Category: PM News

The Inspector-General of Police (I-GP), Mr Kayode Egbetokun, has instructed the newly appointed National Coordinator, Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), SP Orvenonne Ikwen, to employ crime prevention strategies.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

He described POCACOV as a strategic national initiative of the Nigeria Police Force designed to advance non-kinetic approaches in combating cultism and other social vices.

Hundeyin said the appointment of Ikwem was in line with the I-G’s commitment to a modern, intelligence-led, technology-driven and citizen-centred policing vision.

The police spokesman said the idea was to prioritise early intervention, public trust and proactive community engagement in tackling crime nationwide.

He said the I-G had enjoined the new head of POCACOV to strengthen preventive policing and expand community engagements to ensure people-friendly and rule-of-law-compliant policing.

“You must explore innovative strategies for crime prevention, engage a diverse range of stakeholders, organisations and community leaders.

“You must also engage educational institutions, youth groups and partners who have been supporting the vision of the campaign over the years,” Hundeyin quoted the I-G as saying.

Hundeyin said the experience of the new coordinator as an experienced police officer, security and development practitioner and strategic communication expert would bring a strong blend of professional and academic credentials to her new role.

The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has officially withdrawn from the party’s governorship race ahead of the 2026 election in Osun State.

Basiru announced his decision on Saturday in Osogbo during the opening of Alubarika House, the new office of his political movement.

His withdrawal comes less than three weeks before the APC primary scheduled for December 13.

He explained that after meeting with party leaders across the state and considering his current national responsibilities, he decided not to run. He also said he consulted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu before making the decision.

Basiru said his withdrawal does not mean he is stepping back from politics. Instead, he promised to continue supporting the APC and helping to develop new leaders who will promote the Renewed Hope agenda of President Tinubu.

He added that Alubarika House will be used for political activities and empowerment programmes. He also donated 50 million to start the movement’s projects.

With Basiru out, about 13 aspirants remain in the race for the APC ticket. Some of them include:

Bola Oyebamiji, former MD of the National Inland Waterways Authority

Senator Babajide Omoworare, former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules and Business

Senator Iyiola Omisore, former Deputy Governor

Dotun Babayemi, lawyer and son of the former Olufi of Gbongan

Benedict Alabi, former Deputy Governor

kin Ogunbiyi, Chairman of Mutual Assurance Benefits

Kunle Adegoke (SAN), senior advocate of Nigeria.

At least 50 of the hundreds of abducted pupils and students of St. Mary’s Catholic Private Primary and Secondary School in Kontagora, Niger State, have escaped from their abductors.

They have been reunited with their families, said the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, who owns the school.

In a statement issued on Sunday through his media aide, Daniel Atori, the Bishop said the children made their way home on their own after fleeing from their captors.

According to the Bishop, parents reported the unexpected return of their children, prompting school authorities to contact more families and visit several homes to verify the information.

“As of Sunday, 23 November 2025, we received encouraging reports that 50 pupils have escaped and are now with their parents,” the statement said.

Despite this development, a significant number of victims remain missing.

Yohanna disclosed that 236 primary school children, three children belonging to staff, 14 secondary students, and 12 teachers, totalling 265 people, are still in captivity.

He explained that the primary school has 430 registered pupils, including 377 boarders and 53 day students.

Beyond the 50 who escaped, 141 pupils were never abducted during the attack, he added.

The New Telegraph reports that Yohanna, who also serves as the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State, expressed gratitude for the safe return of the 50 children but urged continued prayers and vigilance.

He reassured the public that church and community leaders are maintaining close contact with security agencies and government authorities in the effort to rescue all remaining hostages.

Civil society organisations (CSOs) working in tobacco control have applauded the “outstanding leadership” of the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, and the Nigerian delegation at the 11th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC) in Geneva, while calling for this global performance to translate into stronger domestic impact.

In a joint statement, the groups praised Nigeria’s resoluteness in rebuffing tobacco industry interference and standing firmly on the side of public health throughout the conference.

COP11, held from 1722 November, brought together more than 1,400 delegates from governments, international organisations, and civil society across 162 Parties to the WHO-FCTC. The high-level dialogue reviewed two decades of progress under the global treaty and deliberated on strategies to accelerate implementation.

