Category: Nigerian Tribune

Niger Police Command has successfully neutralised three suspected kidnappers in Niger and recovered two AK-47 rifles along with 49 rounds of live ammunition during a clearance operation in Kokolo Forest, located in Nasko village, Magama Local Government Area of the state.

According to a press statement issued and made available to Journalists on Monday in Minna by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, the operation was carried out by the Command’s Special Task Team (STT) in collaboration with local vigilantes.

The operation against the kidnappers in Niger resulted in a gun duel with the suspects, who fled into the forest, leaving behind one rescued victim.

In a separate operation, police have arrested two individuals linked to criminal activities in the Sabon-Titi (New Road) area of the Tunga Community in Minna, further addressing the issue of kidnappers in Niger.

Eighteen-year-old Murtala Abbas was apprehended allegedly with two dangerous curved weapons, while twenty-year-old Hassan Ibrahim was allegedly found in possession of two locally fabricated guns, a police T-shirt, and damaged walkie-talkies, potentially linked to kidnappers in Niger.

Both suspects are now in Police custody, and investigations are ongoing to trace their accomplices, including vigilante members who are allegedly involved in providing them with weapons.

The State Police Command, however, urged members of the public to report any suspicious individuals, especially those with gunshot injuries, as part of their commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the state.

An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Tuesday sentenced Femi Ayoade, a 22-year-old graduate, to life imprisonment for defiling a four-year-old girl inside a tricycle.

Justice Abiola Soladoye delivered the judgment, stating that the prosecution had proven the one-count charge of defilement beyond a reasonable doubt.

The judge described Ayoade as a criminally audacious man who shamelessly turned a child’s vagina into a playground.

‘The prosecution has successfully presented compelling evidence against the defendant.

‘Consequently, the defendant is hereby found guilty of the charge of defilement and is sentenced to life imprisonment,’ Justice Soladoye ruled.

The judge further ordered that the convict’s name be entered into the Lagos State Sexual Offences Register.

The State Counsel, Mrs Olufunke Alebiosu, presented the survivor and her father as key witnesses.

The convict committed the offence in September 2021 at No. 19, Milestone Close, Infinity Estate, Skido Bus Stop, Eti-Osa, Lagos.

Former President Dr Goodluck Jonathan has urged Nigerians not to despair despite the current challenges in the land, but to continue to nurture hope in the possibilities of greatness within the country.

Dr Jonathan stated this in his goodwill message to Nigerians on the occasion of the 65th Independence Anniversary, which, he said, ‘offers us an opportunity to reflect on our collective journey of nation-building.’

The former President wrote:

‘Our nation marks another significant milestone in its journey to nationhood. As we celebrate 65 years of independence from colonial rule, this moment offers us an opportunity to reflect on our collective journey of nation-building; on the challenges we have faced, and on the vast possibilities that still lie ahead.

‘It is true that we face challenges that could test our sense of hope: insecurity, economic disparities, and institutions that often struggle to deliver on the promises of improved wellbeing, peace and security.

‘Yet, as citizens, we must not lose faith. We must continue to nurture hope and sustain belief in the nation’s enormous potential and the resilience of the people.

‘Nigeria is a blessed nation, endowed with vast land, abundant natural resources, and, above all, the ingenuity and creativity of the people.

‘Our cultural richness, our knowledge, and our wisdom have continued to distinguish Nigerians across every sphere of human endeavour, both at home and abroad.

‘As we look to the future, let patriotism guide our actions. Let us hold firmly to optimism and faith, knowing that the greatness of our country is within reach if we remain united and steadfast. May our nation continue to rise in strength and purpose.’

The Kogi State Government has expressed deep shock over the tragic death of Ms. Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, an anchor, reporter, and producer with ARISE News, who was killed during an alleged armed robbery in Abuja.

In a condolence message signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, the government described the late journalist as a consummate professional who carried out her duties with passion, brilliance, and a deep sense of responsibility.

‘Her tragic passing is not only a loss to her family and colleagues at ARISE News but also to Nigeria, where her voice echoed professionalism in national discourse,’ the statement read in part. The government extended heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased, her colleagues in the media industry, and the management of ARISE News, praying that God grants her eternal rest and gives her loved ones the fortitude to bear the loss.

The statement also urged security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators of the crime are swiftly brought to justice, noting that no society can thrive when its brightest lights are cut down by acts of criminality.

Fanwo added that her memory would continue to inspire courage, patriotism, and excellence in the noble profession of journalism.

