Category: PM News

Police operatives in Rivers have commenced investigation on alleged gunmen attack on the Amadabo of Finima community, Bonny, HRH Dagogo Brown during a cultural masquerade display at his palace.

The attackers also allegedly destroyed property and injured several residents during the shooting and violent attack in Finima Community which is in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers state.

The violence reportedly followed a dispute over cultural rites, masquerade displays and the right of families to perform certain traditional activities.

The police spokesperson in Rivers, ASP Blessing Agabe, confirmed the incident in Port Harcourt on Monday.

Agabe said normalcy had been restored to the community, adding that the command had commenced an investigation into the incident.

She said the investigation was aimed at identifying and arresting those responsible for the attack.

‘Investigation is ongoing into the matter, while one of the gang members has been arrested,’ she said.

According to her, the arrested suspect was providing useful information to assist the investigation.

Agabe also said that efforts were ongoing to apprehend other suspected members of the gang who remained at large.

The attack reportedly occurred in the early hours of Saturday after disagreements relating to cultural identity and masquerade displays escalated into violence.

Although no death was recorded, several residents reportedly sustained gunshot wounds and machete cuts during the incident.

A detachment of police operatives was subsequently deployed to the area to restore order.

Reacting, the Chairman of Bonny Local Government Council, Mr Abinye Pepple, condemned the attack and destruction of property.

Pepple expressed concern over the incident and called for an impartial investigation to prevent further escalation.

‘ The council assures that anyone involved in this dastardly act will face justice, no matter their position or status,’ he said.

He appealed to residents who fled the community to return home and remain calm, vigilant and law-abiding.

The council chairman also assured residents that security operatives had been deployed to protect lives and property and maintain peace in the community.

Finima community in Bonny Island hosts critical national energy assets, including the Nigeria LNG (NLNG) gas-liquefaction plant (Trains 1 to 7) and Renaissance’s Africa Energy’s Bonny crude oil export terminal.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has reaffirmed Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as its governorship candidate for Ogun 2027 governorship election.

The Ogun chapter of APC said this in a statement on Sunday in reaction to claims by one Abayomi Semako Hunye, a governorship aspirant of the party.

APC in a statement by its Ogun state chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi, on Sunday, affirmed that contrary to the claim of Hunye, Adeola was validly elected at the party governorship primary with 304,055 votes out of the 305,287 accredited voters who participated in the exercise.

The party also noted that Adeola subsequently selected Mrs Kudirat Abiodun Adegunwa-Balogun as his running mate after his emergence.

Sanusi said the names of Adeola, and his running mate have been submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the APC governorship candidate and deputy candidate for the 2027 election.

‘For the avoidance of doubt, the Ogun State APC wishes to state clearly that Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, is the duly recognised governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Ogun State for the 2027 election,’ the statement said.

Ogun APC therefore dissociated itself from any contrary claim or declaration by Hunye or any other individual purporting to be its governorship candidate.

The party therefore urged its members, supporters and the general public to disregard such claims and rely only on official communications from the party and relevant electoral authorities.

‘Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (YAYI) is the APC candidate for the 2027 Ogun State governorship election,’ the statement added.

A head-on- collision of two vehicles along the Bida-Kutigi road in Niger State claimed seven lives with seven others injured, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed

The fatal crash involved a Mazda vehicle and a Siena bus, FRSC Niger Sector Commander, Corps Commander Aishatu Sa’adu, confirmed on Sunday.

According to her, the crash occurred on Sunday afternoon at Shebe village, a few kilometres from Kutigi town.

She said the accident involved a Mazda vehicle and a Siena bus travelling along the Bida-Kutigi road.

‘Seven people lost their lives, seven others were injured while four were rescued without injuries, bringing the total involved to 18,’ she said.

The sector commander said seven victims died at the scene, while seven others sustained injuries of varying degrees.

She said the injured victims were evacuated to Kutigi General Hospital for medical attention.

According to Sa’adu, the remains of the deceased were also deposited at the mortuary of Kutigi General Hospital.

The FRSC official did not immediately disclose the identities of the victims or provide further details about the circumstances surrounding the collision.

The agency’s confirmation brings the number of people involved in the crash to 18, comprising seven fatalities, seven injured persons and four uninjured survivors.

The incident has again highlighted the dangers faced by motorists and passengers using the Bida-Kutigi road, particularly when travelling between major communities.

Authorities are expected to investigate the cause of the crash and establish the circumstances that led to the fatal collision.

The Coalition of Patriots for Security Sector Reforms (CPSSR) has welcomed President Bola Tinubu’s directive for the preparation of a National Threat Assessment and a rolling five-year Strategic Defence Operations Plan, describing it as a timely effort to improve coordination, resource allocation and operational effectiveness across Nigeria’s security architecture.