The statement, signed by Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), the Nigerian Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA), the Centre for Youth Inclusion and Development (CYID), and the Civic Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), highlighted Nigeria’s strong interventions in favour of strict regulation of emerging tobacco and nicotine products, alongside other critical measures for protecting public health.

Dr. Salako, who delivered Nigeria’s high-level statement at COP11, presented new national data and outlined strengthened enforcement and regulatory actions that reaffirmed the country’s commitment to the WHO-FCTC and to safeguarding Nigerians’ health.

“Despite persistent overtures and pressure from the tobacco industry and its allies, Nigeria stood firmly on the side of public health diplomacy, making timely, principled, and decisive interventions on critical issues such as the robust regulation of emerging tobacco and nicotine products, stronger liability and environmental provisions, and forward-looking measures to protect Nigerians,” the coalition said.

The CSOs also emphasised the pivotal role Nigeria played within the African Group, noting that its leadership helped break negotiation deadlocks, stabilise discussions, and strengthen the African bloc’s collective position.

“As a recognised leader within the African region, Nigeria’s principled voice was relied upon at crucial moments. Our delegation’s performance reaffirmed the country’s reputation as a nation committed to the highest standards of public health protection,” the groups noted.

They commended the presence and contributions of Nigerian civil society groups and health experts, including Dr. Omotayo Francis Fagbule, Public Health Dentist and Tobacco Control Researcher at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, describing their involvement as proof of the “whole-of-society strength driving tobacco control in Nigeria.”

However, the CSOs stressed that this global performance must be matched with domestic implementation, especially as Nigeria slipped further in the latest global ranking on tobacco industry interference.

“After being a strong and reliable voice for public health in Geneva, the real work begins at home,” the statement said. “Nigeria must now translate this leadership at the global negotiation table into firm leadership in implementation. The commitments we defended abroad must be matched with concrete actions within our borders.”

They called for stronger enforcement, accelerated regulatory action, full protection of public health policies from tobacco industry interference, and adequate, predictable, and transparent domestic funding to operationalise the National Tobacco Control Act (NTC Act) and Regulations.

“Without sufficient and accountable funding, the NTC Act risks remaining largely symbolic,” they warned.

“Nigeria has shown what principled leadership looks like. The next chapter is to demonstrate that same leadership in the daily work of implementation so that our citizens–especially our young people–can fully benefit from the protections we championed on the global stage.”

By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano

The Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Yusuf Atah, has replied to the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano state, Prince Abdullahi Abbas, who wrote a letter, accusing him of making public comments capable of destabilizing the party in Kano state.

According to Atah, the letter of caution addressed to him and copied to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; the leader of APC in Kano state, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje,; the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda,, and the APC Northwest Zonal Vice Chairman, was not written in good faith.

Statement signed by the Minister’s Aide, Seyi Olorunsola and made available to our Correspondent reads: “Ordinarily, the Honourable Minister would have ignored the contents of the said letter, viewing it as one of the many internal debates that accompany democratic engagement.

“However, for the purpose of clarity, public education, and the need to restate his unwavering loyalty to the party and to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, it has become necessary to issue this formal response.”

“Beyond being a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a proud, non-executive member of the APC in Kano State, he is first and foremost a citizen of Nigeria with constitutionally guaranteed freedom of expression and opinion. His loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC is unquestionable and has been demonstrated consistently through years of service, sacrifice, and commitment to party ideals.

“Therefore, any suggestion that his recent public comments amount to “disaffection” or an attempt to arrogate party leadership to himself is not only unfounded but reflects a narrow and erroneous understanding of democratic rights and internal party dynamics.

“If offering a sincere, well-reasoned, and patriotic opinion on the future direction of the party ahead of the 2027 elections is what the writers of the letter consider a wrongdoing, then the Minister stands “guilty as charged”–guilty only of loving his party enough to speak truthfully and strategically at a crucial moment.”

The Statement insisted that: “For the avoidance of doubt, the Minister reiterates that his recent comments on the suitability of the Deputy Senate President, Distinguished Senator Barau Jibrin, as the most viable gubernatorial candidate for the APC in 2027, were personal and patriotic assessments–not official party declarations.

“As the number five citizen of the country, a proud son of Kano, and a political figure whose acceptability cuts across senatorial districts, local government areas, and ethnic nationalities, Senator Barau represents, in the Minister’s view, the strongest and most unifying choice for the APC to reclaim Government House Kano in the next electoral cycle.

