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A barber and a tricycle operator were both killed on Saturday night in the Oriuzor community of Ezza North Local Government Area, Ebonyi State.

The murders are believed to be related to a cult attack by members of a rival cult group.

According to local sources, the assailants, thought to be members of the Vikings confraternity, stormed the area and fatally attacked two men identified as Ogele Ifeanyi and Nweke Emmanuel.

Ifeanyi, a barber, was reportedly the main target and was alleged to be a member of the Neo Black Movement (NBM), also known as Aye. It is said that his attackers had been pursuing him for some time due to his supposed involvement in the killing of a senior Vikings leader, which prompted the retaliation.

The circumstances surrounding the death of the second victim, Emmanuel, remain unclear. Locals describe him as a tricycle operator who was not involved in any cult activities. It is believed that Emmanuel may have been an innocent bystander, killed simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time while stopping by the barbershop for a haircut when the attack occurred.

Residents have expressed their concern over the rising trend of cult violence in the community and have called on the government and security agencies to take action.

Police spokesperson in the state, Joshua Ukandu confirmed the killings on Monday, identifying the victims as Ogele Ifeanyi, the barber who was killed in his shop, and Nweke Emmanuel, the tricycle operator.

‘The incident occurred on 1st November 2025 around 10pm, the command is investigating the incident’, he said.

Chairman of Coronation Group and Access Holdings Plc, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, has called for deliberate policy reforms and innovative financial strategies to unlock Africa’s vast domestic capital potential, estimated at over $4 trillion, to drive sustainable private sector growth across the continent.

Speaking at the 2025 Africa Financial Industry Summit (AFIS) in Casablanca, Morocco, during the opening panel session titled ‘Unlocking Africa’s Financial Power: Time to Mobilise Domestic Capital at Scale,’ Aig-Imoukhuede said Africa’s challenge is not a shortage of funds but the lack of efficient channels and policies to direct available domestic capital into productive investments.

‘The capital is available, but it’s not being channelled into the opportunities that exist in Africa. Leaders in both the public and private sectors must focus more on creating the right policy environment to enable this flow of capital,’ he said.

Drawing a parallel with Japan’s post-war reconstruction, Aig-Imoukhuede noted that domestic capital, rather than foreign aid, was the foundation of Japan’s economic transformation. He argued that Africa could achieve similar results if governments take deliberate steps to de-risk local investment opportunities, particularly in private markets, industrial companies, SMEs, and large-scale real estate projects.

‘When you are seeking to take the next step, it’s not really about public markets only. We need to sit down and de-risk African market investment opportunities so that investors can find both yield and safety at home,’ he explained.

On the role of technology and fintech in deepening intra-African financial integration, Aig-Imoukhuede highlighted the ongoing collaboration between Coronation Group, Access Holdings, Safaricom, and M-Pesa, describing it as a model for how digital innovation can translate financial inclusion into long-term wealth creation.

He observed that while Africa has made remarkable progress in expanding access to banking and payment accounts, with over 640 to 700 million financial accounts across the continent, less than 20 million are investment accounts, which limits the continent’s capacity to mobilise local savings into productive investments.

‘That is where the true domestic investment mobilisation lies. We must transform fintechs into investment powerhouses through partnerships with banks and supportive government policies,’ he said.

Aig-Imoukhuede urged African policymakers to introduce tax incentives and investment-friendly regulations that would encourage citizens to channel savings into equities, funds, and other long-term instruments.

‘With the right policy context and collaboration, we can open hundreds of millions of investment accountsIf we focus on the investment side of the financial services sector, Africa will witness a dramatic economic transformation within the next 30 years,’ he added.

The summit, which brought together top financial leaders, policymakers, and investors from across the continent, underscored the urgency of mobilising domestic capital to fund Africa’s development and reduce dependence on external borrowing.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu and other key lawmakers are set to meet with proponents of the new state in the South-East as part of ongoing consultations on state creation in the region.

