Category: PM News

By Muhammad Nasir Bashir

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has rescued 221 victims of human trafficking in the state in Jigawa State with its two years of existence.

The victims were rescued and reunited with their respective families after the establishment of the command in July 2023, Jigawa NAPTIP’s commander, Mr Abdulladir Turajo stated.

Mahmud who was speaking at a one-day sensitization campaign against human trafficking in Kazaure added that the command has also within the period recorded two convictions and conducted 175 sensitization programmes in various communities, schools, places of worship, motor parks and markets across the state.

The exercise was organised in collaboration with Jigawa State Ministry for Local Government and Community Development.

The campaign is part of the aggressive zonal grassroot sensitization campaign for critical stakeholders in the 27 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state, to be conducted in three phases.

ccording to the commander, the programme will be conducted in three phases. The one held today in Kazaure being the first phase is for 12 LGAs from Jigawa Northwest.

“The second will be conducted in Hadejia for eight LGAs of Jigawa Northeast Zone and the last in Dutse for the seven LGAs of Jigawa Southwest Zone respectively.”

The commander further pointed out that the campaign was imperative due to the strategic location of the state, being one of the major international routes and recruitment grounds for human trafficking activities.

Turajo added that the initiative serves as an avenue to educate critical stakeholders in the state on the dangers and consequences associated with human trafficking.

“The Command wishes to use the programme to establish partnership with the local communities for effective response against trafficking in person in the local communities, through intelligence sharing and reporting of cases and incidences of trafficking from the local grassroot levels.”

While appreciating the Ministry for Local Government for sponsoring the programme, the commander also commended Gov. Umar Namadi for his support and interventions that led to overall success recorded by the agency in counter trafficking operations in the state.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Local Government, Mr Ibrahim Garba, reiterated the commitment of the state government to support the agency in its fight against human trafficking.

rba, who was represented by the Director Social Development in the ministry, Mahmud Mukaddas, called on the participants and other stakeholders to fully support NAPTIP in curbing the menace.

In his remarks, Mr Adamu Bashir, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Area Commander in charge of the zone, called on parents/guardians to watch over their children/wards to avoid being deceived by traffickers.

(NAN)

Nigerian rapper and singer, Omoniyi Temidayo Raphael, popularly known as Zlatan Ibile, has claimed that Nigerians are used to the hardship they face in the country.

While speaking with Madam Joyce, Zlatan expressed his disappointment over the economic state of things in Nigeria. He also spoke against the government for not addressing the hardship in the country.

Zlatan added that Nigerians have learnt to live with whatever is being thrown at the, stating that they have a ‘suffering and smiling’ culture.

“We are used to it, suffering and smiling, that’s how it has always been and the government isn’t doing anything about it,” he stated.

By Adejoke Adeleye

The Ogun State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its fight against human trafficking, arresting two members of a notorious Cameroonian syndicate accused of luring and kidnapping victims under the pretence of visa processing.

According to a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, the police received a distress call from a Cameroonian national who had been deceived into travelling to Nigeria on 29 September 2025 with the promise of obtaining a Canadian visa. Upon arrival, she and her younger sister were held hostage in a house in Mowe, Ogun State.

The victim managed to escape and alerted the police, leading to the rescue of another victim, identified as Kengne Maeva, and the arrest of two suspects — Ndzana Kamga Isidore and Tingue Stephen.

Investigations revealed that the victims’ families had paid a ransom of 3,600,000 CFA francs into a Cameroonian bank account belonging to the principal suspect, known as Donald, who remains at large.

The Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, has directed all divisional police officers to remain vigilant and monitor similar criminal patterns across the state. He also urged community stakeholders and Community Development Associations (CDAs) to promptly report any suspicious activities to the authorities.

The Ogun State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property, ensuring that criminal elements find no safe haven within the state.

Nigerian musician Esegine Allen, popularly known as Orezi, has reacted to a now viral video of US officials demanding for the justice of late Deborah Samuel.

The singer on his Instagram page, shared a video of some US official stating that Nigeria should have been listed as a “Country of Particular Concern,”.

Orezi expressed his anger over the incident, stating that no one was held accountable for the unlawful killing of Deborah Samuel who was burned to death in Sokoto in 2022.

“This happened and till today, the Nigerian government did nothing about it. No one, absolutely no one was held accountable. Young Deborah was burned to death, recorded, and published all over the internet. Truth is, the Nigerian government needs to take the life of its citizens seriously. The recklessness needs to stop,” he stated

By Obinna Unaeze

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has distributed sensitive electoral materials to the 21 Local Government Areas for next Saturday’s Anambra for governorship election.

Dr Elizabeth Agwu, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state said this while distributing the materials on Thursday at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) premises in Awka.

“We have inspected the sensitive material with the Commissioner of Police in charge of this election and other stakeholders involved.

