The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, has intercepted four 40-foot containers loaded with illicit drugs valued at N1.18 billion. The operation, carried out by customs officers at two terminals, blocked the smuggling of 236,783 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup, a substance banned by the Federal Government. In a statement on Wednesday, the command’s Public Relations Officer, Usman Abubakar, disclosed that the seized items included Barcadin cough syrup, all packed in 2,174 cartons. The discovery was made during routine inspections between October 11 and 15, 2024. Apapa Customs Area Controller (CAC), Babatunde Olomu, commended the officers involved, describing the…
Author: Ifeanyi Nwagboso
Gunmen have launched a fresh attack on rural communities in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, killing at least five people, according to a statement released on Tuesday by the Chairman of Bokkos Cultural Development Council, Farmasum Fuddang, and Secretary, Duwam Bosco. The attack occurred on Monday, October 14, in Rafut village within the Kwatas district, despite earlier warnings of potential violence. The council leaders lamented recurring attacks that have claimed numerous lives in the area. “Terrorists, identified as members of the Fulani tribe, launched the brutal attack shortly after 7 p.m. on October 14,” the statement read. The…
The Nigeria Police Force has arrested and detained 10,852 persons across the country for various crimes within the past three months, the Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, disclosed on Tuesday. Speaking at a high-level meeting with police officers from the rank of Commissioner and above, Egbetokun detailed that the arrests, carried out between July and September, involved suspects linked to crimes such as kidnapping, banditry, and armed robbery. “During the period, 416 arms, 3,672 rounds of ammunition, and 178 vehicles were recovered, while 369 kidnapped victims were successfully rescued,” the IGP stated. Egbetokun also reported a significant decline in crime…
Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have ordered warring factions within the party to revert to the status quo in a bid to restore unity. The directive was issued by the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, following a meeting of the governors that concluded in the early hours of Tuesday. Speaking after the meeting, Mohammed acknowledged that internal disputes are inevitable in political parties but assured that the challenges within the PDP would be resolved amicably. “There is no crisis. The governors, Board of Trustees (BoT), and the…
The Network of Peace Journalists (NPJ), in partnership with the Conflict Mitigation and Management Regional Council (CMMRC) and Community Peace Observers (CPO), has called for peaceful elections across all 23 local government areas of the state. In a statement issued by NPJ’s team leader, Ibrahima Yakubu, the group emphasized the importance of unity among stakeholders to ensure a smooth and peaceful electoral process. “Politicians should collaborate with civil society organizations to promote peace and unity, while also encouraging citizens to participate actively by voting for credible candidates,” Yakubu stated. The statement also urged youths to shun violence, thuggery, and any…
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on Wednesday directed the Committee on Special Duties to investigate reports of an alleged invasion of the National Assembly by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) amid speculations of an impeachment move against key principal officers. Akpabio, who issued the directive during plenary, denied the allegations, describing them as “fake news” intended to mislead the public. He assigned Senator Shehu Kaka, Chairman of the Special Duties Committee, to carry out the probe and submit a report within 24 hours. Addressing the matter, Akpabio lamented the growing influence of misinformation on social…
Human rights activist Idris Miliki Abdul has called on the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC) to meet public expectations by conducting free, fair, and credible elections. He also urged the commission to promptly release the results once the elections are concluded. Miliki, who made the remarks after reviewing KOSIEC’s preparations, emphasized the need for professionalism from security agencies during the electoral process. The activist, who leads the Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), praised the commission’s transparency thus far, ahead of the local government elections scheduled for October 19, 2024. “According to the timetable released by KOSIEC…
The 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has chosen to remain silent on the internal crisis affecting the party in Kano State. Speaking on Tuesday at his Miller Road residence in Kano, Kwankwaso told reporters that he had no intention of commenting on the situation. “I don’t want to talk, please. Don’t drag me into what I am not supposed to be dragged into. The chairman of the party has spoken and has been speaking. Reach out to him,” Kwankwaso said. The NNPP has recently been rocked…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has renewed its call for the removal of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo State ahead of the November 16 governorship election. Speaking at the campaign flag-off on Tuesday in Akure, the state capital, the PDP accused the REC of having personal ties to the state, raising concerns about potential bias in overseeing the election. Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, who leads the party in the southwest, urged the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to replace the REC, Babalola, to ensure a fair electoral process. Makinde also cautioned voters against…
Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, on Tuesday reaffirmed the party’s unity despite recent leadership changes, during a governorship rally in Ondo State. Addressing party faithful, Governor Adeleke, who chairs the Ondo State Governorship Campaign Council, emphasized that the PDP remains a united family. He disclosed that party leaders have met to ensure unity and respect for the PDP’s constitution, urging members to turn out en masse for the party’s candidate, Agboola Ajayi, in the upcoming election. The affirmation was contained in a statement issued by Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, in Osogbo…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned individuals without Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to stay away from polling centres during the November 16, 2024, governorship election in Ondo State. Prof. Kunle Ajayi, INEC’s National Commissioner overseeing Ondo, Ogun, and Osun States, issued the warning on Tuesday in Akure during the presentation of soft copies of the voter register to political parties. Ajayi reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to conducting a free, fair, credible, and inclusive election, disclosing that 2,053,006 eligible voters have been registered for the exercise. “The Commission will commence the distribution of newly printed PVCs and uncollected cards…
