The Oyo State Police Command has arrested two individuals in connection with a clash between students of Areago Community High School, Ogbomoso, and residents of the community. The incident, which occurred on Thursday, reportedly escalated after students clashed with community members. Initial arrests included the school’s Vice Principal, two teachers, and the day guard, who were taken into custody by officers from the Owode Police Station. However, they were later released through the intervention of other teachers, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), and stakeholders. On Friday night, two residents accused of assaulting teachers during the altercation were apprehended by…
Author: Ifeanyi Nwagboso
Two revenue collectors allegedly working with the Anambra State government were set ablaze by an irate mob in Onitsha on Friday following the death of a bystander. The tragic incident occurred at Old Market Road, along Venn Road by Egerton, when a tipper driver, reportedly chased by the revenue agents, lost control of his vehicle. The vehicle rammed into a passerby, killing him on the spot. Eyewitnesses alleged that the revenue collectors were dragging the tipper’s steering with the driver, leading to the accident. Videos circulating on social media showed the mob attacking two of the agents with objects before…
Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Esan West Local Government Area, Edo State, are embroiled in controversy over the nomination of commissioner-candidates from the region. In a protest letter dated November 21, 2024, and addressed to the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, through the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Musa Umar Ikhilor, party leaders expressed dissatisfaction with the list of nominees. They claimed the list does not reflect the five kingdoms that make up the local government. The petition, titled “Re: Nomination of Five Names from Esan West Local Government”, was signed by party leaders from the ten…
The Edo State chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have engaged in a war of words following allegations of an attack on the PDP secretariat in Benin City. On Thursday, the PDP accused the APC of orchestrating the invasion of its secretariat. Chris Nehikhare, the Publicity Secretary of the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, alleged in a statement that a relative of the APC state youth leader led thugs to vandalize the building. According to Nehikhare, the attackers destroyed doors, windows, and office equipment and made away with electronics, computers, and other valuables worth…
The Nigerian Government has stated its commitment to closely monitoring the legal proceedings involving Simon Ekpa, the self-styled Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile. Ekpa was arrested in Finland on Thursday, November 21, 2024, on charges of inciting terrorism and promoting violence. In a statement issued on Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed Ekpa’s arrest, describing it as a critical step toward addressing the activities of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and mitigating transnational threats to Nigeria’s national security. The Finnish District Court of Päijät-Häme ruled to detain Ekpa on probable cause, citing allegations that he…
The Chairman of the Forum of National Youth Leaders of all Political Parties in Nigeria, Mr. Eze Chukwu, has called on President Bola Tinubu to grant amnesty to members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a means to address the recurring violence in the South-East region. Speaking in Abuja on Friday, Chukwu argued that extending the same amnesty program offered to former Niger Delta militants could bring lasting peace to the region. He traced the roots of IPOB to the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), which he described as a response to…
The Labour Party (LP) has launched an initiative aimed at enhancing grassroots mobilization and empowering youth leaders nationwide as part of its preparations for the 2027 general elections. At the party’s National Youth Leaders Conference on Wednesday in Abuja, the LP emphasized the importance of unity and collaboration among youths in driving the change needed to secure the presidency. Marcel Ngogbehei, Director-General of the Labour Party Directorate of Mobilization and Integration, highlighted the pivotal role of youth leaders in shaping the political landscape. He stressed the significance of grassroots leadership in promoting national unity and bridging divides within communities and…
Former presidential spokesman Doyin Okupe has dismissed allegations by Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi that the 2023 presidential election was rigged. Okupe, who served as the Director-General of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign, questioned the validity of Obi’s claims, citing instances where the All Progressives Congress (APC) lost in key strongholds. In a statement on Thursday, Okupe said: “If Peter Obi or the Labour Party says APC rigged elections, how come Obi was able to win in the home base of President Bola Tinubu? How come APC lost the election in the home base of the sitting President,…
Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, has raised concerns over the state of the opposition party, attributing its challenges to selfish interests within its ranks. Speaking at a press conference in Lagos on Thursday to mark his 79th birthday, George called on PDP members and leaders to use the forthcoming National Convention as an opportunity to rescue the party from its current struggles. The elder statesman expressed disappointment in some party members who he described as “desperados” working against unity and the collective interest of the PDP. He lamented that the party’s founding fathers,…
President Bola Tinubu has written to the Senate, requesting the confirmation of Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the substantive Chief of Army Staff. Tinubu’s letter, which was made public by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday, seeks Oluyede’s confirmation in accordance with Section 218(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act. Oluyede was appointed Acting Chief of Army Staff on October 30, 2024, following the illness of the late Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, who passed away on November 5, 2024. Onanuga emphasized President Tinubu’s confidence in Oluyede’s leadership qualities, professional integrity, and…
The Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) has expressed strong opposition to the proposed establishment of state police, calling it both too expensive and risky to implement. In a statement issued on Friday in Damaturu, the capital of Yobe State, KACRAN’s National President, Alhaji Khalil Bello, outlined the financial burden of setting up state police forces. According to Bello, the cost of establishing state police would range between N10 billion to N30 billion, depending on the population of each state. Additionally, the monthly salaries and operational costs could total around N3 billion. Bello also raised concerns over the…
Operatives of the Imo State Police Command’s Quick Intervention Unit have arrested a 36-year-old woman on allegations of child trafficking. The police also successfully rescued two children suspected to have been stolen from Anambra State. In a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Henry Okoye, the arrest was made during an intelligence-driven operation on November 20, 2024, in Amajeke, Owerri. Okoye confirmed that the rescued children have since been reunited with their families. During interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to her involvement in child trafficking. She revealed that she worked with a syndicate based in Onitsha to…
The Jigawa State Hisbah Board has reiterated that the importation, sale, and consumption of alcohol remain strictly prohibited in the state. Commandant of the board, Ibrahim Dahiru, made the disclosure on Thursday while speaking with journalists. He stated that the decision is part of the state government’s broader initiative to reform the board and curb social vices in the region. As part of its ongoing operations, the Hisbah command recently seized 78 cartons of assorted alcoholic beverages in Kazaure Local Government Area. The alcohol was confiscated from three beer parlours during an early morning raid. Ibrahim confirmed that no arrests…
Bandits have reportedly abducted four farmers in the Libere community, located in the Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Aminu Khalid, the youth leader of Dokan Karji, confirmed the abductions in a telephone interview with Newsmen on Thursday. He stated that the farmers were kidnapped around 12:00 PM while harvesting their crops. Khalid expressed concern over the growing insecurity in the area, noting that the incident has caused widespread panic, with many residents fleeing their homes. “These bandits have continued to occupy more villages in our local government area unchallenged, causing a lot of havoc to the various communities,” he…
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intercepted counterfeit alcohol packaging materials worth approximately N2 billion in Lagos State. In a statement shared via its X handle on Thursday, NAFDAC revealed that it dismantled illegal alcohol packaging operations at Article Market in Abule-Osun, Lagos. During the operation, the agency confiscated over 50,000 counterfeit branded labels and packaging materials used to produce unapproved and hazardous alcoholic beverages. NAFDAC warned of the severe health risks posed by counterfeit alcohol, including poisoning and organ damage. “Consumers are advised to purchase alcoholic beverages only from trusted vendors and report…
The National Economic Council (NEC) has resolved to intensify the implementation of the National Electrification Strategy to address the recurring collapse of Nigeria’s power grid. Vice President Kashim Shettima, who chairs NEC, emphasized that access to energy is a fundamental right, describing electricity as the “oxygen of economic growth.” At its 146th meeting on Thursday, held at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the council established a committee on national electrification to tackle challenges in the power sector. The committee, led by Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu, will focus on enhancing state-level engagements within the framework of…
The Nkomoro autonomous community in Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State has elected Cletus Igwe as its new traditional ruler. In a highly anticipated election, Igwe secured 734 votes to defeat his closest rival, Joseph Oganyi, who garnered 387 votes. The election saw massive turnout as community members participated en masse to choose their monarch. This development comes months after a faction of the community coronated a former Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Jacob Nwakpa, as the traditional ruler in June 2024. The earlier coronation sparked a crisis, resulting in the destruction of…
The National Executive Committee (NEC) of Accord has expelled eight members and suspended three others over allegations of gross misconduct, anti-party activities, and constitutional breaches. This decision was announced in a communiqué signed by the party’s National Chairman, Maxwell Mgbudem, and National Secretary, Adebukola A. Ajaja, following a meeting held on Wednesday at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja. The NEC reviewed the findings of a 7-member Disciplinary Committee set up by the National Working Committee (NWC) to investigate the allegations. “Accordingly, NEC expelled eight members and suspended three others for violating Article 20A (vii), (ix), (xiii), and 20A (1)…
The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has fixed January 21, 2025, to deliver its ruling on a suit filed by Labour Party candidates and pro-Fubara lawmakers against the Rivers State House of Assembly and 27 lawmakers led by Martin Amaewhule. The pro-Fubara lawmakers, including Victor Oko-Jumbo, Sokari Goodboy, and Adolphus Timothy, are challenging the alleged defection of 27 lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The plaintiffs are seeking the court’s interpretation of the lawmakers’ actions, arguing that they should vacate their seats to enable the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct…
The Federal High Court in Calabar, Cross River State, has convicted and sentenced five individuals to various jail terms for their involvement in internet fraud. Presiding over the case, Justice Rosemary Dugbo-Oghoghorie handed down the sentences on Monday, November 18, 2024. The convicts were charged by the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for criminal impersonation, fraudulent messaging, and money laundering. The EFCC disclosed this in a statement on its X handle on Wednesday, identifying the convicts as: Michael Aregbesola (alias Amin Deera), Adeleke Toba Richard (alias Jason Avtandil), Mkpoikanke Emmanuel Udoh (alias Tom Jones),…