Category: PM News

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on Friday formally received 163 kidnap victims rescued by a combined team of security agencies, describing the operation as a major milestone in the fight against kidnapping and terrorism in Nigeria.

The victims, who were abducted during the February 3, 2026 terrorist attack on Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area, were handed over to the state government by the Nigerian Army in Ilorin after spending 48 hours receiving medical treatment and trauma care at various health facilities on the governor’s directive.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, AbdulRazaq congratulated President Bola Tinubu on what has been described as Nigeria’s largest single-day hostage rescue operation, praising the intelligence-led mission and the renewed synergy among the military and other security agencies.

The governor also commended the Nigerian Army and other participating security agencies for their professionalism, courage and sacrifice, saying their coordinated efforts had restored hope to families who had endured months of uncertainty.

He assured the victims of the state government’s continued support, pledging comprehensive medical care, psychosocial counselling and rehabilitation to aid their recovery and reintegration into society.

The rescue formed part of a broader operation in which 308 abductees were freed from forest hideouts across Kwara and neighbouring Niger State, including 145 victims rescued from Niger, in an operation President Tinubu hailed as the country’s biggest same-day recovery of kidnap victims.

The victims from Kwara had spent about six months in captivity after gunmen attacked Woro community, killing scores of residents and abducting hundreds during one of the deadliest attacks recorded in the state this year.

However, community leaders disclosed that 13 persons remain unaccounted for, urging security agencies to sustain search-and-rescue operations until every abductee is brought home.

They also revealed that some women gave birth while in captivity, underscoring the prolonged ordeal endured by many of the victims.

AbdulRazaq reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting security operations and strengthening collaboration with federal authorities to eliminate criminal groups threatening communities across the state.

President Bola Tinubu has praised Nigeria’s Economic Management Team and the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX), saying their efforts have helped restore confidence in the economy and triggered remarkable growth in the nation’s capital market.

Receiving the NGX board and management at the State House in Abuja on Thursday, the President said recent improvements in key economic indicators and favourable assessments from experts showed that the country’s economic outlook was improving.

An NGX delegation led by Chairman, Dr Umaru Kwairanga, and Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Temi Popoola, informed the President that the value of the exchange had grown from about N30 trillion in 2023 to N160 trillion.

Tinubu said the gains reflected the impact of reforms introduced by his administration, which he noted were designed in line with global best practices to lay the foundation for long-term economic growth.

He singled out members of the Economic Management Team, including the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo; Oyedele, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu; Central Bank Governor, Yemi Cardoso; and Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Dr Zacch Adedeji, for commendation.

Reflecting on the early days of his administration, the President said the economy he inherited posed serious challenges.

‘When we took over, it was very challenging. I had to talk to myself and define my background to accept the assets and liabilities of my predecessor. I asked for the job, and I have to do it,’ Tinubu said.

He also applauded Cardoso’s role in implementing monetary reforms and reiterated his support for the government’s economic team.

‘If the stock market is doing well, then we are doing well. Nigeria can build a nation of prosperity by itself,’ he said.

Tinubu stressed that greater private sector investment would create jobs and drive development, maintaining that his administration’s ambition of building a one trillion dollar economy remained achievable. He also disclosed that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited would eventually be listed on the Nigerian capital market.

A Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has convicted and sentenced four persons for their involvement in a money laundering scheme involving $5,296,691 million.

The convicts; Bamidele Ayodele Emmanuel, Abdullah Oriyomi Yusuf, Garuba Fathiat Funmilayo, and Gbenro Victor Ademola were separately arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a two-count charge bordering on money laundering, contrary to the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Dele Oyewale, EFCC head of media and publicity in a statement on Friday said the suspects were convicted and sentenced on Wednesday, 5 July.

One of the charges against Bamidele Ayodele Emmanuel reads: ‘That you, BAMIDELE AYODELE EMMANUEL, between January 1 and January 31, 2025, in Lagos and within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, directly retained the sum of $826,691 (Eight Hundred and Twenty-Six Thousand, Six Hundred and Ninety-One United States Dollars) in your account, No. 0126008755, domiciled with Wema Bank, which you reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.’