“We have also concluded that the material are all intact. Right now we will start distributing them to the 21 LGAs in the state,” she said.

wu listed the sensitive materials to include 2,802, 790 copies of ballot papers, 5,720 booklets of form EC 8A, 287 booklets of form EC 8A for replacement,

Others are 326 booklets of form EC 8B, 73 booklets of form EC 8B for continuations and 21 booklet of form EC 8B for replacement.

She said that other sensitive materials include 21 booklets of form EC 8C, 21 booklets of form EC 8C for replacement, one booklet of form EC 8D, one booklet of form EC 8D for replacement and one booklet of form EC 8E.

Anambra election: Stop intimidation, coercion of electorate, Ogene tells Soludo, APGAAnambra election: Obi warns against against vote-buying, affirms support for LP’s MoghaluAnambra election: Egbetokun talks tough, warns against violence, inducement lso speaking, the Commissioner of Police in charge of the election, Abayomi Shogunle expressed satisfaction on the security of the sensitive material.

Shogunle said that the 55,000 security personnel from various security agencies that would be involved in the election would be deployed as three per polling unit and other places.

He urged residents to come out en masse to vote as adequate security arrangements have been made for all the stakeholders involved in the election.

Mr Patrick Mba, the state Commissioner for Youth Development, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Coalition Agent, Onitsha North LGA also expressed satisfaction with INEC’s handling of the election material.

ccording to him, the sensitive materials are intact and being distributed transparently, I will say kudos to INEC.

“So far so good, we are ready for the election.

“Our prayer is that we should have a peaceful and credible election,” he said. (NAN)

By EricJames Ochigbo

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda on Thursday said the perennial conflict and violence in Plateau State has claimed a lot of live and properties, in addition to its effects on social economic development of the state.

Yilwatda said this when he received the Chairman House Ad hoc Committee on Plateau Crisis, Rep. Wale Ahmed (APC-Lagos).

The APC National Chairman noted that the perennial crisis had crippled socio-economic activities in the state tasked the committee on a thorough investigation to proffer a lasting solution to the crisis.

ccording to him, that International Community and even local communities have lost confidence in the Plateau because of the persistent attacks and violence in the State

“We lost a lot, lives and property, confidence of local and international community; we see the number of economic activities that have been slowed down on the Plateau because of this crisis.

“Most of us are concerned about what’s happening in the state; we are happy that the National Assembly has seen it and deemed it fit to look at the causes and proffer solutions to the crisis on the Plateau,” he said.

Speaking during the visit, Ahmed said the legislative initiative is aimed at addressing the long-term violence in the state which had led to loss of lives and destruction of property.

The lawmaker said that the committee met numerous institutions and individuals, including former Gov. Joshua Dariye, Civil Society Organisations, traditional rulers, opinion leaders and security agencies as well as people and groups on the Plateau among others.

ccording to him, President Tinubu’s administration is working hard to put an end to cycle of violence and attacks in Plateau and other states in the federation.

“Every stakeholder we have met have presented their perspectives and every day we are getting more and more educated, more enlightened on the situation there in Plateau.

“We are not stopping here, we have written to over 300 different individuals and organisations.

“We have got responses, memoranda have been submitted; at the end of the day, we will gather and collate all and look at recurring decimals, common complaints, common suggested solutions.

“We are going present the report to the house and and then to Mr President, because as Commander-in-Chief, we know that he is interested in peace in Nigeria generally, particular case of Plateau that we are working on now,” he said.

(NAN)

Spanish football club Barcelona has reportedly been hit by a suspected tuberculosis outbreak among workers at the Nou Camp Stadium.

ccording to reports by El Pais, the Barcelona Public Health Agency (ASPB) has launched an investigation after a worker involved in the ongoing stadium renovation tested positive for the disease.

The employee was said to have shown symptoms consistent with tuberculosis, including a persistent cough, fever, weight loss, and fatigue. Medical tests later confirmed the illness.

Health officials have since conducted contact tracing on 23 people who may have been exposed to the infected worker. Three additional workers are reportedly awaiting test results to determine if they have contracted the infection.

The ASPB said it would only confirm an official outbreak if at least two related cases are verified.

Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, releasing tiny droplets that others can inhale.

The investigation comes just days before Barcelona’s open training session scheduled at the Nou Camp, as part of preparations for the team’s return to the 105,000-capacity stadium.

The club announced that tickets for the session–capped at 23,000–have sold out, adding that the event will serve as a technical and operational test to ensure proper system checks and facility readiness ahead of the full reopening.

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, on Friday, playfully declared that he would make it to heaven before the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah.

Speaking at the 60th birthday celebration of renowned journalist and broadcaster, Dr Reuben Abati, in Lagos, Obasanjo drew laughter from the audience as he jested about his “heavenly advantage” over Bishop Kukah.

