Category: PM News

Operatives of Nigeria Police Force have arrested a mother identified as Catherine Davou for allegedly plotting with two others to stage kidnapping of her two-year-old child Rito Jesse Davou allegedly for N7 million ransom.

CSP Ani Iniedu, the Force Public Relations Officer announced this in a statement on Friday.

According to the statement, the parents had reported the abduction of the two-year-old child to the police.

Iniedu, however, said investigations revealed that Catherine Davou conspired with one 34-year-old Nansik Wuyep Sule to stage the kidnapping and create the impression that the child had been abducted, with an initial ransom demand of ?7 million.

He added that Further investigation revealed that the child was kept at Sule’s residence, where a subsequent ransom demand of ?15 million was made.

The Force spokesperson added that another suspect, Luka Emmanuel Butdam, was also arrested for allegedly making calls to the child’s grandmother in connection with the ransom demand.

He added that the child was subsequently located and safely rescued and, after receiving medical attention, handed over to his biological father.

Iniedu added that in a separate investigation, operatives arrested Idris Mohammed a.k.a. Yellow and Mohammed Bello Adams over their alleged involvement in the kidnapping of a commercial driver, Idris Zakari Baba, and other related criminal activities.

According to him, investigation revealed that the victim was allegedly lured under the pretext of conveying Mohammed from Abuja to Zaria before being intercepted by armed men, taken into the bush and held until a ransom of ?3 million was paid.

He added that the victim’s vehicle, a 2012 Toyota Corolla, was subsequently traced to Bauchi State and recovered while Mohammed was attempting to sell it.

Iniedu said further investigation also linked the suspects to the reported kidnapping of Pastor David Dahni and his driver, Abdullahi Abubakar, for which a ransom of ?10.5 million was reportedly paid.

The Nigeria Police Force continues to investigate the cases to identify other persons connected to the criminal activities and establish the full extent of the suspects’ involvement.

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have thwarted a terrorist assault on Kukawa in Borno State, killing several fighters and destroying a number of motorcycles used by the attackers to escape.

The operation involved a coordinated response by ground forces, the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF).

The Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, Capt. Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.

Goni said the attack occurred at about 10:50pm on Friday when terrorists targeted troops of the 101 Special Forces Battalion stationed in Kukawa.

He said the troops quickly engaged the attackers with direct and indirect fire, forcing them to retreat towards the Cross Kauwa axis.

‘During the fierce engagement, several terrorists were neutralised, while others were observed to have sustained gunshot wounds as they fled the area.

‘Subsequent exploitation by troops led to the recovery of terrorist corpses, further confirming casualties inflicted on the terrorists during the encounter,’ he said.

According to him, the fleeing terrorists attempted to escape on motorcycles, prompting the immediate deployment of the Air Component to intercept them.

‘As the terrorists withdrew towards Cross Kauwa on motorcycles, the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI was promptly coordinated to interdict their movement.

‘Despite challenging weather conditions, the Air Component successfully engaged terrorists taking cover under trees, neutralising an estimated 10 terrorists.’

Goni said intelligence gathered by MNJTF ISR assets subsequently enabled troops to track about 20 motorcycles carrying the fleeing terrorists towards the Tunbuns/Kangarwa axis.

The intelligence led to another air operation, during which more terrorists and motorcycles were hit.

‘The intelligence enabled the Air Component to conduct a follow-up precision strike, neutralising an additional 15 terrorists and destroying 10 motorcycles, thereby further degrading the terrorists’ mobility and fighting capability,’ he said.

He added that ground troops conducting follow-up operations recovered two motorcycles and killed another terrorist, while also recovering assorted ammunition and other items.

‘During subsequent exploitation operations, ground troops recovered 2 motorcycles, neutralised an additional terrorist and recovered assorted ammunition and other items.

‘Troops have since commenced reorganisation and extensive exploitation of the area, while battle damage assessment and further evaluation of the encounter are ongoing.’

Goni described the operation as another demonstration of the military’s ability to combine ground operations, air power and intelligence to counter terrorist threats.

