Category: PM News

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) receives more than 20,000 petitions about public sector corruption every year, the commission’s chairman, Ola Olukoyede, has said.

Olukoyede disclosed this in Abuja while speaking at the 80th birthday celebration of former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi.

He said the large number of petitions showed the seriousness of corruption in Nigeria.

According to him, some EFCC investigations have uncovered cases involving public officials whose financial positions changed greatly after they assumed office.

‘I receive over 20,000 petitions in a year in respect of public corruption, all terrible. What is going on? Every minute, public officers take money, and if you go through some of our case files, you will weep,’ he said.

The EFCC chairman said corruption should not be treated only as a matter for law enforcement agencies because ordinary Nigerians also suffer the consequences.

He called on Nigerians to work together to reject the diversion of public resources by government officials.

‘The way people take national resources, as Nigerians, we’re victims of these fraudulent activities. And we must come together for once in our lifetime and say no to the activities of some of our leaders,’ Olukoyede said.

He also said EFCC investigations had in some cases traced large amounts of money and property to public servants who had relatively modest financial positions before taking office.

Olukoyede said some officials were allegedly linked to millions of dollars and naira after spending only three or four years in public office.

He added that some individuals had also been linked to the ownership of dozens or even hundreds of houses.

‘Somebody will spend three to four years as a public servant, but before he got to office, he had less than N100,000 in his account. By the time he’s leaving, we were able to trace several millions of dollars and naira to him,’ he said.

‘Some build 50-something houses, sometimes 200 houses. There’s no way a nation will develop with those kinds of people in power, no way,’ he added.

Olukoyede said public officials must be ready to explain how they manage public resources, stressing the importance of transparency and accountability.

Also speaking at the event, the chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Musa Adamu Aliyu, identified public tolerance of corruption and weak institutions as major factors allowing the practice to continue.

‘The major challenge of corruption in this country is that we tolerate the culture of corruption; that is why it is thriving. Secondly, we have systemic errors; our systems are weak,’ Aliyu said.

The ICPC chairman called for integrity education to start from an early age, especially in primary and secondary schools.

He said young Nigerians should be taught values that promote honesty, accountability and responsible citizenship.

Aliyu also urged stakeholders to engage Generation Z and Generation Alpha on the importance of integrity and responsible citizenship.

The Nigerian Army has listed interception of 44 family members of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists and rescue of nine kidnapped victims among the recent achievements of its troops in separate operations across the country.

The operations also led to the arrest of suspected kidnappers and collaborators and the recovery of several weapons and ammunition, according to an operational report made on Friday.

According to the report, troops of 222 Battalion intercepted 43 ISWAP terrorist family members at Kawuri, Konduga Local Government Area of Borno.

It said preliminary investigation revealed that the group escaped from terrorist captivity in Yuwe during clashes between JAS and ISWAP terrorists.

The intercepted people were subsequently handed over to 7 Multinational Intervention Brigade for further action.

The report also indicated that troops of 192 Battalion intercepted a female ISWAP terrorist family member along the Gwoza-Limankara road in Gwoza Local Government Area.

The report said preliminary investigation revealed that the woman escaped from a terrorist enclave in Chikide, on the Mandara Mountains.

‘In another development, troops of 1 Brigade rescued five kidnapped victims, including the Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara, from suspected terrorists’ captivity.

‘The victims were rescued at a suspected terrorist camp around Sekpore village, Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, after troops established blocking positions around Sekpore and Sabon Gari,’ it said.

The report said the victims had recently been relocated from Abaniyawa terrorist camp following military pressure, while several other victims escaped during the operation.

It said that one of the rescued victims was reunited with his family, while the others were evacuated to 1 Brigade Medical Centre for medical attention.

The report further revealed that troops of Counter-Terrorism 4, in another operation along the Gusau-Sokoto road, responded to a terrorist attack on a vehicle and engaged the attackers.

It added that the terrorists fled into surrounding bushes, enabling the troops to rescue four civilian occupants of the vehicle.