President Bola Tinubu has expressed grief over the murder of Ms Somtochukwu ‘Sommie’ Maduagwu, a rising television anchor with Arise News during a robbery incident at her Katampe residence in Abuja.

He has accordingly ordered security agencies to track down the killers of the promising journalist, while describing the crime as ‘shocking, wicked, and unacceptable’.

The President said Maduagwu’s death had robbed Nigeria of a bright young talent and a promising journalist cut down in her prime.

‘Ms Maduagwu was a promising professional journalist whose life was cut short in a cruel and condemnable manner,’ Tinubu, recognising the loss of the Arise TV anchor, said in a Tuesday statement.

He directed security and law enforcement agencies to launch an immediate manhunt, stressing that the perpetrators must be apprehended and brought to justice without delay.

The President also conveyed his condolences to Maduagwu’s family, the management and staff of Arise News, highlighting the untimely demise of the Arise TV anchor, and the wider media community, noting that her passing was a painful blow to journalism and to the nation.

He further assured Nigerians that his administration will continue to strengthen security measures to safeguard lives and property.

Similarly, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu expressed deep grief over the young journalist’s death, calling it ‘painful and most unfortunate.’

‘I woke up to the sad news of the untimely death of one of our young and brilliant minds in the journalism profession, Somtochukwu Maduagwu, an Arise TV anchor. Her death is painful and quite unfortunate. She has been cut down in her prime,’ she said.

The First Lady extended condolences to the Chairman of Arise Media Group, Chief Nduka Obaigbena, as well as to the bereaved family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones.

She prayed that God grants them the strength to bear the irreplaceable loss and expressed hope that justice will be swift.

‘May her soul rest in peace, and may God comfort her family and all who mourn her,’ she added.

The Executive Chairman of Onigbongbo LCDA, Hon. Moyosore Adebanjo, has reaffirmed the council’s commitment to positioning Onigbongbo as the gateway of tourism and hospitality in Lagos.

Speaking at the Tourism and Hospitality Symposium, the Chairman highlighted Onigbongbo’s unique role as the first point of contact for many visitors arriving in Lagos, with its thriving hospitality sector along Allen, Opebi, Toyin, Kudirat Abiola, and Ikeja GRA.

He emphasised that tourism is not just leisure but a catalyst for sustainable economic growth, aligning with his administration’s F.I.N.E Agenda – Foster economic growth, Invest in people, Nurture enterprise, and Ensure wellbeing.

Adebanjo announced the upcoming Onigbongbo Spark Fest 2025, a landmark yuletide festival designed to light up our cityscape, attract visitors, and transform Onigbongbo into a yuletide destination to rival Victoria Island and Lekki. He also unveiled plans for a digital hospitality directory powered by QR codes, which will be placed at airports and strategic locations across Lagos, offering visitors access to local hotels, restaurants, and nightlife operators with a 10% discount incentive.

The Chairman assured tourism and hospitality stakeholders of the government’s readiness to collaborate with the private sector in driving visibility, investment, and growth, stating: ‘Together, we will make tourism the heartbeat of development in Onigbongbo LCDA.’

In a bid to prevent diseases among the children in Lagos State, the State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, has emphasised the importance of immunisation, urging parents to vaccinate their children and wards for a healthier future and a disease-free society.

Hamzat made the call on Tuesday, while speaking at an ‘Inaugural meeting of the Lagos State Taskforce on Immunisation and Primary Health Care Services’, held at the Conference Room, Office of the Deputy Governor, Roundhouse, Alausa, Ikeja, emphasising that vaccination remained one of the most effective means of protecting the children in the community ‘from life-threatening illnesses and ensuring their growth and development in good health.

This was just as he affirmed that immunisation was a collective responsibility that would not only secure the well-being of individual families but also contribute to building a healthier future and a disease-free society for Lagos State and Nigeria in general.

He also charged religious leaders and traditional rulers to collaborate with the state government in sensitising the people on the importance of vaccination and nutrition for their own children, noting that religious houses were always welcome to visit the government for clarification and enlightenment on the different policies put in place.

‘Our royal fathers must also help us in the community to spread the good news that we have been able to sustain our health conditions because of vaccination,’ Hamzat said.

The deputy governor, while using the COVID-19 pandemic as an example, said that contagious diseases had been eradicated in society because of the immunisation process carried out, pointing out that such efforts can be extended to other illnesses.

He emphasised the importance of the inaugural meeting, pointing out that it was crucial to include all stakeholders, such as the State Executives, members of the Primary Health Care Board, Traditional Rulers, Local Government Chairmen, Religious leaders, and others, due to the need for everybody to have an understanding of the severity of the challenge.