‘The successful defence of Kukawa once again demonstrates Operation HADIN KAI’s capacity to detect, contain and decisively respond to terrorist threats through effective integration of ground forces, air assets and intelligence capabilities.

‘It also underscores the resilience, courage and professionalism of troops operating across the Theatre.

‘The Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, remains resolute in sustaining offensive operations, intelligence-led surveillance and coordinated ground and air actions to systematically degrade terrorist capabilities, deny them freedom of action and protect communities across the North East,’ Goni explained.

Operatives of Nigeria Police Force have rescued two female Colombian citizensidentified as Maria Camila Rodas Ortiz and Yuliet Fernanda Rios Mesa being held hostage by in Lagos.

The victims were fraudulently lured to Nigeria, held against their will, and had their travel documents confiscated by certain Chinese nationals who are currently at large, CSP Ani Iniedu, Force Public Relations Officer said in a statement on Saturday.

Iniedu said the two foreign nationals were rescued by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force attached to the National Central Bureau (NCB-INTERPOL), Lagos Annex.

According to him, the rescue operation followed actionable intelligence received from INTERPOL-NCB, Bogotá, on August 26, 2026, regarding two female citizens of Colombia, identified as Maria Camila Rodas Ortiz and Yuliet Fernanda Rios Mesa.

‘?Upon receipt of the intelligence, police operatives promptly launched a covert tracking operation, locating the hideout in Lagos where both victims were safely rescued on the same day.

‘The fleeing suspects abandoned the location upon sighting the approaching team, and efforts have been intensified to track down and arrest all members of the syndicate.

?Indiedu added that the rescued victims are currently in safe custody and receiving necessary support.

According to him, the Colombian Embassy in Accra is working in close collaboration with the Bureau to secure hotel accommodations for the victims and arrange emergency travel documents to ensure their safe return to Bogotá.

‘?The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, reaffirms the unwavering commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to safeguarding the lives and property of all residents within the country, while deepening collaboration with international law enforcement partners to combat cross-border crimes,’ the Force spokesperson said.

The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State has dissociated the party from the activities and recent statements attributed to Mr. Abayomi Hunye Semako, saying his actions do not reflect the position of the party or its members in the local government.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the party leadership said APC members across Ipokia remained united behind the party’s governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The leadership said its support for Adeola was based on what it described as his record of infrastructural development and human capital empowerment, arguing that his candidacy offers Ogun West an opportunity to produce the state’s next governor after decades of waiting.

Describing Adeola as a credible and competent candidate, the Ipokia APC leadership said his growing acceptance across Ogun State had further strengthened the political aspirations of people from Ogun West.

The party maintained that Ogun West deserved a meaningful opportunity to contribute to the leadership and continued development of the state.

It also rejected claims that Hunye enjoys the backing of Tube Ward or the APC in Ipokia Local Government, urging party members and members of the public to disregard any statements or actions attributed to him that suggest otherwise.

The leadership stressed that Hunye does not speak for the APC in Ipokia and that his views should not be interpreted as representing the position of the party or its members.

Reaffirming its commitment to Adeola’s candidacy, the party leadership said:

‘Our party and its members have consistently maintained unified and unwavering support for the candidature of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, fondly called YAYI, as the gubernatorial candidate of our great party.

‘We firmly believe in his vision and leadership. His record of infrastructural development and human capital empowerment in all facets of governance is unprecedented and legendary.

‘We are convinced that his acceptance across Ogun State gives genuine hope that Yewa land will finally break the jinx, after fifty years of the creation of Ogun State, and produce a Governor who will prioritise the welfare of our people.’

The leadership urged APC members in Ipokia to remain united and focused on the party’s objectives ahead of the 2027 election.

JAMB extends deadline for acceptance, rejection of old admission offers

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has extended the deadline for candidates offered admission from 2021 to date to accept or reject their outstanding admission offers.

The new deadline is September 30, 2026.

