Category: PM News

One Salim Abubakar, also known as ‘Shekare,’ was on Friday convicted by a Shari’a court in Kebbi after he pleaded guilty to falsely asserting that a commissioner in the state is a member of the opposition African Democratic Congress, ADC.

Abubakar was arraigned before an Upper Shari’a Court III, Takalau presided over by Kadi Samaila Alhaji-Noma on charges of forgery, defamation, and causing a breach of public peace.

The case followed a petition by the Kebbi Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Abba Sani-Kalgo, requesting the police to investigate the alleged conduct of the accused.

According to the charge read before the court, the offences contravened Sections 373, 374, 348, and 79(1) of the Kebbi Penal Code Law, 2021.

The prosecuting officer, Cpl. Faruk Abdullahi, told the court that the accused allegedly created and published a political graphic on his Facebook account bearing the commissioner’s name and photograph alongside the logo of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

He said the publication allegedly created the impression that Sani-Kalgo belonged to the ADC.

The prosecutor further alleged that the accused uploaded the material on his personal Facebook page and subsequently circulated it across other social media platforms.

When the charges were read to him, Abubakar pleaded guilty to all the counts.

Following a plea, the court convicted him accordingly.

Alhaji-Noma said: ‘Having found you, Salim Abubakar, guilty of all the charges brought against you, you are hereby convicted accordingly.’

Mudashiru Sale appeared for the complainant in a watching-brief capacity.

Following the conviction, the prosecution applied for an adjournment to enable it to prepare its submissions on the appropriate sentence.

‘We submit that the accused has pleaded guilty and has been convicted. We, therefore, apply that judgment be reserved for two weeks to enable us to address the court on sentencing,’ the prosecutor told the court.

Sale supported the application, saying the complainant was not ready to proceed with sentencing on Friday.

‘We are not ready for judgment today. We pray the court to grant an adjournment so we can make our submissions on the appropriate sentence,’ he pleaded.

In his ruling, Alhaji-Noma granted the application, saying the adjournment would enable the prosecution to prepare adequately and allow the court to deliver a well-considered judgment.

‘The court, pursuant to Section 305 of the Kebbi Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2021, hereby reserves judgment.

‘This will afford the prosecution adequate time to prepare and also allow the court to deliver a well-considered judgment,’ he said.

The judge adjourned the matter until Sept. 18, for judgment.

He further ordered that the convict be remanded in a correctional facility pending the date of judgment.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has sought the assistance of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC on biometric verification technology to enhance the integrity of its examination.

JAMB Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina made the request when he led his management team on a courtesy visit to INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan Friday in Abuja.

Aina said JAMB approached INEC as a sister agency with proven experience in biometric verification technology.

He said the board sought to strengthen the integrity of its examination processes through improved biometric verification systems.

Aina said JAMB understood that INEC had biometric verification machines that might no longer be actively deployed.

He appealed to the commission to consider making the equipment available to support JAMB’s efforts to enhance its verification systems.

Aina appreciated the INEC chairman and management for the warm reception accorded his delegation.

Speaking after, Amupitan commended JAMB’s statutory responsibilities, describing the board as central to national development and the advancement of Nigerian youths.

He said INEC’s recent elections demonstrated its growing technological capacity and cited the Anambra and Ekiti governorship polls.

He also mentioned the Osun governorship election, FCT Area Council election and various by-elections conducted across the country.

According to him, observers, including the Office of the National Security Adviser and UK High Commission, commended the elections’ credibility and peaceful conduct.

Amupitan directed INEC’s Director of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to review JAMB’s request through a proof-of-concept assessment.

He said the assessment would determine the availability and suitability of INEC’s biometric verification equipment for possible deployment by JAMB.

The INEC chairman described the visit as evidence of growing synergy among government agencies and stressed collaboration for national development.

He assured the delegation that the commission would explore further areas of cooperation with JAMB.

INEC National Commissioner for Outreach and Partnerships, Prof. Abdullahi Abdu-Zuru, INEC Chairman’s Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, and other officials also attended the meeting.

The Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency (LNSA) has apprehended no fewer than 130 suspected hoodlums during an early morning raid in Victoria Island, Lekki-Ajah and parts of the Coastal Road.

The operation, which began around 2 a.m. on Friday followed reports of criminal activities targeting motorists, particularly during periods of traffic congestion, LNSA General Manager, Dr Ifalade Oyekan, who led the operation, disclosed in a statement issued on Friday.

He said the suspects were screened and presented to the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASSRA) team attached to LNSA.

