Category: PM News

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Kebbi Branch, has directed its members to refrain from travelling to nine local government areas identified as kidnapping hotspots in the state.

The Chairman of the branch, Alhaji Aminu Hassan, issued the directive in a statement released in Birnin Kebbi on Sunday.

Hassan said the affected areas include Bagudo, Suru, Kamba in Dandi, Bunza, Kangiwa in Arewa, Dirin Daji in Sakaba, Ribah, Kanya, and Augie Local Government Areas.

He explained that the decision followed an emergency meeting of the association held on Saturday to deliberate on the abduction of one of its members, Mr Isyaku Muhammad-Danjuma, on Wednesday.

The association said he was abducted along the Ibeto-Birnin Kebbi route in Magama Local Government Area of Niger State.

According to Hassan, the association condemned the abduction and expressed deep concern over the rising wave of insecurity across the country.

He said the branch resolved that all its members should boycott court proceedings from 7 to 10 October in protest against the kidnapping of their colleague and to draw attention to the worsening security situation.

‘Upon the expiration of the boycott period, members are also urged to suspend handling terrorism-related cases, including those involving kidnapping, abduction, armed robbery, or unlawful possession of firearms, until further notice,’ Hassan said.

The chairman added that the association would engage relevant authorities to ensure the safe release of the abducted lawyer.

He called on the government and security agencies to take urgent steps to restore peace and public confidence.

Hassan added that the branch would work with the judiciary to provide alternative venues for court cases to minimise travel to unsafe locations.

He commended the members of the Bar, the judiciary, the media, and other Nigerians for their solidarity and urged them to remain united in the pursuit of justice and peace.

Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has applauded the position taken by Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, that his town’s culture does not favour the ‘Iyaloja’ structure.

CHRICED commended Ewuare for what it called ‘his bold and principled rejection of the imposition of the alien ‘Iyaloja’ structure on Edo State’s markets. This decision marks a pivotal moment in the defence of indigenous governance and democratic accountability in Nigeria.’

The group said this in a press statement signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Dr. Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, and sent to PMNEWS on Sunday in Lagos.

It condemned the proposal championed by Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo seeking to install Pastor Josephine Ivbazebule as Iyaloja of all Edo markets.

According to the group, such an attempt was ‘to transplant a Lagos-Yoruba-rooted title into the sacred commercial spaces of the Benin Kingdom, disregarding centuries of tradition and spiritual order.’

He described the Oba’s response as courageous and culturally grounded.

‘Oba Ewuare II’s response was clear, courageous, and culturally grounded. He reaffirmed that Benin markets are governed by the Iyeki-leaders chosen by traders and confirmed by the palace.

‘These figures are not mere administrators; they are custodians of sacred shrines and emissaries of the Oba’s spiritual authority. Unlike the centralized Iyaloja-General system prevalent in the South-West, particularly in Lagos, the Benin model is decentralized, rooted in communal consensus and spiritual stewardship.

‘To undermine this system is to desecrate the very identity of the Benin people,’ the statement said.

The UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu fought hard to become Nigeria’s leader, in spite of his affirmation that getting the position was his turn at a time.

Mohammed made the remarks at an award dinner at Nigeria House in New York to celebrate Nigeria’s 65th independence anniversary and the Independence Day Parade and Carnival.

The UN Deputy Secretary General also said she has not heard Tinubu complain about the challenges he inherited from his predecessor when he assumed office as president.

According to the UN deputy chief, Tinubu ‘fought hard to get to that seat’, even though he said ‘it was his turn’.

‘But he also told us that he wasn’t going to complain about what he got. I have not heard him complain.

‘People around him complain about what he inherited but he doesn’t,’ she said.

Mohammed also said so far, Tinubu ‘is the president of Nigeria. It is God that put him on that seat.

‘It is, therefore, incumbent upon us to get behind him and do the best we can for Nigeria. Except you’re trying to tell me that God made a mistake.’

She congratulated Nigeria and Nigerians on the 65th independence anniversary, saying that the future is bright for the country.

‘We are a work in progress and we are 65 years old as a country.

‘However, unless you are part of building a nation, no one else is going to do it for you.

‘It doesn’t matter whether you are in the country or outside the country,’ she said.

