Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Police in Anambra State have arrested a 26-year-old man in Ebenebe community of Awka North Local Government Area of the state over alleged involvement in armed robbery kidnapping cult-related activities and secessionist-related offences.

Command Spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga disclosed this on Sunday saying the suspect identified as Udochukwu Okafor popularly known as ‘Small-Moto’ was apprehended on October 24 2026 during a targeted operation in the area.

He said operatives of the Rapid Response Squad Awkuzu conducted the operation following intelligence-led efforts to arrest the suspect reportedly on the Command’s wanted list.

According to Ikenga the suspect during preliminary interrogation allegedly admitted to snatching a pump-action firearm from a vigilante operative in Ebenebe.

‘He also reportedly disclosed possession of a locally made short gun which he and other members of his alleged gang were said to have used in their criminal operations.

‘The suspect further allegedly admitted to membership of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity also known as ‘Aro-Baggers’ a group suspected of involvement in cult-related violence in Awka and its environs.

‘The Command has intensified investigations to recover the firearms reportedly mentioned by the suspect establish the full extent of his alleged involvement in criminal activities and apprehend other suspected members of the gang who remain at large.

‘The suspect remains in police custody as investigations continue. The Command assures residents that it is working to identify and apprehend individuals involved in criminal activities to protect public safety and security.

‘The Command will provide further updates as the investigation progresses.’

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has recorded more than 6100 flying hours and 2900 sorties in support of national security operations between November 2025 and September 2026 as the Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke approaches his first anniversary in office.

The Service also took delivery of five helicopters approved 284 infrastructure projects and expanded personnel training to strengthen operational effectiveness and modernise its fleet.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Aneke alongside other service chiefs on October 24 2025 and he assumed office as CAS on October 30 2025.

The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame disclosed these achievements in a statement on Sunday outlining the Service’s performance under Aneke’s leadership.

According to the statement the NAF consumed nearly 10 million litres of Jet A-1 aviation fuel during the period to support precision air strikes armed reconnaissance surveillance close air support and other missions.

It said the operations were designed to degrade hostile elements restrict their freedom of action and improve the effectiveness of surface forces.

The statement added that the Service had prioritised intelligence-led mission planning to ensure that every sortie served a defined operational purpose and contributed to national security.

‘Guided by his command philosophy of sustaining a highly motivated professional and mission-ready force capable of delivering decisive airpower effects in synergy with surface forces the Service has pursued a focused transformation agenda anchored on operational effectiveness personnel welfare technological advancement and institutional accountability’ it said.

On fleet modernisation the NAF said it received five helicopters in September comprising three AW-109 Trekker Type B helicopters and two H125 helicopters to expand its operational flexibility and support capacity.

The Service is also pursuing the acquisition of 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters along with other aircraft and unmanned aerial systems to strengthen its combat airlift training intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

Maintenance and fleet regeneration efforts have also progressed including the reactivation and upgrade of six L-39ZA aircraft in Slovakia and Nigeria as well as ongoing periodic depot maintenance of a C-130 aircraft in Portugal.

Regarding personnel development the NAF reported promoting 57 senior officers to Air Vice Marshal and Air Commodore.

It added that it also promoted 1534 senior non-commissioned officers and 1936 non-commissioned officers bringing the total number of personnel promoted across the three categories to 3527.

More than 550 personnel participated in international training and professional engagements while over 6000 received local training to improve their specialised competencies technical proficiency and leadership capacity.

The NAF also highlighted personnel welfare as a major component of Aneke’s leadership philosophy encapsulated in the principle of ‘Welfare for Enhanced Warfare.’

The statement said the Service had improved personnel allowances medical support and accommodation alongside infrastructure development to improve living and working conditions across its formations.

It added that the Service had reactivated welfare airlift services for personnel deployed in frontline operational theatres to boost morale and support operational readiness.