‘In Borno, troops of 149 Battalion and Civilian Joint Task Force arrested a suspected kidnapper at Gubio town and recovered an AK-47 rifle.

‘The suspect subsequently led troops to Ardimini village, where they recovered an AK-47 magazine loaded with 12 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

‘Troops of 159 Task Force Battalion and Nigerian Forest Guards also arrested a suspected terrorist collaborator at Geidam market, recovering a mobile phone and N296,000,’ it said.

The report further said troops of Operation Savannah Shield raided a suspected terrorist camp at Alogomo, Edu Local Government Area of Niger.

It said the terrorists reportedly fled before troops arrived, while the troops recovered an AK-47 magazine containing eight rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and destroyed the camp.

According to the report, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke arrested two suspected kidnappers along the Otukpo-Makurdi road in Benue and recovered an AK-47 rifle, 25 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and a motorcycle.

‘Troops also arrested a suspected gunrunner at Adikpo, Kwande Local Government Area, as well as two suspected impostors in Benue and Taraba.

‘In a related operation, troops in Edo, working with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), destroyed two cannabis farms at Oke Camp and Eko Camp 1 and 2 in Esan South-East Local Government Area.

‘Four suspects were arrested and fresh and dried cannabis recovered before the suspects and exhibits were handed over to the NDLEA,’ it added.

The traditional ruler of Ibagwa Opi Ogbozalla Autonomous Community in Nsukka LGA of Enugu, Williams Ezugwu, has been suspended by the state government over alleged misconduct.

Enugu Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr Charles Egumgbe announced the suspension of the traditional ruler on Thursday.

In the statement issued on Thursday, by the Public Relations Officer of the ministry, Mr Emeka Nebeife, the commissioner blamed Ezugwu’s suspension on the alleged ‘persistent conducts that are inconsistent with some sections of the Traditional Rulers Law of Enugu State’.

According to the statement, the suspension is with immediate effect.

It added that the accusations leveled against the royal father included his failure to subscribe to the community’s Code of Conduct.

He was also alleged to have refused to constitute a cabinet to help in running the affairs of the community since its creation.

He was further said to have failed to set up a town union executive, thereby, running the community single-handed.

The commissioner argued that the traditional ruler’s actions were capable of plunging the community into an avoidable crisis, hence his suspension.

Recall that Enugu State government had in July suspended three traditional rulers and four President-Generals from Ezeagu LGA for alleged misconduct, bordering on security infractions.

The former Governor of Kano state and immediate-past National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Dr Abdullah Umar Ganduje, has urged Nigerians to eschew ethnic and religious sentiments, while remaining committed to nation-building and the sustainability of democracy.

Dr. Ganduje, a two-time Deputy Governor in Kano state, is the National Patron of the Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria (FFDGN).

A Statement by his Chief of Staff, Comrade Muhammad Garba, indicated that Ganduje made the call in Abuja, when he paid a courtesy visit to the forum’s leadership.

He expressed satisfaction with the forum’s activities, saying it provided a platform for people with experience in governance, democracy and politics to contribute to national development.

He was accompanied by his Chief of Staff, Comrade Muhammad Garba, Arc. Aminu Dabo and other dignitaries.

Ganduje expressed satisfaction with the facilities and preparations ahead of the Forum’s conference scheduled for 20th and 21st October.

He congratulated the leadership for establishing the headquarters, saying it would provide a platform for members to share their wealth of experience and contribute to accountability, good governance, public enlightenment, national integration and nation-building.

The National Chairman of the Forum, Dr. Chris Alozie Akomas, commended Ganduje for his consistency, commitment and dedication to the activities of the Forum, particularly his visit to inspect the facilities and preparations for the forthcoming conference.

The visit also coincided with Dr. Akomas’ 66th birthday, which Ganduje joined the Forum in celebrating.

He congratulated the Chairman and extended his best wishes to him.