Mohammed called for concerted efforts to build the country and not pull it down, saying, ‘if we get into the pull- down syndrome, then who else is going to pull us up?

‘What else are we telling our children? What else are we telling people that we want as our partners?

‘If we are the first people to say that we’re no good, we’re not good enough, and I hope that we just stop doing that.

‘This is because Nigerians are the hardest working, most ambitious, and proud people.’

She recounted the great work that she and other African women have done at the UN and other international organisations to uplift humanity.

The former Nigerian Minister of Environment, advised Nigerians in the diaspora to go back home, not only as visitors but as stakeholders that would spend quality time in the country and as investors.

Mohammed, who completes a two-term tenure of eight years as deputy to the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres by December 31, 2025, said she looked forward to returning home to contribute to Africa’s development.

‘I hope that all of you will pray for my safe return home again next year, because there are things to do at home.

‘There are things to do on the continent, and we have to go back, and we have to shape that,’ she said.

Mohammed called for youth mentorship and empowerment, saying they made up of 70 per cent of the nation’s population and have energy and vision.

She said ‘intergenerational dialogue must happen’ and ‘we have to listen to them’ adding, ‘let’s make sure that we’re pushing them further’.

She said the older generation must give the youth a chance by ‘standing beside them because because we have the wisdom and the experience’.

She particularly called for the empowerment of women by giving them opportunities to contribute to peace and development.

According to her, Nigeria can realise its potential faster with women given more opportunities.

‘And that means that Nigeria is flying on half a wing. We have an eagle. It’s only got one wing, and the other wing has to be lifted for us to fly higher.

‘So women count. They count not just because of the numbers, but because of using the value of professional women, or women at home, or rural women or women or women in politics.

‘Let’s not lose the other half because without it, we will not stand. We will not fly by itself.’

The UN deputy chief commended the federal government on the introduction of Chinese language into Nigeria’s school curriculum, saying Chinese is a language of trade and China is a huge trading country with the world.

Puerto Rican rapper and producer, Bad Bunny, has reacted to the backlash he received over him being announced as the headliner for 2026 Super Bowl.

The rapper, while performing on SNL, joked about the reactions and backlash he got, stating that he is happy about the announcement.

Bad Bunny also added that the achievements of Latinos is something that cannot be erased or taken away. he also jokingly advised people to familiarise themselves with the language.

‘I think everybody’s happy about it – even Fox News. More than just my achievement, it’s everyone’s achievement, proving that no one can ever erase or take away (Latinos’) mark and our contribution to this country,’ he said.

Eight more bodies have been found after the boat accident that happened last Tuesday in Ibaji, Kogi State.

The Executive Secretary of the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Alhaji Muktar Atima, confirmed the recovery and said the search operation was still ongoing.

Earlier, the state government had said that at least 26 people died in the tragedy. The accident happened around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday when a boat carrying mostly traders from Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State to Ilushi Market in Edo State capsized.

The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, released a statement on behalf of Governor Ahmed Ododo, expressing deep sadness over the incident.

The statement read:

‘The Government and people of Kogi State are deeply saddened by the boat accident that claimed the lives of several passengers travelling from Ibaji to Ilushi Market in Edo State.

‘This is a heartbreaking loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with the affected families and the people of Ibaji Local Government Area.

‘The Governor has directed relevant agencies, including SEMA, to support and provide relief to the victims’ families. He also assured that the government will work with federal authorities to improve safety on our waterways and prevent such tragedies in the future.

‘We urge people in riverine areas to avoid overloading boats and always wear life jackets when travelling by water.’

The state has been mourning since the tragedy, which reportedly claimed about 32 lives. Some residents said the accident occurred on the River Niger, between Onugwa Village in Kogi and Ilushi in Edo State.

According to SEMA, 80 passengers were on board, and 68 were rescued. Search and rescue operations were still ongoing as of press time.

Reports also revealed that one family in Onugwa lost eight members in the accident.

The incident has again raised concerns about safety on Nigeria’s inland waterways.

In August, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) began strict enforcement of life jacket use for all water travellers.

The agency launched its ‘No Life Jacket, No Boarding’ campaign to promote safety on the waterways.

