Category: PM News

The teacher declared wanted in connection with the alleged fatal flogging of a 12-year-old pupil in Anambra State has surrendered to the police, bringing a major development in the ongoing investigation into the incident.

The Anambra State Police Command said Mrs Dim Ebere, 47, presented herself at the Neni Police Station in Anaocha Local Government Area after officers intensified efforts to track her down.

The command had launched a search for the teacher following allegations that the pupil died after suffering injuries from a flogging at a school in Adazi-Enu.

Police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, said in a statement on Saturday that the breakthrough followed sustained operations by the Safe School Protection Squad working with personnel from the Neni Divisional Police Headquarters, alongside continued consultations with community leaders and other stakeholders in Adazi-Ani.

He said the suspect is being held by the police and will be moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Awka, where detectives will complete their investigation.

The statement read, ‘Following sustained manhunt operations by the Anambra State Police Command’s Safe School Protection Squad, in collaboration with officers of the Neni Divisional Police Headquarters, and continuous engagement with stakeholders and community leaders in Adazi-Ani, the principal suspect, Mrs Dim Ebere, aged 47, has voluntarily presented herself at the Neni Police Station.

‘The suspect is currently in police custody and will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka, where the ongoing investigation will be concluded.

‘To this end, the Command commends the cooperation of the Adazi-Ani community, the traditional institution and other stakeholders whose support contributed to the suspect’s surrender.

‘The family of the deceased and members of the public are hereby assured that the Command remains committed to ensuring that justice is served.

‘The Command further urges members of the public to remain calm, refrain from taking the law into their own hands, and continue to provide useful information that will aid ongoing investigations and other policing efforts across the state.’

A four-week-old baby allegedly stolen through deception has been rescued by the Niger State Police Command following the arrest of a man posing as a clergyman and a woman said to have masterminded the plot.

The command’s spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Saturday in Minna, saying the two suspects are being investigated for criminal conspiracy and child abduction.

According to him, the case was reported to the ‘A’ Division in Minna on July 14 after a nursing mother informed police that her infant had been taken near the Mobil Roundabout.

Abiodun said detectives immediately launched an investigation, using intelligence gathering and technical support to trace and apprehend one of the suspects.

‘Upon receipt of the report, police detectives from the division immediately commenced investigation and deployed technical intelligence, which led to the arrest of Chidi Johnson, aka ‘Yaron Pastor’, 24, of Abdulsalam Quarters.

‘During investigation, he confessed that Zainab Ibrahim, 22, of Alagbado Area, Minna, but residing in Sokoto State, had contracted him to procure a newborn baby following her reported miscarriage,’ he narrated.

Police said the suspect revealed that the plan began a day before the incident when he allegedly persuaded the nursing mother to accompany him with her baby to the Kasuwan-Gwari area, claiming a benefactor wanted to distribute food and other relief items.

Abiodun explained that after the woman and a friend arrived, they were instructed by Ibrahim to contact Johnson, who escorted them to an uncompleted building close to the Mobil Roundabout.

‘Johnson said it was on the pretext that the child would be given food items and alms by a benefactor.

‘On arrival, the victim and her friend were instructed by Ibrahim to contact Johnson, who subsequently met them and led the victim into an uncompleted building near Mobil Roundabout.

‘Upon arrival at the uncompleted building, Johnson offered snacks and soft drinks to gain their confidence while pretending to play with the baby.

‘Unfortunately, in the process of playing with the baby, the suspect fled with the baby through a rear exit of the building on a motorcycle to an unknown destination,’ he said.

The police spokesperson added that officers later arrested Ibrahim, rescued the infant unharmed and reunited the child with the mother.

‘Meanwhile, the suspects are in custody undergoing investigation after which they will be charged to court for prosecution,’ he stated.

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered final forfeiture of 52 terrace and maisonette Lagos allegedly linked to unlawful activities of Fielddreams Limited, Ifeanyi Nweke and Amex Savings and Loans Limited.

Justice Alexandra Owoeye gave the order for the final forfeiture of the properties in a ruling delivered on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.

