Category: PM News

“We are waiting to pay back Mr President because the good people of Kaduna appreciate his support and will continue to support him beyond 2027 so that Nigeria will continue to witness this unprecedented and uncommon infrastructural development,” Kaduna Commissioner, Ahmed Maiyaki

By Ayorinde Oluokun

Last Thursday, a group of journalists and social media influencers led by the media team of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu set out for an extensive inspection tour of major Federal Government infrastructure projects across the North-West geopolitical zone with Kaduna State as the first point of call. Aside the federal projects, the tour was also intended to see how increased allocations to the subnational governments from the federal purse as a result of reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu like the removal of fuel subsidy, foreign exchange reforms have benefitted the people at the grassroots.

In an interview with journalists, Bayo Onanuga the special adviser to the president on media and strategy who led the presidential team said the tour was aimed at ensuring accountability, verifying contractors’ adherence to specifications, and documenting progress for public awareness.

The tour, held in collaboration with the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, began with inspection of the ongoing construction of the AbujaKaduna-Kano super highway project for obvious reasons: It is the expressway that will take the presidential media team and the journalists to Kaduna State.

Tinubu’s administration has continued the execution of the project inherited from its predecessor with the added innovation of use of reinforced concrete pavement instead of the traditional asphalt for its construction. “This critical road corridor constitutes Section One of the ambitious AbujaKadunaKano Super Highway, a flagship infrastructure project of the Tinubu administration designed to enhance connectivity, improve road safety, and stimulate economic activities across northern Nigeria,” Onanuga said.

Concrete Technology In Use /1000 local Workers Engaged

Coincidentally, the Zuba (Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to Jere in (Kaduna State) which is the Section One of the expressway was being completed the same day journalists and the media team were inspecting the project. About 94 kilometres of the road has been completed earlier with the use of asphalt. The new contractor, Infiouest International in operation is deploying concrete technology to construct the remaining 240 kilometres under the current phase. Journalists on the tour not only rode on the road, but they also have the opportunity of seeing the machines being used for the concrete mix at work at two different stops along the expressway.

Engr. Chukwuma Kalu, Resident Engineer from the Federal Ministry of Works overseeing the project told journalists that 88 Kilometres of concrete pavement from Zuba in the FCT to Jere Local Government Area of Kaduna State have been completed. The journalists also saw the multitude of people working on the project as engineers, machine operators, labourers among others, thus confirming the economic impact of the project on the communities along the road.

Robert Turner, the Senior Project Manager at Infiouest International told journalists that over 1,000 local workers were engaged from the host communities for the project. According to him, while most of the sophisticated machines deployed were imported, Nigerians were trained to operate and maintain them: “The thousand workers I am referring to are Nigerians, from engineers, operators of our machines, down to labourers, who are all from Nigeria.”

Turner said the unique construction process of the expressway include recycling existing asphalt, laying a stabilised stone base, and applying reinforced steel with high-strength concrete rated at 40 megapascals. This, he said, will make the road to last without needing maintenance for years.

He also confirmed that the company has received support from the Federal Government to hasten the completion of the project. “In terms of security, we have support from the Office of the National Security Adviser, One Division of the Nigerian Army and the locals. We thank God; generally, we don’t have any major security threats because we have enjoyed strong community cooperation. With the completion of the Section 1, Turner said the target is to complete section 2 by November this year. “We work day and night. We are totally dedicated to completing it on time, and you are welcome to come and inspect it at night. My workers are working day and night putting six hundred to seven hundred meters of concrete pavement,” Turner explained.

Work Advances On Eastern/Western By

The ongoing construction of the Eastern Bypass, and Western Bypass designed to ease traffic congestion in Kaduna city also attracted attention of the journalists. Kaduna Commissioner for Information and Culture, Ahmed Maiyaki told journalists that the construction of the Western Bypass has been abandoned because of lack of funding for about 20 years despite its importance to traffic management in the city before the advent of the Tinubu’s administration.

With President Tinubu’s support, said the two critical road projects have been revived and expanded with additional infrastructure. As such, Maiyaki said work on the road has gained momentum with about 13 kilometres and two bridges left for completion of the Eastern bypass.