The meeting, scheduled to hold on November 14, 2025, in one of the state capitals in the Southeast, will bring together a broad coalition of stakeholders, including members of the National Assembly, Governors, Speakers and Deputy Speakers of State Houses of Assembly, Ministers, and Heads of federal agencies from the region.

A statement released after a high-level meeting between the Deputy Speaker and the South East Caucus of the Senate on Monday stated that the forum will provide an opportunity for the proponents of new state to present their case and for stakeholders to harmonize their positions ahead of parliamentary consideration.

At the meeting chaired by Senator Osita Isunaso, lawmakers from the region resolved to pursue a unified position on state creation before submitting it to the National Assembly for debate and voting.

A similar consultative meeting had earlier held at the House of Representatives, with lawmakers agreeing to extend the engagement to the Senate.

It be recalled that the Joint Committee of the Senate and the House of Representatives on Constitution Review during its retreat co-chaired by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Jubrin Barau and Hon.

Kalu in Lagos penultimate week approved the creation of an additional state in the South-East to bring the zone at par with other geopolitical regions of the country.

Residents of the agrarian community of Aponmu in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State on Monday staged a peaceful protest against the alleged invasion and destruction of their farmlands by suspected land grabbers.

The protesters, mainly farmers, youths, and women, marched through the community carrying placards with inscriptions such as ‘Stop Destroying Our Farmlands,’ ‘Powerful People Have Taken Over Our Cocoa Farms,’ ‘Aponmu Is Not for Sale,’ ‘Mr Governor, Please Save Our Souls, We Are Suffering from the Hands of Land Grabbers,’ and ‘We Say No to Land Grabbing,’ before heading to the governor’s office.

They accused the invaders of illegally taking over their ancestral lands and destroying food and cash crops worth millions of naira, thereby jeopardising their source of livelihood.

The protesters disclosed that a Save Our Soul letter had been written and forwarded to the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to intimate him of the imminent breakdown of law and order in the area.

The protesters, led by Pastor Tope Akinkuade, who spoke on their behalf, said the activities of the land grabbers posed a serious threat to the peace and security of the Aponmu community, adding that the encroachers claimed to be working for influential individuals in the state.

According to him, several hectares of food and cash crops, including cassava, cocoa, and oil palm, have been destroyed by bulldozers allegedly brought in by the land grabbers.

Akinkuade said the community had endured years of intimidation and violent attacks from individuals claiming to act under the authority of a traditional institution.

The protesters urged Governor Aiyedatiwa to wade into the matter and protect the rights of genuine landowners, warning that further encroachment could lead to a breakdown of peace in the community.

‘We are peace-loving people, and we depend on these farmlands for survival. It is unfortunate that some people now come with security men to forcefully take over our land.

‘The continued invasion and destruction of our farms can lead to the disruption of peace in this area. We have been patient for too long, but our patience is being tested. We are calling on the state government to intervene before the situation gets out of hand.

‘These people usually come in a warlike manner, armed with weapons. They take over cocoa farms, clear and sell them with impunity. Those who resist are often arrested or intimidated into silence.’

He lamented that several farmers had been harassed, arrested, and detained unjustly after resisting the invaders, while some had lost everything and others now lived in constant fear.

He cited past incidents, including the killing of community leader Emmanuel Ogboriefon and the destruction of cocoa plantations belonging to Charles Akinrolayo, who was also detained after protesting the invasion of his land.

‘Cocoa farming is the lifeblood of Ondo State’s economy and a key contributor to Nigeria’s GDP, but now, millions of cocoa trees are being destroyed, families are starving, and the state is losing revenue because a few powerful individuals have chosen greed over humanity.’

He noted that although the state government had once intervened to halt the attacks, the situation flared up again in mid-October when surveyors and earth-moving machines, escorted by armed policemen, returned to clear more farms.

‘The bulldozers came again in October, guarded by policemen. When villagers confronted them, the policemen briefly withdrew, only to return later, claiming they were acting under some authority,’ he said.

Speaking on behalf of the state government, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Union Matters, Bola Taiwo, who attended to the protesters, appealed for calm and assured the angry farmers that the government would look into their grievances.