The Chairman, House Committee on Health, Hon. Lawal Aina, in his address, charged the Local Government Chairmen in the state to encourage the people in their constituencies to ensure their children and wards embrace the immunisation programme to ensure a disease-free environment.

‘I want to admonish us to intensify our efforts to do our best in encouraging our people to bring their children out for vaccination, as health education is a key responsibility of the chairmen in ensuring the good and well-being of the people,’ said Lawal.

In his opening remarks, the State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, stated that the primary objective of primary healthcare was to increase the coverage for immunisation within the state.

Abayomi noted that human beings were living longer now because the world had advanced technologically to produce effective vaccines that eliminate both infections that cause immediate sickness and diseases that could lead to complications such as liver cirrhosis with hepatitis, cervical cancer with HPV, and malaria, which could cause significant depletion.

The commissioner further noted that to improve the immunisation uptake in Lagos, the state government needed to work on the aspects that make access to the primary healthcare more attractive to citizens, urging traditional rulers, Local Government chairmen, and stakeholders to collaborate with the government to further boost the capacity of the primary healthcare.

‘So, we are working diligently on renovating our primary healthcare platform. We know that many of you want to provide infrastructure to the state, and at the moment, we are doing 47 PHCs. So, I will be appealing to you to tag into this medical infrastructure transformation,’ he said.

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Primary HealthCare Board, Dr Ibrahim Akinwunmi Mustapha, in his welcome address, explained that the establishment of the taskforce reflects the second ‘H’ in the THEMES + agenda of the state government.

Mustapha said that the move was a strong commitment to strengthening Primary Health Care (PHC) governance, driving accountability, and ensuring that no one was left behind in accessing life-saving vaccines and essential health services, adding that the Taskforce had been constituted to provide a high-level platform for coordination, oversight, and problem-solving in the delivery of immunisation and other PHC services.

A coalition of civil society organisations has applauded the ruling of the National Industrial Court in Abuja halting the planned strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) against the Dangote Refinery.

The group, operating under the aegis of the Coalition for the Defence of Economic Rights (CODER), described the interim order as ‘a victory for the rule of law and economic stability.’

In a statement issued after an emergency meeting on Monday night and signed by its president, Comrade Babajide Oresanya, CODER urged all parties to respect the court’s decision and allow due process to take its course.

‘We hail the decision of the court under Justice Emmanuel Sublim to stop the strike and preserve the integrity of our economy,’ Oresanya said.

He added that the planned action, if it had gone ahead, could have disrupted operations at the Dangote Refinery and inflicted serious damage on the livelihoods of ordinary Nigerians.

‘The judiciary has once again risen to the occasion by protecting both the rule of law and the national interest,’ he said.

The coalition further cautioned that industrial unions must avoid actions capable of undermining national development or the survival of critical infrastructure.

‘While we recognise and respect the constitutional right of workers to organise and press their demands, such rights must be exercised responsibly and within the bounds of the law. The refinery is not just a private enterprise; it is a strategic national asset with implications for energy security, job creation, and the wider economy,’ CODER stated.

Oresanya urged PENGASSAN to retrace its steps and embrace constructive dialogue rather than confrontation.

He also commended the federal government for responding swiftly by meeting with PENGASSAN and regulatory agencies such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), while urging stakeholders to abide strictly by the interim order of the court.

‘The court has spoken. Any attempt to flout this order would amount to contempt and could further escalate the situation. Nigerians are watching, and what the country needs at this moment is stability, not conflict. Respect for the judiciary is non-negotiable,’ Oresanya stressed.

The coalition also expressed concern that the controversy surrounding PENGASSAN’s allegations against the refinery could distract from the broader national goal of energy sufficiency.

‘Independent investigations and facts available to us show that the Dangote Refinery has been a net creator of jobs, both directly and indirectly. Rather than making unsubstantiated allegations, the union should channel energy into ensuring that the refinery delivers optimally and contributes to reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products,’ CODER noted.

CODER concluded by calling on Nigerians to remain calm and trust in the judicial process.

‘The interim order is only the first step. The substantive matter will be heard on October 13, and we are confident that the court will dispense justice in line with the facts presented. What is most important now is that all parties submit to the authority of the court and allow reason to prevail,’ Oresanya added.

Earlier on Monday, the National Industrial Court had restrained PENGASSAN from proceeding with its nationwide strike after counsel to the Dangote Refinery, George Ibrahim, filed an ex-parte application.

Justice Sublim ruled that the strike could cause irreparable harm to the economy and ordered all parties to maintain the status quo until the substantive case is heard.

