Suspected gunmen on Thursday night attacked Olegabulu community in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, killing a traditional ruler, his wife, their child, and other residents. Sources told news men that one person was also injured in the attack, which has thrown the community into mourning. The victims were identified as Chief Momo Alexander Awodi, the traditional ruler of Olegabulu, his wife, Abigail Awodi, and their son, Boniface Ochowechi. Others reportedly killed include Mr. Ochowechi Ochegwu and Mrs. Deborah Ochowechi. A source in the area, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the attack may not be linked to…
Author: Ifeanyi Nwagboso
A former presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, has distanced the party from ongoing opposition coalition discussions ahead of the 2027 general elections. Adebayo said the party does not believe that elite political alliances are the solution to defeating the ruling party, stressing the need to mobilise disengaged Nigerian voters. In a statement issued by his media team, he argued that many coalition efforts lack credibility, discipline, and shared values. “Strategic partners in an election are not necessarily politicians. The real partners are segments of society, those who have not been participating in the process,” he…
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has assured the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) of his administration’s commitment to fulfilling its statutory obligations to the scheme. The governor gave the assurance during the swearing-in ceremony for the 2026 Batch ‘A’ Stream II corps members deployed to the state for the mandatory one-year national service. Mohammed said Bauchi State remains supportive of the objectives of the NYSC, adding that his administration would continue to collaborate with the scheme to ensure its smooth operation. He described the programme as a vital platform for national development and urged corps members to take their service…
The Interim National Chairperson of the Labour Party, Nenadi Usman, has said it may be too late for the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to return to the party. Usman stated this on Wednesday during an appearance on Arise Television programme, Prime Time. She explained that the party would close its membership register 21 days before its primaries, in line with the Electoral Act, after which no new member would be admitted. “It will be too late for Peter Obi to come back to Labour Party because if you look at the Electoral Act, at some point, we will…
Factional National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, has said the party under his leadership is not responsible for the ongoing leadership crisis. Abure made the remark on Wednesday during an interview on Arise Television, while reacting to a recent Court of Appeal ruling that dismissed his suit and recognised Nenadi Usman as the authentic national chairman of the party. InfoStride News reports that the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, in a unanimous judgement delivered by a three-member panel of justices, dismissed Abure’s appeal challenging the party’s leadership. Reacting to the ruling, Abure insisted that he and…
Twelve persons abducted by Boko Haram from Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State have escaped from captivity and are now safe. According to a report by Daily Trust, a source in Pulka said the victims—10 men and two women—regained their freedom during ongoing military operations in the area, which forced the insurgents to abandon some of their captives. “One of the victims told us that there were military operations in the area which forced the insurgents to abandon some of them and escape with the majority of the captives,” the source said. The development was also…
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a 30-year-old suspect, Ubong Michael, popularly known as “Ubong Boy,” over alleged involvement in multiple kidnapping operations in the state. The command also disclosed that disturbing human remains, including a skull and bones, were recovered during the arrest. In a statement issued on Thursday in Uyo, the Police Public Relations Officer, Timfon John, said the suspect had long been on the command’s wanted list. According to her, the suspect was apprehended following intelligence reports that he had returned to the community after previously going into hiding in Port Harcourt. “Preliminary investigations reveal…
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed confidence in Nigeria’s leadership under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging support for his re-election to sustain ongoing reforms and development efforts. Fubara made the call on Thursday during a meeting of the Southern Traditional Rulers Council held in Port Harcourt, where monarchs from the 17 southern states gathered to deliberate on unity, security, and economic growth. The governor noted that despite prevailing challenges, the current administration has made progress in economic recovery and infrastructure development, citing projects such as the coastal road construction. He emphasised the need for leadership continuity, stating that “it…
The Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board has expressed grief over the death of two intending pilgrims who lost their lives in a road accident. The victims were identified as Alkasim Ibrahim Walawa, 48, and his mother, Hadiza Garba, 73. The incident reportedly occurred along the Rimin Gado road in Kano, where both victims were said to have died on the spot. Family sources disclosed that Alkasim is survived by two wives and seven children, while Hajiya Hadiza is survived by five children. Both deceased were natives of Walawa village in Kabo Local Government Area of Kano State. In a statement…
A Borno State High Court sitting in Maiduguri has sentenced one Shehu Saleh to two years’ imprisonment for fraud involving N22 million. Delivering judgment, Justice Aisha Kumaliya found the defendant guilty of misappropriating funds after he was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The charge read that the convict, sometime in 2024 in Maiduguri, converted to personal use the sum of N22,000,000 belonging to one Zara Betra Aliyu through bank accounts domiciled in GTBank and First Bank, contrary to Sections 296 and 297 of the Penal Code Law of Borno State. Saleh pleaded guilty when the charge…
