Category: PM News

The European Union is set to provide pound 20 million in defence assistance to Nigeria to help the military tackle insecurity across the country.

The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, disclosed this during a meeting with the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States, Gautier Mignot, in Abuja.

The assistance will be provided under the European Peace Facility, an EU programme that supports peace and security. An EU technical team is expected to visit Abuja in November to discuss how the funds and support will be delivered.

According to a statement issued on Saturday by the minister’s aide, Leah Katung-Babatunde, the meeting focused on security cooperation between Nigeria and the EU.

Musa thanked the European Union for its continued support for Nigeria’s efforts to address insecurity. He also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting lives and property.

The minister said relative peace was gradually returning to the country because of the efforts of the Armed Forces and other security agencies.

However, he identified kidnapping along major highways and attacks on isolated communities as major security challenges that still needed to be addressed.

Musa also disclosed that Nigeria was expecting 10 attack helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles and other important military equipment through the efforts of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

On regional security, the minister warned that the shrinking Lake Chad Basin, which supports more than 50 million people, could create further security problems.

He said preventing terrorists from using islands in Lake Chad as operational bases remained a major priority for the Multinational Joint Task Force, which works to combat terrorism in the region.

Musa also called for greater attention to people affected by conflicts under the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration programme. He stressed that military personnel affected by the conflict should also receive proper support.

Earlier, Mignot praised the minister’s efforts to improve Nigeria’s security situation and invited him to a meeting of defence ministers scheduled to take place in Brussels later in the year.

The EU ambassador also commended a recent conference involving former and serving commanders of the Multinational Joint Task Force. Representatives of the African Union and the Lake Chad Basin Commission attended the meeting.

Mignot said the planned visit by the EU technical team in November would help finalise arrangements for delivering the pound 20 million defence assistance.

The National Association of University Students (NAUS), National Headquarters, has announced plans to host the University Students Health and Safety Summit 2026

The summit, according to a release by its Executive Committee on Sunday, is scheduled to hold on Friday 30 October 2026 at the

University of Abuja Main Campus.

The event themed ‘Leveling Up Health Care and Combating Social Vices on University Campuses’ is expected to convene university students, health professionals, security stakeholders and youth leaders from across six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.

‘The Summit is a strategic intervention aimed at addressing the increasing health challenges and rising cases of social vices bedeviling Nigerian university campuses.

‘The program will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions and health sensitization.

‘The National Headquarters therefore calls on all university students, stakeholders, partners and the general public to participate in this historic gathering.

‘For enquiries and partnership, contact naushqsummit25@gmail.com,’ the NAUS release said.

Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested two suspected kidnappers in Plateau, rescued a community leader with gunshot wounds and recovered ammunition allegedly linked to terrorist logistics in Sokoto.

An operational report detailing military activities between Oct. 17 and 18, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said the operations were conducted across the North-East, North-West and North-Central regions.

According to the report, troops arrested the two suspected kidnappers on a motorcycle in Pentor village, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau, on Oct. 17.

‘The suspects were allegedly members of a criminal gang terrorising residents of Chanso, Pushit and Janaret districts of the state.

‘In another incident in Plateau, troops rescued the chairman of Miyetti Allah Langai District, who sustained gunshot wounds during an attack by suspected Fulani militia,’ it said.

The report said troops rescued the victim around the Makera axis and evacuated him to General Hospital, Botto, for medical attention.

It added that the attack might be linked to the victim’s recent remarks at a burial, where he reportedly urged residents to shun criminality and stop destroying farms.

The report said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the assailants.

‘In Sokoto, troops of 248 Recce Battalion Quick Reaction Force, operating around Tsauna, conducted a snap check along the Tumbulukum-Saurna Road in Illela Local Government Area.

‘The operation followed intelligence on the movement of suspected Lakurawa terrorist logistics suppliers, while a suspect abandoned a motorcycle and fled on sighting the troops.

‘A search of the motorcycle led to the recovery of 107 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition and five rounds of 7.62mm ammunition concealed in its engine compartment,’ it said.

The report further said troops and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force conducted a follow-up operation around Forward Operating Base Mairari in Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno.

It added that the operation followed an attack on the base by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on Oct. 13.

According to the report, troops recovered two AK-47 rifles and a motorcycle allegedly abandoned by the terrorists during the attack.

It said the operations reflected ongoing military efforts to disrupt criminal activities, intercept terrorist logistics and protect communities across the affected areas.

The Assembly of Health Care Professionals of Katsina State has suspended its seven-day warning strike following fresh commitments by Gov. Dikko Radda to address its demands.

The Chairman of the assembly, Mr Ibrahim-Balange, announced the suspension in a statement issued in Katsina on Sunday. The suspension took effect at midnight on Oct. 18, following a meeting between the association and Gov. Radda on Oct. 16.