On infrastructure the NAF said it had approved 284 projects with 145 completed and 139 ongoing.

The projects cover residential accommodation academic and medical facilities administrative and operational infrastructure roads electricity water supply and recreational facilities.

The Service also disclosed efforts to strengthen aviation safety and accountability by establishing an Operational and Safety Audit Committee and improving its Safety Management System.

It said the measures were designed to support independent assessments of operational engineering and armament units promote proactive risk management and strengthen safety oversight.

The NAF is also advancing Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response initiatives through dedicated structures standardised training and improved assessment and investigation capabilities.

In addition plans are underway to establish an Open-Source Intelligence Centre to improve situational awareness and operational planning by better exploiting available information and emerging technologies.

On indigenous capability the Service said it had pursued local production initiatives involving Aircraft Release Device 863 impulse release cartridges and a 250-kilogram bomb-loading trolley alongside the development and ground testing of locally produced 57-millimetre rockets.

It added that community-focused healthcare educational and other special projects had continued to support civil-military relations and public confidence.

As Aneke approaches his first anniversary on October 30 the NAF said it remained focused on translating investments in personnel aircraft technology and infrastructure into improved operational results.

‘The objective is not simply to expand capability but to sustain a professional accountable and responsive force prepared for evolving threats’ the statement said.

It added that the Service’s commitment remained focused on ‘stronger airpower safer skies and a more secure Nigeria.’

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike has urged residents of Bonny Kingdom in Rivers State to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 citing the completion of the long-awaited Bonny-Bodo Road as evidence of his administration’s commitment to development.

Wike said the road had ended decades of dependence on boats and helicopters for access to the island community describing its completion as a landmark achievement that demonstrated the importance of continuity in governance.

The minister spoke yesterday during a courtesy visit to the Amanyanabo of Bonny Kingdom King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III in Port Harcourt ahead of an interactive meeting with residents of Bonny Local Government Area.

He said successive administrations had treated the road as a political promise without delivering it until the current federal government.

‘The advantage is that we can now go by road to Bonny. Administrations have come and this road has become a political road. It is not today. So many governments have said ‘We will try’ but thank God under the administration of the present president this road has been completed’ Wike said.

The former Rivers State governor argued that the project would improve connectivity facilitate commercial activities and ease the transportation difficulties that had constrained residents and businesses in the oil-rich kingdom for decades.

Wike who coordinates Tinubu’s re-election campaign in Rivers State and the FCT said Nigerians should judge political leaders by their records in office particularly their ability to take difficult decisions and deliver projects that directly improve the lives of citizens.

He urged the people of Bonny to consider the federal government’s infrastructure achievements and economic reforms in deciding whether Tinubu deserved a second term.

The minister also defended the president’s removal of the petrol subsidy describing it as a difficult but necessary decision that previous administrations had avoided despite acknowledging the problems associated with the policy.

‘Each time a president comes fuel subsidy is a scam. What have you done with it? Nobody has been able to make a courageous decision’ he said.

While acknowledging the hardship caused by rising petrol prices and the cost of living Wike argued that subsidy removal had increased the revenue available to federal state and local governments.

He claimed that states now received at least N15 billion monthly from federal allocations excluding other revenue inflows and challenged subnational governments to translate the additional resources into visible development.

Recalling the financial position of Rivers State when he became governor in 2015 Wike maintained that the resources available to governments had increased significantly creating opportunities for investment in infrastructure education and public services.

He also said that public universities had not embarked on strikes in the three years preceding his remarks attributing the development to improved funding conditions.

Wike argued that the impact of economic reforms should be assessed over time rather than judged exclusively by the immediate difficulties they impose on citizens.

He urged voters to scrutinise the records of politicians seeking public office warning against those he accused of making promises without delivering tangible results.

To buttress his argument the minister criticised aspects of the previous Rivers State administration and raised questions about the management of funds allocated to major projects.

