Category: The Nation – Nigeria

The Delta State Police Command has rescued a 23-year-old kidnap victim arrested eight suspects and recovered three firearms 26 live cartridges and substances suspected to be Indian hemp in separate operations across the state.

The operations conducted between October 20 and 23 followed intelligence gathering and targeted raids on suspected criminal hideouts and residences.

The revelation is contained in a statement on Saturday by the command’s spokesman SP Bright Edafe.

The police spokesman said the operations were part of efforts to combat kidnapping armed robbery cultism and other criminal activities in the state.

Edafe said that in one of the operations operatives of the Owa-Oyibu Police Division working with local volunteer groups rescued a 23-year-old man abducted at Owa-Alero on October 19.

He said the victim was reportedly abducted in front of his residence by two suspected kidnappers and dragged into a nearby bush.

He said following a report by the victim’s brother the police launched a search of the surrounding bushes and rescued him the next day.

Edafe said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

He also said that in a separate operation on October 23 operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit raided a hotel in Abraka suspected to be a hideout for drug-related activities.

He said six suspected cultists were arrested during the raid while a bag containing a firearm and substances suspected to be Indian hemp was recovered.

The police spokesman said some individuals fled on sighting the operatives adding that investigations were ongoing to establish the ownership and source of the recovered firearm and identify other persons linked to the incident.

In another operation Edafe said that operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping Unit (SAKU) Sector III Ubuluku arrested a 62-year-old man Richard Nmorsi at Ekuku-Agbor in Ika South Local Government Area on October 21.

He said a search of his residence conducted with a duly obtained warrant led to the recovery of a locally fabricated single-barrelled firearm 24 live cartridges and weeds suspected to be Indian hemp.

Edafe stated: ‘Two days later the operatives arrested another suspect 56-year-old Amechi Osemeke at Ekuku-Agbor.

‘A search of his residence also conducted with a warrant led to the recovery of a serviceable double-barrelled firearm and one live cartridge.

‘Investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the possession of the firearm.’

Commissioner of Police Samuel Erale urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information to the police.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said on Sunday that it was yet to fix a date for the publication of its corrected list of candidates for next year’s elections following submissions by political parties and candidates over omitted names.

The list for National Assembly Elections contained names of candidates who may have violated the provisions of the Electoral Act following the judgment of the Supreme Court on section 77 of the Act

However the commission excluded such candidates from the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections prompting protests from political parties and their candidates. Still it gave those affected until October 24 to submit their complaints.

The All Progressives Congress also wrote to the Commission seeking implementation of the Supreme Court judgment.

The commission however said it was processing all corrections submitted by political parties and candidates along with relevant court orders and would publish them once ready.

The Director of Information and Voter Education at INEC Victoria Eta-Mesi told The Nation that the commission will effect the necessary corrections but has not set a date for releasing the updated list.

In a one-paragraph response to enquiries by The Nation she said: ‘All corrections submitted by other parties and candidates together with Court Orders are being effected and will be published once ready. No date has been fixed for the publication’.

The development comes amid legal and political concerns over the omission of some candidates’ names from the published list following the Supreme Court judgment and INEC’s directive inviting aggrieved parties and candidates to submit their complaints and relevant court orders.

INEC’s position indicates that it is reconciling the submissions and implementing applicable court orders but it has yet to announce when it will make the corrected list public.

However a high-ranking source within the commission said it is currently reviewing all submissions from candidates and political parties and will address them on their merits.

The source said ‘The commission received complaints and will review them according to their merit and in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act and the Constitution. Those who in accordance with the law will be included and those that failed the legal test will not be part of the election.

‘Don’t forget some of the candidates and parties are also in court and when the judgment comes the commission will review and comply accordingly.

Meanwhile the name of Olawepo Hashim had yet to be uploaded to the Commission website as the Accord Party candidate at the time of this report.

Although it is unclear why the Commission has not uploaded the name despite a statement by the INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan that the Commission will respect the judgement the Nation gathered that the delay may be related to the party’s filing.

The National Chairman of Accord Maxwell Mgbudem told The Nation that the party has appealed the judgement but failed to provide details of the appeal.

A member of the House of Representatives Hon Donald Ojogo said that High Chief Government Oweizide Ekemepulo popularly known as Tompolo was driven to safeguard national assets not only by economic considerations but also by patriotism and a determination to change perceptions of the Niger Delta and its people.

