₦airaland Forum

Twelve northern governors, prominent traditional rulers, and senior judges are at the centre of a looming diplomatic storm as the United States Congress considers a bill that could impose far-reaching sanctions on them over alleged complicity in what American lawmakers describe as a “Christian genocide” and systemic persecution under Nigeria’s sharia and blasphemy laws.

This follows the designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern by President Donald Trump and his instruction to the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, to act without delay.

On Friday, Trump, in a post on Truth, lamented that thousands of Christians were being killed in Nigeria and asked Congressman Riley Moore, together with Chairman Tom Cole and the House Appropriations Committee, to immediately look into the matter and report back to him.

The Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025, sponsored by Republican Senator Ted Cruz, designates Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” for religious persecution.

The bill proposes direct sanctions against public officials and religious authorities accused of promoting or tolerating violence against Christians and other religious minorities.

In December 2020, the US Department of State designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern for the first time ever due to what it termed systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom, violent Boko Haram attacks, and frequent ethno-religious conflicts exacerbated by the judiciary system.

Under the bill, introduced on September 9, 2025, the US Secretary of State will, within 90 days of its passage, submit a report to Congress listing Nigerian officials, including governors, judges, and monarchs who have “promoted, enacted, or maintained blasphemy laws” or “tolerated violence by non-state actors invoking religious justification.”

The sanctions, to be implemented under Executive Order 13818, the US government’s Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability framework, could result in visa bans, asset freezes, and financial restrictions for those found culpable.

One of the highlights of the bill is the implementation of Sharia law in northern Nigeria, which it termed the blasphemy law, and believed to be against the Christian population.

Sharia, derived from Islamic jurisprudence, has long existed as a system of personal, moral, and communal regulation among Muslim communities in northern Nigeria.

The major turning point came between 1999 and 2000, shortly after Nigeria’s return to civilian rule, when several northern states, beginning with Zamfara under Governor Ahmad Sani Yerima, expanded Sharia’s jurisdiction to include criminal law and public morality.

Within two years, about 12 northern states had adopted similar Sharia-based penal codes and established parallel Sharia courts alongside existing secular courts.

The affected states include Zamfara, Kano, Sokoto, Katsina, Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Kebbi, Yobe, Kaduna, Niger, and Gombe.

However, Kwara, Kogi, Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, and Adamawa, though with significant Muslim populations, still operate under the conventional secular legal system, with Sharia limited only to personal status matters such as marriage, inheritance, and family issues for Muslims, rather than criminal or public law.

Recently, the Sharia Council announced moves to establish its presence in parts of the South, beginning with Oyo and Ogun states.

The development sparked tension as both Christian and Muslim groups clashed over the perceived introduction of Sharia in the two states.

The tension, however, eased after the council clarified that it was not setting up a court of law but rather arbitration panels to mediate Muslim-related disputes and offer non-binding advice.

Cruz, while defending the bill, said Nigeria’s leadership had “institutionalised sharia law and enabled jihadist violence.”

“Religious persecution and violence against Christians and other religious minorities in Nigeria is endemic.

“Since 2009, over 52,000 Christians have been murdered, 20,000 churches and faith institutions destroyed, and dozens of villages wiped out. The federal and state governments have failed to act, and in many cases, they are complicit.”

The bill underscores that since the adoption of sharia law in Zamfara State in 2000, during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, nearly all 19 northern states had adopted blasphemy provisions in their legal codes.

States such as Kano, Bauchi, Sokoto, and Katsina have drawn global outrage for death sentences imposed over alleged blasphemy, while even southern states like Oyo and Ogun, both with Sharia panels, may now come under investigation.

Concerns raised

However, the implementation of Shari’a law has raised concerns about human rights and religious freedom following the reported suppression of non-Muslims through restrictions on public worship, construction of churches, and celebration of religious festivals for traditional religionists.

Also, converts from Islam to Christianity and other religions have alleged persecution, harassment, and even violence, while blasphemy laws are often vaguely worded, allowing for arbitrary interpretation and enforcement. This has enabled mobs to take the law into their own hands, resulting in violent and deadly consequences.

There was national outrage in May 2022 after Deborah Samuel, a second-year student of Home Economics at the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, was killed after being accused of blasphemy against Islam. She was stoned and set ablaze by a mob of her fellow students. The perpetrators were not brought to justice.

Usman Buda, a butcher in Sokoto, was lynched by a mob after being accused of blasphemy, sparking widespread outrage. In 2021, a water seller in Bauchi State was beaten and burned to death for alleged blasphemy.

A similar fate befell Bridget Agbahime, 74, who was beaten to death in Kano in 2016, after she was accused of blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad.

In designating Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” Trump cited alleged severe violations of religious freedom, particularly the persecution of Christians. He claimed that Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria, with thousands of Christians being killed by radical Islamists.

Trump warned that the US would take action, including potential military intervention, if Nigeria didn’t address the issue.

The US President also threatened to halt all aid and assistance to Nigeria should the Tinubu administration fail to end the alleged persecution and killing of Christians.

“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the USA will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.

“I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians,” he said.

If passed, the Act would compel the US to impose targeted sanctions on officials enforcing Sharia or blasphemy laws; blacklist Nigerian actors complicit in religiously motivated violence, and maintain terror designations for Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa as Entities of Particular Concern.

Echoing Trump’s threat to invade Nigeria, the US Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, signalled readiness to take military action over alleged killings of Christians in the country.

In an X post on Sunday, the top official said the US Department of War is preparing for action if Nigeria fails to protect Christians.

“The killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria — and anywhere — must end immediately. The Department of War is preparing for action. Either the Nigerian Government protects Christians, or we will kill the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” Hegseth wrote.

Under section 3, titled, ‘Designations and amendments related to the International Religious Freedom Act,’ the draft bill says the US Secretary of State shall ‘’Designate, for engaging in or tolerating systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom— (1) the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern; and (2) Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa as Entities of Particular Concern.’’

The designation was based on a report hinged on section 402(b)(1)(A) of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 and section 301(a) of the Frank R. Wolf International Religious Freedom Act of 2016.

CAN blames leaders

The Christian Association of Nigeria has blamed the lack of courage by the nation’s leaders in addressing killings and violations of human rights as a reason for the threats of intervention by President Donald Trump over alleged Christians’ genocide in the country.

Chairman, Northern CAN, Rev John Hayab, who spoke with The PUNCH on Sunday, said Trump’s warning was another opportunity for the Federal Government to correct the wrongs in governance and deal with all those perpetrating violence across the country under the guise of religion.

Hayab, who affirmed that members of the Christian community in the North were victims of the killings, said Trump’s call was for President Bola Tinubu’s government to show courage and take responsible action to stop killings in the country.

Hayab said, “The reason why we are where we are today is the lack of courage by leaders to take decisive action and stop those who violate the rights of fellow citizens, hiding under religion or whatever identity.

“The Nigerian government should just take advantage of this opportunity and stamp its foot to correct where there is wrong; stamp its foot to speak the language of unity, stamp its foot to tell those who have been hiding under religion to torment fellow citizens that they no longer have a space in Nigeria.

“Trump is simply saying there are killings in Nigeria, which is true. Stop it, and that ends it. Take action, and that ends it. It is a matter that requires attention. And I think someone should act responsibly, correct it, and you will see that the rhetoric will change.”

He expressed belief that Trump would not suddenly deploy US troops to invade Nigeria, adding, “It’s a call for correction. It is a call to do what is right. Trump will not just ask the army to come and start fighting Nigeria. We are being killed. We are being denied certain rights and privileges. We are not treated well as citizens. We are not given the respect we’re supposed to get as citizens of our country. And we have to speak out. We were speaking out to our government.

“As a Christian community, when this matter came up, we spoke our minds. All we wanted the world to know is that we truly are suffering.

“And it is published in newspapers, which can be read all over the world. Thank God, agencies that are involved in promoting human rights and religious freedom across the globe read our complaint and took up action and possibly got the attention of some people in America, and what has happened is happening.”

Military investigation into the alleged coup plot has reportedly uncovered a trail of N45 billion disbursed from the bank accounts of the Niger Delta Development Commission to some politically exposed persons and the soldiers detained in connection with the rumoured conspiracy to topple President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Earlier this month, Sahara Reporters reported that 16 Nigerian Army officers were detained for allegedly planning a coup d’etat to overthrow President Bola Tinubu.

The online newspaper had linked the alleged coup to the cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day by the Federal Government.

However, the military, in a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, denied the report linking the detention of the16 military officers to a failed coup.

Multiple reports on Tuesday stated that some Nigerian Army personnel raided the Abuja residence of ex-governor Timipre Sylva, also a former Minister of State for Petroleum, in connection with the alleged coup plot currently under investigation by the Defence Intelligence Agency.

Sequel to the discovery, the Defence Intelligence Agency investigators grilled some top NDDC officials about the sources of the fund, beneficiaries and how it was utilised.

The development has set off panic alarms at the NDDC headquarters over alleged links to the financing of subversive activities.

The Federal Government had also denied the coup plot against Tinubu’s administration. The Defence Headquarters described reports of a coup attempt as “false, misleading, and malicious” and stated that 16 military officers in custody are being investigated for professional misconduct, not a coup plot.

While details of the interrogation of the NDDC officials remain unclear, investigators are said to be scrutinising a series of high-value transactions carried out in recent months allegedly linked to politically-exposed persons.