He alleged that $39 million had been paid for the proposed 1000-bed Justice Karibi-Whyte Specialist Hospital without the project progressing to the foundation stage.

Wike also claimed that $308million received from the sale of a power plant in December 2014 had dwindled to $308000 by the time he assumed office in May 2015.

He argued that the money could have funded development projects across the state’s local government areas if properly managed.

The minister said political leaders should be judged by their records of accountability project delivery and prudent management of public resources rather than campaign promises.

He further urged community leaders to engage government authorities on their development priorities stressing that projects should reflect the needs of the people who would benefit from them.

According to him traditional rulers youths and other stakeholders should identify their most pressing challenges and communicate them to the relevant authorities to ensure that available resources are directed towards meaningful interventions.

Wike said effective governance required consultation realistic prioritisation and cooperation between communities and the different levels of government.

Earlier the Amanyanabo of Bonny Kingdom King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III welcomed the minister and commended his longstanding relationship with the kingdom.

The monarch recalled Wike’s support for the establishment of Bonny Polytechnic during his time as a minister as well as his interventions on security-related matters.

He also acknowledged Wike’s contribution to the Bonny-Bodo Road project describing his role as significant to the kingdom’s development.

‘The minister has been of immense support to us ranging from where we tried to establish the Bonny Polytechnic. He played a major role towards having this polytechnic started at the time he was minister’ the monarch said.

The traditional ruler described Bonny Kingdom as an important contributor to Nigeria’s economic and national life while commending Wike’s emphasis on infrastructure development and project delivery.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported two suspected Ebola cases in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Rivers State with the Rivers case testing negative while 53 primary contacts of the country’s only confirmed case are being monitored.

The two cases are the initial confirmed case in Abuja and a new one in Port Harcourt which tested negative.

The Commission is also considering N100000 financial assistance for the 53 contacts to ease the burden of isolation on their businesses and families following complaints that the restrictions strained their livelihoods and family responsibilities.

NCDC Director-General Dr Jide Idris disclosed this while briefing journalists on the Federal Government’s response to the outbreak saying investigations were ongoing to establish the source of infection and the patient’s travel history.

The 53 primary contacts comprise 44 people at a health facility and nine others identified during further investigations.

The additional contacts include three household members three healthcare workers at a university teaching hospital the patient reportedly visited before reaching the facility where her infection was identified and three members of the team that collected her samples.

Idris said the team was monitoring the contacts for symptoms adding that the number could change as investigations progressed and they identified further contacts.

According to him health workers are interviewing those listed to establish who they have interacted with and determine whether to monitor additional people.

He added that people without symptoms could be monitored at home with their temperatures checked twice daily while anyone who developed symptoms would be assessed promptly and isolated where necessary.

Idris said contacts would be followed up for 21 days corresponding to Ebola’s maximum incubation period while urging those identified to cooperate with public health officials stressing that being listed as a contact did not mean a person had contracted the disease.

On the confirmed patient the NCDC chief said her condition had improved while tests on her husband had returned negative.

‘The husband has been with the wife. The husband is negative. They travelled together to various places so the travel history is still unfolding to give us a clear picture’ he said.

Idris explained that the patient arrived in Nigeria without symptoms making it difficult to detect the infection through routine screening.

‘It was in reviewing the history that we started hearing about the case. Because she was symptomless there was no way it could be tested at that point’ he said.

On the isolated primary contacts Idris said the Commission is considering offering them monetary incentives as some have started complaining of financial strain from being away from their businesses.

He added however that even if it was decided to give financial assistance it would only be to ensure the FCT administration would take it from there.

He urged States to be prepared for such an occurrence if it gets to that point.

The NCDC is also collaborating with international health authorities including those in Uganda to exchange information.

Idris said Nigeria would meet with Ugandan authorities on Monday for further briefings and information sharing to clarify outstanding issues adding that investigators were reviewing the index case’s passport travel records and other information to establish her movements and possible source of exposure.

