Category: PM News

The Police operatives attached to Zone 1 headquarters, Kano, have detained five suspects over alleged impersonation, production, sale and distribution of counterfeit herbal medicines.

The Zonal Police Public Relations, Abdullahi Hussaini, made this known in a statement on Friday in Kano.

Hussaini said the suspects were allegedly using the name of a registered traditional medicine practitioner to operate.

He said they were arrested following a complaint received on Aug. 10, from Dr Abdulwahab Goni Bauchi, the Chief Executive Officer of Dr Abdulwahab Abubakar Herbal and Islamic Clinic, Bauchi.

The complainant alleged that the suspects and others now at large, had been using his name, business identity, and lectures to market and sell counterfeit products.

He alleged that some of them collected money from some people in his name, but failed to supply the medicines purchased, while others sold fake herbal mixtures that can cause harm to health.

‘The suspects have volunteered statements admitting involvement in the alleged offence, while investigation is ongoing to identify and apprehend other persons connected to the activities,’ he said.

He said the police were strongly warning members of the public to be wary of fraudsters who use the identities and reputations of legitimate businesses to deceive people.

The statement advised the public to always verify the authenticity of products, vendors, and payment channels before making transactions, particularly on social media.

It also warned those engaged in similar activities to desist, as anyone found wanting, would face the full weight of the law.

More than 2.3 million registered voters across Osun State will go to the polls on Saturday, August 15, to elect the governor who will lead the state from 2026 to 2030.

The election will take place across the state’s 30 Local Government Areas, 332 wards and 3,763 polling units, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Voting is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. and close at 2:30 p.m.

The election will be the seventh governorship poll conducted in Osun since Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999, following previous elections in 1999, 2003, 2007, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022.

Unlike most states where governorship elections are held alongside the general election cycle, Osun’s poll is an off-cycle election.

The unusual electoral timetable is rooted in a landmark legal battle that followed the 2007 governorship election, when the judiciary eventually removed a sitting governor and installed his challenger after three years in office.

How Osun Became an Off-Cycle Election

Osun has witnessed intense political contests since its creation in 1991, with virtually every governorship election since the return of democracy becoming the subject of legal challenges.

The 2007 election produced the development that ultimately altered the state’s electoral timetable.

INEC had declared Olagunsoye Oyinlola of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) winner of the election.

However, after about three years of legal battles, the Court of Appeal nullified Oyinlola’s election and declared Rauf Aregbesola of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) the rightful winner.

Aregbesola immediately assumed office.

Although Oyinlola had spent about three years in office, Aregbesola’s tenure was counted from the day he took office following the court judgment.

The development shifted Osun’s governorship election cycle away from that of most other states.

The winner of Saturday’s election will therefore serve a four-year term from 2026 to 2030.

Adeleke Seeks Second Term

The incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke, is seeking a second term in office.

Adeleke won the 2022 governorship election on the platform of the PDP, defeating the then incumbent governor, Gboyega Oyetola.

He has since moved to the Accord Party and is seeking re-election under its platform.

Adeleke is campaigning on his record in office and has repeatedly highlighted what his administration describes as achievements in infrastructure, governance and other sectors of the state economy.

He faces two major challengers in Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Dr Najeem Folasayo Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The three candidates have strong political pedigrees and influential backers.

Oyebamiji, a former Osun Commissioner for Finance, is the APC candidate and enjoys the backing of the party’s national structure as well as former Governor Oyetola, who is now the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy.

Salaam, a former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly and former governor of the state, is running on the ADC platform and has received the backing of former Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

While 14 political parties are fielding candidates in the election, the contest is largely expected to be dominated by Adeleke, Oyebamiji and Salaam.

2.3 Million Voters, 5,130 BVAS Machines

INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, said 2,339,233 eligible voters are expected to participate in the election.

The voters will cast their ballots across 3,763 polling units and 332 wards in the state’s 30 Local Government Areas.