The properties were located at Mercyville Estate, Covenant Way, off New Road, Ilasan, Lagos, Dele Oyewale, EFCC head of media and publicity said in a statement on Saturday.

Oyewale added that the judge gave the order following a Motion on Notice filed and argued by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, through its counsel, Franklin Ofoma.

He noted that the Commission had, on August 14, 2024, secured the interim forfeiture of the properties through an order granted by Justice Akintayo Aluko, following an ex parte application filed by the EFCC through its counsel, Ofoma.

The order was made in favour of one Dr. Kennedy Okonkwo, a real estate developer and Chief Executive Officer of Capital Gardens Limited.

Justice Aluko had them directed the Commission to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper, inviting any interested party to show cause why the properties should not be finally forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Following the publication of the order, the respondents filed an affidavit to show cause why the court should not grant the final forfeiture of the properties.

Initially, in paragraphs 16 to 25 of their affidavit, the respondents stated that the funds used to develop the 52 terrace and maisonette units were derived from the sale of a portion of land acquired through the sale of 29 terrace and maisonette units valued at One Billion, Nine Hundred Million Naira (?1,900,000,000.00).

They, however, subsequently made a U-turn, accusing the 3rd to 19th applicants of failing to complete the various terrace and maisonette units.

This contradicted their earlier affidavit evidence in which they had stated that they used the proceeds from the sale to complete the furnishing and interior decoration of the remaining units and that construction had been completed in 2020.

At Wednesday’s proceedings, Ofoma, while moving the application for the final forfeiture of the properties, informed the court that the Commission had fully complied with the court’s order regarding the publication of the interim forfeiture.

He further told the court that the application was supported by a 31-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Afolabi Seyi Oladele, a litigation officer in the Legal Department of the EFCC.

According to him, the properties were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities, and he urged the court to grant the application for their final forfeiture.

Ofoma further submitted that the second respondent, Nweke, is a criminal fugitive, adding that he ‘has refused to appear before Justice R.A. Oshodi and Justice Okunuga in Charge No. ID/25771C/2025 and Charge No. ID/25769C/2025 for his arraignment and to defend the charges if he believes that he did not commit any of the offences contained in the charges against him.’

He further informed the court that there were two subsisting warrants of arrest against the second respondent, adding that he had jumped the administrative bail earlier granted him by the Commission over the alleged offences.

After listening to the submissions of both the applicant and the respondents, Justice Owoeye held that ‘Premised on the foregoing position of the law, I hold that since this court cannot pick and choose which of the evidence given by Respondents to believe, it must consequently reject the entire affidavit evidence placed before it by the 1st-3rd Respondents.

‘Accordingly, I reject the 1st-3rd Respondents’ Affidavit to Show Cause/Counter-Affidavit to the Applicant/Respondent’s Motion on Notice for Final Forfeiture filed on the 9th of February, 2026, but deemed properly filed on the 28th of April, 2026.

‘The consequence is that there is no opposition to the Motion filed by the 1st and 2nd Applicants for the grant of an order of final forfeiture.’

The judge further held that

‘Premised on the foregoing, I find that having demonstrated grounds for reasonable suspicion that the properties in question are the proceeds of unlawful activities, the applicants are entitled to the reliefs sought in this application. I therefore resolve the sole issue in this application in favour of the Applicants.’

In the final analysis, the court held that ‘Having resolved the sole issue in this application in favour of the applicants, I hold that this application has merit and ought to be granted. Accordingly, I grant the relief sought in this application as prayed.’

‘In President Bola Tinubu, We have another Lee Kuan Yew,’ Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma stated this on Friday, praising the President’s bold economic reforms, and expressing confidence that his performance would give him a second term in 2027.

Uzodimma made the remarks during a state dinner at the Government House, Owerri, to mark the end of the three-day Renewed Hope Ambassadors/Presidential Communications Team National Media inspection of landmark federal and state governments projects in Imo.

The governor said President Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023, fully prepared to tackle Nigeria’s economic challenges through far-reaching reforms, stressing that the country had entered a new phase of development.