According to him, the exercise was aimed at identifying and profiling the suspects, while those found culpable would face prosecution.

Oyekan said the operation reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to protecting lives and property while ensuring residents and motorists could move freely without fear.

The general manager said the operation formed part of LNSA’s broader community policing strategy, involving residents and other security agencies.

He said the strategy was designed to identify security threats and tackle them promptly across communities.

According to Oyekan, the initiative also aligned with the Lagos state government’s efforts to strengthen grassroots security and support the establishment of a state police structure.

He said the proposed structure would enhance intelligence gathering, rapid response and effective policing across communities.

‘I commend the supporting agencies for their professionalism and coordination during the operation,’ Oyekan said.

He also thanked Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, and the Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr Gbenga Oyerinde.

He said their continued support had strengthened security operations across Lagos state.

‘We will continue similar joint operations at strategic locations across Lagos to deter criminal activities and enhance public safety,’ Oyekan said.

The operation was supported by the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) and an armed detachment of the Nigeria Police Force.

The operation was facilitated by the Chief Security Officer to the Lagos State Governor, Mr Kunle Fagbemi.

Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State made history on Friday, September 4, 2026, as Hon. Vera Sado was sworn in as the council’s first elected female chairperson.

She also set another record as the first person from the Anegbette/South Uneme axis to head the local government since its creation.

Governor Monday Okpebholo performed the swearing-in of Hon. Sado and 17 other chairpersons at Festival Hall, Government House, Benin.

The event attracted APC leaders, dignitaries and supporters from Etsako Central, who celebrated Hon. Sado as the only woman among the 18 newly inaugurated council bosses.

In his address, Governor Okpebholo said the inauguration signals ‘the beginning of a new chapter in grassroots governance and development.’

He scored the July 12 LG elections free, fair and credible, saying the turnout proved growing confidence in democracy and his government.

‘Local governments, being the closest tier of government to the people, have a greater responsibility to ensure development reaches communities across the state,’ he stated.

Linking the task to LG autonomy under President Bola Tinubu, the Governor said the responsibility is now heavier.

‘The overwhelming victory recorded by our party at the recent polls is a call for more work. I charge you to go and work for the people, complement the development efforts of the State Government and ensure that the impact of government is felt in every community,’ Okpebholo said.

He warned the chairmen against corruption, describing public office as ‘a sacred trust.’

‘Your legacies will be defined by the lives you touch, the problems you solve, and how effectively you use the opportunities entrusted to you,’ he added.

Hon. Sado won the chairmanship on Saturday, July 12, 2026, on the APC platform during the statewide LG polls.

After her swearing-in, she appreciated her constituents and assured them of ‘better days ahead.’

Her victory has been welcomed in the South Uneme/Anegbette axis as a historic milestone.

‘It is a dream come true to produce an elected chairman from our axis for the first time,’ said Hon. Emmanuel Okolo, former Councillor and ex-Leader of the Legislative Arm in the Council.

The Enugu State Police Command says it detained 6,240 suspects and rescued 211 kidnapped victims in 17 months of sustained security operations across the state.

The command also recovered 156 firearms and 1,486 rounds of assorted ammunition during the period, highlighting the scale of its operations against kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, disclosed the figures on Friday while receiving the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 13, AIG Miller Dantawaye, who paid a working visit to the command.

The command’s spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, made the disclosure in a statement issued on behalf of the commissioner on Saturday in Enugu.

Giwa said the figures covered the period from March 11, 2025, when he assumed office as Commissioner of Police in the state, to September 2026.

According to him, the command detained 158 kidnapping suspects, 186 armed robbery suspects, 188 murder suspects and 57 suspects linked to rape and defilement.

He added that 273 suspects were detained for cultism, while 63 others were detained for unlawful possession of firearms.

The remaining 5,315 suspects were detained for various other offences, including stealing, breaking and vandalism, the commissioner said.

Beyond the arrests, the command recovered a significant cache of weapons, including 43 AK-47 rifles and one G-3 assault rifle.

Giwa also disclosed that 209 vehicular exhibits comprising motor vehicles, tricycles and motorcycles were recovered during the operations.

The commissioner attributed the results to sustained intelligence-led operations, proactive policing and security collaboration with neighbouring states.

He said the command’s efforts had been reinforced by the deployment of the Violent Crime Response Unit, intensified border patrols under the Inspector-General of Police’s Handshake Patrol initiative, and improved emergency response through the Distress Response Squad and Command-and-Control Centre.

Giwa, however, called for continued support from the police zone, particularly in manpower, operational logistics and personnel welfare, to enable the command to consolidate its achievements.

