Category: PM News

The Lagos State Government says it will partner with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to stop the sale and use of hard drugs in government-owned housing estates.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Mr Abdulhafis Toriola, made this known in a statement issued by Mr Ganiu Lawal, Deputy Director of Public Affairs in the Ministry, on Thursday.

Toriola gave the assurance when he received an NDLEA delegation led by the Lagos State Commander, Mr Abubakar Liman Wali, on a courtesy visit to his office in Ikeja.

He commended the NDLEA for its efforts in tackling drug abuse and related crimes across the country.

He also praised the agency’s work in creating awareness and helping to rehabilitate drug users.

He said the ministry was ready to work with the NDLEA to curb drug peddling and support rehabilitation of drug addicts.

According to him, the administration of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu is determined to end illicit drug-related activities among youths as part of its plan to promote healthy communities and sustainable development.

In his remarks, the NDLEA Commander, Wali, thanked the ministry for its readiness to collaborate with it.

He said the agency would continue to promote discipline, patriotism, and service to humanity in the fight against drug abuse.

Newly confirmed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has arrived at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, for his official swearing-in by President Bola Tinubu.

Amupitan, dressed in a white agbada and gold cap, arrived at the State House on Thursday morning, exchanging pleasantries with dignitaries and guests ahead of the ceremony slated for 1 p.m.

His arrival comes a week after the Senate confirmed his appointment on October 16, following a rigorous screening process.

During his screening, the 58-year-old law professor promised to restore public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system and ensure that elections are free, fair, and credible.

‘We must conduct elections where even the loser will congratulate the winner and say, ‘You won fairly.’ When that happens, voters’ confidence will naturally return,’ Amupitan told lawmakers.

He also pledged to strengthen INEC’s independence, tighten provisions in the Electoral Act, and enhance transparency in election timelines and result management.

Amupitan, who was nominated by President Tinubu and approved by the National Council of State, succeeds Professor Mahmood Yakubu as the sixth substantive head of the electoral body.

Addressing concerns about his alleged role in President Tinubu’s 2023 election petition case, Amupitan dismissed the claims, insisting he never represented any party before the tribunal or the Supreme Court.

‘I never appeared before the Presidential Election Tribunal or the Supreme Court for any of the parties,’ he said, stressing his neutrality and independence.

Following his swearing-in, the new INEC Chairman is expected to immediately assume duties and begin the transition process at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

Troops of the Operation ‘Hadin Kai’ (OPHK) have killed more than 50 terrorists and repelled multiple coordinated attacks on military locations in Borno and Yobe.

The military said the simultaneous attacks occurred between midnight and 0400 hours on Thursday when terrorists launched assaults on troops’ positions in Dikwa, Mafa, Gajibo and Katarko, situated within Sectors I and II of the Joint Operations Area.

Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North East (OPHK), in a statement on Thursday in Maiduguri, said the troops fought gallantly and professionally, repelling the attacks and inflicting devastating losses on the terrorists.

‘In all instances, troops stood firm, fought gallantly, and professionally repelled the attacks, dealing the terrorists a heavy, decisive and bloody blow,’ Uba stated.

He said the coordinated ground and air operations, backed by precision strikes from the Air Component of OPHK, led to the neutralisation of over 50 terrorists across all the locations.

According to him, troops also recovered 38 AK-47 rifles, seven PKT machine guns, five RPG tubes, two GPMGs, hand grenades, and thousands of assorted rounds of ammunition after the clashes.

‘The precision strikes, coupled with enhanced battlefield awareness provided by the Theatre’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets, gave troops additional leverage and impetus to respond with overwhelming and lethal force,’ Uba added.

He disclosed that over 70 wounded terrorists were being pursued by ground troops, with the Air Component maintaining close coordination to ensure total clearance of the fleeing remnants.

Intelligence reports, he said, indicated that the attackers who stormed Dikwa and Gajibo manoeuvred from the Cameroon axis, while those who attacked Katarko emerged from the Timbuktu Triangle, a notorious terrorist enclave.

Uba said some gallant troops sustained injuries but were in stable condition, while some vehicles and buildings in Mafa and Dikwa were gutted by fire following RPG and drone attacks by the terrorists.

He noted that despite the heavy onslaught, the troops maintained control of all their positions and repelled the coordinated strikes with renewed strength and professionalism.

