By Uthman Baba-Naseer,Minna

The Minna High Court number two,has ordered the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Schools in Niger State, to pay the sum of Five Million Naira as damages and One million naira as cost of litigation to the Incorporated trustees of Niger State Parents Teachers of Nigeria (NIPTAN),

Similarly,the court has refrained the defendants from interfering in the affairs of the plaintiff under whatever reasons affirming that the plaintiff is a registered association under the corporate affairs Commission that has the constitutional right to carry out its activities without any interference.

This was the outcome of the Judgement delivered by Justice Mikaila Abdullahi in the
case number,NSHC/MN/446 2025 instituted against the defendants.

The Plaintiff some time in 2025,approached the court through its Attorney Abubakar Sadiq Maaji,Esq,to challenge the dissolution of the Niger State Parents Teachers Association executive committee and inaugurated a caretaker committee to oversee the affairs of the State chapter of the association.

Joined in the suite include,the National Parents Teachers Association,the Director General of Niger State Schools Reform Hajiya Maimuna Mohammed,and the caretaker committee inaugurated by the defendants.

Justice Mikaila Abdullahi, held that the actions of the defendants to dissolve the executive committee of the association is illegal,null and void and ordered that the defendants has no any constitutional right to pocknose into the legitimate affairs of the plaintiff and refrained the defendants from taking any further action against the plaintiff.

He further held that the plaintiff, being an incorporated entity by the corporate affairs Commission (CAC) has been constitutionally empowered by law to operate as an incorporated trustee to carry out its constitutional duty as enshrined by law without any interference.

Justice Mikaila,further, held that the action of the defendants to inaugurate the caretaker committee to replace the existing constitutional body of the Niger State parents Teachers Association (NIPTAN) amount to the violation of its right of association as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) as amended.

He then ordered that the defendants should henceforth refrain from any further action that will amount to illegally interfering into the legitimate activities of the plaintiff.

He then awarded the sum of six million naira to the plaintiff as cost of damages and cost of litigation respectively.

Commenting on the Judgement,the chairman of NIPTAN in Niger State,Alhaji Yunusa Adamu described the outcome of the legal battle as a victory to the association and to the entire parents in Niger State and the country in general.

He said the judgement has opened a new chapter into the association that will now be geared towards moving the association further in improving the standard of the educational development in the state and the country as a whole.

He commended the judge for displaying unwavering courage in arriving at giving this erudite judgement and damning the consequences.

By Our Correspondent

To guarrentee a peaceful and credilbe election in the countty in 2027 Commander, Presidential Guards Brigade (PGB), Brigadier General Adebisi Onasanya, has urged the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) to provide timely and credible intelligence to the military to help tackle insecurity.

Onasanya said grassroots intelligence gathered by vigilante groups was critical to the success of security operations, stressing that military operations could be undermined by the absence of timely and credible information.

A statement issued on Monday by the VGN spokesman, Igho Akeregha, said Onasanya made the call when the Commander-General of the VGN, James Udoma, led a delegation of senior officers on a courtesy visit to the headquarters of the Presidential Guards Brigade in Abuja.

“If we continue conducting operations without timely and credible intelligence, it will not be good for security stability. This is where we need the cooperation of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria to help us with reliable and credible intelligence.

“Any information the VGN has, please share it with us. We will act on it. We will work with you to eradicate the proliferation of light and small arms in the country,” he was quoted as saying.

The Brigade Commander commended members of the VGN for their sacrifices and contributions to security operations, saying the military was willing to strengthen collaboration with the group.

Onasanya described the VGN as an important security partner and said the Guards Brigade was ready to undertake more joint operations with the group.

“The VGN is an important partner and we are ready for more joint operations with you. We will however ensure that your men are not put in harm’s way as we will do all we can to protect them during future operations,” he said.

Onasanya also disclosed that there were already threats ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging the VGN to provide information on any perceived threat to national security.

“The period that we are in, there are people who have made up their minds to destabilise Nigeria and we will not allow that to happen,” he said.

He assured VGN personnel involved in joint operations with the Guards Brigade that their welfare would receive adequate attention.

Earlier, Udoma said the visit was aimed at briefing the Brigade Commander on the activities of the group and his recent appointment as Commander-General of the VGN, following the death of his predecessor, Navy Captain Umar Bakori (retd.).

