Category: News

The Obidient Movement Worldwide has confirmed that Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, is currently holding extensive discussions with various stakeholders. According to Yunusa Tanko, the National Coordinator of the movement, these consultations are part of Obi’s preparations for the 2027 election cycle.

In a statement released on Saturday, Tanko addressed ongoing political developments and reports regarding the former Anambra governor’s next moves. He emphasized that the engagement process is deliberate and designed to chart the most effective course for the nation’s future.

Recent reports had suggested that Obi might join the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) alongside Rabiu Kwankwaso, following a stakeholders’ meeting. However, the Obidient Movement clarified that Obi has been absent from ADC gatherings since the opposition summit in Ibadan in April.

Tanko underlined that the talks are thorough and centered on building a more equitable Nigeria. He noted that as a movement grounded in accountability, every decision aligns with their long-term vision for the country.

The statement read: “These consultations are deliberate, thorough, and guided by the overriding objective of securing a future that works for all Nigerians.”

A devastating fire broke out at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) secretariat in Sokoto on Saturday, May 2, 2026, causing extensive damage to the building and destroying crucial documents and equipment.

The blaze ignited in the early morning hours, spreading rapidly through parts of the complex and triggering alarm among nearby residents and officials. Firefighters from the Sokoto State Fire Service arrived promptly and managed to contain the flames, preventing them from spreading to the remaining sections of the structure.

Abubakar Aliyu, the state chairman of the NLC, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, confirming that irreplaceable files and office assets were lost. “This is a heartbreaking setback for us,” he stated, “as it will impede our daily operations.”

Aliyu mentioned that while the cause of the fire is still under investigation, preliminary findings suggest it may have been triggered by an electrical malfunction. An official from the fire service confirmed that no casualties were recorded and that a thorough probe has been launched to ascertain the exact origin of the fire.

The NLC secretariat, a hub for labor activities in the state, now faces the challenge of recovering from this tragedy and resuming its functions.

The Kano State Government has clarified that no public officials were responsible for the missing N1.5 billion from workers’ salaries. Instead, an investigation has pointed to loan companies as the culprits.

Umar Faruk Ibrahim, the Secretary to the State Government, revealed this during the 2026 Workers’ Day event organized by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) at the Government House in Kano.

He stated that a committee, aided by an independent financial audit firm, looked into the matter and discovered that the issue stemmed from excessive deductions made by loan companies from the salaries of affected workers.

These companies, according to Ibrahim, deducted more than the agreed amounts for loans taken by civil servants, sparking the controversy.

“The committee’s report, which was also examined by an independent audit firm, clearly shows that no government official was involved,” Ibrahim said.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had ordered the investigation during the 2026 International Workers’ Day celebration in Kano, following allegations against a former government official, Abdullahi Musa, the former Head of Service.

The governor had promised that anyone found guilty would refund every kobo to the workers after the probe.

The University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) is reeling from a tragic road accident that resulted in the deaths of three students and a staff member, with multiple others sustaining injuries.

According to a statement released on Saturday by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Onen Ebri Onen, the incident involved 24 students and a staff member, many of whom were part of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) executive. The group was returning from an official trip in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, when the crash occurred in the Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State.

The university confirmed that the deceased are: Comrade Solomon Uya, SUG Director of Sports; Comrade Lucky Erim, a Chemistry student and President of the Faculty of Physical Sciences Students’ Association, who also served as President of Presidents; Comrade Favour Darlington, from the Department of Educational Management; and Mr. Anthony Arikpo, the driver and a staff member.

Survivors of the crash are currently receiving medical treatment at various hospitals, with the university assuring that appropriate care is being provided. Vice Chancellor Francisca Bassey, accompanied by Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) Prof. Stella Maris-Okey, visited the injured students to offer support and monitor their treatment. The Vice Chancellor remained with the victims into the early hours to ensure all necessary medical interventions were carried out.

Prof. Bassey extended condolences to the families of the deceased, describing the incident as a profound loss to the university community. She also reassured the injured students and their families of the institution’s continued support, emphasizing that their recovery and welfare are top priorities. The university appealed for calm and urged parents and guardians to be confident that every effort is being made to provide the best possible care for those affected.

A legal practitioner, Victor Nwaugo, has made a passionate plea to the Abia State chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), urging them to immediately suspend their ongoing industrial action. Speaking out against the strike’s severe impact on the justice system, Nwaugo highlighted the distressing situation where prisoners who should have been freed, as well as detainees who have secured bail, remain locked up in correctional centers due to court closures.

