tightened their defensive shape and attempted to hit Brazil on the counterattack. Winger Jean-Pierre Louis tested Brazil’s goalkeeper with a sharp effort from distance, but the shot was comfortably saved. Haiti’s determination kept the scoreline respectable through much of the first half.
Brazil doubled their advantage just before halftime. Midfielder Lucas Andrade unleashed a curling shot from outside the box, leaving Haiti’s goalkeeper rooted to the spot. The strike highlighted Brazil’s technical superiority and gave them a cushion heading into the break.
In the second half, Brazil maintained control. Their passing sequences frustrated Haiti, who struggled to regain possession. Brazil’s third goal came in the 70th minute when substitute forward Rafael Costa capitalized on a defensive lapse, slotting the ball calmly into the net. The goal sealed the contest and allowed Brazil to manage the closing stages with confidence.
Brazil’s coach emphasized balance, ensuring the team did not overcommit forward. The defensive line remained compact, neutralizing Haiti’s attempts to break through. This tactical discipline prevented Haiti from creating clear chances and underscored Brazil’s maturity in tournament play.
Although Haiti failed to score, their effort was commendable. The team fought hard, pressing when possible and showing flashes of creativity. However, the gulf in quality was evident, particularly in midfield battles where Brazil consistently regained control.
The victory places Brazil in a strong position in their group. With six points from two matches, they are now favorites to progress to the knockout stage. The team’s blend of youth and experience appears to be clicking at the right time, raising hopes among supporters for a deep run in the tournament.
Brazil will face a tougher test in their next fixture against a European opponent. The team must maintain focus and continue refining their attacking transitions. For Haiti, the defeat complicates their path forward, but they remain mathematically alive. Their next match will be decisive in determining whether they can keep their World Cup dream aliv
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Bosnia Crushed By A Merciless Switzerland Machine
Switzerland were in imperious form today as they blew Bosnia away in the group stage game of the World Cup in what was a dominant and uncompromising offensive masterclass from the Swiss. Switzerland played at a frightening speed, executed a crisp passing game and proved ruthlessly efficient in front of goal.
Switzerland began in the ascendancy and looked eager to press and control the game from the start, and after only two minutes had Bosnia backed into a corner of their own half.
They kept the ball well and at speed, and the Swiss looked eager to push the Bosnia defence wider as the game started. Within the first 15 minutes, Switzerland had already tested the Bosnian goalkeeper with two powerful shots.
The breakthrough came after halftime. With an attack moving quickly, the Bosnian back line is open, leaving the Swiss attacker in a clear scoring position.
The ball slides calmly to the net to give the Swiss a much-deserved lead. It was a game where Bosnia was struggling deep in their own territory as they were being pushed to the limit.
A counterattack was their goal, but it fell flat as they tried to do something but couldn’t get it right. They’ve isolated their forwards, and the midfield has failed to connect up the game. A long-range shot was their closest call, but the Swiss goalie wasn’t going to do it then and there.
Their inability to generate consistent pressure against Switzerland made them play from a defensive mindset. The double-goal advantage came just before the half as Switzerland was in top-notch form with another incisive approach that will make all opponents fear them.
With a pass from the left, their winger managed to score an ideal goal and also showing that any of their forwards are available to find the open space and punish you against defensive error.
The Swiss reached the break, well deserved of it, and mentally depleted from the opponent as Bosnia’s score reached 0 goals for their team. The Swiss were ready to continue this show.
They played like nothing was about to change and continued with their forward aggression. Switzerland’s offense began to work relentlessly, generating forced errors and, consequently, chances to create another goal for them.
Three goal came via another header, which smashed Bosnia’s defence to send the ball home. After Bosnia had their fourth goal scored against them, the game became so one sided as the Swiss were simply walking through the Bosnian team’s defence without issue. Bosnia seemed unable to match their opponents for any level of performance.
After the game reached its conclusion and Switzerland was victorious, the Swiss have many good performers to recognize. The team’s captain was influential as he seemed to control the whole pitch from his central midfield role. He was vocal, directed plays, and seemed to pump his teammates up with great performance throughout. For the Bosnia team, the keeper may be recognized. Although there may have been many goals scored against his team he seemed to be playing very well to be stopping every other chance by a Swiss attacking team.
They played from a back foot throughout the game as if all their play was being played as if it were defense but when a chance to attack came, they failed. The Swiss may well deserve the win as they showed a complete game.
The Swiss coach was at his best on the sidelines as he made the appropriate personnel changes and substitutions throughout the game that help Switzerland find success and continue their winning ways in the tournament. The group implications seem fairly obvious. Switzerland have improved their standings and appear to be in a strong position to qualify from their group.
Bosnia’s hopes look a lot less favorable and they really have to pick it up. Overall it seems Switzerland dominated Bosnia and a 4–0 defeat was entirely deserved from the Bosnian team.
Switzerland came ready for this game and put it on display through skillful passing, a powerful forward attack, and some incredible play on both ends of the pitch and as their Coach did in the press conference, this was a statement.
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Judicial Battle Reboots Kwara ADC’s 2027 Election Machinery
The Kwara State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has converted a recent legal threat into a political launchpad. Following an appellate court victory that halted an attempt to deregister the party, the Kwara ADC has declared its full readiness to contest the 2027 general elections.
A Federal High Court judgment by Justice Peter Lifu originally ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC along with four other opposition parties.
The decision was met with an outcry by opposition coalition who alleged the judicial action was another manipulative scheme to cripple opposition politics in the nation and give an unearned leap to ruling parties for the 2027 election cycle.
The “threat however, disappeared into thin air as the Court of Appeal in Abuja swung into action and delivered a strong rebuff on the lower court. A stay of execution of the deregistration order was issued by the Court of Appeal.
Experts and political leaders in opposition said the lower court’s ruling had contravened judicial hierarchy as courts above had already issued a stay of proceedings. It has returned to status quo, following the successful legal defence as the Kwara State chapter of the ADC has called an emergency State Executive Committee meeting at its State Secretariat, Ilorin.
Party stakeholders have already turned the page from the legal battle to an intensive grassroots mobilisation as party structures have been instructed to get set for the next election cycle.
“This issue, while appearing like a setback, has only united us more than before,” said the Kwara State Chairman of ADC, Babatunde Muhammed, who assured that “
The Court of Appeal intervention in our case has revived my confidence in the country’s judicial system, and that you cannot simply rubbish an existing political movement because you have access to some judges.
We remain unruffled” he added. Consequently, all ADC Candidates and ward executives in Kwara State have been tasked to commence voter outreach immediately with a unit-by-unit grassroots mobilisation plan that aims to put the current ruling party on the defensive by articulating how the ADC platform and agenda contrast with the performance of the incumbent administration.
The new approach of Kwara ADC will focus primarily on local security issues, fiscal and economic management and ensuring a free and fair electoral system in 2027 election.
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