“This assessment is based on sound political foresight and decades of engagement with the grassroots. Rather than being vilified for offering such insight, the Minister believes party leaders should welcome strategic thinking that positions the APC for victory long before formal nomination processes begin. His comments were never intended to usurp the powers of party organs; rather, they were reflections of democratic analysis–open to debate,”

Atah further noted that the decision to draft and circulate such a letter–especially one copied to the President–at a time when Nigeria faces a declared national security emergency was, “an unnecessary and avoidable distraction.

“With the President suspending his international engagements, including the G-20 Summit in South Africa and a planned AU meeting in Angola, in order to attend to urgent state security matters, the priority of every patriotic leader should be unity, focus, and unwavering support for the Commander-in-Chief.

“To elevate an internal party opinion into a matter deemed worthy of presidential attention at such a critical time sends the wrong signal about the priorities of certain party actors.”

Atah, however, advised that: “Efforts should be directed toward strengthening party structures, engaging the grassroots, and articulating policies that resonate with the people–not toward internal scuffles that weaken the collective resolve.”

The Kano APC Chairman had written a letter dated November 21, 2025, which warned Atah over recent media statements concerning internal party matters and aspirants.

The party said such remarks, “have the tendency to provoke misunderstandings and disunity among members.”

The letter also warned that as a Minister, Atah’s public comments could be misinterpreted as official party positions.

It further noted that while Atah has the right to support any aspirant, “by virtue of your position as a Minister and member of the Federal Executive Council, you are expected to engage on issues that will facilitate the unity of all party members.”

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has cautioned Nigerians to ignore a misleading graphic making the rounds on social media, which falsely claims that HIV prevalence in Port Harcourt has surged to 86 per cent.

In a statement shared on X on Sunday, the ministry dismissed the circulating image as entirely fabricated, noting that the figures and language used do not resemble any authorised public health advisory.

According to the ministry, no state in the country has an HIV prevalence rate close to the alarming statistics being spread. It stressed that the purported announcement is inconsistent with official formats and has not been issued by any recognised agency.

The fake graphic–designed to imitate the ministry’s official templates–claimed that HIV cases in Port Harcourt had jumped from 43 per cent to 86 per cent, alleging that hundreds of thousands of residents were infected and that 40 per cent of cases involved people aged 16 to 25. It concluded with a fabricated warning declaring the city unsafe.

Authorities urged Nigerians to refrain from circulating unconfirmed health claims and to rely only on credible government sources. The ministry reaffirmed its dedication to providing evidence-based information to safeguard public health.

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

The Presiding Bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, on Sunday issued a strong spiritual and moral call-to-action over Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

He urged Christians across the country to engage in intensive midnight prayers to confront what he described as “the raging battle against the Church and the nation.”

Delivering his sermon at Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State, the cleric said the escalating kidnappings, killings and terror-linked attacks in various parts of the country demanded a spiritual response from believers, insisting that the “Church of Christ in Nigeria is indestructible.”

“The Church of Christ in Nigeria is indestructible. The gates of hell cannot prevail against it. Nigeria will never become an Islamic state. Never, never, never,” Oyedepo declared to the congregation.

Referencing recent incidents in which five worshippers were shot dead in a church and 35 villagers abducted with kidnappers demanding 100 million, Oyedepo lamented the proliferation of violent crimes, describing human trafficking and ransom-driven abductions as “worse than the scourge of slavery.”

“You pick someone and say they should bring 700 million. My God, who are you? Today, human trade has become a big-time business,” he said.

The Bishop invoked stern declarations against the perpetrators of such crimes, calling on the church to intensify prayers in the Holy Spirit as a form of spiritual resistance.

“Every perpetrator of these killings and their spouses come under their custody. When this church prays, God hears. Everyone behind it, in the name of the Lord Jesus, within the next seven days, they are smelling. They are stinking. It’s done,” he proclaimed.

He further directed members of the church to spiritually fortify their homes and workplaces.

“Every one of you, anoint your houses, anoint your business places, and sprinkle the blood as a no-go area,” he instructed.

Oyedepo announced what he called a nationwide spiritual operation beginning at midnight, urging all members, regardless of their usual sleep patterns, to participate.

