Category: PM News

The Ogun Government has issued a fresh flood alert ahead of the second phase of the 2026 rainy season, advising residents in vulnerable communities to relocate to safer locations.

Mr. Ola Oresanya, the Commissioner for Environment, gave the alert in a statement made available to newsmen in Abeokuta on Tuesday.

Oresanya explained that the warning followed a forecast by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) identifying Ogun among states expected to experience heavy rainfall during the year.

The commissioner said the first phase of the rainy season, which ran from mid-March to July, witnessed intense rainfall and isolated flash floods in some parts of the state, but with comparatively minimal impact.

Oresanya attributed the modest impact to the proactive measures adopted by the government, including sustained public awareness and education, regular maintenance of rivers, streams and drainage channels.

The commissioner said that the state government had also witnessed improvements in waste management services.

He said particular attention had been given to major river channels and waterways, including Sokori River and its tributaries, Opa-Aro, Adiyan, Eruwuru, Yemule, Gbogidi Canal and Ijamido rivers and streams.

According to him, NiMet’s Seasonal climate prediction indicates that the second phase of the 2026 rainy season is expected to commence in September

‘ The state is projected to experience intense rainfall averaging about 360mm during the month. The rainfall in inland parts of the state is expected to decline from October into early November,’ he said.

The commissioner, however, warned that the period could bring river and coastal flooding to some parts of the state due to prolonged rainfall, controlled overflow from Oyan Dam and tidal fluctuations.

He added that it could impede the flow velocity of the Ogun River, adding that the combined effect could result in temporary oversaturation of wetlands and floodplains, increasing the risk of flooding in vulnerable communities.

Oresanya therefore advised residents in Isheri, Arepo, Mawere, Magboro, Akute and Warewa, as well as parts of Abeokuta, to remain vigilant and relocate to safer locations where necessary.

‘The advisory also covers coastal communities including Makun-Omi, Iwopin, Oni, Ifaara and Igele in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area; Ebute-Imobi in Ijebu East Local Government Area, Tungeji Island and Agosasa in Ipokia Local Government Area; and communities located along the floodplains of the Ilo and Iju Rivers,’ he said.

Oresanya urged fish farmers operating within floodplains and river corridors to harvest their stocks promptly to minimise potential losses arising from flooding.

The commissioner specifically advised fish farmers in Eriwe, Yemule, Ilase and Ayegbami, as well as those in other vulnerable communities, to heed the warning without delay.

Oresanya called on relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Local Government Authorities, emergency response organisations, community leaders and other stakeholders to intensify flood-response activities.

He also urged community leaders to strengthen public awareness campaigns in their respective communities, noting that timely information and early action remained critical to minimising the impact of potential flooding.

Oresanya assured residents that the government would sustain its efforts to minimise the adverse impact of flooding across the state.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu welcomed the encouraging news on Monday from the National Bureau of Statistics, which shows that Gross Domestic Product for the second quarter of 2026 grew by 4.43 per cent, up from 4.23 per cent in the second quarter of 2025.

The report also shows growth in agriculture, manufacturing, the oil and gas sector, and the service sector, which now dominates the economy in terms of contribution to aggregate GDP.

In nominal terms, the country’s aggregate GDP in the second quarter stood at N119.27 trillion, up by 18.43 per cent from N100.7 trillion recorded at the same time last year.

President Tinubu said the report could not have come at a better time, as the opposition has been trying to diminish his administration’s efforts since May 2023 and even promising to reverse the policies if, perchance, Nigerians voted for them.

‘In the past three years, we tried to do the hard part by implementing the necessary reforms to stabilise the economy. Now the economy is stabilised, and we have laid the foundation for a prosperous nation. We didn’t do the reforms to create challenges, but to ensure prosperity reaches all our people.

‘The results of the efforts are becoming very clear to all: The Renewed Hope Agenda is working. Because of those tough decisions, today Nigeria has trade surpluses. Our foreign reserves are at their highest in 17 years. Our credit rating has moved up several notches. We are building roads, railways and superhighways that will last for a long time. Investors who left are returning. Oil and gas production is increasing. And in our universities – for the first time in a long time – there are no strikes. Our children are in class. And through NELFUND, student loans are putting education within reach, and affordable credit is going to our civil servants through Creditcorp.

‘In the next few weeks, we are addressing some of the challenges being faced by our vulnerable population by providing cheaper means of transport, ramping up food production and implementing various relief programmes that will touch lives at the grassroots’.

