Category: News

Bolaji Abdullahi, the National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has called on President Bola Tinubu to dismiss National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu if the president has no confidence in his capacity to address Nigeria’s security challenges.

Abdullahi’s remarks came in response to Tinubu’s decision to appoint Major General Adeyinka Fadewa (retired) as Special Adviser on Homeland Security. The president cited Fadewa’s impressive service record, strategic acumen, and notable contributions to Nigeria’s national security framework as reasons for the appointment.

In his reaction, Abdullahi argued that the term “homeland” is more appropriate for nations like the United States, Germany, Israel, or Palestine. He contended that such a designation holds little relevance in the Nigerian context.

Taking to his X account, Abdullahi wrote: “President Tinubu has just appointed a Major General as ‘Special Adviser on Homeland Security.’ The term ‘homeland’ is ideological and historically rooted. It makes sense in contexts like the United States, Germany, Israel or Palestine. In Nigeria, it is largely meaningless.”

He further stated: “If the President no longer has confidence in his National Security Adviser, he should simply replace him, not create a new office with a copycat title.”

Citizens of Odo-Alamo, a community in Ogbomoso, are urgently requesting the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to intervene and stop the series of deadly crashes on their roads. They expressed deep concern over the deteriorated state of their main access road, which they say has turned into a death trap.

In a recent incident, a vehicle plunged into a ditch near the Alamo Stream bridge, prompting residents to speak out. Community leader Mathew Ogunkanmi highlighted that various local chairmen had been approached in the past, but no repairs were carried out. He stated that Governor Makinde is their only hope now, as the road is not included in current rehabilitation projects.

Another resident, Mrs. Kafilat Adekunle, noted that crashes are frequent because of the terrible road conditions. She described an accident where a car flipped over while reversing, landing upside down. The community is pleading for immediate government action to alleviate their suffering.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has provided a detailed account of its operatives’ visit to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, explaining that the action was part of an inquiry into an alleged multi-bank fraud case. The agency said the visit, which took place on Tuesday, was necessitated by the need to verify a medical report submitted by a suspect currently on trial before Justice M.A. Onyetunu.

According to the EFCC, the suspect is under remand for defrauding several microfinance institutions, including the University of Uyo Micro Finance Bank. The suspect had presented a medical document that required confirmation from the hospital’s management. The commission noted that it had previously sent two official letters—dated March 11 and April 20, 2026—to the hospital seeking verification, but received no response.

A statement from the anti-graft agency indicated that the investigating officer personally visited the hospital to check on the status of the request, yet still no reply was given. The EFCC described Tuesday’s visit as a last resort, aimed at resolving the matter directly with the Chief Medical Director.

However, the EFCC alleged that its operatives were met with hostility upon arrival. The statement claimed that hospital staff locked them in, raised a false alarm, and launched an unprovoked attack, pelting them with stones and other dangerous objects. The agency further accused the Chief Medical Director of ordering the hospital gates shut, preventing the operatives from carrying out their lawful inquiry.

The EFCC said the Nigeria Police Force intervened and advised hospital authorities to reopen the gates so the team could depart peacefully, but the advice was allegedly disregarded. Despite the confrontation, the commission maintained that its operatives acted professionally and did not disrupt hospital activities, eventually leaving the premises without incident.

The agency stressed that all requests related to its operational duties are lawful, and warned that refusal to cooperate with investigations could amount to obstruction of justice, with potential legal repercussions.

The University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) in Akwa Ibom State came to a standstill on Tuesday, May 12, following a raid by operatives from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Uyo Zonal Office. The anti-graft agency attempted to arrest Prof. Effiong Ekpe, along with three other hospital staff members, leading to widespread disruption.

Reports indicate that when EFCC officials arrived with a court warrant to detain the professor, who serves as Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee, hospital employees resisted. Security personnel at the facility locked the main gate, preventing the officers from leaving the premises.

