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The Kogi Government has burnt camps and arrested two suspects at suspected hideouts of bandits in Aherin-Bunu community, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of the state.

The demolition of the camp and arrest of the two suspects were part of the intensified its crackdown on banditry and other criminal activities in the Kogi, Retired Cdr Jerry Omodara, Security Adviser to Gov. Ahmed Ododo, said on Thursday.

Omodara told journalists that in the the major operation by combined security forces two wounded suspected bandits and fake doctors were apprehended at the settlement.

He explained that the bandits were being treated for bullet wounds sustained from previous encounter with security forces.

‘Following the arrest, Gov. Ododo directed that the bandits’ camps and settlements be wiped out.

State Security Adviser, Cdr Jerry Omodara rtd, (far left), interrogating the injured apprehended bandits on Thursday in Kabba-Bunu

‘Acting on the governor’s directive, the combined security forces demolished the camps, including a makeshift clinic, and destroyed the bandits’ farmland and produce,’ he said.

Omodara emphasised that the onslaught by security agencies was making the state a difficult place for bandits to hide.

He warned that anyone caught perpetrating, abetting, or collaborating with criminals would be dealt with, regardless of their status.

The security adviser noted that the operation was part of the Kogi government’s ongoing onslaught against banditry and other criminal activities, which was yielding unprecedented results.

‘Gov. Ododo has severally reiterated his commitment to ensuring the safety and security of lives and property of the people,’ said. (NAN)

The new Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN) on Thursday denied claims that he was part of the legal team of President Bola Tinubu at the 2023 Presidential Election Petitions Court (PEPC).

Amupitan stated this on Thursday before he was confirmed following screening that lasted over two hours by the Senate.

‘I did not lead the legal team of President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal,’ Amupitan who is also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria said responding to a question from the lawmaker represent Bayelsa West, Senator Seriake Dickson.

He said he has also read about the speculations and had consequently armed himself with the reports of the cases to defend himself.

‘It is very simple to answer. The Law reports on those cases have been out. And even when I was coming, I decided to have certified true copies of the counsel that appeared.

‘I never, I did not appear in the presidential election tribunal and at the Supreme Court,’

Amupitan added that he was also not a legal counsel to Peter Obi of the Labour Party or the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the tribunal.

‘I was not part of it,’ he stated when prompted by Senate President Godswil Akpabio.

Answering questions from the senators, Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) from Kogi, said:

The Senate has confirmed the appointment of Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN) as the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The Upper Chamber approved the confirmation of Amupitan at plenary after hours of screening by the lawmakers.

Answering questions from the senators, Amupitan, also said he would work with relevant agencies like the National Identity Management Commission ((NIMC) and Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to improve the electoral processes.

He said: ‘I have to audit the system if I’m given the opportunity to see what is actually wrong and whether we have what it takes as it is now.

‘It is not INEC responsibility alone. We have the other agencies like NCC, NIMC and the service providers that we have to work together.

‘This is to ensure that we give Nigerians the technology that everybody will be happy about.

‘There will definitely be an audit of what the system, especially of the logistics and ensure that the proper strategy is put in place.

‘We all know the problem. So, we’ll find a proper strategy to be able to confront those problems headlong,’ Amupitan said.

According to him, logistics is a matter that must be tackled to ensure improvement in the electoral processes.

‘We rely on third-party logistics to transport sensitive election materials. This is because some of the vehicles you see, are old, they don’t even go too far.

‘When they (vehicles) drop the materials, they don’t even wait to bring the materials back,’ he said.

On the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), Amupitan said that back then, there was no clarity as to the purpose of IReV.

He said: ‘Not until the Supreme Court came out to say that IReV was not an electronic collation system, that issue was not properly thrashed out before the election.

‘The IReV was supposed to be a safeguard for comparison but the laws made by this distinguished Senate did not do away with manual collations,’ he said.

He, however, said that IReV was supposed to provide some guarantees, checks and balances.

According to him, one of the things that I will do is to work out an internal mechanism that we can use to train the behaviour of humans.

‘In the first place, I’m taking this position on trust and the people who I’m going to work with, they must also appreciate the fact that they are there on trust,’ he said.

Amupitan added that there was the need for an electoral offence commission that would be able to investigate perpetrators of electoral offences.