He added that the Western bypass will free Kaduna city from gridlock when completed. He also revealed that N9 billion advance payments has been made for the project. “At the end of this year, we should be able to talk about moving from Kakao Bridge down to the Kaduna area, to avoid all this gridlock,” Maiyaki stated.

Also, Federal Controller of Works in Kaduna, Loveday Ulagu told journalists that the Western Bypass spans 51 kilometres and as a dual carriageway, equivalent to 102 kilometres across both lanes.

According to him, about 19.97 kilometres have been completed on one carriageway, with overall progress at about 40 per cent. He added that though the contract for the project was awarded in 2021, the real construction by Dangote Group with Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company as contractor began in 2023 through the tax credit scheme.

He said the road is scheduled for completion in December 2026.

Historic 35km Gadar Gayan-Gwaraji-Maraban Kujama Road

From there, the journalists embarked on a long trip to see the 35-km asphaltic road linking Gadar Gayan through Gwaraji to Kujama Junction described as the longest single road project to be undertaken by Kaduna State government. The well-built road includes a 130-metre bridge over River Kaduna and stretches across Igabi, Kajuru and Chikun Local Government Areas of the state.

Maiyaki said the road is part of a broader infrastructure programme comprising 140 road projects covering 1,335 kilometres across the state undertaken by the Uba Sani administration in the past two years.

According to him, the road directly serves no fewer than 76 farming and rural communities and was designed to improve accessibility, enhance emergency response, ease movement for schoolchildren, and expand access to healthcare facilities, markets and other social services for residents along the corridor. The road connected farming communities in the three local government areas to markets, aggregation centres, processing facilities and urban consumption hubs.

The project also addressed long-standing unfair distribution of investment in infrastructure, particularly in Kajuru Local Government Area, which had not benefited from any major road, project for over 12 years.

Maiyaki attributed the capacity of the Kaduna government to embark on such projects across different sectors to increased allocations from the federal purse.

As part of its commitment to to inclusive and people-centred development, the Commissioner added that the Kaduna State Government had in the past three years made significant investments in the health sector, including the upgrade of primary health centres across the state and education.

For one, journalists on the tour saw the completed and now operational Bola Ahmed Tinubu Specialist Hospital, a 320bed tertiary health facility located in Millennium City, Kaduna. The construction of the hospital began in 2009 by former governor Namadi Namadi Sambo and work at the facility was at about 60 percent when Governor Sani took over the administration of the state in 2023.

However, the phase one of the hospital with dedicated facilities for women and children, a comprehensive oncology unit, a fully equipped Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and solar panels complemented by generator backup to ensure 24/7 power supply has now been completed by the Uba Sani administration. The Kaduna State Government attributed the ability of Governor Uba Sani to complete the project to increased allocation from the federal government.

Kaduna-Kano-Maradi Rail Line to boost Northern economy

On the rail projects, journalists were also assured that the Tinubu’s administration is working on completion of Kaduna-Kano-Maradi Rail Line by December 2027. When completed, the project is expected to link Abuja to Kano and extending to Maradi in Niger Republic.

The Project desk officer, Abdullahi Adamu Yakubu told journalists that 68 percent of the Kaduna Kano section of the rail line has been completed and will be fully delivered in December 2026.

“The railway line will go through bridges. We have constructed three out of the six stations. The major station is in Kano, which will link to the one in Jigawa and Maradi. It is more of an international hub that will accommodate a capacity of 1,000 passengers,” Yakubu said. He listed the benefits of the rail project to include taking loads off the roads, and creation of jobs. When completed, he said the Kano station would become the largest railway station in Nigeria, combining both the Kaduna-Kano line and the Kano-Maradi corridor into a single, high-volume passenger and freight terminal.

With plans for establishment of inland dry port projects along the train routes, it is believed that when the train project is completed, Nigerian ports will become more attractive for use of importers from landlocked countries such as Niger Republic.

President Tinubu has also recently approved construction of adjacent roads to facilitate access to the rail line. “This is one important project that will help strengthen business activities. The station in Kano will connect to the Dala Dry Inland Port, which means goods from the Lagos Ocean can be cleared and transported to Dala Port for final clearance. This will further increase the lifespan of our roads because one of the challenges facing our roads is the heavy trucks using them,” Maiyaki told journalists.

