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Boko Haram Demands Presidential Pardon

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Boko Haram is clear and present danger
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Members of the Boko Haram sect have asked the Federal Government to grant them presidential pardon under the ceasefire deal which the two parties reached last Friday.

They also sought the immediate release of all their detained and convicted leaders so that they can lay down arms.

Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, chief of Defence Staff, had disclosed last Friday that part of the Federal Government’s arrangement with the insurgents was to have the over 200 abducted schoolgirls of Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State released. He was however silent on the conditions given by the terrorists.

The Boko Haram leaders were demanding immunity from prosecution after they have surrendered their arms, as well as unconditional release of their members in detention facilities across the country before they release the Chibok girls, according to the Nigerian Pilot.

The demand came as the Borno Elders’ Forum alleged that the Federal Government was negotiating with impostors and appealed to the authorities to tread softly.

Government sources said that the sect was demanding among others the granting of presidential amnesty to its detained commanders, who are believed to be held in the cells of the Department of State Service.

It was learnt that since the government was eager to secure the release of the Chibok girls, the militants’ negotiators were exploiting it to secure freedom for their top leaders.

“This kind of negotiations doesn’t end in a day. There is a raft of issues, like modalities for demobilisation, a list of demands by the terrorists, amnesty for the fighters etc. But the release of the girls is on top of the agenda”. The source said.

An online news medium, TheCable, quoted a government official as confirming that during negotiations with the sect in Chad and Saudi Arabia, the terrorists’ sought assurances from the Federal Government that their leaders would not face prosecution if they embraced peace.

Military sources confirmed to Nigerian Pilot that the insurgents had demanded unconditional release of their members in detention before they release the Chibok girls.

A senior military officer, who sought anonymity, said the Boko Haram demands were difficult pills to swallow.

He recalled that it was not be the first time that the federal government would be giving unconditional pardon to insurgents or militants.

He said: “Pardon will not be unprecedented. The country has fought a civil war which led to the deaths of over a million Nigerians and nobody was prosecuted. Leaders of the militant groups in the Niger Delta as well as leaders of ethnic militias in the South-West and South-East did not face any prosecution after turning a new leaf.”

The official did not however disclose if the government had agreed to a blanket immunity before announcing that a ceasefire had been reached.

“From what we were told, it was one of the most difficult moments of the discussions, and because of that, we cannot say the deal is signed, sealed and delivered yet, but any progress at all is progress.”

Nigerian Pilot further gathered that discussions with the insurgents resumed yesterday in N’Djamena, Chad and that there was optimism that the Chibok girls would be handed over to President Idriss Derby by the terrorists before the weekends.


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Breaking News…Hackers Allegedly Expose EFCC Data, Operatives’ Identities

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Nullsec Nigeria, a threat actor, has claimed responsibility for leaking the identities of operatives and sensitive internal data linked to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Breaking News...Hackers Allegedly Expose EFCC Data, Operatives’ Identities

Ola Olukoyede, chairman, EFCC

The leak raises fresh concerns over cybersecurity vulnerabilities within Nigerian public institutions and safety the agency’s operatives.

The breach surfaced on April 21 on a dark web forum, where a user identified as “ki4t,” reportedly affiliated with the group, published details of the dataset.

The exposed data is said to include agent names, phone numbers, operational code names, and password hashes tied to EFCC personnel.

The breach allegation comes amid growing concerns over cyber risks facing government agencies, following a recent reported compromise involving the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

Cybersecurity analysts say that if confirmed, the exposure of such sensitive operational data could pose risks to both personnel security and ongoing enforcement operations, particularly if password hashes are successfully decrypted or linked to other compromised systems.

The development adds to increasing pressure on public institutions to strengthen digital infrastructure, access controls, and internal cybersecurity protocols as threat actors continue to target government databases.

Authorities are yet to confirm the extent of the alleged breach or whether any mitigation measures have been activated.

Nigeria has lately experienced a growing activities of hacktivists defacing websites and leaking data.

 

 

 


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Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation to Open Portal for 1,000 University Tech Scholarships on Monday

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The Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation (LSEF), in collaboration with TD Africa, Konga Group, Zinox Technologies, and Task Systems, is set to officially launch its highly anticipated scholarship programme aimed at empowering 1,000 exceptional Nigerian indigent whiz-kids in the field of technology.

Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation to Open Portal for 1,000 University Tech Scholarships on Monday

Leo Stan Ekeh

The dedicated application portal, initially scheduled to go live on April 22, will now launch on  Monday,  April 27, 2026, following final technical enhancements to ensure a seamless, secure, and transparent application experience for prospective candidates nationwide.

This landmark initiative, first announced by Leo Stan Ekeh, Africa’s foremost tech icon and chairman of Zinox Group, forms part of his unwavering commitment to national development and youth empowerment.

The programme was unveiled on February 22, 2026, when Ekeh marked his 70th birthday. Rather than host an elaborate celebration befitting a man of his stature, he chose to channel resources into a cause that would create long-term impact for an economy, offering university scholarships to indigent but brilliant Nigerian youths to study Computer Science in federal institutions.

Building on a legacy of over 6709 beneficiaries trained over four decades by him and his companies, Mr. Ekeh at the time said the goal is to nurture a new generation of highly skilled technology professionals capable of supporting both the private and public sectors, while positioning Nigeria for greater competitiveness in the global digital economy.

This vision reflects his decades-long commitment to building sustainable  positive disruptive capacity within Nigeria’s technology ecosystem that shall alter the nation’s GDP.

The scholarship programme is designed to transcend mere financial support, offering beneficiaries access to a comprehensive ecosystem powered by the initiative’s distinguished partners. Beneficiaries will receive technical support, mentorship by very successful members of Nigeria Compute Society, and industry exposure to ensure that recipients are equipped with practical, market-relevant skills.

This multi-faceted approach ensures that scholarship beneficiaries gain not only theoretical knowledge but also hands-on experience and professional networks that will propel their careers in technology.

By leveraging the combined expertise and infrastructure of these industry leaders, the initiative is poised to deliver a transformative learning experience that prepares young Nigerians to compete effectively on the global stage. Beneficiaries will emerge as future-ready innovators capable of driving digital transformation across sectors and contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s economic growth.

The initiative builds on the longstanding legacy of Leo Stan Ekeh, whose contributions to Nigeria’s technology landscape and by extension Africa have spanned decades and fundamentally reshaped the nation’s digital infrastructure. From pioneering indigenous computer manufacturing through Zinox Technologies to driving digital transformation across public and private sectors, Ekeh has consistently demonstrated a commitment to building sustainable technological capacity within Nigeria.

His investments in digital infrastructure, talent development, and indigenous innovation have positioned Nigeria as a formidable player in the global technology landscape.

This scholarship programme represents the latest chapter in that transformative journey, directly addressing the critical need for skilled technology professionals in an increasingly digital global economy.

As anticipation builds ahead of the April 27 launch, interested applicants are advised to visit the Konga.com website and click the Foundation banner on 1000 Tech Scholarships Awards where the application link and detailed participation guidelines will be published on the launch date. The organisers have assured that the selection process will be merit-driven, inclusive, and transparent, with a focus on identifying truly outstanding young talents from across Nigeria’s diverse regions.

 


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US Library Blames Hackers for Viral Posts Urging Violence in Nigeria

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Westerville Public Library, a public library that serves the community of Westerville, Ohio, a suburb of Columbus in United States is in the news after its social account urged violence against Nigerian politicians.

US Library Blames Hackers for Viral Posts Urging Violence in Nigeria

Library staff said the inflammatory messages were not written by any employees and moved quickly to purge the feed and regain control of the account, rattling regulars who are used to the library’s usually low-traffic presence in Uptown Westerville.

The Columbus Dispatch reported that the library’s X account first posted a message calling for the death of Nigerian politicians, starting with the country’s president.

According to the paper, most of those posts were wiped from the feed within about half an hour.

The Dispatch also noted that the account had been sitting dormant since 2024 before the violent statements suddenly went live, and its full report includes the timeline and language that circulated on the platform.

After the posts appeared, the library issued a short note on X that read, “Please disregard any recent posts you may have seen from the Westerville Library on this platform today. Thank you for your understanding.” As reported by The Columbus Dispatch, communications director Tamara Murray told the paper the account was hacked shortly before the messages were published and that staff were working to recover passwords.

The library did not immediately say whether law enforcement had been notified.

 

 


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