The United Kingdom has announced that there will be temporary airspace restrictions and heightened security measures in Windsor ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s state visit scheduled for March 18 and 19.

It was  learnt that the Thames Valley Police, in a statement on Wednesday, disclosed that the security measures are part of a comprehensive security operation being carried out in collaboration with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, the Royal Household and other partners to ensure the safety of dignitaries, spectators and the general public during Tinubu’s visit.

According to the Chief Superintendent, Adrian Hall, of Thames Valley Police’s Joint Operations Unit, the airspace restrictions form only one aspect of the extensive security arrangements for the visit.

He said Windsor Castle already has a permanent airspace restriction throughout the year, but the measure will be extended during Tinubu’s visit to enhance security.

Hall noted that the restriction will be in place from 7:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. in coordination with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and warned that any violation of the airspace restrictions would be treated as a criminal offence under the Air Navigation Order.

He also urged members of the public to report any suspicious activities.

He said, “The air restrictions are just one part of our robust security operation for the state visit of Nigerian President Tinubu next week, with many measures you will see and others you will not.

“As a force, we have a vast amount of experience in policing Royal events in Windsor and significant planning, and preparation has gone into this event.

“We will ensure everyone attending the state visit, including dignitaries and spectators, as well as the public, are kept safe to enjoy the historic occasion.

“We will be taking a strong stance in enforcing the restrictions; anyone who breaches them will be committing a criminal offence under the Air Navigation Order and could be arrested.

“We will also be deploying numerous police officers to Windsor with specialist capabilities including our search teams, Mounted Section, Roads Policing and armed units, while our neighbourhood and Project Servator resources will also be on the ground engaging with the public.

“The public plays a critical role to support us so we encourage them to report any suspicious activity or anything that does not seem quite right by calling 101 or speaking to one of our officers. If there is an immediate threat or emergency, then call 999.”

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A report has claimed that Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have established new hideouts in the Tuba settlement, near the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) in Jere Local Council of Borno State.

Local sources and Jere farmers, told The Guardian that about 200 motorcycles were observed at a fortress used by the terrorists in Northern parts of Borno State.

The terrorists have targeted the NNPCL exploration site and neighbouring settlements such as Dusuman, Ngom, Jabarman, GongulongLawanti, Koshebe and the outskirts of Muna Garage, 20 kilometres east of Maiduguri, The Guardian learnt.

Other targets include Madinatu, the Maiduguri cattle market and motorists and commuters travelling on the Maiduguri-Monguno and Mafa roads.

Reports indicate that the two terror groups send small attacking detachments on motorcycles towards Ngom community along the Maiduguri-Dikwa road, crossing over to the 40km Maiduguri Mafa road, and eventually reaching Konduga Local Council on the southern fringe of Sambisa Forest, a main hideout for insurgents in the North-East.

In addition to establishing a fortress and escape routes, a 65-year-old hunter named KontoAliyu expressed concern about the security threats posed by the terrorists’ presence in the council areas.

He urged the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), Maj-Gen. AbdulsalamAbubakar, to destroy the hideouts in Jere, to weaken their operational capabilities in attacking Army bases and surrounding communities.

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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday adjourned a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by a former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and four other respondents until March 25.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the case to enable the parties in the matter regularise their processes before the hearing.

When the case was called, counsel to El-Rufai, Ubong Akpan, informed the court that the matter had been scheduled for hearing.

However, he told the court that the applicant had only just filed a response to the counter-affidavit submitted by the ICPC and had yet to respond to the submission by the Inspector-General of Police.

Lawyers representing the ICPC and the police, Abdulsufiano Abubakar and Ezekiel Rimamsomte respectively, confirmed Akpan’s submission.

Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter to March 25 for hearing.

The judge also ordered that the second respondent, the Chief Magistrate of the Magistrate’s Court of the Federal Capital Territory, and the fourth respondent, the Attorney-General of the Federation, who were absent in court, be issued and served hearing notices.

Naija News reports that El-Rufai is seeking ₦1 billion in damages against the ICPC, the Chief Magistrate of the FCT Magistrate’s Court, the Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General of the Federation.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026 and filed on February 20 by his counsel, Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), the former governor sought seven reliefs from the court.

He asked the court to declare that the invasion and search of his residence at House 12, Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Abuja, on February 19 at about 2pm by operatives of the ICPC and the police violated his fundamental rights.

According to him, the action infringed on his rights to dignity of the human person, personal liberty, fair hearing and privacy as guaranteed under Sections 34, 35, 36 and 37 of the Constitution.

El-Rufai also urged the court to declare that any evidence obtained from the search should be declared inadmissible.

He argued that such evidence was procured through an unlawful search carried out in breach of constitutional safeguards.

He further prayed the court to restrain the respondents from relying on or tendering any items seized during the operation in any investigation or prosecution against him.

The former governor also sought an order directing the ICPC and the Inspector-General of Police to return all items taken from his residence during the search, alongside a detailed inventory.

In addition, he requested the court to award him N1bn as general, exemplary and aggravated damages.

In its counter-affidavit, the ICPC told the court that it received a petition against El-Rufai and subsequently commenced an investigation.

The commission said the investigation led to the search conducted at the former governor’s residence.

It maintained that the operation was carried out under a valid search warrant issued on February 18 and executed the following day between 1:37pm and 3:56pm at 12 Mambilla Street, Asokoro, Abuja.

The commission added that its operatives were accompanied by personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and that the search was witnessed by El-Rufai’s wife, Hadiza El-Rufai, and his son, Mohammed El-Rufai.

The ICPC urged the court to dismiss the suit and listed items allegedly recovered during the search.

The police, in a counter-affidavit deposed to by Inspector Ewa Anthony, also defended the operation. It argued that the force had the statutory authority to detect, arrest, investigate and prosecute offenders.

According to the police, the search at El-Rufai’s residence was conducted based on a search warrant issued by a competent court.

The police insisted that the warrant was valid and that officers involved in the operation complied with all legal procedures.

It further argued that the former governor was attempting to use the court to shield himself from an ongoing security investigation and possible prosecution.

The police therefore urged the court to dismiss the suit in its entirety.

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