Speaking while receiving an award of excellence on behalf of Tompolo from the House of Representatives Press Corps Ojogo added that Tompolo’s patriotism extends beyond protecting oil installations to safeguarding the environment.

Ojogo described the recognition as a validation of Tompolo’s commitment to protecting the country’s economic resources preserving the environment and promoting peace and stability.

Ojogo who represents the Ilaje/Ese Odo federal constituency of Ondo State said ‘A greater part of it is the patriotism and also to give a fresh breath of perception to our people that we are always agitators. But this is a man who has come to contribute to peace and development.’

Tompolo is the chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited which the Federal Government engaged to provide security for oil and gas pipelines and related facilities amid ongoing efforts to combat crude oil theft pipeline vandalism and other forms of economic sabotage in the petroleum sector.

Ojogo said the recognition was particularly significant because the activities for which Tompolo was honoured were not new but reflected his sustained commitment to national development.

‘This award is very dear to our leader Tompolo. It is not a surprise to us especially me standing in for him to receive this award. It is a matter of privilege for me and we say this with all emphasis that it is not a new thing that he has been doing’ Ojogo said.

He stressed that Tompolo’s commitment to protecting national assets extended beyond oil and gas infrastructure to environmental preservation which he described as an important responsibility shared by all Nigerians.

He added ‘The same zeal with which he protects the national assets the same zeal with which he protects the environment. The environment as it is dear to him is also an asset to all of us even Nigerians.’

According to Ojogo protecting the environment and securing the country’s economic resources were essential to the wellbeing of present and future generations.

He added that sustained efforts to protect oil and gas infrastructure were crucial to addressing crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism which have historically affected petroleum production government revenue and the nation’s economic fortunes.

Ojogo also noted that the recognition demonstrated the capacity of stakeholders from the Niger Delta to contribute meaningfully to addressing national challenges particularly in security economic development and peaceful coexistence.

He expressed confidence that Tompolo would sustain his contributions to national development while praying for greater wisdom tenacity and capacity for the Tantita chairman to continue serving the country and humanity.

‘I can only pray for him for God to give him more wisdom more tenacity more capacity to be able to deploy the wisdom that God has given him for the benefit of Nigerians and humanity in general’ he said.

Ojogo thanked the Press Corps for the recognition and reaffirmed Tompolo’s commitment to doing more for the country saying ‘We want to appreciate you. I thank you on his behalf and to also say that we are always proud to do better and to do more for humanity and Nigerians in particular’.

The award highlights the strategic importance of securing Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure which remains central to government revenue foreign exchange earnings and the country’s broader economic stability.

Presenting the award to Tompolo’s representative Chairman of the HoRPC Gboyega Onadiran said the recognition was in appreciation of the Tantita chairman’s exceptional leadership strategic vision and contributions to protecting national assets.

Onadiran said the award titled Award of Excellence in National Assets Protection (2026) reflected the Press Corps’ recognition of efforts to strengthen national security protect critical infrastructure and support economic development.

The protection of such infrastructure is considered vital to sustain production preserving public revenue and strengthening confidence in the country’s capacity to secure its strategic economic resources.

An Ibadan businessman and philanthropist Dotun Sanusi has called on political leaders in Oyo State to approach the debate over local government autonomy with constitutional responsibility accountability and respect for the rule of law.

He made the call in a public statement issued on Saturday following a recent public disagreement over local government autonomy between the Oyo State governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) Bimbo Adekanmbi and his APC counterpart Senator Sharafadeen Alli.

Sanusi the Gbonka Olubadan of Ibadanland said the disagreement deserved a response grounded in constitutional principles political maturity and genuine concern for the people of Oyo State.

He said he had followed with considerable interest the challenge Adekanmbi reportedly issued asking Alli to explain his legislative contributions toward achieving local government autonomy.

The humanitarian and grassroots development advocate said the controversy presented an opportunity to address a fundamental question that has troubled Nigeria’s democracy for decades: why should the government closest to the people remain financially and administratively constrained when the Constitution recognises the importance of democratically elected local government councils?

He stressed that local government autonomy is not the property of the APC the APM or any political movement; it is a constitutional and developmental issue affecting millions of Nigerians.

Sanusi recalled that on July 11 2024 the Supreme Court of Nigeria delivered a landmark judgment concerning the financial independence of local government councils.