The stretch of Ikotun Road tells a familiar story. Along parts of the median, refuse has accumulated in heaps, with plastic bags, bottles, food waste and other discarded materials occupying spaces meant to separate traffic. At some points, the waste is scattered beyond the median, leaving motorists and pedestrians to pass alongside it.

The problem is not confined to Ikotun. Across parts of Lagos, refuse has again become a visible feature of the urban landscape, appearing on road medians, drainage channels, bus stops, road setbacks, market areas and residential streets.

Recent observations and reports from different parts of the metropolis show waste accumulation in areas including Ikotun, Igando, Idimu, Ejigbo, Egbeda, Iyana-Ipaja, Oshodi, Isolo, Mushin, Agege, Abule-Egba, Ajao Estate, Okota and parts of Lagos Island.

The locations differ, but the pattern is similar: waste is collected in some areas, evacuated, and then begins to accumulate again.

Along the Ikotun-Ejigbo corridor, refuse has remained a recurring environmental problem. The issue has also extended to the Ikotun Market and Igando areas, where waste has been dumped around public spaces and, in some cases, on road medians.

The situation has prompted enforcement by the Lagos Waste Management Authority, particularly against businesses and operators accused of dumping refuse on unauthorised portions of the road.

But enforcement has not ended the problem. On the Idimu-Ejigbo Road, a large refuse heap on the median around the Dorcas and Silva Estate axis has remained a concern. The heap, extending for a considerable distance along the median, has become one of the more visible examples of the difficulty of keeping waste from returning after evacuation.

The Egbeda-Ikotun Road has faced a similar cycle. Waste has previously been cleared from portions of the road, only for residents and roadside operators to resume dumping in some locations.

In Iyana-Ipaja and Egbeda, refuse has also been observed around roads and public spaces, while the wider Alimosho axis continues to experience pressure from the volume of waste generated by its densely populated communities.

In Oshodi and Isolo, waste has accumulated around roads and bus stops. The Iyana Isolo Under Bridge, along the Apapa-Oshodi and Oshodi-Apapa corridors, has also featured among locations where refuse has become difficult to ignore.

In Mushin, some roads and market areas have continued to contend with discarded household and commercial waste. Residents have also complained about irregular evacuation in some locations.

Parts of Agege, Abule-Egba and Ajao Estate have similarly recorded waste accumulation, while on the Island, refuse has been observed around locations including Tinubu, Apongbon, Oke-Arin and other busy commercial areas.

At some bus stops, the problem is particularly visible. Waste meant to be removed from homes and businesses ends up around passenger shelters, road shoulders and nearby drains. Plastic bottles, nylon, food waste and other materials are mixed together, creating piles that grow as more people add to them.

The current situation follows months of pressure on Lagos’ waste-management system.

The state generates thousands of tonnes of waste daily, placing considerable pressure on collection trucks, transfer points and final disposal facilities.

One of the major problems identified by waste operators is not simply the number of trucks available to collect refuse, but what happens after the trucks collect it.

Disposal sites have faced capacity and accessibility challenges, creating delays for trucks waiting to discharge their loads. A truck spending hours in a queue at a disposal facility is a truck that cannot return quickly to the community where more waste is waiting to be collected.

That creates a chain reaction. Household waste remains longer than scheduled. Commercial waste accumulates around shops and markets. Some residents then resort to roadside dumping, while waste already deposited on medians grows as additional refuse is added.

The Lagos State Government has responded with additional evacuation operations and increased enforcement.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu recently described the situation as a ‘small state of emergency’ and ordered measures aimed at increasing waste evacuation, including the deployment of additional trucks and efforts to ease pressure on disposal facilities.

The state has also announced plans to strengthen waste-management infrastructure, including additional facilities intended to improve the movement of waste from collection points to disposal and treatment locations.

The Lagos Waste Management Authority has meanwhile intensified enforcement.

Markets, shops, hotels, warehouses and other commercial premises have been sealed in some locations over sanitation violations, particularly indiscriminate dumping.

