Category: Happenings

The Osun State Police Command has arrested a 50-year-old herbalist, identified as Kehinde Ganiyu, in connection with the murder of his age-long Ghanaian friend.

The suspect killed his friend, Emmanuel Collins, on a sick bed by cutting out the throat region to make ritual soap for yahoo boys. It was gathered that the incident occurred last Thursday in Oba-Oke, located in the Olorunda Local Government Area of Osun State.

Parading the suspect on Friday, July 26, at the Osun Police Command, the Police Public Relations Officer, Yemisi Opalola disclosed that he was arrested with four blood-stained knives, one chisel, two gourds, wooden traditional pot containing black soap, two sponges with black soap, traditional tray(Opon Ifa) and local charms.

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA have arrested a Spain-based businessman, Francis Akajiobi, 50, after cocaine weighing 1.20 kilograms were allegedly discovered in his pair of sandals.

The suspect was arrested at the departure hall of terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, while attempting to board his Royal Air Maroc flight to Madrid, Spain.

NDLEA’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, in a statement on Sunday, July 28 said the 2 parcels of cocaine were concealed in the soles of a pair of black sandals Akajiobi was wearing to board his flight when NDLEA operatives intercepted him on Thursday July 25, 2024.

“During his preliminary interview, he claimed the consignment was delivered to him at a bar in Port Harcourt, Rivers state & was to deliver it to his friend and neighbour in Spain for a fee of €5,000 upon successful delivery to the recipient,” the statement added.

Watch video below…

No fewer than seven operatives of the Nigerian Army have been confirmed dead after their vehicle hit an explosive in Mugunu area of Maiduguri, Borno State.

The unfortunate incident occurred on Thursday morning, July 25. The vehicle reportedly hit an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) suspected to have been planted by Boko Haram along the Gamboru Ngala-Maiduguri Road in Borno State.

The Army reportedly received a distress call during early on Thursday that Boko Haram terrorists were attacking a neighbouring community and they quickly mobilised themselves to rescue the community.

In response to the Boko Haram siege, the commandant ordered the deployment of three vehicles carrying armed soldiers to the community. Tragically, one of the vehicles struck an electro-explosive device (EED) in the Mugunu area of Maiduguri, resulting in the loss of all but one of the soldiers on board.

The Adamawa State Police Command has arrested a 30-year-old man, identified as Hussaini Salihu, for allegedly defiling a minor.

The suspect was arrested on Wednesday, July 24, for sexually assaulting the 12-year-old girl (name withheld). He was said to had lured the victim into his house, had carnal knowledge of her, and then gave her N2,000.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Suleiman Nguroje, in a statement on Thursday evening, July 25, said the suspect ran away when he sensed that he would not be allowed to get away with his act.

“He was later trailed and apprehended by the police following a report from the victim’s mother,” the statement said. It added that the suspect had voluntarily made a statement confessing to doing what he was accused of, and he will be charged in court.

Operatives of the FCT Command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have arrested 2 suspects while attempting to snatch a black Prado Jeep from the owner around Capital Hub in Jahi District of Abuja.

The suspects, who were part of a group of 4 armed men were arrested on July 22 at about 10:45pm while the operatives were on patrol.

This was disclosed by the command’s spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh in a statement on July 26th.

“On sighting the police operatives, the hoodlums opened fire which resulted in a gun duel but were over powered by the police as 2 suspects, Joshua Godfrey A.K.A. Dogo 44 years & Abdulsalam Mamuda, 29 both of Mabushi village were arrested while two others were neutralized by the police.

The 2 arrested suspects subsequently led police operatives to the recovery of another red Toyota Corolla car with Reg. No. RBC 743 AH, which must have been snatched from an innocent resident.

Exhibits such as arms, cutlass, dagger, scissors, & mobile phones were recovered from them,” the statement reads.

A 300-level Computer Science student of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Bauchi, Naja’atu Salisu has passed away after she was found unconscious in the bathroom on Friday morning, July 26.

It was gathered that Naja’atu entered the bathroom in the female hostel at the Gubi campus of the university to have a morning shower & prepare for lectures but was later found lying unconscious on the floor of the bathroom.

One of her roommates who spoke with Leadership said: “She had done every routine in preparation for the morning class before going into the bathroom. She brought wears that she planned to wear to the class & kept them on the side of her bed.”

Confirming the incident, ATBU Spokesperson said she was rushed to the university’s clinic medical attention, but medical personnel were unable to find a vein on her body. “Having noticed this, Naja’atu was rushed to the Trauma Centre of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital where she was certified d£ad by medical doctors,” he said.

Nigerian Senator and oil mogul, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, has reportedly passed away.

Ubah, who joined the All Progressives Congress, APC, a few months ago, was billed to seek the party’s ticket ahead of the Anambra State governorship election.

He died in a hotel in London, the United Kingdom just two days after he arrived the country.

