A colonel, a captain, four soldiers and a villager have been killed when Boko Haram fighters struck on Maiduguri-Damaturu Road near Jakana community in Borno State.

It was gathered that the terrorists waylaid some commercial vehicles along the road near a military checkpoint and using them as a cover to open fire on the soldiers.

A villager was killed in the gunfire while two others were injured; five soldiers said to be at the checkpoint also died while trying to repel the terrorists’ attack.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, FEMI FALANA, has said that the election petitions in Nigeria should be handled by retired judges.

In a communique, the human rights activist argued that the judges serving in the courts have been overburden with national assignments and have left their jurisdictions, hence leaving all matters pending in their courts.

FALANA further stated that a review should be carried out regarding preferences given to election petitions and appeals, adding that in certain neighbouring nations, election petitions are not handled by regular courts but by constitutional courts.

The House of Representatives has ordered the Inspector-General of Police, MOHAMMED ADAMU; and the Director-General of DSS, YUSUF BICHI, to seal off the Edo State House of Assembly until a proper inauguration of the house is conducted.

The House also asked Governor GODWIN OBASEKI to issue a fresh proclamation of the Seventh Assembly within one week, which must be published by the media.

These are part of the recommendations by an ad hoc committee set up by the House to investigate the crisis rocking the Assembly which was considered and adopted at plenary.

You will recall that the state Assembly was inaugurated in a controversial circumstance on June 17, 2019, when nine out of 24 members-elect held an inauguration ceremony and elected FRANK OKIYE, as Speaker at past 9pm.

A Kaduna State High Court is set to hear the application of the leader of Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IBRAHIM EL-ZAZAKY, and wife, ZINAT, seeking to travel to India for medical attention.

The State Director of Public Prosecution, Mr. DARI BAYERO, disclosed this to News Agency of Nigeria in Kaduna.

BAYERO said the Shiite leader brought the application seeking permission to travel to Medanta Hospital, New Delhi, India; and return to Nigeria as soon as they are discharged.