Category: National
I will charge electricity vandals with economic sabotage – Wike
THE Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has vowed that those responsible for vandalizing and stealing transmission cables, which plunged the FCT into darkness, will face severe consequences. During a media chat yesterday evening, a visibly angry Wike disclosed that several suspects had been arrested in connection with the crime. He emphasized that the…
ZAMFARA: Bello Turji on the run as son, others killed during fierce battle
BELLO Turji is reportedly on the run as troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA killed numerous terrorists, including the son of the notorious terror kingpin, during a raid in Zamfara. In a statement issued today, Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations for the Armed Forces, revealed that the operation took place on January…
Shettima departs Abuja, to attend world economic forum meeting in Davos
VICE President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja to represent Nigeria at the 2025 World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland. According to a statement by Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), Shettima will join global leaders, top business executives, and development…
“They Know Who Took Him” — Missing Billionaire’s Wife Accuses Anambra Of Silence
The wife of a missing Anambra-based estate developer and billionaire, Benjamin Ezemma, has called on security agencies to find her husband who disappeared over two months ago. Ezemma, the MD of Dubai Estate in Awka, was reportedly abducted on November 12, 2024 and has not been seen since. In a Facebook post, Ezemma’s wife Tochukwu…
“Prove You’re Not The Father” — Kenyan Mother Demands DNA From Cubana Chief Priest
Hellen Mutimu, a 31-year-old Kenyan hairdresser, has publicly challenged Nigerian socialite Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, to undergo a DNA test to prove the paternity of her child. The demand comes after Cubana denied any affiliation with Mutimu or her child. Mutimu claims that she met the 43-year-old nightlife entrepreneur at a…
“Bring Your International Passports” – EFCC Summons 146 Christian Pilgrims Commission Staff Over Funds Misappropriation
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is investigating the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission over an alleged misappropriation of public funds. Our correspondent gathered from a reliable source in the anti-graft agency that about 146 staff of the NCPC have been invited for questioning by the EFCC. The invited staff of the NCPC, it was further…
“There Are Issues To Be Clarified” – LP Caretaker Committee Takes Leadership Dispute To Supreme Court As Abure’s Victory Challenged
The 29-man caretaker committee set up by Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, and Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, announced on Sunday that it will drag the embattled National Chairman of LP, Julius Abure, to the Supreme Court over the leadership dispute in the party. This was disclosed in a statement…
“They Saw Us Through CCTV Camera” — EFCC Reveals How Officer Was Killed In Awka
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, expresses grief on the loss of one of its officers, Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC, ASE II Aminu Sahabi Salisu who was killed in cold blood while on a legitimate duty on January 17, 2025 by a suspected internet fraudster, Joshua Chukwubueze Ikechukwu. The Commission said this in…
DELTA: Father, daughter beheaded over Ukwuani land dispute
A 70-year-old man, Mr Aghanti and his 50-year-old daughter, Mrs Atagoshi, have been reportedly beheaded in a bush at Amai community, Ukwuani Local Government Area, Delta State over a suspected land dispute. Confirming the incident, Police Public Relations Officer of the State Command, SP Bright Edafe, said the headless bodies of both father and daughter…
“The Money Belongs To Kola Aluko” — Diezani Denies Ownership Of $52.8m Repatriated From US
Diezani Alison-Madueke, former Minister of Petroleum Resources, has distanced herself from the $52. 8m recently repatriated to Nigeria from the United States of America (USA). Contrary to reports, the ex-minister, who has been in the United Kingdom (UK) since she left Nigeria, said the money does not belong to her. In a statement titled “There…
‘Aggressive revenue drive’: Wike says FCT generated N40b in Dec 2024
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, says his aggressive revenue drive has shot up the monthly earnings of the nation’s capital from about ₦9bn when he assumed office in August 2023 to an average of ₦25bn monthly. Wike, during a media chat on Sunday evening, said the nation’s capital generated over…
“They Didn’t Identify Themselves” — Doctor Claims Self Defense In EFCC Officer’s Death
A medical doctor, Chukwuka Josiah Ikechukwu Nnamdi, has been taken into custody by the Anambra State Police Command after allegedly shooting and killing an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) during a raid in the early hours of Friday. The incident occurred when a team of EFCC officials from the Enugu Zonal…
ONDO: APC wins 16 of 18 local govt chairmanship seats