They include a shoreline project awarded to a former governor in the South-South to the tune of N45bn, some of which allegedly found its way to the account of some of the detained officers.

Security sources with knowledge of the ongoing probe confirmed that the interrogation of the NDDC top shots was “part of a broader intelligence-based inquiry into the movement of public funds.”

Sources in the NDDC disclosed to The PUNCH that many top officials are apprehensive that the development may trigger a broader probe into the commission’s financial dealings.

They affirmed that the invitation of the top NDDC executives had triggered widespread anxiety among senior officials.

According to one insider, who spoke on condition of anonymity, “Since the news broke about the interrogation of the top shots, the atmosphere here has been uneasy. Many directors are being cautious about their movements and communications.”

Some executive directors who maintain close administrative ties with the embattled NDDC top shots are said to be worried about the development.

The development has sparked intense speculation within the commission, with staff expressing concern that the investigation could widen and implicate other senior officials.

The NDDC spokesperson, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, declined comments when asked about the quizzing of the commission’s officials.

Meanwhile, Sylva has denied alleged involvement in the coup plot.

His Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Chief Julius Bokoru, said the rumour in some quarters is the handiwork of ‘’desperate and self-seeking politicians trying to actualise their ambitions in 2027.’’

On Wednesday, The PUNCH reported how Sylva’s Abuja home was raided by Defence Intelligence Agency operatives probing the controversial plot to forcefully change the government.

During the raid, which took place on Saturday, the operatives arrested Sylva’s younger brother, Paga, who is his Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs and also took his driver into custody.

The former Bayelsa governor and All Progressives Congress chieftain was outside the country during the operation.

The media aide disclosed that the operatives did not remove anything from Sylva’s Abuja residence during the operation, noting that the two men that were arrested have yet to be released from custody.

Bokoru explained that no reason was provided for the raid. He further clarified that the former governor’s Yenagoa residence was not raided by the operatives.

He confirmed that Sylva and his wife, Alanyingi, were out of the country at the time.

Explaining their absence, Bokoru said Sylva was in the United Kingdom for routine medical checks and would soon be on his way to Malaysia to attend “a professional conference.”

He said, “It’s not true. It is the handiwork of people in the state APC who are concerned about their governorship ambition in 2027,” he stated.

“Those doing this are in the state APC. It is about the 2027 governorship ambition. They are appointees of the Federal Government and instead of focusing on their work, they are playing local toxic politics.

‘’Such wicked politicians took their desperation to a nauseating level following Sylva’s intimidating political presence and credibility that had continued to expose their self-serving ambitions and evil agenda.”

Bokoru also said Sylva’s driver, as well as his younger brother, Paga, who were whisked away by the operatives on Saturday, were yet to be released from custody.

He disclosed that the operatives of the Defence Headquarters did not remove anything from Sylva’s Abuja residence when they raided it last Saturday.

However, a close associate of Sylva told The PUNCH that several parts of the house were damaged following Saturday’s raid.

He said, “Expensive doors were destroyed while a number of other household appliances were ransacked and scattered during the raid but nothing incriminating was found.”

He dismissed allegations linking the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, to Sylva as part of the coup plot.

Ogbuku was the Chief of Staff to Sylva while he was Bayelsa governor.

When contacted, Ogbuku denied he was arrested. In a short message to our correspondent, he said, “I’m not aware of such. Just the way you are seeing it is the same way I’m seeing it too on social media.”

Earlier, in a statement on Wednesday, titled, ‘Setting the record straight on recent false reports about Sylva,’ Bokoru denied Sylva’s reported involvement in the alleged coup plot.

He insisted that his principal was not involved in the planning or logistics of any coup.

The statement read, “In the past 48 hours, I have been inundated with calls from members of the press, political associates, and concerned individuals regarding a circulating report alleging that His Excellency, Chief Timipre Sylva, has “fled” the country in connection with certain purported matters.

“For the avoidance of doubt, it is true that the residence of His Excellency, Chief Timipre Sylva, was recently subjected to a raid by individuals believed to be operatives of the Defence Headquarters. During the said operation, considerable damage was inflicted upon the property.

“Despite sustained efforts, I have been unable to ascertain the reasons or authorisation for this raid. To the best of my knowledge, the officers involved did not provide any categorical explanation for their actions, either at the time or subsequently.

“It is important to state unequivocally that His Excellency, Chief Timipre Sylva, CON, and his esteemed wife, Her Excellency, Alanyingi Sylva, were both outside the country at the time of the incident.

“As at my last communication with His Excellency, he was engaged in a routine medical check-up in the United Kingdom, after which he was scheduled to proceed to Malaysia to attend a professional conference.

“The next development I was made aware of, regrettably, were reports circulating across social media and other platforms concerning the raid on his residence.

“While the Defence Headquarters has already debunked the swirling rumours of a coup in Nigeria, it is important to state emphatically that Chief Timipre Sylva, CON, has no involvement whatsoever—either in planning or in logistics—with any such plot.

“Chief Sylva is a thoroughbred democrat, whose entire political journey has been defined by his faith in democratic processes and institutions. From the 1990s, when he was first elected into the Old Rivers State House of Assembly, to his tenure as Governor of Bayelsa State, Sylva has achieved every milestone through transparent, democratic engagement and the will of the people.’’

The statement further added, “His unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a matter of public record. It remains fresh in memory how he mobilized the entire Bayelsa APC structure to unanimously endorse President Tinubu at the APC Bayelsa Expanded Stakeholders’ Meeting.

“These rumours are nothing more than the handiwork of desperate and narcissistic politicians, already consumed by ambitions for 2027, who see Sylva as their last real obstacle—a man whose political presence and credibility continue to expose their dark, self-serving ambitions.”

The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board has released the names of candidates shortlisted for the paramilitary agencies’ recruitment computer-based test.

This is contained in a statement by the secretary to the board, retired Maj.-Gen. Abdulmalik Jubril, on Wednesday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the agencies are the Nigerian Correctional Service, the Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Fire Service, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

The statement urged candidates who applied for recruitment into any of the four paramilitary agencies to visit its official recruitment portal at https://recruitment.cdcfib.gov.ng from Thursday to check if they had been shortlisted.

“From Thursday, October 30, 2025, candidates are to check if they have been shortlisted for the next stage of the exercise, as well as centres for the Computer-Based Test (CBT).

“Shortlisted candidates are further requested to take note of the venue, date, as well as time scheduled for the CBT,” he said.

The statement enjoined applicants to take note of the correct portal address highlighted to avoid being scammed.

PUNCH Online reported in August that at least 1,911,141 Nigerians applied for the Board recruitment exercise as of when the application portal closed on Monday, August 11.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) has extended an olive branch to Senate President Godswill Akpabio — inviting him and other lawmakers to the inauguration of constituency projects in Kogi State.

This is coming weeks after her return from a six-month suspension.

The invitation was contained in a letter read by Akpabio during Thursday’s plenary.

“In marking my second anniversary as serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I wish to invite fellow distinguished senators to join me for projects commissioning in Kogi State,” the letter partly read.

According to the invitation, the event will hold on Sunday in Ihima, Okene Local Government Area, with the meeting point fixed at her residence.

For lawmakers travelling by air, the senator advised that the Obajana airstrip could be used before proceeding by road to Ihima.

Akpabio responded warmly after reading the letter, saying, “Congratulations in advance.”

The gesture marks a turning point in a once-bitter rift between the two senators.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6, 2025, following a heated face-off with the Senate leadership over the reallocation of her seat during the plenary.

Her protest at the time led to accusations of “gross misconduct” and a walkout that drew national attention.

She accused Akpabio of running the upper chamber with a “dictatorial hand,” while the Senate President insisted her actions breached parliamentary decorum.

Although her suspension expired in September, she only regained access to her office two weeks ago after a months-long standoff and court filings.

Since her reinstatement, Akpoti-Uduaghan has gradually resumed participation in plenary sessions — including contributing an amendment to the Criminal Code (Amendment) Bill 2025 last week — but Thursday’s invitation read by Akpabio signals the clearest sign yet of rapprochement between the two camps.

Political observers see the gesture as a strategic reconciliation move by the fiery Kogi senator, whose return to the Senate had reignited debates about gender representation, dissent, and discipline within Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Friday said he turned down the move to install former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, as his successor in 2027 because of his lack of maturity.

Obasanjo disclosed this in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during the second edition of the annual symposium of the Ajibosin Platform themed “Importance of Leadership in Governance.”

He revealed that former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, had recommended El-Rufai to be his successor, but he refused.

Under the Obasanjo’s administration, El-Rufai served first as the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises and later as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory from 2003 to 2007.

While exiting power in 2007, Obasanjo backed the late President Umar Yar’Adua as his successor.

Chidoka, who was the keynote speaker at the event, recalled how El-Rufai recommended him to Obasanjo at the age of 34, a move that brought him closer to the presidency and eventually led to his appointment as the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps.

Addressing the gathering, Obasanjo playfully taunted Chidoka for omitting the El-Rufai story.

“Let him tell you. He didn’t mention that. He was pushing when I was leaving government that his friend, El-Rufai, should be brought in as my successor,” Obasanjo said.

Facing Chidoka, who sat among the panelists, Obasanjo asked, “No be so? Meaning is that not true?”

The former minister nodded his head in agreement.

Obasanjo went on to explain that he brushed aside the recommendation of El-Rufai as his successor because he felt his former minister needed to mature.