In the Ikotun-Igando axis, LAWMA enforcement teams have targeted premises accused of dumping refuse on road medians despite warnings.

There have also been arrests of people accused of unauthorised waste disposal in different parts of the state.

Yet the return of refuse to locations that have previously been cleared shows that evacuation alone does not solve the problem.

Residents also play a role. In some communities, refuse is deposited on road medians, in drainage channels and on vacant plots even where waste collection services are available. Traders and roadside businesses also generate large quantities of waste, particularly food remnants, cartons, plastic containers and nylon.

Where collection is delayed, the accumulated waste becomes even more difficult to control.

The consequences extend beyond appearance. Refuse dumped into drains can obstruct the movement of storm water. Plastic materials can be carried into waterways during rainfall. Decomposing organic waste attracts flies and rodents, while stagnant water around blocked drains can provide breeding conditions for mosquitoes.

The problem therefore becomes more complicated during the rainy season. For Lagos residents who travel daily through the affected corridors, the issue is no longer an isolated heap here or there. It is the repeated appearance of waste at locations that are already familiar to commuters.

The Ikotun-Ejigbo Road, Idimu-Ejigbo corridor, Egbeda-Ikotun Road, Igando, Iyana-Ipaja, Oshodi, Isolo and Mushin are among the areas where the waste problem has recently been visible.

The challenge now facing Lagos is how to prevent cleared locations from becoming dumpsites again.

More trucks can evacuate accumulated waste. Enforcement can punish illegal dumping. New disposal and transfer facilities can increase system capacity.

But the effectiveness of the system ultimately depends on all three stages working together: waste must be properly stored, collected on schedule and taken to an accessible facility where it can be safely processed or disposed of.

Until that cycle functions consistently, the familiar sight of refuse returning to Lagos roads and medians is likely to remain a recurring feature of the city.

An 11-year-old girl who went missing after leaving home for a relative’s birthday ceremony was found dead inside a well on the premises of an Apostolic Church in Suleja, Niger State, with police arresting a 26-year-old security guard in connection with the incident.

The Niger State Police Command identified the suspect as Godwin Dauda, a security guard working at the church.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed this on Friday in Minna, saying the girl’s disappearance was reported at the Suleja Police Division on September 20 after she failed to return home.

According to Abiodun, the girl had left home on September 19 to attend a relative’s birthday ceremony within the area.

The case took a grim turn when a pastor of the Apostolic Church, Suleja, reported the discovery of a body inside a well on the church premises.

Abiodun said police officers, accompanied by officials of the Suleja Local Government Council, visited the scene and recovered the body.

‘The body was subsequently taken to Suleja General Hospital, where it was identified as that of the missing girl,’ he said.

Preliminary police investigation allegedly linked Dauda to the girl’s death. Abiodun said the suspect allegedly defiled the girl before disposing of her body in the church well in an attempt to conceal the crime.

The police spokesperson said Dauda fled the area after the recovery of the body but was later arrested around Kuje in the Federal Capital Territory at about 8 p.m. on September 23.

Abiodun said the suspect allegedly confessed during interrogation to luring the girl into his security room at the church.

According to the police, Dauda told investigators that he defiled the girl and that she subsequently died.

He allegedly further disclosed that he disposed of her body in the church well in an attempt to hide the crime.

The police said investigation into the case was continuing, with the suspect expected to be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Minna for further investigation.

Abiodun said the transfer would enable the police to conduct further investigations and pursue prosecution if the suspect was found culpable.

Scrap metal dealers under the auspices of the National Association of Scrap and Waste Dealers Employers of Nigeria (NASWDEN) have decried increasing irregularities in the iron industry, which they said are detrimental to the economic fortunes of their members.

They threatened to stop supplying scrap and other raw materials to iron and steel companies nationwide if urgent steps are not taken to correct the irregularities.

A statement by the association’s Deputy National President, Aminu Hassan Soja, indicated that the industrial action would commence on October 1 and initially run until October 15, 2026, with the possibility of an indefinite extension if its grievances were not resolved.