“With the train, we will be able to move the goods directly to the Dry Port in Dala, Kano, to increase commerce and economic activities in this area. This is one of the most important projects undertaken by the government of President Tinubu,” he added.

Tudun Biri Turning Adversity To Gain

The tour also included a visit to Tudun Biri, a community which grabbed the headlines over two years ago as a result of mistaken drone strike by the military. However, the Kaduna state Government and the Federal Government have synergized to turn that adversity to gain for the community with delivery of life-changing infrastructure projects. That synergy has resulted in delivery of 133 housing units, a school, mosque, church, health centre, boreholes and new road infrastructure in the community.

Maiyaki said while the Federal Government constructed the housing units, the Kaduna State Government built essential infrastructure, including a six- kilometre road and a solar panel lighting system in the community.

He added that the Kaduna State Government also established a Level 2 health facility to provide medical services as well as a skills acquisition centre for youth development among other initiatives.

Another project visited by journalist is the Balarabe Musa Skill Acquisition Institute commissioned by President Tinubu in 2025 to tackle youth unemployment and insecurity. According to Maiyaki, Governor Sani’s administration has built similar sill centre across the three senatorial zones with capacity to train 32,000 youths in practical skills. Training is already ongoing at the facilities to empower youths to be self-employed and eradicate poverty.

Kaduna Grateful To Tinubu For Legacy Projects

He also noted that President Tinubu recently approved construction of Mando roundabout to Birnin Gwari, a 105km artery that passed through the train station. “Let me use this opportunity to thank Mr President because the road we are standing on, which leads to Birnin Gwari, had been abandoned for over two decades. However, Mr President recently granted approval for the construction from Mando roundabout to Birnin Gwari, which is about 105km. It is a very important project for Kaduna State.

“We must equally acknowledge that the FEC [Federal Executive Council] also approved the construction of the light rail project for Kaduna State. These legacy projects were approved for three states comprising Lagos, Kaduna and Kano. Two of the states are from the North. It is a project that will gulp about N1 trillion,” the commissioner said.

He noted that the projects are proofs that the claim that the Tinubu administration has abandoned the North is untrue: “So, for anybody to claim that the current administration of President Tinubu has abandoned the North is not true. We must thank Mr President for these legacy projects that will live for our future generations to see.

He identified other projects approved for Kaduna by President Tinubu to include a solar power project to take the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Ahmadu Bello University Zaria.

“Other states are getting one for a federal university, but Kaduna received them for ABU and the NDA. This is something very important to acknowledge; we are waiting to pay back Mr President because the good people of Kaduna appreciate his support and will continue to support him beyond 2027 so that Nigeria will continue to witness this unprecedented and uncommon infrastructural development,” he said.

A United States lawmaker, Riley Moore, has called on the administration of President Donald Trump to take what he described as “forceful action” to protect Christians in Nigeria following renewed attacks in Plateau State.

Moore made the call in a statement on Thursday while reacting to reports and videos from Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, where gunmen attacked mourners during a mass burial on Wednesday.

Several people were feared killed and many others injured after the assailants reportedly opened fire on residents who gathered to bury seven people who had been killed earlier in the community.

However, the attack had yet to be officially confirmed by the police as of the time of filing this report.

In his statement, Moore contrasted Nigeria’s military intervention in neighbouring Benin Republic during an attempted coup with what he described as the government’s failure to stop killings in parts of Plateau State.

“When I visited Nigeria, the government responded swiftly to quell a coup in Benin,” he said, referring to Nigeria’s December 2025 deployment of fighter jets and troops to support the Beninese government against an attempted takeover.

“Nigeria’s willingness to step in to stop a violent attack in another country, while they stand by as their own Christian citizens are brutalised, makes these absolutely horrific scenes unfolding in Plateau State all the more unconscionable,” Moore stated.

He alleged that Christians gathered for a mass burial “were viciously murdered by radical Islamic terrorists,” adding that the Nigerian government had failed to act despite warnings of impending attacks.

“The Nigerian Government could root out the terrorism and stop the martyrdom of its own citizens. But, despite receiving early warnings of impending attacks, they are nowhere to be found as Christians are murdered for their faith, like lambs led to slaughter. Enough is enough,” he added.