‘Under our watch, the economy is on the irreversible path to experience even more growth that all homes will feel at the dining table and in their pockets. We are not resting on our oars. We are fully committed to translating consistent, stronger economic performance into better microeconomic outcomes for our citizens. We must stay vigilant by ensuring the sustainable progress we are recording remains irreversible’, President Tinubu stated.

A two-storey residential building has collapsed in Anambra but no life was lost. The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development in the state, Mr Chijioke Ojukwu, confirmed the incident to newsmen, revealing that the building collapsed on Sunday.

The commissioner, who visited the scene for on-the-site assessment, described the incident as unfortunate. He, however, expressed joy that no fatality had been recorded in the incident.

He said that notice had been served on occupants of a nearby three-storey building for their safety and to make way for an integrity test on the building.

According to Ojukwu, the buildings in the neighborhood will be subjected to a mandatory integrity test and those that failed the test would be demolished.

‘The building was poorly constructed, it was built without the requisite approval of the ministry. It was built on a wall fence of an existing three-storey building by a developer. We will evacuate all the occupants of the three-store building, which shares the same compound with the collapsed building. We have not been able to confirm, if there was any casualty,’ Ojukwu said.

He said there would be statewide demolition of buildings that rest on perimeter fences of existing buildings, those that violate set back rules or without the requisite approval.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has pledged to release funds meant for Nigeria’s local governments directly to the councils immediately after assuming office as president, if elected in 2027.

Atiku made the commitment as part of his stated plan to strengthen local government autonomy, uphold the rule of law and promote what he described as a truly federal system of government.

In a statement issued on his behalf by his official spokesperson, Kenneth Okonkwo, Atiku said his administration would respect court judgments and ensure that public funds reach the level of government for which they are intended.

The former vice president specifically referred to the Supreme Court judgment of July 2024 concerning the financial autonomy of local governments.

Atiku said: ‘My administration will respect court judgments, protect local government autonomy, ensure that public funds reach the people for whom they are meant, and restore true federalism.’

He argued that direct access to their funds would give local governments greater capacity to deliver development at the grassroots and respond to challenges facing their communities.

According to Atiku, the policy would also help reduce poverty and strengthen local governments’ ability to tackle crime and terrorism.

‘This move will ensure that development is brought to the grassroots, reduce poverty at the level of government nearest to the people, and guarantee financial independence to the local governments which will increase their capacity to fight crimes and terrorism at that level,’ he said.

Atiku also accused the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration of failing to enforce the Supreme Court ruling, alleging that the Federal Government was reluctant to confront state governors over their control of local government funds.

He further alleged that the funds could be used for political purposes ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The allegation was made by Atiku’s camp and was not independently established in the statement.

The former vice president maintained that political considerations should not determine the implementation of constitutional and judicial provisions.

He said Nigeria should operate under established laws and institutions rather than political interests.

‘Nigeria must be governed by laws, not by political convenience,’ Atiku said.

The Kogi State Government has commended the joint security forces for the successful rescue of 21 kidnapped victims in Dekina Local Government Area of the state, describing the operation as a demonstration of tactical excellence and effective inter-agency collaboration.

In a press statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, the State Government said the successful operation further demonstrated the determination of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government to make criminality a regrettable trade for criminals.

The victims, comprising eight males and 13 females, were rescued on Monday, August 31, 2026, by troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, working with the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, local hunters and vigilante groups.

The operation followed reports of the abduction of road users along the Alloma-Ejule-Itobe road axis. Acting on credible intelligence, the security teams conducted a coordinated search of the Egume and Ochaja forest areas, leading to the successful rescue of all 21 victims.

One of the rescued male victims sustained a gunshot wound and was promptly evacuated to a medical facility for treatment.

Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for equipping the nation’s security forces to effectively combat violent crimes across the country. He also commended the heads of the various security agencies as well as the officers and men who participated in the operation.

‘Criminals will always regret stepping their feet on Kogi State. We will never wag our tails before cowards who take arms against the state. Kogi is always ready to obliterate any threat to lives and property in the state,’ the Governor said.

Governor Ododo also commended the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Army Staff, the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of the Department of State Services, the Chief of Naval Staff, the Chief of Air Staff, the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and all local security operatives for their organisational acumen, courage and effective response to the incident.

The Governor assured the people of Kogi State that his administration would continue to strengthen collaboration with security agencies and local security structures to protect lives and property across the state.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to provide credible and timely information to security agencies, stressing that the collective support of citizens remains vital to the fight against kidnapping and other forms of criminality.