In a statement issued on Monday and signed by its National Coordinator, Dr Salisu Attah, the coalition said the 90-day timeline should be viewed as an opportunity to consolidate existing security frameworks into a practical operational plan rather than as an attempt to create another strategy document.

President Tinubu had directed an 11-member committee to prepare the National Threat Assessment and Strategic Defence Operations Plan within 90 days. The assessment is expected to identify Nigeria’s principal security threats and their urgency, while the defence plan will establish operational priorities, identify capability and equipment gaps and provide an implementation timetable.

CPSSR said the decision to appoint Major General Adeyinka Famadewa (Rtd), the President’s Special Adviser on Homeland Security, to coordinate the committee was particularly significant, describing him as suitably positioned to provide the coordination required for the exercise.

‘Major General Adeyinka Famadewa brings to this assignment a combination of military, intelligence and strategic security experience that is relevant to the task before the committee. His responsibility to coordinate the process and provide secretariat support should not be interpreted as a duplication of the role of the National Security Adviser or the service chiefs. Rather, it provides a dedicated coordination mechanism to ensure that the work of the committee is coherent, properly documented and delivered within the 90-day timeframe,’ the statement said.

‘Major General Famadewa, who was appointed Special Adviser on Homeland Security in May, is a retired general with more than three decades of military and intelligence experience spanning national security strategy, intelligence fusion, counter-terrorism operations and international security diplomacy.’

The coalition said Famadewa’s previous articulation of homeland-security priorities, including unified surveillance, identity management, border security and stronger early-warning and crisis-response mechanisms, further demonstrated the relevance of his coordinating role.

CPSSR also rejected suggestions that the new initiative would render existing security strategies irrelevant, saying the focus should be on achieving greater coherence among policies and operational frameworks already in place.

‘The objective is not to discard what already exists, but to bring greater clarity to how existing strategies, institutions, capabilities and resources fit together. The National Threat Assessment will provide a current picture of the threats confronting the country, while the Strategic Defence Operations Plan will translate that assessment into clearly prioritised military and defence requirements. This is a necessary link between strategy, operations, capability and funding,’ Attah said.

The group noted that the presidential directive expressly provides for the committee to consult or co-opt representatives of other ministries, departments and agencies where their expertise or participation is required.

It said this provision was important because Nigeria’s security challenges cut across military, intelligence, policing, border management, infrastructure and other civilian institutions.

CPSSR further welcomed the decision to link the proposed plan to a multi-year defence expenditure and procurement framework, describing it as critical to avoiding fragmented spending and ensuring that scarce resources are directed towards clearly identified national security priorities.

‘The real test of this initiative will not be the quality of the document produced after 90 days, but whether its recommendations are implemented, funded and subjected to measurable accountability. Nigeria needs security planning that survives individual operations, budget cycles and institutional changes. We therefore urge all stakeholders to support this process and allow the committee to complete its work without unnecessary distractions,’ Attah said.

The coalition urged the security establishment and other stakeholders to support the administration’s efforts to strengthen inter-agency coordination and ensure that the new framework translates into improved security outcomes across the country.

A fresh crisis has erupted within the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) following allegations that the party replaced its declared House of Representatives candidate for Port Harcourt Federal Constituency 1, Rivers State, with another name on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal.

The controversy followed the party’s direct primary conducted on May 29, 2026, by the National Election Committee led by Dr Osusu Osusu, where Prince Abele Wobo was declared winner after securing 292 votes.

However, the Social Accountability Forum, in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Elechi Kingsley, and Secretary, Godspower Nyebuchi, alleged that the name of the incumbent lawmaker representing the constituency, Hon. Manuchim Umezurike, had been uploaded on the INEC portal instead of Wobo’s.

The group accused the party of undermining its internal democratic process, insisting that Wobo emerged as the legitimate candidate after the primary election.

‘Prince Abele Wobo lawfully emerged as the candidate of the NDC for Port Harcourt Constituency 1. The result was announced publicly by the Chairman of the National Electoral Committee, Dr Osusu Osusu,’ the group said.

It further alleged that Umezurike did not participate in the primary election, claiming he was still a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the time.

The group claimed attempts were made to pressure Dr Osusu to alter the outcome of the primary but that he refused, accusing some party members of trying to discredit the process.

‘They are now trying to discredit and disclaim the entire primary conducted by Dr Osusu Osusu because he refused to compromise his integrity,’ the statement added.

The forum warned that replacing a declared winner after an election could damage public confidence in the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

It called on the NDC leadership to immediately address the issue and restore Wobo’s name on the INEC portal.

The matter has reportedly been taken to court, with Umezurike said to have been served through substituted means.