Taiwo advised them to channel their complaints through the appropriate authorities, pledging that Governor Aiyedatiwa would ensure a peaceful and just resolution to the lingering dispute.

He commended the farmers for conducting themselves peacefully and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting lives, property, and investments across the state.

Meanwhile, the protesters vowed to continue their peaceful demonstrations until the state government addresses their demands and restores peace to the community.

Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has announced the willingness of his administration to partner with Ahmadu Bello University in the areas of education, agriculture and capacity building.

Lawal disclosed this when he received the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adamu Ahmed, and other management staff of the university, who called on him at the Zamfara State Government House, Gusau.

Lawal, who had both his first and second degrees from Ahmadu Bello University, stressed that education was the responsibility of not only the government, but also all citizens of the country.

He recalled with nostalgia his undergraduate days in ABU, saying he always preferred staying in Zaria to going home when the university was on break due to the quality of the school.

Lawal described ABU as ‘one of the best schools in the world’, saying he had no apology for that, given the quality of education he received from the institution.

He said as leaders they had a duty to contribute, noting that the best way to give to their alma mater was by doing what you could do to assist for the betterment of humanity.

In a statement issued by the Public Affairs Directorate office of the vice chancellor on Monday said the governor told the delegation that his doors were always open and ABU should continue to count on him for support.

Lawal said the partnership was something that the state would work together with ABU due to the quality of its teaching and non-teaching staff.

He appreciated the Vice-Chancellor for releasing some of his competent staff to join his administration to help develop Zamfara.

In the area of agriculture, Gov Lawal emphasised that the state would also partner with ABU, as the state was planning to begin mechanised farming.

Lawal further stated that the state would also partner with the university on intellectual and capacity building for civil servants and top government officials.

This, according to him, was key to understanding the basic roles of civil servants in governance.

The governor also said this clearly showed why they invited consultants when they wanted to appoint Permanent Secretaries.

Lawal thanked the Vice-Chancellor and members of his entourage for the visit and looked forward to a more productive partnership with the university.

Those who came along with the Vice-Chancellor were Registrar, Rabiu Samaila; Director, Institute for Agricultural Research, Prof Ado Yusuf; Director, National Animal Production Research Institute, Prof Rabiu Hassan; and Director, National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services, Prof Sani Yusuf Ahmad.

Others included Director, Directorate of Advancement and International Education, Prof M I Umar-Buratai; Dean, Faculty of Administration, Prof M K Isah; Coordinator Gender Policy Unit, Prof Rahanatu Lawal; and Prof Ashiru Bello of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning.

Director, Public Affairs Directorate, Auwalu Umar; Special Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor, Dr Ibrahim Sani Kaita; and Senior Information and Protocol Officer, Ahmad Haruna Waziri, were also on the Vice-Chancellor’s entourage.

The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) has approved a N200,000 minimum monthly salary for fresh veterinarians employed in private hospitals and clinics nationwide, marking a historic milestone in efforts to enhance professional welfare and strengthen the country’s food security and public health systems.

The resolution was among key outcomes of the 61st Annual National Congress and Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the association, held in Jalingo, Taraba State, under the theme ‘Animal Health, Food Safety and Security: Ensuring a Healthy and Productive Nigeria.’

The three-day congress tagged ‘Nature’s Gift 2025,’ drew hundreds of delegates, including veterinary experts, policymakers, private sector operators, researchers, and students.

It focused on repositioning veterinary medicine as a cornerstone of national development and a catalyst for agricultural transformation.

NVMA President, Dr. Moses Arokoyo, described the new minimum wage as a step toward restoring the dignity of veterinary practice and ensuring equity for professionals who play a vital role in safeguarding the nation’s food supply and public health.

‘Animal health is the foundation of food security and public health. Yet, we are losing billions to preventable animal diseases. If properly harnessed, veterinary services can generate billions in GDP and create sustainable rural livelihoods’, Arokoyo said.

He lamented that many of Nigeria’s over 400 million livestock remain underexploited due to inadequate veterinary coverage, noting that several Local Government Areas still lack resident veterinarians.