Soja signed the statement on behalf of the National President, Abdulfatah Ogunwale.

According to the statement, NASWDEN alleged that some iron and steel companies had repeatedly reduced scrap metal prices without adequate notice, exposing dealers who had already bought and transported materials at higher prices to heavy losses.

‘The incessant and deliberate reduction in the prices of scrap metals without adequate prior notice has placed considerable financial pressure on our members,’ Soja said.

He said dealers could lose between N3 million and N6 million on a single truckload when companies suddenly reduced their purchase prices.

The association also alleged that some companies deducted between one and five per cent from transactions under what they described as ‘extra dust’, which NASWDEN considered an additional financial burden on dealers.

‘Another concern is the alleged increasing involvement of foreigners in the scrap metal business, including the establishment of dumpsites and collection centres across the country,’ the statement said.

NASWDEN said the development was making it increasingly difficult for indigenous scrap dealers to operate, while calling for stronger regulation of the sector.

The association further alleged that some iron companies purchased scrap from unregistered or uncertified dealers and agents, warning that such practices could encourage the circulation of vandalised public and private property.

‘The purchase of scrap from unregistered dealers and agents must be properly regulated and verified to ensure that materials entering the steel industry are obtained through legitimate channels,’ Soja said.

The statement urged members of the association to remain peaceful and law-abiding during the planned industrial action, directing them to avoid confrontation, violence, destruction of property and other acts capable of disrupting public order.

‘We are seeking a fair and mutually acceptable resolution of these grievances through dialogue and negotiation with the iron and steel companies,’ the association said.

NASWDEN called on relevant government agencies, stakeholders in the steel sector and the public to support efforts to resolve the dispute, while urging its members to comply with the directive from October 1.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has called on Nigerians to overcome ethnic, religious and other differences and work together towards building a peaceful, stronger and more prosperous nation.

Sanwo-Olu made the call on Friday after a special Jumaat service held to commemorate Nigeria’s 66th National Independence Day at the Lagos Secretariat Community Central Mosque, Alausa, Ikeja.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, said Nigeria had the human talent, capacity and natural resources needed to achieve sustainable development and greater prosperity, but stressed that unity remained critical to unlocking the country’s potential.

‘Part of the challenge is that we are not united as a people. We see ourselves differently, so there is no coincidence of purpose,’ Sanwo-Olu said.

He added that Nigerians could achieve more if they united around a common national purpose.

‘If we unite and come together, we have the talent, ability, and resources to lift this country. So, I am saying that unity is very important, and that’s the major challenge that we face,’ he said.

The governor also linked some of Nigeria’s longstanding challenges to divisions among its citizens, citing the Civil War as an example of the consequences of disunity.

He stressed that the responsibility for building a better Nigeria should not rest solely with government, urging religious and traditional institutions, the private sector and individual citizens to contribute to national development.

Sanwo-Olu recalled the collective response to the COVID-19 pandemic, when government, private organisations, religious bodies and citizens worked together to confront the crisis.

He said the same spirit of cooperation should continue beyond periods of emergency and be applied to broader national development efforts.

Earlier, the Chief Imam of the mosque, Yunuss Al-Imam, urged Nigerians to take an active role in developing their communities rather than leaving the responsibility entirely to government.

The Imam called for an end to tribal sentiments and religious intolerance, stressing that no ethnic group was superior to another.

‘I want to urge the congregation to shun tribalism, religious intolerance and traditional conflicts, and instead embrace peace, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence for the progress and development of society,’ he said.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Imams of the Lagos Secretariat Community Central Mosque, Dr Saaid Ahmad, urged Nigerians to use the independence anniversary to reflect on the country’s journey, express gratitude and pray for the nation.

Ahmad said citizens should honestly assess how effectively available opportunities and resources had been utilised, while accepting individual and collective responsibility for the country’s direction.

He urged Nigerians to look beyond blame and propaganda and consider their respective contributions to national progress.

