The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Ondo State Command has directed divisional officers and tactical teams to be on red alert to prevent any incursion into the state by Oodua Nation agitators. The State Commandant of NSCDC, Oluyemi Ibiloye, issued the directive during the weekly muster parade, where the corps’ operations during the recent Eid-el Fitr celebration were reviewed. He also instructed the teams to be prepared for other potential security threats. In a statement released to the press by the command’s spokesperson, Aidamenbor Daniel, Ibiloye emphasized the need for vigilance, stating, “The Intelligence Department, Armed Squad, Counter-Terrorism…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Assembly caucus in Benue State has refuted claims of factionalization within the party in the state. The state chapter of the ruling party has been embroiled in turmoil following a rift between Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, over leadership of the party structure. In a statement issued on Monday by Hon. Philip Agbese, the joint spokesman of the National Assembly caucus, it was asserted that Benue APC is united and has no faction. Agbese dismissed those suggesting otherwise as “desperate comedians struggling for roles…
Pensioners in Akwa Ibom State have called on Governor Umo Eno to implement the payment of increased pension arrears for those who retired before 2012. The governor had approved increments in the pension of retirees before 2012, with implementation scheduled to commence at the end of April. In a statement signed by their secretary, Obong Cosmos Essien, the pensioners lauded the governor for ending the era of meager pension payments as low as N1000 or N2000 monthly in the state. They urged him to begin the implementation of the increased pension in arrears so that members could immediately benefit from…
The Edo State Police Command has arrested a police constable, Prince Chima, attached to the Department of Operatives (DOP), for allegedly threatening residents with an AK-47 rifle at their residence. Commissioner of Police in the state, Funsho Adegboye, disclosed this to newsmen in Benin City, stating that an orderly room trial has been ordered for the constable. According to Adegboye, the arrest followed the circulation of a viral video on April 7, 2024, showing a young man in a blue T-shirt, black joggers trousers, and blue palm slippers threatening violence with an AK-47 rifle. He explained that upon investigation, the…
Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and socio-political organization, has criticized the invasion of the Oyo State House of Assembly in Ibadan by suspected Yoruba nation agitators, describing the act as not in the interest of the Yoruba people. In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Comrade Jare Ajayi, the organization emphasized that those who carried out the invasion did not represent the true interests of the Yoruba people. The invasion, which occurred on Saturday, saw individuals claiming to be Yoruba nation agitators declaring the creation of a purported ‘Democratic Republic of the Yoruba’ separate from Nigeria. Afenifere clarified…
Fear and uncertainty grip Kano as the government of Abba Kabir Yusuf prepares to arraign the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Governor of the State, Dr. Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, over allegations of financial misappropriation. Reports indicate that some residents are planning to leave their homes due to concerns of potential violence by political thugs in the state. Charges were filed against Ganduje, his wife, and six others by the ruling New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP)-led administration in the state at the Kano State High Court last Tuesday. The government had also launched a commission of…
The air component of Nigeria’s military special task force, “Operation Delta Safe,” conducted air strikes on several illegal oil refining sites and bases of economic saboteurs in Rivers State on Friday and Saturday. AVM Edward Gabkwet, Director of Public Relations and Information at the Nigerian Air Force, announced on Sunday in Abuja that the air strikes had significantly reduced the capabilities of oil thieves and ensured that economic saboteurs could no longer vandalize pipelines to steal crude oil. Gabkwet stated that an illegal refining site in the Idama community was destroyed, and four boats loaded with illegally-refined products were also…
The President of the Nigerian Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has called for unity among leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South South region. Akpabio made the call during a meeting with state chairmen of the APC from the South South in Abuja on Sunday. Acknowledging the challenges faced by the chairmen, Akpabio promised to convene a stakeholders meeting in the near future, involving political officeholders from the zone, to discuss the way forward. He stated, “In the days ahead, a meeting of critical stakeholders, comprising state chairmen, National Assembly members, ministers, and other appointees from the region, would…
The Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF), an Igbo think-tank, has called for the immediate and unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). During a press conference held in Enugu on Sunday after an executive meeting, Prof Ukachukwu Awuzie, the President of ADF, made the demand, citing Kanu’s right to self-determination as enshrined in international charters. Awuzie expressed concern over Kanu’s continued incarceration, contrasting it with the release and reintegration of Boko Haram fighters into society, some even into the nation’s security architecture. He emphasized that Kanu’s struggle for self-determination aligns with democratic principles and…
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced the interception of significant quantities of opioid and cannabis in various operations across different states. In a statement issued by the agency’s spokesperson, Mr. Femi Babafemi, it was revealed that about 900,000 pills of opioid were seized in the Sabon Gari area of Kano State, leading to the arrest of two suspects on April 9. Additionally, a 48-year-old suspect was apprehended at Essit Ebum area of Calabar with 39.4kg of cannabis sativa on the same day. NDLEA operatives also intercepted a logistics truck on the Owerri-Onitsha road in Imo State, recovering…