Moore further said he was encouraged that the Trump administration had identified the protection of Christians in Nigeria in its counterterrorism strategy, adding, “Now, I am asking the Trump Administration to take forceful action to defend our innocent brothers and sisters in Christ in the Middle Belt of Nigeria, the epicentre of an ongoing Christian genocide.”

Nigeria has been ranked the most spammed country in Africa, according to a new report by Truecaller has shown.

The report showed that more than half of all unknown calls received by Nigerians in 2025 were identified as spam or fraudulent.

About 51 per cent of unknown calls were flagged as spam, placing Nigeria eighth in the world and ahead of African countries like South Africa, Kenya, Ghana and Ethiopia.

According to the report, most spam calls in Nigeria are linked to telecom companies and network-related promotions. Telecom-related calls made up 35 per cent of spam calls, while sales and telemarketing accounted for 10 per cent. Scam calls represented six per cent.

Truecaller said many Nigerians now struggle to know whether an unknown caller is a real network provider, a marketer, or a fraudster pretending to be from a trusted company.

The report also noted that Brazil faces a similar problem, with telecom-related calls dominating spam activities.

Globally, Indonesia ranked as the most spammed country in the world, with 79 per cent of unknown calls marked as spam. Chile came second with 70 per cent, while Vietnam, Brazil and India completed the top five.

The company added that the Middle East and Africa region passed 100 million monthly active users in late 2025, making Africa one of its fastest-growing markets.

Chief Executive Officer of Truecaller, Rishit Jhunjhunwala, said fraud and impersonation calls have become a serious global concern.

He said the company plans to focus more on stopping fraudulent calls before they reach users in 2026.

Truecaller also announced that it surpassed 500 million monthly active users worldwide as of March 31, 2026, with more than 150 million users outside India.

Former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has reiterated that he will consult widely before making a decision on whether to contest the 2027 presidential election.

Speaking on Thursday at his Abuja office, Jonathan responded to a group of supporters who had gathered to urge him to run in the upcoming election.

The supporters, who represented a broad cross-section of Nigerians, told the former president that their “genuine fear” for the nation’s future prompted them to rally behind him once again.

“We decided to march on your office today again, hoping that you will step out to receive us and make a statement that will gladden our hearts and the entire nation,” one of the supporters said.

Jonathan was presented with a petition asking him to consider running for president in 2027, with the supporters claiming to represent more than 10 million Nigerians across the country.

“We are asking you to hear our cries and contest the 2027 presidential election. The mammoth crowd that came with us here today is a fragment of our supporters nationwide,” they said. “Your Excellency, we have over 10 million supporters nationwide. And then, we represent every tribe, every political party, and tongue.”

In response, Jonathan emphasized that he would approach the matter with the utmost seriousness, saying:”This is no computer game. It’s only patriotic citizens that build their nations. Unpatriotic citizens will destroy their nation, take the money to anywhere to enjoy their life. So you must be patriotic. And things are very, very clear.”

Jonathan, who is widely regarded as a respected figure in Nigeria’s political landscape, acknowledged the importance of peace in the country, especially for young Nigerians. He noted that over 80% of the supporters present were young people.

“The key thing we need in this country is peace,” he said. “I don’t even know how old some of you were when I was a President. But the key thing is peace in this country, and you will continue to advocate for that.”

Jonathan also called for peaceful and credible elections in Nigeria, stressing that such elections are critical for the nation’s development and the engagement of young people in politics.

“It’s very dear to us peaceful elections. And, indeed, you as young people must continue to be fully involved in the electoral processes, especially your right to vote,” he added.

The former president, who has been involved in election observation across 14 African countries, also expressed his desire for the nation to look towards the future, saying that “young people will have a Nigeria that will plan for our grandchildren.”

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Police scan CCTV footage has revealed how Chandranath Rath, a close aide personal assistant of politician Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead in a planned ambush in Madhyamgram, West Bengal, India.

The killing, according to local media reports, has sharpened post-poll tensions in the region as rival parties trade accusations.

Rath was shot dead in what investigators suspect was a carefully planned murder. Police sources said approximately 10 rounds were fired during the attack, though the number could be higher.

Sources said three local history sheeters are currently being questioned by police, though the main assailants remain absconding.

Rath, who had worked closely with Adhikari for several years, came under attack on Wednesday night in Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas district.