The former president added, “I did not yield to the pressure. Later, he said, ‘I suggested this person, why didn’t you agree?’ I said El-Rufai needed to mature. You remember? When I left the government and, many years later, he saw the performances of El-Rufai, he came back to me and said, ‘You’re absolutely correct. El-Rufai needed to mature.’”

Obasanjo, however, applauded Chidoka, El-Rufai, and others for their “special attributes,” which he said were the driving forces of his administration.

Speaking further on the theme of leadership, the former president emphasized the importance of character, exposure, experience, and training as the hallmarks of good leadership.

He said, “It’s only in politics that I found out there is no training for leadership. Even among armed robbers, I was told there is an apprenticeship. But it’s only in politics that there is no training in leadership. That’s not good enough.”

Earlier, while delivering the keynote address, Chidoka blamed Nigeria’s challenges on what he described as excuses and the “politics of alibi.”

“Leadership finds its true measure not in speeches or charisma but in the systems it leaves behind. Moral conviction must translate into the everyday machinery of governance rules, routines, and institutions that make competence predictable and corruption difficult.

“Nigeria’s problem has never been a shortage of ideas; it is the absence of systems strong enough to outlive their authors,” he said.

He called for a shift from excuses to action and accountability.

Chidoka added, “We must therefore make leadership accountable not to rhetoric but to results: measure by building national dashboards and accountability systems that track every promise, every budget, every outcome. Monitor by strengthening the institutions that evaluate government performance and expose complacency.”

The convener of the symposium, Aare Olanrewaju Bakinson, said the lecture aimed to discuss the critical role effective leadership plays in shaping societies and nations.

“Leadership is not just about power; it’s about responsibility, vision, and service. As we explore this theme, we’ll examine the qualities of good governance, the impact of leadership on development, and strategies for fostering ethical leadership,” he stated.

Prominent personalities at the event were Senator representing Ogun Central, Shuaibu Salis; the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Saka Matemilola; the Olota of Ota, Oba Adeyemi Obalanlege; and former Ogun First Lady, Mrs. Olufunsho Amosun among others.

The company broke the news of Armani’s death on Thursday. The 91-year-old died at home surrounded by his family.

In a statement shared on its Instagram page, the firm said Armani “worked until his final days, dedicating himself to the company, the collections and the many ongoing future projects”.

Armani’s name became synonymous with elegance and modern sophistication. More than just a designer, he was the archetype of Italian style. He revolutionised fashion by reimagining the structured suit for a new generation, crafting a language of relaxed power dressing for women and understated elegance for men that resonated globally.

“With infinite sorrow, the Armani Group announces the passing of its creator, founder, and tireless driving force: Giorgio Armani. Il Signor Armani, as he was always respectfully and admiringly called by employees and collaborators, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones,” the statement reads.

“Indefatigable to the end, he worked until his final days, dedicating himself to the company, the collections, and the many ongoing and future projects. Over the years, Giorgio Armani has crafted a vision that expanded from fashion to every aspect of life, anticipating the times with extraordinary clarity and pragmatism.

“He has been driven by relentless curiosity and a deep attention to the present and to people. Along this journey, he established an open dialogue with the public, becoming a beloved and respected figure for his ability to connect with everyone. Always mindful of the needs of the community, he has been active on many fronts, especially in support of his beloved Milan.

“Giorgio Armani is a company with fifty years of history, built with emotion and patience. Giorgio Armani always made independence – of thought and action – his hallmark. The company is, now and always, a reflection of this spirit. His family and employees will carry the Group forward in respect and continuity of these values.”

The statement added that his funeral rites will be held “from Saturday, September 6th to Sunday, September 7th, and will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., in Milan, at Via Bergognone 59, inside the Armani/Teatro. In accordance with Mr. Armani’s explicit wishes, the funeral will be held privately”.

The Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun Corps, on Tuesday paraded no fewer than 28 suspected criminals arrested in the state.

The corps said the suspects were arrested across the 18 local government areas of the state, in collaboration with other security agencies and the local vigilante.

Parading the suspects at the headquarters of the command in Akure, the state capital, the commander of the corps, Adetunji Adeleye, said they had allegedly been terrorising the state in recent times.

According to Adeleye, the suspects were allegedly involved in various crimes such as kidnapping, theft, stealing, cattle rustling, and vandalism, among others.

He said, “Today, I am parading a total of 28 suspects and I want to let you know that the criminal world is evolving.

“Therefore, Ondo State Security Network Agency Amotekun always strives to be ahead of them.

“We have now gone beyond arresting criminals and suspects alone. As we talk now, we are after their godfathers and backbones, and the reason is simple. So we are saying that until we uproot them, we won’t have total peace.

“We need the socio-economic growth of Ondo State to continue to increase. By the intervention of Amotekun Corp, the IGR of Ondo State in 2023 increased by over 500 per cent and we don’t want to relent. Hence, our fight is not against the criminals alone, but against their sponsors.

“The people we are parading today, there is a section of them that steal, kill, murder riders and dispossess them of their motorcycles. They have already made market receivers, who, within minutes, dismantle and sell to those who will later assemble and sell.

“We’ve gone after them and we’ve arrested the suspect, we’ve arrested the sponsor, we’ve arrested all the culprits. The chain of criminality had to be broken and uprooted, and that is the directive of His Excellency, the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to create an enabling environment for investors to bombard Ondo State.

“So today, four suspected kidnappers were arrested in the Elegbeka area. They are Kwangi, Kwanji, Kana, Kana, Sam, and Daniel, ages ranging between 18 and 27.

“On rape and fraud, we have Abiola, aged 24. We have equally on defilement, rape, and sexual assault, one Ogungbemi. And we have Tosin on assault. To the Fulani communities, their cattle were rustled and taken away from the Igbara Oke axis. We went after the Fulani that stole the cattle, retrieved the cattle, arrested the rustlers, who are Abubakar Musa and Umar Mohammed, aged 20 and returned the cows to the Fulani men.”

The Amotekun boss commended the other security agencies in the state for collaborating with it in the fight against crime and criminality.

He stated, “We are here today to let you know that the security architecture of Ondo State is firm, and the best criminals can do is to run away from this state.


“The joint patrol team in some parts of the state is still ongoing. And I can tell you this for free that we have dominated the forest. It is no longer a safe place for criminals to thrive.”

In July, the corps arrested seven suspects for various offences, including kidnapping and the theft of electronics in the state.

Adeleye said the corps recovered items worth N300 million during recent operations.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered six financial institutions to supply the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) details of transactions from January 2024 till date in the bank accounts linked to politician and online publisher, Omoyele Sowore, and his companies.

Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order yesterday while ruling on an ex parte application filed by IGP Kayode Egbetokun.

The application was moved by a police lawyer, Wisdom Madaki.

The Nation learnt that no fewer than 26 bank accounts linked to Sowore, including those of Sahara Reporters Media Foundation and African Action Congress (AAC), among others, are being investigated.

The IGP prayed for “an order directing the banks to furnish the applicant through the Office of the Inspector General of Police Monitoring Unit account opening package/mandate card, certified true copy of the statement of account reflecting transfers with account numbers of both inflows and outflows from January 2024 till date”.

The applicant said the order was needed because Sowore “is being investigated for terrorism financing, money laundering and fraudulent activities”.

He added: “The complainant had commenced an investigation into the activities of the first respondent (Sowore).

“The accounts in respect of which details were being sought are the accounts which the first respondent is using for terrorism financing and money laundering.”

In a supporting affidavit, the IGP stated that the police received intelligence that Sowore “is using the accounts for terrorism financing, money laundering, and receives financial support from a foreign partner for terrorism”.

He added that there was a need for the police to secure the order of the court to obtain the statements of the accounts to enable the office to investigate the alleged fraudulent activities of the suspects.

“The office of the complainant receives an intelligent report that the first respondent is using the accounts for terrorism financing, money laundering, and receives financial support from foreign partners for terrorism.

“The first respondent is being investigated for terrorism financing, money laundering, and fraudulent activities.

“There is a need for the court to grant the relief sought for the investigation.

“The respondent has been using the accounts for money laundering and terrorism funding, and fraudulent activities.”

The Anambra State House of Assembly has suspended the member representing Ayamelum Constituency, Bernard Udemezue, for three months.

Udemezue was suspended over a message and content he shared on social media, which the House described as “damaging content”.

The lawmaker, elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, had shared on his social media handles, alleging that his constituency, Ayamelum, is marginalised in the area of constituency allowance.

But reacting to the post, the House first passed the resolution to summon Udemezue at its plenary last Tuesday, following a matter of urgent public importance moved by the member representing Aguata 2 Constituency, Tony Muobike, and seconded by the Chief Whip and member representing Ihiala 1 Constituency, Jude Ngobili.

The Speaker, Somtochukwu Udeze, who presided over the plenary last Tuesday, referred the matter to the House Committee on Rules, Businesses, Ethics and Privileges and to report back to the House on Tuesday (this week).

And at the plenary on Tuesday(today), the House passed the resolution to suspend the lawmaker for three months.

The Anambra State Police Command has apprehended a four-man gang specialising in tricycle and phone snatching along the Awka and Ifite axis, targeting unsuspecting members of the public, particularly students.

According to a press statement released on Tuesday by the state police spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, operatives from the Rapid Response Squad carried out the arrest in the early hours of Monday.