Ibrahim-Balange said the decision followed the state government’s commitment to reopen negotiations with the association and comprehensively review the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) and professional allowances.

He said the government also agreed to establish a Joint Technical Committee to address outstanding issues affecting health professionals.

He directed members to resume full clinical and administrative services across health facilities in the state from Oct. 18.

According to him, the commitments include the immediate reopening of negotiations through a Technical Roundtable and the review and implementation of CONHESS in line with existing circulars.

He said the review would cover professional allowances, including hazard, call duty and shift duty allowances, as well as other CONHESS-related entitlements.

Ibrahim-Balange added that the government had also committed to resolving the CONHESS 10 skipping issue for qualified officers in accordance with the Scheme of Service.

He said the proposed Joint Technical Committee would operate with clearly defined terms of reference and a timeline for addressing the outstanding issues.

The chairman said the assembly unanimously agreed to suspend the industrial action after carefully considering the commitments made by the governor.

He appreciated members for their cooperation, resilience and solidarity throughout the strike. Ibrahim-Balange also commended Gov. Radda for his prompt response and intervention, assuring members that the association remained committed to protecting their welfare and professional interests.

The chairman noted that the suspension ‘is expected to restore normal clinical and administrative services in public health facilities across the state.’

The association had announced its plan to embark on the warning strike on Oct. 14, over unresolved issues concerning salary structure implementation and professional allowances.

Two people have been killed and two others seriously injured in a road traffic collision involving a commercial bus and a pickup van along the Adekunle corridor, inward Iyana Oworo, Lagos State.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), which confirmed the incident, said its operatives promptly mobilised to the scene to coordinate rescue efforts, secure the area and facilitate the evacuation of the victims.

The crash involved a Suzuki commercial bus with registration number KTU 333 YF and a pickup van. The two injured survivors, a man and a woman, were taken to the General Hospital, Odan, for urgent medical attention.

According to LASTMA’s Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, the agency’s personnel evacuated the bodies of the deceased and handed them over to the Lagos State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU), popularly known as SHEMU.

Taofiq added that the accident vehicles and the Suzuki bus driver were subsequently handed over to officers of the Yaba Police Division, who provided security and maintained order at the scene until the rescue and recovery operations were completed.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased, describing the loss of lives as deeply distressing.

Bakare-Oki also wished the injured victims a speedy and complete recovery, while urging motorists to exercise greater caution and comply strictly with traffic regulations and prescribed speed limits.

He emphasised that responsible driving, sustained concentration and careful manoeuvring were essential to preventing avoidable road crashes and their devastating consequences.

The LASTMA boss further advised motorists to maintain safe following distances, avoid reckless driving and ensure their vehicles were roadworthy at all times.

The agency reiterated its commitment to prompt emergency response, effective traffic management and the protection of lives on Lagos roads, urging all road users to prioritise safety while navigating the state’s road network.

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Sunday received the Director General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, and other top party leaders at Ahmadu Bello House in Ilorin.

The delegation included former APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, and former senators Ali Modu Sheriff and Rochas Okorocha, alongside other prominent party chieftains from across the country.

The visit is expected to focus on consultations and mobilisation strategies aimed at securing victory for President Bola Tinubu and other APC candidates in the 2027 general elections in Kwara State.

The meeting comes as political parties begin preparations and strengthen their structures ahead of the next general elections.

The delegation’s engagement with AbdulRazaq is expected to provide an opportunity for discussions on party unity, grassroots mobilisation and strategies for improving the APC’s electoral prospects in the state.

The APC leaders are expected to work towards consolidating support for Tinubu and other party candidates as the 2027 elections approach.

The Olowu of Kuta Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Hammed Adekunle Oyelude Makama, Tegbosun III, CON, has congratulated the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, on his 52nd birthday, wishing him good health, wisdom and a peaceful reign.

In a congratulatory message issued from his palace, Oba Oyelude Makama offered prayers for divine guidance for the Ooni as he continues to discharge the responsibilities of his revered throne.

The Olowu prayed for the continued preservation of Yoruba cultural heritage, traditions and values, expressing hope that successive generations would remain connected to the history and customs of their forebears.

He further wished the Ooni renewed strength, personal fulfilment and continued well-being, while expressing hope for sustained peace and progress in Ile-Ife, and Yoruba land.

‘On behalf of the people of Kuta Kingdom, I extended my goodwill to the Olofin Adimula on the occasion, wishing him a rewarding new year and a reign marked by peace and the preservation of cherished traditional values,’ Oba Makama said.

A former Kaduna State Commissioner for Finance, Muhammad Bashir Sa’idu, has dumped the African Democratic Congress for the All Progressives Congress (APC), alleging that a family had taken control of the opposition party.