‘The Military High Command has commended the gallantry, doggedness and renewed charge of the troops. Their steadfast performance once again reaffirms the military’s unwavering resolve and capacity to defend the nation’s territorial integrity,’ he added.

Dangote Group has addressed the allegations of a truck belonging to the company being involved in the accident that claimed the lives of eight people.

The company issued a statement on its X handle, claiming that the truck does not belong to Dangote Group.

The accident which occurred at Akungba-Akoko, Akoko South-West Local Government Area of Ondo State, claimed the lives of a pregnant woman, a child and six other persons.

The group defended that the truck is owned and operated by independent logistics company.

‘Dangote Group has refuted reports circulating on social media and in some online platforms linking it to a truck involved in a road accident in Akungba-Akoko, Akoko South-West Local Government Area of Ondo State. The company wishes to make it categorically clear that the truck involved in the unfortunate incident does not belong to Dangote Group or any of its subsidiaries. Verified vehicle registration details confirm that the truck with Plate No. JJJ 365 XB is owned and operated by an independent logistics company with no affiliation to Dangote Group,’ the statement reads.

Facebook’s parent company, Meta, is set to lay off around 600 employees from its artificial intelligence (AI) division, according to reports from The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and other U.S. media outlets.

The move is part of the company’s plan to streamline its operations and improve efficiency after a period of rapid expansion and heavy recruitment.

The reports indicate that the layoffs will not affect the TBD Lab, a specialized AI research unit created by Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg.

The lab has grown quickly over the past few years, attracting top researchers from major tech rivals such as OpenAI and Apple with highly competitive salary offers.

Instead, the job cuts will mainly impact teams working on AI products, systems, and infrastructure.

The company aims to reduce unnecessary layers within departments and speed up innovation by cutting down on bureaucracy.

According to the Wall Street Journal, many of the affected employees may not lose their jobs permanently, as they could be reassigned to other roles within the organization.

The New York Times reported that the layoffs are meant to address what Meta describes as ‘organizational bloat,’ which arose after a wave of aggressive hiring to build up its AI programs.

In an internal memo, Chief AI Officer Alexandr Wang reportedly told staff that the restructuring will make the company’s workflow smoother and decision-making faster, noting that ‘fewer conversations will be required to make a decision.’

This move marks the latest in a series of staff reductions across the tech industry, as major companies balance heavy investment in AI with efforts to control costs.

Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads, has been heavily focused on artificial intelligence, the metaverse, and virtual reality technologies.

Despite the job cuts, Meta has emphasized that it remains committed to its long-term AI ambitions, which include improving user experiences, enhancing advertising tools, and building advanced AI-driven systems.

Meta has not yet issued an official statement in response to media inquiries about the layoffs.

Troops of the Nigerian Army have killed five suspected field commanders of an Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) while repelling multiple coordinated terrorist attacks in Borno and Yobe States.

The slain ISWAP commanders were identified as Ari Kolo (Munzir Abbagajiri), Ya Muhammad (from Dosula), Abu Aisha (from Abba Gajiri), Hamzalah (Qaid at Gambo Gege and Faruk villages), and Abu Rijal (from Dosula).

The ISWAP Commanders were killed in an overnight operation by combined military forces operating under Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) in the North-east, a reliable military source revealed on Thursday.

The source said that the suspected slain commanders were killed during simultaneous clashes in Dikwa, Mafa, Gajibo, and Katarko areas of Borno and Yobe.

According to the source, the operation was the biggest blow against the terrorists this year.

The source added that dozens of terrorists were also neutralised during fierce battles that lasted several hours.

‘The death of the five commanders marked a significant setback for ISWAP’s command and tactical operations in the North East.

‘These commanders led the latest failed offensive from multiple fronts, deploying RPGs, anti-aircraft guns, and suicide bombers in a bid to overrun our locations. But they were overwhelmed by combined ground and air counter-assaults,’ the source said.

The source further said that the slain commanders were behind previous deadly ambush on troops, drone-enabled IED attacks, and assaults on Forward Operating Bases along the Dikwa-Gajibo corridor.

However, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, the Media Information Officer of OPHK, said in a statement that the terrorists had launched simultaneous attacks around midnight, targeting troop locations in Dikwa, Mafa, and Katarko, but were repelled.

Uba said that elimination of ‘these top figures had degraded ISWAP’s field leadership and disrupted their command network.’

