Author: bibncollar

Oyo – All schoolchildren and teachers kidnapped by terrorists in Orire Local Government Area have been successfully rescued in a coordinated security operation, authorities confirmed on Friday.The operation, carried out by federal security agencies, resulted in the safe recovery of every victim without conceding to the terrorists’ demands. In addition to the rescues, eight suspected kidnappers were arrested and taken into custody by the Department of State Services (DSS), while some others were neutralised during the mission.Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, in a statement posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, described the rescue as a decisive operation that avoided…

LAGOS — NASCO Town Limited has formally appealed a Lagos State High Court judgment that nullified the Federal Government’s acquisition of approximately 292 hectares of land, urging stakeholders to avoid any dealings with the disputed property until the appellate process is concluded.In a public notice issued on Friday, the company stated that it has exercised its constitutional right of appeal against the ruling delivered in SuitNo.ID/5709LM/2025. The matter is now pending before the Court of Appeal. The High Court had declared the Federal Government’s acquisition invalid and awarded damages in favour of the claimants. NASCO, however, maintains that its title…

Abuja — The Senate on Thursday passed a combined budget of N403.1 billion for the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) covering the 2025 and 2026 fiscal years, in a major push to bolster the operational capacity of the Nigeria Police Force and address the country’s security challenges.The appropriation includes N170.10 billion for 2025 and N233.96 billion for 2026. The approval came after the chamber adopted the report of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, presented by the committee’s Vice Chairman, Senator Yunus Akintunde (APC, Oyo Central), who stood in for the Chairman, Senator Abdulhamid Mallam Madori (APC, Jigawa East).Presenting the…

Abuja — The federal government is intensifying efforts to engage state governors and emergency responders as it pushes for the full adoption of 112 as Nigeria’s national emergency number.The move follows a high-level meeting on Tuesday at the State House between Vice President Kashim Shettima and a delegation from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), led by its Governing Board Chairman, Chief Ibikunle Olorunnimbe.The initiative gained momentum days earlier when the National Economic Council (NEC), chaired by the Vice President, formally approved 112 as the unified emergency number across all tiers of government and relevant agencies. The decision forms part of…

Owerri – Amnesty International and legal practitioners in Imo State have called for a more survivor-centred approach in handling Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases, emphasising stronger legal protections and improved support systems for victims.The appeal was made during a two-day training workshop organised by Amnesty International for lawyers and civil society representatives in Owerri on Thursday.Helen Adah, an official of Amnesty International, urged participants to prioritise the survivor’s perspective in every GBV case to ensure justice and adequate protection. She described female lawyers as “first responders” who play a pivotal role in supporting victims from the initial point of contact.“As first…

Abuja – Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd), has disclosed that bandits holding dozens of abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State have issued a chilling threat to kill their hostages if security forces attempt a rescue operation.The minister made the revelation in a preview of an interview aired on News Central on Wednesday, ahead of the full broadcast on the NC Exclusive programme scheduled for Friday.According to Gen. Musa, the kidnappers are using the abducted pupils and teachers as bargaining chips to secure the release of their commanders currently in military custody.“For whatever reason, they are looking…

Abuja — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arraigned former Managing Director of the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC), Mr. Ahmed Dikko, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged money laundering offences.Dikko was docked alongside his company, Masterpiece Projects & Investment Ltd, on a 12-count charge. Prosecutors accused him of using approximately ₦218.4 million to acquire a property in the Katampe Extension area of Abuja without routing the funds through a financial institution, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. The defendant pleaded not guilty to all counts.Following the plea, prosecution…

Abuja – Justice Salim Ibrahim of the Federal High Court on Thursday adjourned till Friday, July 10, to deliver judgement in the suit seeking recognition of the Tanimu Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee (NWC) as the authentic leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).The case pits the Board of Trustees (BoT)-backed faction, led by PDP BoT Chairman Senator Adolphus Wabara, against the group loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Wabara and eight other plaintiffs, including former Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, ex-Minister of Information Prof. Jerry Gana, and PDP chieftain Chief Olabode George, are asking…

Imo State — Former Senator Ifeanyi Araraume has rejected a statement circulating on social media that was falsely attributed to him concerning the Imo North Senatorial District primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC).In a disclaimer issued on Wednesday by his communications team, Araraume described the publication titled “A Message of Gratitude, Unity, and a Clarion Call to Rebuild Okigwe Zone” as fake, unauthorised, and the work of mischief makers aimed at misleading the public and causing tension within the party.The former lawmaker, who represented Imo North, stressed that he did not author or approve the document. He reaffirmed his…

Owerri — The Imo State Police Command has dismantled a major kidnapping syndicate, arresting two alleged kingpins and seven other suspects while recovering a cache of firearms, ammunition, and other items from a hideout in the Egbema River creek.The suspects include Confidence Vitalis, 28, from Ukugba in Egbema, Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, and Ishiaya Rejoice, 32, from Emuoha in Rivers State. Police said the arrests, based on credible intelligence and confessional statements, triggered a successful raid on the gang’s operational base.During the operation, security operatives rescued three kidnapped victims unharmed. The victims reportedly identified some of the…