INEC has also increased the number of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines deployed for the election from 4,427 to 5,130.

The commission also doubled its backup BVAS devices from 664 to 1,328 to facilitate quick replacement in the event of equipment failure.

The move is aimed at reducing delays and ensuring a smooth accreditation process at polling units.

INEC has also activated its Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) mechanism to identify and monitor potential flashpoints across the state.

According to the commission, it has engaged traditional rulers and transport unions as part of efforts to ensure a peaceful and hitch-free election.

New Electoral Act to Shape Poll

Saturday’s election will also test some of the provisions of Nigeria’s new Electoral Act.

The Osun election is expected to be the third major election conducted by INEC since President Bola Tinubu assented to the new electoral legislation.

Among the provisions expected to affect the electoral process are changes to voter registration, electronic transmission of results and the nomination of candidates by political parties.

Under the new framework, the documents required for voter registration have been streamlined to include a birth certificate, Nigerian passport and National Identification Number (NIN).

Registered voters will also be able to download their voter cards from the INEC website.

The law further provides for electronic transmission of election results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).

However, where network failure or other technical problems prevent electronic transmission, the physical result sheet, Form EC8A, will serve as the primary document for collation and declaration of results.

The new law also provides for direct primaries and consensus as methods through which political parties can nominate their candidates, replacing indirect primaries.

Another provision requires the government to release funds meant for INEC at least six months before a general election, reducing the previous 12-month requirement.

Political parties are also required to submit their candidates’ names to INEC 120 days before election day, instead of the previous 180-day deadline.

INEC is expected to publish the final list of candidates 60 days before the election, compared with the previous 150-day requirement.

Security Tightened Ahead of Poll

Security has also been stepped up across Osun ahead of the election.

The new Commissioner of Police deployed to oversee security during the election, Samuel Etaifo, has arrived in the state and commenced duties ahead of Saturday’s poll.

The police have promised adequate security measures to protect voters, electoral officials and other stakeholders and to prevent violence before, during and after the election.

Security agencies are expected to maintain a strong presence around polling units, collation centres and other strategic locations across the state.

Seven Elections, Ten Administrators

Since Osun State was created in 1991, 10 individuals have served as governor or military administrator.

They are Leo Segun Ajiborisha, Isiaka Adeleke, Anthony Udofia, Anthony Obi, Theophilus Bamigboye, Bisi Akande, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Rauf Aregbesola, Gboyega Oyetola and the incumbent, Ademola Adeleke.

Saturday’s election will add another chapter to the state’s politically charged electoral history.

For Adeleke, the poll represents an opportunity to secure a second term and defend his administration’s record.

For Oyebamiji and the APC, it is a chance to return the party to power in the state after losing the 2022 election.

For Salaam and the ADC, the election offers an opportunity to disrupt the two-party contest and emerge as the alternative choice for Osun voters.

With more than 2.3 million registered voters, 14 political parties on the ballot, heightened security and new electoral rules in operation, all eyes are now on Osun as voters prepare to decide who will govern the state for the next four years.

The Nigerian Navy has rescued 22 passengers following the hijack of a wooden passenger boat along the Calabar-Oron-Ibaka waterway.

This is contained in an operational report by the Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, made available to newsmen on Friday in Abuja.

According to Folorunsho, the operation was conducted by personnel of Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ibaka, in collaboration with Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) Sector four and the Marine Police.

He said the operation was conducted following the attack on a passenger boat traveling from Henshaw Town Beach in Calabar to Utan Uyata, Ibaka on Aug. 11.

‘The boat was reportedly intercepted by armed sea robbers shortly after passing Enwang Community, resulting in the hijacking of the vessel and the abduction of its passengers. Upon receipt of information on the incident, personnel of FOB Ibaka, in coordination with the collaborating security agencies, commenced coordinated efforts to locate the victims and recover the hijacked boat. The sustained response resulted in the recovery of the hijacked passenger boat and the rescue of 11 victims who had been abandoned by the suspected criminals at Asak-Ikang Creek,’ he said.