Idris said the national incident management system had been activated to coordinate the response involving the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare the NCDC FCT health authorities other government agencies and technical partners.

He said the agency had stocks of personal protective equipment (PPE) and was expecting additional supplies for healthcare facilities and states managing suspected cases and contacts.

‘We have PPE right now we have stocks. We are getting in more and we are prioritising for close contacts where they are very necessary’ he said.

He stressed that protective equipment must match the duties being performed as healthcare workers treating patients need different levels of protection than those carrying out other tasks.

On diagnostic capacity Idris said Nigeria had identified about 12 laboratories capable of testing for Ebola including the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja and the Centre for Human and Zoonotic Virology in Lagos.

He said the country was strengthening laboratory readiness through additional reagents consumables and technical support while genomic sequencing was underway to help establish the relationship between the virus detected in the patient and previously identified strains.

However he cautioned that not all laboratories had the biosafety infrastructure and expertise required to handle Ebola samples.

Idris said the Bundibugyo strain responsible for the outbreak has no approved vaccine although vaccine candidates are in clinical trials and that any potential treatment must follow established clinical and regulatory protocols.

He urged healthcare facilities to strengthen infection prevention and control measures maintain a high index of suspicion and promptly report suspected cases.

He said healthcare workers should implement protective measures immediately when they encounter a suspected case rather than wait for laboratory confirmation.

The NCDC chief also urged Nigerians to avoid misinformation and rely on verified updates from authorised health agencies.

He advised the public to practise regular hand hygiene avoid direct contact with the bodily fluids of suspected cases and promptly report possible exposure or symptoms.

‘Our immediate priority is to identify and follow up all contacts protect healthcare workers provide appropriate care and prevent transmission into the wider community’ he said.

A mother and her child have died after two 20-foot container-laden trucks overturned at Mile 2 near Freeman Market inward Apapa Lagos.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said the victims were trapped beneath the trucks and their containers in the incident which occurred over the weekend.

In a statement LASTMA said its rescue and recovery team responded to the scene cordoned off the affected road and diverted traffic through an adjoining service lane to ease congestion and prevent further accidents.

The agency deployed a crane and a high-capacity tow vehicle to remove the overturned trucks and their cargoes while police officers provided security during the recovery operation.

The victims’ remains were later taken to the Police Mortuary in Yaba for necessary procedures.

LASTMA General Manager Olalekan Bakare-Oki expressed condolences to the bereaved family and called for a thorough investigation to establish the cause of the incident.

He said investigators should determine whether mechanical defects excessive loading improper cargo distribution driver negligence or other factors contributed to the trucks’ overturning.

Bakare-Oki urged truck operators to ensure their vehicles were roadworthy secure their cargoes properly and comply with road safety regulations.

He also called on motorists particularly heavy-duty vehicle operators to exercise caution and follow prescribed safety standards to prevent avoidable road crashes.

Katsina State Governor and coordinator of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presidential campaign in the state Malam Dikko Umaru Radda has commended ministers lawmakers All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders and other stakeholders for participating in the party’s presidential campaign flag-off in Kaduna.

Radda described the turnout as a demonstration of commitment to the party’s campaign urging stakeholders to sustain the unity cooperation and grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

‘I sincerely appreciate our people ministers lawmakers party leaders stakeholders and supporters from Katsina State for their participation and support at the Kaduna campaign flag-off. I urge everyone to sustain this commitment as we move forward’ he said.

The governor expressed confidence that the same enthusiasm would be replicated at the Tinubu-Dikko campaign flag-off scheduled for October 28 in Katsina State.

He said the exercise would be followed by mobilisation across the state’s 34 local government areas and 361 wards.

Radda added that the Katsina campaign would give his administration an opportunity to present its scorecard highlighting achievements across key sectors since assuming office.

He said the exercise would also allow residents to assess the administration’s performance as it seeks a renewed mandate.