He said that the troops recovered 38 AK-47 rifles, seven PKT machine guns, five RPG tubes, two GPMGs, hand grenades, and thousands of rounds of assorted ammunition.

The fresh bid by Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra to halt his trial for terrorism over alleged lack of jurisdiction failed at amidst drama at Federal High Court in Abuja, on Thursday after he sacked his lawyers.

Justice James Omotosho firmly held that issues raised by Kanu been decided by the court.

Rather, the Judge told Kanu to make use of the opportunity that the constitution gives him under Section 36 to defend himself.

He then ordered him to enter his defence.

The judge then adjourned the trial until Oct. 24 for the IPOB leader to open his defence.

Earlier when the matter was called, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, announced his appearance for the prosecution.

However, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, who had been representing the IPOB leader, stood up and told the court that he and his team were only in court out of the respect for the court.

Agabi said they were in court to formally announce their withdrawal from further participating in the trial.

He explained that the reason for their decision ‘is because the defendant has taken this case back from us and we respect that.’

He gave the names of the other senior advocates, who are also withdrawing from the case to include Onyechi Ikpeazu, Joseph Akubo, Paul Erokoro, Emeka Etiaba and one other.

Following Agabi’s announcement, Justice James Omotosho turned to Kanu, who was in the dock, for his response.

Kanu confirmed disengaging all his lawyers and told the court that he was willing and ready to conduct his case by himself.

Justice Omotosho then directed that other members of the defendant’s legal team, who were in court, except the SANs, should vacate the courtroom immediately, a directive they promptly complied with.

The judge then turned to Kanu who was in the dock, and asked him to open his case.

In response, Kanu commenced by indicating his intention to make an oral submission.

Justice Omotosho granted the defendant’s application despite opposition from Awomolo.

Kanu then said that he would not open his defence as ordered by the court because he was questioning the jurisdiction of the court to try him.

‘This is a jurisdictional issue that goes to the heart of this case,’ he said.

He hinged his objection to the court’s jurisdiction on four grounds.

The IPOB leader, in his first ground, argued that the Federal Government, through the prosecution, was in contempt of a Court of Appeal judgment, which he said ordered his acquittal.

Kanu argued that for the court to grant the prosecution audience, it (the prosecution) must first comply with the said Court of Appeal judgment.

He said the second ground was that the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013 and and Customs and Excise Act, under which the charge against him was brought, are repealed laws.

Giving the third ground, the IPOB leader claimed to have been denied fair hearing.

He said his continued detention in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) had denied him the opportunity for adequate consultation with his lawyers to enable him prepare for his defence.

He hinged the fourth ground on his claim that the medical report submitted to the court by a medical team empanelled by the president of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), which certified him fit to stand trial, was forged.

Kanu denied being examined by any medical team and that his blood and urine samples were never obtained for analysis.

He, therefore, urged the court to declare the proceedings void and order his immediate release in line with the Court of Appeal judgment.

Reacting, Awomolo said Kanu deserved no formal response from the prosecution because all the allegations he made ought to be put down in the form of a sworn affidavit and effectively demonstrated to enable the other party respond appropriately.

The senior lawyer faulted Kanu’s claim that a Court of Appeal’s decision acquitted him, arguing that the said judgment was set aside by the Supreme Court in a judgment delivered on Dec. 15, 2023.

‘The judgments of the Supreme Court that was given on December 15, 2023 has set aside the judgment they are claiming discharged him.

‘If he has a preliminary objection he should file it and demonstrate all his claims,’ Awomolo added.

The prosecuting lawyer also faulted Kanu’s claim that his right to fair hearing was breached.

Awomolo argued that Kanu’s claim that the medical report was forged was an indictment on the senior lawyers, who were in his legal team, who saw the report and found no fault in it.

He prayed the judge to determine all the issues that Kanu raised in his submission when delivering the final judgment.

Justice Omotosho held that when the medical report was bought up in court on Oct. 16, he sought the views of lawyers to both parties, who did not raise any objection to the report.

The judge said since the report had been admitted by the court, acted on same and made decisions based on it, the court could no longer go back on it.

He declared that all the decisions taken by the court, based on the medical report, stand.

The judge further observed that all the issues raised by Kanu were also substantially raised in the no-case submission which the court declined in a ruling delivered on Sept. 26.

‘On the 26th of September, 2025, I considered those issues and held that he has a case to answer.

‘This was to enable him exercise his right to fair hearing to make his case,’ the judge said.

