Four Nigerian nationals have been sentenced to prison in the United Kingdom for their roles in a large-scale forgery operation that involved the production of over 2,000 fake marriage certificates to facilitate illegal residency in the country. The convictions highlight the serious consequences of organised immigration crime and the UK’s ongoing efforts to secure its borders against fraudulent schemes. The convicted individuals, identified as Abraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade (41), Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo (38), Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi (31), and Adekunle Kabir (54), were sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court in London. Their crimes, spanning from 2019 to 2023, were part of a…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
Police operatives from the Angwan Lambu Division in Nasarawa State have arrested a woman, Khadija Umar, known by the alias “Naira,” along with her two biological children, for their alleged involvement in a series of housebreaking and theft incidents. This family-led crime ring has been linked to numerous burglaries in the area, which have left residents on edge. The Nasarawa State Police Command detailed in a press release that Khadija Umar masterminded the criminal activities by scouting targeted neighbourhoods, observing the movements of residents, and identifying opportune moments for theft. Once confident that homes were left unattended, Khadija allegedly mobilised…
A tragic road accident on Tuesday night claimed the lives of sixteen individuals along the busy Ore-Ondo highway in the Ajue area of Odigbo Local Government Area, Ondo State. The accident occurred when an 18-seater Toyota Hiace passenger bus collided head-on with a heavy-duty truck, igniting a fierce blaze that engulfed the bus and trapped passengers inside. The fatal crash, which left three others injured, unfolded under harrowing circumstances as the commercial bus, travelling at high speed, attempted to overtake another vehicle. According to eyewitness accounts, the driver’s manoeuvre led to a direct collision with the oncoming truck, resulting in…
In a significant political development in Ondo State, several members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have defected to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in anticipation of the upcoming governorship election on 16 November. The defection, which took place at a rally held at the SDP secretariat in Akure, saw the former APC members formally switching their allegiance by relinquishing their APC membership cards and collecting those of the SDP. The defectors, led by Femi Ikoyi, cited dissatisfaction with their treatment within the APC as the primary reason for their departure. Ikoyi, who is a prominent figure within the People’s…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that 125,928 out of 184,438 newly printed Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) have been collected in Edo State in preparation for the upcoming governorship election on 21 September. This collection rate represents 68.3% of the new PVCs issued during the recent Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, marking the highest collection rate INEC has achieved for off-cycle governorship elections since the introduction of CVR in 2015. Mr Sam Olumekun, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, disclosed this in a statement released on Tuesday in Abuja. Olumekun commended the coordinated…
The Russian government has issued a stern warning to France in response to the arrest of Pavel Durov, the CEO of Telegram, suggesting that the move might be intended to intimidate the prominent tech entrepreneur. Durov, who is 39 years old, was detained in Paris over the weekend on charges related to his company’s alleged failure to prevent the dissemination of illegal content on the Telegram platform. His company has strongly refuted these allegations. The Kremlin has expressed deep concerns about the arrest, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov highlighting the gravity of the charges and the need for substantial evidence. Peskov…
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has granted the Department of State Services (DSS) the authority to detain Ibrahim Nasiru, a suspected terrorist, for a period of 60 days. This extended detention is intended to allow the DSS to conduct a thorough investigation into the numerous allegations against Nasiru. The detention period is set to commence from 27th August 2024. The order was issued by Justice Lifu on Tuesday, following the delivery of a ruling in response to an ex-parte application brought before the court by the DSS. The application, which sought the court’s permission for…
Peter Babalola, the former Chief of Staff to ex-Governor Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has been suspended from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over accusations of engaging in activities detrimental to the party’s interests. Babalola, who served as Chief of Staff during Oyinlola’s administration in Osun State, was recently appointed as the Chairman of the College of Education, Ila-Orangun, by Governor Ademola Adeleke in 2023. However, his continued association with the party has come under scrutiny, leading to his suspension. The suspension letter, dated 27th August 2024, was signed by 17 party executives from Ward 7 in the Irewole Local Government Area…
The Labour Party (LP) has taken a significant step to reinforce discipline within its ranks by establishing a seven-member Disciplinary Standing Committee. This move is aimed at curbing the activities of members who refuse to abide by the party’s constitution and directives, ensuring that the party remains united and focused on its core objectives. The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, inaugurated the committee on Tuesday in Abuja, following a resolution passed during the National Working Committee (NWC) meeting. Abure emphasised the importance of party discipline, urging all members to adhere to the rules and respect the national…
The Anambra State government has taken decisive action by sealing the state party secretariat of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) faction led by Edozie Njoku. This move comes against the backdrop of an ongoing internal crisis within the party, which Governor Chukwuma Soludo has characterised as a minor family misunderstanding that will soon be resolved. Governor Soludo, while addressing journalists, sought to downplay the extent of the crisis within APGA, assuring the public that it was a temporary issue typical of the period leading up to elections. “Anambra people have come to the conclusion that APGA is the party…
The Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) of the Nigeria Police in Alagbon, Lagos, has made significant strides in tackling organised crime with the arrest of eleven individuals implicated in a sophisticated scheme involving impersonation and the hijacking of imported pharmaceutical drugs. The arrests, made in connection with the theft of a large consignment of Tramadol 100mg capsules, mark a critical breakthrough in the fight against drug-related crimes in Nigeria. The arrests were confirmed in a statement released by the department’s spokesperson, ASP Aminat Mayegun, on Monday in Lagos. According to the statement, the suspects, along with other accomplices who remain…
In a shocking and brutal incident, a woman identified as Theresa Awuhe was assassinated by unidentified gunmen in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State. The tragic event occurred over the weekend as the victim was returning home from her provisions shop located near the popular Gyado Villa, close to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH). The news of Theresa’s murder has sent shockwaves through the local community, leaving many residents in fear and disbelief. According to reports, the deceased, who was widely known as “Tessy,” was making her way home at around 10:00 pm, accompanied by relatives who had…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed deep satisfaction with the recent ruling by the Court of Appeal, which unanimously reaffirmed the nomination of Asue Ighodalo as its candidate for the upcoming September 2024 Edo State governorship election. The court’s decision has been hailed by the party as a significant triumph for democracy and the rule of law, standing as a rebuke to anti-democratic elements attempting to undermine the will of the people of Edo State. In a statement released on Monday by Debo Ologunagba, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, the party celebrated the judgement, which it described as a…
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has expressed its profound satisfaction with the recent Supreme Court judgment, which upheld the election victory of Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State. The ruling has been described as a significant milestone in the state’s political landscape, affirming Uzodimma’s position as the duly elected governor in the face of numerous challenges. In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Alex Ogbonnia, the organisation commended Governor Uzodimma for his unwavering determination and resilience throughout the prolonged legal battles that followed his re-election. Ogbonnia noted that the Supreme Court’s decision, delivered…
In a significant political development, Mr Mohammed Isimbabi, the member representing Toto/Gadabuke Constituency in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, has officially defected from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The announcement was made during a session in Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State, where the Speaker of the House, Mr Danladi Jatau, read out Isimbabi’s defection letter to the Assembly. According to the letter, the primary reason cited by Mr Isimbabi for his decision to leave the NNPP was the growing internal divisions within the party at the national level. This internal strife,…
In the aftermath of a violent confrontation between members of the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shiites, and the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja, 97 individuals have been detained for prosecution. The clash, which erupted on Sunday, resulted in the tragic death of two police officers, with three others sustaining serious injuries. The incident, marked by the setting ablaze of three police patrol vehicles, underscores the escalating tensions between the IMN and law enforcement authorities in Nigeria. According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the confrontation occurred during a routine patrol by…
In a significant move aimed at revitalising Nigeria’s security architecture, President Bola Tinubu has sanctioned the appointment of new Directors-General for two of the nation’s most crucial intelligence agencies: the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and the Department of State Services (DSS). The President’s decision marks a strategic shift intended to enhance the operational efficiency of these agencies amidst escalating security challenges across the country. Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed has been named the new Director-General of the NIA, while Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi takes the helm of the DSS. The announcement of these appointments was made through an official statement released by Ajuri…
The Jigawa State Government has officially declared Tuesday, 27th August 2024, as a work-free day to mark the 33rd anniversary of the state’s creation. This announcement was made in a statement signed by the State Head of Service, Alhaji Muhammad K. Dagaceri, reflecting the importance of this milestone in the state’s history. The state government extended its heartfelt congratulations to the people of Jigawa, encouraging them to celebrate the day with a spirit of unity and reflection. The statement urged all citizens to not only commemorate the state’s achievements over the past three decades but also to offer prayers for…
Samuel Anyanwu, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the November 11, 2023, Imo State Governorship Election, has strongly criticised the recent Supreme Court verdict that upheld the election results. Describing the ruling as a “legalisation of electoral fraud,” Anyanwu insisted that he was the rightful winner of the election, claiming that the Apex Court ignored the evidence of his victory. In a press statement released by his Media Aide, Ikenna Onuoha, Anyanwu expressed deep dissatisfaction with the Supreme Court’s decision, accusing it of legitimising what he termed as a “charade.” The PDP candidate, who also serves as the National…
Salihu Lukman, former National Vice Chairman, North-West, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has issued a stark warning regarding the trajectory of Nigeria’s current administration under President Bola Tinubu. In a recent statement, Lukman expressed deep concern that Tinubu’s governance may ultimately prove more detrimental than that of his predecessor, former President Muhammadu Buhari. Lukman’s critique of the Tinubu administration is rooted in what he perceives as a worsening state of governance in Nigeria. Reflecting on the past, he lamented that Buhari’s presidency, which many had hoped would mark a significant improvement in leadership, ultimately fell short of public expectations.…