Category: PM News

Air Vice Marshal Sunday Aneke, the newly appointed Chief of the Air Staff, has assumed office on Thursday as the 23rd Chief of the Air Staff.

neke, during a ceremony held at the Nigerian Air Force Headquarters in Abuja, pledged his loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Nigerian Air Force.

He expressed his deep appreciation to the president for his confidence in him, stating that he is grateful for the rare privilege.

“My appointment as the Twenty-Third Chief of the Air Staff is both an honour and a humbling experience. I wish to specially thank the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the honour and rare privilege extended to me to serve Nigeria. I also pledge my loyalty and that of the Nigerian Air Force officers, airmen and airwomen to the government and people of Nigeria as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution,” Aneke stated.

neke also vowed to sustain the achievements of his predecessor, assuring that the force will work towards strengthening national security.

“Together, we will leave no stone unturned in discharging our constitutional roles in conjunction with other sister services, security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies to bring about swift improvement in the security situation of Nigeria,” he added.

President Bola Tinubu has tasked the newly decorated service chiefs with confronting the rise of new armed groups across the country, a challenge that appears to be their first major assignment.

Speaking at the State House in Abuja during the officers’ decoration on Thursday, the President said their appointment marks the start of a renewed drive to restore peace. He warned that fresh armed groups must be stopped early. “New snakes must be smashed right in the head before they grow,” he said.

Tinubu told the chiefs that Nigerians expect results, not excuses, and asked them to use innovation, intelligence and technology in fighting insecurity. “Be innovative, pre-emptive and courageous. Deploy technology where necessary,” he said, promising the military the full backing of his administration.

The President named the new service chiefs as General Olufemi Oluyede (Chief of Defence Staff), Lieutenant-General Wahidi Shuaib (Chief of Army Staff), Air Marshal Kennedy Aneke (Chief of Air Staff) and Vice Admiral Idi Abbas (Chief of Naval Staff). The officers were confirmed by the Senate a day earlier after a closed-door screening.

Tinubu praised the armed forces for recent gains against terrorists, noting that troops have reclaimed territory and rescued victims of abduction. But he warned that the security situation is changing and more must be done. “We cannot allow these threats to fester,” he said, urging the military to act before problems deepen. “We are in a hurry to celebrate peace.”

He also called for better information sharing and cooperation with other security agencies. “Work with other security agencies to defeat this enemy once and for all. We need to clean them up, clear them out. I promise to provide all the support you need to get the job done,” Tinubu said.

The President singled out Lt-Gen Shuaib for praise, noting the army chief’s courage after he was injured during earlier counter-insurgency operations in the North-East.

The decoration ceremony was attended by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, senior government officials and the service chiefs’ families. The promotions come less than a week after Mr Tinubu carried out his second major reshuffle of the armed forces since taking office.

Islamic cleric Ahmad Gumi has reacted to the presidential pardon given to Maryam Sanda who was convicted for killing her husband.

umi on his Facebook page supported the pardon, adding that the tragedy was the work of the devil.

His statement came after the pardon was revoked. Maryam, however was given a lesser sentence for the sake of her children.

The controversial cleric added that Maryam’s remorse already granted her forgiveness from Allah and the family of the deceased, stating that people’s outrage was as a result of ignorance.

“They said she stabbed him, then broke down crying over his body. Do you understand? That is the work of Shaytan. So, when she was pardoned, people began to speak without knowledge, they do not understand the ruling of forgiveness in Islamic law. The family of the deceased said, ‘We have forgiven her.’ May Allah protect us all. Ameen. Maryam Sanda’s execution would not have been the right solution. The presidential pardon she received was the correct one. In Islam, justice is not driven by anger, but by balance and compassion,” he stated.

The Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned one Muhammad Umar before Justice Aisha Ibrahim of the Borno State High Court, Maiduguri.

He was arraigned on a two count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence and misappropriation to the tune of N4,200,000.00 (Four Million Two Hundred Thousand Naira Only)

Count one read: “That you, Muhammad Umar with the bank verification number: 22530268934, sometimes in March, 2025 in Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud obtained the sum of N4,200,000 (Four Million Two Hundred Thousand Naira) from one Abubakar Kaumi under the false pretense that same is meant for the purchase of a property situated and lying at Bolori Ward Maiduguri, Borno State, a representation which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud related offences Act, 2006.”