The naval director of information, also disclosed that a further 11 passengers who had earlier escaped during the attack were subsequently located and accounted for at the OPDS Sector four command post, bringing the total number of rescued and accounted-for victims to 22.

He said that all the rescued passengers were subsequently taken to the FOB Ibaka Sickbay for medical assessment and first aid before arrangements were made for their safe return to Calabar alongside the recovered passenger boat.

Folorunsho said that no ransom was paid for the release of the victims.

According to him, the successful rescue further demonstrates the navy’s determination to protect lives, safeguard legitimate maritime activities and maintain a secure maritime environment.

He said the service would continue to sustain operations in collaboration with sister security agencies and other stakeholders to counter sea robbery, kidnapping and other forms of maritime criminality.

The Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Adm. Chidozie Okehie, reaffirmed the navy’s commitment to sustaining robust maritime security operations.

He said the navy would continue to strengthen inter-agency collaboration and leverage on timely intelligence to deny criminal elements freedom of action along the nation’s waterways.

The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai has revealed that China will provide a grant of RMB200 million (40.3 billion naira) to support the implementation of development projects in Nigeria.

Yu disclosed this on Thursday during a meeting with Dr Dunoma Ahmed, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Abuja.

He said the grant would support projects jointly agreed upon by the governments of the two countries as part of efforts to advance Nigeria’s development priorities.

According to him, the grant is part of China’s continued support for Nigeria’s national development and economic growth, and efforts to translate bilateral agreements into tangible benefits for the people.

The envoy recalled that China-Nigeria relations had remained at the forefront of China-Africa relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries 55 years ago.

‘Over the past 55 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Nigeria, bilateral relations have consistently remained at the forefront of China-Africa relations,’ Yu said.

According to him, the China-Nigeria Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has entered a new stage of high-quality development under the strategic guidance of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.

He said both countries had maintained close communication and coordination in implementing the common understandings reached by their leaders and the outcomes of the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit.

Yu said the objective was to ensure that cooperation between both countries was translated into concrete outcomes capable of improving the lives of their citizens.

‘China and Nigeria have maintained close communication and coordination, working together to implement the common understandings reached by the two heads of state and the outcomes of the 2024 FOCAC Beijing Summit,’ he said.

Responding, the permanent secretary expressed appreciation to the Chinese Government for its continued support for Nigeria’s economic and social development.

He said the grant demonstrated China’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s development and reflected the longstanding friendship between the two countries.

‘The grant assistance fully demonstrates China’s sense of responsibility as a major country and reflects the deep friendship between Nigeria and China,’ he said.

Ahmed assured that Nigeria would ensure effective utilisation of the grant and work closely with China to implement existing bilateral cooperation agreements.

He said Nigeria remained committed to strengthening Nigeria-China relations and ensuring that bilateral cooperation produced greater benefits for the peoples of both countries.

The meeting bothered on the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and China, and ongoing efforts to implement the 2024 FOCAC outcomes.

Bolanle Adeyemo, a 50-year-old Ibadan housewife has been jailed for presenting a forged marriage certificate in court in order to stop the dissolution of her marriage.

She was sentenced to one year imprisonment by a Mapo Grade ‘A’ Customary Court in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Friday.

Mr Adeboye Adeyemo, 55, the husband to the now convict had on March 26, filed a divorce suit against Bolanle due to the misunderstandings between them.

However, in her attempt to save the marriage, Bolanle told the court that she had a valid marriage with Adeyemo and that it should not be dissolved.

She, therefore, tendered the forged marriage certificate to substantiate her claim.

But Adeyemo opposed the admissibility of the exhibit, arguing that no marriage certificate was issued to them on Sept. 12, 1996.

Consequently, the court ordered the police to carry out a thorough investigation to unravel the truth.

