The Rivers State Police Command has arrested five suspects allegedly linked to kidnapping and other criminal activities in the state. The suspects were apprehended during operations carried out by police operatives following intelligence on the activities of suspected criminal groups operating in parts of the state. Police authorities said the arrests formed part of ongoing efforts to dismantle kidnapping networks and prevent further attacks on residents. The command said operatives recovered items believed to be connected to the suspects’ activities during the operations, adding that the exhibits would assist investigators in establishing the extent of their involvement. The suspects are…
Author: Ifeanyi Nwagboso
Five students of a polytechnic in Ogun State who were reportedly abducted by gunmen have been rescued by security operatives. The students were said to have been kidnapped in the state before security agencies launched efforts to locate and secure their release. Their rescue followed coordinated operations by security personnel, who acted on intelligence gathered during the search for the victims. The development was confirmed by security authorities, who said the rescued students were being attended to following their release. The operation also underscores ongoing efforts by security agencies to tackle kidnapping and other violent crimes in Ogun State. Authorities…
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has uncovered two additional organisations allegedly operating as fake government agencies in connection with its ongoing investigation into the Presidential Fiscal Intelligence and Financial Crimes (PFIPC) initiative. The development brings to the fore concerns over the activities of individuals and organisations allegedly presenting themselves as government-authorised bodies to unsuspecting members of the public. The ICPC said the latest discoveries formed part of its continuing investigation into activities surrounding the PFIPC, as operatives work to establish the identities of those behind the alleged fraudulent organisations and determine the extent of their…
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has questioned President Bola Tinubu’s explanation regarding the freezing of Osun State Government accounts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The party’s reaction followed the President’s directive to the anti-graft agency to lift the restriction on the accounts ahead of the August 15 governorship election. ADC said the development raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the EFCC’s action and the subsequent presidential intervention. The opposition party argued that the timing of the restriction, coming shortly before the governorship election, warranted greater transparency from the Federal Government and the anti-graft agency. It questioned whether…
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has promoted 73 officers serving under its Edo State Command in recognition of their service and contributions to the agency’s operations. The promotion was announced during a ceremony in Benin City, where officials commended the beneficiaries for their dedication to the fight against illicit drug trafficking and abuse. The development was described as part of efforts by the agency to motivate personnel and reward hard work while strengthening operational effectiveness across the country. Officials at the event urged the promoted officers to see their new ranks as an added responsibility and remain committed…
President Bola Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to lift the restriction placed on the Osun State Government’s account. The directive followed concerns over the freezing of the account amid preparations for the August 15 governorship election in the state. Tinubu expressed displeasure over the development, describing the situation as embarrassing and stressing the need to avoid actions that could create unnecessary tension ahead of the election. The President reportedly directed the anti-graft agency to immediately restore access to the affected account, allowing the state government to continue its financial operations. The development comes against the…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reportedly frozen an account belonging to the Osun State Government, days before the state’s August 15 governorship election. The development has generated fresh political tension in the state, with the action coming amid heightened political activities and ongoing preparations for the election. The affected account is reportedly being subjected to restrictions as part of an investigation by the anti-graft agency. The development is expected to attract significant attention given its timing, with the state government and political stakeholders already engaged in heightened activities ahead of the poll. The EFCC has continued to…
A senior aide to the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has raised concerns over what he described as possible confusion surrounding the party’s logo ahead of the 2027 general elections. The aide expressed concern that similarities or uncertainty involving the party’s symbol could create difficulties for voters, particularly during the accreditation and voting process. He stressed the importance of ensuring that the party’s identity and logo are clearly recognised by the electorate before the election. According to him, any confusion over the symbol could affect voters who intend to support the NDC, making it necessary…
A court has directed parties involved in a dispute over the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for a Plateau State House of Assembly seat to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the matter. The order was issued amid an internal dispute within the APC over the party’s candidate for the constituency, with the contending parties seeking judicial intervention to resolve the disagreement. The court’s directive effectively prevents the parties from taking steps that could alter the existing situation or prejudice the outcome of the case while the legal proceedings continue. The dispute is believed to have arisen from…
Political tension has continued to rise in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the campaign council of Governor Ademola Adeleke exchanging allegations. The latest development has heightened concerns among political stakeholders as the two camps trade accusations over issues surrounding the forthcoming poll. The APC and the Adeleke campaign organisation have continued to defend their positions while accusing the opposing side of actions capable of undermining a peaceful electoral process. The exchanges come barely days before voters in the state are expected to elect their governor, with political parties intensifying…