JAMB had earlier set August 31, 2026, as the deadline for affected candidates to indicate whether they wanted to accept or reject their admission offers.

However, in a statement issued on Saturday by its Acting Director of Public Affairs and Protocol, Dr Fabian Benjamin, the board said the deadline was extended to give candidates more time to complete the process.

JAMB advised candidates whose admission offers, either through the regular admission process or the Centralised University and Institution Admission (CUIIA) process, are still pending to accept or reject them before the new deadline.

The board warned candidates not to wait until the last day, stressing that failure to take action could affect the status of their admissions.

According to JAMB, candidates who accept their admission offers will be able to print and obtain their admission letters.

Candidates who reject their offers, however, will have their dashboards changed to ‘Not Admitted.’

JAMB said this would allow it to update its records and ensure that the national admission database accurately reflects the status of each candidate.

The board also explained what candidates who are no longer studying at the institution where they were offered admission should do.

It said such candidates could accept the outstanding offer and later apply for the appropriate correction or deletion of the admission, where necessary.

JAMB said this would help it properly update the candidate’s admission status and records.

The board added that candidates who are currently studying for a second degree but still have an earlier admission offer that they have not accepted can reject the outstanding offer and continue with their current programme.

JAMB also reassured candidates who have received admission for the 2026 academic session but still have an earlier admission offer pending.

It said such candidates could reject the previous offer without affecting their 2026 admission.

The board urged all affected candidates to use the extension as a final opportunity to clearly indicate whether they want to accept or reject their outstanding admission offers.

The new deadline is September 30, 2026.

The Lagos State Government has begun the controlled removal of shanties and other unauthorised structures built beneath high-tension electricity lines in Ikola, Agbado Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area.

The intervention followed a deadly communal clash in the area in which four adult males were killed, while several others sustained injuries.

The operation is being led by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), working alongside the Lagos State Police Command and the Rapid Response Squad (RRS).

LASEMA said the exercise was necessary because the structures were located within the statutory right-of-way of high-voltage transmission lines, creating serious risks for people living and trading in the area.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the agency’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the recent violence between members of the Hausa and Yoruba communities had drawn attention to wider security and environmental problems in Ikola.

He said the unrest had also highlighted the ‘grave danger’ created by the extensive informal settlements situated directly beneath the electricity lines.

According to him, the settlements violated national and international safety standards and left residents vulnerable to electrocution, fires and possible structural collapse.

Following the clash, relevant government agencies were deployed to the community to restore safety and protect lives and property.

Oke-Osanyintolu said LASEMA, supported by police and RRS personnel, subsequently commenced a coordinated intervention after residents affected by the exercise were given sufficient time to leave the area and remove their belongings.

‘The operation was preceded by adequate notice to affected residents. Communities were granted ample time to safely evacuate and recover personal belongings before the commencement of any demolition activity,’ the statement read.

He said the process reflected the state’s policy of enforcing planning and safety regulations while taking into consideration the welfare of residents affected by such actions.

Heavy recovery equipment has been deployed by LASEMA to dismantle and clear structures located within the designated power-line corridor.

‘All officers and personnel involved in the operation are safe, and the situation remains calm and under control,’ the government said.

The Permanent Secretary also dismissed any suggestion that the exercise was directed against a particular ethnic group or community.

He said the government was responding to a hazardous situation that affected everyone living within the power-line corridor.

‘This intervention is therefore not targeted at any ethnic group or community, but at a dangerous structural reality that threatens everyone living in its path,’ he said.

While acknowledging residents’ need for shelter and livelihoods, the government said those concerns must be weighed against the obligation to prevent deaths and other avoidable disasters.

Oke-Osanyintolu stressed that development could not be regarded as sustainable when it exposed residents to preventable dangers.

The demolition exercise comes two days after the deadly violence in Ikola.

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have arrested three suspected terrorist collaborators, recovered weapons and ammunition, and destroyed terrorist enclaves in Kaduna and Katsina states.

The military disclosed that the operations were conducted on August 27 and 28, 2026, as part of sustained efforts to disrupt terrorist networks and deny them operational footholds across the region.

