Category: Nigeria

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Natasha shares Christmas rice, others in five Kogi LGs

The Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has distributed more than 2,000 bags of rice and other relief items to constituents across the five local government areas in the district as part of her Christmas outreach.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by her Special Adviser on Media, Mike Idoko.

The distribution, which was carried out simultaneously in Adavi, Ajaokuta, Okene, Okehi, and Ogori-Magongo Local Government Areas, aimed to cushion the impact of rising food prices and ensure that families celebrate the festive season with dignity.

Speaking during the outreach, Akpoti-Uduaghan said the initiative was driven by compassion and her conviction that leadership must translate into tangible benefits for the people.

“Christmas is a season of love, sacrifice, and shared joy. At a time when many households are struggling with the cost of living, it is important that we stand with our people in practical ways.

“This rice distribution is to ensure that families across Kogi Central can celebrate without hardship,” the senator said.

The distribution of the 25kg bags of rice cut across community groups, women’s associations, youth organisations, religious bodies, the elderly, and other vulnerable residents across the senatorial district.

Community leaders who supervised the exercise described the intervention as one of the largest Christmas rice distributions ever witnessed in the area.

“This is not symbolic support; it is real and far-reaching. The quantity and reach of this rice distribution show genuine concern for the grassroots,” a traditional leader in Okene noted.

The Christmas outreach adds to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s growing record of constituency interventions, including programmes in healthcare delivery, educational support, solar-powered infrastructure, water projects, as well as initiatives for women’s and youth empowerment across Kogi Central.

Addressing beneficiaries in Okehi, the senator reaffirmed her commitment to service-driven representation.

“My responsibility goes beyond the Senate chamber. Representation means being present, listening to the people, and responding with action that improves daily life,” she stated.

Beneficiaries expressed gratitude and offered prayers for the senator, describing the gesture as timely, compassionate, and reflective of people-centred leadership.

The development comes barely one week after Senate President Godswill Akpabio approached the Supreme Court over the legal battle arising from the suspension of the Kogi Central senator.

The move was confirmed in court documents dated December 1, 2025, made available to our correspondent on Sunday.

This followed a recent judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, which struck out the Federal Government’s brief of argument in the appeal linked to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension.

The appellate court held that the brief was incompetent, having failed to comply with the mandatory provisions of the Court of Appeal Rules on formatting and procedure. (Punch)

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Police arrested 821 suspects, rescued 377 kidnap victims in Edo

The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, has said the command arrested 821 suspects for various crimes and rescued 377 kidnapped victims across the state in 2025.

Agbonika disclosed this on Monday, while addressing journalists during a press conference in Benin, where he presented a summary of the command’s major achievements for the year.

According to figures released by the police, the arrests included 39 suspects for armed robbery, 171 for kidnapping, 117 for murder, 62 for rape and sexual offences, 239 for cultism, 36 for unlawful possession of firearms, and 157 for other offences.

The command also recorded significant recoveries, including 11 stolen vehicles, 188 firearms of different calibres, and 422 rounds of ammunition. In addition, 377 victims abducted by kidnappers were rescued during police operations across the state.

“As we celebrate the Christmas season and prepare for the New Year, I wish the good people of Edo State a peaceful, safe, and prosperous festive period.

“I urge everyone to remain vigilant, law-abiding, and cooperative with security agencies,” Agbonika said.

The commissioner also issued a strong warning over the reported disappearance of corpses from some morgues in the state, describing the act as criminal and unacceptable.

“Such acts are criminal, inhuman, callous and gross violations of the sensitivity of the bereaved, and I assure the public that anyone found culpable will face the full weight of the law without exception,” he said.

Agbonika further advised residents to make use of government-owned mortuaries, stressing the need for accountability and proper oversight.

“I also advise families and those in need of mortuary services to patronize government-owned mortuaries where proper oversight and accountability are guaranteed,” he added.

He reminded members of the public that the police emergency lines remain operational round the clock.

“Members of the public are once again reminded to utilize our 24-hour emergency contact lines which remains fully active,” the Commissioner said.

Agbonika thanked residents and the media for their cooperation with the police, pledging the command’s continued commitment to protecting lives and property in Edo State. (Punch)

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2023 Election: I regret supporting Tinubu — Makinde

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has said he regrets supporting President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election, admitting that the decision did not produce the outcome he had hoped for.

Makinde made the disclosure on Tuesday while speaking with journalists at the Government House in Ibadan.

The governor was one of five Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors — popularly known as the G5 — who openly worked against their party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in the 2023 polls.

The group, led by then Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, opposed Atiku’s candidacy over zoning concerns, arguing that the PDP should have presented a southern presidential candidate following the eight-year tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner.

Makinde said his decision to back Tinubu, who was then the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was based on the belief that he would act in the national interest if elected.

