Author: Ifeanyi Nwagboso

The Nigerian Navy has announced significant progress in its crackdown on illegal oil refining operations in the Niger Delta. Troops from Operation Delta Sanity deactivated 124 illegal refining sites and arrested 55 suspects involved in oil theft and illegal refining over the past four months. This was disclosed by the Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Samson Bura, during a press briefing in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on Thursday. Rear Admiral Bura revealed that in addition to the arrests, the Navy deactivated 116 wooden boats, 543 dugout pits, and 64 storage tanks. Six vessels suspected of being involved in…

The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of five individuals for alleged burglary and theft in Ijebu Ode and surrounding areas. The suspects, identified as 32-year-old Emmanuel (also known as Ozon), Samuel Sunday Idoko (39), Tolulope Ilesanmi (21), Sanusi Daniel (29), and 20-year-old Ogunkoya Victor (alias Emo), were apprehended for their involvement in burglarizing shops and stealing armored cable wires from transformers. According to the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, the arrest followed a complaint lodged by victims of the burglary. She revealed that the suspects were part of a syndicate that had been operating…

A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Kaduna on Thursday sentenced a 21-year-old scavenger, Ibrahim Usman, to eight strokes of the cane for stealing a she-goat. Usman, who admitted to the crime, pleaded for leniency, blaming bad influence from his friends. Delivering the judgment, Magistrate Ibrahim Emmanuel noted that the court took a lenient stance because the convict promptly confessed. He ordered eight strokes of the cane and warned Usman against future criminal behavior, stating that the court might not be as merciful next time. The prosecution counsel, Inspector Chidi Leo, informed the court that Usman committed the offence on October 6…

Former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, has praised Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara for standing firm against intimidation during the just-concluded local government elections in the state. In a statement issued by his media adviser, Ike Abonyi, on Wednesday, Secondus commended Fubara for showcasing true leadership and upholding democratic values. “Governor Fubara has demonstrated true leadership by standing firm for democracy,” Secondus said. “His refusal to bow to intimidation is a testament to his commitment to his people and their future.” Secondus also called on President Bola Tinubu to strengthen collaboration with Governor Fubara in…

In an effort to repair strained relations within the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano, Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf has held a meeting with discontented National Assembly members of the party in Abuja. The governor, in a post on his Facebook page, stated that the meeting was convened to discuss critical issues affecting both the state and the party. Reliable sources revealed to Newsmen that the meeting included Senator AbduRahman Kawu Sumaila, who represents Kano South, and former Kano State Speaker and current member of the House of Representatives for Rano Federal Constituency, Kabiru Alhassan Rirum, among others.…

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has dismissed Senior Advocate of Nigeria, P.I.N. Ikwueto, and his legal firm from representing the party in legal matters. The termination was conveyed in a letter dated October 8, 2024, titled “Letter of Disengagement as APGA External Solicitor,” signed by APGA’s National Chairman, Chief Edozie Njoku. Alongside Ikwueto, several other lawyers were also dismissed, including Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, C.I. Mbaeri, Esq., Victor Agunzi, Esq., Tobechukwu Nweke, Esq., Chinedu Eze, Esq., Dr. Obinna Onya, Esq., and Celestine Ezeokeke, Esq., from representing APGA in any case, including Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/966/2024.…

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has denied accusations of playing godfather to Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Wike also refuted claims that Fubara had knelt before him in a show of submission. Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” on Tuesday, Wike addressed the allegations, describing them as baseless. “What is the meaning of godfatherism? Have I not left Fubara alone? What did he kneel down to me for? Never, he did not kneel down for me, what offense did he commit?” Wike said in response to the claims. The minister went further to…

A member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship campaign council in Edo State, Regina Oviaesu, has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of deliberately hindering their legal attempts to challenge the outcome of the recent governorship election. INEC declared Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the election. Okpebholo secured victory in 11 local government areas, while PDP candidate Asue Ighodalo won in seven, with Labour Party candidate Olumide Akpata failing to win in any local government area. The official results, announced by INEC’s Returning Officer, Prof. Faruk Adamu Kuta, Vice-Chancellor of the…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the office of the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo State have refuted claims suggesting that some political parties were blocked from accessing and inspecting the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices and other materials used in recent elections. Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo State, responded to the allegations in a statement, describing them as baseless, misleading, and entirely false. He reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to transparency, fairness, and integrity in all electoral processes under his leadership. “The inspection of election materials is a fundamental right of all parties involved in…

The 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has passed a bill for the establishment of the Federal University of Technology, Ilaro, Ogun State, marking a significant step toward fulfilling the educational aspirations of the Ogun West Senatorial District. The bill, titled Federal University of Technology, Ilaro, Ogun State (SB 345, 2024) was sponsored by Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola Yayi, representing Ogun West. It aims to upgrade the Federal Polytechnic Ilaro into a full-fledged University of Technology. This is the second time the Senate has passed this bill. It was initially approved by the 9th Senate but did not…