Responding, AIG Dantawaye charged officers and men of the command to uphold professionalism, discipline, accountability and ethical conduct while strictly adhering to Force regulations and respecting citizens’ rights.

He urged the personnel to remain committed to their constitutional responsibilities and sustain public confidence in the police.

Dantawaye also expressed his readiness to work with the command to further strengthen security across Enugu State.

The Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) has donated two operational vehicles to the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to strengthen security along the railway corridor and protect critical infrastructure in the state.

The vehicles were formally handed over to the NRC Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr Kayode Opeifa, at the Mobolaji Johnson Train Station, Ebute Metta, Lagos.

Presenting the vehicles, the Executive Secretary/CEO of the LSSTF, Dr Ayodele Ogunsan, said the intervention formed part of the Lagos State Government’s continued support for security agencies and institutions operating in the state.

Ogunsan, who was accompanied by the Administrative Secretary of the Fund, Mr Demola Lewis, said the vehicles would improve the ability of security personnel attached to the railway to respond to vandalism, theft and other criminal activities along the railway corridor.

He commended the transformation taking place within the NRC under Opeifa’s leadership, saying the state government considered it necessary to provide additional support to safeguard railway infrastructure and enhance operational efficiency.

Ogunsan urged the Nigeria Police Railway Command and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), which are expected to deploy the vehicles for railway security operations, to ensure their proper and judicious use.

He said the LSSTF had a monitoring mechanism to ensure that security assets donated by the Fund were deployed strictly for their intended purposes.

According to him, responsible utilisation of the vehicles would strengthen the case for further assistance from the state government and the Fund whenever necessary.

Responding, Opeifa expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Government, particularly Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, for its continued support for the NRC and its efforts to improve railway security and operations.

The NRC boss also commended the leadership and staff of the LSSTF for their commitment and partnership in strengthening the safety and security of the railway system in Lagos.

He said the donation would enhance the capacity of security agencies attached to the railway to protect passengers, railway infrastructure and other critical assets.

Opeifa assured the state government and LSSTF that the vehicles would be deployed strictly for the purposes for which they were donated.

He also called on other state governments, particularly the 26 states where the NRC has an operational presence, to support the protection of railway assets in their jurisdictions.

According to him, stronger collaboration between the NRC, state governments and security agencies would facilitate faster responses to vandalism and other criminal activities targeting railway infrastructure.

Opeifa also made a personal donation to the LSSTF and urged NRC staff, corporate organisations and residents of Lagos to continue supporting the Fund’s efforts to improve security across the state.

Beyond the vehicle donation, Opeifa disclosed that the Lagos State Government had expressed its readiness to rehabilitate some roads within the railway compound and install solar-powered streetlights after the completion of the road works.

He said work was also ongoing on a major storm-water drainage project designed to channel water from the railway compound towards the Mile 2 lagoon.

The drainage project, which commenced earlier in the year, had significantly improved the environment around the railway compound and helped reduce the perennial flooding previously experienced during heavy rainfall, he said.

Speaking on behalf of the security agencies, the representative of the Commissioner of Police, Nigeria Police Railway Command, Deputy Commissioner of Police Yahaya Usman, thanked the Lagos State Government and LSSTF for the donation.

Usman assured that the vehicles would be used strictly for railway security operations, particularly surveillance, patrols and rapid response along the railway corridor.

The intervention further highlights the growing partnership between the NRC and the Lagos State Government in securing railway infrastructure, improving passenger safety and strengthening security around railway communities.

The wife of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Mrs Ekaette Akpabio, visited the Senate chamber to inspect faulty facilities and equipment, the Senate President’s aide has said.

The Special Adviser to the President of the Senate on Diaspora and NGOs, Dr Jibril Tafida, made the clarification on Saturday while dismissing reports suggesting that Mrs Akpabio had ‘unholy access’ to the chamber.

Tafida said the visit was arranged following complaints from senators and National Assembly staff about poor facilities and concerns over the quality of work carried out by contractors.

According to him, the visit was approved by Akpabio and was deliberately scheduled for Saturday to avoid interfering with legislative activities.

He said Mrs Akpabio was accompanied by engineers and technical experts, including electrical, ICT, audio-visual and building maintenance specialists, who were at the chamber to assess the reported faults.

Tafida also denied claims that she came with ‘marabouts’ or individuals of questionable character, describing such reports as false and misleading.

‘No security protocol was breached, and relevant officials were aware of the visit,’ he said.

The aide accused the publication that reported the claims of engaging in speculative journalism, urging media organisations and content creators to verify information before publishing.