A 74-year-old man identified as Joseph Adeniran was on Tuesday ordered to be remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Center for allegedly defiling his nine-year-old granddaughter.

Adeniran, a cleric, is facing a charge of defilement.

He was arraigned before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court.

The Prosecutor, ASP Adegoke Ademigbuji, told the court that the offence was committed on June 18, 2026, at the defendant’s residence.

Ademigbuji alleged that the defendant fingered the victim, resulting in profuse bleeding.

The prosecutor said a neighbour noticed bloodstains on the victim’s clothes and drew attention to it.

Upon enquiry, Ademigbuji said, the victim told the neighbour that her grandfather had fingered her, which caused the bleeding.

The prosecutor added that the case was reported at the police station and the defendant was subsequently arrested.

According to the prosecutor, the offence contravened Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs C.M. Kushanu, did not take the defendant’s plea.

She ordered that Adeniran shoul be remanded in Kirikiri Correctional Center until Sept. 24, pending the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Katsina State Government has intensified measures to contain the diphtheria outbreak in the state, with more than 150,000 people vaccinated within the first five days of its emergency vaccination campaign.

The response, under the administration of Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, combined emergency vaccination with active case detection, treatment, contact tracing, isolation facilities, infection prevention and community mobilisation.

The intervention became necessary following the spread of suspected diphtheria cases across 29 Local Government Areas, with Funtua recording the highest burden, followed by other affected areas, including Kankia, Bakori, Katsina, Mashi and Daura.

A Statement by Governor Radda’s Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, indicated that: ‘For the Radda administration, the priority has been to identify affected communities quickly, protect those at risk and ensure that suspected cases receive medical attention before complications develop.’

To coordinate the response, the government activated its emergency response structure, bringing together the State Emergency Preparedness and Rapid Response Team, Katsina State Primary Health Care Agency and Ministry of Health. The state is also working with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and development partners.

Regular coordination meetings, surveillance, contact tracing and preventive treatment for people exposed to suspected cases are ongoing.

According to Mohammed, ‘150,346Vaccinated in five days, one of the strongest components of the government’s response is the reactive vaccination campaign, which commenced on August 25, 2026, in 15 high-risk wards across Bakori, Charanchi, Funtua, Mashi and Kankia Local Government Areas.

‘ By the 5th day, 99,036 eligible persons had received the Td vaccine, while 51,310 children had received the Pentavalent vaccine. That means at least 150,346 vaccinations were administered within 5 days across the five targeted LGAs.

‘The figures are significant because vaccination remains one of the most effective protections against diphtheria. More importantly, reports from the field indicate strong public response, with high turnout at vaccination posts and health facilities.

House-to-house mobilisation and the involvement of traditional leaders and community stakeholders have also helped drive participation.’

Mohammed further stated that the campaign data also provide a clearer picture of the scale of the exercise.

The programme targets 114,570 children aged six months to five years for Pentavalent vaccination and 146,075 persons aged five to 15 years for Td vaccination across the five implementing LGAs.

Beyond the doses already administered, the Radda administration has secured an additional 650,000 doses of diphtheria-containing vaccines to extend protection in high-risk and affected communities. This is important.

An outbreak of this nature cannot be fought from government offices alone. Vaccines must reach communities, suspected cases must be found early, health workers must be equipped and families must understand when and where to seek help.

More so, the state government has established three additional isolation centres, complementing the NCDC-supported isolation centre at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina. Essential medicines, medical consumables and infection prevention materials are also being provided, while case-management drugs are being positioned closer to affected communities.

Health workers are receiving additional training in diphtheria surveillance and case management. Surveillance teams are visiting affected communities and health facilities to search for cases, trace contacts and update records, while preventive medicines are being administered to contacts where necessary.

Mohammed noted that, ‘these measures matter because speed can make the difference between recovery and severe illness. Diphtheria is dangerous, but it is preventable, and early detection and prompt treatment can save lives.’

However, Katsina State Government, has not hidden the challenges confronting the response.

Available reports identify low vaccination uptake in some communities, late presentation of suspected cases at health facilities and Katsina’s international border with Niger Republic among the factors complicating disease control.

Mohammed insisted that these realities make public cooperation as important as government intervention. Therefore, parents and caregivers must ensure that their children receive the recommended vaccines.

