Category: PM News

A group of suspected kidnappers walked into a police operation while attempting to collect ransom for a 50-year-old herder abducted in Osun State.

The operation ended in a gun battle, with one suspected kidnapper arrested, the victim rescued unhurt and N2,217,800 in ransom money recovered.

Osun State Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan disclosed the development during a press briefing on Wednesday.

The rescued victim, Haruna Yusuf, was abducted on July 9 from a remote settlement near Wasinmi Village along the Gbongan-Ife-Ibadan Road.

Police said four suspected kidnappers seized the Fulani herder and subsequently demanded a ransom for his release.

Officers initially launched a search with local vigilantes before transferring the case to the anti-kidnapping section of the command’s Violent Crime Response Unit.

Rather than disrupt the payment immediately, operatives reportedly monitored the ransom process and followed it to the collection point chosen by the kidnappers.

The security team moved in when the ransom was taken to the Majeroku area along the Ibadan-Ife Expressway on July 12.

Gotan said the kidnappers opened fire after spotting the operatives, prompting a response from the police.

‘The team successfully rescued the victim unhurt,’ the commissioner said.

‘The kidnappers, on sighting the operatives, opened fire, and the police equally responded professionally, leading to a gun duel.’

Some of the suspected kidnappers reportedly sustained gunshot injuries during the confrontation.

One suspect, identified as 40-year-old Usman Aliyu, was arrested, while other members of the gang escaped.

Aliyu was taken to the UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital for treatment.

Police recovered N2,217,800 at the scene, which the command described as proceeds from the ransom payment.

Gotan said security operatives were tracking the fleeing members of the gang, whom he accused of terrorising communities around the area.

The police commissioner also announced the arrest of three suspected cult members in Iree.

They were identified as Michael Oluwatobi, 23; Busayo Joseph, 22; and Abu Azeez, 23.

Police reportedly recovered a small coffin and local charms from the suspects, who are also being investigated for alleged involvement in ritual-related activities.

Gotan further disclosed that another suspected kidnapper, Buhari Mutari, was arrested in the Seyi area of Oyo State over a failed abduction in Ijebu-Jesa on May 7.

The alleged leader of the kidnapping operation, Umaru Adamu, had earlier been arrested and paraded on May 19.

Eight other suspects were apprehended during raids on suspected criminal hideouts across Osun for alleged stealing, hooliganism and unlawful possession of substances believed to be cannabis.

The commissioner said all the suspects would be charged in court after investigations.

The Yobe government has sought the support of security agencies in the state to tackle the diversion of life-saving food meant for malnourished children.

Dr Babagana Machina, the Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Primary Healthcare Development Board, appealed during a high-level engagement meeting with the security agencies and other stakeholders on Wednesday in Damaturu.

He announced that the state government had committed more than N500 million to procure and distribute nutrition commodities to tackle child malnutrition.

Machina insisted that it became imperative for the state to put a stop to theft of the life-saving therapeutic food meant for vulnerable children.

He, however, described the rising cases of acute malnutrition among children as a public healthcare crisis and a threat to national security.

The executive secretary warned that diversion of nutrition supplies was worsening the situation.

‘We are deeply concerned about the rate of malnutrition in the state. This is not just a health issue; it is also a security issue.

‘Life-saving food meant for our children is being stolen, diverted and sold illegally,’ Machina said.

He said the goal of the meeting was to enlighten law enforcement agencies on the critical role of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food, RUTF, in treating severe acute malnutrition and to build consensus on how to safeguard the nutrition commodities from misuse, theft and illegal marketing across the state.

The executive secretary further assured that the state government remained committed to protecting citizens’ health and well-being.

He said that special attention would be given to malnourished children, saying security agencies must collaborate and ensure nutrition supplies get to the intended beneficiaries.

In his goodwill message, UNICEF representative Dr K.C. Nwongu commended the Yobe government for the N500 million allocation

He stated that UNICEF was also supporting the state with additional nutrition supplies.

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible for Tuesday’s violent attack on members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, in Imo State.

The ADC also called on security agencies to identify and prosecute the alleged sponsors of the attack, warning that political ambition must not be allowed to plunge the state into violence ahead of the 2027 elections.

NDC members were reportedly holding a meeting at Umuoyima Town Hall in Owerri Municipal Local Government Area when armed men invaded the venue on Tuesday evening.