He succeeded Mahmood Yakubu, who served as chairman between 2015 and 2025.

Speaking on behalf of Kogi senators, Sen. Sunday Karimi commended Amupitan’s nomination, adding that Amupitan would not disappoint Nigerians.

‘This is the first time Kogi is having one of its own as an INEC chairman. Let’s allow him work for our electoral process to yield positive results,’ Karimi said.

In his remarks, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio said: ‘Let me thank distinguished senators for the painstaking manner in which they handled this as a Committee of the Whole.

‘I wish Prof. Amupitan well and pray that his services will improve the electoral process, lead to more transparency and ensure that every vote counts and that the winners are truly the ones that are announced,’ he said.

After ten years of research, scientists have made a major step toward solving one of the biggest challenges in kidney transplants finding a perfect match between donor and recipient blood types.

A team of researchers from Canada and China has successfully created a ‘universal’ kidney that, in theory, could be accepted by any patient regardless of blood type.

The test kidney worked for several days in the body of a brain-dead person whose family allowed the experiment.

‘This is the first time we’ve seen this happen in a human model,’ said biochemist Stephen Withers from the University of British Columbia. ‘It gives us valuable knowledge to help improve future transplant results.’

Why Blood Type Matters in Transplants

Normally, people with type O blood can only receive kidneys from type O donors. Since more than half of those on transplant waiting lists have type O blood, and type O kidneys can be used for anyone, they are always in short supply.

Doctors can sometimes transplant kidneys across blood types, but the process is difficult, costly, and risky. It also requires living donors because the recipient needs time to prepare for the surgery.

How the Scientists Did It

In this study, the researchers changed a type A kidney into a type O kidney using special enzymes that remove sugar molecules (antigens) responsible for identifying blood type.

The enzymes act like microscopic scissors, cutting away parts of the molecules that make the organ appear as type A. Once removed, the kidney becomes ‘neutral,’ just like type O blood.

‘It’s like removing the red paint from a car and revealing the base coat underneath,’ Withers explained. ‘When that happens, the immune system no longer sees the organ as foreign.’

Promising But Not Perfect Yet

After transplanting the modified kidney, the scientists noticed that by the third day, some type A markers began to reappear, triggering a mild immune reaction.

However, this reaction was less severe than usual, and the body seemed to start accepting the organ.

More work is needed before human trials can begin, but the results are very encouraging.

Why It Matters

Every day, about 11 people die in the United States while waiting for a kidney transplant, most of them needing type O kidneys.

Scientists worldwide are trying different solutions, including using pig organs and developing new antibodies to prevent rejection.

‘This is what it looks like when years of basic science finally connect to patient care,’ said Withers. ‘Seeing our discoveries move closer to saving lives keeps us going.’

The study was published in Nature Biomedical Engineering.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF), says the global economy has improved tremendously amid uncertainty.

The IMF Managing Director, Kristalina Georgieva gave the description on Thursday in Washington while making a presentation on the ‘Global Policy Agenda ‘ at the ongoing Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group.

According to Georgrieva, uncertainty has

continued to go up.

‘Gold values too have shown such resilience in the face of uncertainty and profound transformations in geo-politics, in technology, in trade relations, and in demography,’ she said.

She gave two core reasons for the global economic situation.

‘Firstly, improved policy fundamentals. Since the global financial crisis, many countries, especially emerging markets, have pursued sound policies. They have strengthened their institutions; they have strengthened their frameworks; this investment is paying off, and if I may say, stayed the course. Secondly, the adaptability of the private sector, which has shown agility in import front-loading, in supply chain strengthening, in just navigating uncertainty, is quite remarkable,’ she said.

She, however, said that the outlook was underwhelming. According to her, medium-term growth prospects remained weak.

‘Public debt is near record highs and continues to climb, and the global economy is excessively imbalanced. The forces of change are making the global economy less predictable, and it is impacting people. People are anxious; they are taking to the streets to demand better opportunities,’ she said.

She said that the private sector handled uncertainty better.

‘So unlock private sector growth for economies to deliver more jobs and better livelihoods. For the private sector to thrive, countries must push ahead with broad and ambitious domestic reforms. I have encouraged our members to embrace a regulatory housecleaning to help foster innovation and entrepreneurship,’ she said.

