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By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

An Assistant Inspector General, AIG of Police Nkechi Eze made history on Thursday as she was appointed the first Director of Directorate of Medical Services of the Nigeria Police Force. Her appointment was announced in a statement by Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin.

ccording to the statement, the appointment of Nkechi Eze was in furtherance of reforms and bid for enhanced welfare for police personnel by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun.

“This appointment follows the recent upgrade of the Force Medical Section to a full-fledged Directorate, a landmark step aimed at institutionalizing comprehensive, accessible, and efficient healthcare services within the Nigeria Police Force,” Hundeyin said in the statement.

Egbetokun, while congratulating AIG Eze on her well-deserved appointment, charged her to leverage her wealth of experience and proven administrative acumen to reposition the Directorate as a model of excellence in police healthcare delivery.

The Police boss emphasized that the Directorate’s establishment marks a strategic investment in the health and productivity of police personnel, reiterating that the well-being of officers remains central to the operational efficiency of the Force.

So, who is AIG Nkechi Eze, the Pioneer Director, Directorate of Force Medical Services? Here are 7 compelling facts about her you need to know

1. AIG Nkechi Eze is a distinguished clinician, dental surgeon, and administrator.

2. She is bring to her new role over 27 years of exemplary service in the Nigeria police.

3. Though she was born in Umuahia, Abia State, she hails from Agbudu community, Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State.

4. AIG Eze holds a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile-Ife.

5. She also holds Master’s in Public Health (MPH) from the University of Benin.

6. Her illustrious career spans various formations across Oyo, Ekiti, Rivers, the Federal Capital Territory, and Lagos.

7. According to the police, AIG Eze has made significant contributions to advancing police healthcare services and officers’ welfare.

The Managing Director of Bonghe Microfinance Bank, Grace Andreas Karka, has been sentenced to five years imprisonment for stealing N32 million from her own bank and transferring part of the money to a man identified as Prince Moses Batalu.

Justice Benjamin Lawan Manji of the Adamawa State High Court, Yola, found Karka guilty of criminal conspiracy and cheating after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) proved that she misappropriated funds belonging to the bank between August 2020 and March 2021.

ccording to the EFCC, Karka, while serving as Managing Director, unlawfully moved large sums of money from the bank’s First Bank account — No. 2013668857, to accounts linked to Batalu, who was not a customer of the bank.

Trouble started when Bonghe Microfinance Bank conducted an internal audit that revealed suspicious transfers and missing funds. Further investigation showed that N32 million was diverted under Karka’s supervision, without any official approval.

The bank reported the matter to the EFCC after several attempts to recover the money failed.

During trial, EFCC counsel Mubarak Tijani presented witnesses and documents linking Karka to the fraud, while her defence team called three witnesses in her support.

Justice Manji ruled that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, and sentenced Karka to five years in prison, with an option of 3 million fine on each count, to run concurrently.

She was also ordered to refund N29.8 million to the bank.

The case, filed under the Adamawa State Penal Code Law of 2018, exposed how the former bank chief abused her office for personal gain.

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has called on the Kebbi Government to arrest and prosecute all those involved in the alleged attacks and killing of some pastoralists in the state.

Its National Secretary, Alhaji Bello Aliyu-Gotomo, who made the call in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, noted that allowing impunity to continue and people taking laws into their hands would only complicate security situation in the state.

“The National Headquarters of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) condemns the unwarranted attacks and killing of some innocent pastoralists in some parts of Kebbi recently.

“The alleged dastardly act simply shows a well organised campaign to displace pastoralists from their abodes in some parts of Kebbi.

“MACBAN commends the Kebbi government for the prompt visit to the affected areas and called on the state authority to arrest and prosecute all those involved,” Aliyu-Gotomo advocated.

The secretary decried that the alleged attacks on pastoralists would make livestock and crop production extremely difficult, adding that the harassment of both bandits and other none state actors was constituted serious threat to agric sector.

liyu-Gotomo said that the association is concerned that allowing “lawlessness to rein in the rural areas will have an unpleasant consequences on agriculture and livestock production in the country.” In a related development, the Miyetti Allah leader commended Gov. Umar Bago of Niger, for taking prompt action to stop violence in the state.