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has won 16 out of the 18 chairmanship seats in the local government elections in Ondo State. The Chairman of the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC), Joseph Aeemo, declared this at the headquarters of the commission in Akure on Sunday. He noted that while the rescheduled election is…
“You Can’t Lead LP Despite Court Victory” — Obi-Otti Backed Committee Tells Abure To Step Down As Chairman
The leadership crisis within the Labour Party took a new turn yesterday as the 29-member caretaker committee, established by Abia State Governor Alex Otti and the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, warned Julius Abure to stop presenting himself as the party’s national chairman. In a statement issued in Abuja, the committee, led by…
MRS, Ardova, Heyden to sell petrol N970/Litre — Dangote
Dangote Refinery has assured Nigerians that three of its partners will sell petrol for ₦970 per litre nationwide despite the company’s recent increase in the ex-depot price of petrol. A spokesman for the refinery Anthony Chiejina said the recent adjustment in the company’s ex-depot price “is directly related to the significant increase in global crude…
US: TikTok restores service, thanks Trump
TikTok restored service in the United States Sunday after briefly going dark, as a law banning the wildly popular app on national security grounds came into effect. TikTok credited President-elect Donald Trump, who retakes power on Monday, for making the reversal possible — though the outgoing administration of President Joe Biden had earlier said that…
“They Ignored Safety Warnings” — 60 Die In Niger State Fuel Tanker Fire
No fewer than 60 bodies have been recovered following a tragic tanker explosion in Dikko, Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State. The incident, which occurred on Saturday morning, also left several others injured. The tanker, with registration number KBG-103-XAX, was owned by HMY Oil and Gas and driven by Mohammed Modu. It was carrying…
Catholic church suspends Delta priest over secret US wedding
The Catholic Diocese of Warri, Delta State has suspended Rev. Fr. Daniel Okanatotor Oghenerukevwe from priestly duties following his alleged marriage sealed in the United States of America. This was contained in a statement titled ‘Decree of Suspension’, dated Thursday, January 16, 2025, copies of which were made available to journalists in Warri on Sunday.…
“16 Out Of 18 Councils Go To APC” — Ruling Party Dominates As PDP Boycotts Ondo Elections
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has won 16 out of the 18 chairmanship seats in the local government elections in Ondo State. The Chairman of the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC), Joseph Aeemo, declared this at the headquarters of the commission in Akure on Sunday. He noted that while the rescheduled election is…
RIVERS: Court strikes out suit seeking to extend ex-LG chairmen’s tenures
The Abuja division of the Federal High Court has struck out a suit filed by Chidi Lloyd and 20 other former Rivers council chairmen which sought to extend their tenure after it elapsed on June 16th 2024. The former chairmen had gone to court seeking to extend their constitutional three-year tenure after it expired based…
“Falsified Service Records” – IGP Orders Investigation Of Two AIGs, Five Other Officers
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has directed an immediate and thorough investigation into allegations that seven senior police officers, including two Assistant Inspectors General (AIGs), engaged in the unethical practice of backdating their service records. The officers under investigation are AIG Abdul Yari, AIG Idowu Owohunwa, AIG Ben Igwe, CP Peter Ukachi Opara,…
OGUN: Gunmen kill Celestial prophet during church service
Gunmen have shot and killed a 54-year-old prophet of the Celestial Church of Christ’s Eagle Parish in the Odo Eran Idiroko area of the Ogun State. The gunmen opened fire on the cleric during an active Sunday service and then escaped. The police spokesperson in the state Omolola Odutola confirmed the incident in a statement…
“Nobody Was Forced To Testify In Paris” — FG Denies Compelling Obasanjo, Buhari Over $6bn Mambilla Case
The Federal Government has denied the claim that it compelled prominent Nigerians to Paris to testify for Nigeria in an ongoing arbitration proceeding involving the $6 billion Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project. Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy) issued the denial in a statement on Saturday, January 18, 2025. Multiple reports…
“We’re Taking Criminals Head-On” — Soludo Launches 2000-Strong Special Force, Offers N5m For Intel
Governor Chukwuma Soludo, has unveiled the Anambra Homeland Security Law 2025 and launched a 2000-strong special security operation code-named, “Udo Ga-Achị” Speaking during the launching, the governor noted that security, law and order remained pivotal to the attainment of his vision of a liveable and prosperous homeland, adding that the massive revolution by his administration…
Alison-Madueke’s Loot: SERAP Writes Trump, Seeks Return Of Stolen Assets, Ban On Corrupt Officials
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged US President-elect Donald Trump and his incoming administration “to promptly identify US-based proceeds of corruption traced to former and current Nigerian public officials and their associates and to ensure the full recovery and return of any such stolen assets to Nigeria.” SERAP said, “any return of proceeds…