The defendants pleaded guilty when the charges were read to them.

Following their guilty pleas, the prosecution counsel, Bilkisu Buhari, reviewed the facts of the cases before the court.

She told the court that investigations revealed the defendants sold their personal information to one Afeez Animashaun, who approached them at Mushin Market in Lagos, where they conduct their businesses.

Buhari further disclosed that investigations established that the defendants’ identities were used to incorporate College Compass Eduguide Nigeria Limited, Hortifresh Solutions Nigeria Limited, Eduboost Innovation Nigeria Limited, and Fixit Hardware and Tools Nigeria Limited, and to open corporate bank accounts, which were subsequently used by those companies to receive millions of dollars in January 2025.

She urged the court to convict the defendants as charged and impose appropriate sentences.

Delivering judgment, Justice F.N. Ogazi of found all four defendants guilty on the second count only out of the two counts preferred against them and sentenced them accordingly.

Bamidele Ayodele Emmanuel was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment, followed by three months of community service.

He was also ordered to forfeit ?1 million to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Garuba Fathiat Funmilayo received a four-month prison sentence, 15 months of community service, and was ordered to forfeit ?1 million to the Federal Government within 72 hours.

Abdullah Oriyomi Yusuf was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment, three months of community service, and ordered to forfeit ?800,000 to the Federal Government.

Gbenro Victor Ademola was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment, three months of community service, and ordered to forfeit ?700,000 to the Federal Government within 72 hours.

The court also ordered the convicts to partner with the EFCC in creating public awareness and advocacy on the dangers of selling and giving out personal data to other persons indiscriminately.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kano Strategic Command, has dislodged six notorious drug hotspots in the state, arresting 15 suspects and recovering various illicit substances.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Sadiq Muhammad-Maigatari, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday in Kano.

Muhammad-Maigatari quoted the State Commander of NDLEA, Mr Dahiru Yahaya-Lawal, as saying that the arrests followed intelligence-led assessments of locations linked to drug trafficking and substance abuse.

Yahaya-Lawal said the operation formed part of sustained efforts to dismantle drug networks and curb the spread of illicit substances across the state.

He said: ‘We remain steadfast in our commitment to sustaining pressure on drug hotspots within Kano and beyond.

‘While we continue to employ targeted enforcement operations, we are also intensifying non-kinetic strategies, including public sensitisation and community partnerships, to address the root causes of substance abuse.’

The commander said the operatives recovered cannabis sativa, pentazocine injections, pregabalin and Exol-5 tablets during the raids.

He warned those involved in the illicit drug trade to desist, stressing that the agency would not allow criminal elements to operate with impunity.

‘All those engaged in this illicit business will never see peace unless they repent and embrace legitimate enterprise,’ Yahaya-Lawal said.

He added that investigations were ongoing and that the suspects would be charged in court upon conclusion of the process.

Yahaya-Lawal also appealed to residents to support the agency by providing credible information that could assist in identifying and dismantling other drug networks in the state.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said its operatives have dislodged six notorious drug hotspots in the state, arresting 15 suspects and recovering various illicit substances.

The NDLEA operatives raided drug joints at Farm Centre, Kofar Nasarawa, Diga Nasarawa, Dakata (Zango), Filin Polo and Hausawa areas of Kano.

The Kano command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Sadiq Muhammad-Maigatari, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday in Kano.

Muhammad-Maigatari quoted the State Commander of NDLEA, Mr Dahiru Yahaya-Lawal, as saying that the arrests followed intelligence-led assessments of locations linked to drug trafficking and substance abuse.

Yahaya-Lawal said the operation formed part of sustained efforts to dismantle drug networks and curb the spread of illicit substances across the state.

He said: ‘We remain steadfast in our commitment to sustaining pressure on drug hotspots within Kano and beyond.

‘While we continue to employ targeted enforcement operations, we are also intensifying non-kinetic strategies, including public sensitisation and community partnerships, to address the root causes of substance abuse.’