He emphasised the need for enhanced synergy between the Federal and State Governments in curbing insecurity in all the nooks and crannies of the country, especially in rural communities.

(NAN)

By Aderogba George

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) says it will commence monthly psychiatric evaluation for all prison inmates across the country from November 2025.

The Vice President I of the association, Dr Benjamin Olowojebutu, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja during a visit to the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).

The visit also featured the donation of re-useable sanitary pads to all female inmates nationwide.

The initiative was supported by Diatom Impact/Platform Capital, a Nigerian company that manufactures the sanitary products.

Olowojebutu said the psychiatric evaluation would ensure that every inmate had access to mental health tools, while the sanitary pad donation aimed to promote the dignity and wellbeing of female inmates.

“Today marks a great day for me personally, in July, we met with the investigative panel and heard touching revelations about the condition of inmates, especially the hygiene of women.

“I made a vow that day that NMA would provide sanitary pads to support them,” he said.

He noted that the association’s findings also showed that inmates required consistent psychological support and psychiatric assessment to aid rehabilitation.

“With our continued collaboration with the NCoS, we are confident that the lives of inmates; both male and female will improve.

“We have agreed, together with our partners at Diatom Impact/Platform Capital, to continue being our brothers’ keepers”.

In his response, the Controller-General of the NCoS, Mr Sylvester Nwakuche, commended the NMA for its commitment to improving the welfare of inmates and for sustaining its partnership with the Service.

He said the NMA’s donation and its pledge to provide ongoing medical and mental health support showed sincerity and professionalism.

Nwakuche also praised Diatom Impact/Platform Capital for building an incubation centre at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, where inmates are receiving training and certification in digital skills, including Cisco programmes.

“Our inmates are not the dregs of society, They come from all walks of life and deserve opportunities for rehabilitation.

“We must continue to involve NGOs and well-meaning Nigerians in making life better and more meaningful for them”.

On his part, Dr Akintoye Akindele, Chairman of Diatom Impact/Platform Capital, said supporting inmates was a moral obligation, as many found themselves in prison due to circumstances beyond their control.

“Everybody deserves dignity, hope, and a chance at life. It’s an honour to partner with the NMA because they are the real heroes doing the work of nation-building.

“We must focus on positive stories and support good initiatives that uplift our society,” Akindele said.

He added that inmates should not be treated as outcasts but as citizens deserving of respect and rehabilitation.

“Prisoners are human beings first,” he said. “They are in correctional facilities to learn and become better. We must build a country that treats every life with dignity”

( NAN)

The Nigeria Police Force says it has fixed Dec. 3 and 4 to mark 70 years of women in policing in Nigeria.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

Hundeyin said the event was to mark seven decades of courage, resilience, and dedication to service since the first set of policewomen were enlisted in 1955.

ccording to him, this milestone underscores the vital role of women in strengthening law enforcement and fostering community trust across the country.

He said the Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Olukayode Egbetokun, would join serving and retired female officers to mark the historic occasion.

Hundeyin said the I-G had commended the invaluable contributions of Women officers to the operational effectiveness and public image of the f.

“The dedication and compassion of women in policing had continued to be integral to the foundation of policing in Nigeria.

“In the past seven decades, women of the Nigeria Police Force have distinguished themselves in various capacities from administration and investigations to tactical operations and command leadership.

“They have embodied integrity, empathy, and excellence in service to the nation,” he quoted the I-G as saying.

He said the Nigeria Police had redefined policing with compassion and purpose through the selfless commitment of women in policing.

“Activities marking the anniversary include a national lecture, historical exhibition, interactive panel sessions, and an outreach programme.

“The celebration reinforces the I-G’s commitment to promoting inclusivity, professionalism, and continuous capacity development for women in policing.

“The Nigeria Police Force extends heartfelt appreciation to all female officers, past and present, who have served in its ranks.

“Their courage and professionalism remain a source of pride and inspiration to the institution and the nation,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

IMC/JPE

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

Air Vice Marshal Sunday Aneke, the newly appointed Chief of the Air Staff, has assumed office on Thursday as the 23rd Chief of the Air Staff.

neke, during a ceremony held at the Nigerian Air Force Headquarters in Abuja, pledged his loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Nigerian Air Force.