“I said it earlier, I’m human. I supported the current president, even though in another party at that time, because I thought we’ll do what is right for the country,” Makinde said.

He added that he believed the president would “reset the country” and bring together competent individuals from across Nigeria to address the nation’s challenges.

“But unfortunately, that is not what we’re seeing. I regret that action. Yes, I do,” the governor stated.

Citing concerns over the survival of democracy and the future of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the governor vowed that President Tinubu won’t have his support in the coming 2027 presidential election.

Makinde also disclosed the reason behind his political disagreement with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

According to him, the rift between him and Wike began after the minister told Tinubu during a meeting that he would “hold PDP” for the President ahead of the 2027 election, a statement Makinde said was made without the consent of other party stakeholders.

“I was in a meeting with the President and Wike and a few others, and Wike said to the President that I will hold PDP for you against 2027,” Makinde said. “So, we got up, and I asked Wike, did we agree to this?”

Makinde noted that while Wike is entitled to support Tinubu’s re-election bid, other members of the party also have the right to protect the PDP and oppose any move that could weaken democratic pluralism. (Vanguard)

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Tinubu declares bandits, violent cults, armed groups as terrorists

President Bola Tinubu says bandits, violent cult groups, kidnappers, foreign-linked mercenaries, and other armed non-state actors will be treated as terrorists under a new security framework to be rolled out by his administration. 

Tinubu said this on Friday when he presented the budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year to a joint session of the National Assembly, stating that his government will go after enablers and not just perpetrators of crimes.

“Under this new architecture, any armed group or gun-wielding non-state actors operating outside state authority will be regarded as terrorists,” the former Lagos State governor told the gathering at the National Assembly in Abuja.

“Bandits, militias, armed gangs, armed robbers, violent cults, forest-based armed groups, and foreign-linked mercenaries will all be targeted.

“We will go after all those who perpetrate violence for political or sectarian ends, along with those who finance and facilitate their evil schemes.”

He said the new doctrine will “fundamentally change how we confront terrorism and other violent crimes”.

In recent months, Nigeria has experienced a surge in crimes such as mass abductions and banditry, among others.

Despite these, the president is unrelenting in his resolve for a peaceful Nigeria, and has declared war on criminals, whom he said will get “no mercy” from his government.

“We will usher in a new era of criminal justice. We will show no mercy to those who commit or support acts of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, and other violent crimes,” Tinubu said.

He promised to continue to invest in security and increase the capacity of the armed forces and other security agencies

“To secure our country, our priority will remain on increasing the fighting capability of our armed forces and other security agencies and boosting the effectiveness of our fighting forces with cutting-edge equipment and other hardware,” he said. 

To buttress this, Tinubu is earmarking ₦ 5.41 trillion, out of ₦58.1 trillion proposed 2026 budget, for security and defence. The amount is the biggest sectoral allocation in the proposal. (Channels)

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Reckless driver kills LAWMA worker in Lagos

A female street sweeper was killed on Saturday morning after a commercial bus driver struck her while reversing illegally on a busy Lagos highway.

The incident, which occurred along Meiran Road toward the Iyana Ekoro axis, has reignited concerns over the safety of environmental workers on the city’s increasingly hazardous roads.

According to a statement from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the victim, an operative of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), was performing her routine cleaning duties when she was hit by a blue Ford commercial bus.

Preliminary findings suggest the driver, whose vehicle was laden with crates of bottled beverages, was attempting a grossly negligent reversing manoeuvre on the expressway. The impact of the collision, specifically to the head, resulted in the worker’s immediate death.

In the immediate aftermath of the crash, the driver reportedly fled the scene in an attempt to evade arrest. However, LASTMA officers on surveillance duty nearby launched a pursuit, successfully intercepting the vehicle and apprehending the suspect.

The intervention came just as a crowd of onlookers began to gather; officials noted that the prompt arrest likely saved the driver from mob action by enraged witnesses. Both the driver and the vehicle have since been handed over to the Meiran Police Division for investigation.

General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, said the incident was a distressing and entirely preventable occurrence.

“Reversing on an expressway is not just a traffic offence, it is a blatant contravention of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law that carries terminal consequences.”

Mr Bakare-Oki extended condolences to the victim’s family and colleagues, while reaffirming the agency’s resolve to prosecute reckless driving.

The remains of the deceased were evacuated by LAWMA officials for further procedures.

In other news, two persons lost their lives and three others sustained critical injuries following a multi-vehicle collision involving a Dangote Silo Mixer Truck at Iyana Meiran, Lagos, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has confirmed.