The commander said the operatives recovered cannabis sativa, pentazocine injections, pregabalin and Exol-5 tablets during the raids.

He warned those involved in the illicit drug trade to desist, stressing that the agency would not allow criminal elements to operate with impunity.

‘All those engaged in this illicit business will never see peace unless they repent and embrace legitimate enterprise,’ Yahaya-Lawal said.

He added that investigations were ongoing and that the suspects would be charged in court upon conclusion of the process.

Yahaya-Lawal also appealed to residents to support the agency by providing credible information that could assist in identifying and dismantling other drug networks in the state.

Odigie Moses, a self-acclaimed spiritualist has been arrested for alleged sextortion of an Indian woman to the tune of $1,100 (One Thousand, One Hundred Dollars).

He was arrested in Ekpoma, Edo State by operatives of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Dele Oyewale, the spokesperson for the anti-graft agency said in a statement that suspect misrepresented himself on Zelle, a social media platform as possessing spiritual healing powers.

He was contacted by his victim, an Indian woman, who was in need of spiritual intervention on some life-threatening challenges.

The suspect subsequently deceived her into taking a naked spiritual bath, which he recorded live without her permission, and thereafter blackmailed her to send him money, else he would make the video public.

EFCC said its investigations revealed that the victim had to pay the sum of $1,100 to the suspect in order to prevail on him not to release her nudity to the public.

He will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

The Presidential Media Team, in collaboration with the Renewed Hope Ambassadors on Thursday inspected key Federal and Benue State governments’ infrastructure projects across the state, where residents commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for expanding connectivity through strategic road and bridge projects.

The inspection covered the ongoing Buruku-Logo Bridge, the Wurukum Overhead Bridge in Makurdi, the 22-kilometre Makurdi-Gboko Road, and major state infrastructure projects, including the completed High-Level Roundabout Interchange in Makurdi and the Gboko Underpass and Interchange.

The Makurdi-Gboko Road forms part of Phase II of the Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Expressway, a strategic corridor linking North Central Nigeria with the South-East. It is expected to be completed by December 2027.

The Renewed Hope Ambassadors’ National Media Tour, which has over 40 editors and journalists in the delegation, is designed to independently assess, document and showcase the implementation and impact of key Federal and State governments’ projects under President Tinubu’s administration.

The delegation was led by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga.

Speaking during the inspection, Onanuga said the Buruku-Logo Bridge is one of five Federal Government bridges under construction in Benue State and demonstrates the administration’s commitment to investing borrowed funds in productive infrastructure.

He said the project would reconnect previously isolated communities, reduce travel time, improve access to markets for farmers and strengthen economic integration across Benue, Taraba and Adamawa states.

According to him, the projects are being financed through the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund, assuring that funding remains adequate for timely completion.

‘This bridge in particular is the fifth bridge the Federal Government is building in Benue State. I think as Nigerians you see that the government has been accused of so many things including taking loans. You can now see where the money is going. It is to develop infrastructure, to link people who have been forgotten before, to make sure that at least commerce flows freely.

‘Farmers can get their products straight to the market, they can shorten the travel time between one community and the other, especially between the rural areas and the capital. You can see that this one where we are now, the one in Buruku is going to affect three states, Taraba, Adamawa and to link all of them together to Benue and of course it means to Nigeria,’ Onanuga said.

The team also inspected the ongoing 25.6-kilometre Captain Dan Road from Lubona Junction to the Tor Tiv Palace, the Food Basket Brewery Limited in Makurdi, and the Federal Government-funded rehabilitation of the Buruku-Gboko Water Treatment Plant at Ameladu Headworks, one of the state’s largest water infrastructure projects.

A major highlight of the tour was the inspection of the 1,754-metre Buruku-Logo Bridge. The project links agrarian communities across the River Benue, provides access to neighbouring Taraba State and is expected to boost agriculture, commerce and regional integration. The contractor also employs more than 50 workers from the host community.

Residents expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for prioritising infrastructure that addresses longstanding transportation challenges.