According to accounts cited by the ADC, more than 20 suspected thugs arrived in a bus carrying guns, knives and other dangerous weapons.

Several people were reportedly injured, while chairs, public-address equipment and other property belonging to the NDC were destroyed.

Reacting in a statement issued on Wednesday, the ADC Publicity Secretary in Imo State, Mac-Donald Amadi, described the attack as barbaric and unacceptable.

‘We are all brothers and sisters. Imo State is our common home. Politics should not turn us into enemies. The blood of any Imolite is too precious to be spilled on the altar of ambition,’ Amadi said.

He warned politicians against using violence and intimidation in their pursuit of power, insisting that electoral contests must be based on ideas and development programmes.

‘Thuggery, intimidation and violence have no place in a democracy,’ he said.

‘Let us debate issues, not attack persons. Let us campaign with our manifesto, not with weapons.’

Amadi said the ADC would not retaliate or sponsor political violence despite the attack.

‘We will not be provoked into violence. We will not sponsor thugs. Our mandate is to serve, not to shed blood,’ he added.

The party urged political actors, stakeholders and young people across Imo State to reject violence and embrace peaceful democratic engagement.

It also called for an immediate investigation to ensure that the perpetrators and anyone found to have sponsored the attack were brought to justice.

Pressdia says it is seeing a surge in demand for strategic media visibility as artificial intelligence transforms the way customers, investors, and business decision-makers discover and evaluate brands online.

The media technology company noted that startups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and established organisations are increasingly integrating public relations into their growth strategies as AI-powered search platforms rely more heavily on information from trusted news publications, authoritative sources, and credible media coverage.

Speaking on the trend, Tobiloba Akanni, Integrated Communications Strategist at Pressdia, said businesses must now focus on building credibility rather than simply improving search rankings.

‘People are no longer just typing keywords into search engines. They’re asking AI platforms to recommend agencies, fintech companies, real estate firms, consultants, and service providers,’ Akanni said. ‘For businesses, the conversation is shifting from simply ranking online to becoming credible enough to be recommended.’

According to Akanni, the rapid evolution of AI-driven search is prompting businesses to treat media coverage as a long-term strategic investment instead of a one-time publicity effort.

‘Every credible publication contributes to a company’s digital footprint,’ she said. ‘Over time, those signals help shape how customers, journalists, investors and increasingly AI systems understand and evaluate a brand.’

Pressdia, which operates a self-service press release distribution platform connecting businesses with media organisations across Africa, said the shift has driven increased demand for press release distribution, executive profiling, company announcements, thought leadership articles, and other reputation-building content.

Akanni explained that AI-powered search systems increasingly evaluate brands based on context, authority, and credibility when generating recommendations, making sustained media visibility more valuable than ever.

‘Businesses are beginning to realise that visibility today extends far beyond websites and social media,’ she said. ‘When your company is consistently referenced across credible news platforms, you’re building authority that can influence both human audiences and AI-powered search.’

The company added that more organisations are deliberately using recognised media platforms to communicate product launches, funding announcements, partnerships, awards, and industry insights as part of broader efforts to strengthen their digital presence and long-term reputation.

According to Pressdia, the trend reflects an evolving communications landscape in which public relations is becoming an essential driver of online discoverability, reputation management, and digital trust alongside traditional marketing.

Akanni urged businesses to begin building media authority now to remain competitive as AI continues to reshape online search and recommendation systems.

‘Search is evolving from keywords to context,’ she said. ‘Companies that consistently communicate through credible media are creating stronger authority signals that help them remain discoverable in an increasingly AI-driven digital environment.’

An Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court in Isabo on Wednesday, remanded a 73-year-old man, Olarenwaju Hamid, in prison for alleged sexual abuse of a teenager and attempting to procure an abortion.

The defendant, whose plea was not taken by the court, was arraigned on a two-count charge of unlawful carnal knowledge and attempt to procure an abortion.

The prosecutor, Mr Saheed Abiodun, said that defendant committed the offence sometime in March at Idi-Ori, Abeokuta.

He alleged that the defendant, who was the caregiver to the 15-year-old girl, on several occasions, had carnal knowledge with her, which subsequently resulted to pregnancy.

He also alleged that the defendant attempted to procure an illegal abortion for the victim offering her the sum of N50, 000 with the intent to terminate the pregnancy.