Dr. Arokoyo also urged the Federal Government to extend the 65-year retirement age for all healthcare professionals, including veterinarians, and called for the domestication of the new Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD) across states to strengthen livestock governance and productivity.

He further called for the declaration of a state of emergency on abattoirs, stressing the need for all slaughter operations to be conducted under proper veterinary supervision to protect public health.

Delivering the keynote address on behalf of Governor Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State, Dr. Jonathan Wasa, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, highlighted the state’s recent strides in livestock transformation.

He listed the employment of 21 veterinarians and 27 technologists, the launch of a Pasture and Grazing Reserve Development Programme, and the introduction of the Veterinary Inspection Permit and Trade Animal Movement Security (VIPTAMS) system, an innovation designed to strengthen livestock disease traceability and movement control.

‘Healthy animals mean healthy people and a healthy economy. Our goal is to integrate animal, human, and environmental health, the true spirit of the One Health approach’, Governor Bago said through his representative. ‘

He encouraged veterinarians to take up leadership roles in policymaking, governance, and investment, noting that the profession possesses the expertise and credibility needed to drive sustainable growth in agriculture and food systems.

Among other major highlights of the congress was the inauguration of a 33-member NVMA Think Tank, tasked with developing a strategic roadmap for advancing veterinary education, research, regulation, and international collaboration.

The association also unveiled the NVMA Lapel Pin, symbolizing a renewed professional identity under the slogan: ‘Veterinarians: Safeguarding Animal and Public Health.’

Technical plenaries focused on critical challenges facing Nigeria’s livestock and food sectors, including Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Scaling Up Ruminant Vaccination (GALVmed’s VITAL 2 Project), Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), and Zoonotic Disease Surveillance.

Delegates recommended a suite of reforms: regular vaccination with locally adapted vaccines, stricter livestock movement control during disease outbreaks, improved farm biosecurity, stronger surveillance systems, and farmer education on antimicrobial use.

The Congress also reaffirmed support for the One Health framework, which integrates veterinary, human, and environmental health in disease prevention and control.

In its closing communiqué, signed by Dr. Grace Sabo Nok (Chairman), Dr. Abdulkadeer Umar Baba (Secretary), and Dr. James Clinton Shawulu (Member), the NVMA pledged to champion policies that ensure safe food, healthy animals, and a resilient national economy.

‘We move forward united in purpose, driven by science, and committed to a healthier, safer, and more productive Nigeria,’ the communiqué stated.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, has warned the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Eastern Security Network (ESN) and other non state actors to stay away from Anambra state as the Police was determined to protect lives and property during conduct of Saturday election in the south east state.

Egbetokun who was represented by Deputy Inspector General of Police, Ben Okoro, gave the warning during the signing of the National Peace Accord by political parties and their candidates at International Conference Centre, ICC, Awka, the state capital, ahead of the election.

He maintained that any sinister move capable of disrupting the exercise will be matched with decisive force.

He said: ‘Any attempt by IPOB, ESN or any other non-state actor to interfere with the forthcoming election shall invite an immediate, coordinated and overwhelming law enforcement response.

‘Precision targeted intelligence operations are already active to identify, isolate and dismantle any network or individual floating acts of intimidation, of violence the Nigerian state will respond firmly, lawfully and conclusively. The peace of Anambra State shall not be negotiated.

‘Furthermore, any person or group found bearing arms, brandishing instruments of intimidation, or performing unauthorized security duties outside recognised federal agencies shall be treated as an armed non state actor.

‘Such persons shall be swiftly neutralised, arrested and prosecuted under the Firearms Act, the Criminal Code and the terrorism prevention and Prohibition Act 2022 this remains an operational red line that will be enforced without hesitation.

‘The Nigerian police force has activated the zero tolerance enforcement protocol to ensure total compliance with the Electoral Act and related laws.

‘Electoral offenses will be treated as criminal violations of national security, not mere political misconduct. Offenses such as ballot snatching, vote buying or voter intimidation, are felonies under the Electoral Act 2022.