He expressed his deep appreciation to the president for his confidence in him, stating that he is grateful for the rare privilege.

“My appointment as the Twenty-Third Chief of the Air Staff is both an honour and a humbling experience. I wish to specially thank the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the honour and rare privilege extended to me to serve Nigeria. I also pledge my loyalty and that of the Nigerian Air Force officers, airmen and airwomen to the government and people of Nigeria as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution,” Aneke stated.

neke also vowed to sustain the achievements of his predecessor, assuring that the force will work towards strengthening national security.

“Together, we will leave no stone unturned in discharging our constitutional roles in conjunction with other sister services, security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies to bring about swift improvement in the security situation of Nigeria,” he added.

The Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned one Muhammad Umar before Justice Aisha Ibrahim of the Borno State High Court, Maiduguri.

He was arraigned on a two count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence and misappropriation to the tune of N4,200,000.00 (Four Million Two Hundred Thousand Naira Only)

Count one read: “That you, Muhammad Umar with the bank verification number: 22530268934, sometimes in March, 2025 in Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud obtained the sum of N4,200,000 (Four Million Two Hundred Thousand Naira) from one Abubakar Kaumi under the false pretense that same is meant for the purchase of a property situated and lying at Bolori Ward Maiduguri, Borno State, a representation which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud related offences Act, 2006.”

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him.

Based on his plea, Prosecution counsel, S.O Saka, prayed the court for a trial date and remand of the defendant in a Correctional Centre.

Justice Ibrahim thereafter adjourned till November 3, 2025 for commencement of trial and remanded the defendant in a Correctional Facility.

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

Governor Ademola Adeleke has expressed confidence that with his popularity excellent performance in less that three years, the people of Osun State will reelect him into office for a second term in 2026.

deleke expressed the optimism while speaking to journalists after he was screened as a governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2026 governorship elections in Osun state.

“Our popularity is known nationally due to our excellent records of performance within less than three years in office. We are confident the will of the people will prevail in the best interest of democracy”, Adeleke told journalists at at the Legacy House, Abuja after the closed door screening exercise/

overnor Adeleke further assured the public that the PDP is united and ready for victory in Osun next elections.

“We have delivered good governance to our people in Osun. Our records and popularity are unrivalled. So we are ready for victory come 2026.

“We have the full backing of the people. Election is about voters and we know our people love us. We have strong faith in God and the people that we are going to secure re-election overwhelmingly”, the governor noted.

Responding to the reporters’ questions, Governor Adeleke said he is assured that the Federal Government will ensure free and fair elections in Osun state to set example of electoral transparency ahead of the 2027 general elections.

deleke was accompanied by South West Vice-Chairman of the party, Hon Kamarudeen Ajisafe; state chairman of the party, Hon Sunday Bisi; Secretary to the State Government, Hon Teslim Igbalaye; Special Duties Commissioner, Dr BT Salami; Commerce commissioner, Rev Bunmi Jenyo; Special Adviser on Public Health, Dr. Adekunle Akindele, and members of the National Assembly.

American singer and global superstar Ciara has expressed admiration for the transformation she observed in Lagos State upon her return to Nigeria for the Lagos Fashion Week 2025.

Speaking in a viral video, the singer said she was amazed by the visible development and cleaner environment in the city compared to her previous visit.

Ciara, who arrived in Lagos earlier this week, attended the fashion event alongside other international celebrities and Nigerian designers.

The Police Command in Kano State has announced the arrest of two suspected notorious armed robbers and the recovery of a stolen Ford Escape vehicle belonging to an Air Force officer.

ccording to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Kiyawa, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad intercepted the vehicle along the KanoZaria Expressway on Thursday, following intelligence reports that the suspects were heading towards Kano.

Kiyawa stated that the suspects, Adamu Adam Abubakar and Umar Bello, were arrested after a brief exchange of gunfire, while their accomplice, Dan Malam, escaped with a pistol and some stolen valuables.

The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Bakori, commended the Intelligence Unit of the Force Headquarters, Abuja, and the command’s operatives for their swift and coordinated efforts.

He urged citizens to continue supporting the police with timely information to help tackle insecurity, and assured that the command would ensure the fleeing suspect is brought to justice.(NAN)