He said Mrs Akpabio was known for her philanthropic activities and integrity, adding that the Senate President remained focused on his legislative responsibilities.

‘The National Assembly remains secure and well managed,’ Tafida said.

When contacted, Tafida declined further comments beyond the statement but maintained that the Senate President’s office would not tolerate what he described as reckless reports targeting the family.

Dr Umar Tanko-Yakasai, Director General, Tinubu Support Groups (TSG), has claimed that President Bola Tinubu has saved Nigeria’s economy from imminent collapse.

Tanko-Yakasai stated this during the inauguration of the TSG 2.0 State Chapters, on Saturday in Kano.

The DG who commended the president, said he took over a shattered and battered economy, and has turned it around and stabilised it.

‘Our foreign reserves have hit over $53 billion from net $3.89 billion, inflation down to 15.43 per cent from over 34 per cent.

‘The nation’s GDP has grown to 4.43 per cent in the second quarter of 2026 with a nominal GDP of N119.27 trillion.

‘He cleared over $78 billion loan and additional $3.5 billion Covid-19 loan, and tripled the FAAC allocation to states, with state governments now paying salaries without bailouts,’ he said.

According to him, many state governments have started paying their inherited loans.

The DG further noted that President Tinubu created NELFUND to support students, granted local governments financial autonomy, and created additional regional development commissions for equality and regional growth.

Tanko-Yakasai said that the president also appointed over 50 Kano indigenes into his government to ensure inclusion.

He explained that Tinubu completed the Kano-Kaduna express way, while other projects are on-going, including Gwarzo-Dayi road, Katsina road and Daura road, among others.

‘Mr President has done a lot for Kano and is still doing more,’ he said.

The director-general tasked the newly inaugurated state executives to hit the ground running to ensure that they deliver victory for President Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

He described the turnout for the event as impressive and a show of tremendous support for Tinubu.

While inaugurating the state executives, the Convener of TSG, James Abiodun-Faleke, said that the crowd was an indication that Kano is an All Progressive Congress (APC) state.

Also, the group’s North-West Coordinator, Dr Baffa Babba-Dan’agundi, commended all those who supported the group to keep moving in the region.

Earlier, the Chairman of APC in Kano, Umar Doguwa, declared that Kano is for the APC.

Also speaking, former APC National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, said the Renewed Hope Agenda was a policy framework by the APC-led government.

He said that it was carefully designed to help the nation come out of its challenges, including poverty, insecurity and slow economic growth, among others.

Ganduje said the policy was a guide towards the nation’s development aspiration, describing Tinubu as a progressive leader.

The Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, OSSAP-SDGs, has commissioned a 50-bed Primary Healthcare Centre, a Children’s Recreational Centre and two blocks comprising 36 classrooms in Lagos State to strengthen access to healthcare, support childhood development and improve learning conditions.

The healthcare and recreational centres are located in Egbeda, while the classroom blocks were delivered at Orisumibare Primary School, Orisumibare.

The three projects were commissioned on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.

A statement released by the Special Assistant to the SSAP-SDGs on Media, Publicity and Strategic Communications, Desmond Utomwen stated that the projects Constructed, furnished and equipped by OSSAP-SDGs, form part of the Office’s interventions to translate the Sustainable Development Goals into services that address community needs.

Speaking through the Secretary of Programme, Ms Suzanne Iwongo Sado, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, said the projects reflected a connected approach to human development under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

She acknowledged the President’s support and provision of resources for the interventions, identifying human capital development, social inclusion and essential services as priorities underpinning their delivery.

Orelope-Adefulire explained that healthcare, recreation and education reinforce one another, particularly in the development of children.

‘A healthy child needs quality healthcare, safe opportunities to play and develop, and a conducive classroom in which to learn,’ she said in the address delivered on her behalf.

‘By bringing these interventions together, we are investing in the full development of the child and strengthening the foundations of a healthier, safer, better-educated and more inclusive society.’

The 50-bed Primary Healthcare Centre is intended to expand access to quality, affordable healthcare for residents of Egbeda and surrounding communities, with particular attention to women, children, older persons and other vulnerable groups.

The centre is equipped with operating theatres, recovery rooms, private and general wards, a scanning room, consultation rooms, a delivery room, an children and adult intensive care units and a laboratory. It also has a vacuum extractor delivery set, an ultrasound machine, a fully equipped emergency section and an ambulance. It also has a 12 rooms fully furnished staff quarters.

