Author: Halimah Olamide

The Niger State Government has debunked reports of alleged bandit attacks on schools in parts of the state, assuring parents and residents that schools remain safe for learning. The government said claims circulating on social media about attacks on schools in Bosso, Kpakungu, Sabon-Wuse, Lambata, and other communities are false. The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Obed Nana. According to the government, investigations carried out with the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, the Niger State Police Command, and other security agencies found no evidence of any attack on…

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) is set to arraign five individuals over their alleged involvement in hacking the server of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) during the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The suspects, identified as Ojiyovwi Miracle, Goodluck Ovuijeddo, Dennis Uvietesivwi, Ransome Monday and Hilda Ejohwemu, are facing multiple charges bordering on cybercrime, examination malpractice and computer-related fraud. According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/300/2026 and filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, the defendants allegedly conspired to gain unlawful access to JAMB’s computer systems and manipulate examination processes during the conduct of the UTME Computer-Based…

Agency Report British defence minister, John Healey quit on Thursday in a dispute over military spending. Healey ‌accused Prime Minister Keir Starmer of failing to commit government resources needed to defend the country. Britain’s’s ​defence and finance ministries have ⁠been locked in talks for months ​over how to meet rising demands ​to expand military spending, delaying Britain’s Defence Investment Plan since 2025. “You have been ​unable, and the Treasury has ​been unwilling, to commit the resources that the ‌nation ⁠needs to defend the country at this time of rising threats,” Healey said in his letter to ​Starmer. Reuters

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to contractors handling the Abuja–Lokoja road, ordering immediate mobilisation to site and full utilisation of funds already released by the Federal Government. Umahi gave the ultimatum during an inspection of the Abuja–Lokoja road project on Tuesday, expressing concern over the poor state of the highway and delays in rehabilitation work. The minister warned that contractors handling the Abuja–Lokoja road who fail to mobilise within 72 hours risk sanctions, including possible involvement of security and anti-corruption agencies. “We cannot be pampering contractors. If you are holding the money of the…

The Katsina State Police Command has arrested a suspected notorious drug dealer and dismantled a four-man armed robbery syndicate operating in Funtua and surrounding communities. The police also recovered drugs, weapons, stolen items and cash. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday in Katsina. According to him, the command’s operatives arrested the suspect, Aliyu Umar, 22, popularly known as “Makami”, during a raid at Jabiri area of Funtua Local Government Area on May 28. Sadiq-Aliyu said the arrest followed credible intelligence on the suspect’s alleged involvement in drug trafficking activities…

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has clarified that Senator Ede Dafinone and former Delta State Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Patrick Ukah, were not among passengers on the train that derailed on the Warri–Itakpe rail corridor on Monday. The clarification follows earlier reports that listed both individuals among the passengers on board the train during the incident near Agbor in Delta State, which resulted in the death of four persons. In a statement issued on Tuesday in Lagos, NRC Managing Director, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, said the information was incorrect and did not reflect the actual passenger manifest of the…

The Defence Headquarters has said tthat he strategic military partnership between Nigeria and the United States has significantly weakened the operations of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) and other terrorist groups operating in the region. According to the DHQ, intelligence sharing, specialised training, surveillance support and joint counter-terrorism operations between both countries have led to major successes against terrorist networks, resulting in the destruction of key logistics infrastructure and operational bases. Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, disclosed this during an X Space discussion on strengthening security through strategic information sharing and the role of the…

Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele has revealed plans to sponsor a bill seeking to introduce a single six-year tenure for Nigeria’s president and state governors after the 2027 general elections. Bamidele affirmed that the bill would be among the first pieces of legislation he intends to introduce in the next Senate. According to him, the proposed tenure system would allow elected leaders to focus on governance rather than spending valuable time and resources on re-election campaigns. The Senate Leader argued that the current two-term structure often compels presidents and governors to begin planning for a second term shortly after assuming office.…

The Police Command in Osun has directed political parties to suspend their planned rallies in Oriade Local Government Area of the state to prevent a possible outbreak of violence. This was contained in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, on Tuesday in Osogbo. Ojelabi advised political parties to reschedule rallies earlier planned for Wednesday in the area, citing security concerns. “The command wishes to advise all political parties, candidates, supporters and stakeholders to postpone their planned political gatherings, rallies, campaigns and processions scheduled to hold on Wednesday in Oriade Local Government Area to a…

A prosecution witness in the trial of former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, on Monday contradicted an aspect of his earlier testimony while being cross-examined before a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Apo, Abuja. The witness, Iliya Iyakwari, who is the fifth prosecution witness (PW5) in the case, is testifying in the ongoing trial over alleged irregularities linked to the controversial $6 billion Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project contract. During Monday’s proceedings, lead defence counsel, Adeola Adedipe (SAN), sought the court’s permission to confront the witness with a document already admitted as evidence. The document was said…