In Kaduna State, troops of Sector 1, acting on intelligence, arrested a suspected terrorist collaborator on August 27. The suspect was reportedly found carrying two locally fabricated guns and 13 rounds of ammunition concealed in a bag.

During preliminary questioning, the suspect allegedly revealed that he had been assigned to deliver the weapons and ammunition to another individual.

Based on the information obtained, troops launched a follow-up operation and arrested two additional suspects allegedly linked to the movement of the weapons.

The three suspects, alongside the recovered arms, ammunition and other items, are undergoing further investigation, according to the military.

In Katsina State, troops of Sector 2, working with other security agencies, carried out a clearance operation on August 28 targeting terrorist enclaves around Maharba and Karaduwa in Matazu Local Government Area.

The operation resulted in the destruction of the identified enclaves and structures allegedly being used by terrorists to facilitate their activities.

Troops also targeted an enclave linked to notorious terrorist leader Kachalla Muhammadu Filani, whose group has reportedly terrorised communities in Matazu and Musawa local government areas.

The military said Filani narrowly escaped as troops advanced on the enclave.

During a subsequent search of the area, troops recovered an RPG-7 tube, a motorcycle, mobile phones and other items believed to have been abandoned by the terrorists.

Security forces subsequently conducted further fighting patrols across the area to consolidate the operation and prevent the terrorists from regrouping or regaining freedom of movement.

The latest operations, the Joint Task Force said, form part of its broader intelligence-led campaign to dismantle terrorist networks, disrupt the movement of arms and logistics and destroy hideouts used to sustain criminal activities in the North-West.

Operation FANSAN YAMMA said it remained committed to coordinated military and inter-agency operations aimed at degrading terrorist capabilities and creating conditions for lasting peace and security in affected communities.

Imo governor, Hope Uzodimma has revealed that 31 governors who are members of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. have agreed to deliver their states for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

Uzodimma said this while speaking to journalists on the outcome of the governors’ meeting with President Tinubu on at Aso Rock presidential villa on Thursday.

Uzodimma, who is the chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum told journalists that the governors during the meeting discussed how to reduce the cost of transportation nationwide, agriculture, food security and how to ‘bring prosperity to the people, ensure that the dividends of the various reform we have gotten over years trickles down to the people.’

He added that the Governors also discussed politics, the 2027 election including the constitution of the APC Presidential Campaign Council with the President. Uzodimma said the governors were in agreement with the President over the constitution of the Presidential Campaign Council. He added that they also agreed to deliver victory for the President in their states in the 2027 election. According to him, the 31 governors declared solid support for the President.

‘Second to it is the politics, the upcoming election, the constitution of the Presidential Election Council, which the president informed us officially, and we are in total agreement. What we have agreed with Mr. President is that he will be delivered.

‘All the APC governors are solidly behind Mr. President. To that extent, governors are expected to deliver their states. All 31 of us are in total agreement, and we are united. We are supporting Mr. President’s re-election. We are supporting the success of the election,’ Uzodimma said.

President Tinubu had met with APC governors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja under the aegis of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) on Thursday.

The meeting was held after a session of the National Economic Council (NEC) chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Tinubu’s meeting with the governors was held against the background of increasing political activities following the commencement of campaigns for the 2027 general election, according to the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The APC had also at the weekend released the list of members of its Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 elections with appointment of former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari as Director-General.

President Bola Tinubu is the chairman of the campaign council.

Osun State Government has commended indigenes of the state in the diaspora for their commitment and sacrifice in returning home to participate in the August 15, 2026 Governorship Election, which saw Governor Ademola Adeleke re-elected for another term.

The Commissioner for Political Affairs and Inter-Governmental Relations, Dr. Biyi Odunlade, gave the commendation in Osogbo, describing the massive participation of Osun indigenes from different parts of the world as a demonstration of their love for the state and confidence in the Adeleke administration.