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has expressed his condolences to the immediate family, friends and associates of the late veteran Nigerian actor, Alhaji Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as ‘Ogogo’, who died yesterday at the age of 66. He described the actor’s death as deeply hurtful and heartbreaking.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the death of the Nollywood icon is a significant loss to Nigeria, particularly to the creative industry.

He also extended his heartfelt sympathies to Ogogo’s children, family, and the Nigerian entertainment sector on the demise of the actor.

Governor Sanwo-Olu urged his family, friends, colleagues, fans, and practitioners in the entertainment industry to accept Ogogo’s death as an act of God.

He said: ‘Alhaji Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, was a bundle of talent, who used his God-given gift to better mankind. As an actor, he brought smiles to many faces through his roles in various movies.

He said: ‘Through his numerous cinematic performances, Ogogo mirrored the society, moulded character and left a lasting impact in many generations of film lovers.’

‘The death of a loved one is naturally painful because it is irreplaceable, but we must always seek solace in God, especially when the deceased lived a fulfilled life, like the late Taiwo Hassan, who was a celebrated actor in his lifetime.

‘Ogogo’s death is a profound loss to his family, colleagues, the entertainment industry, and Nigeria. His departure has created a vacuum that will take time to fill in the entertainment sector. He will be sorely missed by family, friends, fans, and colleagues.

‘I pray that God grants the late Alhaji Taiwo Hassan eternal rest in Al-Jannah Firdaus and gives the family, colleagues, and friends the strength to endure this irreparable loss.’

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has the increased air presence in Sokoto State was to support ongoing joint security operations against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities across the North-West.

This is contained in a statement on Monday in Abuja, by the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.

Ejodame said the move reflects the service’s resolve to sustain pressure on hostile elements, enhance aerial surveillance, and maintain rapid response capabilities within the Joint Operations Area.

According to the NAF spokesperson, the strengthened deployment is critical in tackling asymmetric threats, as terrorists and bandits often exploit difficult terrain, mobility, and concealment to evade ground forces.

‘ By leveraging the reach, speed, flexibility, and precision of air-power, the NAF is better positioned to locate, disrupt, and degrade hostile elements, deny them freedom of movement, and create opportunities for surface forces to consolidate gains.’

Ejodame quoted the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, as saying that the NAF would continue to optimise the use of airpower to deliver decisive effects in support of joint operations.

Aneke noted that the evolving security environment demanded timely intelligence, responsive air-power, and seamless integration with surface forces.

‘ Our objective is clear; to sustain pressure on criminal elements, deny them freedom of action, and create the conditions for our surface forces to dominate the operational environment.

‘ We will continue to employ air-power intelligently, professionally, and decisively in synergy with sister services and other security agencies, while maintaining the highest regard for civilian safety,’ the CAS said.

He also said that the initiative aligned with his command philosophy of building a highly motivated, professional, and mission-ready force capable of delivering decisive airpower in support of national security objectives.

‘ It also reinforces the NAF’s focus on intelligence-led operations, innovation, operational readiness, and joint-force integration,’ he added.

The CAS reiterated the NAF commitment to supporting national efforts with a view to restoring peace and stability across the North-West.

He said the service would continue to work closely with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to protect lives and property, dismantle terrorist and criminal networks, and safeguard communities.

He urged members of the public to support ongoing security operations by providing timely and credible information to the appropriate authorities.

The National Rebirth Agenda, a national group, has dismissed the Ondo Redemption Front (ORF) as a politically motivated pressure group allegedly commissioned to undermine the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, urging the governor to remain focused on governance and the development of the state.

In a statement on Sunday by Dr Bala Al-Majeed, it’s National President, the group said the latest criticism of Aiyedatiwa’s administration was another attempt to create unnecessary political tension in Ondo State and distract the governor from the delivery of projects across key sectors.

The group said rather than attacking the governor over issues that were already being addressed, those behind the ORF should acknowledge the administration’s record in infrastructure, education, healthcare, water supply, agriculture and economic development.

According to the National Rebirth Agenda, Aiyedatiwa’s administration had recorded significant progress in road construction and rehabilitation, with about 190 kilometres of roads delivered or under development, alongside investments in rural roads and urban infrastructure. It said major projects such as the Akure-Idanre road and other strategic corridors were strengthening connectivity across the state.

‘The people of Ondo State can see the difference between political noise and actual governance. Governor Aiyedatiwa inherited challenges, but he has chosen to confront them through projects that directly affect the lives of ordinary people. Roads are being constructed, schools are being renovated, healthcare facilities are being expanded and water projects are being revived. This is not an administration that has abandoned governance,’ the group said.

It also cited the governor’s investments in education, including the recruitment of 2,100 teachers, payment of WAEC fees for more than 23,000 students, scholarships for thousands of tertiary students and the renovation of 134 primary and 60 secondary schools.