‘We are not coming with mere promises; we are coming to take our record of achievements directly to the people present evidence of what we have accomplished and allow citizens to assess our performance as we seek a renewed mandate’ he said.

The governor urged elected officials political appointees APC executives local government leaders youth and women’s groups persons with disabilities and other stakeholders to maintain party unity strengthen grassroots engagement and work together toward a successful campaign.

Youths of Plateau State under the auspices of Berom Youth Molders (BYM) has petitioned the Minister of Mines Steel and Solid Minerals Development the Mining Cadastre Office the Plateau State Government the Commissioner of Police Plateau State Command demanding their prompt intervention in the mining dispute to avoid a breakdown of law and order.

The youths who made their petition known in a press conference in Jos on Saturday demanded immediate revocation of the purported Mining Lease No. ML-129 by the Mining Cadastre Office or any office that is saddled with such responsibility

They also demanded for an investigation into the relationship between ML-126 and ML-129 and whether or not it is tenable within the relevant legislations and regulations for two Mining Leases to cover the same land.

Investigation into the circumstances under which ML-129 was purportedly processed granted and/or became associated with the disputed land.

‘We seek a verification of compliance with the applicable Community Development Agreement requirements investigation by the Plateau State Commissioner of Police into who requested and authorised the deployment of Police personnel to Latya investigation by the Federal Government into the circumstances surrounding the use of the Police and Civil Defence at the mining site.

The group also demanded an immediate cessation of the use of Police personnel or any security personnel to intimidate harass or unlawfully arrest members of the community and any Plateau person in connection with the mining area in view.

‘We also seek immediate release of community members who are being unlawfully detained.

The youths also gave a notice of peaceful protest ‘If the Federal and Plateau State Governments fail to respond to these demands and fail to revoke mining lease ML-129 within one week period.’

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Disu has proposed a 200 per cent gratuity for retired police officers as part of efforts to resolve longstanding pension challenges in the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

A presidential committee tasked with examining the concerns of serving and retired personnel and recommending a sustainable framework for improved retirement benefits is considering the proposal.

The committee comprises representatives of the Ministry of Finance the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation the National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission the Budget Office of the Federation and the National Pension Commission (PenCom).

Under the proposed arrangement eligible officers could receive enhanced gratuity and pension benefits linked to their final salaries.

The initiative also seeks to address demands from serving police personnel to exit the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

The agitation over police pensions has persisted for years with retirees complaining of inadequate payments delays in accessing their entitlements and administrative bottlenecks.

Rising living costs have further heightened concerns about pensioners’ ability to meet household expenses and medical bills.

President Bola Tinubu’s intervention in the crisis has raised hopes of a lasting resolution.

The Federal Government has reportedly cleared outstanding pension payment backlogs that left some retirees waiting for up to two years while some beneficiaries have received increased payments said to be nearly double their previous amounts.

A key issue before the committee is whether any approved changes should also benefit officers who retired before the new framework takes effect.

Its recommendations are expected to address outstanding liabilities funding arrangements eligibility and benefit administration.

Disu’s engagement with the Presidency and relevant institutions aims to advance discussions on the proposed reforms and improve coordination among agencies responsible for police retirement benefits.

However the 200 per cent gratuity and proposed pension structure have yet to receive final approval.

Their adoption will depend on the committee’s recommendations government decisions and available funds.

Until formal approval and implementation guidelines are issued the proposed benefits remain under consideration and do not exist as entitlements.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Ogun State Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola popularly known as Yayi has promised to establish a New Towns Development Agency and a Ministry of Wealth Creation if elected governor in 2027.

Adeola who represents Ogun West Senatorial District also pledged to revitalise the Ogun State Road Maintenance Agency Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency and Ogun State Waste Management Agency under his nine-pillar ITESIWAJU agenda.

He made the promises during an interactive session with Remo Collectives a socio-cultural group of accomplished Remo indigenes over the weekend. The Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland Oba Babatunde Ajayi attended the meeting.

