The Oyo State Police Command has announced the arrest of four suspected kidnappers linked to the abduction of a farmer, Quadri Oloriegbẹ, in the Irawọ area of the state.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, the command said the victim was abducted on April 29, 2026, at Olopoto Village via Abugbudu when five armed men invaded the community, shooting sporadically into the air before whisking him away to an unknown destination.
The statement noted that following a distress report, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Abimbola Olugbenga, directed an intelligence-driven rescue and manhunt operation involving Police Tactical Teams, Amotekun Corps, Agbẹkọya operatives, vigilante groups, and local hunters.
According to the command, extensive bush-combing operations, surveillance patrols, and raids on suspected criminal hideouts across the area led to the arrest of one Umaru Bokolo, who was linked to the crime through intelligence and community identification.
Police said the sustained pressure mounted on the kidnappers eventually led to the release of the victim on May 5, 2026.
The victim was thereafter debriefed by investigators and taken to a medical facility for evaluation before reuniting with his family safely.
The command added that further coordinated operations at Irawọ town and surrounding areas resulted in the arrest of three additional suspects identified as Zada Abubakar, Husein Rabiu, and Abubakar Mohammed.
The suspects, according to the statement, are undergoing further investigation and would be transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad for possible prosecution.
The Police Commissioner commended the efforts and collaboration among security agencies and local security outfits involved in the operation and reassured residents of the command’s commitment to combating kidnapping and other violent crimes across Oyo State. (TVCNews)
The Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) has dismissed reports claiming that its Chairman, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, has been removed from office.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Forum described the reports as false, misleading and without any basis.
The Director General of the PGF, Folorunso Aluko, said no meeting was held where such a decision was taken, stressing that the Secretariat has no record of any resolution to remove Uzodimma.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the report is entirely false, baseless, and without an iota of truth,” the statement said.
Aluko affirmed that Uzodimma remains the Chairman of the Forum, adding that the body remains united and focused on its responsibilities.
He urged members of the public, party faithful and the media to disregard the report in its entirety. (TVCNews)
The 2027 political race in the ruling All Progressives Congress gained some momentum on Tuesday as President Bola Tinubu and other aspirants obtained their nomination forms.
Also, Osifo Stanley from Edo State purchased N100m presidential nomination forms to challenge Tinubu for the APC ticket at the primaries.
This comes as Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, secured the backing of the Governance Advisory Council as the APC consensus candidate in the state.
The Founder of Tinubu Support Groups, lawmaker representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, James Faleke, who picked the N100 million expression of interest and nomination for the President, dismissed concerns over the emerging coalition against Tinubu, insisting they posed no threat to the APC.
According to the party’s 2027 schedule of activities, the sale of forms was scheduled to begin on Saturday, April 25, and end on Saturday, May 2, 2026. However, the process commenced three days later than planned. Party officials clarified that despite this brief delay, the overall deadline for form submission and aspirant eligibility remains unchanged, and all scheduled activities will still proceed as planned. This assurance is intended to help aspirants and stakeholders plan accordingly and reduce any uncertainty caused by the shift in timing.
Our reporter, who visited the designated venue, Abuja Continental Hotel, observed that the Ladi Kwali Hall, ballroom 2, was filled with APC aspirants.
Inside the hall, Senate and House of Representatives aspirants were seen collecting their forms from the zonal desk. The desk for governorship aspirants was positioned separately from the others.
The Independent National Electoral Commission had fixed the Presidential and National Assembly elections for Saturday, January 16, 2027, while Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled for Saturday, February 6, 2027.
The commission also disclosed that party primaries, including the resolution of related disputes, will take place from April 23, 2026, to May 30, 2026.
INEC further announced that campaigns for the Presidential and National Assembly elections will commence on August 19, 2026, while those for Governorship and State Assembly elections will begin on September 9, 2026.
With the commencement of nomination form sales, political realignments across the six geopolitical zones and fresh succession calculations have been set in motion as the lawmaker representing Ogun West Senatorial District, Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, picked up the APC governorship nomination form for the 2027 Ogun State election.
Similarly, Senator Shehu Buba of Bauchi State and Senator Isah Jibrin (Wadada) of Nasarawa State picked up their governorship expression of interest and nomination forms as they seek to succeed Governors Bala Mohammed and Abdullahi Sule, respectively.