‘The old order is gone and there is now a new order. President Tinubu knew exactly what he came to do. He started implementing the reforms immediately because he understood the task before him,’ he said.

Drawing a biblical analogy, Uzodimma compared Nigeria’s pre-reform economic situation to the bondage of the Israelites in Egypt, saying just as God delivered the Israelites through difficult circumstances, the President’s bold decisions were necessary to free Nigeria from years of economic stagnation.

He acknowledged that the reforms came with initial hardship, but insisted they were already producing positive results, particularly through increased revenues available to states for infrastructure and human capital development.

According to the governor, the ongoing transformation across Imo State is a direct product of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

‘Everything we are doing in Imo today is made possible because of the Renewed Hope Agenda. We are pursuing sustainable development, investing in infrastructure, healthcare, education and technology because the reforms have created the enabling environment for development,’ he said.

Uzodimma expressed confidence that Nigerians would reward President Tinubu with another term in office in 2027, maintaining that the benefits of the administration’s policies would continue to become more evident.

Speaking on behalf of the visiting journalists, veteran journalist, Dr. Soni Daniel, commended Governor Uzodimma for what he described as remarkable developmental strides across Imo State.

He said the inspection tour provided firsthand evidence of the administration’s commitment to infrastructure renewal, particularly in road construction, healthcare, education and digital technology, while also applauding the governor’s investment in human capital development.

Daniel noted that the projects reflected prudent use of public resources and had positioned Imo as one of the leading states in infrastructure and economic transformation in the country.

Earlier, Mr. Sunday Dare, the Special Adviser, Media and Public Communication to the President, commended Governor Uzodimma for what he described as a remarkable infrastructure transformation in Imo State following the three-day inspection tour of federal and state governments projects in the state.

The National Media tour, with over 40 senior editors and journalists in the delegation, is put together by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors in conjunction with the Presidential Communications Team.

Mr. Dare said the projects inspected highlighted the practical implementation of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda through strong collaboration between the Federal and Imo State Governments.

He noted that the increased FAAC allocations resulting from the Federal Government’s reforms were being translated into impactful projects in the state, including the Imo Digital City, the 2,000-bed Infectious Disease Centre, the Heart Transplant Centre in Orlu, the University of Innovation, Science and Technology at Omuma, the expansion of the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Convention Centre and the Orlu-Akokwa-Uga Border Road, positioning Imo as a model of people-centred development under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Four suspects have been arrested over alleged involvement in killing and secret burial of 21-year-old Emmanuel Effiong in Mbak 4 Community in Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

The deceased was beaten to death for stealing from a poultry farm located along Mbak 4 Community in a mob attack, spokesperson for Akwa Ibom Police Command, DSP Timfon John, confirmed in a statement in Uyo on Friday.

The police spokesperson said the victim was beaten with sticks and machetes until he died.

John said the suspects later secretly buried his body in a shallow grave.

She said investigation revealed that the deceased was allegedly accused of stealing chickens and eggs on April 19 from a poultry farm located along Mbak 4 Community in Uyo Local Government Area.

John said investigation was initiated following credible information received, accompanied by a viral video clip showing the deceased being brutally assaulted by a group of individuals.

‘In the disturbing footage, the victim was seen lying helpless in a pool of blood with his hands and legs tied, before being dragged on the ground beside a white Mitsubishi pick-up van.

‘Acting swiftly on the intelligence, operatives of the Command began a painstaking investigation which led to the arrest of four principal suspects,’ John said.

She added that investigators also recovered critical exhibits connected with the crime, including the Mitsubishi pick-up van allegedly used during the offence.

Akwa Ibom Police Command, Baba Azare, condemned the act, stressing that anyone apprehended for any alleged offence should be handed over to the Police or other lawful authorities for due process.

He said the command remained resolute in its commitment to protecting the sanctity of human life and upholding the rule of law.

The Nigerian Army has dismantled a suspected illegal bunkering operation in Lagos State, arresting six suspects during an intelligence-led operation in Orile.

