Beyond honoring departed loved ones, Undas also offers families an opportunity to reunite and spend time together, as relatives return to their hometowns and gather for the annual tradition.
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Police Rescue Kidnapped Tanker Driver In Edo
Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have rescued a kidnapped tanker driver, identified as Usman Abubakar, in the state.
The victim was reportedly kidnapped along the Benin-Lagos Road by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers on October 31, 2026.
It was gathered that the victim and his motor boy were heading from Lagos towards Kano State when some armed men emerged from the bush at Ugbogun, along the expressway, and intercepted the vehicle.
The gunmen reportedly kidnapped the driver and whisked him into the bush, while his motor boy, identified as Imran Sokoto, escaped.
The Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, ASP Eno Ikoedem, said the victim had been rescued by the police.
She said the police received information that a tanker driver had been kidnapped by gunmen along the Benin-Lagos Highway and whisked into the bush.
Ikoedem said the police mobilised a security team to Morgan Forest for a bush combing operation aimed at rescuing the victim.
She said the hoodlums, on sighting the police, opened fire on them, prompting the officers to respond and in the process, the suspects fled into the bush with bullet wounds, abandoning their captive.
She added that the victim was rescued unhurt and continued his journey.
Cyprus has taken all necessary steps on GSI, President says
Cyprus has taken all the necessary steps falling within its remit regarding the NAVTEX for the start of seabed surveys for the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI), President Nikos Christodoulides said on Monday, while stressing that the issue was being handled with discretion in coordination with Greece and France.
He also said that the planned pound 25 million payment to Greece’s Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO) for the electricity interconnection project was proceeding according to schedule.
In statements on the sidelines of the annual General Assembly of the Association of Large Investment Projects in Nicosia, the President was asked whether there were any developments regarding the NAVTEX, which is required for the commencement of the seabed surveys.
“On this particular issue, the less we say publicly, the better,” he said, adding that there was an informal understanding on this approach with the Greek Prime Minister and the French President.
He stressed, however, that the Republic of Cyprus had taken all the necessary steps on its part.
Asked when the pound 25 million payment to IPTO would be released, he said that everything was proceeding according to plan and that the government was honouring the agreements in place.
“We are taking the necessary actions and, away from the public spotlight, we are doing what we need to do,” he said.
GSI a planned subsea electricity cable linking the power grids of Cyprus, Greece and, potentially, Israel, aimed at ending Cyprus’ energy isolation and integrating the island into the European electricity network. The project is being developed by Greece’s IPTO, with Cyprus and Greece having agreed on arrangements for its implementation and financing. It has also received support from the European Union, which has designated it a Project of Common Interest and provided funding.
The project has faced delays and uncertainty, amid disagreements over its cost-sharing arrangements, financial viability and geopolitical challenges. The planned seabed surveys, for which a NAVTEX is required, are a key step towards advancing implementation.
The President was also asked about the Turkish Cypriot side’s reaction to Cyprus’ demarche to the European Union over a planned natural gas pipeline between Turkey and the Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus.
He said he saw no reason for the Turkish Cypriot side to be displeased, insisting that Nicosia had acted correctly. He described the planned pipeline as an illegal action and noted that the European Union had also taken a position and made specific démarches towards Turkey.
2027: Gombe ADC Gov’ship Concludes 33-Day Consultation, Promises Free Maternal Healthcare, Youth Empowerment
The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Gombe State, Bala Bello Tinka, has concluded a 33-day statewide consultation tour covering 11 Local Government Areas, 114 wards and 286 communities ahead of the 2027 election.
The grassroots engagements across the 11 LGAs of the state, took Tinka to palaces, markets, farms and motor parks where he met traditional rulers, youth groups, women leaders, farmers, traders, civil servants and motorcycle operators to listen to their concerns and share his governance blueprint.
During the tour, the ADC candidate and the residents discussed issues ranging from school fees and maternal health to fertiliser supply, water scarcity and insecurity.
At the centre of his proposed agenda is free education from primary to university level.
Tinka said no child should be denied education because of poverty, adding that the policy would ease pressure on parents, boost enrolment and build a skilled workforce for the state.
On healthcare, he pledged free antenatal services for pregnant women to remove financial barriers to maternal care, particularly for low-income households.
He argued that protecting mothers and ensuring safe childbirth must be a core duty of government.
He also promised free healthcare for children from birth to age five and for senior citizens aged 70 and above, as part of a broader plan to make healthcare accessible to the most vulnerable.
