Operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, in Zamfara State, have rescued all four remaining kidnapped students of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda.

This was disclosed in a statement posted on X by security expert, Zagazola Makama.

Makama said DSS operatives, relying on intelligence, rescued the students, comprising four males and a female late Wednesday without any ransom paid.

According to him, one of the kidnappers was arrested during the operation while others did not survive.

The students were said to have been kidnapped on June 3 at their off-campus hostel in the Low-cost area of Kaura Namoda town after armed bandits stormed the building and seized six of them.

“Following an earlier release of two of the six students, security forces intensified an intelligence-led operation, and surgically secured the safe return of the remaining students to the relief of all,” Makama said.

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The US House of Representatives narrowly passed an annual defense policy bill on Wednesday that would authorize a record $1.15 trillion in funding for the Pentagon, as the divisive Iran war drags on.

Though it traditionally sees significant bipartisan support, the 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed the lower chamber in a 216-212 vote, a sign of the growing polarization under President Donald Trump. The bill, which must still pass the Senate, provides approximately $250 billion more than the 2026 NDAA, including a 5-7 percent pay raise for service members.

“This legislation provides our brave servicemembers with an overdue pay raise, strengthens our nuclear deterrence and missile defense — including construction of the Golden Dome.” Mike Johnson, House Speaker said.

Trump has sought to develop the so-called Golden Dome missile defense system to protect the US mainland, modeled after Israel’s “Iron Dome.” The House Armed Services Committee Republicans, in a statement, said the bill would help rebuild “depleted stockpiles,” as the United States expends large amounts of projectiles in its war against Iran.

However, the legislation faced strong opposition from across the aisle regarding the record expenditure and military engagement.

“The NDAA is a costly, bad bill that funds an illegal war and undermines our democracy. I could not vote to give Trump and his Defense chief Pete Hegseth $1.15 TRILLION for their out-of-control military spending and irresponsible actions.” Jerry Nadler, Democratic Representative said.

Trump’s prized “SAVE America Act,” which would enact new nationwide voting restrictions, was added to the NDAA through a procedural maneuver, raising the ire of Democrats and further complicating the bill’s passage in the Senate. Controversy has also raged in recent weeks over another section of the NDAA that calls for increased cooperation between the United States and Israeli armed forces.

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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has commenced a nationwide mop-up exercise to remove alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles below 200ml from circulation across the country.

In a statement issued yesterday, the agency said the exercise reinforces the Federal Government’s ban on the production, importation and sale of such products in Nigeria.

NAFDAC said the enforcement operation, covering all six geopolitical zones, followed the closure of manufacturing facilities found to be violating the ban.

According to the agency, its enforcement teams are conducting coordinated operations in markets, motor parks, retail outlets, bars and other distribution channels to identify, seize and destroy the affected products.

NAFDAC warned manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, hawkers and transporters to voluntarily surrender any remaining stock, noting that continued possession or sale of the banned products could attract seizure, regulatory sanctions and prosecution.

“This mop-up is not a one-off exercise but part of a sustained enforcement and public education campaign to rid Nigeria of harmful alcohol products, protect children and adolescents, and promote a culture of responsible consumption among adults,” the agency stated.

It added that the nationwide exercise underscores its commitment to protecting public health by reducing underage drinking, harmful alcohol consumption and substance abuse among children and young people.

The agency clarified that the enforcement is not targeted at compliant manufacturers operating within approved pack-size thresholds but at eliminating products that pose significant public health risks.

NAFDAC also urged Nigerians to support the exercise by reporting anyone producing, stocking or selling the banned sachet and sub-200ml PET-bottle alcoholic beverages. It advised the public to avoid patronising such products, describing them as unregistered, unsafe and illegal.

The agency called on Nigerians to work collectively to safeguard communities and future generations and urged members of the public to report any suspicious activities to the nearest NAFDAC office.

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