Author: Ifeanyi Nwagboso

The socio-political group, Ijaw Youth Brigade, has called on the Chief Judge of Edo State to remain neutral and impartial in handling the election tribunal proceedings, which commenced on Monday. The appeal comes amid heightened tensions following the outcome of the September 21 election, with stakeholders urging the judiciary to maintain fairness in its deliberations. In a statement, the group’s leader, Mr. Bimode Borowari, also called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the National Judicial Council (NJC) to closely monitor the tribunal proceedings to ensure transparency and uphold the integrity of the judiciary. “The judiciary plays a critical role…

Residents of Jauro Voto and Willow communities in Mayo Goi Ward, Jalingo Local Government Area of Taraba State, have called on their representative at the National Assembly, Hon. Sadiq Abbas Tafida, to address critical infrastructure challenges affecting their areas. The appeal was made through a formal letter submitted by the Rural Educational Improvement and Development (REID Nig) in collaboration with the Jauro Voto Wolowol Community Development Initiative (JWCDI). A copy of the letter was obtained by our correspondent on Monday. In the letter, signed by the Chief Executive Officer of REID Nig, Bello Bako, the communities highlighted the urgent need…

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has reiterated his commitment to fostering an inclusive leadership approach aimed at building a collaborative and effective Armed Forces capable of addressing Nigeria’s security challenges. This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu. According to the statement, the COAS made this remark while addressing Principal Staff Officers at Army Headquarters following the Regimental Quarter Guard procedure, which marked the final stage of his formal assumption of office as the 24th Chief of Army Staff. Lieutenant General Oluyede praised the officers…

The Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State, Comrade Richard Nwafor, has called on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to reconsider any plans of contesting the 2027 presidential election. Speaking to journalists in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, yesterday, Nwafor advocated for the PDP to zone its presidential ticket to the southern region of Nigeria in the next general election. He reminded party members that Atiku contested the 2023 presidential election under the PDP platform but was unsuccessful. Nwafor also noted that Atiku had run in previous presidential elections and, in 2019, chose Peter Obi—who later…

Suspected bandits launched a midnight attack on Kakin Dawa village, located in the Gidan Goga district of Maradun Local Government Area, Zamfara State, abducting over 50 women and children. The attack occurred at about 1:30 am on Sunday, with the assailants reportedly wielding sophisticated weapons and moving from house to house. A resident of the community, who spoke to Newsmen, said the attack caused widespread panic as villagers fled for safety. “Everyone started running because the armed bandits have been targeting our village. Later, we discovered that more than 50 of our women were abducted,” the source stated. According to…

The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of an 18-year-old panel beater, Fatiyah Abdulhakeem, for allegedly killing a former Permanent Secretary, Adamu Jagaba, and stealing his car. The tragic incident occurred on Saturday at Jagaba’s block-moulding industry along the Eastern Bye-Pass in Minna, the state capital. Abdulhakeem is accused of stabbing the retired official multiple times in the head and neck before fleeing with his Toyota Camry, with registration number MNA 61 AE. An eyewitness, Nuhu Abubakar, described the attack as sudden and unprovoked. “The incident happened on Saturday. The panel beater came to the Jagaba industry to…

The Chief of Army Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, has expressed confidence that the Lukarawa terrorist group will soon be eradicated, citing the intense military operations currently targeting the group. Speaking to State House reporters after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu on Monday, Oluyede revealed that the military’s efforts are yielding results but noted a significant challenge: the terrorists fleeing into neighboring Niger Republic to evade the Nigerian military’s offensive. “We have to get in touch with them [neighboring countries] because you know it affects them too. That is why we all need to come on board to tackle them,” he…

The Nigerian Senate has warned that government agencies failing to provide proper records of their 2024 expenditures during scrutiny will face zero allocation in the 2025 budget. This warning was issued by the Senate Committee on Finance during an investigative hearing on internally generated revenue, fiscal accountability, and Nigeria’s financial management system. The hearing also reviewed preparations for the 2025 appropriation expected to be presented by President Bola Tinubu. Chairman of the Committee, Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East), issued the warning after a session with the Accountant General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein. “This performance index exercise on the…

The Osun State Government has announced the recovery of ₦53,089,683.52 in pension overpayments to retirees, following a comprehensive audit of the 2023 fiscal year. The discovery was made public on Monday during the annual Audit Forum held in Ede, where the Auditor-General of the state, Kolapo Idris, disclosed details of the findings. According to Idris, the overpayments occurred between January 1 and December 31, 2023. A review of 437 pension files processed during the year revealed discrepancies in 137 cases, while 300 files were cleared without incident. “These flagged files showed irregularities, and penalties were imposed in line with pension…

The Nigerian government has issued a warning to Air Peace to refrain from obstructing an ongoing investigation into alleged consumer rights violations by the airline. The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) spokesperson, Ondaje Ijagwu, issued the warning in a statement on Sunday, following claims by Air Peace that FCCPC’s allegations regarding exploitative fares had negatively impacted its operations. Air Peace, in a statement released on Friday, had accused the FCCPC of not adhering to proper procedures in its inquiry and justified its airfare structure, stating that domestic flights should ideally cost between N500,000 and N700,000 per route. In…