According to the Army, troops from the 65 Battalion carried out the raid on 16 July 2026 after receiving credible information about the activities of individuals allegedly involved in the illegal petroleum trade.

In a statement issued over the weekend, the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya, said the operation was launched promptly following the intelligence report.

‘The operation, conducted on 16 July 2026, followed credible intelligence on the activities of suspected economic saboteurs operating within the area.

‘Acting swiftly on the information, the troops carried out a targeted raid on the suspected site and apprehended six individuals believed to be involved in the illegal bunkering operation.

‘Items recovered during the operation included four drums, two of which contained suspected illegally refined petroleum products.

‘Troops also recovered a white Ford bus and a tanker suspected to have been used in support of the illicit activity.’

Following the operation, the suspects and exhibits were transferred to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Lagos State Command, for further investigation and possible prosecution.

‘The suspects and recovered items were subsequently handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Lagos State Command by the Commanding Officer, 65 Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel S Adeojo, for further investigation and necessary legal action.’

The General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Major General Adebayo Babalola, praised the troops for the successful operation, describing it as another step in the military’s efforts to protect strategic national assets and curb economic crimes within the division’s area of responsibility.

‘The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Adebayo Babalola, commended the troops for their swift response, professionalism and successful execution of the operation.

‘He noted that the achievement reflects the Division’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding critical national assets and denying criminal elements the freedom to operate within the 81 Division Area of Responsibility.

‘The GOC further urged troops to sustain the momentum in ongoing operations and encouraged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.’

The Police command in Bayelsa has arrested three civil servants over alleged theft of government equipment valued at about N500 million.

The command’s spokesman, Mr Musa Mohammed, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Bayelsa on Saturday.

Mohammed said the suspects allegedly conspired to steal several government-owned assets from the Bayelsa Ministry of Labour, Empowerment and Productivity.

The stolen items allegedly included a 110 KVA Perkins generator, forklift, lathe machines, electric filling machines and other equipment.

He said the investigation followed a petition submitted to the Commissioner of Police after officials discovered missing assets during an inspection.

‘On June 22, at about 10:30 a.m., the petitioner led a team comprising ministry staff and the Head of Human Resources Management on an inspection,’ he said.

Mohammed said the inspection was conducted at the ministry’s equipment store within the premises of the Ministry of Transport, Yenagoa.

‘Upon opening the store, it was discovered that several valuable government assets, including a 110 KVA Perkins generator, forklift and lathe machines, were missing,’ he said.

He said the Commissioner of Police subsequently directed the State Criminal Investigation Department to begin a discreet investigation.

The investigation, he said, led to the arrest of three suspects identified as Wadi Igiran, 51; Nikade Sunday, 59; and Azabia Yakie, 59.

Mohammed said Igiran is from Besine community in Yenagoa Local Government Area, while Sunday is from Agbere, Sagbama LGA.

He added that Yakie is from Okutukutu community in Yenagoa Local Government Area.

According to him, all three suspects are staff members of the ministry and have confessed to the alleged crime.

‘The forklift had been recovered from the receiver, who is also in the custody of the SCID,’ Mohammed said.

He said the suspects would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.

Mohammed reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting public assets and combating economic and property-related crimes.

‘The command is committed to ensuring that all those involved in criminal activities are brought to justice,’ he said.

A journey meant to give a deceased woman a dignified burial ended in tragedy after three of her children were reportedly abducted by suspected armed herdsmen in Benue State while conveying her remains from Abuja to their ancestral home.

The attack according to a report by Vanguard, occurred in the early hours of Saturday along the Ogobia-Otukpo Road, between the Omutele and Ankpechi communities in Ohimini Local Government Area. The family was travelling to Iklenyi in Okpokwu Local Government Area, where burial arrangements had been made.

The report said a source revealed that the mourners had already experienced a major setback before the attack when the vehicle conveying them developed a fault, forcing them to remain on the road far longer than planned.

‘Even at about 2am they were still on the road because their vehicle had broken down. After repairing it, they continued the journey because they were determined to take their mother’s body home for burial,’ the source was quoted to have said.