They described the bridge as a life-saving intervention that would end years of dangerous river crossings and improve the livelihoods of surrounding communities. They also expect the bridge, on completion, to eliminate frequent boat accidents experienced during the rainy season while creating employment opportunities for local youths engaged on the project.

Many residents also pledged continued support for President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, saying the visible impact of ongoing projects had renewed public confidence in the Federal Government.

Speaking with journalists, the Deputy Governor of Benue State, Dr Samuel Ode, said the state remained grateful for the Federal Government’s infrastructure investments and expressed confidence that the people would strongly support President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

He described the ongoing Wurukum Overhead Bridge as a critical intervention on the Abuja-Lafia-Makurdi-Enugu corridor, noting that the junction had for years been notorious for severe traffic congestion, particularly during festive periods.

According to him, President Tinubu approved the project following a request by Governor Hyacinth Alia, and construction is progressing rapidly.

The Deputy Governor also highlighted the state government’s investment in the Makurdi Central Interchange and Underpass, describing it as a transformative project that connects key routes linking Government House, the Central Business District, Wurukum and the Abuja-Enugu highway, while significantly improving traffic flow within the state capital.

‘Actually, this road serves as the gateway between the north of the country and the south. Before now we used to have a heavy gridlock here especially during festivities, so the governor of Benue State approached Mr. President for us to have an overhead bridge here.

‘The President in his magnanimity, graciously approved the construction of this overhead bridge. So work has commenced, moving at a very high speed and the people of Benue are happy because we used to experience quite a lot of difficulties at this point.’

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has raised concerns over a suspicious credit into his private bank account, alleging that unknown persons may have compromised his confidential banking details ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said an unidentified individual transferred money into the account with the narration, ‘Contribution Electioneering Campaign’, despite neither him nor his campaign team authorising or having knowledge of the payment.

In a statement issued on Friday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former vice president described the transaction as disturbing, questioning how the details of a private account could have been obtained by unknown persons.

‘Neither His Excellency nor his campaign solicited, authorised or has any knowledge of the individual or entity behind the unauthorised payment,’ the statement said.

Atiku said the account was strictly private and its details were not publicly available, raising concerns over possible access by individuals with privileged information.

‘The account is a strictly private one whose details are not in the public domain. This raises a fundamental question: How did unknown persons obtain the confidential banking details of a private citizen?’ the statement added.

The ADC candidate warned that the development raised wider concerns about the protection of Nigerians’ financial privacy, arguing that if the banking information of a former vice president and presidential candidate could allegedly be accessed, ordinary citizens could also be vulnerable.

‘If the private banking information of a former Vice President and a leading presidential candidate can be accessed and deployed for reasons yet unknown, then no Nigerian’s financial privacy is safe,’ Atiku said.

He further expressed concern that the alleged access to his banking information may have involved persons with privileged access.

According to him, any unauthorised exposure of private financial details could create serious security risks for account holders.

‘If established, this would amount to a grave abuse of power capable of exposing the account holder to kidnappers, terrorists, bandits, fraudsters and other criminal elements,’ the statement read.

Atiku said security agencies and Nigerians had been notified of the development, describing it as part of what he called a series of suspicious activities as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.

The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) had urged the Kogi State Government to consider the immediate recruitment of teachers and restoration of 27.5 pee cent Teachers Special Allowance, TSA, to save the educational sector in the state from total collapse.

The union, however, praised Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s administration for sustaining industrial harmony, strengthening security across the state and maintaining what it described as a cordial relationship with the workforce, even as it appealed for urgent intervention in critical issues affecting teachers and public schools.

The resolutions were contained in a communiqué issued after the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting of the union and presented by its State Chairman, Comrade Emejeh Ogwu Sunday, during a press briefing on Thursday in Lokoja.

While acknowledging the government’s commitment to workers’ welfare, ASUSS said more decisive actions were needed to address longstanding concerns confronting the education sector.

The union expressed deep concerns over recurring attacks on schools and educational communities, describing the trend as a direct threat to learning and the safety of both teachers and students.