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has cautioned Nigerians against consuming fake and adulterated drinks, especially as the festive season approaches. Speaking at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja, NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, expressed concern over the proliferation of fake and adulterated drinks, food, and drugs, which she said has negatively impacted the health of many Nigerians. Prof. Adeyeye also advised against patronizing roadside drug stores, warning that many of these outlets have poor storage facilities and often sell counterfeit medicines. “Do not buy medicines from corner stores, kiosks, or…

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced Deputy Superintendent Olanike Balogun as its first-ever female pilot. This was disclosed in a statement on Sunday by the NCS spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada. The Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, lauded Balogun’s achievement, describing it as a milestone in the Service’s commitment to capacity building and innovation. “Her story exemplifies what is possible with determination and institutional support,” Adeniyi said. In her remarks, Balogun expressed gratitude and described her accomplishment as a source of inspiration for women within and beyond the Service. “Becoming the first female pilot in the NCS Airwing reflects my…

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed the purported expulsion of Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, the House of Representatives member for Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency, describing it as null and void. The expulsion, announced by the Umuopia/Umukegwu Ward chapter of the PDP in Imo State, accused Ugochinyere of gross indiscipline, insubordination, and anti-party activities. The decision was reportedly based on a disciplinary committee’s report dated November 27, 2024. In a letter dated December 5, 2024, and signed by the Ideato LGA PDP chairman, ThankGod Okeke, and secretary, Onyebuchi Umeh, the lawmaker’s expulsion was…

The Imo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticized the state’s economic performance under Governor Hope Uzodinma, following the release of data on Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue generated across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. In a press statement signed by the party’s state publicity secretary, Lancelot Obiaku, and made available to journalists, the PDP alleged that Governor Uzodinma’s leadership style has rendered the state “unattractive to investors.” The PDP highlighted that Imo State reportedly generated the lowest VAT revenue nationwide, amounting to N235.41 million. It noted that even Zamfara State, which ranked second-lowest,…

The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that the proposed tax reform bills are not aimed at scrapping any government agency but are designed to enhance efficiency and accountability. Lanre Issa-Onilu, Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), made this clarification during the flag-off of a National Sensitisation Campaign in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital. The campaign addressed issues including World HIV Day, Security Awareness, Discouraging Get-Rich-Quick Syndrome, World Human Rights Day, and the Tax Reform Bills. Represented by the Director of Special Duties and State Operations, David Akoji, Issa-Onilu emphasized that the reform would require agencies to account for…

The American Military Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID) has called on governors from the South-East to take decisive action toward securing the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). In an open letter signed by AVID President Sylvester Onyia and Secretary Godson Obiagwu, the group urged the governors to engage President Bola Tinubu to facilitate Kanu’s release before Christmas, dismissing fears that his freedom might threaten their political ambitions. Assurances on Kanu’s Release AVID assured the governors that releasing Kanu would not jeopardize their aspirations for the vice presidency in 2027, contrary to…

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 34-year-old suspect, Nwokpoku Emmanuel, for alleged armed robbery and kidnapping. The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Awka. “The Anambra State Police Command has in custody one Nwokpoku Emmanuel, male, 34 years, over a case of armed robbery and kidnapping,” Ikenga stated. Details of the Crime According to the police, Emmanuel and his gang kidnapped a victim, demanded a ransom of N15 million, and subsequently released the victim after the payment. The gang also made away with the victim’s red Mercedes Benz GLE…

Troops of the Joint Task Force South-East, Operation UDO KA, have conducted a series of clearance operations targeting camps of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN), resulting in the arrest of two suspected terrorists. This was disclosed in a statement issued by the task force’s spokesman, Lt.-Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, on Sunday in Enugu. Unuakhalu revealed that on Dec. 5, 2024, troops raided an IPOB/ESN camp at Uhuala-Aku in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State. “The combined force, acting on credible intelligence, encountered the irredentists who fled their camp in disarray into the adjoining forest…

Activist lawyer Deji Adeyanju has described the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a “dead party,” following its expulsion of Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, a House of Representatives member from Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency in Imo State. Adeyanju criticized the PDP for expelling Ugochinyere, the spokesman of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), over alleged gross indiscipline, insubordination, and anti-party activities, while allowing the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to remain a party member. Ugochinyere’s expulsion was confirmed in a letter from the PDP Ideato LGA chapter, dated December 5, 2024, and signed by LGA Chairman…

Renowned nation-builder and motivational speaker, Fela Durotoye, has called on Nigerians to embrace a spirit of selfless service and rise as heroes during this critical period in the country’s history. In a detailed statement addressing public discourse on the cost of governance, Durotoye debunked misinformation that listed him as a current media aide to the President. He clarified that he served as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Values and Social Justice (SSA-NVSJ) for six months, from October 2023 to March 2024, without receiving any salary or allowances. Durotoye explained his decision to volunteer for the role…