Speaking to journalists after obtaining President Tinubu’s re-election bid forms, Faleke maintained that the APC remains “strategically positioned and unaffected by opposition alignments,” stressing that the party’s internal cohesion and electoral machinery remain strong. He cited examples such as APC’s ongoing grassroots mobilisation campaigns, targeted voter outreach, and the strengthening of local party offices as concrete ways the party is securing its advantage heading into 2027. According to Faleke, these preparations are backed by intensive member training and the deployment of sophisticated data tools to enhance campaign effectiveness at both state and national levels.
“So, for all support groups who have made efforts, who have contributed money to purchase the form, I have done so on their behalf, on behalf of Nigerians. There is no one particular person who has done this. It is on behalf of all Nigerians.
“Just as we did before the 2023 election, I was also privileged, with some leaders, to buy the form. Here again, I am privileged to buy the form on behalf of all Nigerians, for our President, for our performing President.”
He added, “And by the grace of God, 2027 will be a reality. By the grace of God, he will contest, and he will win the election. At the same time, I am also privileged, with my friend here, Honourable Ajala, to pick the form for the incoming governor of Lagos, Dr Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat.
“And let me also say that those of us who contributed money to buy this form are more than 1,000 in Lagos. It is not just one person. None of us can come here and pick the form. Only representatives are sent. And I am also lucky to be one of those who have been sent to pick the form. At the same time, I picked my own form to return to the House of Reps. You can see the form with me.”
He added, “I am also waiting to get the receipt for our incumbent Senator Idiat Adebule from my West Senatorial District. This is just to let you know that everything is intact and God is in charge.”
He noted that the recent political movements and coalition talks are part of normal democratic competition and would not disrupt the ruling party’s preparation for 2027. (Punch)
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yes-terday, endorsed his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Kadri Hamzat, for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket in Lagos, even as no other indi-vidual has openly indicated any desire to compete for coveted position ahead of the party primary.
Interestingly, it was the first time since the return to civil rule in 1999, that a sitting governor of Lagos State would endorse his deputy to succeed him.
The development also signalled continuity in the re-al sense, but more than anything else, it appeared the result of the work chemistry between the two, which had seen them cooperate seamlessly in the last seven and half years.
Sanwo-Olu’s endorsement followed series of consultations by Hamzat, who recently met with the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; former Minister of Finance, Olawale Edun; and the Senator for Lagos East, Tokunbo Abiru.
Before meeting with the trio separately two days ago, Hamzat had also met with the leaders of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), including its chairman, Alhaji Tajudeen Olusi; Alhaji Busura Alebiosu as well as traditional rulers in the state.
But the meeting with Sanwo-Olu, seemed like a grand finale of sort, an event expected to be capped soon by President Bola Tinubu before the official affirmation at the proposed APC primary elections in the coming days.
Sanwo-Olu, who received Hamzat and members of the GAC in consultation visit, openly threw his weight behind his deputy’s aspiration to run for governor.
The consultation meeting came immediately after the State’s Executive Council meeting at the State House, Marina, where members of the cabinet and APC leaders in Lagos Central joined the governor to receive Hamzat’s entourage.
The governor and his deputy shared an emotional moment, reflecting on their political journey over the past seven years and how their paths had crossed during their public service experience under the tutelage of President Tinubu.
Sanwo-Olu recalled that he and Hamzat used to sit next to each other in ex-governor Babatunde Fashola’s cabinet, recollecting that no cabinet memo would scale through without their input and two others sitting in their row.
“Mr. Deputy Governor has created a personal relationship with me since way back before we’re joined together on a ticket. His family and my family have been close; our relationship was built on mutual respect, trust and dignity,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu said when he picked his governorship eight years ago, he never severed his relationship with Hamzat, who picked his own governorship form two days earlier.
The governor recalled how both of them forged a merger and ran on a joint ticket. After their 2019 electoral victory, Sanwo-Olu famously said Lagosians were getting price of two for one, referring to his deputy as a potential Governor.
“After the merger meeting, our father and leader, who today is ordained by God to be President of Nigeria, told both of us that he saw 16 years journey for Lagos.
“A lot of governors always look for weak deputies, but that was not for me. From day one in my governorship journey, I wanted the best partner to join the journey to build Greater Lagos.