Recovered items from the gang include nine mobile phones, including an iPhone belonging to a victim, one laptop, two tricycles with registration numbers LSD 464 QP and BLF 552 VH, four additional tricycle plate numbers, and a substance suspected to be a hard drug.

The statement read, “Anambra State Police Operatives attached to Rapid Response Squad Akwuzu, during night patrol on August 25, 2025, along the Agu Awka/Ifite Awka axis, intercepted a tricycle and arrested a four-man criminal syndicate specialising in robbing residents, particularly students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, of phones and other valuables.

“The suspects are: Nnaji Chidera, 19; Chijioke Mmaduabuchi, 21; Wisdom Ogbonna, 19; and Afamefuna Egbe, 20. Upon interrogation, they confessed to being part of a criminal syndicate that robs students in the Awka axis. They revealed that multiple tricycle plate numbers were used to disguise their vehicles during operations.”

The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu, commended the operatives for their swift response and warned youths to stay away from crime. He emphasised that the command would ensure offenders face the full weight of the law.

The Benue State House of Assembly on Tuesday suspended former Speaker Hon. Aondona Dajoh during its plenary session.

The lawmakers also confirmed Associate Professor Ornguga and other nominees forwarded by the state governor for various appointments.

In a separate development, the Assembly lifted the suspension previously imposed on the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and several other officials.

The Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Area Command, has announced a collection of N161bn in revenue within three weeks via the Unified Customs Management System, also known as B’Odogwu.

The Customs Area Controller in charge of the command, Babatunde Olomu, disclosed this during a recent stakeholder engagement at the command, according to a statement released on Monday.

Olomu maintained that there are prospects of improvement in the B’Odogwu system even as he commended the stakeholders for their patience and understanding.

“Between August 1 and 22, 2025, the command collected N161bn using the B’Odogwu system,” Olomu explained. He expressed optimism in the capability of the B’Odogwu platform to facilitate more trade than previous ICT systems hitherto deployed by the NCS, adding that the stakeholders’ patience would not be in vain.

The Apapa Customs boss reiterated that the dedicated ICT department of the service has been working around the clock to achieve a permanent solution to the impasse.

Describing Apapa Command as a critical and strategic area for the realisation of the NCS goals, Olomu said the CGC has initiated and sustained dialogue with the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council with a view to ameliorating the effects of recent downtime experienced in the course of their transactions.

Earlier, the Zonal Coordinator in charge of Zone A of the service, Charles Orbih, addressed the concerns of importers, licensed customs agents, and freight forwarding companies.

“I am pleased with the maturity, patience, understanding, and support we have received from our stakeholders in the past and most recent times. Their confidence in the service’s ability to overcome and resolve all network glitches is not misplaced.

“It further underscores our shared values as patriotic Nigerians who want to see our homegrown ICT initiative thrive. Let me restate that the CGC is deeply concerned and persistently overseeing the solution process while interfacing with sister government agencies like the NSC to mediate the process of demurrage waivers with terminal operators and shipping companies,” Obih said.

No fewer than 20 suspects were arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja for hacking some CBT centres.

Following this, in June, JAMB raised the alarm over candidates using Artificial Intelligence to impersonate others and falsely claim albinism as a means of cheating.

By July, data presented at the board’s 2025 policy meeting revealed that CBT centres in Imo and Anambra states topped the list of places caught engaging in finger-pairing malpractices.

Overall, 19 centres were exposed nationwide: Anambra accounted for six, Imo had four, Abia and Edo recorded one each, Kano had two, while Ebonyi, Delta, Kaduna, Rivers, and Enugu recorded one centre apiece.

In August, JAMB announced that 6,458 admission seekers were under investigation for involvement in technology-enabled examination malpractice during the 2025 UTME.

The board inaugurated a 23-member Special Committee on Examination Infraction to investigate the cases and submit its report within 21 days.

Saturday PUNCH gathered that operators of the “miracle centres,” who usually guaranteed success to desperate candidates, contributed to the technical glitches of the exam.

“While candidates are physically present at CBT centres, hired mercenaries remain outside with remote access to the centres’ servers to write the exams on their behalf.”

He said candidates who initially logged in at centres would be deliberately logged out to enable mercenaries outside to take over.

Ahmed added that the candidates would have been instructed to remain silent whenever their systems were logged out.

He said, “While the questions are being answered by the mercenaries, we ask the candidates to time themselves for 20 or 25 minutes, then complain that their systems logged them out. During this period, we already have access to their portals and are helping them attempt the questions with mercenaries.

“By the time they notify the examiners at the centres, we are already done answering the questions for them. When they are logged in again, they will see that all the questions have been answered. They only need to click on ‘Submit,’ and that is the end.

“The only thing we use to run this is just to get the IP address and insert some codes, which are simply numeric. After that, we input the digits, and that is all. This enables us to have access to anything related to the JAMB server.”

Some operators of Computer-Based Test centres accredited by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board have been alleged to be involved in large-scale malpractices during the last Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

Investigations by Saturday PUNCH showed that the operators supplied technical information to tech-savvy individuals, who then hacked into servers and manipulated the conduct of the examination.

JAMB had in May experienced technical glitches that marred the 2025 UTME, resulting in mass failure as 1.5 million out of the 1.9 million candidates who sat the exam scored below 200 out of the total 400 marks.

The development generated outrage as the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, broke down in tears on May 14 while admitting that technical errors had affected some candidates’ scores.

No fewer than 20 suspects were arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja for hacking some CBT centres.

Following this, in June, JAMB raised the alarm over candidates using Artificial Intelligence to impersonate others and falsely claim albinism as a means of cheating.

By July, data presented at the board’s 2025 policy meeting revealed that CBT centres in Imo and Anambra states topped the list of places caught engaging in finger-pairing malpractices.

Overall, 19 centres were exposed nationwide: Anambra accounted for six, Imo had four, Abia and Edo recorded one each, Kano had two, while Ebonyi, Delta, Kaduna, Rivers, and Enugu recorded one centre apiece.

In August, JAMB announced that 6,458 admission seekers were under investigation for involvement in technology-enabled examination malpractice during the 2025 UTME.

The board inaugurated a 23-member Special Committee on Examination Infraction to investigate the cases and submit its report within 21 days.

Saturday PUNCH gathered that operators of the “miracle centres,” who usually guaranteed success to desperate candidates, contributed to the technical glitches of the exam.

Speaking on how CBT servers were breached, a hacker who identified himself only as Ahmed and has been in the business for 10 years, said there was little JAMB could do to curb exam malpractice because some of the centre operators were actively involved in the process.

Ahmed disclosed that centre operators released the Internet Protocol address to hackers to log into servers undetected, while mercenaries would write exams for some candidates.

Mercenaries are regarded as persons who illegally take exams for candidates.

An IP address is a unique set of numbers assigned to each device connected to a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication.

He said, “There are some centres that make their IPs available to hackers. With this, they are able to penetrate and gain access to questions and login details of candidates. There is no way they can monitor all the IP addresses in Nigeria.

“While candidates are physically present at CBT centres, hired mercenaries remain outside with remote access to the centres’ servers to write the exams on their behalf.”

He said candidates who initially logged in at centres would be deliberately logged out to enable mercenaries outside to take over.

Ahmed added that the candidates would have been instructed to remain silent whenever their systems were logged out.

He said, “While the questions are being answered by the mercenaries, we ask the candidates to time themselves for 20 or 25 minutes, then complain that their systems logged them out. During this period, we already have access to their portals and are helping them attempt the questions with mercenaries.

“By the time they notify the examiners at the centres, we are already done answering the questions for them. When they are logged in again, they will see that all the questions have been answered. They only need to click on ‘Submit,’ and that is the end.

“The only thing we use to run this is just to get the IP address and insert some codes, which are simply numeric. After that, we input the digits, and that is all. This enables us to have access to anything related to the JAMB server.”

An education consultant, who runs a coaching centre at Badagry, Lagos, corroborated Ahmed’s claim, saying many of the centres had compromised operators, who enabled exam malpractices.

The consultant confirmed that hackers breach servers of identified CBT centres by compromising the IP address supplied by the operators.

He said, “This would be impossible without an insider from the centres. Without an insider, there is no way we could get the IP address to get it done. These are the backdoors to this activity. These people are being paid millions of naira. The parents of these candidates have already paid everything to the centres.

“There is nothing they can do to curb this malpractice; there will always be an insider who will show how to penetrate the server. Once we gain access to the server, our candidates already pass their exams because we will do it for them remotely.”

A CBT operator based in Lagos who was also involved in the business revealed that the centres were usually aware that their servers had been compromised but would not act.

He said, “The owners of the centres know that their servers are compromised but they wouldn’t do anything about it because they are profiting from the fraudulent activities. The mercenaries are paying them huge amounts of money.

“These centres also have their contact persons in JAMB, who are like a backbone to them. The claim that JAMB’s technology is working against malpractice is not true. There are many students still being helped to pass their exams. What these people do is use the backdoor of a particular centre’s server to carry out their work seamlessly, using mercenaries to write the exams.

“JAMB is not even able to detect their faces or anything. Some of these people do not rely on insiders; they hack directly into the centre’s database.”

But JAMB spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, said hacking the board’s website was not possible, adding that it did not host questions on its website.

“Our systems are locally connected. It is through a Local Area Network, not Internet-enabled. So, no one can see it anywhere. No question has ever been on our website. The examination is not internet-enabled,” he added.

He clarified that what some individuals claimed to hack was the local server of some centres in connivance with owners of such places.