While giving report of the investigation the Prosecutor, Insp. Ayodele Ayeni noted that Bolanle tendered the marriage certificate at about 9; 00 a.m., at Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Ayeni said that Bolanle tendered the forged marriage certificate before the court as evidence in a divorce suit filed against her by Adeyemo.

The prosecutor noted that the husband disputed the certificate.

The prosecution said that investigation conducted revealed that Ibadan North Local Government registry which was on the certificate denied ever issuing any marriage certificate to Bolanle and that the one in her possession was a fake.

He said that the offences contravene the provision of sections 516, 465 and 430 of the criminal code cap 38 vol. ii law of Oyo State 2000.

Bolanle later accepted that she forged the marriage certificate by pleading guilty to the allegation of forgery.

Delivering judgment, the President of the court, Mrs S.M. Akintayo, convicted and sentenced Bolanle based on her guilty plea and the evidence tendered against her by the prosecution.

Akintayo also said that the court exercised its discretion in sentencing Bolanle having pleaded guilty to the charges preferred against her.

She therefore sentenced Bolanle to one year in the correctional centre for each of counts two and three respectively or an option of one month of community service for the offences of unlawful possession and forgery of marriage certificate.

The President of the court discharged the convict of the first count of conspiracy.

The Nigerian Army has intensified its campaign against terrorism with the arrest of a suspected operative allegedly linked to wanted terrorist leader Dogo Gide, alongside 60 other suspects in separate operations across several states.

The arrests were made between August 12 and 13 as troops carried out intelligence-driven operations targeting terrorist networks, collaborators and criminal hideouts. Weapons, military uniforms and other materials were also recovered.

In Kaduna State, soldiers from the 4 Demonstration Battalion apprehended a suspected ISWAP operative at Kadage Check Point while he was allegedly transporting seven pairs of sewn foreign camouflage uniforms to a terrorist camp.

According to the military, preliminary interrogation indicated that the suspect was a close associate of Dogo Gide and had been providing logistics support to the terrorist leader.

Troops recovered 23 yards of foreign camouflage material, two mobile phones, three ATM cards and an identity card from him.

In Adamawa, troops of the 226 Battalion, working with local hunters, raided a motor park in Gombi after receiving intelligence about suspected terrorist collaborators allegedly operating under the cover of menial workers and hawkers.

Sixty suspects were arrested during the operation and are being investigated.

The Army also stepped up its offensive in the North-West with the launch of Operation Clean Sweep IV by the Theatre Command, Joint Task Force North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma.

The new operation combines ground and aerial attacks against terrorists and armed criminal groups across the region.

The Media Information Officer of the operation, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, said: ‘The operation brings coordinated ground and air actions to bear on identified threats across the North Western States.

‘It also has the objective of degrading terrorist capabilities, disrupting their movements and logistics, and denying them the opportunity to establish footholds within Nigerian communities.’

Troops operating in Katsina State on August 12 conducted a clearance operation around suspected terrorist enclaves in Dutsinma Local Government Area.

‘The operation mounted significant pressure on the terrorists, compelling them to abandon their positions and withdraw into surrounding bushes. Clearance operation is ongoing in the general area,’ Danja said.

The offensive also extended to Zamfara, where the Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma carried out precision strikes against terrorists reportedly gathered on motorcycles in Anka Local Government Area.

The military said the strikes neutralised scores of terrorists, while those who survived fled into nearby bushes.

Separately, troops of 1 Brigade recovered an RPG bomb during a patrol around Tunga-Jambako in Maradun Local Government Area following an earlier terrorist ambush.

In Benue State, soldiers under Operation Whirl Stroke arrested five suspected terrorists during operations in Chito, Jootar and Ikyior, all in Ukum Local Government Area.

The troops subsequently destroyed suspected terrorist enclaves and recovered two motorcycles and two locally fabricated firearms.

In Borno State, troops intercepted five women and seven children believed to be family members of terrorists in Mafa Local Government Area.