He suffered multiple gunshot wounds and doctors at a private hospital later declared him dead.

According to police sources, the pattern of the crime suggests extensive planning. Investigators believe the attackers conducted a recce of the area beforehand and mapped out an escape route before carrying out the killing.

Early findings indicate Rath Scorpio was being followed by two vehicles, a silver-colour Santro car bearing registration number WB74AX2270 and a motorcycle.

Sources said the four-wheeler overtook Rath’s car and forced it to slow down. Moments later, bike-borne assailants opened fire from close range.

At least 10 rounds struck Rath, with bullets hitting his chest, abdomen and head. Eyewitnesses told police that the motorcycle used in the attack carried no registration plate, strengthening suspicions of a premeditated hit.

“Someone followed his car and when it slowed down, they opened fire,” a source said while describing the sequence of events.

The driver of Rath’s vehicle also sustained injuries in the firing and remains under treatment at SSKM Hospital in Kolkata. His condition is reported to be critical.

Visuals from the crime scene showed bullet marks on the car window, highlighting the intensity of the firing. Police teams recovered empty cartridges and live bullets from the area.

West Bengal Director General of Police Siddh Nath Gupta said investigators intercepted one vehicle linked to the case. “The car’s number plate had been tampered with. We have seized the vehicle and recovered fired cartridges and live rounds. Multiple CCTV footages are being examined,” he said.

Police teams are scanning CCTV footage from Jessore Road and nearby areas to trace the movement of the suspects. Officers are also questioning local witnesses as part of the investigation.

Calling the killing a “pre-planned murder” and a “personal loss”, Suvendu Adhikari urged BJP workers to maintain peace.

“A lot of incidents have happened in nearby areas. Police are investigating the entire case. It’s a pre-planned murder. It’s a personal loss for me,” Adhikari told reporters.

“I appeal to all BJP workers to maintain peace. It’s a painful murder. Police have assured us of proper actions in the case,” he added. Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya also reached the hospital following the attack.

Hours after the incident, BJP leader Arjun Singh accused Trinamool Congress General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee of “orchestrating” the attack.

“Abhishek Banerjee has orchestrated this murder. They want to send a message that even though they are not in power, they are still a force to be reckoned with over us,” Singh said. “They are fools. They will get their answer.”

The Trinamool Congress condemned the killing and denied the allegations. In a statement, the party said violence and political killings had no place in a democracy and demanded a court-monitored probe into the incident.

By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano

Operatives of the Kano state Police Command, within two weeks, arrested three suspects, and recovered two vehicles, one tricycle which have been handed over to their rightful owners.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, described the feats as significant successes in the Command’s ongoing onslaught against car snatching and tricycle theft syndicates operating within and outside Kano state.

Bakori hinted that, within the last two weeks, the Command, through intelligence-led operations and community partnership, successfully recovered two stolen motor vehicles and one tricycle valued at several millions of Naira.

The recovered exhibits have been handed over to their rightful owners, who commended the Command for its swift, professional, and diligent handling of the cases.

On 3rd May 2026, operatives of the Surveillance Team attached to Tarauni Area Command, acting on community intelligence and other vigilant residents, sighted a Pontiac Vibe vehicle parked in a suspicious manner within Darmanawa Quarters Kano.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the vehicle, with registration number KMC-175CU and valued at N12 million, was the property of a resident of Darmanawa Quarters Kano.

The vehicle was robbed at his residence on the same date.

The owner was traced through the vehicle particulars.

The vehicle was taken into safe custody and has since been released to the owner on bond.

Investigation is in top gear to arrest the fleeing suspects.

On 23 April 2026, the Command received credible intelligence that a Toyota Corolla LE, 2004 model, ash in colour, was stolen by unknown thieves on 22 April 2026, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Mambolo Street, Zone 2, Wuse, Abuja.

Acting swiftly on intelligence, operatives of the Command’s Special Intervention Squad (SIS) followed up and recovered the vehicle at Darmanawa Lay-out, Naibawa, Tarauni Local Government Area, Kano State.

The vehicle has been handed over to its owner while efforts are being intensified to arrest the fleeing suspect and recover more exhibits.

