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Those arrested were identified as ASP Musa Waziri and Insp. Jeremiah Achimogu both attached to 45 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Abuja; Insp. Awipi Terry of 21 PMF; and Insp. Hassan Baba of 50 PMF, Abuja.

The sources further disclosed that the policemen were dressed in uniforms similar to that of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), allegedly in an attempt to evade detection and deceive enforcement personnel.

Two senators from Rivers State elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing deepening internal crises within the opposition party and the need to align with the federal government to better serve their constituents.

The defections were formally announced on the floor of the Senate during plenary, amid the presence of a high-powered APC delegation from the national and state levels.

Alwell Onyesoh, one of the senators representing Rivers East Senatorial District, said his decision followed “several consultations” with leaders and stakeholders across the district.

“Since the hour I arrived to officially announce my defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, this decision is coming on the heels of several consultations with Rivers East Senatorial District people, whose collective aspirations I represent,” he said.

He stressed that his loyalty remained with his constituents, not with any political party.

“Political parties are channels for the exploration of political interests. It was on this basis that I got elected on the platform of the PDP.

“However, recent events have revealed the importance of aligning with the centre and the political will to transform the fortunes of my people with structures that can facilitate good governance,” the senator added.

According to him, his commitment to the development of Rivers East, particularly in the area of human capital, “remains unwavering, through seasons, through times, and even through parties.”

Also, Barinada Mpigi, the second senator, from Rivers South-East Senatorial District, anchored his defection on constitutional grounds, citing irreconcilable divisions within the PDP.

“In accordance with Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I hereby announce my defection to the All Progressives Congress,” he said.

He argued that the PDP was riddled with unresolved crises at all levels.

“The PDP has unresolved issues and divisions at the national, state, local government, and even ward levels, resulting in a breakdown of effective party authority in Rivers State and particularly in my senatorial district,” he stated.

“These circumstances clearly constitute a division within the meaning of the Constitution, rendering continued membership untenable and impractical.”

The lawmaker thanked the PDP for giving him the platform to enter the Senate but said the party had been unable to resolve its internal challenges.

“I respectfully request my colleagues to understand. I thank my former party for affording me the opportunity to enter the Red Chambers, but they are aware that they have not been able to resolve issues that can make a legislator comfortable running under their banner,” he said.

Leaders of the APC, including the party’s National Secretary, South-South National Vice Chairman, Deputy National Chairman (North), National Youth Leader, and Rivers State APC chairman, were present to receive the defectors, describing the move as a boost to the party’s growing influence in the South-South ahead of the 2027 general elections.

With the latest defections, the APC further strengthens its numbers in the Senate, while the PDP continues to grapple with internal schisms and a shrinking presence in the Red Chamber.

AMINDA:
It's inevitable. Look at the forlorn face of the APC chairman in the picture. Even he is uncomfortable with the development but the master tragedist wants it so for his own sole ambition. APC will implode.

Orlandoo:
Does it matter? Nigeria is already a failed state.

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has claimed that mobilisation for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections is already about 70 per cent secured across the state.

Fubara gave the assurance on Thursday during the inauguration of the 9.7km Ogbakiri Road project in Emuoha Local Government Area.

The governor said the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress recognises his strong grassroots structures and committed supporters, which he believes will deliver the required backing for the President in 2027.

He said his confidence is strengthened by the reception and support witnessed during project inauguration activities in different parts of the state

popular South African radio and club DJ has been shot dead in the country's largest city, Johannesburg, sending shockwaves across the nation grappling with entrenched crime.

Warrick Stock, popularly known as DJ Warras, was gunned down in the city centre on Tuesday afternoon.

Police said the 40-year-old media personality was approached by three suspects, one of whom opened fire on him before fleeing on foot.

The motive of the shooting is unknown and no arrests have been made, police said.

Stock was a well-known radio and TV presenter and a podcaster in South Africa.

Nigeria’s economic reforms are beginning to show tangible results, with inflation easing to 16.05 percent in November 2025 and the country recording a real GDP growth of 3.98 percent in the third quarter, the Federal Government has announced.

Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, made the disclosure on Monday at the launch of the Power of Data High Impact Initiative and the National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS) 2024–2028 in Abuja. The initiatives aim to strengthen the country’s statistical system and improve evidence-based policy-making.

Bagudu noted that since 2023, the government has supported the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in completing major exercises, including the rebasing of GDP and the Consumer Price Index, as well as the National Agricultural Sample Census—the first in over 30 years. These efforts are designed to close data gaps and provide reliable statistics to guide economic decisions.

“Those tough decisions are now beginning to yield returns, with headline inflation on the decline at 16.05 percent as of November and a 3.98 percent real GDP growth rate in the third quarter—the second-highest quarterly growth rate post-COVID-19,” Bagudu said.

He added that global credit rating agencies have also responded positively to Nigeria’s reforms, citing S&P Global Ratings’ upgrade of Nigeria’s outlook to Positive and Fitch Ratings’ affirmation of a Stable outlook.

Bagudu emphasized that investing in a modern statistical system offers high returns, with studies showing an average return of US$32 per dollar spent. The initiatives will focus on technology, data infrastructure, and human resource development to ensure statistics effectively drive government policies.

The Minister urged stakeholders to actively implement the NSDS and the Power of Data roadmap, stressing that evidence-based governance is key to achieving the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Delivering his remarks, Statistician General of the Federation and NBS CEO, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, highlighted the release of the updated Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Tracking Exercise covering over 200 SDG-related indicators for 2024—a milestone in strengthening Nigeria’s statistical system.

He explained that the Power of Data initiative is part of twelve United Nations High Impact Initiatives aimed at accelerating SDG progress. Since aligning with the initiative in 2024, Nigeria has collaborated with partners such as OSSAP-SDGs, NITDA, UN agencies, and the World Bank to produce a roadmap with clear roles and responsibilities for implementation.

The development of the new NSDS document was the most comprehensive, inclusive, and strategic process the Bureau has ever undertaken,” Adeniran said. “Consultations included national and zonal sessions, engaging stakeholders from public and private sectors, civil society, academia, and development partners to create a shared vision for a modern, resilient statistical system capable of supporting evidence-based governance.”

He stressed that aligning the Power of Data roadmap with the NSDS ensures seamless implementation and encouraged stakeholders to adopt the DSA mantra of Recording, Sharing, and Applying data, noting that even small improvements in data handling can lead to significant gains in development outcomes and citizens’ welfare.