The Zamfara State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has called on the Federal and state governments to take responsibility for the worsening security situation in the state, following renewed attacks by bandits. The party, in a statement issued by its State Publicity Secretary, Kasim AlMustapha, expressed concern over the continued loss of lives and destruction of property, describing the situation as unacceptable. According to the NDC, residents of several communities continue to live in fear as bandit attacks, kidnappings and other violent crimes persist despite assurances from authorities that the security situation is improving. The party said governments…
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced that it will commence annual recruitment exercises as part of efforts to improve manpower development and make its employment process more predictable. The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this while announcing the release of the final list of successful candidates for the 2024/2025 recruitment exercise. According to him, the service has adopted a new recruitment policy that will see qualified Nigerians given the opportunity to apply for employment every year instead of waiting for irregular recruitment exercises. Adeniyi said the 2026 recruitment process would begin later this year and would be concluded…
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said former Vice President Atiku Abubakar would face difficulty winning the 2027 presidential election with former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, as his running mate. Wike made the remark during a media chat, where he questioned Amaechi’s electoral value and influence in Rivers State and the South-South region. According to him, Amaechi no longer commands the political support required to significantly boost Atiku’s presidential ambition, insisting that the former Rivers governor has failed to deliver electoral victories in recent years. Wike argued that Amaechi’s selection would add little to the…
Leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has dismissed reports claiming he predicted that President Bola Tinubu would lose the 2027 presidential election. Ayodele said his earlier comments had been misrepresented and taken out of context, insisting that he never declared that Tinubu would be defeated at the polls. In a statement issued through his media office, the cleric explained that his previous remarks were intended as warnings and advice to the President rather than a prophecy of electoral defeat. He maintained that he only highlighted issues and individuals that could affect Tinubu’s chances in the next…
Human rights activist and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) chieftain, Aisha Yesufu, has expressed concern over what she described as the undue emphasis placed on the academic certificates of political candidates during elections. Yesufu argued that while educational qualifications are important, greater attention should be paid to the competence, integrity and capacity of candidates seeking elective offices. According to her, Nigerians should focus more on the ability of aspirants to provide effective leadership and solve the country’s challenges rather than making academic certificates the central issue in assessing their suitability for public office. She maintained that the Constitution already stipulates the…
Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Fred Agbedi, has expressed confidence that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would secure victory in the 2027 presidential election if former President Goodluck Jonathan emerges as the party’s candidate. Agbedi stated this during a television interview while commenting on the PDP’s preparations for the next general election and ongoing discussions surrounding the party’s presidential ticket. According to him, Jonathan remains one of Nigeria’s most widely accepted political figures and possesses the national appeal needed to unite the PDP and attract support across the country. He said the former president’s reputation, experience and leadership…
The Accord Party in Osun State has accused the Nigeria Police Force of carrying out selective arrests and intimidation of its members ahead of the August 15 governorship election. The party made the allegation while reacting to the police’s denial of claims that it had compiled a list of politicians for arrest before the poll. In a statement issued by the Osun State Chairman of the party, Pastor Victor Akande, Accord alleged that recent police operations across parts of the state had disproportionately targeted its members and supporters. The party questioned the circumstances surrounding the arrest of one of its…
The Osun State Police Command has dismissed allegations that it compiled a list of politicians and supporters for arrest ahead of the August 15 governorship election, describing the claim as false and misleading. The command was reacting to allegations by the Imole Campaign Council, which claimed that some members of the ruling party in the state had been marked for arrest as part of a plot to intimidate the opposition before the poll. In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, the command denied the allegation, insisting that it had no list of political figures targeted for arrest.…
Osun State Governor and Accord governorship candidate, Ademola Adeleke, has called on residents to ignore any form of intimidation and come out in large numbers to vote in the August 15 governorship election. Adeleke made the appeal during a church service in Osogbo, where he urged eligible voters not to allow fear or threats discourage them from exercising their constitutional right. The governor said the forthcoming election presents another opportunity for the people to determine the future of the state through the ballot, stressing that every valid vote would count. He expressed confidence that the electorate would support his administration…
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo, has alleged that he contested more against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) than his fellow presidential candidates during the 2023 general election. Adebayo stated this while speaking during a television interview, where he reflected on the conduct of the last presidential election and the need for electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 polls. According to him, the credibility of any election depends on the impartiality of the electoral umpire, stressing that political parties and candidates should compete on the basis of their programmes and popularity rather than contend with shortcomings…