According to him the court ruled that state governments could not retain or spend local government allocations and directed that funds be paid directly to democratically elected local councils.

He added that the judgment also reaffirmed the constitutional requirement for democratically elected local government administration.

Sanusi argued that the judgment established obligations that could not simply be postponed until another constitutional amendment was enacted.

While acknowledging that additional legislative reforms could strengthen the local government system he maintained that existing constitutional duties and binding judicial decisions must be respected.

He said ‘A Supreme Court judgment is not a campaign promise. It is a binding pronouncement of the highest court of our land.’

The statement further noted that the July 2024 judgment arose from legal action initiated by the but the sentence ended at that point without identifying the party that initiated the action.

Sanusi said ordinary citizens whose daily struggles rarely attract national headlines remained at the centre of the debate over local government autonomy.

He cited rural mothers who have to travel long distances because their communities lack functioning primary healthcare centres.

He also highlighted the challenges faced by farmers whose produce cannot reach markets because local access roads have deteriorated as well as children attending schools that lack basic facilities.

The statement further drew attention to elderly pensioners waiting for their legitimate entitlements adding ‘These are the people for whom grassroots government exists.’

He warned that when local councils lack effective resources or mismanage public funds ordinary families bear the consequences.

According to him local government autonomy was not meant to empower another class of political officeholders but to bring accountable governance closer to the people.

He however appealed to Alli Adekanmbi Governor Seyi Makinde the Oyo State House of Assembly and all relevant federal authorities to approach the matter with seriousness and respect.

He acknowledged that political disagreements are legitimate in a democracy but stressed that they should produce better policies stronger institutions and greater public accountability.

He also called on civil society organisations professional associations traditional institutions and the media to insist on evidence-based debate.

‘Let every political actor present verifiable facts. Let the law guide our conclusions. Let the welfare of the people remain our highest consideration’ he said.

Sanusi maintained that the people of Oyo State deserve a political culture that respects constitutional obligations regardless of who occupies public office.

He said local governments should serve as centres of development rather than instruments of political rivalry while elected council officials should remain accountable to the people they serve.

He also called on governors to respect constitutional limits legislators to perform their responsibilities diligently and federal institutions to implement binding judicial decisions.

‘Local government autonomy must never become a weapon for political convenience. It must become a living reality for the people of Nigeria’ he said.

Sanusi added that history will not merely remember who won the argument between Adekanmbi and Alli but will also assess whether political leaders strengthened democratic institutions protected public resources and improved ordinary citizens’ lives.

He said that should be the standard by which every administration and public officeholder is judged.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Senator George Akume declared yesterday that any northerner seeking to contest the 2027 presidential election is an enemy of the North.

He insisted that President Bola Tinubu must be allowed to complete a second term before power returns to the region in 2031.

Akume warned that the personal ambitions of politicians seeking to challenge Tinubu in 2027 must not be allowed to undermine the existing understanding on power rotation between the North and South or threaten the country’s political stability.

The SGF spoke in Kaduna during a pre-campaign meeting with a large gathering of Benue State citizens resident in the state.

He urged Northerners to unite behind the President’s re-election bid rather than support politicians whose ambitions could jeopardise the region’s long-term political interests.

‘Anybody who is from the North and running for the presidency is an enemy of the North. Don’t allow that pretender to deceive you. It is not yet our turn. The North’s turn is in 2031. Prepare to vote for Tinubu. Do not allow anyone to destroy the country because of a vaunting personal ambition’ Akume was quoted as saying by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Yomi Odunuga.

Continuing the SGF said:’Let us remember that the President has been fair to all in terms of appointments and others. He doesn’t favour one religion over the other. Just look at the figures. So be careful about what people tell you.’

The former Benue State governor recalled that the understanding on power rotation between the North and South was reached in Kaduna stressing that the arrangement has contributed significantly to national unity and the preservation of Nigeria’s territorial integrity.

‘Remember that it was in this same Kaduna State that we agreed on power rotation between the North and the South. You cannot doubt the credentials of those that reached this agreement at that time and it was done to keep this country together. We agreed on power shift and that is what has kept this country going. That is what has retained our territorial integrity’ he explained.

Akume also took a swipe at an unnamed political opponent of the President accusing him of inconsistency over the removal of fuel subsidy and warning Nigerians against being misled by politicians whose positions on major national issues frequently changed.