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has criticized the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for raiding Urban 94.5FM in Enugu State, disrupting a live broadcast, and arresting a broadcaster, Favour Ekoh. Reports indicate that the EFCC operatives stormed the radio station on Monday evening, allegedly forcing staff members to sit on the floor while tampering with broadcasting equipment during the operation. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Chairman of NUJ Enugu Council, Comrade Sam Udekwe, condemned the EFCC’s actions, describing them as “unprofessional” and reminiscent of military-era tactics. “It is only during military takeovers that we witness such…
Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has explained his decision not to touch the local government subvention since assuming office 17 months ago. Speaking during a meeting with candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the upcoming local government council elections, Otu said the funds were reserved for a legacy project intended to benefit the people. “The local government allocations have remained untouched because I believe the state requires substantial funds to invest in a legacy project that holds immense benefits for the people,” Otu stated. The governor revealed that the primary project is the state’s aviation…
The Zamfara State Independent Electoral Commission (ZASIEC) has set November 16, 2024, for the conduct of local government elections to elect Chairmen and Councillors across the state. Speaking at a press briefing held at the Commission’s Secretariat in Gusau, the state capital, the Executive Chairman of ZASIEC, Bala Aliyu Gusau, announced that the sale of nomination forms will commence from October 25 to November 1, 2024. He explained that the forms will be available to aspirants from all interested political parties in the state. “The purpose of this briefing is to officially announce the election date and the sale of…
The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Nigeria Police of collecting N64 million for the release of its members detained before the September 21, 2024, governorship election. The party’s state chairman, Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, made the allegation during a press conference on Monday in Benin City. “You will recall that the police were arresting our members on the false allegation of killing Inspector Akor,” Aziegbemi said. “The police shamelessly released our members after collecting about N64 million, ostensibly for bail. Astonishingly, more arrests have been made after the election. How low can the police…
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has approved a new minimum wage of N77,000 for the lowest-paid workers in the state, with immediate effect from October 2024. The announcement followed a meeting between the state government, led by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Tokunbo Talabi, and the leadership of organized labour in Ogun State, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), to discuss the wage implementation. Speaking on the governor’s directive, Talabi stated that Governor Abiodun has mandated that no worker in the state should earn below N77,000. He emphasized…
Ahead of the Ondo State governorship election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that the collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) will commence on Thursday across all 203 wards in the state. The Commission emphasized that backlog PVCs from previous registrations will also be available for collection at designated centres. INEC urged eligible voters to collect their cards in person during the approved dates, reaffirming that no cards would be issued by proxy. In a statement issued on Monday, Sam Olumekun, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, said that details of the…
No fewer than 1,000 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State have defected to the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). The mass defection occurred in Tofa and Ghari Local Government Areas as the defectors aligned with the Kwankwasiyya Movement, led by Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. The new members were formally welcomed by the NNPP state chairman, Dr. Hashimu Suleiman Dungurawa, during a ceremony held at both locations. The event also served as the official flag-off of the party’s chairmanship campaign ahead of the upcoming local government elections. The NNPP candidates for the elections, Yakubu Ibrahim Adis (Tofa)…
A faction of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has disowned Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as the party leader, declaring his influence a threat to the party’s progress and existence. Leading the anti-Kwankwasiya campaign at the NNPP secretariat in Minna, Niger State, the factional National Chairman, Dr. Gilbert Agbo, asserted that Kwankwaso’s suspension by the National Working Committee (NWC) during a meeting in Lagos effectively ended his membership and leadership stake in the party. Dr. Agbo also supervised the symbolic burning of the Kwankwasiya group’s iconic red caps at the state secretariat, stating that the action was a clear message…
The National Think Tank Committee (NTTC) of the Action Alliance (AA) has approved an update of the party’s membership register nationwide as part of efforts to reposition the party for improved electoral success in the 2027 general elections. The party’s National Secretary, Vernimbe James, disclosed this in a statement, noting that the exercise precedes the party’s Local Government Ward, State Congresses, and National Convention. According to James, “The exercise is in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended) and the Action Alliance 2005 Constitution (as amended).” The membership update is scheduled to run from October 18,…