The Zone 13 of the Nigeria Police Force, comprising Anambra and Enugu States, has disclosed the venue and schedule for the General Duty and Specialist Constable recruitment medical screening in both states. The announcement was made in a statement issued on Sunday by the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Ihunwo, in Enugu. According to Ihunwo, the medical screening for prospective candidates from Zone 13 will take place at the Police Hospital, Awka. The screening is scheduled to commence simultaneously nationwide on Tuesday, April 16, and will run until April 30, 2024. Candidates are advised to visit the recruitment…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has cleared all 16 aspirants seeking their ticket to contest the November 20 Ondo State Governorship election. The decision was announced by the seven-man screening committee led by Sen. Joshua Lidani, which gave all aspirants the approval to contest the April 20 primary election. According to a report submitted to the party’s Directorate of Organisation in Abuja on Saturday, the committee considered various factors including eligibility, suitability, character, and support base in its decision-making process. Among those cleared were the incumbent Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Isaac Kekemeke, former APC National Vice-Chairman (South West), Olusoji Ehinlanwo, a…
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has announced the disbursement of another N2 billion to the former chairmen of local government areas in the state who were sacked in May 2019. The former council bosses, who were elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2018, have been in dispute with the state government over the payment of their entitlements, previously urging the governor to settle their dues in full. Governor Makinde revealed the release of the N2 billion during a speech in Ogbomoso at the burial and thanksgiving service for Mama Ruth Adenihun Dare, mother of…
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has advised the families and friends of the newly inaugurated commissioners in the state not to exert undue pressure on them, as it could hinder their performance as members of the State Executive Council (SEC). During the swearing-in ceremony of at least 12 commissioners over the weekend, Aiyedatiwa warned the new cabinet members against engaging in corrupt practices and urged them to avoid actions that could negatively impact the state’s affairs. The governor emphasized the need for the new appointees to justify their appointments through dedicated service, stating that his administration is committed to…
Jimi Odimayo, a governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, has appealed to the party’s leadership to refrain from fielding a candidate with a one-term limit ahead of the primaries scheduled for April 20. Expressing his concerns, Odimayo highlighted the potential advantage opposition parties might gain from such a decision during the November 16 election. The current House of Representatives member representing Okitipupa/Irele federal constituency also called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to reconsider his ambition in the interest of both the southern senatorial district and the ruling party. Odimayo emphasized that the constitution prohibits Aiyedatiwa from…
Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, the former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP), has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and restrain the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, following a fresh threat of impeachment against Governor Siminalayi Fubara by members of the Rivers State Assembly led by Marthin Amaewhule. Eze, a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), urged Tinubu to “prevail on Wike to curtail the excesses of the 27 lawmakers,” whom he described as “the minister’s foot soldiers.” He emphasized the need for Tinubu to “call Wike to order to save the situation…
A section of the leadership of the Adamawa State chapter of the Labour Party (LP) convened on Saturday with organized labor and other stakeholders in an effort to mend a lingering rift within the party’s leadership. The meeting, called by the state executive committee of the party chaired by Christopher Nicholas, aimed to address the recent division within the party. However, a segment of the leadership led by the local government chairmen did not attend, having passed a vote of no confidence in the Christopher Nicholas-led committee last week. Speaking to reporters after the meeting at Labour House, Yola, the…
Former United States Ambassador to Bolivia, Victor Manuel Rocha, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for spying on the American government for over a decade on behalf of Cuba. Miami-based US District Judge Beth Bloom handed down the sentence on Friday after Rocha pleaded guilty to two counts, including acting as an agent of a foreign government. He was also fined $500,000, the maximum penalty allowed. Rocha’s espionage activities were described by Attorney General Merrick Garland as “one of the highest-reaching and longest-lasting infiltrations of the US government by a foreign agent.” Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen…
A dispatch rider, Monday Osazuwa, testified at the Special Offences Court in Lagos on Friday, revealing how the embattled former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, allegedly instructed him on several occasions to collect a total of $3 million in cash. Osazuwa, who had worked as a dispatch rider at Zenith Bank since 2001 before joining the CBN as a contract staff member in 2014, narrated his experience while being led in evidence by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN). The witness, who later became a senior supervisor (full-time) in charge of recording and…
Former Imo State Governor, Ikedi Ohakim, has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of former Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, praising his commitment to “politics without bitterness.” Ohakim described Onu as a rare gem whose wisdom and experience are sorely missed in Nigeria’s current state. In a statement, the former governor called on Nigerians to honor Onu’s memory by embracing the ideals he stood for. According to Ohakim, “Dr. Onu was a fine gentleman, unassuming and lived truly to the ambiance of politics without bitterness.” He added, “Nigeria has lost a rear gem whose maturity, brilliance,…