Orelope-Adefulire said the intervention would support Sustainable Development Goal 3 on Good Health and Well-being by bringing essential services closer to residents, strengthening maternal and child healthcare, and improving the capacity of frontline health personnel to respond to community needs.

She also linked improved access to healthcare with poverty reduction, gender equality and reduced inequalities, noting that difficulties in obtaining treatment could affect household finances, children’s education and the ability of adults to earn a living. She explained that the facility’s intended contribution extends beyond medical care to supporting the stability and dignity of families.

‘Beyond the beds and physical structure, this centre represents dignity, timely intervention and renewed hope,’ she said.

Orelope-Adefulire stressed that commissioning the centre marked the beginning of a continuing responsibility, calling on the relevant authorities and beneficiaries to ensure proper staffing, protection and maintenance.

‘Sustainable infrastructure is not measured only by the day it is commissioned, but by the quality of service it continues to deliver over many years,’ she stated.

The Children’s Recreational Centre, also in Egbeda, was presented as an investment in children’s physical, mental, social and emotional development.

Orelope-Adefulire emphasised the importance of safe spaces where children could interact, explore their abilities and develop outside formal learning environments.

‘Play is not a luxury; it is an essential part of childhood and a powerful means through which children develop physically, mentally, socially and emotionally,’ she said.

The centre is intended to encourage creativity, teamwork, healthy habits and positive social interaction while giving children opportunities to build friendships and a sense of belonging.

The intervention supports SDGs 3, 4, 10 and 11, which address health, education, reduced inequalities, and sustainable cities and communities.

Local authorities, parents, teachers, community leaders and youth organisations were urged to ensure fair access to the facility, with particular attention to girls, children with disabilities and children from vulnerable households. They were also encouraged to maintain the equipment and keep the environment safe and welcoming.

At Orisumibare Primary School, the two blocks comprising 36 classrooms are intended to ease pressure on existing facilities and provide a more conducive environment for pupils and teachers.

Orelope-Adefulire said the investment supported quality education and the wider objective of expanding opportunities for children, regardless of their backgrounds.

‘The true value of these classrooms will not be found in their walls alone, but in the dreams nurtured within them, the knowledge shared by committed teachers, and the futures transformed through learning,’ she said.

Speakers at the handover called for effective teacher deployment, adequate learning materials, sanitation, security and continuous maintenance. Parents were encouraged to support regular attendance and work closely with school authorities.

The Executive Chairman of Alimosho Local Government, Hon. Akinpelu Ibrahim Johnson, welcomed the projects as investment in the community’s future and thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Orelope-Adefulire for the interventions.

The Chairman described the projects as significant milestones in the development of the communities, noting that they represent important investments in the health, well-being, education and future of residents, particularly women, children and other vulnerable members of society.

‘These classroom blocks will provide our pupils with a more conducive environment to learn, grow and fulfil their potential. Indeed, every investment in the education of our children is an investment in the future of our community,’ Johnson said.

Formally accepting the handover, he pledged the local government’s support for proper utilisation and maintenance, while appealing to school management and residents to protect the facilities for future generations.

Johnson also acknowledged the contribution of His Royal Majesty, Oba Akeeb Adebowale Rauf, the Alaye of Orisumibare, who provided the land on which the school was built.

Akinpelu also commended the Elegbeda of Egbeda, His Royal Majesty Oba Hammed Omogoriola Orelope Laka, for his leadership and support towards the development of Egbeda and its people.

He described the traditional rulers’ support as an important contribution to the project, highlighting the cooperation between federal intervention, local leadership and the community.

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Yobe State, Muhammad Gadaka, has sparked controversy after urging married women whose husbands prevent them from voting for the party to leave their marriages.

Gadaka made the statement during a campaign rally in Nangere Local Government Area of the state, where he told women to choose APC over marital disagreements.

‘If your husband won’t allow you to vote for APC, stand up to him and seek a divorce. If you leave the marriage, I will pay your dowry and marry you,’ he said.

The comment, which was captured in a video shared online, has triggered criticism, with some residents and Islamic scholars describing the remark as provocative and inappropriate.

Following the backlash, Gadaka later apologised, saying his statement was only a joke and was not intended to encourage women to end their marriages.

‘My statement was just a joke and does not in any way represent the ideals I stand for or intended to encourage divorce among married people,’ he said.

The Yobe APC chairman added that he withdrew the comment and apologised for any misunderstanding caused by his words.

The controversy comes amid increasing political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, with several politicians facing criticism over statements made during campaign events.

Days earlier, Borno State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sainna Buba, also sparked outrage after threatening to flog people who refused to support the APC.