Ahmad also called on Nigerians to remain grateful to Almighty Allah for His protection and blessings, while praying for wisdom, sound judgment and divine guidance for the country’s leaders.

He said such guidance would help leaders discharge their responsibilities effectively and serve the people with dedication, integrity and a strong sense of purpose.

Four people were killed and two others seriously injured when unidentified gunmen attacked two communities in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, the police have confirmed.

The attack occurred at about 1:30am on Wednesday, September 23, in Godoro and Angwan-Bisala communities under Katako District.

The Niger State Police Command spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday.

Abiodun said the armed men stormed the two communities in the early hours of the day and opened an attack that left four residents dead and two others seriously injured.

He said the injured victims were taken to a hospital for medical treatment.

Following the attack, Abiodun said police personnel visited the affected communities and commenced investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The police spokesperson did not disclose the identities of the victims or provide details on the motive of the attackers.

The incident adds to security concerns in parts of Niger State, although the police statement did not establish any connection between the attack and previous incidents in the area.

The authorities are expected to investigate the attack and work to identify and apprehend those responsible.

Nigeria has warned that powerful national defences alone cannot protect countries from terrorism, cyber threats and other dangers sustained across international borders.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima gave the warning while delivering President Bola Tinubu’s national statement at the UN General Assembly in New York on Thursday.

Drawing from Nigeria’s prolonged battle against Boko Haram, ISWAP and other armed groups, Shettima called for stronger international cooperation against transnational security threats.

He argued that modern threats exploited gaps between countries and could not be effectively defeated through isolated national responses.

Nigeria’s experience, he said, demonstrated that security challenges sustained across borders required corresponding regional and global cooperation.

Shettima told the Assembly that military operations remained necessary but could not, by themselves, deliver lasting victory over violent extremism.

He said sustainable security must also rest on education, economic opportunity, accountable governance and respect for human rights.

The Vice-President linked the argument to Nigeria’s wider advocacy for collective security and effective multilateral institutions.

He said Nigeria remained ready to work with neighbours and international partners to confront terrorism and other destabilising threats.

Through ECOWAS, the African Union and Gulf of Guinea partnerships, he said Nigeria continued to participate in mediation, counter-terrorism, maritime security and efforts to strengthen democratic governance.

Shettima also recalled Nigeria’s long record of contributing personnel and resources to peace operations across Africa.

He cited engagements in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Darfur, Mali and The Gambia as examples of Nigeria responding to instability beyond its national borders.

The Vice-President said such engagements reflected the country’s conviction that conflicts in one country could generate consequences for neighbours and the wider international community.

He warned world leaders against assuming that distant wars carried no costs for countries geographically removed from them.

Shettima argued that conflict could disrupt trade, increase humanitarian pressures, drive displacement, strengthen extremist networks and create wider economic and security shocks.

He, therefore, called for renewed commitment to dialogue, mutual respect, collective responsibility and international law.

Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for the peaceful resolution of disputes under the UN Charter.

He identified Sudan and other conflict-affected countries as requiring urgent diplomatic attention because of the consequences for civilians and regional stability.

The Vice-President also warned against rising nationalism and weakening commitment to multilateral cooperation.

He said the continuing conflicts around the world recalled the fundamental reason the United Nations was created after the devastation of the Second World War.

According to him, Nigeria remains committed to an international order where disputes were addressed through diplomacy rather than arbitrary power.

Shettima linked international security to development, maintaining that deprivation and institutional weakness could undermine the durability of military gains.

The Nigerian delegation also called for stronger global institutions capable of coordinating responses to terrorism, cyber threats and other challenges that did not respect national borders.

The address came as the General Assembly’s 81st General Debate entered its third day, with Shettima speaking fourth during Thursday’s afternoon session.

Nigeria said its experiences with insurgency had reinforced its belief that peace required both effective security measures and conditions that denied violent groups opportunities to recruit and operate.

Shettima, therefore, urged greater international solidarity, regional leadership and sustained investment in the social foundations of peace.