On 1st May 2026, credible information was received that unknown thieves poisoned a tricycle rider, one Bashir Abdulhakim, along Mararraban Jos, Igabi Local Government Area, Kaduna State, and made away with his CNG-powered tricycle, yellow in colour.

The suspects were reported to be heading towards Kano state.

On receipt of the information, SIS operatives intensified patrols and on 3rd May 2026, the tricycle was recovered along Ring Road, Kano state.

Three occupants were arrested, namely: Umar Rabi’u (32) of Kofar Dawanau, Kano state; Yahaya Hannafi (20) of Tudun Murtala, Kano state; and Amina Muhammad (21) of Sheka Quarters, Kano state.

The suspects are assisting Police investigation.

Operatives are working assiduously to arrest the receiver of the stolen tricycle and recover more exhibits.

The tricycle has been released to the rightful owner.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bakori, commended the Area Commander Tarauni, the Officer-in-Charge SIS, and all operatives involved for their professionalism, swift response, and intelligence-driven policing.

He also appreciated members of the public, community leaders, and sister security agencies for their continuous support and timely information sharing which made the recoveries possible.

Mr. Bakori reiterated that the Command will not relent in its fight against all forms of crime and criminality in the state.

He warned criminal elements to repent, as the Police will continue to dominate the public space and deny criminals freedom of action.

At the brief handing-over ceremonies held at the Command Headquarters, Bompai, the owners of the recovered Pontiac Vibe, Toyota Corolla, and the CNG Tricycle expressed profound gratitude to the Nigeria Police Force, Kano State Command, for the professional, transparent, and timely manner in which their cases were handled.

They, particularly, commended the Command’s use of technology, community policing, and inter-command collaboration that led to the recoveries without any form of extortion or delay.

The Command’s Spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa noted that: “The Command urges members of the public to install tracking devices in their vehicles, avoid parking in isolated areas, and promptly report suspicious movements to the nearest Police Station. Vehicle owners are also advised to keep proper documentation for easy identification and recovery in case of theft.

“For emergencies or to share credible information, contact the Command via: 08032419754, 08123821575, 09029292926 or the NPF Rescue Me App. Together we can keep Kano State safe and secure,” Kiyawa announced.

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has convicted former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, of 12 counts of fraud and money laundering totaling N33.8 billion.

In a judgment delivered on Thursday by Justice James Omotosho, the court found that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had proven the charges against the former minister beyond a reasonable doubt.

Mamman, who served under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, was found guilty of diverting public funds, including the illegal transfer of about 33.8 billion.

The court noted that Mamman had made a cash payment of $655,700 (approximately 200 million) for landed property in Abuja, bypassing financial institutions. Additionally, the court found him guilty of criminal breach of trust involving funds released for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant projects.

Justice Omotosho criticized Mamman for misappropriating public funds meant for national development and for contributing to the country’s energy challenges, stating that Mamman had failed to leave a lasting legacy in the power sector. “Rather than addressing Nigeria’s epileptic power supply, he lived lavishly at the expense of ordinary citizens,” the judge remarked, adding, “Little wonder that Nigerians have remained in darkness.”

The former minister, who was absent during the conviction, has been elusive since the notice of judgment was issued. His defense lawyer, Mohammed Ahmed, informed the court that Mamman’s whereabouts were unknown but claimed that his personal assistant had stated that he was sick. However, the EFCC’s lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, urged the court to proceed with the verdict, asserting that there was no valid reason for Mamman’s absence.

Mamman, who was removed from office by President Buhari in 2021, had been actively involved in political activities, including purchasing a governorship nomination form in Taraba State, despite the ongoing trial.

The EFCC had produced 17 witnesses and presented 43 exhibits to support its case, alleging that Mamman had conspired with ministry staff to divert about 22 billion meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydro Electric Power projects. Investigations revealed that Mamman used the funds to acquire luxury assets both in Nigeria and abroad.

By Tolulope Oke

The Obidient Movement has taken a dramatic step by expelling Peter Obi and his ally Yunusa Tanko, rebranding the group and preparing for the 2027 elections. The move comes after internal conflicts and what the new leadership describes as the misuse of the movement for personal gain.