Six other male children were intercepted at Ajiri after reportedly fleeing Murofari Village following clashes between rival terrorist factions.

Danja said dismantling the Lakurawa terrorist network remained a major priority of Operation Clean Sweep IV.

‘The operation is designed to prevent the infiltration and reinforcement of Lakurawa elements into Nigeria while denying the group the opportunity to exploit border areas as corridors for movement, logistics and the establishment of enclaves,’ he said.

He added: ‘The launch of Operation CLEAN SWEEP IV underscores the proactive and sustained posture of Operation Fansan Yamma in confronting evolving terrorist threats across the region.

‘The Theatre remains resolute in protecting civilian communities, securing Nigeria’s territorial integrity and denying terrorist elements the opportunity to regroup, reinforce or establish operational footholds.’

On Saturday, the people of Osun State will go to the polls to elect the person who will be state’s helmsman for another four years.

Below are 10 Important things, Osun voters should know.

1. The election will take place across the state’s30 local government areas and 3,763 polling units

2. More than 2.3 million voters are on the register.

INEC says there are 2,339,233 registered voters. But only about 1.9 million Permanent Voter Cards( PVCs) were collected.

3. There are 13 candidates on the ballot. Although 14 political parties are participating, the contest has largely been viewed as a three-way race involving Governor Ademola Adeleke, APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji and ADC candidate Najeem Salaam.

4. Incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke is seeking re-election. The result will determine whether he remains in Government House, Osogbo, for another four years.

5. The APC is mounting a serious challenge. Bola Oyebamiji, the APC candidate, is seeking to return the party to power in Osun after its defeat in the 2022 governorship election. The contest is therefore significant for both parties.

6. Your PVC is essential for accreditation.Voters should go to their designated polling units with their Permanent Voter Cards. INEC has stressed that the PVC remains the document required for voter accreditation.

7. BVAS will play a central role. Accreditation will involve the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). But BVAS sometimes has glitches making technical performance one issue voters and observers will be watching closely.

8. Voters should be particularly wary of attempts to buy their votes or influence their choice through money, gifts or other inducements. Vote-buying has already been identified as one of the major threats to the credibility of the election.

9. Voters should prioritise safety.Osun has experienced politically charged and sometimes violent elections in the past. Given the tensions surrounding Saturday’s poll, voters should avoid confrontations, political arguments and restricted areas, and should follow instructions from electoral and security officials.

10. The election matters beyond Osun.The poll is being closely watched as one of Nigeria’s major electoral tests before the 2027 general elections. Its conduct and outcome could influence perceptions of INEC, political parties, electoral technology and voter confidence ahead of 2027.

Former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, has revealed that she would like to die peacefully in her sleep, just as her late husband, Adeniyi Adeosun, did.

Adeosun made the disclosure on Thursday during the funeral service held in honour of her husband, who died on August 5 at the age of 62.

Paying tribute to her husband, the former minister said she was still struggling to come to terms with his death, particularly because he had shown no signs of illness before his sudden passing.

She recalled that the couple had recently decided to enjoy life more after years of being financially cautious. According to her, they had planned to travel every three months and spend more time together.

‘This year would have been 33 years of our wedding anniversary. We had a meeting, the two of us, and we said now every three months, we’re just going to be travelling, we spend all the money,’ she said.

‘We’ve been so sensible that it’s time for us to enjoy ourselves.

‘I’m heartbroken. I’ve found it difficult to believe that this actually happened. But at the same time, I’m very thankful.’

Describing the circumstances surrounding her husband’s death, Adeosun said he had not been ill before he went to bed.

‘He wasn’t sick. He simply went to sleep and didn’t wake up… that’s the way I’d like to go,’ she said.

The former minister expressed gratitude to God for the years she shared with her husband, as well as for their children, family members and friends who supported them.

Adeosun also remembered Adeniyi for his playful and mischievous personality, saying his absence would leave a huge void among those who knew him.