The source explained that the siblings had continued updating relatives on their progress until they reached the isolated stretch of road where communication suddenly stopped. It was later learnt that armed men had allegedly intercepted the vehicle.

‘It was the three of them travelling with the corpse of their mother. When they got to that area, the armed men abducted all three siblings and even took the corpse of their mother into the bush. As we speak, they are still being held,’ the source added.

‘It is painful that a family already grieving the loss of their mother has been subjected to this ordeal. They kidnapped not only the children but also took the corpse of a dead woman. We appeal to the agencies to act swiftly and ensure their safe rescue,’ the source further said.

The report said the Chairman of Ohimini Local Government Area, Gabriel Adole, confirmed that he had been briefed about the incident. He said he was travelling to the affected community to gather firsthand information before providing further details.

The National Emergency Management Agency ( NEMA) has appealed to Nigerians living in areas vulnerable to flooding to take precautionary measures as persistent rainfall continues across the country.

In a statement issued on Saturday by its Press Unit, the agency’s Director-General, Zubaida Umar, urged residents to pay close attention to official flood warnings and move to safer locations whenever there is a risk of inundation.

She said communities should immediately activate local flood prevention measures to lessen the impact of rising water levels.

According to the statement, ‘The current period of heightened rainfall calls for the activation of community-level flood mitigation measures to minimise the impact of flooding.’

Umar warned residents against attempting to drive or walk through flooded roads, noting that such actions could prove fatal. She also advised members of the public to keep drainage channels free of refuse to ensure the smooth flow of water during heavy rains.

She encouraged communities to report emergencies without delay so that rescue agencies could respond swiftly.

The NEMA chief stressed that ‘preparedness and early evacuation remain the most effective ways of preventing avoidable loss of lives and reducing the impact of floods during the peak of the rainy season.’

To strengthen preparedness, Umar said the agency had directed all Zonal Directors and Heads of Operations Offices to step up public sensitisation campaigns on flood safety across the country.

She added that the officials had also been instructed to work more closely with State Emergency Management Agencies, Local Emergency Management Committees, traditional rulers and other relevant stakeholders, while ensuring prompt coordination of search and rescue operations whenever emergencies arise.

Reaffirming the agency’s readiness, Umar said NEMA would continue monitoring the flood situation nationwide and collaborate with relevant authorities to provide timely emergency response and humanitarian assistance to affected communities.

The advisory follows recent warnings by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, which forecast a medium flood risk in 14 states between July 14 and July 20. The agency listed Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Edo, Enugu, Imo, Kaduna, Lagos, Niger and Plateau as areas likely to experience localised flooding.

The Federal Ministry of Environment had also earlier alerted residents in 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory to the possibility of flooding caused by heavy rainfall, urging those in vulnerable locations to remain vigilant, follow official weather updates and relocate where necessary to safeguard lives and property.

Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has challenged the Federal High Court’s decision ordering the final forfeiture of properties linked to him, insisting that he remains confident in the judiciary.

Malami, through his media aide, Bello Doka, on Friday, said he disagreed with aspects of the judgment but had directed his legal team to immediately file an appeal against the ruling.

The former minister said the move was in exercise of his constitutional right to seek further legal review, adding that the appellate process would allow all issues surrounding the case to be fully examined.

‘The appellate process exists to ensure that every legal issue is thoroughly examined, and Mr. Malami is confident that justice will ultimately prevail,’ the statement said.

The Federal High Court in Abuja had earlier ordered the final forfeiture of 48 assets linked to the former minister, a decision that prompted the latest legal action from Malami.

Malami urged Nigerians and the media to avoid drawing conclusions while the judicial process continues, stressing the importance of due process in a democratic society.

He also reaffirmed his respect for the independence of the judiciary and commitment to the rule of law, while calling on his supporters to remain calm and law-abiding.

The former minister thanked Nigerians, particularly people of Kebbi State, for their support and assured them that the development would not affect his commitment to public service and his political aspirations.