‘Schools are centres of learning and should never become targets of criminal activities. We call on the government and all security agencies to strengthen security around schools through proactive intelligence gathering, community participation, and rapid security response,’ the union stated.

ASUSS also renewed its demand for the restoration of the 27.5 per cent Teachers’ Special Allowance, insisting that the allowance was negotiated under a valid Collective Bargaining Agreement and was designed to recognise the unique demands of the teaching profession.

According to the union, ‘Its restoration will greatly improve teachers’ morale and further demonstrate Government’s commitment to quality education.’

On healthcare, the union commended the introduction of the Kogi State Health Insurance Scheme, describing it as a major initiative capable of improving access to quality medical care for workers and their families. It, however, urged members who were yet to enrol to do so without delay in order to benefit from the programme.

The teachers’ body also appealed to the government to review the current pattern of gratuity payments to retired workers, noting that although efforts to clear outstanding liabilities were commendable, retirees deserved more substantial and regular payments.

The union further lamented the acute shortage of teachers in public secondary schools across the state, warning that the increasing workload on available personnel was already affecting effective teaching and learning.

ASUSS therefore called for the immediate recruitment of qualified teachers to fill existing vacancies, while also urging the state government to introduce a motorcycle loan scheme for teachers posted to rural communities to ease transportation challenges and improve productivity.

Despite the challenges, the union commended teachers across the State for remaining dedicated and committed to their responsibilities under difficult economic conditions and assured the government of its continued readiness to engage constructively in advancing secondary education through dialogue and mutual respect.

‘We remain committed to constructive engagement, mutual respect and dialogue as the best means of addressing issues affecting teachers and the education sector,’ the union said, expressing confidence that the government would give urgent attention to its demands in the interest of teachers, students and the future of education in Kogi State.

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has defended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) decision to freeze an account belonging to the Osun State Government, insisting that the anti-graft agency acted within the powers granted to it by law.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, Falana said the legality of the EFCC’s authority to place restrictions on government accounts had long been settled by both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

According to him, the commission is empowered to impose a Post No Debit (PND) restriction on the account of any federal, state or local government for up to 72 hours, after which it must obtain a court order to sustain the restriction.

‘As far as the law is concerned, the EFCC has not acted illegally,’ Falana said, noting that the commission’s powers had been affirmed in several judicial pronouncements.

The senior lawyer cited a 2022 Court of Appeal judgment arising from a suit filed by the Benue State Government, which overturned an earlier Federal High Court ruling and confirmed the EFCC’s authority to temporarily freeze government accounts pending judicial approval.

He also referenced a 2024 Supreme Court judgment involving the Kogi State Government and other states, which upheld the powers of the EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) to investigate the accounts of government institutions at all levels.

‘That remains the law in Nigeria today,’ Falana maintained.

He argued that anyone dissatisfied with the existing legal framework should seek legislative amendments through the National Assembly rather than question the powers already conferred on anti-corruption agencies by the courts.

Addressing the controversy surrounding the EFCC’s restriction on Osun State’s statutory allocation account, Falana noted that the commission followed due process by obtaining a court order after initiating its investigation.

He explained that the Osun State Government had challenged the validity of the court order itself, rather than merely objecting to its timing.

The controversy stems from the EFCC’s investigation into the alleged movement of about ?11 billion from the state’s Ecology Funds, Intervention Funds and Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations.

The commission has maintained that the restriction was temporary, affected only one account and was carried out under the provisions of the EFCC Act and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

President Bola Tinubu had subsequently directed the EFCC to approach the court to vacate the order and discontinue the restriction, citing concerns over its timing, coming days before the August 15 Osun governorship election.

Falana, however, cautioned against creating the impression that anti-corruption agencies should suspend investigations whenever elections are imminent.

He warned that shielding financial transactions from scrutiny simply because of approaching elections could weaken Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts and undermine accountability in public finance.

‘It is a dangerous impression to suggest that anti-graft agencies should look away whenever elections are around the corner,’ he said.