Tinka placed civil servants’ welfare at the heart of his governance plan, promising to restore dignity and motivation in the public service by providing proper office facilities and a conducive working environment.
He criticized the biometric attendance system introduced by the APC administration, saying it demands compliance without providing basic working tools.
He pledged to abolish the current arrangement and introduce a fairer, worker-friendly accountability system.
On the economy, the ADC flagbearer said his administration would expand opportunities for youths, women, artisans and small businesses, while ensuring that investments in Gombe translate into real benefits for residents.
For farmers, who Tinka said formed the backbone of the state’s economy, Tinka promised timely and affordable fertiliser and inputs before the farming season, as well as improved access to equipment to boost productivity and food security.
He also pledged to tackle water scarcity, insecurity and street crimes such as phone snatching, while creating an organized and safe environment for commercial motorcycle operators, to earn a legitimate living.
According to his campaign team, the tour marks a shift towards people-centred governance, but the real test will be translating the promises into measurable improvements in the lives of Gombe people if elected in 2027.
You’ve Abandoned Retired Police Officers, Atiku Tells Tinubu
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has accused President Bola Tinubu of abandoning retired police officers to a broken pension system and forcing them to fight for the dignity and security they earned through years of service.
In a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku said it was disgraceful that officers who risked their lives protecting Nigerians are now reduced to staging daily protests at the National Pension Commission simply to make their legitimate demands heard.
‘A government that can deploy police officers to protect the powerful but cannot protect them in retirement has failed them utterly,’ he said.
Atiku said the administration’s treatment of retired officers exposed the hollowness of its claims to be tackling insecurity. ‘If police officers who served this country must endure humiliation to demand a fair pension, what hope is there for other Nigerians who have spent their working lives in public service?’ he asked.
Atiku said he was deeply troubled by the protests and had instructed his team to meet with the officers and hear their concerns directly.
He also faulted President Tinubu for failing to act on the Police Exit Bill, which, according to the statement, has remained on his desk since March.
The ADC candidate condemned the government’s ‘use and discard’ treatment of officers who spent their careers protecting Nigerians, including political office holders, only to be abandoned when they need support most.
Atiku said his Police Dignity Guarantee Plan would put the welfare and retirement security of law enforcement officers at the centre of his approach to tackling insecurity.
The plan includes prompt action on the Police Exit Bill, restoring gratuity for police officers and ensuring that officers are treated with dignity both during service and in retirement. He has also pledged to implement the Police Pension Board Bill within 30 days of taking office.
‘Insecurity cannot be defeated while those who protect the country are denied security in retirement. My Police Dignity Guarantee Plan will ensure that officers who serve Nigeria are properly supported throughout their careers and are not abandoned when they retire. We will make Nigeria affordable again and restore dignity to those who have spent their lives serving it,’ Atiku said.
NCoS foils indian hemp smuggling attempt at Kano custodial centre
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Kano State Command, has foiled an attempt to smuggle suspected Indian hemp into the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Kurmawa, Kano, and arrested a 40-year-old suspect.
The suspect, identified as Nura Mohammed, a resident of Janguza Quarters, Kano, was reportedly apprehended at about 12 noon while allegedly attempting to throw a substance suspected to be Indian hemp into the custodial facility.
In a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSC Musbahu Lawan Knassarawa, officers of the Armed Squad Unit detected the suspicious activity and swiftly arrested the suspect before the substance could gain entry into the facility.
The operation was carried out under the supervision of the Commander of the Armed Squad Unit, Kano, CSC Usman M. Sale.
The Controller of Corrections, Kano State Command, CC Ahmed Yusuf Lakpene, commended the officers for their vigilance, alertness and professionalism in preventing the attempted smuggling.
Lakpene reiterated the command’s zero-tolerance policy towards the introduction of prohibited items into custodial centres.
He also warned members of the public against attempting to smuggle illicit substances or other prohibited materials into correctional facilities.
The statement disclosed that the suspect had been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and necessary action.
The command reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening security across custodial centres in the state to ensure a safe and conducive environment for the reformation and rehabilitation of inmates.
ALV beauty queens and celebs get glamorous, creative for Halloween ball
International beauty queens and celebrities under ALV Talent Circuit brought glamour and creativity to a star-studded ball celebrating Halloween through their costumes depicting fictional characters and beings.