His death was also confirmed on a group chat of senators who had started to pour in tributes, the report added.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has warned local government council chairmen & councillors against diverting funds meant for their jurisdictions.

Speaking at an event in Abuja on July 25th, Fagbemi warned that anyone found wanting will be jailed. Recall that the Supreme Court on Thursday morning, July 11, granted financial autonomy to the 774 local governments across the country.

Fagbemi, who observed that local government chairmen may want to divert the funds amid state pressure, said: “Well, we have a situation on our hands, I know that it is still there; the conduct of elections is to be undertaken by the states.

But the distinction is this: don’t forget, the governors have immunity, the local government council chairmen or councillors, they have no immunity, so they have to choose between dealing with the funds of the local government as they like and risking going to jail.

The President said this when he received Letter of Credence from the newly appointed United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Richard Mills Jr. at the Presidential Villa in Abuja,

According to him, “Our relationship with America is rich. We believe in democracy and freedom. Some of your predecessors worked hard during our transition to democracy, and we remember the likes of Ambassador Howard Jeter.

During the military era, we made our voices heard against dictatorship, and I was part of the group that engaged in peaceful protests without resorting to the destruction of property. We have worked hard to ensure 25 years of unbroken democracy and I will continue to maintain this democracy.

In as much as I believe that demonstrations are part of democracy, we will never encourage any protests that lead to the destruction of lives and property.”

The Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin says while citizenry have a right to make their grievances known through protest, destruction of properties & other kinds of violence will not be welcomed in the state.

She therefore urged Lagosians to protest peacefully and avoid any demonstration that could lead to a repeat of the 2020 protest during which public properties were destroyed.

Speaking in Alausa, she said: “This is the state that does not owe any pensioner a Kobo. If you retired today, you should be expecting your pension immediately. The Lagos State Government is doing so much..Is it the Ilera Eko, the New Insurance Medical Schemes, the university we are building, the blue line rail & others? It is a legitimate right for citizens to protest; there’s nothing wrong with it.

The only thing people should worry about is that we do not want viol£nce because the nascent peace we enjoy in Nigeria now & the development we are seeing, particularly in Lagos State should not be truncated

50-year-old Ghanaian gospel singer, Diana Asamoah has vowed to stay single until she receives an approval from God.

Speaking during a cooking show by Empress Gifty, the evangelist who has never been married and has no child, revealed that despite being approached for marriage by several men, including pastors, she remains resolute in her decision to await heavenly approval before tying the knot.

“I have met a lot of men, including men of God. While some of them came with genuine intentions, others were fake.

Until I get an approval from God, I will never marry any of them. I will get married and have children at God’s appointed time,” she said.

Minister of Youth Development, Dr Jamila Ibrahim, has appealed to youths to shun the proposed nationwide protest against hardship in the country.

Speaking in Abuja, Ibrahim said that the country needed peace and stability to achieve its mandate, adding that the current hardship is not peculiar to Nigeria. Ibrahim advised the young people not to engage in any activity that would not be law-abiding.

According to her, “Government is already addressing these issues. The economic hardships that we are facing today is not limited to Nigeria. Since COVID-19 struck, the global economy has not quite recovered.”

Justice M. A. Oyetenu of the Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has convicted one Etiusen Stephen for spraying naira notes.

The convict was arraigned on July 19, 2024, on a two-count charge bordering on naira abuse by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

One of the charges reads: “That you, Etiusen Stephen Udo, on or about 27th June 2024, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did sell forty thousand naira notes (N40,000.00) only to one Edidiong Usoro and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21 (4) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2007 and punishable under Section 21 (1) of the same Act.”

When the charges were read to the defendant, he pleaded ‘guilty’ to both counts.

Justice Onyetenu thereafter convicted him and ordered the forfeiture of the N40,000 recovered from him to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The Area Controller of Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Cross River/Akwa Ibom Command, Chukwudi Gabriel Ogbonna, has stressed that Nigeria requires more manufacturing firms instead of hotels.

Speaking in Calabar on Wednesday, July 24, the Customs boss said there seems to be more hotels in the country compared with manufacturing facilities.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, he said: “The local or national economy cannot survive without manufacturers. Manufacturing or productive economy energizes any economy. But there seems to be more hotels than manufacturing facilities in Cross River and many other states.

It shouldn’t be that way. We ourselves are affected when manufacturers are not working. We take in revenues when manufacturers are working. We should give more support to local manufacturers.”

The Ondo State government has appealed to Nigerian students, particularly those from the state, to shun the planned August 1st nationwide protest against hardship in the country.

“We urge all students to support the Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to bring about positive change and development in our country. In the spirit of unity and progress, we call for peace among all Nigerian students and emphasize the importance of constructive engagement and dialogue in addressing our challenges.

It is important to note that Ondo state students firmly dissociate themselves from any planned protests, violence, or destruction of public properties belonging to the government. We believe that change takes time, and as the saying goes, ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Let us remain steadfast in our commitment to the progress and prosperity of our great nation. Together, we can overcome our challenges and build a better future for all. Nigeria shall be great,” the statement reads.