‘Officers are under strict instruction to effect immediate arrest based on first evidence and to ensure diligent prosecution through the electoral offenses desk already activated across the state.

‘The objective is simple, to deter misconduct through swift and exemplary enforcement.

‘In addition, specialized cyber crime units are deployed to monitor, trace and counter a digital misinformation, fake news and coordinated online propaganda aimed at destructing public peace or discrediting the process.

‘The following Election Day protocols are binding and enforceable under federal law. VIP movement: No political appointee, candidate of VIP is permitted to move with armed escorts or security aids to polling or coalition centers.

‘Personnel mobility: Only accredited INEC officials, election observers and journalists may move freely between designated areas.

‘Party agents and security personnel must remain within their signed jurisdictions.

‘Prohibited conduct: Campaigning, partisan display or any act capable of causing provocation within the vicinity of polling units is prohibited.

‘Possession of any weapon or instrument of intimidation will attract immediate arrest to all political parties, candidates and campaign managers, the responsibility for peace rests heavily upon you.

‘The Nigerian police force will hold political leadership directly, directly accountable for the conduct of their supporters.’

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) Professor Joash Amupitan restated his commitment to free, fair and credible election.

He assured that the Anambra state Governorship election under his supervision would be flawless and credible.

Speaking at the signing of the peace accord, Chairman of National Peace Committee, General Abdulasalami Abubakar (rtd) who was represented by General Martin Luther Agwai (rtd) said National Peace Committee is a mediation channel and conciliation in the case of post electoral disputes and enjoined the candidates to embrace the election outcome.

A group, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Patriots, has sought the intervention of President Bola Tinubu to save democracy in Nigeria by halting the ongoing crisis in the leading opposition party.

The group, led by a former Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, Dr Mike Omeri, also called on the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the party to intervene urgently to prevent the crack in the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party from deteriorating further.

The NWC broke into two on Saturday, last week, with one faction led by the National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, and another a second group led by the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

The Anyanwu faction appointed the National Chairman (North-Central), Mohammed Abdulrahman, as its acting chairman, while it suspended Damagum for one month, just as Damagum too suspended Anyanwu and three other national officers for three months for alleged anti-party activities.

On Monday, the Anyanwu group took over the Wadada Plaza National Secretariat of the party.

However, The Patriots, in a reaction to the crisis, criticised the action of the Anyanwu faction and declared its support for the NWC led by Damagum.

Omeri, who spoke on behalf of the group, also called on the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the PDP to intervene and rescue the PDP.

He stated, ‘At this juncture, we wish to unequivocally disassociate ourselves with the decision of a group of suspended members of the Party who inadvertently claimed to appoint Abdulrahaman Mohammed as the acting National Chairman of the party.

‘This was done without consultation by the group who as defendants to a case unashamedly converted themselves to plaintiffs in a case that they ought to prosecute in the interest of members of the party nationwide.

‘In addition, the group in a gestapo style invaded the party’s headquarters, promoting thuggery and attempting to unlawfully take over the party’s secretariat.

‘In this regard, we call on members of the PDP Board of Trustees, who are the custodians and the conscience of the party, to as a matter of urgency, step in and find a lasting remedy or solution to the current affairs of the party.’

The patriots also appealed to the international community ‘not to only save the christians in Nigeria but ultimately, save democracy from anti-democratic forces and retrogrades.’

The group further urged President Bola Tinubu to ‘rise to the occasion and defend our democratic tenets and freedom in Nigeria.’

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Delta North Senatorial District has declared its full support for the creation of Anioma State, proposed to become the sixth state in Nigeria’s South-East geopolitical zone.

In a formal letter addressed to the Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on State Creation, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, the APC Delta North Chairman, Chief Adizue Eluaka, affirmed that Anioma is ‘ready for statehood.’

The three-page letter, dated November 3, 2025, stated that both the APC Delta North and the people of the zone are united in their support for the proposal, describing it as a matter of fairness and strategic necessity for Nigeria’s federal structure.

