Operatives of the Benue State Police Command have killed three suspected kidnappers and rescued two abducted individuals in a recent operation. The rescue took place early on May 29 in Ukum Local Government Area, where the suspects had reportedly demanded a ransom of N23 million for their captives. Superintendent of Police Catherine Anene, the State Police Public Relations Officer, disclosed that a team from Operation Zenda, a joint task force, stormed the kidnappers’ hideout around 6:00 am on Wednesday. According to Anene, the operation followed the kidnapping of two victims from their homes approximately a week prior. “On 29/5/2024 at…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, has called on Governor Seyi Makinde and security agencies to increase the deployment of operatives to the Ogbomoso and Oke Ogun areas to combat the rise in kidnapping and other criminal activities. The union’s appeal was made in a communique issued at the conclusion of its monthly congress held on Wednesday. The communique, signed by NUJ Secretary Comrade Olusola Oladapo, was made available to the media on Thursday. Ogbomoso encompasses five local government areas, while Oke Ogun has ten. In the communique, the Oyo NUJ Council stressed the urgent need for…
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has criticized the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, for alleged electoral fraud in the November 11, 2023, governorship election. Governor Diri’s comments came after the election petition tribunal dismissed the APC and Sylva’s petition challenging his victory, citing a lack of merit. Governor Diri spoke on Tuesday night at the King of Glory Chapel in Government House, Yenagoa, during a thanksgiving service upon his return from Abuja. He highlighted that during the tribunal’s cross-examinations, APC witnesses weakened their own case with frivolous claims and inconsistent evidence. Diri also recounted…
Impeached Deputy Governor of Edo State, Mr. Philip Shaibu, announced on Tuesday his intention to challenge the emergence of Asue Ighodalo as the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate for the upcoming state election to the highest judicial level. This follows a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja on Monday, which dismissed Shaibu’s suit seeking to nullify the February 22 governorship primary that produced Ighodalo as the PDP candidate. Justice James Omotosho ruled that Shaibu lacked the legal standing to challenge the primary’s outcome because he did not fully participate in the exercise and was not present at the venue on…
The Kano State Government is formulating a State Transport Policy to tackle the transportation challenges facing the state, aiming to establish modern transportation systems in the ancient city. State Commissioner for Transportation, Engr. Muhammad Ibrahim Diggol, announced this initiative during a press briefing at the NUJ Press Centre in Kano on Wednesday. Diggol highlighted that the policy will provide a strategic framework for current and future transportation decisions in the state. The development process includes stakeholder consultations to review the draft policy. “The challenges of providing modern, efficient, and effective transportation in the state are becoming enormous due to its…
A Benue State High Court has restrained the Benue State Government from investigating the administration of former Governor Chief Samuel Ortom. The court order halts the activities of a commission of inquiry recently set up by the Benue State Government to examine the state’s income and expenditure from May 29, 2015, to May 28, 2023, covering Ortom’s tenure. Justice T. T. Asua issued the order while ruling on a motion ex-parte filed by former Governor Ortom. The order prevents the panel from proceeding until the hearing and determination of a motion on notice. Counsel to Chief Ortom, Oba Maduabuchi, SAN,…
The Adamawa State Independent Electoral Commission (ADSIEC) has announced that elections to choose chairmen and councillors for the state’s 21 local government councils will be held on Saturday, July 13, 2024. ADSIEC Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Umar, made the announcement on Tuesday, informing journalists in Yola that notices of the elections will be published at the ADSIEC headquarters and local government offices. Umar also stated that the timetable, schedule of activities, and timelines for the election exercise will be released within the next two weeks. “The Commission’s mandate to organize, conduct, and supervise elections is in fulfillment of the Constitution following…
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has welcomed former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s removal of the fuel subsidy and harmonization of foreign exchange (FX) rates. In response to Obasanjo’s recent criticism of some of Tinubu’s policies, the APC acknowledged that while the necessary measures have immediate harsh effects, the Tinubu-led Federal Government has taken steps to mitigate these impacts. InfoStride News reports that Obasanjo, in a statement on Sunday, remarked that some of Tinubu’s key policies, including the removal of the fuel subsidy and FX rate harmonization, were necessary but poorly implemented. He noted that these…
The Labour Party (LP) Caucus in the House of Representatives has criticized the state of Nigeria’s economy, stating it has “dangerously continued” in a free fall since President Bola Tinubu assumed office one year ago. In a statement signed by their leader, Afam Ogene, the lawmakers expressed doubt about Tinubu’s ability to rescue the nation, citing rising insecurity and economic hardship as contradictions to his renewed hope agenda promise. “Our Caucus had taken a backseat in the patriotic hope that, maybe, just maybe, the beneficiary administration would be able to work magic and pull the nation from the precipice of…
The German government has praised President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda, describing his initiatives since assuming power on May 29, 2023, as “bold steps” toward elevating Nigeria. German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annett Günther, made these remarks in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, highlighting the administration’s efforts over the past year to bolster the oil sector, tackle insecurity, and combat corruption. Günther emphasized the importance of staying focused on the ongoing economic reforms, which she noted were long overdue. “The nation’s economic reforms were long overdue, and it took Tinubu courage to implement them, knowing they…