Recounting one of her fond memories of her late husband, she recalled how he once pretended to be disabled and used a wheelchair to avoid a long immigration queue during a trip to the United States.

‘The kind of things that were coming to his head. That’s Niyi for you,’ she recalled.

Adeosun said their home was often filled with laughter because of her husband’s personality, adding that he would be deeply missed by the family, friends and everyone whose life he touched.

Nollywood actress Uche Ogbodo has shared a video documenting her latest facial transformation not long after she called off her marriage.

The actress shared a video and comments on her Instagram page on Thursday that captured the process from her consultation and preparation to the facial procedures she underwent.

According to Ogbodo, she had Threads, Fillers and PDO done to lift her face, restore volume, smooth out lines and achieve what she described as a fresh, youthful and well rested look.

The actress also explained her decision to make the change in the caption of the video.

Post reads: ‘I got myself a new face because I can! I’m a woman who believes in one thing. If you don’t like it, change it!

‘I’m not about to sit down and complain about something I have the power to improve. I love my face, I love myself, but babes… we can always upgrade!’

Ogbodo has also turned her experience with cosmetic procedures into a business venture through Baddie in Transit Consult, which she has described as a platform that helps clients with education, research and other considerations around cosmetic surgery.

Ogbodo’s latest beauty procedure has once again drawn attention and has divided opinions among social media users because it comes shortly after the actress confirmed the end of her marriage to Maris.

Okunsanya Oladamola, an entrepreneur, real estate consultant and business administrator, is positioning his company, Young Albert Enterprises, as a growing force in Nigeria’s real estate sector while expanding his professional interests into social impact and community development.

Oladamola began his professional journey in 2015, gaining experience in business, administration and real estate before establishing Young Albert Enterprises in 2019. The company operates in real estate development and advisory, providing property solutions and investment opportunities to individuals and organisations.

According to Oladamola, his decision to venture into real estate was driven by a desire to create value and address challenges associated with property transactions, particularly the need for greater integrity, transparency and professionalism.

Through Young Albert Enterprises, he has been involved in helping individuals and families acquire properties while providing advisory services aimed at supporting informed investment decisions. He said the business also seeks to contribute to community development through property investment and the creation of economic opportunities.

Oladamola’s professional background combines business administration with entrepreneurship. He holds a Higher National Diploma in Business Administration and Management with Distinction, as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration.

Beyond his real estate activities, he has developed an interest in addiction prevention and mental health advocacy. He has undertaken professional training in substance-use prevention and mental health and is affiliated with professional organisations including the International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP), Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN) and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).

Explaining the motivation behind his interest in mental health and addiction advocacy, Oladamola said business growth alone was not enough to create a healthy society.

He believes challenges associated with addiction and mental health can affect families, workplaces, productivity and communities, making awareness and prevention important components of sustainable development.

His broader objective is to apply knowledge gained through international education and professional development to initiatives in Nigeria. He plans to work with government agencies, non-governmental organisations, educational institutions, healthcare professionals and private-sector organisations on programmes focused on prevention, awareness, capacity building and community support.

Oladamola also sees entrepreneurship as a vehicle for social development. While pursuing the growth of Young Albert Enterprises, he said he remains committed to mentorship, professional development and community engagement.

Looking ahead, he plans to expand Young Albert Enterprises into a major real estate development and investment company, with technology-driven property solutions forming part of its future direction. He also intends to develop initiatives targeting youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, addiction prevention and mental health awareness.

Over the next five to ten years, Oladamola hopes to build Young Albert Enterprises into one of Africa’s trusted real estate development and advisory firms, attract international partnerships, create employment opportunities and contribute to Nigeria’s economic development.

For Oladamola, however, the long-term measure of success extends beyond financial performance. He hopes his work will leave a legacy built around integrity, leadership, innovation and service, with Young Albert Enterprises recognised not only for its business achievements but also for its contribution to people and communities.