Udoma commended the Presidential Guards Brigade for its role in protecting the President and the First Family, as well as ensuring security in the Federal Capital Territory.

He said the VGN’s presence across the 774 local government areas gave it access to grassroots information that could assist conventional security agencies.

“I consider this visit very important in view of the special role of the PGB in ensuring national security. I appreciate the great efforts of the Commander Guards Brigade in providing visionary leadership that is keeping the Federal Capital Territory, which is the seat of power safe for all residents,” Udoma said.

He noted that although the Police remained the lead agency for internal security, the VGN could complement the efforts of security agencies through its grassroots presence.

By Uthman Baba-Naseer,Minna

The Niger State Commissioner of Police CP. Abdullahi Adamu Elleman, has ordered a comprehensive and discreet investigation into an alleged assault and misconduct involving a senior Police Officer, ASP Yakubu Yusuf.

This followed a petition forwarded to the Commissioner of Police by a Police Constable PC Sabiu Saidu serving with A Divisional Command in Kontagora Niger state

PC Saidu,with Police Force Number 554375, alleged in the petition dated September 9th,2026 which was forwarded to the Commissioner of Police at the Niger State Police Command headquarters in Dutsen- Kura area in Minna.

The Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO) Niger State Command Wasiu Abiodun SP who told the Cabal his office Friday,disclosed that the Commissioner of Police CP Abdullahi Adamu Elleman has ordered for discreet investigation into the matter,” but I cannot comment on the matter for now”

He however, declined further comment on the matter,stating that the matter is under investigation “ like I said I cannot Make any comment on the matter,is true a petition was addressed to the CP. I don’t want to speak on the matter for now” he confirmed.

The petition was titled, “Petition Against AP/NO: 186206 ASP Yakubu Yusuf for Assaulting Me While in Police Uniform and on Official Duty.”

According to Saidu, the incident allegedly occurred at approximately 7:30 p.m. on September 8, 2026, while he was carrying out his official responsibilities at the Station Guard of A Division, Kontagora.

He explained that he was seated inside the security room at his duty post when ASP Yusuf’s daughter arrived and complained to his In-Charge that he was sitting in the room instead of performing police duties.

The woman allegedly went further by demanding that Saidu should be detained.

Saidu claimed that he told her he would take action against her if she repeated such a statement. She subsequently left the area.

Shortly afterwards, according to the petition, Cpl Anas Garba approached Saidu and informed him that ASP Yusuf had ordered him to report to his office.

Saidu said he complied immediately and went to the senior officer’s office, where Yusuf allegedly confronted him over the remarks he had made to his daughter.

“Upon my arrival, ASP Yakubu Yusuf began shouting at me and asked me what I had told his daughter,” Saidu stated in the petition.

The constable alleged that before he could fully explain what had happened or present his own account, ASP Yusuf slapped him twice.

“At the time of the incident, I was in police uniform and on official duty. After the assault, I left his office,” he added.

Saidu listed three police officers whom he said witnessed the alleged incident. They are F/No. 518973, Cpl Samari Enock; F/No. 530558, Cpl Anas Garba; and F/No. 559091, PC Ashar Auta.

He described the matter as serious and deserving of a thorough investigation, particularly because the alleged assault involved a subordinate officer who was in uniform and carrying out official duties.

Saidu appealed to the Niger State Commissioner of Police to order a full, impartial and independent investigation into the allegation. He also requested that the command determine whether ASP Yusuf’s alleged conduct violated the rules, regulations, disciplinary procedures and professional standards of the Nigeria Police Force.

As part of his requests, Saidu asked investigators to invite the three named witnesses to provide statements. He also urged the command to obtain separate statements from him and ASP Yusuf.

The constable further requested that investigators consider the relevant Police Rules and Regulations concerning officers’ conduct and the proper treatment of subordinate personnel.

He asked the command to impose the appropriate disciplinary measures if the allegation is confirmed following the investigation.

Saidu also sought protection from any possible intimidation, harassment, victimisation or further physical assault. He requested that the outcome of the investigation be communicated to him through the proper channel.

The officer said he submitted the petition “respectfully and in good faith,” explaining that his objective was to obtain justice and ensure that the matter was handled in line with the established rules and procedures of the Nigeria Police Force.

He added that he was prepared to provide the command with any further statement or information it might require.