Titleholders from ALV Pageant Circle joined talents under esteemed queenmaker and talent manager Arnold Vegafria at ‘Shake, Rattle and Ball: Lucid’ by socialite Tim Yap held at the grand ballroom of Manila Marriott Hotel in Pasay City on the actual night of Halloween, Oct. 31.
Earning a special award from Newport World Resorts during the festivities was 2025 Miss Asia Pacific International first runner-up Anita Rose Gomez, who transformed into ‘Starfire,’ a member of the DC supehero group ‘Teen Titans’ who is Princess Koriand’r from the planet Tamaran.
Two international pageant titleholders from Vegafria’s stable also suited up for the ball. Fresh from her victory at the 2026 Miss Elite pageant in Egypt, Sophia Bianca Santos brought the sparkles as ‘Galaxy Princess,’ while 2024 Universal Woman Maria Gigante drew inspiration from ‘The Mummy.’
MGI All Stars Season 1 veteran Keylyn Trajano brought the iconic ‘Clawdeen Wolf’ from the ‘Monster High’ toy line to life, covered in faux fur in a cute and playful ensemble.
Jayvee Lyn Lorejo, 2026 Miss Global third runner-up and Miss Global Asia titleholder, went to the ball as the bloody goddess of the moon, while Alyssa Geronimo suited up as Poseidon’s wife Amphitrite.
Miss Teen Earth International 2025 second runner-up and 2026 Miss World Philippines Occidental Mindoro Meredith Bobadilla received a special award from Aivee Clinic for her Phantom of Dreams costume.
Hollywood star Uma Thurman’s portrayal of the iconic ‘Mia Wallace’ in the 1994 Quentin Tarantino cult classic ‘Pulp Fiction’ served as the inspiration behind actress Ansha Jones’ look, while Angel Castro channeled ‘Marimar.’
‘Secrets of Prague’ actor Mark Ian Garcia came to the ball as ‘Victor Frankenstein,’ while Teejay Marquez commissioned renowned pageant costume designer Patrick Isorena for his Black Merman costume.
Why monetary interests continue to blind schools
This last week has seen hundreds of schools holding dedication days for their primary leaving candidates. This relatively new practice – less than 12 years in the making, looks innocent on the surface, but a lot has been going on behind the scenes.
To the average parent, it looks like a call to go and pray for one’s child and hopefully enable them to succeed in the coming exams. I attended a dedication ceremony recently and realized that much more is at play.
After the formal prayers were concluded, there were school heads from schools parents had never even heard of, or dreamed of sending their learners to. These school heads were laden with gifts, success cards and a speech for the candidates, at which they were being encouraged to consider these their new homes, after January 2027, when the PLE results are in.
The students had been rehearsing for a performance, which they put on to great effect. Two of the headteachers then picked out some of the students and offered them bursaries for senior one to senior four.
Quite the attractive package for parents hustling to find the tuition fees to pay for learners, in this economically bleak times.
But who are these school heads, and why were they at the primary school in the first place? The answer lies far from the amphitheater where all these events were happening. The secondary schools, mostly private entities, are using some of these primary schools as hunting grounds for candidates.
The primary schools appreciate the gesture, as it comes with some revenue from the visitors. The dedication ceremonies represents much needed revenue from the secondary schools in exchange for a platform to lure students for the next learning level.
In some secondary schools, this practice is even more pronounced where some unknown high schools tend to assure senior four candidates of all manner of treasured learning and sports facilities, as well as affordable tuition at these campuses, if the candidates agree to join them for senior five.
This unregulated practice among school heads started over a decade ago as a measure of moving away from the archaic practice, where parents ‘cautioned’ their children against failing their exams, often with threats of severe punishment, if they don’t meet the expected outcome – success. It was reasoned that the students needed more divine help, rather than threats of pain and regret, if they don’t pass.
Dedication days seemed to be going well in the beginning, but when opportunity meets need, a lot of issues can go sideways, if unregulated.
Right now schools looking for students to fill their classrooms at the next learning level have met institutions looking to send their candidates to next academic journey. And some have decided that those in need must pay for the opportunity offered.
Right in the middle are the parents and their children who have no idea that they are part of a lucrative annual transaction. For now, it is too early to worry about who benefits or loses out in this transaction.
Suspected Kidnapper Arrested While Collecting Ransom In Nasarawa
Troops of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), have arrested a suspected kidnapper while attempting to collect ransom from a female resident in Nasarawa State.