Nwaugo pointed out that the work stoppage is dangerously undermining the public’s ability to access justice. He also noted that many lawyers in Abia State are grappling with significant financial hardships as a direct consequence of the stalled court proceedings. The attorney further expressed that numerous litigants across the state are now thrown into a state of bewilderment, as countless adjourned cases across various courts cannot be processed because of the unresolved dispute between JUSUN and the Abia State government.

“People who should have regained their freedom remain in custody. Some have been granted bail and met their conditions, yet cannot be released because courts are not sitting,” Nwaugo stated. He appealed to JUSUN to reopen the courts, arguing that the state government has already addressed the majority of the union’s demands. According to Nwaugo, judiciary workers in Abia are already benefiting from financial autonomy, and he noted that the Chief Judge, as the head of the judiciary, has not made any public complaints about financial inadequacies.

In response, the Abia State Chairman of JUSUN, Chinedu Ezeh, dismissed Nwaugo’s comments, accusing him of speaking as an agent of the state government rather than as an impartial lawyer or a person committed to the truth.

The Nigerian Army has provided new details on the arrest of social media personality Justice Mark Chidiebere, widely known as “Justice Crack,” linking his detention to allegations of violating military social media protocols and encouraging soldiers toward insubordination.

In an official statement, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, explained that the military had observed online posts where Chidiebere allegedly circulated soldiers’ grievances about food quality and other welfare issues.

“Our attention was drawn to complaints from troops about their meals and living conditions, which were shared on social media by Justice Crack,” the statement read. “While we investigate breaches of the Armed Forces’ Social Media Policy and attempts to mislead the public, initial findings show that the soldier and Chidiebere discussed various topics, with the influencer appearing to foster dissatisfaction within the ranks.”

The Army highlighted a specific conversation that touched on subversion, where Chidiebere engaged troops in a manner that could undermine discipline and national security. “When civilians cultivate vulnerable personnel toward acts of subversion, it poses serious risks to military order and state safety,” the statement added.

Chidiebere was taken into custody alongside the soldiers involved. While the troops remain in military detention, Chidiebere has been transferred to civilian authorities for further inquiry and possible legal action. The Army reaffirmed its dedication to the rule of law and pledged to collaborate with relevant agencies to ensure justice while protecting military discipline and national security.

Reports indicate that Justice Crack had been unaccounted for four days before the Army’s clarification.

With the arrival of the rainy season, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) branch in Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State has issued a plea for harmony between farmers and herders. The organization emphasized that mutual respect is vital to avoid conflict during the upcoming farming period.

Speaking through its coordinator, Pastor Zephaniah John, CAN urged both groups to steer clear of actions that could spark disputes as they utilize farmlands and grazing corridors. John stressed that peaceful coexistence is a prerequisite for survival in these agrarian communities, noting that farmers rely on peace to cultivate crops while herders need it to raise livestock. He condemned violence as detrimental to both occupations.

The group praised Governor Agbu Kefas for creating the Taraba State Bureau for Peace and Conflict Management, calling it a forward-looking initiative to tackle insecurity and communal strife. CAN also lauded the appointment of local representatives to advisory and peacebuilding positions within the state framework.

CAN appealed directly to farmers to avoid blocking established grazing routes and water sources, advising them to channel complaints through traditional leaders, the Ardo, or security agencies rather than taking matters into their own hands. Herders were similarly urged to safeguard farmlands, abstain from night grazing, and provide compensation for any crop damage.

The association called on religious and community bodies such as CAN, Jama’atu Nasril Islam, Miyetti Allah, and the All Farmers Association of Nigeria to amplify peace messages and reject inflammatory language. Security forces, especially Operation Whirl Stroke, were commended for their stability efforts, and CAN requested heightened patrols in high-risk areas like Jauro Bakari, Kunini, Doubeli Lavoro, and the Mayo-Lope corridor to thwart violence.

Finally, CAN urged the Taraba State Government and Lau Local Government to organize a peace dialogue between farmers and herders before peak farming activities, aiming to establish clearer guidelines for the season.

The Lagos Waste Management Authority has taken decisive action against several Private Sector Participation operators who failed to meet required service benchmarks. Licenses were withdrawn from entities that could not keep up with the growing waste management needs of the state, according to officials.

Muyiwa Gbadegesin, the managing director of LAWMA, made this known in a statement released on Saturday in Lagos. He explained that the move was part of a broad operational assessment aimed at aligning service providers’ capabilities with the increasing waste volumes fueled by rapid urbanization.

The affected operators include Kenny JPS (covering Igando-Ikotun and Egan II), Clean Craft Nig. Ltd. (Igando-Ikotun and Isheri-Oshun I), Doveroost Ltd. (Eti-Osa West), Dewayls (Orade and Ijegun Emure), and Pesjoy Ventures (Ejigbo and Bucknor II). Their licenses were revoked because they failed to deliver adequate service, a step deemed necessary to protect public health and maintain environmental standards.