NIWA has also recruited officers to patrol major rivers and ensure that boats do not operate at night.

Last year, two boat operators, Alhaji Musa Dangana and Yakubu Dangana, were charged in court after a boat accident that killed 19 people on the Niger River. They faced charges of negligence and failure to follow safety rules.

The authority continues to warn boat operators against overloading, drug use, and using poorly maintained boats.

Governor Ahmed Ododo has promised that his administration will support all federal efforts to make waterways safer.

Former Kogi State Deputy Governor, Simon Achuba, also expressed sadness over the tragedy.

He urged boat operators to always follow safety guidelines and called on the government to fix roads in Ibaji to make transportation safer and easier.

The incident serves as a reminder that while government agencies are improving safety, passengers must also take responsibility by following all safety rules when travelling on water.

Mr President, your intervention is urgently needed to halt what appears to be an orchestrated attempt by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to cancel legally binding cargo survey (CS) contracts still valid until 2029.

It cannot be swept aside as mere internal reorganisation when, in fact, this move carries the hallmarks of economic sabotage that will erode government revenue, dent investor confidence, and undermine port efficiency.

It is no secret that the performance of the current CS companies is a major factor behind the uptick in port revenues in recent years, revenues the NPA now uses in its projection of ?1.28 trillion for 2025 after generating ?894.86 billion in 2024. These CS firms have digitised their operations, enabling better monitoring, quicker turnaround times, transparency in billing and verification, and reduced leakage. These innovations strengthen the NPA’s bottom line and strengthen Nigeria’s standing in maritime trade.

Yet, the NPA did not invite any of these firms to discuss performance gaps; did not issue any notice of default; and did not present any documented evidence that the contractors were found wanting before initiating the cancellation drive. The abrupt termination push was imposed without dialogue.

At a time when Nigeria needs a strong revenue front to combat fiscal deficits, external debt, currency pressure, inflation, and security challenges, the NPA’s scheme will instead weaken the very institutions meant to raise those revenues and send a dangerous signal to investors.

I respectfully call on you, Mr President, to direct the Managing Director of the NPA to cease this cancellation scheme immediately and to adhere strictly to due process. I also urge you to direct the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to resist being railroaded by the NPA leadership, to uphold procurement laws, and to ensure that any move to cancel or re-tender these contracts is done transparently and in full compliance with the Public Procurement Act.

Your administration must make it clear that government agencies will not be permitted to renege on agreements. Consistency and respect for contracts must become watchwords, for potential domestic and foreign investors are watching, and will be discouraged if binding agreements are broken at will.

It would be a shame to see revenue growth reversed or litigations initiated over failed manoeuvres attributable to executive overreach instead of reasoned policy. As someone who is committed to Nigeria’s maritime integrity, I appeal to you to restore the rule of law at the NPA before this crisis worsens.

Abegunde, convener of the Maritime Integrity Movement, writes from Lagos.

Operatives of the Zone 2 Police Command, Lagos, have arrested two suspected land speculators, Toafeek Adebesin, 58, and Wasiu Adesina, 47, for allegedly defrauding a buyer of ?7 million under false pretence in the Oloye Village, Erunwen area of Ikorodu.

The duo were accused of collecting the sum from one Ogochukwu Ndidi Asota, claiming they were selling him three acres of land in the area.

However, police investigations revealed that the land did not belong to them, and they allegedly converted the money to their personal use.

Following a petition to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2 Command, AIG Adegoke Fayoade, detectives led by SP Stanley Igbinovia launched a manhunt and eventually apprehended the suspects at a hideout in Lagos through intelligence tracking.

After investigation, Adebesin and Adesina were arraigned before the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court, sitting at the Tinubu Magistrate’s Court, Lagos Island, on a three-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, and stealing, contrary to Sections 411, 314, and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Police prosecutor, DSP Francis Igbinosa, told the court that the incident occurred in 2022 at Oloye Village.

He explained that the defendants fraudulently sold plots of land belonging to another family to the complainant.

The deception came to light when Asota began development on the site, and the rightful owners allegedly stormed the area, chased away the workers, and declared that they never sold the property.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The presiding magistrate, Mrs D.S. Amos, granted them ?1 million bail each with two sureties in like sum and ordered their remand at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending fulfilment of bail conditions.