Georgrieva urged member-countries to keep trade as an engine of growth. According to her, this can only be accomplished when the basic building blocks of private enterprise are in place, like strong institutions, free and fair markets, and stable macroeconomic environment.

‘This brings me to the second priority; secure sound macroeconomic fundamentals for navigating a more turbulent world. On fiscal policy, countries must rebuild fiscal space and reduce debt. This means relying more on domestic sources of revenues and making smart budget choices. On monetary and financial sector policies, the priority remains to preserve stability and guard against financial stability risks, ‘ she said.

She also called for a reduction in global imbalances. She said that countries with excessive surpluses, like China, should boost domestic demands, including by spending less on industrial policy and more on social safety nets.

‘Those with excessive deficits, notably the United States, need to reduce fiscal deficits and incentivise private savings. As always, at the IMF, we are focused on what we can do to strengthen economic and financial stability, resolve balance of payment problems, build strong policies and institution,’ she said.

The IMF managing director said that there were a couple of very important developments that the fund was pursuing.

‘We have in motion comprehensive surveillance review to sharpen the focus on surveillance, including our advice on trade policies and domestic reforms to rebalance the economy. We have an ongoing review on conditionality. It will strengthen programme design so we can better support our members and help them navigate this more uncertain world. To ensure our capacity to provide much-needed financing to low-income countries, we need to continue to mobilise our members to fully implement the PRGT reform agreed last October,’ she said.

She also called on members to look carefully into the ‘catastrophic payment and relief trust’.

According to her, it is very useful to help the poorest of the poor during COVID, but it is depleted.

‘For the new shocks to come, we need to seriously consider replenishing it. Finaly, on debt, we continue our work on the Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable. We continue work on reviewing the debt sustainability framework for low-income countries. We intend to make more systematic use of our good offices to improve coordination between creditors and debtors,’ she said.

According to Georgrieva, uncertainty is here to stay and change is unstoppable.

‘But with change comes opportunity; and in the IMF, we will continue to help our countries to pursue opportunities in front of them. As a prudent steward of our members’ resources, we are going to be right there for them every step of the way. I can share with you that I have had extensive meetings with regional groups across the membership. The interest in the Fund to provide calibrated, detailed, country-specific advice for this moment of time is just overwhelming,’ she said.

The friendly matches earlier planned between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and South American sides Venezuela and Colombia are now likely to be cancelled following Nigeria’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Playoffs.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had arranged the international friendlies to keep the team active during the November window.

The first match was scheduled against Venezuela on November 14, followed by a clash with Colombia four days later in the United States.

However, the fixtures are now in doubt as the Super Eagles have advanced to the playoff stage after a dominant 4-0 victory over the Cheetahs of Benin Republic on Tuesday night.

The win confirmed Nigeria’s spot in the crucial playoff round that will determine their qualification for the World Cup.

Head coach Éric Chelle and his team are now expected to shift their focus entirely to the playoffs.

Nigeria will face Gabon in the semi-final on Thursday, November 13. If they overcome the Panthers, they will go on to play either Cameroon or the Democratic Republic of Congo in the final match for a World Cup ticket.

The cancellation of the U.S. friendlies will allow the Super Eagles to concentrate fully on preparation and recovery ahead of the high-stakes playoff encounters that could define their road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

A tragic accident has occurred at Mgbaemene Bus Stop, near Upper Iweka, along the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway, with a trailer crushing a tricycle with passengers.

The accident which occurred on Thursday, has reportedly claimed three lives. The tragedy was said to have happened when a trailer with a 40-foot container made an attempt to navigate a bad portion of the road. The trailer lost its balance, landing on the tricycle beside it.

Some eyewitnesses confirmed that the driver lost control while trying to navigate the bad road.

‘The accident happened at about 6:48 a.m. Due to the large potholes that have taken over most parts of the road, tricycle operators usually use the small remaining portion of the lane. As the affected tricycles were navigating the road, the trailer was also doing the same thing. Before we knew what was happening, we heard a loud noise and saw that the trailer and its container had fallen on the tricycle. It trapped the passengers. Three persons have been confirmed dead, including the tricycle rider, while some others are still trapped under the container,’ he stated.