‘Forget that other one making noise that he was going to remove fuel subsidy. He is always flip- flopping. He says something today and changes gear the next minute’ the SGF said.

He defended the Tinubu administration’s performance particularly its distribution of federal appointments and execution of development projects across the country arguing that the President had demonstrated fairness to different regions and religious groups.

Akume specifically cited ongoing federal projects in Benue State including interventions in healthcare road infrastructure and education as evidence of the administration’s commitment to the welfare of the people. He also claimed that over 65 per cent of access to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has been recorded in the North.

‘Let nobody deceive you Asiwaju loves Benue and he has displayed that in the number of significant projects the Federal Government is carrying out simultaneously in the state. These projects are diverse in healthcare roads education and others’ he said.

The SGF who described Kaduna as a historic centre of Northern political cooperation commended Governor Uba Sani for promoting unity and inclusive leadership urging Benue indigenes resident in the state to support his administration and re-election.

He said effective leadership required the ability to accommodate people of different ethnic and religious backgrounds recalling his experience as governor of Benue State and stressing that peaceful coexistence remained fundamental to national development.

Akume urged Northern political stakeholders to resist attempts to divide the region along ethnic religious and personal lines maintaining that unity cooperation and respect for existing political agreements were essential to sustaining the North’s influence in national affairs.

Among the dignitaries who accompanied the SGF were former Jigawa State Governor Alhaji Saminu Turaki; former Minister of Women Affairs Dame Pauline Tallen; Senator Abu Ibrahim; Minister of Water Resources Professor Joseph Utsev; and Minister of Steel Development Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu.

The Ondo State Government said it has intensified measures to prevent the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the state by deploying four ambulances for emergency transportation of any possible suspected cases and placing health personnel on alert.

The Special Adviser to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Health Prof. Simidele Odimayo revealed this on Saturday in an interview in Akure the state capital.

Odimayo also said the state had begun to train health workers strengthening disease surveillance and intensifying public awareness campaigns to ensure prompt detection and reporting of suspected cases.

He explained that the measures were part of the state’s proactive response in line with national guidelines stressing that no Ebola case had been recorded in Ondo.

Odimayo said the government had constituted a committee to coordinate preparedness efforts and sent some team members to Abuja for specialised training to strengthen the state’s response capacity.

‘The state is doing a lot. We have already set up a committee that is working. We have sent some of our team to Abuja for some training programmes.

‘We have just procured so many ambulances in recent times about 15 of them. So all we need to do at this time is to dedicate some about four in line with the national guidelines for movement of cases in case we have cases’ he said.

According to him the health facilities and health posts across the state had been alerted to remain vigilant recognise Ebola symptoms and report suspected cases promptly through established channels.

He said the government was also making arrangements for isolation personal protective equipment and other emergency logistics to protect health workers and limit the risk of transmission.

Odimayo disclosed that community mobilisers had been directed to sensitise residents while radio jingles educational materials and media engagements were being used to promote awareness and discourage panic.

‘We have our agents our community mobilisers. We have informed them to inform the people at the grassroots level. We have also produced jingles and written materials that people will be able to utilise’ he said.

He advised the residents to remain calm maintain good personal hygiene wash their hands regularly and avoid direct contact with the bodily fluids of anyone suspected of having Ebola.

Odimayo advised residents to avoid touching their eyes nose and mouth with unwashed hands and promptly report suspected cases to health authorities.

He also assured residents that the government was strengthening surveillance and emergency response systems to prevent the disease from gaining a foothold in the state. The governor’s aide further disclosed that health facilities and health posts across the state had been alerted to strengthen vigilance familiarise personnel with the symptoms of Ebola and adhere strictly to established reporting procedures.

He said the government was working to ensure that suspected cases were identified and referred through appropriate channels without unnecessary delays.

According to him the state’s surveillance and reporting mechanisms are being aligned with national protocols to facilitate a coordinated response involving health facilities and relevant emergency agencies.

He added that the government had made arrangements for the isolation of suspected cases to support appropriate medical assessment and reduce the risk of possible transmission.

The health adviser further said personal protective equipment (PPE) had been provided through the state’s designated emergency management agency while logistical arrangements were being reviewed to ensure that necessary materials could reach health facilities and health posts when required.

