Category: PM News

The Police Command in Niger, says it has arrested ten people for thuggery and recovered dangerous weapons in Minna and Kontagora Local Government Areas of the state.

This is contained in a statement by the command’s Public Relations officer, Wasiu Abiodun, on Saturday in Minna.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the arrest was in continuation of the command’s clampdown on thuggery and other vices in the state.

The spokesperson said on Oct. 23, at about 2.30 p.m., police operatives attached to ‘A’ Division, Kotangora, conducted a sting operation at Tudun-Wada area of Kotangora, where three suspects were arrested.

According to him, the suspects are: Abdullahi Abdullahi, 22, Fahad Abubakar, 19, and Nasiru Aliyu, 28, all of Tudun-Wada area, Kotangora.

He explained that the suspects were arrested with a large quantity of suspected cannabis, two knives, and a pair of military trousers, noting that investigation was ongoing.

In another development, he added, the operatives attached to Central Police Station Minna, on Oct. 21 and 23, raided some hideouts within Minna metropolis, covering areas such as; Angwan-Sarki, Kuta road, Sabon-Gari, Ogbomosho area, Baida and parts of Makera.

‘The operation led to the arrest of some suspects; Hamza Dauda, 28, from Angwa/Dani, Hussain Sanda, 25, of same address, Sani Hassan, 22, from Sabon/Gari and Danlami Garba, 25, of same address.

‘Others are: Saidu Hassan, 19, from Baida, Musa Umar, 21, from Limawa and Hassan Usman, 25, from Angwan/Sarki,’ he revealed.

Abiodun said the suspects were also arrested with suspected cannabis, shisha pots/pipes and other illicit substances, adding that they have been charged to court on Oct. 2

Eddie Hearn has confirmed that Anthony Joshua will not be fighting in Africa this December. Instead, the British boxer is expected to return to the ring in February next year.

There had been reports that Joshua could stage a comeback fight in Africa, possibly in Ghana or Nigeria, since he has Nigerian roots. But Hearn, speaking to Sky Sports, dismissed those rumours.

‘No, definitely not.

There are all kinds of rumours about Anthony Joshua right now,’ Hearn said. ‘He’s already in training camp, and while we discussed the idea of a small fight this year, it’s looking less likely as time goes by. February is the solid date for his next fight.’

Hearn explained that Joshua has been out of the ring for about a year and a half, and returning straight into a big fight would be challenging. ‘He hasn’t had a simple warm-up fight in years. It’s part of being a big name like Anthony Joshua,’ he said.

The promoter also revealed that they had received offers from Ghana and Nigeria to host Joshua’s next bout. In addition, talks are ongoing with Turki Al-Sheikh, a top Saudi official, about a multi-fight deal that could include a potential clash with Tyson Fury.

‘There are many options, but what matters now is that Joshua is training hard and focused on his return,’ Hearn added. ‘Our goal is to get him in top shape and build momentum for a possible fight with Tyson Fury.’

However, he noted that the deal depends on Fury’s own agreement with Turki Al-Sheikh. ‘Until Fury does his deal, there’s no point calling him out,’ Hearn said. ‘What’s important is that Joshua has a clear plan for the next 12 months.’

Nigerian actor Shawn Faqua has opened up about the spiritual encounter that preceded his marriage, revealing that his union was divinely revealed long before it came to pass.

In a post shared on Instagram, the actor posted a screenshot of a message from an individual who had earlier prophesied about his marriage.

According to Faqua, the revelation was known only to a select few who were spiritually connected to the vision.

‘This one was a prophecy long foretold. Revealed to only those whom it may concern. And it came to pass. There are quite a number of visions but will only share as permitted by the spirit of truth,’ he wrote.

Encouraging his followers to be spiritually attentive when choosing a life partner, Faqua advised that beyond physical attraction, individuals should seek divine confirmation.

‘To those who have received the promise of life/purpose partner, beyond the ‘physical attraction’ amongst other things. pleaseeeeeee I beg you in God’s name, pay attention to what is being revealed to you from all quarters. e get why. Las las, e go favour you.’

Former Chief of Staff to Gov. Orji Uzor-Kalu, Sir Mascot Kalu, has explained why he wanted to replace Governor Alex Otti as governor of Abia State in 2027.

Mascot Kalu revealed this while declaring his intention to contest for Abia governorship election under the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform in 2027 in Umuahia, the capital of Abia State on Saturday.