The suspect, identified as Mukaila Iliyasu, was arrested at Akwaba in Eggon Local Government Area (LGA) of the state, during a joint security operation conducted by troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke, and DSS personnel.
The arrest followed intelligence reports that Iliyasu had allegedly threatened to abduct a woman unless she paid the sum of ?200,000.
The Acting Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, made the confirmation in a statement.
According to the statement, DSS operatives alerted the military to the alleged threat on October 29, leading to the deployment of a coordinated operation to track down the suspect and prevent the planned abduction.
To facilitate his arrest, a soldier reportedly went undercover and posed as the individual assigned to deliver the ransom.
The suspect was apprehended while collecting the money, with security operatives recovering ?200,000 believed to be the ransom demanded from the intended victim.
The military described the operation as a successful intelligence-led intervention that prevented a possible kidnapping and underscored the importance of cooperation among security agencies in tackling criminal activities.
Following his arrest, Iliyasu was handed over to the DSS for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke and General Officer Commanding 5 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Moses Kolo Gara, praised the troops and DSS operatives for their professionalism, courage and effective coordination.
Gara urged the security personnel to sustain their collaboration and strengthen intelligence sharing to tackle kidnapping and other security threats across their areas of responsibility.
He also emphasised the need for continued inter-agency cooperation to protect lives, safeguard communities and maintain peace in the region.
Bamidele: National Assembly proposes 74 extra seats for women
The National Assembly is considering a proposal to create 74 additional seats for women in the Senate and House of Representatives as part of efforts to address gender imbalance in Nigeria’s political representation Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has said.
Bamidele also disclosed that the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution includes a proposal to create three additional seats reserved for women in each of the 36 State Houses of Assembly.
He said the proposed seats would be in addition to existing legislative positions ensuring that no constituency loses its current representation.
The Senate Leader who is Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution made the disclosure on Monday at the 2026 Law Week organised by the Ekiti State chapter of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA).
The programme chaired by Mrs Ayobami Olowoyo-Richards had the theme: ‘Justice in a Changing World: Responding to New Challenges Affecting Women and Children.’
Bamidele said the proposal if approved would create 37 additional seats in the Senate and another 37 in the House of Representatives giving every state and the Federal Capital Territory one additional seat in each chamber.
‘A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 to provide for special seats for women in the National and State Houses of Assembly and for related matters is receiving our attention at the National Assembly’ he said.
He explained that the proposed arrangement would operate for 16 years covering four electoral cycles after which it would be reviewed.
‘This arrangement is proposed to run for a period of 16 years four electoral cycles before a comprehensive review. This is a sunset clause designed to ensure sustainability and allow for the organic development of a more inclusive political culture’ he said.
The Senate Leader said the National Assembly was engaging State Houses of Assembly to secure the constitutionally required approval expressing confidence that the proposal would receive the necessary support.
‘We are actively and strategically engaging with the State Houses of Assembly as their concurrence is a constitutional sine qua non for bringing this reform to fruition’ he added.
Bamidele described the initiative as a non-partisan effort to strengthen representative democracy arguing that women should have a greater voice in decisions affecting the country.
‘The special seat initiative is not a partisan endeavour. It is a historic imperative. The rationale is anchored in a simple yet profound principle of constitutional law: the foundational precept of representative democracy’ he said.
He added ‘A democracy that systematically excludes over half of its population from the decision-making tables that determine their futures is at best flawed and at worst a veiled oligarchy.’
He said the 10th National Assembly’s commitment to the proposal had been strengthened by advocacy from prominent stakeholders including the First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Beyond political representation Bamidele called for stronger legal and institutional safeguards for women and children urging lawmakers to ensure that legislation responds effectively to emerging forms of abuse and exploitation.
He stressed that justice must go beyond constitutional provisions and be accessible to ordinary citizens.
‘Justice should be more than a promise merely expressed in the Constitution or a provision enshrined in our statute books. Rather it must be accessible affordable timely and effective’ he said.
He added that women experiencing domestic violence should be able to seek protection without intimidation while children subjected to abuse must receive appropriate protection and support.
‘Victims must have access to legal assistance medical care and psychosocial services while perpetrators must be held accountable in accordance with due process and the rule of law’ he said.
The event was attended by the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Information and National Orientation Steve Fatoba and the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly Adeoye Aribasoye among other dignitaries.