LASTMA, in a statement by its Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, said that the accident occurred on Meiran Road, near the Primary Health Centre (PHC), when the mixer truck, reportedly travelling at high speed, experienced a sudden brake failure and veered uncontrollably into a commercial mini-bus (EPP 541 YF) and four tricycles (KTU 360 QN, LND 444 QL, LSR 444 QN, and EKY 122 QP). The impact left the vehicles mangled and trapped passengers within the wreckage.

“Preliminary security findings revealed that the tragic occurrence was triggered by a Dangote Silo Mixer Truck which, while being operated at an inordinately high speed, suffered a sudden brake failure and consequently lost control,” the statement said. (Guardian)

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NDLEA arrests female drug kingpin, intercepts 23.50kg cocaine in Lagos

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a female drug kingpin with 23.50 kilograms of cocaine recovered from her children’s room in Lagos.

This is contained in a statement by Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi, on Sunday in Abuja.
Babafemi said that the arrest came 20 months after a cocaine trafficking cartel led by a couple was smashed in Lagos and Ogun states by operatives of the NDLEA.

He recalled that multi-billion-naira worth of the illicit drug was recovered from the cartel.

Babafemi said that the newly arrested suspect was another leader of the syndicate who had gone underground since May 2024 and had been nabbed in her Lagos home.

He said that the couple earlier arrested were nabbed on May 25, 2024 by operatives of a special operations unit of NDLEA at Ibiye, along Lagos-Badagry expressway.

According to him, they were nabbed while attempting to cross the land border to deliver the consignment in Ghana.
He said that at the point of their arrest, 42 blocks of cocaine weighing 47.5 kilograms were found on them.

Babafemi said that a swift follow-up operation in their residence at OPIC extension, Petedo Road, Agbara, Ogun State, led to the recovery of an additional eight blocks of the same drug weighing 10kg.

“This brings the total weight of the consignment seized from the couple to 57.5 kilograms.

“Determined to rein in every member of the syndicate, the NDLEA operatives continued with follow-up intelligence and surveillance on the trans-border drug trafficking organisation until a 39-year-old female stash keeper was identified as a key member of the DTO,” he said.

Babafemi said that as a result, she was trailed to her Surulere, Lagos residence on Tuesday, Dec. 9.

“A thorough search of her home led to the discovery of blocks of cocaine weighing 23.50 kilograms concealed in a black suitcase recovered from her children’s room.

“She admitted ownership of the drug consignment worth over N5billion in street value, “he said.

Babafemi quoted the NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, who commended the officers and men of the Special Operations Unit, MMIA, and Seme commands for the arrests, seizures, and their dexterity.

Marwa enjoined them and their colleagues across the country to remain extra vigilant during the festive season. (Guardian)

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Tinubu congratulates Ekiti gov on 58th birthday

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, on his 58th birthday, celebrated on December 21, 2025.

The President commended Oyebanji’s stewardship and commitment to the development of Ekiti State over the years.

In a statement dated Saturday, released via the State House website on Sunday and signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu highlighted the governor’s service as Secretary to the Committee on the Creation of Ekiti and his various public service roles thereafter.

“Oyebanji was Special Adviser to the state’s first civilian governor, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, and later became his Chief of Staff.

“He was Commissioner for Integration and Intergovernmental Affairs during the first-term administration of the immediate-past governor of the state, Dr Kayode Fayemi, and later served as Secretary to the State Government.

“Oyebanji was elected Ekiti governor in 2022. He has already secured the All Progressives Congress’ nomination to contest for a second term in office in 2026,” the statement read.

Tinubu particularly acknowledged the state’s infrastructural growth under Oyebanji, with special focus on the agricultural and aviation sectors.

He congratulated the governor on the completion of the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Airport in Ado-Ekiti and the successful inauguration of flights.

He wished the governor many more years and continued impactful governance in the state.

PUNCH Online reports that Oyebanji was born on December 21, 1967, in Ikogosi-Ekiti, Ekiti State. (Punch)

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Tinubu renames Federal University of Medical Sciences, Azare

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consented to the renaming of the Federal University of Medical Sciences, Azare, in honour of the late Islamic scholar, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, to preserve his legacy and lifelong service to faith and education.

The decision was announced on Saturday during the President’s condolence visit to the family of the cleric in Bauchi State, where he described the passing of the revered Tijjaniyya leader as a great loss to the nation.

Tinubu arrived in Bauchi at about 4:10 p.m. through the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport and was received with a Guard of Honour by the Nigerian Air Force.

He was accompanied by several top officials, including Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, his son Seyi Tinubu, and other members of the federal delegation.

At the airport, the President was welcomed by Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed; Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang; Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; and Senator Shehu Buba, among others.

Addressing mourners at the late scholar’s mosque, Tinubu said the renaming of the institution was in recognition of Sheikh Dahiru’s enduring contributions to religious scholarship, education, humility and service to humanity. He offered prayers for Allah’s mercy upon the cleric and asked that he be granted Jannatul Firdaus, while also seeking strength for his family and the people of Bauchi State.