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a commercial sex worker, Joy Kelvin, for allegedly stabbing a 48-year-old client, identified as Okafor, to death. The command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident on Monday. The stabbing reportedly took place at 5:32 a.m. at Jakande Housing Estate in the Lekki area of Lagos State. According to Hundeyin, the case was reported to the Ilasan Division by a friend of the deceased. “A complainant reported that he received a call from one of his friends that Okafor had been stabbed in his house by Joy Kelvin, a prostitute he…

The Adamawa State Police Command has arrested a 37-year-old woman, Fatima Abubakar, in Yola South Local Government Area for allegedly torturing two toddlers under her care. Fatima was taken into custody after it was revealed that she had physically assaulted a 2-year-old girl and a young boy. According to police reports, the abuse occurred after the children urinated and defecated inside the house. The spokesperson for the Adamawa State Police Command, Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, confirmed the arrest on Monday, stating that investigations uncovered a pattern of mistreatment by Fatima. “Neighbours reported that Fatima, who is childless, had a history of…

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has blamed Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State. Wike made these accusations during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, stating that Governor Fubara’s actions have contributed to the current unrest in the state. The minister criticized Fubara’s decision to proceed with local government elections, suggesting that it was a violation of the rule of law. “No person who believes in peace and stability of any nation will say they support violence, destruction, or disharmony. But when there is violence and instability, the…

The leader of the Labour Party (LP) in Imo State, Senator Athan Achonu, has refuted claims that the party’s state chairman, Callistus Ihejiagwa, has been removed from his position following a stakeholders’ meeting. Achonu clarified that no congress has been held in Imo State, and therefore, Ihejiagwa remains the duly recognized chairman of the Labour Party in the state. In a statement signed by the Director General of the Senator Athan Achonu Campaign Organisation, Chime Nzeribe, the senator addressed what he called “unnecessary speculations” that followed the stakeholders’ meeting in Umuahia, Abia State. Achonu emphasized that the party remains united…

More than two weeks after the Edo State off-cycle governorship election, the women’s wing of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) staged a peaceful protest on Tuesday, demanding the declaration of the party’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo, as the winner. InfoStride News reports that the women, dressed in black, alleged that the mandate freely given to Ighodalo was stolen by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and handed to the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo. The women vowed to continue protesting until what they described as their “stolen mandate” was restored. Carrying placards with inscriptions like “INEC sack Edo…

The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has predicted that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, will face disgrace in Abuja. The cleric issued this warning on Tuesday in light of Wike’s ongoing conflict with Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara. In a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Primate Ayodele described Wike’s battle with Governor Fubara as an attempt to challenge God, cautioning the FCT Minister to end the political crisis or risk being forgotten in Nigeria’s political landscape. This warning comes amid an escalating power tussle in Rivers State, where…

Labour Party Chairman, Julius Abure, has reacted to the Federal High Court’s ruling affirming his leadership of the party. On Tuesday, the Federal High Court in Abuja declared Abure as the substantive Chairman of the Labour Party and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize him as the legitimate leader of the party. This ruling overturns INEC’s previous stance, which had rejected Abure’s leadership. In his response, Abure expressed gratitude for the court’s decision, calling it “a triumph for justice and democracy.” In a statement issued on Tuesday, Abure said, “This victory is not just mine, but a…

The Abia State Government has approved the provision of funds and running costs for the offices of school heads across the state, a move aimed at addressing issues of illegal fee collections and easing pressure on educational administrators. The decision comes in response to allegations of illegal fees being collected in some primary and secondary schools. The announcement was made by the Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, during a media briefing at Government House Umuahia, following this week’s State Executive Council (SEC) meeting, presided over by Governor Alex Otti. Kanu stated that the move aligns with the ongoing reforms in…

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, has announced that two out of the three Bus and Taxi Terminals under construction by the FCT Administration will be ready by January 2025. Wike made this known during an inspection of the ongoing projects in Abuja on Tuesday. He emphasized that upon completion, all buses and taxis would be required to operate from designated terminals, ensuring better traffic management across the FCT. Expressing satisfaction with the progress made since the project’s commencement in July, Wike noted that the contractor was initially given 15 months to deliver the terminals…

The Federal Government has assured that the first 47 kilometres of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, currently under construction, will be completed by May 2025. Minister of Works, David Umahi, gave this assurance while inspecting a section of the road that had been evacuated and refilled after being used as a dump site. Umahi expressed confidence in the construction company’s reliability, stating that it would achieve one kilometre of concrete pavement per day, ensuring that the project remains on track. He also mentioned that squatters along the site corridors would soon be removed for failing to relocate voluntarily. “I am very…