Abiodun moved a motion ex parte praying the court for an order to remand the defendant.

He asked for the defendant to be remanded for 60 days in the first instance at the Ibara Correctional Centre pending advice from the State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

The prosecutor said that the offences contravened the provision of Sections 32 of the Child’s Right Law and 228 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun, 2006.

The Magistrate, Mrs A.K Araba, ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Oba Correctional Service Centre, pending legal advice from the State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

She adjourned the case until Sept. 14, for mention.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Tuesday reserved judgment in appeals challenging the Federal High Court’s decision ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five opposition political parties.

The parties are the African Democratic Party (ADC)., Accord Party, Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

A three-member panel of justices led by Justice Abba Mohammed said a date would be communicated to all parties in the suit.

Earlier, Musial Adetunbi, SAN, who represented Accord Party urged the court to void and set aside the Federal High Court judgment for being a nullity.

He argued that Justice Peter Lifu who issued the deregistration order erred in law because his findings and conclusions were based on facts not supported any law.

Adetunbi faulted the lower court judgment on various grounds and pleaded with the appellate court to throw it away in the interest of justice.

The Court of Appeal had on June 16 granted a stay of execution of the High Court’s judgment and took a swipe at Justice Lifu for refusing to stay proceedings in the matter as ordered by the appellate Court being higher in the judiciary hierarchy.

The appellate court held that Justice Lifu ignored its earlier order of May 22 directing him to stay proceedings pending the determination of an interlocutory appeal.against his ruling and despite being notified of the order.

The Court described his conduct as ‘a form of judicial impertinence ,’ noting that the Supreme Court had previously held that such conduct amounts to ‘judicial rascality’ and is unbecoming of a judicial officer.

Justice Lifu had ordered INEC to deregister the five political parties on the grounds that they failed to meet the constitutional requirements necessary to retain their registration.

The court also restrained INEC from recognising the affected parties, accepting nominations from them, or allowing them to participate in the 2027 general elections.

Justice Lifu further ordered the parties to stop presenting themselves as registered political parties, holding that the suit filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL) had merit.

A body operating under the aegis of National Forum of Former Legislators NFL instituted the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, against the five political parties.

NFFL through its lawyer Rabo Mohammed had argued that INEC had a constitutional obligation under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC Regulations to deregister political parties that fail to meet the prescribed electoral performance thresholds.

The plaintiffs maintained that the affected parties failed to satisfy the constitutional benchmarks, including winning at least 25 per cent of the votes in a state during a presidential election .

In addition, or securing at least one elective seat at the federal, state, or local government level.

According to the NFFL, the ADC and the four other parties failed to meet these requirements in the 2023 general elections and subsequent by-elections, making their continued recognition by INEC unlawful.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, who is also a defendant in the suit, supported the plaintiffs’ position.

In his court filings, the AGF argued that allowing the parties to remain registered violates the provisions of the Constitution and undermines the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system.

He further contended that INEC would continue to breach its constitutional obligations unless the court intervened.

However, dissatisfied with the Federal high court’s decision, all the defendants, including INEC, appealed the judgment and urged the court of Appeal to set it aside. (NAN

The Federal Government has announced that its renewed Digital Switch Over (DSO) project will provide up to 100 free television channels to at least 40 million households across Nigeria.

The Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Charles Ebuebu, disclosed this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.

Ebuebu explained that the government has changed its approach to the project by replacing the previous terrestrial broadcasting system with a satellite-based platform that can cover the entire country from the start.

According to him, the new system is aimed at increasing access to television services and Nigerian content nationwide.

‘We are targeting at least 40 million TV households across the country,’ he said.

He noted that the old DSO model, which was launched in eight states, provided between 24 and 28 channels depending on the location. However, the new satellite platform is already broadcasting more than 73 channels nationwide, with plans to increase the number to 100 in the coming months.

Ebuebu said the earlier terrestrial broadcasting system covered less than one-quarter of Nigeria despite significant investments, exposing major infrastructure and coverage challenges.

He explained that achieving nationwide coverage through terrestrial broadcasting would have required about 160 transmission towers, imported equipment and several years of work.

‘That is why we decided to use satellite technology, which can cover the whole country from day one,’ he said.