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday ordered the remand of six defendants in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) after they were arraigned on a 13-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism. At the commencement of proceedings, which began at about 1:46 p.m., the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, informed the court that the charge was ready and sought permission for it to be read to the defendants. The hearing was briefly interrupted after the third defendant informed the court that his lawyer was indisposed, while counsel to the sixth defendant stated that his…
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has warned that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could face fresh legal battles over ongoing disputes surrounding court orders, raising concerns about potential disruptions to the electoral timetable. Speaking on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, criticised INEC’s handling of the situation, stressing that improper interpretation of court rulings could trigger further litigation. “INEC must be cautious in handling court orders to avoid plunging the electoral process into unnecessary legal battles that could disrupt the timetable,” Johnson said. The warning comes amid lingering legal disputes within the NNPP,…
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, on Tuesday expressed concern over alleged election manipulation at collation centres, stressing the need for urgent countermeasures to safeguard electoral integrity. Atiku made the remark during a meeting with members of the Coalition for Democracy Movement, led by Jibril Shehu Mustapha, where discussions focused on strengthening the credibility of elections and enhancing nationwide political coordination. In a post shared on X, the former presidential candidate disclosed that the group presented details of its organisational structure across the country and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting efforts aimed at protecting votes. He commended the coalition for its…
The faction of the Labour Party (LP) loyal to Julius Abure has rejected a recent Appeal Court ruling on the party’s leadership dispute, describing the judgement as unacceptable. This was disclosed in a statement issued on April 21, 2026, via the party’s official communication channels. Abure faulted the court’s decision, arguing that it contradicts established legal principles regarding the internal affairs of political parties. “We have seen what transpired today at the Appeal Court, the judgement is not acceptable to all of us,” he said. He maintained that issues relating to party leadership are internal matters, noting that previous court…
The National Rescue Movement (NRM) has declared that it has no plans to merge with any political party ahead of the 2027 general elections. Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, the party’s National Chairman, Chinedu Obi, said the NRM is prepared to produce a viable presidential candidate capable of challenging the incumbent government in the next election. “We’re not planning on merging with any political party or joining a coalition. We’ll produce our presidential candidate,” Obi told journalists. He further stated that the Federal High Court had resolved the party’s internal crisis after Justice Joyce Abdulmalik dismissed…
The Taraba State Government has flagged off the first phase of training on the EIDU Digital Learning System, targeting 500 teachers as master trainers in a bid to modernise classroom delivery across the state. The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Augustina Godwin, performed the flag-off on Tuesday, announcing that Jalingo and Ardo-Kola local government areas have been selected as pilot centres for the programme. According to the commissioner, the initiative is aimed at equipping selected teachers with digital teaching skills and tools, enabling them to train other educators across Taraba State. She explained that the programme is designed to…
The Osun State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reassured residents of its commitment to conducting a peaceful, transparent, and credible governorship election scheduled for August 15. The newly deployed Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Oluwatoyin Babalola, gave the assurance on Tuesday while addressing a group of protesters at the commission’s office in Osogbo. The demonstrators, comprising market women and members of civil society organisations, had gathered to express concerns over the recent transfer of the former REC, Mutiu Agboke, which they alleged could affect the credibility of the forthcoming poll. Represented by the Head of Legal Department,…
Former Abia State Governor and Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has dismissed allegations that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are influencing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2027 general elections. Speaking with journalists on Tuesday as plenary resumed after the Easter break, Kalu said INEC operates independently under the leadership of its chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, without interference from any arm of government. The former Senate Chief Whip described allegations by opposition figures, particularly the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as frivolous and harmful to Nigeria’s democratic process. “The APC as a…
The Chairman of the Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Most Reverend Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, has raised concerns over the worsening security situation in the country, warning that Nigeria is becoming increasingly unsafe for citizens. Speaking during a CAN council meeting at the State Secretariat in Minna, the cleric, who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, said the nation has “nosedived into a state of fear” due to persistent insecurity, economic hardship, and what he described as unfulfilled promises by leaders. Yohanna lamented the growing level of insecurity, citing reports of foreign travel advisories…
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the Federal Government’s plan to reintegrate hundreds of former insurgents into society, describing the approach as a sign of dangerous softness towards terrorism. In a statement issued on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said recent remarks by government officials referring to insurgents as “brothers” and “prodigal sons,” alongside reintegration plans, reflect a troubling misunderstanding of the threat posed by terrorism. “Terrorism is not a family dispute. It is not a moral metaphor. It is a sustained and organised campaign of violence against the Nigerian state and its people,”…