He however emphasised that protecting healthcare workers was an essential component of the preparedness strategy noting that personnel must have the appropriate equipment and knowledge to handle suspected cases safely.

The Convener of Arewa Think Tank Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu has declared that the North has spoken through the massive turnout of supporters at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign flag-off in Kaduna describing the gathering as a strong political statement in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

Yakubu in a statement issued on Sunday commended the people of Northern Nigeria the region’s governors and key APC stakeholders for their contributions to the successful hosting of the rally particularly praising the Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Abdulaziz Yari and Kaduna State Governor Senator Uba Sani for their leadership and organisational efforts.

He said the impressive turnout and expressions of support at the gathering demonstrated the enthusiasm and determination of Tinubu’s supporters across Northern Nigeria to work towards his re-election in the 2027 general election.

‘The successful gathering in Kaduna sends a strong political message about the enthusiasm and commitment of supporters of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu across Northern Nigeria. The voices expressed at the event reflect a determination among these supporters to stand with President Tinubu and advocate for his re-election in 2027’ Yakubu said.

The Arewa Think Tank Convener described the rally as a significant political engagement that underscored the importance of unity grassroots mobilisation and active participation in Nigeria’s democratic process stressing that the North remained a critical stakeholder in the country’s political development.

Yakubu particularly commended Governor Uba Sani and the people of Kaduna State for successfully hosting the presidential campaign flag-off noting that their hospitality coordination and organisational efforts contributed significantly to the gathering’s success.

‘I particularly commend Governor Uba Sani and the government and people of Kaduna State for their hospitality organisational efforts and commitment to ensuring the successful hosting of the event’ he stated.

He also applauded the Northern governors political leaders youth groups women’s organisations and grassroots mobilisers who participated in the rally saying their collective involvement demonstrated the importance of collaboration among political stakeholders and citizens in strengthening democratic participation.

The Convener also praised the Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Abdulaziz Yari for his leadership and coordination and acknowledged the contributions of the campaign team and other stakeholders whose efforts ensured the successful conduct of the political gathering.

Yakubu urged political leaders and supporters to sustain the spirit of cooperation shown at the rally stressing that peaceful participation constructive engagement and mutual understanding remained essential to Nigeria’s democratic development and national stability.

‘The North remains an important stakeholder in Nigeria’s political and democratic development’ he said emphasising the need for sustained cooperation among political leaders community stakeholders and citizens as the country prepares for the 2027 general election.

He maintained that the Kaduna gathering should strengthen relationships among political stakeholders promote national unity and encourage issue-based discussions that address Nigerians’ welfare and aspirations beyond electioneering.

‘National development requires continuous dialogue and collaboration among all sections of the country’ Yakubu said adding that political participation must be accompanied by a genuine commitment to peace stability democratic values and the collective aspirations of Nigerians.

The Arewa Think Tank Convener congratulated the government and people of Kaduna State the Northern governors the APC campaign leadership and all participants who contributed to the rally’s success urging them to sustain the momentum of peaceful political engagement ahead of the 2027 polls.

‘On behalf of Arewa Think Tank I express our sincere appreciation to everyone who contributed to the success of this gathering. We encourage continued peaceful engagement and constructive participation in the democratic process as Nigeria looks towards 2027’ Yakubu said reiterating that unity dialogue and cooperation remained indispensable to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions and promoting national progress.

Vice President Kashim Shettima yesterday went down the memory lane recalling how President Bola Tinubu provided former Vice President Atiku Abubakar political refuge and a platform to contest the 2007 presidential election after he was forced out of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Shettima who spoke at the flag-off of the APC presidential campaign in Kaduna said Tinubu’s longstanding support for northern presidential candidates demonstrated his commitment to the region and justified the North’s continued support for his re-election in 2027.

The Vice President reminded northerners that Tinubu similarly supported two other prominent northern politicians in their presidential ambitions: current National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu in 2011 and the late President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 and 2019.

Tinubu’s political history he said has established him as a dependable ally of the North.

Shettima said: ‘President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is one person who has fiercely identified with the North over the years.

‘It is pertinent to mention that when our former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was harassed and chased out of the PDP with his tail between his legs he ran to the Lion of Bourdillon who gave him political succour and support and a platform to contest for the presidency of this country in 2007.

‘Again in 2011 President Tinubu supported another northern man Mallam Nuhu Ribadu to contest for the presidency of this country.