Punch reports that some personnel from the Rapid Response Squad have marked off the area in an attempt to conduct a rescue operation.

The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has debunked its association with with the planned protest organised by Omoyele Sowore.

Olushola Oladoja, the president of the association, said this on Thursday while speaking at the Federal Cooperative College in Ibadan.

Oladoja also warned Nigerian students not to be used by politicians for selfish interest, urging them to safeguard their education and future. He also described the reports as false and misleading.

‘We wish to state categorically and unequivocally that NANS is not, and will not be, part of any protest organised or influenced by Sowore or any other politically motivated group or individual. The entire claim is false, mischievous, and designed to drag the name of our noble Association into political controversies that do not align with our mandate as a student body,’ he said.

The National drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA has filed four count amended charge of drug related offences against a Lagos businessman, Ezeh Alexander Uche, alleged to have been on the run, but now apprehended.

In the amended charges filed before the court by the NDLEA, It was alleged that: Ezeh Alexander Uche Male, Adult on or about the 5th November 2024 during the examination of Cargoes to United Kingdom via Cologne – Germany, at National Handling Company (NAHCO) Export Shed. a Customs Area/Point of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja procured one Ekeocha Anayo Nelson to export 4.40kilograms of Cocaine, a Narcotic Drug concealed in food stuffs.

It was further alleged that Ezeh Alexander Uche, on or about the 12th May 2025 during the examination of Cargoes to United Kingdom at NAHCO Export Shed, a Customs Area/Point of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja – Lagos procured one Olowolehin Sunday Olabode to export 11.5Okilograms of Cannabis Sativa, a Narcotic Drug similar to Cocaine, LSD, Heroin concealed in packs of plantain chips.

In the fourth count charge the defendant on or about the 12 May 2025 during the examination of Cargoes to United Kingdom, at NAHCO Export Shed, a Customs Area/Point of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. Ikeja – Lagos without lawful authority exported 11.5Okilograms of Cannabis Sativa, a Narcotic Drug, similar to Cocaine, LSD, Heroin concealed in packs of plantain chips.

The offences alleged to have been committed by the defendant are contrary to sections 20(1)(a),21(2)(d) and punishable under section 20(2)N30 Laws of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Cap N30 Law of the Federation of Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the court has fixed 27th of November, 2025 for the arraignment of Uche.

The Senate is set to screen Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan on Thursday(today) for the position of Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

This was made known in in a circular issued on Wednesday by the Senate’s Director of Information, Bullah Audu Bi-Allah, and made available to journalists in Abuja.

The development is coming after a formal request from President Bola Tinubu, whose letter urging the Senate to expedite Amupitan’s confirmation was read on the Senate floor on Wednesday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The circular said, ‘The Office of the Secretary, Research and Information wishes to notify members of the press and the general public that the Senate will on Thursday, 16th October, 2025, conduct the screening of the nominee of President Bola Tinubu, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, as INEC Chairman.

‘The exercise is scheduled to hold at the Senate Chamber, National Assembly Complex. Members of the Senate Press Corps are kindly requested to provide their usual media coverage and support to ensure adequate dissemination of information to the public. Similarly, television stations are expected to provide live coverage of the event.’

Amupitan will replace Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who served as INEC chairman for two terms of ten years. This follows Amupitan’s endorsement by the National Council of State last week.

In his letter tasking for the Senate confirmation of Amupitan, Tinubu had written: ‘I am pleased to present for confirmation by the Senate the appointment of Professor Joash Amupitan, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission,’ while citing Section 154(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Some fresh cases of a flesh-eating skin disease, have been reported in Adamawa State, Nigeria. The disease which is suspected to be Buruli ulcer, has claimed about 23 patients who are currently receiving treatment at the Yola Specialist Hospital.

An Epidemiologist, Stephen Kadabiu Jones, confirmed the cases of infected patients to Sahara Reporters on Thursday.

While describing the health situation as deeply concerning, Kadabiu confirmed that the ministry had mobilised special teams to contain the spread of the infection.

‘Yes, we brought them on Tuesday. We are monitoring the situation closely and ensuring that all affected persons receive the necessary care,’ he said.