The NBC boss added that while the commission remains the regulator of the broadcasting industry, the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) is responsible for providing satellite and ground services for the project.

He said the platform will allow Nigerians to watch television channels from different parts of the country regardless of where they live, helping to promote national unity and improve access to information.

Ebuebu described the satellite-based DSO project as a better option because it offers wider coverage, clearer picture quality and the ability to carry more channels.

A 45-year-old man, Micheal Aduragbemi, on Wednesday, appeared before a Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, for allegedly obtaining money by false pretence.

The defendant is standing trial on a three-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence and stealing.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecutor, ASP Edet Ekpo, told the court that the defendant and others, now at large, allegedly committed the offences sometime in July and August 2025, at Magbon area of Imeke, Badagry.

He alleged that the defendant conspired with others now at large, to obtain money by false pretence from one Funke Adeyinka.

The prosecutor alleged that the defendant obtained the sum of three million naira from the complainant under the pretext of processing a Kuwait working visa for her, knowing same to be false.

The prosecution alleged that the defendant stole the said sum of money belonging to the complainant.

The offences contravene the provisions of sections 287, 314 and 411, of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The Magistrate, Mr N.A. Layeni granted the defendant bail in the sum of one million naira with two sureties in like sum.

He held that one of the sureties must be a recognised community leader, while the other surety must provide evidence of tax payment, bank statements covering the last six months as well as proof of means.

The court adjourned the case until July 22, for hearing.

The Federal Government has fixed December 2028 as the deadline for the final transition from analogue to digital television broadcasting.

The Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Charles Ebuebu, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Tuesday.

Ebuebu said the December 2028 deadline marked the final analogue switch-off.

‘We put a timeline for analogue switch-off. Before that time, a lot of things will be put in place. This is just phase one,’ he said.

He said subsequent phases would cover pay television services, studio development and designated production centres for content creators.

The NBC boss said audience measurement was also progressing, with a proof of concept completed in about 7,000 homes in Lagos, while implementation had commenced in Abuja.

According to him, the commission will make the phases public after consultations with key stakeholders, including the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, to secure their buy-in.

He said the analogue switch-off would free up valuable spectrum for other uses, describing it as a strategic national asset.

Ebuebu said the spectrum would be professionally valued before allocation to users such as telecommunications, application and financial services companies.

‘I won’t put a sum to it, but it is valued upwards of about 50 billion dollars. Consultants will determine its actual value before allocation,’ he said.

On obsolete broadcasting equipment, Ebuebu said the commission was developing a policy based on expert input and international best practices.

He said the Digital Switch Over White Paper required broadcasters to separate content production from transmission, with transmission handled by signal distributors such as NIGCOMSAT.

According to him, obsolete analogue equipment may be repurposed where possible, while the government will be approached to absorb unusable assets to prevent environmental hazards arising from industrial waste.

The Senate has approved a ?50 million donation to the families of five Nigerians who died during the kidnapping crisis involving schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State.

Each bereaved family will receive ?10 million following the unanimous adoption of a proposal presented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Wednesday’s plenary.

The deceased comprised two Nigerian Army personnel, one police officer and two teachers.

Akpabio identified the security operatives as Lieutenant F. A. Isaac of the Nigerian Army, Private Silas Musa of the Army’s 81 Battalion and Sergeant Abena John Jerome of the Nigeria Police Force.

The two teachers who died while in captivity were identified as Deacon John Olaleye and Michael Oyedokun.

The Senate President said the donation was intended to recognise their sacrifices and provide financial support to their dependants.

‘In appreciation of their sacrifice, the Senate has resolved to donate ?50 million to be shared equally among the five bereaved families,’ Akpabio said.

The decision followed the rescue of the abducted schoolchildren and their teachers after 56 days in captivity.

Akpabio said that although the rescue operation was successful, it came at a significant human cost.

He commended President Bola Tinubu and the country’s security agencies for their roles in securing the victims’ release.

The Senate President also praised the Chief of Army Staff, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, the Inspector-General of Police and the Minister of Defence for their involvement in the operation.

Senators approved the donation through a unanimous voice vote.

Akpabio subsequently directed the Senate leadership to present the cheques to the five families on behalf of the upper legislative chamber.

He expressed hope that the financial intervention would provide some relief to the families and demonstrate the Senate’s appreciation for the sacrifices of the deceased.