Category: PM News

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.

The Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP) has criticized Edo State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Prince Kassim Afegbua, for failing to address its concerns over the July 11 local government election in the state.

In a statement signed by National Chairman Dr. Samson Isibor and Secretary Hon. Nkama Waribe, CRPP said Afegbua chose to make personal attacks instead of responding to allegations that the election results were ‘manufactured.’

The coalition also rejected Afegbua’s claim that he was once a member of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) and the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC). According to CRPP, he has never been a member of either body since their formation and should publicly clarify the basis of his assertion.

‘Resorting to insults does not answer the serious questions surrounding the election,’ the statement read.

The group added that public office holders owe citizens factual responses, not personal attacks.

CRPP further called for the commissioner’s removal, alleging that he has not effectively communicated government policies and has allowed personal ego to interfere with his responsibilities.

The coalition urged officials in Edo State to embrace dialogue and accountability, stressing that responsible communication is key to democratic governance.

Eight people, including six students of the Niger Delta University (NDU), Amassoma, have been taken into custody by the Bayelsa State Police Command over the alleged violent assault of an undergraduate.

The victim, identified as Prince Hansen, a 300-level NDU student, was reportedly attacked inside a hotel on Mike Okokpo Street in Yenagoa after a disagreement linked to an alleged N70,000 debt.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Musa Mohammed, confirmed the arrests in a statement issued on Saturday. He said operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit acted swiftly after receiving information from a concerned resident about the incident, which happened at about 10 p.m. on July 14.

According to Mohammed, ‘Following a distress call by a public-spirited individual along Mike Okokpo Street, Yenagoa, that a group of eight young men suspected to be cultists lodged in a hotel ganged up and beat one Prince Hansen, a 300-level student of the Niger Delta University, Amassoma, within the hotel premises, causing him grievous bodily harm over an allegation that the victim was owing N70,000, operatives attached to the Violent Crime Response Unit swung into action.’

The police identified those arrested as Desmond Linus, 20; Richman Serbokuro, 21; Plain Lion, 19; Richman Joel, 20; Solomon Damian, 23; Destiny Serbokuro, 24; Isaac Goodnews, 22; and Theresa Francis, 22.

Mohammed disclosed that six of the suspects are students of the Niger Delta University.

He further stated, ‘Upon a search, exhibits including a substance suspected to be Indian hemp, Swinol and charms were recovered from the suspects.’

The police said investigations are continuing and that the suspects will be arraigned after the inquiry is completed.

Reaffirming the command’s determination to curb cult-related violence across the state, Mohammed said, ‘The command reiterates its unwavering commitment to combating cultism and other violent crimes across the state. Members of the public are encouraged to continue providing timely and credible information to the police to enhance public safety and security.’

Former President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has expressed sadness over the passing of Dame Ezinne Mary Amaechi, mother of former Governor of Rivers State and African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice presidential candidate, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.

In a condolence message, Dr. Jonathan extended his heartfelt sympathies to Amaechi, the entire Amaechi family, and all those mourning the late matriarch.

The former President described the death of a mother as a profound loss, noting that although death is inevitable, the enduring legacy of a life dedicated to faith, family and service continues to inspire and comfort those left behind.

Dr. Jonathan observed that the late Mrs. Amaechi’s profile reflected a life of exemplary devotion to God, family and community. He noted that her reputation as ‘a woman of faith, compassion and quiet strength, as well as her commitment to promoting peace, unity and service, earned her the admiration and respect of all who knew her.’

He prayed that God Almighty would grant Rt. Hon. Amaechi and the entire family the strength, comfort and fortitude to bear the irreparable loss, while urging them to ‘draw solace from the cherished memories of her exemplary life and the enduring values she imparted to her family and community.’

The former President also prayed for the peaceful repose of the soul of the departed matriarch.

The Federal Government has denied reports that it plans to stop the export of raw cocoa beans.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said the government has no intention of banning cocoa exports. Instead, it wants to encourage more local processing of cocoa into products such as cocoa butter, cocoa powder and chocolate.

In a statement released on Friday, Kyari said the government’s goal is to add more value to cocoa production and help Nigeria earn more money from the sector.

He explained that reports claiming the government plans to ban raw cocoa exports are false.

According to him, the government’s priority is to create an environment that attracts investment in cocoa processing, increases farmers’ incomes, creates jobs and boosts export earnings.

‘Our objective is value addition, not an export ban,’ the minister said.

Kyari added that the policy is part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to build a stronger and more competitive cocoa industry in Nigeria.

He noted that raw cocoa exports will continue while the country gradually expands its local processing capacity.

The minister also said the government is working to improve product traceability and ensure compliance with international standards. This, he said, will help Nigerian cocoa maintain access to premium global markets and improve its competitiveness.

Nigeria’s agricultural exports recorded a decline in the first quarter of 2026, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS.

Agricultural exports stood at N1.17 trillion during the period, down from N1.7 trillion recorded in the same period of 2025. The figure also fell from N1.32 trillion reported in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Despite the decline, cocoa products remained among Nigeria’s top agricultural exports. Natural cocoa butter generated N41.69 billion in export earnings, accounting for 3.56 per cent of total agricultural exports.

Raw cocoa beans continued to dominate the sector. Superior quality cocoa beans generated N596.9 billion in export earnings during the first quarter of 2026, representing about 51 per cent of Nigeria’s total agricultural exports.

When cocoa butter, standard quality cocoa beans and roasted cocoa beans are added, cocoa-related products contributed more than N643 billion to agricultural export earnings.

The Federal Government said its strategy is to encourage more local processing so that Nigeria can earn greater value from cocoa exports through finished and semi-finished products, while still maintaining its position in the global raw cocoa market.