Speaking while delivering his declaration speech, Kalu also pledged to build a government that works for all Abia people especially the underserved at the grassroots level.

He emphasised the need for a new era of governance anchored on unity, transparency, and grassroots empowerment.

Kanu said he decided not to contest the 2023 gubernatorial election outcome although there were irregularities because the people demanded change.

‘I chose not to go to Court, allowing the administration space to govern, but today, Abia deserves more progress, more inclusivity, and more truth in governance,’ he said.

Kalu, who was a candidate in 2023, said that while some progress had been made under Otti’s administration, the delivery had not matched the campaign promises made to the people

Outlining his agenda, the APC chieftain promised to lead a people-focused government rooted in equity, transparency, and economic development.

He pledged full implementation of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda at the grassroots and opening the state government’s financial systems to public scrutiny.

Kalu also promised to ensure that civil servants and pensioners were treated with dignity and paid promptly in addition to creating job-driven economic programmes, targeting Abia youths.

He vowed to strengthen local government autonomy by publishing and releasing LG allocations in full; sustaining and improving existing capital projects while launching human capacity development initiatives.

Citing Abia’s unemployment rate of over 62 per cent, nearly double the national average, Kalu declared it was unacceptable for the state to ignore the urgency of economic revitalization.

‘Our journey is not politics as usual; It is a call to restore empathy to leadership and give every Abia person a reason to believe again,’ he said.

Kalu invited party loyalists, progressives across political divides, and non-indigenes alike to join his team to reposition Abia under the APC.

He stressed that his movement transcended politics and it was anchored on faith and resilience.

The aspirant sealed his declaration quoting Saint Teresa of Avila who said: ‘Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you, God never changes; Whoever has God lacks nothing.’

Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda has approved a major cabinet reshuffle, including the reassignment of commissioners and the appointment of two Special Advisers, aimed at strengthening governance and improving service delivery.

A statement by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, noted that the changes take immediate effect and are designed to reposition the administration for optimal performance across key sectors.

Under the reshuffle, Hon. Adnan Nahabu has been appointed Commissioner for Higher, Vocational and Technical Education, while Prof. Ahmad Muhammad Bakori moves from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development to lead the newly created Ministry of Livestock Development.

Hon. Aliyu Lawal Zakari has been redeployed from the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development to the Ministry of Agriculture, while Hajiya Zainab Musa Musawa shifts from Basic and Secondary Education to the Ministry of Special Duties.

Hon. Yusuf Suleiman Jibia assumes the role of Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, and Engr. Surajo Yazid Abukur has been appointed Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development.

Hajiya Aisha Aminu, previously Director-General of the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency, now heads the Ministry of Women Affairs.

In addition, Governor Radda appointed Hajiya Hadiza Abubakar Yar’adua as Special Adviser on Nutrition and Welfare Services, and Isa Muhammad Musa as Special Adviser on Cultural Orientation.

Governor Radda charged all appointees to remain committed to the ‘Building Your Future’ agenda, prioritizing service delivery and addressing the needs of the people of Katsina State.

He expressed confidence that the reshuffle would enhance coordination, deepen sectoral expertise, and accelerate the implementation of critical programmes across education, health, agriculture, youth development, women empowerment, and social welfare.

Gov. Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti has expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu on the appointment of Gen. Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff.

Gen. Oluyede, who hails from Ikere-Ekiti, was until his new appointment the Chief of Army Staff.

Oyebanji, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Yinka Oyebode, in Ado-Ekiti on Saturday, described Oluyede’s appointment as a welcome development.

The governor said the President acted right by recognising the exemplary qualities of the Ikere-Ekiti-born General, and entrusting him with such a strategic position.

He said that the new CDS epitomised the core values of courage, integrity and loyalty for which Ekitis were known.

The governor expressed confidence in Oluyede’s ability to excel in his new role, describing him as a gallant officer with record of accomplishments in his military career.

He urged the new CDS to leverage his extensive experience and expertise in charting a new direction for the military, particularly during this critical period.

‘The Government and the people of Ekiti are grateful to the President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for Gen. Oluyede’s appointment.

‘We wish him success in this new assignment and pledge our unalloyed support for him,’ he said.

The Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has dismissed as false a social media video alleging that the institution is involved in developing a Nuclear Weapon for Nigeria.