“I will get to the kingdom of heaven before you,” Obasanjo said, looking at Kukah.

“Not because I will die before you since you are younger, but because of the grace of God,” he added.

The light-hearted comment was made during a lively moment at the event, which was attended by prominent personalities from the media, politics, and religious circles.

Turning to the celebrant, Obasanjo paid glowing tributes to Abati, whom he described as a man of many talents-a journalist, television host, commentator, community leader, politician, and now, an accomplished author.

“Reuben, you and your colleagues have done remarkably well,” Obasanjo said, adding that “You have achieved much and continue to inspire many through your intellect and dedication. You have made progress, but now it is time to achieve success.”

The former president, who has known Abati for about three decades, commended him for embodying the values of truth, discipline, and purpose, which he described as essential attributes for meaningful achievement in life.

“I am proud that, in my lifetime, I can say I have a son in Reuben who understands, who has been recognised, and who is firmly on the path to success,” he added.

The event, which celebrated Abati’s 60th milestone, also featured goodwill messages from friends, colleagues, and dignitaries who lauded his contributions to journalism and national discourse.

By Joshua Olomu

The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Mr. Temitope Ajayi, has called on Nollywood filmmakers to use their creative works to project positive national narratives that highlight Nigeria’s shared history, triumphs, and identity.

jayi made the call in his keynote address at the ongoing 22nd Abuja International Film Festival (AIFF) themed “From Script to Nation: The Role of Film in Shaping National Identity.”

The five-day event, which began on Thursday and ends on Monday, has attracted actors, filmmakers, regulators, and other stakeholders from across the globe.

jayi noted that in today’s globalised world, film plays a crucial role in constructing and communicating a nation’s identity. He said Nigerian filmmakers must take advantage of this medium to foster national pride and promote stories that unite the country.

“Film or cinema has become more than just entertainment; it is now a powerful tool for cultural identity, diplomacy, and decolonisation,” he said.

“When we watched American films growing up, they shaped our perceptions of the United States and inspired us to dream of visiting places like New York. That is the power of storytelling.

s filmmakers, we should tell stories that celebrate the best of Nigeria–our heroes, culture, and values.”

jayi urged Nollywood to take a cue from Bollywood and Hollywood, which effectively reflect the richness of their societies and promote national pride through storytelling.

He further encouraged Nigerian filmmakers to leverage the industry as a marketing tool for the country’s tourism sector by showcasing its unique landscapes, cultural heritage, and diversity.

“Films influence how people perceive a place. By highlighting Nigeria’s beauty and culture, we can attract visitors and even encourage foreign filmmakers to shoot their movies here,” he added.

Earlier, Temitope Duker, Festival Director of AIFF, described the 22nd edition as a milestone achievement, noting that the festival has grown from a modest beginning into a globally recognised brand.

ccording to her, the organisers received 1,687 entries from 87 countries, out of which 71 films were selected to screen and compete for awards. The event also features panel discussions and masterclasses.

“For the first time, we are introducing a ‘Special Mention’ category to recognise outstanding films that didn’t make it into the final nominations but deserve acknowledgment,” Duker explained.

The Abuja International Film Festival is one of Africa’s leading film platforms, providing opportunities for collaboration, co-production, distribution, and investment. It is affiliated with prestigious global festivals such as the Durban International Film Festival, Dahlonega International Film Festival, Georgia International Film Festival, and the Commonwealth International Film Festival.

The Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) has refuted reports suggesting it was being officially commissioned this month, explaining that the formal opening is planned for next year to allow the completion of ongoing construction and broader stakeholder engagement.

The management said the activities slated for November are preview events and the launch of Nigeria Imaginary: Homecoming, an expanded version of the exhibition first shown at the 2024 Venice Biennale, featuring 11 leading Nigerian artists.

MOWAA emphasized that it has never claimed ownership of any Benin Bronzes or artefacts, stressing that all items in its custody are held with the consent of their rightful owners or authorities.

The institution said its work focuses on modern and contemporary West African art and aims to complement other cultural establishments such as the Benin Royal Museum and the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) Benin Museum, through research, heritage preservation, and education.

The Museum reiterated its deep respect for the people of Benin and His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II (CFR), The Oba of Benin, affirming that it remains committed to collaboration and cultural integrity.

It further disclosed that its first completed facility–the MOWAA Institute–will serve as a hub for training, research, and cultural exchange, offering opportunities for artisans and creative professionals in Edo State.

MOWAA clarified that it operates as an independent charitable trust without shareholders or profit distribution, with all funds reinvested in cultural and educational initiatives.

The management also stated that former Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has no financial or other interest in the institution.

The Museum expressed optimism that its activities will boost Edo’s economy by attracting tourism and generating employment, noting that The New York Times recently listed Benin City among its top global destinations to visit.