“I’m asking every living Winner, no matter how much anointing you have for sleep, that anointing is broken. Between 12 and 1 a.m. from tonight, you are crying to God for mercy and placing curses on the perpetrators,” he said.

“12 midnight tonight, the operation begins. Satan is in trouble. His agents are in trouble.”

The cleric also shared that he had been in a heightened spiritual state ahead of the directive.

“For three days, I’ve been half-asleep and half-awake. As the Lord lives, who sent me as one of the watchmen over this nation, this shall not continue,” he stated.

Oyedepo concluded with a forceful declaration that divine judgement would visit those behind Nigeria’s insecurity.

“In the camp of the wicked, there shall be catastrophe, and any member of this church, touched, equals fire and brimstone in the camp of the enemy,” he declared.

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Eberechi Eze produced a scintillating hat-trick to inspire Arsenal to a commanding 4-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in a fiery North London Derby at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

The midfielder delivered a performance of precision and power, dismantling Spurs almost single-handedly in one of the most one-sided derbies in recent years.

Arsenal asserted their authority early, dominating possession and forcing Tottenham onto the back foot.

Their breakthrough came in the 37th minute when Leandro Trossard capitalised on space inside the area, his deflected strike beating Guglielmo Vicario to put the hosts ahead.

Eze then seized control. Moments before the interval, he latched onto a Declan Rice pass on the edge of the box and sent a low effort into the bottom corner, doubling Arsenal’s lead at 2-0.

Straight after the restart, Arsenal extended their advantage. Jurrien Timber squared a neat pass to Eze, who drilled a precise shot into the bottom left corner for his second of the night and Arsenal’s third.

Tottenham responded in the 55th minute with a sensational long-range effort from Richarlison, who lobbed the goalkeeper from 30 metres to briefly spark hope for the visitors.

But Arsenal were relentless. In the 76th minute, Trossard linked up with Eze once more, allowing the England international to complete his hat-trick with a strike that found its way into the right corner, sealing a dominant derby win.

The match was riddled with tension, reflected in multiple yellow cards for both sides, including bookings for Cristian Romero, Rodrigo Bentancur, Pedro Porro and Declan Rice. Mikel Arteta’s substitutions, Noni Madueke, Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Cristhian Mosquera, helped Arsenal maintain control and see out the final minutes with authority.

By Ibrahim G Ahmed

Twenty-five abducted women and children have been rescued by the Zamfara State Police Command after armed bandits raided the Kuraje community in Gusau Local Government Area.

Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Yazid Abubakar, confirmed the development in a statement released on Saturday in Gusau.

According to him, the attack occurred on Friday at about 9:45 p.m. when heavily armed bandits stormed Kuraje village in the Damba district, firing shots and causing panic among residents.

“During the attack, the assailants abducted ten women and fifteen children, all residents of the Kuraje community,” Abubakar said.

He explained that shortly after receiving a distress report, joint Police patrol teams and Community Protection Guards were immediately deployed to the area.

The teams pursued the fleeing bandits and engaged them in what he described as a well-coordinated rescue operation.

“Thanks to the professionalism and gallantry of the operatives, all twenty-five victims were rescued unhurt,” he noted.

The rescued women and children were transported to Sabongari, Damba, where they underwent safety checks and proper profiling before being reunited with their families.

Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Maikaba, commended the officers involved, describing their efforts as “commendable” and reflective of the Command’s determination to confront criminal elements across the state.

Maikaba reassured the public of the police’s sustained commitment to protecting lives and property despite the persistent security challenges in some communities.

Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have abducted 12 women in Mussa district, Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

The women were reportedly taken around 5 p.m. on Saturday while returning from their farmlands.

Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Nahum Daso, said the police have launched an investigation.

He said, “12 females were abducted by suspected Boko Haram terrorists when they were coming back from the farm. Details are still sketchy, but efforts are underway to secure their release.”

Residents in the area expressed concern and urged authorities to act quickly. One resident, who preferred not to be named, told Newsmen ,”We learned about the abduction at 5 p.m. when their families could not reach them.

As a community, we have informed our elected representatives, traditional leaders, and security agencies.”

This incident is part of a rising trend of abductions in the country, with other states such as Kebbi, Kwara, and Niger still having some school students held by bandits.