At a press briefing in Abuja, Dr. Barry Avotu Johnson, the newly appointed International Coordinator of the rebranded #OBEDIENT Movement, officially announced the dissolution of the previous leadership that emerged after the 2023 elections. The group’s decision to distance itself from Obi and his loyalists was attributed to “political prostitution”, which they claim hijacked the movement’s original mission.

“We are here today to inform the world that the Obidient Movement has been reclaimed by its true founders and custodians,” Johnson said. “This movement belongs to the people. It belongs to the youth, to workers, to every Nigerian who believes that this country must move forward.”

Johnson emphasized that the rebranding was necessary to return the movement to its original purpose, stating, “The original vision and founding ideals of the Obidient Movement were no longer being adequately represented by the leadership after 2023. We are committed to ensuring that the movement stays true to its roots.”

The new leadership also announced that the group has officially cut ties with the Labour Party (LP) and will now operate independently, although they have not yet announced a presidential candidate for the 2027 elections.

“We have not adopted a presidential candidate for 2027 yet. However, we are focused on restructuring the movement and building a sustainable vision for the future,” Johnson stated.

Mallam Nasir Baba was appointed as the Secretary of the rebranded movement, with other leadership positions set to be announced in the coming weeks.

In his address, Johnson reiterated the group’s commitment to accountability, transparency, and organizational integrity, warning that those who had taken leadership positions without the consent of the movement’s original founders were no longer recognized.

Speaking about the future of Nigerian politics, Johnson called on the federal government and opposition leaders to focus on national unity and ensure that the country’s democratic process remains fair and free of manipulation.

“We respectfully urge the authorities to strengthen confidence in democratic freedoms and ensure that every Nigerian has the right to participate in the electoral process,” he said. “The future of this nation depends on leadership competence and the collective will of the people.”

The #OBEDIENT Movement emerged in 2022 as a political force born from the EndSARS Movement and has since evolved into one of the most prominent youth-driven groups in Nigeria. However, following its alliance with the Labour Party during the 2023 elections, tensions began to surface over leadership control and ideological differences.

Health authorities across several countries have launched urgent efforts to trace passengers who disembarked from the cruise ship MV Hondius before a deadly hantavirus outbreak was detected onboard, raising concerns over possible international exposure to the disease.

At least three people, a Dutch couple and a German national, have died following the outbreak, while eight others are believed to have contracted the virus, according to the World Health Organization.

The ship, carrying nearly 150 people, is currently heading toward Tenerife after being stranded off the coast of Cape Verde. Authorities say it is expected to dock in Spain by Saturday.

The outbreak has triggered an international public health response as officials attempt to locate passengers who left the vessel before the infections were confirmed.

The Netherlands government said around 40 passengers had disembarked in Saint Helena during a stopover before the outbreak became known. However, the locations of many of the passengers remain unclear.

One of the passengers who left the ship was the wife of a Dutch victim who died aboard the vessel on April 11. She later became ill and died before reaching the Netherlands.

Dutch airline KLM reportedly removed the woman from a flight in Johannesburg on April 25 after her condition deteriorated.

Medical experts confirmed that the virus involved is the Andean strain of hantavirus, a rare but dangerous form capable of spreading between humans through extremely close contact.

Although specialists say human-to-human transmission remains uncommon, the outbreak has placed health agencies worldwide on heightened alert.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States said it was closely monitoring the situation involving American travellers onboard the ship, while maintaining that the risk to the general public remained extremely low.

In France, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot disclosed that a French citizen had been in contact with one of the infected individuals but was not currently showing symptoms.

Meanwhile, authorities in Argentina announced plans to conduct rodent trapping and analysis in the southern city of Ushuaia, where the cruise journey reportedly began.

Spanish authorities have also outlined strict containment measures once the ship arrives in Tenerife. Non-Spanish passengers who remain healthy are expected to be repatriated to their home countries, while 14 Spanish citizens onboard will be quarantined in a military hospital in Madrid.

Three infected patients were evacuated from the vessel on Wednesday for emergency treatment. One has been admitted to a hospital in the Netherlands, while another was transferred to Germany for specialised medical care.

A third patient was also being transported to the Netherlands, though the evacuation flight experienced delays after technical problems affected the patient’s life support system.

The incident has renewed global concerns over disease management aboard international cruise ships, particularly involving rare infectious illnesses capable of crossing borders before detection.