“There was no meeting I could have attended that Mr. Deputy Governor is not fit and proper to attend. He possesses the skills, temperament and temerity to attend.
“Some of my governor colleagues privately confided in me, saying ‘your Deputy is highly intelligent’ after noticing the intellectual skills Dr. Hamzat brought to discussions at NGF level.
“For this, we will continue to be indebted to our leader and father, Mr. President, the man who God continues to use to shape the political trajectory and destiny of Lagos. People said we have turned Lagos to irreversible construction site since Asiwaju’s era.
“If a competent man like Dr. Hamzat comes in, he will hit the ground running immediately. We are not going to hand over Lagos to charlatans, who are coming to test their luck. Dr. Hamzat is tried and tested; he knows every nook and cranny of Lagos. Mr Deputy is the best man for the job.”
Reflecting on their relationship, Hamzat said: “By some stroke of coincidence, it was (Governor) Sanwo-Olu who took me round the Ministries when I was first appointed as Commissioner in 2005 by our father and leader, President Tinubu, who was then the Governor of Lagos State.
“I had never met Governor Sanwo-Olu before my appointment into the government. I never knew our relationship would grow to this extent.
“Most people refer to deputy governors as spare tyres. Deputising Governor Sanwo-Olu in the last seven years, I have never felt or been treated as a spare tyre.
“The Governor did well in carrying me along as a partner on this journey to build Greater Lagos. The governor passionately loves Lagos and always fights for the state at every level, to the extent that other governors are jealous of Lagos.
“Lagos is very important to the well-being of our country. God forbid, if anything happens to Lagos, this country will collapse. We must not allow Lagos to be drawn back from the progressive path it has been taken.
“Mr. Governor has worked assiduously to ensure that Lagos continues to progress. Therefore, the progress needs to be sustained.
“One of the things that has fundamentally stabilised the growth of Lagos is the rancour-free succession process adopted by our progressive party.
“As Lagosians, we must be ready to fight any battle and endure any hardship to protect this state from people who don’t mean well. This is my pledge to our leaders and party faithful.”
He said the experience and knowledge he had garnered deputising Sanwo-Olu in the last seven years could not be quantified, thanking the governor for allowing him to function in the position as a partner.
After the meeting, Sanwo-Olu and others present, presented Hamzat to the State House correspondents in a unanimous pledge to support his aspiration. (ThisDay)
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has rejected a ₦1 billion damages award against her in a defamation suit filed by former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, citing her right to defend herself against terrorism allegations.
The Kogi State High Court in Lokoja ruled that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s comments on Arise Television’s “The Morning Show” on November 4, 2022, were defamatory, awarding ₦1 billion in damages to Bello.
The judgment, delivered by Justice A. S. Ibrahim in suit number HCL/16/2023, arose from comments made by the senator during a live appearance on The Morning Show on Arise Television on November 4, 2022.
During the broadcast, Akpoti-Uduaghan made allegations against Bello which the court subsequently ruled to be defamatory.
In his decision, Justice Ibrahim held that the statements made by the defendant were injurious to the claimant’s character and reputation and were not justified by the evidence presented before the court. He noted that the issues formulated for determination in the suit were resolved in favour of the claimant.
“The interview granted by the defendant on 4/11/2022 on Arise TV programme ‘The Morning Show’ is defamatory to the claimant’s character and reputation,” the judge ruled. “The said interview… in which the defendant described the claimant as a murderer, killer, perpetrator of evil acts, and a terror to the people of Kogi State was without justification.”
The court equally granted a perpetual injunction restraining the senator, her agents, privies, and associates from making further defamatory statements against Bello across television, radio, and other media platforms. Additionally, the court awarded ₦1,000,000,000 as general damages in favour of the former governor.
While reacting to the judgement, in a statement by her Media Office, in Abuja, on Saturday, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan said, “I reject this judgment in its entirety. We presented substantial and credible evidence before the court, which, in our view, clearly justified our position. Unfortunately, these were not given due consideration.”
She also explained that her comments on Arise Television’s “The Morning Show” were a response to Bello’s accusations, adding “If there is anybody to be accused of terrorism, it should be Yahaya Bello and not me.
“My comments were rooted in the experiences of our people and the need to speak truth to power.”
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan insisted that the court failed to properly evaluate her evidence, saying her statements were made in the public interest and not out of malice. “We presented substantial and credible evidence… which were not given due consideration.”