Popular comedian and talk show host, Teju Oyelakin, popularly known as Teju Babyface, has advised men against confessing to their wives or partners if they cheat, warning that such admissions only cause more harm than good.

In a YouTube video shared on Monday, Teju described confessing infidelity as one of the ‘most catastrophic and damaging’ things a person can do in a marriage.

‘If you cheat on your wife or your husband, but especially your wife – especially men – if you cheat on your wife, don’t tell her. Don’t confess. Do not ever do it,’ he said.

‘It is one of the most catastrophic and damaging things you can ever do in your life.’

The comedian said many people misinterpret the idea of confession, noting that while some quote the Bible to justify it, confession of sin is meant for God and not for humans.

‘People will even quote the Bible to support the idea of confession. They will say that if we confess and repent, then our sins are forgiven,’ he said.

‘Excuse me, that is to God and from God, not to man. It is confession to God, not to man. Do not do it.’

He added that people who confess after cheating often deceive themselves into thinking they are being honest, when in reality they are being manipulative.

‘You are not being honest; you are being manipulative. What you’re really doing is shedding the weight of your guilt, not helping your spouse. You’re looking for someone else to carry the burden of your wrongdoing,’ he explained.

Sharing a personal experience, Teju admitted that before marriage, he once cheated in a serious relationship and confessed, a decision he now regrets. He said the confession was not driven by honesty but by a subconscious desire to sabotage the relationship.

‘I can see clearly now that I confessed because I wanted out of the relationship,’ he said.

‘If I cheated and then confessed, and she left by herself, I could justify it to myself. That was not honesty – that was cowardice.’

He argued that confessions rarely heal relationships but instead deepen wounds and permanently alter trust.

‘There is no benefit to your spouse when you confess. All the benefits are yours. What you give them is pain, heartache, and misery,’ he stated.

According to him, some marriages never recover from the damage caused by such revelations.

‘I have a friend who cheated on his wife 15 years ago, confessed in their first year of marriage, and to this day she still holds it over his head. He’s still suffering from that confession,’ he shared.

Teju stressed that true repentance should involve a change of behaviour, not confession, urging men to stop cheating rather than seek emotional relief by telling their wives.

‘If you feel bad about cheating, stop cheating. If you still feel guilty, confess to God or a counsellor, not your wife. Don’t ever put that weight on her. That’s not honesty; that’s cruelty,’ he said.

He also distinguished between a man who makes a mistake and one who is a habitual cheater.

‘The fact that you cheated once doesn’t make you a cheater,’ he noted.

‘A cheater is someone who does it repeatedly. But if you stumbled once, learn from it and change your actions, don’t destroy your home in the name of confession.’

The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) sustained its bullish momentum for the fourth straight session on Tuesday, with the benchmark All-Share Index (ASI) rising 0.23 per cent to close at 142,710.48 basis points.

This lifted the year-to-date return to 38.65 per cent from 38.33 per cent in the previous session, while market capitalisation advanced by N465.88 billion to settle at N90.58 trillion.

The positive outing was largely driven by strong demand in heavyweights such as Transcorp, up 8.48 per cent, Fidelity Bank, up 5.26 per cent, and Aradel Holdings, up 9.82 per cent.

Their gains outweighed profit-taking in top-tier banking stocks, including United Bank for Africa, down 2.70 per cent, Access Holdings, down 0.19 per cent, Zenith Bank, down 0.86 per cent, and Guaranty Trust Holding Company, down 0.11 per cent.

Sectoral performance closed on a mixed note. Oil and Gas gained 3.14 per cent, Industrial Goods rose 1.48 per cent, and Banking advanced 0.34 per cent. On the other hand, Insurance lost 3.77 per cent, while Consumer Goods fell 0.77 per cent, reflecting selective investor positioning across sectors.

Trading activity strengthened significantly, with transaction volume and value soaring by 223.09 per cent and 156.72 per cent, respectively. Fidelity Bank dominated the session, accounting for 793.04 million units valued at N15.88 billion, underscoring strong investor appetite in the mid-tier lender.

Despite the gains, market breadth closed negative, with 28 advancers against 31 decliners. UPDC, which gained 9.98 per cent, led the gainers’ chart, while Union Dicon, which fell 10 per cent, topped the laggards. Several other stocks closed flat.

Analysts note that the sustained bullish run in the market reflects resilient investor sentiment, particularly in energy and select banking names, despite profit-taking pressures in blue-chip lenders.

Market watchers expect momentum to remain largely driven by bargain-hunting and portfolio rebalancing as the quarter closes.