‘And you can be a witness that in 2015 and 2019 President Tinubu stood solidly behind the late President Muhammadu Buhari and secured him his first and second-term victories’ he said.

Shettima said the President’s political sacrifices and commitment to northern interests were sufficient reasons for the region to stand firmly behind his second-term ambition.

He maintained that supporting Tinubu’s re-election was a matter of honour political loyalty and appreciation for his contributions to the advancement of northern political leaders over the years.

The Vice President also defended the administration’s economic reforms insisting that the government had successfully held the country together despite predictions that its policies would trigger an economic collapse.

According to him the administration’s achievements were the result of collective sacrifice political cooperation and the determination of its leadership to confront challenges threatening Nigeria’s stability.

‘We have come to you with a heart full of gratitude. Gratitude for standing with us. Gratitude for believing in us. Gratitude for understanding that after the storm comes ease’ he told the gathering.

Shettima said the administration had demonstrated that it possessed the competence and sincerity required to navigate the country’s difficulties.

‘We couldn’t have been here today without the faith you have in us. So thank you.

‘We are qualified to come to you because you know beyond the mischief beyond the lies beyond the hypocrisies and beyond the agenda that Nigeria needs its finest servants to stand together.

‘What we have done is to fight for the survival of this nation’ he declared.

He attributed the administration’s ability to withstand economic pressures and preserve national stability to cooperation among political leaders and the confidence Nigerians had continued to repose in the government.

‘We were able to keep this country together and defy the predictions of those who had predicted the implosion of our economy because we worked together’ he said.

Reflecting on the 2023 presidential election Shettima argued that Nigerians did not elect Tinubu because of the wealth educational qualifications or rhetorical abilities of the APC leadership but because they recognised the dangers he claimed were associated with the available alternatives.

‘Almost four years ago you spoke eloquently sincerely boldly and decisively to elect a change-maker His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

‘We didn’t win that election because we were wise. Far from it. We didn’t win that election because we were rich and we didn’t win that election because we were educated.

‘We didn’t win that election because we were the best speakers. We won because you saw options before you and knew without a doubt that the alternative was a calamity’ he stated.

The Vice President urged Nigerians to renew their confidence in the ruling party maintaining that the APC had demonstrated its capacity to deliver on electoral promises and sustain development across the country.

Addressing the people of Kaduna State Shettima praised Governor Uba Sani for promoting unity and development in a state previously troubled by divisions.

He said the governor’s inclusive leadership had strengthened relationships among communities and created an atmosphere in which residents from different parts of the state could regard themselves as members of one political family.

According to him the administration had helped bridge longstanding divisions between communities in Southern and Northern Kaduna while extending development programmes across the state.

He said the achievements provided sufficient grounds for voters to renew Sani’s mandate alongside that of President Tinubu.

‘This is the legacy of the APC in Kaduna State. This is the mandate we have come to ask you to renew a second term for the APC from top to bottom’Shettima declared.

The Vice President also listed educational projects and skills development initiatives among the achievements of the federal and Kaduna State governments.

He cited the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences Kachia the transition of the Federal College of Education Zaria to university status and the establishment of vocational training institutions as evidence of the party’s commitment to restoring Kaduna’s reputation as a centre of learning.

He particularly highlighted the vocational training centres in Rigachikun Soba and Samaru Kataf saying they had produced more than 4000 graduates.

Shettima also identified the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as an intervention that had provided educational financing to hundreds of thousands of students in tertiary institutions.

He insisted that the developments demonstrated the administration’s determination to expand access to education promote skills acquisition and create opportunities for young Nigerians.

Turning to federal infrastructure projects across Northern Nigeria the Vice President dismissed suggestions that Tinubu’s administration had neglected the region.

He said the government had maintained a policy of continuing important projects inherited from previous administrations rather than abandoning them for political reasons.

According to him this approach had resulted in substantial progress on several strategic infrastructure projects expected to improve transportation energy supply agricultural production and economic integration across the northern states.

‘We have built a record of continuing projects initiated by our predecessors’ he said.

He listed the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline Kano-Maradi Railway Lagos-Kano Rail Corridor and Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Road among projects receiving attention under the administration.

Shettima also highlighted ongoing work on the Sokoto-Badagry Highway describing the road project as a major infrastructure intervention that would create opportunities for agricultural production and economic activities.

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.’