Malam Auwalu Umar, Director Public Affairs Directorate of the university disclosed this in a statement issued to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Zaria.

The director described the viral AI-generated video as misleading, aimed at misinforming the public about Nigeria’s peaceful nuclear energy programme.

He said the video falsely claimed that Nigerian scientists in the 1980s secretly enriched weapons-grade uranium in Kaduna and that ABU researchers obtained centrifugal equipment from the AQ Khan network in Pakistan.

The institution’s image-maker added that the information was baseless, unfounded and unsubstantiated.

Umar said most of the ABU scientists at the Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT) were still undergoing training abroad as at 1980s and could not have participated in uranium enrichment.

The director said ABU had no connection with the AQ Khan network and had never received any equipment for the construction of a centrifuge or nuclear device.

He added that by 1987, the only nuclear facility at the university was a 14 MeV Neutron Generator, which became operational in 1988.

‘Nigeria’s first nuclear reactor (NIRR-1) was established much later in 1996 under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Technical Cooperation Programme and commissioned in 2004,’ he said.

Umar said Nigeria’s nuclear activities had always been open and pursued strictly for peaceful purposes, in line with the country’s obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the Pelindaba Treaty, which prohibit the development of nuclear weapons.

He reaffirmed that: ‘The Centre for Energy Research and Training, established in 1976, operates

By Mustapha Yauri

Zaria (Kaduna State), Oct. 25, 2025 (NAN) The Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has dismissed as false a social media video alleging that the institution was involved in developing a Nuclear Weapon for Nigeria.

Malam Auwalu Umar, Director Public Affairs Directorate of the university disclosed this in a statement issued to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Zaria.

The director described the viral AI-generated video as misleading, aimed at misinforming the public about Nigeria’s peaceful nuclear energy programme.

He said the video falsely claimed that Nigerian scientists in the 1980s secretly enriched weapons-grade uranium in Kaduna and that ABU researchers obtained centrifugal equipment from the AQ Khan network in Pakistan.

The institution’s image-maker added that the information was baseless, unfounded and unsubstantiated.

Umar said most of the ABU scientists at the Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT) were still undergoing training abroad as at 1980s and could not have participated in uranium enrichment.

The director said ABU had no connection with the AQ Khan network and had never received any equipment for the construction of a centrifuge or nuclear device.

He added that by 1987, the only nuclear facility at the university was a 14 MeV Neutron Generator, which became operational in 1988.

‘Nigeria’s first nuclear reactor (NIRR-1) was established much later in 1996 under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Technical Cooperation Programme and commissioned in 2004,’ he said.

Umar said Nigeria’s nuclear activities had always been open and pursued strictly for peaceful purposes, in line with the country’s obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the Pelindaba Treaty, which prohibit the development of nuclear weapons.

He reaffirmed that: ‘The Centre for Energy Research and Training, established in 1976, operates in collaboration with the IAEA and international partners from the U.S., Russia, and China.’

Umar further explained that the center has never engaged in any secret weapons programme.

‘ABU has always pursued peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology for national development.

‘ABU’s founder, Sir Ahmadu Bello, had demonstrated early interest in peaceful atomic research following his visit to the Museum of Atomic Energy at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the U.S. in 1960, two years before ABU was established.

‘The management, therefore, restated its commitment to advancing science and technology for the benefit of humanity and to upholding Nigeria’s international obligations on the peaceful use of nuclear energy,’ he said. (NAN)

Reno Omokri has slammed former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi’s claim that Nigeria’s underdeveloped states remain poor because they lack ports like Lagos, calling it ‘a total fallacy.’

Obi had argued that federal infrastructure investments favour Lagos while strategic ports in Warri, Port Harcourt, Calabar, and Onne remain underfunded, claiming that proper development could create jobs and lift millions out of poverty.

But Omokri fired back, pointing out that Lagos’ Lekki Deep Sea Port was built entirely by the Lagos State Government with private partners, not the Federal Government.

He added that federal funds were actually concentrated more heavily on ports outside Lagos, citing the Nigerian Ports Authority’s 2025 budget which prioritizes Calabar, Warri, and Burutu.

‘Lagos built its port without the Federal Government, and private investors like Aliko Dangote are already building Nigeria’s largest deep-sea port,’ Omokri said.

‘If Ondo, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River can also develop ports independently, blaming the federal government is nonsense.’