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him.

Based on his plea, Prosecution counsel, S.O Saka, prayed the court for a trial date and remand of the defendant in a Correctional Centre.

Justice Ibrahim thereafter adjourned till November 3, 2025 for commencement of trial and remanded the defendant in a Correctional Facility.

The Kano State House of Assembly has criticized the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) over what it described as a grossly lopsided recruitment exercise that undermines the interests of the state and violates the principle of federal character.

During plenary on Wednesday, the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, representing Dala Constituency under the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), alleged that the ongoing recruitment process heavily favoured candidates from southern Nigeria, particularly Lagos and Ogun states.

Dala noted that a total of 1,785 candidates were recruited nationwide, with only 651 slots allotted to the northern region, while the majority went to the southern states.

He described the imbalance as “unacceptable and unjustifiable,” urging the NCS to cancel the recruitment and initiate a fair, inclusive process that ensures equitable representation across all regions.

The lawmaker also raised concerns about escalating cases of banditry in the Shannon area of the state, reportedly carried out by criminals crossing over from neighbouring Katsina State.

Other members of the Assembly supported Dala’s motion and called on northern lawmakers in the National Assembly to intervene and push for corrective measures.

Speaker of the House commended Dala for his “patriotic intervention,” directing the relevant committee to investigate the recruitment figures and report back with recommendations for further legislative action.

Tension has enveloped Ogbadibo and Okpokwu Local Government Areas of Benue State following the death of a 54-year-old woman who reportedly succumbed to Lassa fever at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi.

It was gathered that the woman, a native of Ogbadibo LGA, passed away on Sunday after laboratory tests confirmed she had contracted the deadly virus. Her remains were initially deposited in a private morgue in Ugbokolo, Okpokwu LGA, before some agitated community youths reportedly seized the body during burial preparations.

Confirming the incident, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, Benue State Commissioner for Health and Human Resources, said he personally led a high-powered delegation of health officials and security operatives to the two local government areas to restore calm and prevent further spread of the disease.

“During initial response efforts, the ministry’s Rapid Response Team was confronted by some agitated youths while trying to conduct a safe burial,” Ogwuche said.

“Through dialogue with the family, traditional rulers, and youth leaders, the body was successfully retrieved and safely buried in Orokam, Ogbadibo LGA, by the State Safe Burial Team, in line with WHO and NCDC protocols.”

The commissioner further disclosed that he had ordered the immediate closure of the private hospital and mortuary where the corpse had been kept, pending full decontamination, disinfection, and epidemiological investigation.

Ogwuche commended community leaders for their cooperation and warned residents against handling corpses of persons suspected to have died from infectious diseases. He also advised the public to promptly report any cases of prolonged fever, unexplained bleeding, or sudden deaths to the nearest health facility.

Lassa fever remains a recurring public health challenge in Benue State. In September, the state epidemiologist, Dr. Asema Msuega, reported 243 suspected cases and 13 deaths between January and September 2025, including that of a health worker.

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

Governor Ademola Adeleke has expressed confidence that with his popularity excellent performance in less that three years, the people of Osun State will reelect him into office for a second term in 2026.

deleke expressed the optimism while speaking to journalists after he was screened as a governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2026 governorship elections in Osun state.

“Our popularity is known nationally due to our excellent records of performance within less than three years in office. We are confident the will of the people will prevail in the best interest of democracy”, Adeleke told journalists at at the Legacy House, Abuja after the closed door screening exercise/

overnor Adeleke further assured the public that the PDP is united and ready for victory in Osun next elections.

“We have delivered good governance to our people in Osun. Our records and popularity are unrivalled. So we are ready for victory come 2026.

“We have the full backing of the people. Election is about voters and we know our people love us. We have strong faith in God and the people that we are going to secure re-election overwhelmingly”, the governor noted.