Justice Omotosho recalled that in the spirit of fair hearing, he vacated the courtroom on Wednesday from 9am to 2pm to enable Kanu and his lawyers have a private consultation session.

He said this was despite the absence of evidence to support Kanu’s claim that his conversation was being secretly recorded by the DSS whose custody he is being detained.

The judge said although all the issues raised by Kanu’s submission had previously been determined by the court, the defendant would not be foreclosed.

According to the judge, the defendant can still raise them at the final written address.

Justice Omotosho then proceeded to call on Kanu to open his defence and overruled him when he attempted to insist on his objection to the court’s jurisdiction.

‘I call upon and appeal to the defendant to open his defence.

‘I beg the defendant, in the name of the Almighty God, to comport himself and conduct his defence.

‘This is the opportunity that the constitution gives him under Section 36.

‘It is a right that he can exercise or waive either expressly or by conduct.

‘I beg and I appeal to the defendant to make use of the opportunity, given him by the constitution, to put in his defence, except he choses to waive it either expressly or by conduct,’ the judge said.

At that point, Ikpeazu, who had earlier withdrew his appearance alongside Agabi, stood up to intervene.

The lawyer drew the attention of the court to the fact that their (Kanu’s lawyers’) withdrawal took effect on the morning of Thursday.

Ikpeazu prayed the court to grant Kanu few time to gather his thoughts and compose himself for the task ahead.

Taking a hint from what Ikpeazu said, Kanu said: ‘In the exercise of my right, I wish to state on record that I have not had the opportunity to prepare for my defence.

‘I only had three hours yesterday in this courtroom.

‘Section 36 of the Constitution allows me to be given adequate facilities to defend myself. My lord, I need time,’ he said.

Awomolo did not object, following which Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter until Oct. 24 for Kanu to open his defence.

The judge said the opportunity given the defendant to conduct his defence began to run from Thursday.

The judge equally disclosed that he had signed the witness summons sought by Kanu and that they are available for him to collect and serve on the said witnesses as required.

Kanu, in a motion filed on Oct. 21, listed the names of prominent Nigerians he intended to call as witnesses.(NAN)

Tobacco control advocacy organisations in Nigeria have called on the Federal Government, health authorities, and relevant stakeholders to take immediate action against the clandestine marketing of nicotine-based products disguised as ‘harm reduction education’ by local tobacco industry fronts and a group from Sweden.

In a joint statement, the Nigerian Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA), Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), and Gatefield warned that the tobacco industry, through its cronies, is covertly introducing these products to Nigerian youth, including students, thus threatening to reverse years of progress in tobacco control and public health.

They noted that this move comes at a time when at least 43 countries have banned nicotine vaping products, and 26 others have prohibited heated tobacco products due to health concerns, unethical marketing, and the urgent need to prevent youth addiction.

‘Nigeria cannot be a dumping ground for these rejected products,’ the organisations declared. ‘The government has a duty to protect citizens from this dangerous tactic,’ they said.

They cited a recent event in Abuja organised by an industry front group posing as a ‘harm reduction organisation from Sweden,’ describing it as a deliberate attempt by the tobacco industry to derail the full implementation of Nigeria’s tobacco control laws and worsen the country’s growing non-communicable diseases (NCD) crisis.

According to media reports, the group urged Nigeria to adopt a ‘localised harm reduction strategy’ and ‘learn from the Quit Like Sweden model.’ While claiming to promote alternatives for smokers, the group simultaneously launched mass media campaigns marketing the products to the general public as ‘safer options’.

NTCA, CAPPA, and Gatefield described this as a deceptive rebranding of tobacco marketing, warning that the tobacco industry is exploiting harm-reduction rhetoric to recruit a new generation of nicotine users.

They also condemned the Swedish group’s claim that ‘there can never be a nicotine-free world’, calling it the clearest evidence yet that the industry is deliberately perpetuating addiction while most countries are adopting endgame tobacco strategies aimed at a nicotine-free future.

Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director of CAPPA, said, ‘There is no safe level of nicotine. These groups are marketing nicotine pouches, vapes and heated tobacco devices as harm-reducing or safer alternatives, and that is a dangerous lie that fuels a youth addiction crisis right here at home.’

Oluwafemi cited recent World Health Organisation (WHO) data showing that at least 15 million children aged 13 to 15 are already addicted to e-cigarettes, with children being nine times more likely than adults to vape.