Sa’idu, a former ally and Chief of Staff to ex-Governor Nasir El-Rufai, declared that the ADC no longer had a credible opposition structure in Kaduna after his group’s departure.

He spoke on Saturday in Zaria at a ceremony to receive him, former ADC governorship aspirant Jafaru Sani, former Senator Suleiman Abdu Kwari and other defectors into the APC.

Sa’idu claimed that more than 200,000 card-carrying ADC members had moved to the ruling party with his group.

He said Kaduna De-Initiatives, the group he led, built the ADC’s structures from ward to state level but decided to leave after individuals who joined later allegedly hijacked the party.

‘We built ADC with our strength, sweat and blood, but unfortunately, a few individuals who later joined the party hijacked it. We discovered that the party was being teleguided by a family, a situation which we found unacceptable,’ he said.

Sa’idu did not identify the family.

He said the group compared candidates who emerged from the ADC primaries with their APC counterparts before convening an emergency steering committee meeting and resolving to return to the ruling party.

‘We have returned home. As of one month ago, the number of card-carrying ADC members who defected with us was about 100,000. Between then and now, over 100,000 more defectors have also joined the APC,’ he claimed.

Sa’idu dismissed the ADC’s chances in the 2027 elections, predicting that it would finish a distant third.

‘There is not a single bona fide politician remaining in the ADC. There is now no opposition in Kaduna State because we were the opposition,’ he said.

Welcoming the defectors, Governor Uba Sani described their return as a major political development and praised Sa’idu as principled and trustworthy.

‘He is a man of the people, and even when he went to the ADC, we were confident that he would return home. He stands for justice. Jafaru Sani is also someone who can be trusted and is a seasoned public servant,’ the governor said.

Sani assured the returning members of equal treatment, saying their date of entry would not determine their standing in the party.

‘The person who joins today, the one who joined yesterday and the one who will join tomorrow, we are all one,’ he said.

He added that no member, including himself, House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and APC North-West Zonal Vice-Chairman Garba Datti Babawo, was more important than another.

The governor also raised the APC’s projected vote target in Kaduna from two million to three million ahead of the 2027 elections.

‘Before now, we were promising to deliver two million votes, but we have now upgraded to three million votes, God willing. There are 4.6 million registered voters in Kaduna State, and 96 per cent have received their Permanent Voter Cards,’ he said.

Sani said the APC would undertake house-to-house campaigns for President Bola Tinubu and other party candidates.

He urged residents to support Tinubu’s re-election, citing Federal Government projects and appointments given to Kaduna indigenes.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) Support Groups Mobilisation Directorate has unveiled an online registration portal for support groups ahead of the 2027 general election.

Mr Silas Agara, Director of the Directorate, announced this at a news conference in Abuja on Sunday, saying the platform would coordinate support groups and mobilise voters for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election.

Agara said the portal was designed to build a stronger, better-coordinated nationwide network of support groups for the campaign.

He said support groups served as a vital link between the party, the campaign organisation and Nigerians by bringing together communities, professional associations, interest groups and volunteers.

He added that the groups helped communicate government policies, explain its achievements and engage citizens on issues affecting them.

‘Today, we are officially launching our online support group registration portal at https://www.pccsupportgroups.com/.

‘The portal goes live today, October 17, and will remain open for five days, closing on October 22,’ he said.

Agara urged all APC support groups and volunteer networks working for Tinubu’s re-election to register within the stipulated period, including those previously registered with the party or other campaign structures.

He said the exercise would enable the Directorate to verify participating groups, assess their geographical spread and organisational capacity, and establish a reliable database for effective coordination and nationwide engagement.

‘Our objective is to build a unified mobilisation structure that is organised, accountable, responsive and prepared for the demands of the campaign ahead.

‘Our mobilisation effort is anchored on the record of the Tinubu-led administration and its Renewed Hope Agenda,’ he said.

Agara said the administration had undertaken major economic and institutional reforms over the past three years to address structural challenges and promote sustainable growth.

He listed the removal of the petrol subsidy, the unification of foreign exchange rates, measures to strengthen local government autonomy and tax reforms among the initiatives.

He also cited the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund to expand access to financing for eligible students and the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation to broaden access to consumer credit.

‘In healthcare, the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative is supporting efforts to improve service delivery, strengthen primary healthcare and expand access to specialised treatment, including cancer care.

‘We believe that the progress being made provides a basis for continued reform, stronger institutions and improved national prosperity.

‘Our responsibility is to communicate the administration’s achievements accurately, explain its policies clearly and listen to the legitimate concerns of Nigerians.

‘The task ahead is not merely to promote a political message; it is to engage citizens respectfully, provide credible information and demonstrate that the Renewed Hope Agenda can deliver meaningful improvements in their lives,’ he said.