Saudi Arabian authorities have issued a stern warning to all pilgrims participating in this year’s Hajj against entering the country with invalid Hajj visas. In a warning issued by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the Saudi Kingdom threatened severe penalties for any pilgrim or group found to have entered the country illegally. The Ministry of Interior stipulated a penalty of deportation and a fine of 10,000 SR for anyone caught performing Hajj without an authorized Hajj permit. The warning was conveyed to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) through the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs from the Royal…
The youth wing of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, has rated President Bola Tinubu’s administration above average as it marks one year in office today, May 29. The Igbo group made this assessment while also urging the President to dismiss any cabinet member not significantly contributing to the realization of the Renewed Hope Agenda. In a statement released on Wednesday, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, commended President Tinubu’s efforts toward restoring the country’s economic fortunes. “President Tinubu inherited a battered economy, and while it does not take rocket science…
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has called on President Bola Tinubu to provide transparency regarding the fuel subsidy regime. In a statement made public on Tuesday, Atiku urged the President to outline the fiscal commitments and benefits stemming from the fuel subsidy reform and its impact on the Federation Accounts. “It is curious that since April 2024, fuel queues have mounted at many filling stations across Nigeria, and the infamous ‘black market’ has sprouted in several states. How much PMS is being imported and distributed, and at what cost? What is the implicit subsidy?” Atiku questioned. The…
Yunusa Tanko, the spokesman for the defunct Obi-Datti presidential campaign council, has stated that Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, would only agree to a merger aimed at lifting Nigeria out of poverty. Tanko clarified that the former Anambra governor is not interested in any merger solely focused on gaining political power. This comes after Obi met with his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, and Sule Lamido. The meeting sparked speculations of a possible merger, a notion recently endorsed by Atiku. Reacting to these speculations, Tanko emphasized that Obi would only…
The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, has demoted Inspector Isong Osudueh, an officer attached to the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) in Owerri, following a widely circulated video showing him extorting money from motorists along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway. In a statement issued by the Command’s spokesman, Henry Okoye, Danjuma described the officer’s behavior as “shameful and unprofessional.” Additionally, the supervisory officer has been issued an official query for lack of supervision. Commissioner Danjuma condemned the actions of Inspector Osudueh and emphasized that the Command would not tolerate any form of extortion or misconduct by its personnel. He warned that…
The Organised Labour, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), has rejected a fresh minimum wage proposal by the Nigerian Government. According to Channels Television, the Federal Government offered to pay N60,000 as the new minimum wage, which was promptly rejected by Organised Labour. Labour had initially proposed N615,000 as the new minimum wage but reduced their demand to N497,000 last week and further to N494,000 on Tuesday. A prominent member of the Tripartite Committee for the negotiation of a new minimum wage revealed that the Federal Government and the Organised Private Sector side of…
The Senate has pardoned and recalled Bauchi Central Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, who was suspended for three months on March 12, 2024, for accusing the Senate of budget padding. The recall process was initiated following a motion moved by Deputy Minority Leader Sen. Abba Moro, who expressed regret on behalf of the suspended senator. Sen. Moro pledged to assume full responsibility for Sen. Ningi’s actions, acknowledging the gravity of the suspension. The senator’s conduct during the period of suspension has been a matter of scrutiny and debate within the legislative body. Senate President Godswill Akpabio emphasized Sen. Ningi’s resourcefulness and…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ode-Aye Ward 1 of Okitipupa Local Government Area, Ondo State, has suspended Folake Omogoroye, a female governorship aspirant in the primary election held on April 20, 2024. The suspension was announced in a letter signed by the APC Chairman in the ward, Akinsowola Awodele, and supported by 12 other executive members on Monday evening. According to the letter, Omogoroye was suspended for “anti-party activities and flagrant disobedience to the constituted authority of the party.” InfoStride News recalls that Omogoroye had approached the court to seek the cancellation of the governorship primary election, alleging irregularities.…
Leaders and stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ovungwu Ward 8, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of Abia State, have unanimously passed a vote of no confidence in the former executive chairman of the local council area, Ifeanyi Isikaku, and members of the Ward Executive Committee. They cited anti-party activities and negligence of duties as reasons for their decision. The stakeholders stated that the recent actions of the individuals concerned violated the party’s constitution. They warned these individuals to cease parading themselves as leaders and executives of Ovungwu Ward 8 and to stop convening illegal meetings, as…
The Benue State House of Assembly on Monday repealed the life pension law for former governors and their deputies. The life pension law, enacted to provide lifelong maintenance for former governors and their deputies, was originally passed in May 2023 by the 9th Assembly, just days before the end of their tenure. The controversial law extended benefits to ex-elected governors and their deputies from 1999, including former governors George Akume, Gabriel Suswam, Samuel Ortom, and ex-deputy governors Steven Lawani and Engr. Benson Abounu, who are still alive. During Monday’s plenary, the current 10th Assembly repealed the law, citing that it…