She further stated that, “My statements were based on information available at the time and were made in good faith, in the interest of accountability to the people of Kogi State,” she stated.
“I firmly believe that the truth was not adequately reflected in the court’s findings. We are heading to the Court of Appeal. This is not the end of the matter. We will pursue all lawful avenues to ensure that justice is served,” she added. (Vanguard)
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Friday swore in seven new permanent secretaries and inaugurated the chairman and members of the Lagos State Health Service Commission. He charged the appointees to uphold professionalism, accountability and efficient service delivery.
The swearing-in ceremony, held at the Banquet Hall of Lagos House, Ikeja, is part of efforts by the administration to strengthen the state’s public service and improve governance across key sectors.
According to a post on X by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, the governor urged the newly appointed officials to see their elevation as a call to greater responsibility and public trust.
The new permanent secretaries are Adeyemi Adetunji Adesanya, Ministry of Urban Development; Durodola Olusola Bukonla, Local Government Service Commission; Oladeji Oluwatoyin Olubunmi, Cabinet Office; and Sorungbe Tiwalade Adeyinka, Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology.
Others are Olukareh Bolanle Monica, Office of Works; Oluwo Adenike Oluwafunmilayo, Health District II; and Martins Babajide Olumuyiwa, Bureau of Public Defender.
Mr Sanwo-Olu said the appointments were aimed at reinforcing governance structures and improving service delivery, particularly in critical sectors such as health, infrastructure and public administration.
He urged the permanent secretaries to bring competence, diligence and integrity to their roles, noting that the effectiveness of the public service remains central to the state government’s development agenda.
In addition to the appointments, the governor inaugurated the Lagos State Health Service Commission, with Olukayode Oguntimehin as chairman.
Other members of the commission are Olusegun Ogboye, Omolaja Odushola Odunuga, Moyosore Wuraola Adejumo and Ololade Omolayo Fadipe.
The governor said the commission has a strategic role in strengthening the state’s health system and ensuring quality service delivery across public health institutions.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to building a responsive and efficient public service capable of meeting the demands of Lagos’ growing population.
The appointments come amid ongoing efforts by the Sanwo-Olu administration to deepen institutional reforms and improve performance across ministries, departments and agencies. (PremiumTimes)
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of involvement in the bugging of the telephone line of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
He was brought before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on Thursday morning on a five-count amended charge marked FHC/ABJ/99/2026.
At the start of proceedings, the prosecution informed the court of the amendment, prompting the presiding judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, to strike out the earlier three-count charges and proceed with the new filing.
When the charges were read, El-Rufai pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Counsel to the DSS then applied for three consecutive trial dates, but the defence objected, citing the need to confer with their client who has been in the custody of multiple security agencies.
The defence also moved to argue a pending bail application filed on February 17, alongside a further affidavit. Initially, Justice Abdulmalik declined to admit the additional affidavit, noting it was not in the court’s records and cautioning against what she described as “Nollywood theatrics” over the presence of cameramen in court.
Following a brief stand down, proceedings resumed with the further affidavit located, while the DSS informed the court it was not opposing the bail application.Attention then shifted to a fresh application by the prosecution seeking an order to conceal the identities of two witnesses expected to testify.
The DSS urged the court to bar the names of the witnesses from public records and allow the use of pseudonyms during trial, arguing their families could be vulnerable to attacks from individuals sympathetic to the defendant.
However, the defence opposed the request through a counter-application, written address, and further affidavit, insisting it is the constitutional right of an accused person to know his accusers.
The defence also argued there was no evidence suggesting the defendant posed any threat or had a following capable of endangering witnesses, warning that granting such anonymity could prejudice the case against him.
The defence further applied for an order compelling the prosecution to provide proof of evidence to enable adequate preparation for trial, a move the prosecution opposed, maintaining that the requested documents were outside the scope of materials already filed before the court.
In addition, the defence informed the court of a separate application seeking to quash the charges, a move challenged by the prosecution on the grounds that such an application cannot be entertained after a plea has been taken. The prosecution urged the court to dismiss the application as lacking merit, while the defence responded on points of law.
The matter continues as the court considers the various applications before it.
The charges stem from allegations that El-Rufai accessed or benefited from intercepted communications involving Ribadu, a claim the former governor had publicly referenced months earlier.