According to Odunlade, close to 1,000 Osun indigenes travelled from Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Benin Republic, Ghana, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and other countries to campaign, mobilise voters and ultimately return home to exercise their civic responsibility.

‘Your sacrifice, financial commitment and determination to be part of this democratic process show that the love for home is stronger than distance,’ the commissioner said.

He described the diaspora participation as unprecedented, noting that it demonstrated the important role Osun indigenes abroad continue to play in the political and socio-economic development of the state.

Odunlade said the state government recognised the contributions of the diaspora community and would continue to create avenues for them to participate meaningfully in policy formulation, investment opportunities, governance and other development initiatives.

‘We appreciate every one of you who left your businesses, took leave and spent your resources to come home and vote. This government belongs to you too, both at home and in the diaspora,’ he added.

Among the prominent members of the Osun Diaspora team who contributed to the mobilisation was Oba Yah Yah Adebayo Giwa, President of the Nigerian Traditional Rulers in Côte d’Ivoire, who was among the traditional and community leaders supporting the homecoming initiative.

Also prominent was Alhaji Kazeem Balogun, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of EDE MALL, Oke Gada, Ede, and owner of KAZ OIL. Balogun, who is based in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, was a prominent member of the Osun Diaspora team that returned home to campaign and vote for Governor Adeleke’s re-election.

The mobilisation effort was also coordinated under the Diaspora Committee of the IMOLE Campaign Council, chaired by Otunba Yemisi Kayode Oladeji from Iresi, who is based in London. Due to his location outside Nigeria, the committee’s activities were coordinated locally to ensure effective mobilisation and participation of Osun indigenes in the diaspora.

The Secretary of the Diaspora Committee is Comrade Aderinto from Egbedore, who also played a role in coordinating the activities of the committee.

The Commissioner urged more Osun indigenes living abroad to remain connected to the state and take advantage of opportunities to contribute to its development.

He also encouraged members of the diaspora community to sustain their civic engagement beyond elections by supporting investment, education, infrastructure, youth empowerment and other development initiatives across the state.

He said the Adeleke administration would continue to regard Osun indigenes at home and abroad as important stakeholders in the state’s development agenda.

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has promised to reopen Nigeria’s land borders if elected president in 2027.

According to him, the continued restrictions at the borders had undermined legitimate transborder commerce, driven many young entrepreneurs out of business and worsened unemployment.

He made the commitment while speaking to supporters in a video shared online by ADC chieftain, Dele Momodu, on Friday.

According to Atiku, communities in northern Nigeria have traditionally relied on cross-border commerce with neighbouring Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin Republic.

‘The Northern states are bordering Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Benin Republic.

‘And you close all those borders. All our young men who are doing trading between these countries, they carry goods across, they do this and that, all what we call transborder trade is a legitimate business,’ he said.

He argued that the border restrictions had affected young Nigerians who had built businesses with substantial capital and employed other people.

‘All the upcoming young men and women who used to have a capital of 10 million, 20 million, and they were employing two, three other people, and then all of them went bankrupt and unemployed. How can there be security?’ he asked.

‘So I said I am going to reopen the borders and I will,’ Atiku added.

The former vice president also advocated improved port infrastructure in southern Nigeria, saying it would create a more efficient route for moving imported goods to the northern part of the country.

He said he had previously engaged shipping and ship development companies in Europe over plans to develop ports in the South-East and South-South.

‘During the last campaign, I went across to Europe to discuss with shippers and ship development companies how we can together develop South and South-Eastern ports so that there is balance as far as importation of goods and transportation of goods are concerned,’ he said.

Atiku said better-developed ports in the southern region would significantly cut the time and expense involved in transporting goods to the North-East.

Using Yola in Adamawa State as an example, he said moving containers from Lagos was unnecessarily difficult and time-consuming.

‘So when, if I drop my container in Calabar or in Uyo or in Port Harcourt, it will just take me 24 hours to take the container to Yola.

‘But right now, it takes me not less than two months to take my container from Lagos because you have to cross over from South-West, you go to North-East, and then there is even no road,’ Atiku said.