Fabian said, “There is no way somebody will see our questions, because they are like a text message in speed and delivery. We transmit our questions via a model to the centres, similar to that of a text message. It is a candidate’s biometric that grants access to the questions.”

Also, the National President of the Computer Based Test Centre Proprietors Association of Nigeria, Austin Ohaekelem, while applauding the JAMB registrar for reducing exam malpractices, said not all CBT centres were involved in exam fraud.

He noted that some genuine exam glitches were being erroneously tagged as fraud.

Ohaekelem stated, “Somehow, there are still some glitches along the line either at the point of exam registration or during the exam that happened inadvertently. It is now being seen as a fraud and a deliberate act to sabotage the examination.”

Explaining the cases of JAMB’s technical glitches, the national president expressed concern over the blacklisting of innocent centres over the issues.

He said, “There is a centre in Anambra State which was registering a candidate and the network went off, but the candidate picture had been captured. Because the network had a problem, it didn’t submit.

“The next candidate came to register and the person registering the former candidate started to register the new candidate, not knowing that the details of the first candidate were still there. The picture of the second person was used on the details of the first person. It was not deliberate. They got to know at the close of registration when they wanted to print a notification slip.

“There are other issues like biometric capture where each candidate will come and the scanner is not picking it and they keep trying, and the candidates are usually apprehensive. What should be the target of what is called fraud is when a person has the intention of undermining or compromising the examination.”

Commenting on the matter, the Secretary of the Association of Tutorial School Operators in Oyo State, Ogundokun Olufunso, raised concerns over desperate tactics employed by candidates to beat the system during examinations.

Olufunso, in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, said some students connived with technology experts to manipulate biometrics, while others fell victim to errors beyond their control.

“Sometimes, some students, out of desperation, connive with tech engineers. Sometimes, they do biometric manipulation. Other students fall victim without doing anything because when their biometric is not accepted, they will assume such a candidate is among those being investigated, and they will not let them sit the examination.”

Olufunso stressed that while eradication of exam malpractice might be difficult, it could be reduced significantly if proper checks were maintained.

On the issue of “miracle centres,” he stated that most tutorial centres in the state had distanced themselves from such practices because of the risks involved.

He said, “I can categorically tell you that most tutorial centres are no longer involved in such things because it is risky, and we warn against it. How much will a student offer you to risk your future and career, and risk going to jail? If you go to jail, these students will continue their lives. So, all tutorial centres now have that mentality that it is better.”

He, however, urged JAMB to carry out internal reviews and ensure loopholes in its system were blocked to prevent manipulation.

Similarly, the Director of Toppers Coaching Centre, Ogun State, Emehinola Omodara, urged JAMB to re-examine its system and close loopholes that could encourage exam malpractice.

Omodara said, “You can’t come up with allegations without evidence. JAMB should go back to the drawing board and reappraise their system. They are trying, but all these loopholes should be worked on so that they can get a vote of confidence from the people.

“If they put their things in order, miracle centres will not exist. They should not be shifting blame, but look inward at their staff members and how the leakages are happening.”

Also speaking, the founder of Campusinfo Consult Limited, Taiwo Folorunsho, emphasised the need for a comprehensive upgrade of the JAMB’s technology to effectively curb malpractice and address its operational shortcomings.

The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) says it shared N2 trillion with the three tiers of government in July 2025.

According to a statement on Friday by Muhammed Manga, director of information and public relations, ministry of finance, the amount was disclosed at the August 2025 meeting.

The meeting was chaired by Wale Edun, minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy.

The committee said the gross total revenue was N3.83 trillion, out of which N2 trillion was shared among the three tiers.

From the total amount, which includes statutory revenue, value-added tax (VAT), electronic money transfer levy (EMT), and exchange difference, Manga said the federal government received N735.08 billion, states received N660.34 billion, and local governments got N485.03 billion.

Also, the oil producing states received N120.35 billion as derivation, (13 percent of mineral revenue).

FAAC said N152.68 billion was given for the cost of collection, while N1.68 trillion was allocated for transfers, intervention and refunds.

VAT REVENUE INCREASED BY N9BN

The communique also indicated that the gross revenue available from the VAT for the month of July 2025 was N687.94 billion as against N678.16 billion in June, representing an increase of N9.77 billion.

“From that amount, the sum of N27.51 billion was allocated for the cost of collection and the sum of N19.81 billion given for Transfers, Intervention and Refunds,” the statement reads.

“The remaining sum of N640.61 billion was distributed to the three tiers of government, of which the federal government got N96.09 billion, the States received N320.305 Billion and local government Councils got N224.21 billion.”

FAAC said gross statutory revenue of N3.07 trillion received for the month was lower than the N3.48 trillion received in the previous month by N415.10 billion .

From the stated amount, the sum of N123.59 billion was allocated for the cost of collection and N1.66 trillion for transfers, intervention and refunds.

“The remaining balance of N1.28 trillion was distributed as follows to the three tiers of government: Federal Government got the sum of N613.805 Billion, States received N311.330 Billion, the sum of N240.023 Billion was allocated to LGCs and N117.714 Billion was given to Derivation Revenue (13% Mineral producing States),” FAAC said.

For EMTL, the committe said out of N39.16 billion, the federal government received N5.64 billion, states got N18.80 billion, local governments received N13.16 billion, while N1.56 billion was allocated for cost of collection.

The Communique added that out of N39.74 billion from exchange difference, the federal government got N19.54 billion, states received N9.91 billion, the LGAs got N7.64 billion, while the oil producing states received N2.64 billion.

In addition, FAAC said petroleum profit tax (PPT), excise duty, electronic money transfer levy (EMTL), and oil and royalties increased significantly, while VAT and import duty increased marginally.

The committee added that company income tax (CIT) and CET levies decreased.

According to the communique, the total revenue distributable for July 2025, was drawn from statutory revenue of N1.28 trillion, VAT of N640.61 billion, N37.60 billion from EMTL, and N39.74 billion from exchange difference, bringing the total distributable amount for the month to N2 trillion.

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In his opening remarks during the meeting, Edun, commended the FAAC committee for their diligent efforts in ensuring the effective allocation of resources to the various tiers of government.

The minister noted that the economic reforms embarked upon by the federal government are yielding positive results and the collective efforts will continue to drive growth and development.

The Kano State Government said it is targeting 10 million eligible voters in the ongoing nationwide voter registration exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Umar Faruk, said this on Friday while inaugurating the State Voter Registration Mobilisation Committee at the Cabinet Office, Kano.

He said the committee was a broad-based body comprising technocrats, Islamic scholars, broadcasters, business leaders and other critical stakeholders, including representatives of opposition political parties.

Faruk explained that the initiative underscored the government’s commitment to ensuring that every eligible resident of Kano had the opportunity to register and exercise their civic responsibility in future elections.

“The objective of setting up this committee is to ensure that no eligible citizen is left out of this exercise.

“Government will provide all the needed support to achieve this target,” he said.

He further directed the committee to intensify voter sensitisation campaigns across all the 44 local government areas of the state, stressing the importance of inclusive participation in strengthening democracy.

On his part, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Malam Ibrahim Waiya, said the committee will deliver on its mandate.

“We assure the government and people of the state that we will not betray the trust reposed in us.

“We will also work tirelessly to mobilise residents and achieve the target,” he said.

Three Nigerians based in the United States, Kamaldeen Karaole, Stephen Olamigoke, and Johnson Omodusonu, have been sentenced to more than eight years in jail for defrauding the US of $520,910 in a COVID-19 unemployment benefits fraud scheme.

This is just as one of the convicts also agreed to be deported to Nigeria upon completing his jail term.

PUNCH Metro learnt from a statement obtained from the US Department of Justice on Thursday that the trio stole, in 2020, no fewer than 168 Unemployment Insurance debit cards belonging to other people.

According to the statement, court documents revealed that between August and October 2020, the convicts, in connivance with other suspects outside the US, used the stolen debit cards and passwords to file false unemployment benefits claims.

The statement added that 98 of the cards were used to withdraw cash from various Automated Teller Machines across the US.

It read, “These cards, issued by the states of California, Arizona, and Nevada, were being periodically loaded with benefits. None of the cards belonged to the members of the conspiracy — they were all in the names of real individuals.

“To obtain the cards, other members of the conspiracy located outside the United States used stolen personally identifiable information to file numerous false unemployment claims with various state workforce agencies.

“The trio used 98 of the cards to withdraw cash from various ATMs in and around Indianapolis, often making multiple withdrawals within the span of just a few minutes. In total, they completed 529 withdrawals, stealing $520,910 in benefits.”

Following their arrests, they were arraigned on different charges bordering on conspiracy and aggravated identity theft, among others.

It noted that 24-year-old Karaole was charged with aggravated identity theft, conspiracy to commit access device fraud, and access device fraud, to which he pleaded guilty.

Karaole was sentenced to four years and three months’ imprisonment and two years of supervised release.

Similarly, 23-year-old Olamigoke was found guilty of conspiracy to commit access device fraud and access device fraud, and was sentenced to two and a half years’ imprisonment and two years of supervised release.

Also, 24-year-old Omodusonu of Indianapolis was found guilty of conspiracy to commit access device fraud and access device fraud, and was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment and two years of supervised release.

“Each defendant was also ordered to pay $520,910 in restitution.

“At the time Stephen Olamigoke entered his guilty plea, he acknowledged that upon completion of his sentence, he will be subject to removal from the United States,” the statement noted.