‘The APC Delta North Senatorial District is fully and unequivocally in support of the creation of Anioma State. The realization of Anioma State stands as both a matter of fairness and strategic advantage for the federation,’ Chief Eluaka said.

He stressed that there was no dissenting voice within Delta North against the creation of Anioma State, noting that the proposal aligns with the principles of equity, justice, and historical continuity.

‘We call upon the Distinguished Senate to act in solidarity with the legacy of Chief Dennis Osadebey and other patriots of Anioma who championed this noble cause. The creation of Anioma State would not only honour their pioneering efforts but also strengthen unity, representation, and administrative balance within our Federation,’ he said.

Chief Eluaka also commended Senator Ned Nwoko for his resilience and leadership in spearheading the current push for Anioma State.

‘The agitation for an additional state for the South-East actually began with Senator Nwoko’s bill, which sought to correct the imbalance where the South-East has five states while other zones have six-and one has seven,’ Eluaka noted.

He further stated that among all proposed new states across Nigeria, none has a more formal and comprehensive bill before the National Assembly than Anioma State, adding that the initiative has given the Anioma cause renewed national attention and legitimacy.

The APC Delta North Chairman urged the Senate and President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to heed the call for Anioma’s creation, recalling the sacrifices and losses suffered by Anioma communities during the civil war due to their perceived association with the South-East.

‘The tragic experience of stigmatisation and persecution suffered simply because of their Igbo identity led to years of denial and internal conflict over self-definition. The creation of Anioma State presents a chance for healing, affirmation, and restoration of pride in us as a people,’ he said.

Eluaka reaffirmed that Anioma is fully prepared for statehood, arguing that the new state would correct the South-East’s long-standing imbalance while boosting its landmass, population, and economic resources.

‘By creating Anioma as the sixth state of the South-East, Nigeria will strengthen the zone’s political participation, stability, and national representation. This is both a matter of fairness and strategic advantage for the federation,’ he added.

He therefore urged the National Assembly to lend its support, describing the move as a unifying national project.

‘The creation of Anioma State will stand as both an act of justice and a reaffirmation of the Senate’s responsiveness to the aspirations of the Nigerian people,’ Eluaka said.

The Nigerian equities market began the week on a negative note as profit-taking and weak investor sentiment dragged the NGX All-Share Index (ASI) down by 0.25 percent to close at 153,739.11 basis points on Monday.

The decline trimmed the year-to-date return to 49.37 percent. Market capitalization also shed N245.88 billion to settle at N97.58 trillion, reflecting sustained sell-offs across key sectors.

Market breadth remained weak, with 37 losers outweighing 19 gainers, indicating a largely bearish tone.

Top gainers for the day included Union Dicon Salt, Omatek, NAHCO, International Breweries, and Champion Breweries. On the other hand, major laggards were Honeywell Flour, Northern Nigeria Flour Mills, Aradel Holdings, Japaul Gold, and Ikeja Hotel, all of which recorded notable price declines.

Sectoral performance mirrored the overall market weakness, with four of the major indices closing in the red. The Oil and Gas Index led the decline with a 3.94 percent loss, followed by the Commodity Index with a 1.85 percent dip, the Insurance Index with a 1.48 percent depreciation, and the Banking Index with a 0.22 percent loss. In contrast, the Consumer Goods Index rose by 0.49 percent, while the Industrial Goods sector closed flat.

Trading activity reflected mixed dynamics. Total volume traded fell sharply by 87.94 percent to 627.5 million shares, while transaction value declined by 44.64 percent to N25 billion. Interestingly, the number of deals rose by 19.04 percent to 36,425, suggesting increased participation by retail investors amid reduced institutional liquidity.

Market watchers attributed the downturn to cautious trading as investors reassess positions ahead of upcoming corporate disclosures and potential policy signals. Despite the current pullback, they noted that market fundamentals remain relatively strong, supported by robust third-quarter earnings and ongoing macroeconomic reforms that continue to shape investor sentiment.

At the close of trading, the market outlook remained cautious, with analysts expecting continued sectoral rotations and profit-taking in the near term.