TVC News had earlier reported that during a February interview on Arise Television, El-Rufai claimed: “He made the call because we listened to their calls. The government thinks they are the only ones that listen to calls but we also have our ways. He made the call and gave the order.
“Someone tapped his phone. The government listens to our calls all the time without a court order. Someone tapped his phone and told us that he gave the order.”
The case has been adjourned to allow the defence regularise its filings before the court proceeds with the bail hearing. (TVCNews)
Rivers State Governor , Siminlayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to peace and regional cooperation.
Governor Fubara disclosed this while playing host to traditional rulers from across the South at a high-level roundtable in Port Harcourt.
Addressing the gathering,he described the meeting as an honour and a significant step towards deepening unity among southern leaders.
He emphasised that Rivers State remains peaceful and open to initiatives that promote cohesion and development across the region.
The roundtable, convened under the Southern Traditional Rulers Council, focused on strengthening collaboration among traditional institutions and reinforcing their role in fostering stability and progress.
Participants were urged to sustain efforts at building southern unity through dialogue, mutual respect, and coordinated action.
The host also reiterated the importance of aligning regional aspirations with national development goals, pledging continued support for initiatives under the leadership of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The engagement concluded with a shared commitment among the traditional rulers to promote peace and drive collective progress across southern Nigeria. (TVCNews)
President Bola Tinubu has welcomed Nigeria’s latest 91.45 per cent aviation safety rating from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), describing it as a major boost to the country’s global aviation credibility and investment outlook.
The ICAO, a United Nations specialised agency responsible for setting standards for international air navigation, evaluates member states through its Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) to determine compliance with global aviation safety requirements.
This was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday, April 23.
According to the audit team’s recent debriefing at the headquarters of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in Abuja, Nigeria recorded an Effective Implementation (EI) score of 91.45 per cent, its highest ever since the programme began in 1999.
The score places Nigeria significantly above the West African regional average of 61.1 per cent and the global average of 70.4 per cent, a development authorities say strengthens confidence in the country’s airspace and aviation systems.
Reacting to the development, President Tinubu said the achievement reflects ongoing reforms in the aviation sector under his administration’s renewed focus on infrastructure and transportation as key drivers of economic growth.
Since assuming office, Tinubu had prioritised the development of a safe, secure, and efficient aviation industry aimed at positioning Nigeria as a regional aviation hub aligned with international best practices.
The statement partly reads: “Upon the assumption of office, President Tinubu redefined the priority areas of his administration to include enhancing infrastructure and transportation as enablers of growth, and to establish the air transport sector as a major driver for economic prosperity by building a safe, secured and efficient aviation industry focused on making Nigeria a hub that meets international standards and best practices beyond even the African continent.
“To align with this priority area, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, outlined a five-point agenda to grow the Nigerian aviation value chain.”
The President commended the ministry and aviation agencies for the milestone, noting that the improved rating would enhance investor confidence in aviation infrastructure, maintenance facilities, and airline operations in Nigeria.
“President Tinubu urges the Ministry not to relent but to review and implement every recommendation that the ICAO auditors made during this mission to ensure that Nigeria not only maintains, but goes even further on the rating,” the statement concluded. (TVCNews)
Governor Ahmadu Fintiri has visited Mayo-Ladde community in Gaya District of Hong Local Government Area, Adamawa State, where nine people were killed in a suspected Boko Haram attack.
The governor described the incident as unfortunate and commiserated with families of the victims, assuring residents of his administration’s resolve to restore peace and prevent further attacks.
The assault, which occurred on Tuesday, left a trail of destruction and forced residents to flee to neighbouring communities, including Uba Gaya, where many are currently taking refuge.
Security operatives, supported by local vigilante groups, were able to repel the attackers after a confrontation, forcing them to retreat.
Fintiri commended the military, police, and community-based security groups for their swift response, noting that their intervention helped contain the situation.
Community leaders, however, called for a stronger and sustained security presence to forestall recurring attacks in the area.
Relative calm has since been restored following the deployment of additional military personnel to the affected communities.
The governor was accompanied on the visit by top government officials, including the Secretary to the State Government, Auwal Tukur, and Chief of Staff, Edgar Amos, as part of efforts to reassure residents and reinforce confidence in the government’s response to insecurity. (TVCNews)
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