PUNCH Metro had earlier reported on August 6 that a France-based Nigerian, Chukwuemeka Victor Amachukwu, faced up to 47 years’ imprisonment following his extradition to the US for his alleged involvement in wire fraud, hacking, and identity theft that resulted in losses of $819,000 to victims.

According to the US DoJ, in 2019, Amachukwu, along with other conspirators, allegedly hacked into “US-based tax preparation businesses, including several businesses located in New York, Texas, and other states, by utilising spear-phishing emails to obtain access to these businesses’ electronic systems.”

The State Department has revoked more than 6,000 international student visas over alleged violation of United States laws, overstays, and terrorism-related concerns.

According to the BBC, the department said the majority of the cases involved offences such as assault, driving under the influence (DUI), burglary, and “support for terrorism”.

About 4,000 of the cancelled visas were on account of general US law violations, while between 200 and 300 others were specifically withdrawn under section 3B of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), which defines “terrorist activity” broadly as acts that endanger human life or violate American law.

The decision comes as part of President Donald Trump’s administration’s wider crackdown on immigration and student visas.

Although the State Department did not offer a clear definition of “support for terrorism”, the administration has recently targeted some international students who participated in pro-Palestine protests, accusing them of engaging in antisemitic behaviour.

The US resumed visa appointments for international students in June after a temporary suspension, but it directed applicants to make their social media accounts public for enhanced screening.

The State Department said the checks are aimed at identifying “any indications of hostility toward the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States”.

Marco Rubio, secretary of state, told lawmakers in May that the administration was determined to continue the crackdown.

He said thousands of student visas had already been rescinded since January, and more cancellations could follow.

Critics have described the revocations and tightened screening as an attack on due process.

According to Open Doors, an organisation that tracks foreign enrolments, more than 1.1 million international students from over 210 countries were enrolled in US colleges in the 2023/24 academic year.

SWITCH OFF PHONES, OTHER PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES DURING FLIGHT TAKE-OFF AND LANDING," CAPT. NAJOMO TASKS AIR PASSENGERS

Director-General Civil Aviation, (DGCA), Capt. Chris Najomo, has tasked air passengers to ensure they switch off their phones and other portable electronic devices during flight take-off and landing.

He also directed Nigeria’s airline operators to amend their Operations Manuals to reflect this requirement and submit to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for approval.

Capt. Najomo gave these directives today during an emergency National Civil Aviation Security Committee (NCASC) meeting convened by the NCAA in Abuja.

Gunmen have killed 13 worshippers inside a mosque in Unguwan Mantau community, Malumfashi LGA of Katsina state.

The attack occurred on Tuesday morning as worshippers observed Fajr prayer.

In a statement, Nasir Mu’azu, commissioner for internal security and home affairs in Katsina, said the killing was a reprisal after community members ambushed and lynched several bandits two days ago.

Mu’azu said villages had seized three motorcycles, 2 AK-47 rifles, and rescued victims kidnapped by the bandits from Ruwan Sanyi village.

“The incident occurred when criminal elements launched a reprisal attack on the community,” the statement reads.

“The Muslim members of the community were praying in the mosque during the Fajr prayer when the criminal elements started shooting sporadically in the mosque.

“The security agencies are now on the ground in Unguwan Mantau to restore normalcy.

“Air component commander of the Forward Operating Base, Nigerian Army, and Nigerian Police Force have already deployed to clear out those bandits.

“As government, we salute the gallantry disposition of the people of Unguwan Mantau, and we are committed to fighting these bandits and ensuring safety across our communities.

“The state government extends heartfelt condolences to the families affected and reaffirms its unwavering support for community-based security initiatives while working to eliminate criminal elements from the region.”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrived in Japan yesterday ahead of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9). The conference kicks off in Yokohama tomorrow.

The President, whose plane touched down at the Haneda International Airport in Tokyo at about 12:55am local time on Tuesday, was welcomed by Ambassador Hideo Matsubara, the Japanese Ambassador in Charge of TICAD.

Foreign Affairs Minister Ambassador Yusuf Tugga was with the President.

TICAD9, which follows after the last one held in Tunisia in 2022, will hold from tomorrow to Friday.

The conference, themed: “Co-create Innovative Solutions with Africa,” will focus on accelerating Africa’s economic transformation through private investment, innovation, and stronger institutions.

The President is scheduled to attend plenary sessions, hold bilateral talks with world leaders, and engage Japanese business executives, including companies with existing or potential investments in Nigeria.

TICAD, launched in 1993 by the Japanese government, is co-hosted by the United Nations, the UN Development Programme, the African Union Commission (AUC), and the World Bank.

Held every three years, it alternates between Japan and African host countries.

At the conclusion of TICAD9, the President will head to Brazil for a state visit from August 24 to 25 at the invitation of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

His engagements in Brazil will include bilateral discussions with his host, participation in a Nigeria–Brazil Business Forum and the signing of agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) aimed at deepening economic cooperation.

The governing board of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has approved the promotion of nine deputy directors to directors, it was learnt.

In addition, the board approved the promotion of 30 Assistant Directors to Deputy Directors, 35 Chiefs to Assistant Directors, and ratified the promotion of 169 other staff members from one grade level to the next grade level .

The newly appointed Directors include the Coordinator, Abuja Liaison Office, Mrs. Moji Jimoh; Director Internal Audit, Dr. Odunayo Ani; Special Adviser to the DG, Mrs. Nneka Obianyor; Director Procurement, Mrs. Biodun Fatade; Dr. Oma Ofodile; Ms. Gloria Anyasodo; Mr. Abdulahi Yelwa; Umar Buba and Mr. Umar Ibrahim Sidi.

While congratulating the newly promoted officers, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, reaffirmed Management’s commitment to staff welfare and a transparent, merit-based career progression system.

He charged the beneficiaries to rededicate themselves to excellence in service delivery.

“Our administration is committed to improved staff welfare. This promotion exercise is strictly merit-based, and we expect staff to reciprocate by rededicating themselves to higher productivity. We will continue to prioritize staff welfare, while counting on your commitment to the ideals of the Agency in helping Management actualise its mandate,” Mobereola said.

The Federal Government has announced that for the first time in many years, it has met the oil and gas sector revenue benchmark for 2025, after several years of struggle.

The cheering news by the spokesman of the Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Services Dr. Dare Adekanmbi was attributed to the sustained peace in the Niger Delta region, which he credited to the efforts of various security agencies and firms including the PINL, vested with the protection of the government investments.

Speaking at the August edition of PINL monthly stakeholders review meeting of Trans Niger Pipeline host communities of Rivers, Abia and Imo states held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital yesterday, the General Manager Community and Stakeholders Relations for PINL, Dr. Akpos Meze collaborated the assertion confirming that PINL recorded zero infraction in the past month. This, he said contributed to increased national crude oil production.

Meze noted that the FIRS announcement underscores the strength and effectiveness of the collaboration/partnership that exists among the Stakeholders, “which can be attributed to consistent application of proven strategies viz: Safety measures for surveillance personnel timely salary payments, rapid dispute resolution within communities, amongst others.

“These combined efforts have resulted in reduced downtime and increased trust,”he said.

Speaking further, he announced some of the company’s achievements including interventions in an oil spill location in Yorla, Kpean community in Khana Local government area and bursting of illegal bunkering sites in Umubule and Oyigbo communities both in Rivers State.

Mezeh, used the medium to update the stakeholders on its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) packages for youths and women of the host communities.

He, however, reiterated PINL’s commitment to sustainable energy security in the country, calling for support from all stakeholders.

“We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to sustainable energy security, in full alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government. We have a shared responsibility to rescue our economy from further bleeding, and achieving this goal requires that all hands remain on deck.

“We look forward to your honest and constructive feedback on how we can sustain and surpass our outstanding records in combating pipeline vandalism, oil theft, and environmental pollution,” he said.

Speaking at the stakeholders meeting, Head of Field Operations, Eastern Corridor of the Project Monitoring Office, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL, Engr Akponine Omojevwe called for effective collaboration between the host communities and PINL.

He noted that for the progress already achieved in the sector to be sustained, stakeholders and host communities must synergize with the surveillance company.

“We want to emphasize that there must be collaboration between PINL and the communities. PINL has gone the extra mile by approving scholarships for the host communities, they have gone out to make sure their areas of operations benefit from their activities, let us make sure that in this task of securing the pipelines, we support them, don’t destroy their equipment,” he urged.

Meanwhile, the collaborative security is operations between PINL and the Special Prosecution Task Force (SPT) of the Federal Government have led to the busting of two illegal refining sites in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Yusuf Tuggar, minister of foreign affairs, says Nigerians abroad contributed over $20 billion to the country’s economy in 2024.

Tuggar spoke in Abuja on Monday when he paid a working visit to Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairperson of the Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).

The minister commended Dabiri-Erewa for her leadership in championing the interests of Nigerians in the diaspora, describing their contributions as significant.

Tuggar said he was at the commission to reinforce the importance of aligning its work with President Bola Tinubu’s four Ds doctrine of diplomacy.

The minister listed the doctrines as development, demography, diaspora, and democracy.

According to him, for NIDCOM, the “diaspora” pillar is not just a component of the doctrine; it is the commission’s core mandate.

“Nigeria’s diaspora community is one of the most vibrant in the world—over 17 million Nigerians are spread across every continent,” he said.