In addition to license revocations, LAWMA has restructured waste collection routes in rapidly developing areas to boost efficiency. Under the updated framework, existing operators will continue to serve portions of their original zones, while new operators have been brought in to enhance coverage and performance.

Gbadegesin noted that route adjustments affected operators such as Shekaz Global Ltd. (Isolo and Ishaga/Ire Akari axis) and Krestabol Waste Management (Ikorodu and Lowa). He explained that in areas where expansion had overwhelmed a single operator, responsibilities were redistributed to ensure timely waste removal.

Some operators voluntarily gave up parts of their routes, enabling LAWMA to reassign those territories to more competent providers. This category includes Ayolade Oluwabukola Enterprises (Lagos Island East, Ajele axis) and Imperium Waste Services (Ayobo/Ipaja, Slot B).

The restructuring is part of a wider strategy to strengthen the PSP system, enhance accountability, and ensure that waste management services keep pace with the state’s development. Residents have been urged to cooperate with newly assigned operators and to only use LAWMA-accredited service providers.

Gbadegesin reaffirmed LAWMA’s dedication to ongoing monitoring, enforcement, and collaboration with stakeholders to achieve a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Lagos.

In a sweeping move to address the escalating security challenges, the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has rolled out a dedicated Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) across every state and the Federal Capital Territory. The initiative, effective from May 2, 2026, is designed to bolster swift reaction to grave offenses like abduction, armed robbery, homicide, and cult-related violence.

Police authorities describe the VCRU as an intelligence-driven tactical force that will rapidly intervene in violent incidents while enhancing collaboration among commands nationwide. A senior police official disclosed that this step is part of broader reforms aimed at improving efficiency and professionalism within the force.

As part of the overhaul, existing non-specialized tactical teams at the state level will be dissolved and integrated into the new unit. The official emphasized that the VCRU will function as a specialized, rapid-response mechanism to combat violent crime throughout the country.

To initiate the implementation, selected commanders have been summoned to Abuja for operational briefings. In Bayelsa State, CSP Chris Nwaogbo has been appointed to lead the unit. Additionally, the IGP has mandated upgrades to police forensic laboratories and digital intelligence systems, including enhancements to the national criminal database to aid investigations with modern tools.

Furthermore, the Police Mobile Force will be refocused exclusively on riot control and violent crime response, with personnel withdrawn from non-essential duties such as VIP escort. The IGP issued a stern warning to officers assigned to the new unit to operate strictly within legal boundaries, highlighting the importance of professionalism and respect for human rights.

This development comes amid rising public anxiety over insecurity in various regions, as the police leadership pushes forward with reforms intended to restore trust and improve safety.

A mass transit company operating in Ebonyi State, UDISAM Mass Transit Company, has lodged formal complaints with the Inspector General of Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and other law enforcement agencies over what it describes as an advance fee fraud scheme involving a former state commissioner and his accomplices.

According to petitions dated April 3 and April 22, 2026, submitted through the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria and legal counsel, the company’s director, Comrade James Igwe, accused Hon. Celestine Nwali, a former Commissioner for Transport, and several others of obtaining money through deceptive means.

The transport firm stated that it had previously obtained approval and paid necessary charges to the Ebonyi State Government for a loading bay at the Central Motor Park in Abakaliki under the prior administration. However, when the new government took over, the ex-commissioner reportedly approached the company, asserting control over motor park operations and instructing that payments be channeled through him and his agents.

Believing the instructions to be legitimate, the company paid N400,000 to individuals presented as representatives of the former commissioner. Problems emerged when the firm discovered irregularities concerning the payment. Subsequently, the accused parties allegedly mobilized suspected thugs to disrupt the company’s operations, block business activities, and issue violent threats.

The petition further claims that some individuals, reportedly clad in military attire, engaged in acts of intimidation, laid siege to the company’s premises, and posed a serious danger to the lives of the director, staff, and workers. The complainant is urging security agencies to probe the matter, bring the perpetrators to justice, and ensure the safety of lives and property, warning that failure to act could lead to a breakdown of law and order.

When contacted, the former commissioner, Hon. Celestine Nwali, stated he was in a meeting and could not respond to the allegations. Mr. Toochukwu Nwali, whose account was allegedly used to receive the money on behalf of the ex-commissioner, acknowledged a dispute with the company’s director, whom he referred to as Mr. Samanja, but he was reportedly in Ikwo Local Government Area and did not respond to further inquiries.