Suspected Boko Haram members have abducted the newly elected Vice Chairman of Biu Local Government Area, Hon. Alhaji Sa’idu, along with two councillors representing Miringa and Zarawuyaku wards.
According to information, the incident occurred on Wednesday evening along the Kamuya–Biu/Buni Yadi axis in Borno and Yobe states, as the officials were travelling from Biu to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, for other political activities.
“They were abducted alongside some unidentified passengers travelling in a Hisbah vehicle en route from Potiskum town in Yobe State to Biu town,” an eyewitness said.
Another source confirmed that one of the kidnapped councillors was a former vice chairman of Biu Local Government Area.
“Yes, our newly elected Vice Chairman in last Saturday’s local government polls, Alhaji Sa’idu, and two councillors representing Zarawuyaku and Miringa wards of Biu Local Government Area in Borno State were abducted by suspected Boko Haram terrorists between Kamuya village and Buni Yadi in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State,” he said.
An anonymous Miringa community leader has appealed to the Borno State Government, the military, and other security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue over a dozen captives from Sambisa Forest.
It was learnt that the Biu–Buratai–Kamuya–Buni Yadi route is about 130 kilometres away from Damaturu, the Yobe State capital.
EFCC arraigns three Indians, Nigerian for alleged criminal breach of trust
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Wednesday, arraigned three Indians—Lalit Sarwat, Ravi Raghavendra and Gagan Sarswat—alongside an Ilorin-based dispatch manager, Oniyide Samuel, before Justice Sulaiman Akanbi of the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin.
According to a statement issued by the Head, Media & Publicity of the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, they were arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and criminal breach of trust, contrary to and punishable under Sections 97 and 314 of the Penal Code.
The commission alleged that the defendants, while being servants in the employment of KAM Steel Integrated Company Limited, conspired among themselves between November 2024 and September 2025 to commit criminal breach of trust.
Count one of the charge reads: “That you, Lalit Sarwat, Kumar Saroj (at large), Oniyide Samuel (trading under the name and style of Incognito Steel), Ravi Raghavendra and Gagan Sarswat, between November 2024 and September 2025, whilst being servants in the employment of KAM Steel Integrated Company Limited, agreed among yourselves to do an unlawful act, to wit: criminal breach of trust, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code.”
Particulars of count two state: “That you, Lalit Sarwat, Kumar Saroj (at large), Oniyide Samuel (trading under the name and style of Incognito Steel), Ravi Raghavendra and Gagan Sarswat, between November 2024 and September 2025, whilst being servants in the employment of KAM Steel Integrated Company Limited and in that capacity entrusted with the company’s property, to wit: steel rebars, committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said properties and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 314 of the Penal Code.”
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them.
Following their pleas, EFCC counsel, Cosmas Ugwu, applied for the remand of the defendants in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending trial.
Counsel to the defendants, Ademuyiwa Abe, S. J. Ochai and D. M. Ayuba, however, filed applications for bail on behalf of their clients, arguing that the offences for which they are charged are bailable.
Opposing the bail applications, Ugwu urged the court to refuse the applications on the grounds that three of the defendants are foreign nationals and pose a flight risk. He further urged the court to grant an accelerated hearing of the matter.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Akanbi adjourned the matter to Friday, December 19, 2025, for ruling on the bail applications and ordered that the defendants be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service.