“They are doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs, academics, athletes, creatives, and leaders in their fields. In 2024 alone, remittances from Nigerians abroad amounted to over $20 billion.

“This represents a vital lifeline to our economy and a testament to the enduring commitment of our diaspora to national development.”

The minister said beyond the figures, Nigerians abroad are also cultural ambassadors who project the nation’s rich heritage, innovation and resilience on the global stage.

“Their successes open doors for others, change perceptions, and build goodwill for Nigeria across borders,” he said.

“I urge NIDCOM to continue championing these wins and to deepen efforts to integrate the Nigerian diaspora more fully into the national economy.

“This means not only celebrating their achievements but also creating deliberate pathways for them to invest, innovate and contribute their skills to strategic national projects.”

Tuggar proposed that NiDCOM consider establishing dedicated programmes aimed at deepening the bond between Nigerians abroad and their ancestral homeland.

He said such initiatives should be designed to enhance their knowledge, appreciation and understanding of Nigeria’s history, culture, values and aspirations.

“In doing so, they will serve as compelling counter-narratives to the weaponised disinformation occasionally propagated by individuals who seek to distort our image for personal or political gain,” he said.

“Sustained engagement of this nature will ensure that our diaspora youth remain firmly connected to the heartbeat of the nation, proud of their heritage and committed to Nigeria’s progress, wherever in the world they may reside.”

Dabiri-Erewa commended Nigerians in the diaspora for bridging gaps in the country through notable investments, citing “the best stroke centre” in Imo and “the cancer hospital” in Lagos as significant examples.

She said the commission has established a diaspora data mapping to identify and analyse the characteristics, location, and contributions of Nigerians living outside the country.

The NiDCOM chair urged Nigerians in the diaspora to register at www.nidcom.ng.gov.

The Akure Division of the Ondo State High Court has sentenced a serving police officer, David Friday, and a self-acclaimed soldier, Innocent Victor, to death by hanging for multiple armed robbery offences in Idanre.

The duo faced a four-count charge of conspiracy, armed robbery, and impersonating security personnel.

Prosecution witnesses testified that on January 15, 2021, the men—one in a black police T-shirt and the other in military camouflage—used jack knives to rob victims at different locations in Idanre, seizing cash, a phone, and fuel.

They also assaulted victims and threatened them with a pistol.

Akinleye said both were armed with jack knives and were flashing the headlight of their TVS motorcycle at him.

He noted that men ransacked his vehicle, took N6,000 from him, and instructed him to fuel their motorcycle with 30 litres of petrol, which he did.

He later discovered that his Itel phone, valued at N8,500, was also missing.

Another prosecution witness, Mr Lanre Olowogbadegun said he was on night duty at Yaba Junction in Idanre that same night when he saw two men on a black TVS motorcycle one in a police T-shirt and the other in army camouflage.

Olowogbadegun, a security guard, added that the two men ordered him to drop his gun, but he refused.

“Shortly after, the men stopped an 18-seater bus, ordered the driver out, made him sit on the floor, and took all his money,” he told the court.

Olowogbadegun said the men beat the driver with jack knives and their fists, taking N5,000 from him. They offered him (Olowogbadegun) N2,000, but he declined.

“Around 4 a.m., the driver returned to ask if I knew the two men, and I confirmed that I did. Together, we went to the police station to report,” he added.

When invited by the Divisional Police Officer, the driver identified the man who had robbed him while wearing the police uniform.

The third prosecution witness, Adeyeye Sesan, a transporter, testified that he was returning home when he encountered the two men—one in military camouflage and the other dressed like a policeman.

He said the man in camouflage demanded N10,000, and when he refused, the man slapped him, dragged him out of his bus, and began to beat him.

The other man, in police uniform, joined in, using a pistol and sticks to assault him, according to Adeyeye.

He said they forcibly took N125,000 from his pocket and the proceeds of his work for the day. After robbing him, they dragged him back to his bus and injured his leg with a dagger, threatening to kill him with the pistol.

Ilesanmi Samuel, Police prosecutor in the case, told the court that investigations revealed Friday was a serving member of the Nigeria Police Force attached to Olofin Police Station, Idanre, while Victor’s claim of being a soldier was false, as confirmed by the Owena Cantonment in Akure.

According to Samuel, both men confessed to the crimes.

In his verdict, Justice Williams Rotimi Olamide held that the prosecution had successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

He, however, sentenced the defendants to death by hanging.

Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke on Friday laid the foundation for Africa’s first Artificial Intelligence University in Modakeke.

The institution, Curators University, is to offer diverse courses in Artificial Intelligence relating to Machine Learning Specialisation, Computer Hardware Engineering, Data Analytics and Database Administration, Arbitration and conflict resolution, 3D printing and polymer science among other disciplines.

Adeleke, joined by the Ogunsua of Modakeke, Oba Joseph Toriola, said the proposed institution is in tandem with his five point agenda for the state especially to boost education and youth empowerment.

The Governor, who was represented by Commissioner for Education, Hon. Dipo Eluwole, said: “The establishment of this university here in Modakeke is a milestone achievement, which aligns with our drive to boost the educational sector. I charge you to make sure that this institution is one of the best universities in Nigeria both in academic and culture.”

Founder of the institution, Mr. Olusola Amusan, highlighted the needs for Public-Private Partnership in promotion tertiary education and national development.

He called Public private partnerships in developing education sector, saying “There are education endowment funds from the federal government and in the area of loans, specifically, we believe that to be able to get cutting-edge education our government must collaborate with private bodies to advance education.

“We aim to support the country through this institution and also to boost the economy of Osun State especially Modakeke. This institution if government can partner with us, it will further enable our youths to access education in area of AI that we will be providing here.”

Also, institution’s the Chairman Planning Committee, Barrister Abimbola Amusan, said Curators University will be a global academic and innovation hub that will empower youth, create jobs, spark economic growth for generations to come.”

A socio-political group in the North-Central region operating under the aegis of The North-Central Agenda (TNA) has berated opposition leaders complaining of marginalisation of the north under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, insisting that the accusation was baseless and unfounded, as realities on the ground contradict allegation.

The group also challenged political leaders in the North-Central, especially the state governors, to judiciously make us of the increase in the revenue allocation to their states for the benefit of the poor and vulnerable in the zone.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja to herald the birth of the group, the chairperson of the group, Dr. Ene Ogbole said the organisation will ensure that some of the challenges facing the region, which include; unemployment, poor education, insecurity, drug addiction, kidnapping, and political thuggery, among others would receive attention in the efforts to promote and defend the interest of the zone, and the country in general.

Reacting to the allegation of marginalisation of the region, the group accused proponents of such allegation of being mischievous, partisan, and selfish.

According to the group: “You can not come from a region that has benefited the highest national budgetary allocation of 2024 and still say you have been marginalized.

“You can not come from a region that clearly has benefited in terms of equal representation in governance and say or claim to have been marginalized. You can not come from a region that benefits from almost 90 percent of national security expenditure and still claims to have been marginalized.

“Those who talk about marginalization or accuse Tinubu’s administration of marginalization are only doing that simply for selfish and mischievous political purposes. They are yet up to this day to bring out figures and facts of Bola Tinubu’s administration marginalisation.”

The TNA chairperson said the initiative became necessary in view of the fact that the people of the North Central zone, have in recent history, been subjected to unimaginable level of endless human agony and disaster, ranging from socio-economic, political, and worst of all, security crisis that have almost brought the region to her knees.

“It is heart-warming and reassuring to know that, while the prevailing challenges are resolute in ensuring that our region is reduced to the worst level of hardship and insecurity ever experienced in our political history, however, we are consoled by the surge in current national revenue, has presented leverages opportunities to all tiers of government to respond swiftly and adequately to the socio-economic, political and security needs of the North Central people and other regions of the country.

“Our intervention focuses on massive social advocacy to encourage all stakeholders, both within and outside government, from top to bottom on the use of available resources for the development of the zone.

“It is worthy of note to mention unequivocally that our group is working overtime to recreate and promote government /citizen partnerships through gradually restoring their hope and confidence in government policies, programs and reforms that are targeted at uplifting the well-being and living standard of the people also bearing in mind that the buy-in, participation and partnership of the electorate is sacrosanct if a government must succeed.

“We have been in the business of conscientizing our youths and women of existing government initiatives, policies and programmes that are targeted at uplifting the well-being and living standard of our people and by so doing bridging the gap between the government and her citizens.

“Furthermore, we are creating massive and unrelenting awareness on the concept of separation of powers and the constitutional mandate of the three tiers of government, the federal, state, and local government and the obligations of our citizens.

“Similarly, we wish to once again deploy this avenue to appeal to our political gladiators across party lines to immediately desist from heating up the polity in national interest, peace, decorum, and tranquillity to pave way for broad based national development. We advise that all hands should be on deck regardless of party affiliation as we struggle to surmount this phase of global economic meltdown that has grossly devastated all economies around the world. It is our duty to let politicians know that patriotism is not about seek for power at all cost, it is about supporting those in government whether we like them or not to achieve the ultimate goal of delivering the dividends of democracy the people especially the poor and the vulnerable.”

Throwing its weight behind the president over the recent emergence of Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, the group, urged opposition leaders to eschew bitterness and support President Tinubu’s administration for the betterment of the country.

“We deeply appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) for appointing Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda as the National Chairman of the Ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). It is considered a step in the right direction as we are certain that the young professor will bring to bear contemporary ideas that will move the party forward in the right direction to be able to deliver the dividend of democracy to our people.”