The case was adjourned till 14 October 2025 for mention.

The Lagos State Safety Commission has sealed several chemical factories and shops in the Ojota area for breaching safety and environmental regulations.

The enforcement exercise, conducted in the early hours of Thursday, was carried out in line with the Lagos State Safety Commission Law of 2011.

Officials of the Commission, led by the Director-General, Mr. Lanre Mojola, said the facilities were shut after operators repeatedly ignored safety directives and failed to implement agreed measures despite warnings and a grace period.

He explained that prior to the closure, the Commission had inspected the factories and held several meetings with the executives of the chemical dealers.

During these engagements, Mojola said a letter of undertaking was signed on 9 May 2025, in which the operators agreed to conduct a comprehensive safety audit of the market, organise workshops on hazard identification and risk evaluation, provide serviced and accessible fire extinguishers, maintain an updated chemical inventory with expiry dates, ensure the consistent use of personal protective equipment, install proper safety signage and chemical labels, and develop a disaster management and business continuity plan.

According to Mojola, the chemical dealers failed to act on the agreement even after the ultimatum expired, leaving the Commission with no alternative but to seal the facilities to protect lives and property.

He stated that the affected premises would remain closed until full compliance is achieved, adding that the Commission would not compromise its enforcement duties.

Mojola urged manufacturers and business operators across Lagos to adopt proactive safety measures and ensure their workplaces meet the required safety standards.

In recent years, the Lagos State Safety Commission has intensified its surveillance and enforcement drive across factories, markets, and other high-risk facilities.

The initiative, Mojola noted, is part of the state government’s broader commitment to promoting public safety and preventing industrial disasters.

UK Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has unveiled an ambitious immigration plan that aims to deport up to 150,000 illegal migrants every year, in what she described as a decisive move to ‘restore control of Britain’s borders.’

Speaking at the 2025 Conservative Party Conference in Manchester, Badenoch announced that her government would create a new ‘Removals Force’, a dedicated immigration enforcement agency modelled after the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The agency will be tasked with dramatically expanding deportations from the current annual average of around 34,000 to 150,000.

According to the proposal, the new force will receive £1.6 billion in funding, giving it greater operational capacity, surveillance tools, and police support.

Officers will reportedly be empowered to conduct immigration checks during routine arrests and use technologies such as facial recognition to identify illegal entrants.

Badenoch said the reforms were necessary to end what she called ‘years of weak enforcement and legal loopholes’ that have allowed people to ‘remain unlawfully in the country.’

‘Britain will no longer be a soft touch for illegal migration,’ she told delegates. ‘We will find, detain, and remove those who have no right to be here.’

Badenoch’s plan also proposes withdrawing the UK from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and repealing the Human Rights Act, both of which she argues have been exploited to block deportations through lengthy appeals.

Under the proposed legislation, asylum claims from people entering illegally would be automatically rejected, and legal aid for immigration cases would be curtailed.

Critics, however, have questioned both the feasibility and legality of the 150,000 deportation target.

Immigration lawyers and human rights groups warn that such mass removals could breach international law and strain relations with destination countries.

The Labour Party described the plan as ‘headline politics without substance,’ arguing that the UK currently lacks the infrastructure, detention capacity, and diplomatic agreements to achieve deportations at that scale.

Legal experts have also pointed out that withdrawing from the ECHR would require renegotiating multiple international treaties and could have far-reaching implications for citizens’ rights.

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Bono has resettled three more communities after residents resisted Boko Haram displacement in Banki, Bama Local Government Area.

The governor, who was in Banki, where the insurgents attacked military barrack and civilian locations, on Sunday, sympathized with residents and commended their resilience.

‘I purposely came to Banki to salute your courage; your act of bravery is really encouraging.

‘We should not allow a few bad elements to displace this town whose businesses and economic activities have been thriving.

‘I want to assure you that the insurgents will not succeed, Insha’Allah. We will strengthen the security of this border town and will support our youth volunteers, hunters, and vigilantes to further fortify this area,’ Zulum said.

He assured that robust security measures will be implemented to protect the border town from further attacks by Boko Haram insurgents.