Adeola said the proposed New Towns Development Authority would oversee the development of new towns with modern infrastructure. In contrast it would preserve existing towns and communities as historical legacies.

He said the proposed Ministry of Wealth Creation would sustain his empowerment initiatives focusing on job creation through skills training and support for youths and women.

Responding to a request to improve Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital in Sagamu the senator promised to work with Governor Dapo Abiodun to revitalise the state’s flagship tertiary healthcare institution before December.

He described inclusive healthcare and well-being as key components of his ITESIWAJU agenda.

He said ‘As we speak I am facilitating a 4-Storey Hospital building to be fully equipped at Remo General Hospital and it is at the roofing level now with completion set for December. Similarly 14 similar projects are ongoing across the state.’

He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for reforms that are yielding results as acknowledged by renowned international bodies with the foremost international bank JP Morgan set to open in Nigeria.

According to him President Tinubu has addressed economic challenges and benefits will trickle down to the people soon.

The APC flag bearer also commended Governor Dapo Abiodun for laying a solid economic foundation on which he will build his ITESIWAJU agenda.

‘The governor has laid a solid economic foundation for the state in such legacy projects as the International Cargo Airport the dry inland ports in Ijebu and Egba and the coming $7 billion deep seaport. The foundation positions Ogun State to compete favourably with Lagos State in revenue generation for economic expansion and growth.

Senator Adeola further disclosed that he has facilitated over 36 infrastructure projects in Remoland in various sectors including road education solar street lights rural electrification modern markets ICT Centre and primary health care Centres.

Earlier in his address the Akarigbo asked the A to steer clear of the state creation issue and focus on creating new Areas or Local Development Areas for Remo adding that Sagamu can be divided into three or 4 LGAs.

He commended Yayi for quietly attracting development to Remoland including the construction of the road leading to his palace and other infrastructure projects.

In his welcome address the President of the Remo Collectives Akintayo Rabiu represented by his vice president Olumide Onimole stated that the collective invited Yayi to interact with them on his programme for Ogun State in general and Remoland in particular adding that their group want development for the people of Remoland in Ogun State.

Dignitaries at the event include Oba Adewale Oshiberu the Elepe of Epe elder statesman Otunba Kola Oyefeso the Aare Gbo Gbo of Remoland and president of KOKTO Group of Companies Hon. Gboyega Nosiru Isiaka GNI(APC Imeko Afon/ Yewa North Federal Constituency) Hon. Laolu Olabimtan Ogun state commissioner for Budget and Planning Hon Yemi Adelani Ogun State APC Organizing Secretary Prince Deji Ashiru MD of Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority and Hon. Daisi Akintan former chairman of Sagamu LGA.

The Kebbi State Government has intensified measures to prevent the possible importation and spread of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the state.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health Dr Zaki Abubakar Zaki disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Birnin Kebbi on Sunday.

He said the ministry through its Department of Public Health had strengthened disease surveillance and traveller screening at Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport Birnin Kebbi and designated land border entry points across the state.

According to him passengers arriving at and departing from the airport are screened at designated gates to help detect suspected cases early and identify travellers showing symptoms consistent with Ebola.

Zaki added that officials had introduced similar screening measures at three land border entry points in Bagudo Kamba and Arewa Local Government Areas to strengthen border health surveillance and protect residents from public health threats.

He said the measures were designed to ensure prompt identification of suspected cases timely referral for medical assessment and implementation of appropriate public health interventions to minimise transmission risk.

The permanent secretary also said the ministry supplied personal protective equipment (PPE) to all general hospitals in the state to strengthen infection prevention and control.

The state government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting residents through proactive disease surveillance enhanced border screening and coordination with relevant health authorities and stakeholders.

It urged residents and travellers to remain vigilant cooperate with health officials and promptly report suspected symptoms to the appropriate health authorities.