Omokri also highlighted Obi’s record in Anambra, pointing to questionable spending choices, including a beer brewery and hundreds of vehicles for traditional rulers, while critical infrastructure like schools, universities, and ports remained unbuilt.

‘The truth is undeniable: bad leadership, not lack of ports, is why some states lag behind Lagos,’ Omokri concluded.

Arsenal’s summer signing Eberechi Eze has disclosed he was on the verge of joining crosstown rivals Tottenham Hotspur before the Gunners swooped in to fulfill a lifelong ambition.

The 27-year-old England international, who rejoined Arsenal in August after being released by the club as a teenager, told The Athletic that Tottenham had been a viable option, but Arsenal’s interest made the decision a no-brainer.

‘I was prepared to go to Tottenham, but from the moment Arsenal came, it was always going to be them,’ Eze said, capturing the emotional weight of the move in an interview that has since rippled through the Premier League’s transfer grapevine.

Eze’s £67.5 million transfer from Crystal Palace, completed on August 23 after Arsenal hijacked Tottenham’s advanced negotiations, marked a dramatic U-turn in what was shaping up to be a straightforward deal for Spurs.

The midfielder, known for his silky dribbling, vision, and penchant for the spectacular, had been a cornerstone at Selhurst Park since 2020, amassing 20 goals and 15 assists in the Premier League.

Yet, beneath the accolades lay a personal narrative tied inextricably to Arsenal: Eze grew up idolizing the club’s halcyon Invincibles era and even trained in their youth academy before a release at age 16 that could have soured the romance forever.

‘Playing for Arsenal is more like a show or theatre. There’s more pressure, playing for titles, but it’s something I’ve dreamed of,’ Eze elaborated, framing the Emirates as a stage where glory demands perfection.

This poetic framing resonates deeply in a city divided by the North London Derby, where Eze’s choice not only bolsters Mikel Arteta’s squad but also stings Tottenham, who had reportedly agreed personal terms and were poised to integrate him into Ange Postecoglou’s high-octane system.

The hijack, confirmed by transfer guru Fabrizio Romano in late August, exposed the raw rivalries that simmer beneath the Premier League’s polished surface.

Since arriving, Eze has wasted no time justifying Arsenal’s investment. Thrust into a squad chasing a first Premier League title since 2004, he has adapted with the poise of a veteran, contributing three goals and assists across his early outings despite missing preseason.

Arteta has deployed him fluidly as a left-winger against Nottingham Forest, a central midfielder maestro versus Newcastle, and even in deeper screening roles, praising his ‘super intelligent’ assimilation and chess-like foresight on the pitch.

Fans and pundits alike have marveled at his seamless integration, with one observer noting his ‘technical brilliance’ and ‘deep football intelligence’ have already elevated Arsenal’s attacking fluidity.

Yet, Eze hints at untapped potential. In a recent tease, he alluded to a ‘secret weapon’ yet to be unveiled, suggesting the creative spark that dazzled at Palace could evolve into something transformative under Arteta’s tactical microscope.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed that he once turned down a proposal suggesting Nasir El-Rufai, then Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, as his successor at the end of his administration in 2007.

He said the former Kaduna governor was ‘not yet mature enough’ to lead Nigeria at the time.

Obasanjo made the startling revelation on Friday during the second edition of the Ajibosin Platform Annual Symposium held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The former president spoke in reaction to a speech by former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, who delivered the keynote address at the event.

Chidoka had recounted how El-Rufai introduced him to Obasanjo at the age of 34, a meeting that later led to his appointment as Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

But Obasanjo, cutting in mid-speech, decided to complete what he called ‘the missing part of the story.’

‘Let him tell you,’ Obasanjo said with a smile. ‘He didn’t mention that when I was leaving government, he was pushing that his friend, El-Rufai, should be brought in as my successor.’

Turning to Chidoka, the former president added playfully, ‘No be so?’ This prompted laughter from the audience as Chidoka nodded in agreement.

Obasanjo then went on to explain why he dismissed the idea.

‘I did not yield to the pressure. Later, he asked why I didn’t agree, and I told him El-Rufai needed to mature. Many years later, after seeing his performance, he came back to me and said, ‘You were absolutely correct, El-Rufai needed to mature.”

The former president, however, struck a conciliatory tone, praising both men and other members of his former team, whom he described as ‘individuals with special attributes’ who played significant roles in the success of his administration between 1999 and 2007.