The monarch stated that those planning the upcoming protests are non-indigenes and reminded residents of Lagos of their accommodating nature.

Oba Lukman Adebambo, the Gbadewolu of Araromi in Lagos State, has warned protesters against actions that could damage the state’s infrastructure.


The monarch stated that those planning the upcoming protests are non-indigenes and reminded residents of Lagos of their accommodating nature.

Adebambo said, “Whenever there is a protest, Lagos State’s infrastructure takes the hardest hit. It’s important to remember that Lagos State welcomes everyone, and its residents should not be made to regret their hospitality.

“We will no longer tolerate the destruction of infrastructure under the pretense of protest.”

Adebambo urged the agitators to express their grievances through peaceful and constructive means.

He stated, “While it’s true that there is hardship in the country, this is not unique to Nigeria—other countries are experiencing similar challenges.”

“Protest is not going to solve the crisis at hand. People should remember what happened during the last #EndSARS protest, a lot of things were destroyed, and lots of companies and government properties were destroyed.

“These are also part of what is affecting us today; the destroyed properties were built with public funds, and the money that were supposed to be used for other projects are being used to refurbish those properties,” he added.

The monarch assured that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is aware of the current economic situation.

Police has released a shocking footage that shows the moment a white officer fatally shot a 36-year-old black woman in her home after she called 911 to report a suspected intruder.

Sonya Massey was shot in the head at her residence in Illinois, USA on Saturday, July 6, 2024. 

The video, released by Illinois State Police on Monday, July 22, shows the moment the tragic incident occurred.

Grayson was indicted last week for first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct. He pleaded not guilty.

Explaining himself to responding police, Grayson said, “She had boiling water and came at me, with boiling water.”

The sheriff’s office fired Grayson, saying he did not “act as trained or in accordance with our standards”.

Watch video below…

Vice President Kashim Shettima says the Federal Government has generated over 300,000 businesses through various Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) interventions.

This, he said will create over one million job opportunities, primarily for youth and women, within a year, according to Nigerian Tribune.

Speaking during a one-day working visit to Jigawa State on Tuesday, July 23, the vice president said: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has initiated multiple interventions for SMEs, which have generated over 300,000 businesses and will provide over one million jobs within a year.”

He emphasised that the Renewal Hope Agenda of President Tinubu is designed to tackle poverty and create job opportunities by encouraging and supporting medium and small-scale businesses, which constitute over 65% of investment & employ 83% of labour in Nigeria.

He also stated that the current administration is working tirelessly to formulate & implement policies & programmes that will improve the social & economic lives of Nigerians.

The minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said that the proposed August 1st nationwide protest is politically motivated.

Speaking with newsmen on Tuesday, July 23, he said: “Let’s tell ourselves the simple truth. If we are playing politics let’s say we are playing politics; if we want to be sincere to ourselves, let’s be sincere to ourselves and help our country.

The country is rotten. You know that the country is rotten, and a government has just come to see what it can do to at least, move it from where we are to a certain level & you say that miracle must be performed within one year.

You are here now, we are talking about a project that was awarded 13 good years ago, what has happened? Nothing. Now a government has come to see how it can fix all these things & we are in too much of a hurry demanding that it must be done now.

It is not possible. The protest is a political protest. So, let’s not listen to political protesters & political jobbers who just want to be popular.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, on Wednesday, July 23, met with ministers on the proposed nationwide protest against economic hardship by Nigerian youths.

The meeting was convened behind closed doors and has all the over 40 ministers in the President’s cabinet in attendance, according to Channel Television. Some of the Minister spotted are Nyesom Wike (FCT), Yusuf Tuggar (Foreign Affairs), Zephaniah Jisalo (Special Duties), Tahir Mamman (Education), and Abubakar Bagudu (Budget and Planning).

Others are Wale Edun (Finance), Mohammed Idris (Information), Bello Matawalle (Defence), David Umahi (Works), and the National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu, amongst others.

The Federal government has said the era of buying fuel between N750 to N1000 per liter, is over as it will commission 30,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered vehicles in the next 90 days.

Michael Oluwagbemi, Project Director and CEO of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, revealed this at an event in Ojota, Lagos on Saturday, July 20.

According to him, the initiative will cost N36 billion and includes 30,000 CNG conversion kits, which will be distributed free of charge nationwide within the specified period. Each kit and conversion is valued at N1.2 million per vehicle, totaling N36 billion over the next three months.

“Today, we are here with conversion kits. We have bought over 30,000 of these kits, mainly for distribution in the next 90 days.

The President has told us that this is not just to end with 30,000 kits, the target is one million kits. We want to make sure all of you can benefit from this government initiative.

The era of buying N750, N800, or N1000/liter fuel is over. We are not doing that again. We will start using the gas under our feet so that we can buy it at N230/kg,” he added.