‘This is the so-called ‘smoke-free future’ the industry envisions – one that sustains a steady pipeline of young addicts to replace those killed or harmed by tobacco and nicotine products so shareholders can keep smiling to the bank,’ he said.

He urged the government to adopt bold, decisive actions to eliminate youth access to nicotine products, protect children, and end the nicotine epidemic in Nigeria.

‘Harm is harm; there is no safe level of poison. Any message suggesting nicotine can be safely used is a public health misstep with devastating consequences for our youth and families. Nigeria must prioritise the elimination of access and strict enforcement of comprehensive protections over any form of so-called harm reduction marketing,’ he said.

Olawale Makanjuola, NTCA Alliance Coordinator, corroborated this view, stressing that the country already has a robust legal framework that, if properly implemented, can curb the spread of nicotine addiction.

Makanjuola added, ‘We have the tools: strong taxation, comprehensive advertising bans, plain packaging, strict age verification, and well-funded cessation support. What’s needed is political will.

‘Industry-backed programmes falsely claim not to target youths, yet they simultaneously launch ‘educational’ campaigns in schools that normalise nicotine use. These are Trojan horses disguised as public health initiatives.’

Similarly, Omei Bongos-Ikwue, Health Communications, Policy and Advocacy Specialist at Gatefield, backed the call for more robust policies to protect the youth.

‘The industry does not seek to eradicate tobacco and nicotine, but to dress itself in packaging that attracts its most important market, the youth. As a party to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), Nigeria must protect public health policies from the tobacco industry’s commercial interests. We must maintain our focus on preventing initiation and ending the epidemic, not advancing nicotine addiction.’

The statement noted that global evidence consistently shows that comprehensive tobacco control policies, not alternative product marketing, drive quitting rates and reduce tobacco use prevalence.

‘Nigeria must align with global best practices and stand firm against the industry’s deceptive harm-reduction tactics. Beyond that, we must also develop home-grown public health solutions that reflect our social and local realities, not copy and paste narratives from countries where nicotine addiction is already entrenched. Nigerian youth do not need new forms of addiction disguised as lifestyle accessories.’ the organisations warned.

They further urged parents, guardians, school authorities, and the general public to stay vigilant against the growing infiltration of these nicotine products into everyday spaces.

‘If our public institutions and communities fail to act now, Nigeria risks importing a major public health crisis,’ the statement concluded.

Nollywood actress, Regina Chukwu, has sent a strong message to men, warning that emotional and verbal abuse can cause lasting damage to a woman’s mental and emotional health, just as much as physical violence.

The actress made this known in a post shared on her Instagram page, where she expressed concern over how some men downplay the harm of verbal attacks in relationships.

According to Chukwu, while physical abuse may leave visible bruises, verbal assault inflicts silent wounds on a woman’s heart, confidence, and peace of mind, wounds that apologies cannot easily heal.

‘Verbally abusing your woman is just as bad as hitting her, because those words echo in places no apology can reach. You might not leave marks on her skin, but you’ll leave damage on her heart, her confidence, and her peace. And once a woman’s peace is gone, you’ll never get the same version of her again,’ she wrote.

A 34-year-old man, Decarlos Brown Jr., accused of fatally stabbing Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska aboard a light rail train in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been indicted by a federal grand jury, a move that could make him eligible for the death penalty.

According to ABC News, the indictment filed on Wednesday, October 22, charges Brown with violence against a railroad carrier and mass transportation system resulting in death, a capital offense under U.S. federal law.

The charges stem from the August 22 incident in which Zarutska, 23, was stabbed multiple times in what authorities described as an unprovoked attack on the Lynx Blue Line light rail.

Surveillance footage cited in court documents reportedly shows Zarutska entering the train and taking a seat in front of Brown. About four minutes later, Brown allegedly pulled a knife from his pocket and stabbed her three times from behind. Investigators said there was no prior interaction between the two.

After the attack, witnesses said Brown calmly walked away while passengers rushed to help the victim. Zarutska was pronounced dead at the scene, and officers arrested Brown minutes later at a nearby station. A pocketknife believed to be the murder weapon was recovered close to the scene.

Records from the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction show that Brown has a criminal history, including convictions for larceny, breaking and entering, and armed robbery. He previously served five years in prison, beginning in 2015.

Zarutska had emigrated from Ukraine with her family, escaping the ongoing war to start a new life in the United States before her tragic death.