Agara urged support groups across the country to take the campaign message to communities, workplaces, markets and neighbourhoods.

He called on them to bridge differences, promote constructive dialogue and mobilise support through credible engagement, service and responsible conduct.

He also urged group leaders and members to register within the stipulated period, remain active and work closely with the Directorate.

Agara said unity of purpose, effective coordination and a shared commitment would be critical to the campaign, adding that the 2027 election would require organisation, discipline and sustained engagement.

‘By working together, we can build a formidable national network that communicates the administration’s record, engages the electorate and supports President Tinubu’s re-election bid.

‘As we launch this portal, I invite the media to help publicise the registration window and inform eligible support groups of the opportunity to participate.

‘Together, let us build a stronger mobilisation platform in support of national development, shared prosperity and the Renewed Hope Agenda.’

He said the Directorate’s mandate was to coordinate support groups, strengthen their organisational capacity and ensure their activities complemented the broader objectives of the APC PCC.

The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has deployed 25 trucks for emergency waste evacuation in Oshodi to address refuse buildup and improve environmental sanitation.

The Head of Private Sector Participation (PSP) Services at LAWMA, Mr Tunde Suleiman, disclosed this in an interview on Sunday in Lagos. Suleiman spoke on the sidelines of the exercise at Bolade, a suburb of Oshodi.

He attributed the waste buildup to high population density, increased waste generation, inadequate waste containers and low tariffs paid by residents for collection services.

Suleiman said Oshodi, which has more than 350 streets, remained one of the local government areas with the lowest waste collection tariffs in Lagos State.

According to him, residents still pay N750 per room, a rate he said was no longer commensurate with the operational costs of PSP operators.

He explained that some operators travelled long distances to evacuate waste, making it difficult to sustain efficient services under the existing tariff structure.

‘We need to look at the rates. The people are still holding on to the old rates, which are not commensurate with the operational costs of PSPs today,’ he said.

Suleiman said LAWMA had engaged PSP operators, Community Development Associations (CDAs), local government representatives and concerned residents to address the situation.

He said the immediate priority was to clear accumulated refuse before stakeholders resumed discussions on an appropriate tariff structure.

The LAWMA official added that the state government was conducting a statewide tariff review to address the challenges confronting waste collection services.

He said the emergency intervention would address residents’ immediate concerns while broader discussions on the tariff structure continued.

Suleiman said the deployment involved 25 trucks, supported by a working floor capable of accommodating four trucks at a time.

He noted that LAWMA had commenced similar interventions in other parts of Oshodi, including Folorunsho Street and Oluwole, off Oshodi Road.

He said the exercise involved collaboration with the local government, CDAs and residents concerned about the deteriorating waste situation.

Suleiman stressed the need to ensure that private waste operators received adequate remuneration to sustain their investments and provide effective services.

He said LAWMA had a desk officer at the local government secretariat to receive and channel complaints appropriately.

He added that several PSP operators serving the area, including Excellence, Tunap, Buckler Enterprises and Pepet, had offices residents could contact over waste collection challenges.

Suleiman identified inadequate waste containerisation as another major factor contributing to refuse accumulation in Oshodi.

He cited a residential building with about 16 flats but only two bins, saying the containers were insufficient for the volume of waste generated.

According to him, inadequate containers cause refuse to overflow shortly after collection, leaving streets and surrounding areas unsightly.

He said LAWMA was promoting an ‘Adopt-a-Bin’ initiative to encourage households to provide containers suitable for their population and waste generation levels.

Suleiman also urged residents to embrace waste sorting and recycling, particularly of plastic bottles, cans and paper, to reduce the volume of refuse requiring evacuation.

He explained that registered recyclers could purchase recyclable materials from residents, potentially helping households offset part of their waste management expenses.

He added that LAWMA was implementing an incentivisation scheme through its Oshodi plant to encourage recycling.

Suleiman said Oshodi was previously regarded as one of the cleanest local government areas but had faced challenges from changing settlement patterns and population growth.

He explained that converting older bungalows into multi-storey buildings had increased population density, making it necessary to provide adequate waste management infrastructure alongside urban development.

On the frequency of emergency waste evacuation exercises across Lagos, Suleiman said such interventions were not intended to become routine but were necessary when serious waste management challenges arose.

He said LAWMA assessed the causes of waste accumulation before intervening and deployed advocacy teams to sensitise residents on proper waste disposal practices.

According to him, sustained public awareness, improved compliance and adequate waste containerisation would help prevent repeated emergency interventions.

He urged residents to cooperate with LAWMA and PSP operators by paying appropriate waste collection charges, providing adequate bins and adopting responsible waste management practices.