The President urged Nigerians to remain united and continue praying for peace across the country, stressing the need for collective resilience in difficult times.

Governor Bala Mohammed thanked Tinubu for the honour bestowed on the late cleric and the state, noting that the decision to rename the university reflected the depth of the scholar’s impact on society.

Speaking on behalf of the family, the eldest son of the late cleric, Sheikh Ibrahim Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, expressed gratitude to the President for the visit, prayers and the move to immortalise their father. (TVC)

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Remaining 130 abducted Niger pupils regain freedom

The remaining students and teachers abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, have reportedly regained their freedom.

A security official familiar with the rescue operation confirmed to Premium Times that the latest release accounts for all the remaining victims taken during the 21 November attack on the school.

The exact number of the newly freed abductees could not be independently confirmed at the time of filing this report.

However, the Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication and spokesperson to President Bola Tinubu, Sunday Dare, confirmed that 130 pupils have regained their freedom.

“Another 130 abducted Niger State pupils released. None left in captivity,” he wrote briefly on X on Sunday.

The victims were abducted after gunmen attacked the boarding school, an incident that triggered widespread outrage and renewed concerns about the safety of schools nationwide.

The attackers reportedly stormed the boarding school on motorcycles at about 2:00 a.m.

They moved systematically from one dormitory to another before marching their captives into nearby forests.

Days later, the Christian Association of Nigeria disclosed that 50 of the children escaped during the raid, while scores of others were taken away.

Following the abduction, the Federal Government imposed a security cordon around border communities.

President Bola Tinubu deployed ground troops and aerial surveillance across parts of Niger, Kebbi and Kwara states to track the kidnappers.

He also cancelled an official trip to oversee rescue efforts, while authorities ordered the temporary closure of schools across Niger State and some federal institutions in high-risk areas.

On December 8, security agencies secured the release of about 100 abductees, leaving an unspecified number in captivity until the latest breakthrough.

Sources told Premium Times that the freed students and teachers are currently being transported to Minna, the Niger State capital, where they are expected to undergo medical checks and reunite with their families.

However, as of the time of filing this report, neither the Federal Government nor the Niger State Government has issued an official statement on the development. (Punch)

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President reads riot act to Governors, threatens executive order on LG funds

President Bola Tinubu yesterday told the 36 State Governors that he would not hesitate to wield the big stick if they refuse to allow the financial autonomy granted the local government councils by the Supreme Court to work.

This emerged as the Presidency yesterday announced that the President will today depart the nation’s capital, Abuja to visit Borno, Bauchi and Lagos States.

Addressing the 15th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja, the President expressed concern that some state governors are not ready to allow the local government autonomy.

He stated specifically that he was ready to issue Executive Order if that would guarantee the financial autonomy of the 774 local government councils across the country in line with the recent judgment of the Supreme Court.

His words: “Now that you have elections at the local government level, you are the invigilators, you elected them and since you elected them, it means you have to let them work. You know them but give them their money and if you don’t do it I can issue the Executive Order because I have the yam and the knife.

“ I am just being very respectful and if  you don’t start to implement it, you will see. The ultimate is our Supreme Court and you have to respect the judgement.”

The President reiterated the determination of his government to see through the issue of state police as well as ending the terrorists reign in the country.

According to him: “I have said we are going for state police and we will do the forest Rangers.  We must defeat the terrorists, we must.”

Tinubu described himself as a symbol of God saying without him he wouldn’t have emerged as President in 2023.

“God brought us here, I am the symbol and without God I won’t be here. If God says you will be here, you will be here.  If you emulate it and pray and listen to yourself because there are moments that you listen to yourself and tell yourself the truth.”

He charged NEC members to be resolute and ensure that the Fourth Republic did not fail while also working on further enlarging the coast of the party to states not controlled by APC Governors.

He added: “We must be resolute that this democracy that we hold in our hands must not fail. To me, we’re larger and taller. To be accommodating, be tolerant, that’s the only way we can grow.  

“If you have a group as big as this, create a space for your neighobour. The rain beating him won’t kill him, it will only drain him. You may need his warmth.

“Be expandable, help. And we can easily rely on the governors. What about the states that we don’t have governors, so we must be vigilant.”  

On the party’s on-going e registration exercise, he cautioned that the doors must not be shut against the people saying, “If you abuse the trust, we will do it on your behalf.  So we have to do it. We have a reason for the e- registration.”

The President told the National Assembly that the Central Gaming Bill 2025 currently being worked on by them will not receive his assent if passed.

According to him: “This Lotto Bill before the National Assembly if you pass it i won’t say because we are in the same party sign it. I will not assent to it because it is under the residual list of the Executive”. (ThisDay)