Responding to the reporters’ questions, Governor Adeleke said he is assured that the Federal Government will ensure free and fair elections in Osun state to set example of electoral transparency ahead of the 2027 general elections.

deleke was accompanied by South West Vice-Chairman of the party, Hon Kamarudeen Ajisafe; state chairman of the party, Hon Sunday Bisi; Secretary to the State Government, Hon Teslim Igbalaye; Special Duties Commissioner, Dr BT Salami; Commerce commissioner, Rev Bunmi Jenyo; Special Adviser on Public Health, Dr. Adekunle Akindele, and members of the National Assembly.

The entire Enugu State caucus in the House of Representatives has officially defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The defection was announced on Thursday by House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, who read the lawmakers’ letters of resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) during plenary. The event was witnessed by Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah.

The defectors said their move was prompted by unresolved internal crises within their former parties, which they said threatened the stability of the opposition.

fter the 2023 general election, the Labour Party won seven of Enugu’s eight House seats, while the PDP took one. With Thursday’s defections, the APC now controls the entire Enugu caucus in the House of Representatives.

Speaking to journalists, Nnolim Nnaji, member representing Nkanu East/Nkanu West Federal Constituency and spokesman for the defectors, said the decision was influenced by the need to support Governor Mbah’s project-focused administration.

“Just come to Enugu and see what is happening. The governor is doing a lot for our people. We also want to bring our state to the centre. This is not just a political move, it is a bold step into the future, borne out of courage, clarity, and our shared determination to reposition Nkanu East and West for greatness,” Nnaji said.

He added that aligning with the APC would connect their constituencies to national development, bringing more projects, jobs, better infrastructure, and empowerment for youths, women, and communities.

The six defectors at Thursday’s plenary include Martins Oke, Anayo Onwuegbu, Nnamdi Agbo, Nnolim Nnaji, and Mark Obetta. Separately, Daniel Asama, representing Bassa/Jos North Federal Constituency, also left the Labour Party for the APC.

By Princess Oyefusi

In the wake of recent demolition exercises in the Oworonshoki area and other parts of Lagos State, hundreds of families have been rendered homeless, their livelihoods disrupted and their sense of security shaken.

Many of these residents artisans, informal traders, pensioners, children–now face the grim reality of displacement without adequate resettlement options.

While the Lagos State Government has framed the demolitions as part of legitimate urban-renewal, compliance, law and order, environmental rehabilitation and infrastructure development programmes, the human cost demands urgent attention.

In a megacity aspiring to global status, it is unacceptable that the most vulnerable are left to fend for themselves. The right to adequate housing is not a privilege–it is a constitutional and moral obligation of the State.

Indeed, Lagos is not without resources. The State’s budget for Housing and Community Amenities was raised to N101.6 billion in 2025–an increase of 81.7% over the N55.92 billion allocation in 2024. Moreover, authoritative sources estimate the State’s housing deficit at about 3.4 million units.

cross the State, several low-cost housing developments exist or are underway–at Igbogbo, Ibeshe, Egan-Igando, Sangotedo, Badagry, among others. For example, the 492-flat estate in Igando was commissioned by the government.

It would thus be both logical and compassionate for the State Government to allocate a portion of its existing low-cost housing stock to families displaced by the Oworonshoki demolitions (and similar actions elsewhere). Such a move would provide immediate relief, restore dignity, and reinforce the government’s commitment to inclusive governance and social justice.

Making this explicit policy decision would also help prevent the rise of informal settlements, reduce street homelessness, and restore public confidence in government-led urban renewal.

These outcomes align with the State’s own declared goals of “inclusive housing” and “social infrastructure” investment.

If Lagos truly aspires to be a “21st-century economy”, it must begin by ensuring that no citizen is left homeless in the name of modernization. The State must act now not only to house the displaced, but to reaffirm that in Lagos, development does not mean dispossession.

American singer and global superstar Ciara has expressed admiration for the transformation she observed in Lagos State upon her return to Nigeria for the Lagos Fashion Week 2025.

Speaking in a viral video, the singer said she was amazed by the visible development and cleaner environment in the city compared to her previous visit.

Ciara, who arrived in Lagos earlier this week, attended the fashion event alongside other international celebrities and Nigerian designers.