Anyone showing symptoms such as sore throat, fever, difficulty swallowing or breathing, neck swelling, or a thick greyish or whitish membrane in the throat, tonsils or nose should be taken immediately to the nearest health facility. Suspected cases should not be managed at home while waiting for the condition to worsen.

‘Governor Radda’s administration has committed to providing the resources required to contain the outbreak while strengthening surveillance, case management and routine immunisation across the state,’ he noted.

A Metropolitan Police officer has been dismissed from the force without notice after being found guilty of gross misconduct for breaching a court-imposed restraining order protecting a woman known to him.

PC Dawid Lewicki, who was attached to the Met’s South West command unit, appeared before an accelerated misconduct hearing on Friday, August 28, where an allegation of gross misconduct against him was found proven.

The disciplinary case followed an order issued by Westminster Magistrates’ Court on June 12 for the protection of a woman known to Lewicki.

The restraining order prohibited the officer from making direct or indirect contact with the woman and from going to her home or workplace. The order is due to remain in force until June 11, 2028.

The misconduct hearing concluded that Lewicki had breached the standards of professional behaviour relating to discreditable conduct.

Following the finding, the officer was dismissed from the Metropolitan Police without notice, ending his service with the force.

Chief Superintendent Dan Knowles, who is responsible for policing in south-west London, said police officers were expected to maintain high standards of conduct both while on duty and in their private lives.

‘A basic expectation of police officers is that they uphold the law and maintain the highest standards of behaviour, both on and off duty,’ Knowles said.

He said public confidence in policing depended heavily on officers demonstrating integrity and complying with the law.

‘The public rightly expect officers to act with integrity and off-duty conduct that requires a court-imposed order seriously undermines trust in policing,’ he said.

Knowles described Lewicki’s conduct as gross misconduct and said dismissal without notice was the appropriate disciplinary outcome.

‘PC Lewicki’s actions amounted to gross misconduct and his dismissal without notice was the appropriate outcome,’ he said.

The consequences for Lewicki extend beyond his dismissal from the Metropolitan Police.

He will now be placed on the College of Policing Barred List, which prevents him from rejoining the police service or taking up certain other policing-related roles in the future.

A 34-year-old Lagos driver identified as Segun Falola was remanded in Kirikiri Correctional Center on Tuesday following his arraignment for allegedly abducting and defiling a 14-year-old girl.

Falola was arraigned before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court by the police for alleged abduction and defilement.

The prosecutor, ASP Adegoke Ademigbuji, told the court that the offences were committed between April 3 and April 24, in the Alakuko area of Lagos.

Ademigbuji alleged that the defendant abducted the victim, a 14-year-old girl, while she was on her way from Alakuko to Agege, lured her into a house and sexually assaulted her.

The prosecutor added that the defendant was arrested after the victim’s phone was tracked to Oyo State, where he had kept her.

According to the prosecutor, the offences contravene Sections 137 and 268 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs C.M. Kushanu, declined to take the defendant’s plea.

She ordered that he be remanded in Kirikiri Correctional Center until Sept. 30, pending the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has directed the immediate suspension of all village and ward heads of Mallam-Fatori, headquarters of Abadam Local Government Area, over their absence during his visit to the community.

This is contained in a statement signed by Dauda Iliya Special Adviser on Media and publicity to Zulum on Monday in Maiduguri

Zulum gave the directive while inspecting public infrastructure for residents returning to the insurgency-ravaged border town.

The governor expressed concern over the absence of the traditional leaders, describing it as unacceptable at a time when residents were returning and rebuilding their communities.

He directed the Commissioner for Local Government and Emirate Affairs, Alhaji Sugun Mele, to work with the Shehu of Borno to coordinate the process of appointing new village and ward heads without delay.

Zulum said the new appointees must be people of proven integrity, competence and commitment, capable of working with residents, government and security agencies to restore stability and development.

‘Traditional leaders have a critical role to play in stabilising communities emerging from conflict.

‘Their presence is essential for maintaining communication between government and residents, strengthening community resilience and providing leadership as returnees settle into their ancestral homes,’ he said.

The governor also pledged to accelerate the reconstruction of critical infrastructure in Mallam-Fatori.

He also directed the immediate construction of an Islamic education centre , primary and secondary schools, as well as a hospital in the area.

Zulum said the provision of basic amenities is critical to enable returnees rebuild their lives and restore livelihoods.

He also visited the 68 Battalion Nigerian Army headquarters, where he commended troops for their courage and commitment to maintaining security in the area.

The governor assured the military of continued government support to enhance their operational effectiveness.