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has called on entrepreneurs in the Southeast to tap into the Federal Government’s ₦200 billion intervention funds to expand their businesses and promote locally made products.

Idris made the appeal during a town hall meeting at the Government House in Enugu weekend as part of the National Communication Team’s citizens’ engagement tour to explain the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He said the funds—comprising the Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme (PCGS), the FGN MSME Intervention Fund, and the FGN Manufacturing Sector Fund—were specially designed to support small businesses, boost manufacturing, and strengthen the country’s industrial base.

“Recognising the Southeast’s industrial strength, the government has created three key business funds totalling ₦200 billion. I urge entrepreneurs to take advantage of these funds and embrace the ‘Nigeria First’ policy that promotes patronage of locally made products,” Idris stated.

He said the FG’s delegation was in Enugu to connect directly with the people of the state on the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, whose goal is to bridge the communication gap between the government and the citizens, block the spread of misinformation and strengthen participatory democracy through open dialogue.

The Minister highlighted ongoing Federal Government projects in Enugu and by extension the Southeast the region, including the modernization of the Eastern Railway Corridor from Port Harcourt through Aba and Enugu to Maiduguri, the rehabilitation of over 1,000 primary healthcare centres, and the commissioning of a world-class oncology and cancer centre in Enugu.

“Today, we went to see all the roads linking Enugu to other parts of the Southeast, Southsouth and the North; we went to see the 350 meters flyover bridge at Eke Obinagu and all the projects which the Bola Tinubu led federal government is doing in Enugu and in deed Southeast.

“The flyover bridge at Eke Obinagu is significant because it connects Enugu to Ebonyi state, to Akwa Ibom, Cross River and even to the Cameroon. The bridge is almost being completed by President Bola Tinubu and we know it is what he promised and very soon the people of this state and their neighbours will benefit from the project upon completion,” he said.

He also commended Governor Peter Mbah for his administration’s collaboration with the Federal Government to deliver infrastructure and other development projects in Enugu State.

Idris noted that Enugu and Imo were among 11 states granted regulatory autonomy to oversee their electricity markets under the new Electricity Act, urging other South-East states to follow suit.

According to him, economic indicators such as food prices and foreign exchange rates are stabilizing, with global rating agencies optimistic about Nigeria’s growth towards a $1 trillion economy by 2030.

The minister assured that while challenges remain, President Tinubu’s reforms would yield clearer benefits by the end of his first term, with the Southeast positioned as a key player in the nation’s economic transformation.

Earlier when the minister led his high-powered federal government media delegation to pay a courtesy visit on Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State at the state government house, he assured that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to the development of Enugu State and the entire Southeast region.

According to him, the President’s reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy, have freed up resources for both the federal and state governments to invest in critical infrastructure and social services.

“Governors across the country, including here in Enugu, are taking advantage of these additional resources to deliver impactful projects. We have seen the work Governor Peter Mbah is doing in education, infrastructure, security, and culture, and this is exactly what President Tinubu envisioned,” Idris said.

The minister commended Governor Mbah for sustaining and expanding development programmes, noting that the synergy between the federal and state governments is key to achieving lasting prosperity.

He disclosed that the delegation – comprising top officials from the National Orientation Agency, NTA, FRCN, NBC, and the Voice of Nigeria – would inspect projects in the state before holding an interactive session with residents to receive feedback on federal government policies.

Responding, Governor Mbah attributed the financing of numerous infrastructure projects embarked by the state government to the oil subsidy removal policy of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.

He said: “For us in Enugu, we are able to accomplish all we promised our people during the campaign, thanks to the bold decision taken by President Bola Tinubu, which has freed up resources needed to execute humongous capital projects,” said Governor, while listing ongoing projects in the state, which include the construction of 7,000 classrooms, 3,300 hospital beds and 2,000-hectare of 260 farm estates across the 260 wards of the state.

Governor Mbah also pledged more support for the policies of the federal government, saying they are in the best interest of the people of the state.

At the town hall meeting were traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders, market leaders, youth leaders and leaders from the various political parties in the state.

The Nigerian Army Thursday night confirmed no casualty was recorded in the explosion that occurred earlier at Ilese Barracks in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

Army spokesperson, Lt.-Col. Onyinyechi Anele disclosed this in a statement, describing the explosion as minor.

According to her, the explosion occurred within a storage building of the 42 Engineers Brigade Counter Improvised Explosive Device Squadron, which led to a fire outbreak.

Swift intervention by troops of the 12 Field Engineer Regiment, working closely with the Ijebu-Ode Fire Service, ensured that the fire was quickly contained, she stated.

“Importantly, no lives were lost, and no injuries were sustained. The structural damage was confined to the affected building and some stored materials. A detailed assessment is currently underway to determine the extent of material loss.

“We urge residents of Ilese and the adjoining communities to remain calm and go about their normal activities. The Nigerian Army, in collaboration with relevant agencies, has commenced a thorough investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the incident and to prevent a recurrence.

“The Nigerian Army remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all its personnel as well the members of neighbouring communities,” Anele added.

Nigerian international midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru has tied the knot with his Moroccan partner, Nada Bensouna, in an intimate ceremony held in Manchester, United Kingdom.

The wedding, which took place in the presence of close family members and friends, featured a traditional Islamic Nikkah ceremony.

Nada, 23, wore a stunning Moroccan caftan, while Dele-Bashiru opted for elegant native attire.

The couple went public with their relationship in December 2024, when they attended Lazio’s Christmas party together.

Dele-Bashiru, 24, who is the younger brother of Flying Eagles star Tom Dele-Bashiru, enjoyed an impressive 2024/25 season with Serie A side Lazio, scoring three goals in 20 league appearances. He is expected to play a pivotal role in the upcoming campaign under new manager Maurizio Sarri.

Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has said that President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of Olumode Adeyemi as the new Controller General of the Federal Fire Service (FFS) was based on competence and capacity, not personal ties.

Speaking Thursday in Abuja during Adeyemi’s decoration ceremony, Tunji-Ojo described the role as “an opportunity only a few ever get” and urged the new CG to deliver results that will stand the test of time.

The minister said the president does not need to have personal ties with anyone before doing the needful insofar as such persons meet the requirements for appointment.

“The President did not look at who you are or whose son you are, but at your capability. He has invested his trust in you. When you look back years from now, make sure you can say you served well,” the Minister charged.

He cautioned Adeyemi to brace for resistance, stressing that leadership is about conviction and courage, not popularity.

“You will have my full support, but don’t expect 100 percent support from everyone. If there is no disagreement in the system, corruption is likely in charge,” he warned.

Tunji-Ojo described the Fire Service as one of Nigeria’s most impactful agencies, stressing that every life lost in a fire incident should be seen as a failure by the agency.

He revealed that the National Assembly is already working on a new Fire Service Act to boost rescue operations and enhance efficiency.

“Be the leader, not the led. Charge yourself, stay focused, and never succumb to pressure to please everyone. As you do your job, God will give you strength,” he told Adeyemi.

Adeyemi on his part pledged unwavering loyalty to President Tinubu and vowed to lead the Service with integrity, diligence and purposeful leadership.

Adeyemi expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for entrusting him with the responsibility of heading the nation’s fire and rescue agency, describing the appointment as a “great honour” he does not take lightly.

“I pledge my total loyalty and unwavering commitment to justifying this confidence through diligent service, integrity, and purposeful leadership,” he said.

The new FFS boss also commended the minister for his visionary and transformational leadership, noting that the his guidance and support had created the right environment for growth, reform and operational excellence in the Service.

Adeyemi thanked the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani, and the Secretary of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board CDCFIB, Major General Abdulmalik Jibrin (retd), for their roles in facilitating his promotion.

He promised to work with all stakeholders to transform the FFS into “a model of efficiency, discipline, and public trust,” while acknowledging the commitment of officers and personnel across the ranks, whom he described as “the backbone of our success.”

The ceremony marked Adeyemi’s formal takeover from former CG, Engr. Abdulganiyu Kaji.

]The cordial relationship between Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia and members of the State House of Assembly appears to have broken down.

The lawmakers declined his request to screen nominees for commissioner positions.

The Assembly rejected a correspondence from the governor seeking the screening and confirmation of the nominees for the state executive council.

The decision was taken during plenary, presided over by Speaker Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh.

It followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Shimapever Jiji.

Jiji informed members that the governor had consistently failed to honour resolutions of the House and had treated legislators with total disregard.

Seconding the motion, Thomas Dugeri said the governor had yet to address pressing concerns previously raised by the Assembly.

He alleged that he had “no respect for the hallowed chamber.”

Lawmakers who spoke on the matter stressed that their decision was not intended to stall governance but to compel the executive to respect legislative independence and honour existing agreements.

They maintained that they were not opposed to screening commissioners, but insisted that the governor must first comply with earlier resolutions.

The House demanded that the governor immediately provide official vehicles to affected members.

They asked him to enforce suspension notices issued to the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Council, and the Executive Secretary of the Benue State Sports Lottery and Marketing Board.

The Assembly had resolved to suspend the SUBEB Chairman over alleged administrative ineptitude.

“Until the governor complies with these demands, the House will not honour or entertain any correspondence from the executive arm,” the lawmakers resolved.

Governor Alia, however, dismissed the perceived face-off, describing it as a mere breakdown in communication.