The group said the administration’s healthcare programme was equally deserving of recognition, noting the upgrade of more than 100 primary healthcare centres and the approval of new hospital facilities across Ikare-Akoko, Ore, Okitipupa, Igbokoda and other locations.

‘An administration that is simultaneously expanding healthcare infrastructure, investing in schools, improving roads and addressing water supply cannot honestly be presented as doing nothing. Constructive criticism is welcome, but deliberately ignoring these achievements to create the impression of failure is dishonest and politically motivated,’ it said.

The National Rebirth Agenda also highlighted the administration’s efforts to address the state’s water challenges, including the rehabilitation of the Owena Dam Water Supply Project and other water schemes. The Owena intervention is expected to improve access to reliable water for residents across several local government areas.

It said Aiyedatiwa’s efforts to attract private investment should equally be encouraged, pointing to the signing of agreements for a deep-sea port and a proposed $4 billion petrochemical and fertiliser plant as evidence of the administration’s attempt to move the state towards a stronger productive economy.

The group therefore challenged the sponsors of what it described as the ‘anti-Aiyedatiwa campaign’ to redirect their resources towards supporting President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027 and allow the governor to concentrate on delivering his mandate.

‘Those financing these needless campaigns should ask themselves what Ondo State gains from permanent political warfare. If their concern is truly development, they should support the governor’s efforts and channel their energy and resources towards strengthening the Tinubu administration and securing the continuity of the reforms that are benefiting the states,’ it said.

The group urged Aiyedatiwa to remain focused on his OUR EASE agenda, deepen his relationship with the federal government and continue attracting projects and investments to Ondo State.

It said the governor’s relationship with Tinubu should be viewed as an opportunity for Ondo to secure more federal interventions, rather than as a basis for political confrontation.

‘The Governor should not be distracted. His responsibility is to govern, deliver projects and improve the lives of Ondo people. Those who have political ambitions should wait for the appropriate time, while those who claim to speak for the people should allow the people to judge the administration by what they can see on the ground,’ the group said.

A seven-month pregnant housewife, Safiya Ismail, has prayed an Upper Area Court in Mararaba, Nasarawa State grant her request for divorce from her husband, Suleiman Khalid, on grounds of alleged assault.

The petitioner, a mother of one, told the court that she married her husband according to Islamic law.

‘My husband has abandoned his family and is not responsible for anymore.

‘He beats me and threatens to harm me.

‘He has failed in his duties as a father and husband,’ she said.

She also prayed the court to grant an order directing her husband, to provide money for her upkeep until she gives birth.

Responding, Khalid, denied the allegations.

The Judge, Malam Mohammed Shomo, adjourned the divorce matter until Aug.26 for hearing.

The Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reaffirmed Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as its governorship candidate for the 2027 election.

The party’s clarification followed a claim by Abayomi Semako Hunye that he remained the APC governorship candidate for the election, a position the ruling party described as false.

In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by the state chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi, the APC urged members, supporters and the public to disregard any claim suggesting that another candidate had emerged on its platform.

‘For the avoidance of doubt, the Ogun State APC wishes to state clearly that Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, is the duly recognised governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Ogun State for the 2027 election,’ the statement read.

The party said Adeola emerged from its governorship primary election with 304,055 votes out of the 305,287 accredited voters who participated in the exercise.

It added that Adeola’s name, alongside that of his running mate, Mrs Kudirat Adegunwa-Balogun, had been submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the party’s candidates for the 2027 governorship election.

The development came after Hunye, during a press briefing in Abeokuta on Saturday, rejected reports that he had withdrawn from the race, insisting that he was challenging the process that produced Adeola as the APC candidate in court.

Hunye also unveiled Otunba Abayomi Odunowo from Ijebu-Ode as his running mate and said he would continue his campaign in line with electoral laws.

However, former federal lawmaker and APC chieftain in Ogun State, Kayode Oladele, criticised Hunye’s move, describing his pursuit of the ticket as an ‘exercise in futility’.

Oladele argued that the party had concluded its nomination process and forwarded Adeola’s name to INEC.

Meanwhile, Hunye, through a statement from his media office, clarified that he had not declared himself the APC governorship candidate, saying his position was that the matter remained before a court of competent jurisdiction.

‘For the avoidance of doubt, Hon. Abayomi Hunye has never declared himself the APC Governorship Candidate.

‘His position has consistently been clear: the matter remains before a court of competent jurisdiction, and the issues surrounding the emergence of the party’s governorship candidate are still subject to judicial determination,’ the statement said.

The Ogun APC maintained that Adeola remains its candidate for the 2027 governorship election and advised the public to rely on official communications from the party and relevant electoral authorities.