As tensions escalated, the operatives called for backup, and police were eventually dispatched to the scene. In response, Dr. Aniekan Peters, chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in the state, ordered all doctors to immediately cease work. Leaders of JOHESU also declared a complete shutdown of the hospital, condemning what they called a brutal and inhuman act.

Dr. Gabriel Eyo, NMA spokesperson, confirmed the incident and described the EFCC’s actions as an attack on the hospital and its workforce. He stressed that a professor of cardiothoracic surgery, the only such specialist in Akwa Ibom, should not be treated like a criminal, noting that Ekpe was injured during the arrest. The strike was called to protest what they see as an injustice.

“Prof. Ekpe is the only cardiothoracic surgeon in Akwa Ibom State. We are not sure what he did, but that is irrelevant now. Due process must be followed. Even criminals deserve better treatment. A simple invitation would have sufficed, but that was ignored. The NMA has convened and decided on an indefinite strike; our resolutions will be announced shortly,” Eyo said.

Meanwhile, the police have denied any role in the arrest. Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, stated that his officers were only sent to verify the identities of the EFCC operatives and maintain order. He explained that he ordered police to accompany the EFCC to execute a court order in an ongoing case, after informing the Chief Medical Director, Prof. Emem Bassey, about the operation.

Azare noted, “The EFCC came to make an arrest, and the CMD contacted me to check if my men were involved. I confirmed with the EFCC head, who said they were acting on a court directive. I advised the CMD to allow them access because it is a lawful duty.”

However, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale denied any assault by their officers, claiming they faced unprovoked attacks. He explained that the visit was for inquiries regarding a medical report submitted by a suspect in a fraud case involving the University of Uyo Microfinance Bank. The Commission had sent two letters previously—on March 11 and April 20—to the hospital, but received no response. As a last resort, operatives visited the CMD, only to be locked in and pelted with stones by staff.

Oyewale said, “The CMD ordered the gates shut, preventing lawful inquiries. Despite the hostility, our operatives exercised restraint and left without causing a breakdown of law and order. The public must cooperate with the Commission; obstruction is a criminal offense.”

President Donald Trump has asserted that the United States will overcome Iran, whether through peaceful means or by force, and described the naval blockade of Iranian ports as having 100 percent success.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump dismissed the notion that Chinese President Xi Jinping, whom he is scheduled to meet later this week in China, might assist in resolving tensions with Tehran. “No, I don’t think we need any help with Iran. We’ll win it one way or the other. We’ll win it peacefully or otherwise,” he stated.

The President claimed that Iran’s military capabilities have been neutralized. “Their navy’s gone, their air force is gone, every single element of their war machine is gone.” He also emphasized that the blockade of Iranian ports is “100 percent effective.”

When asked how he would consider the situation during his trip, Trump replied, “Well, we’re going to see, and we’ll be thinking about it on the flight [to China], and we’ll be thinking about it for the next little while.” He reiterated that the US has “very soundly” defeated Iran’s armed forces. “One way or another, it’s going to work out very well,” he added.

The Lagos State Government has taken decisive action by closing down Dominion Pizza, a popular eatery located in the Lekki area, following allegations of environmental violations. The infraction involves the discharge of untreated sewage into public drain channels, which prompted the authorities to intervene.

This enforcement was conducted by the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO) after a complaint was filed by a local resident. Subsequent investigations by environmental officials confirmed the improper handling of waste. Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, revealed that wastewater from the restaurant’s septic system was overflowing and being discharged into the environment due to a septic tank that had exceeded its capacity.

The commissioner highlighted that this situation led to environmental degradation, including pollution and foul odors, which posed significant health hazards to nearby residents and the general public. In a statement made on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Wahab emphasized that this action is part of the state’s broader initiative to enforce environmental compliance and improve sanitation standards across Lagos.

He reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to a zero-tolerance policy against environmental offenses, warning that individuals and businesses found violating sanitation laws would face penalties, including potential prosecution. The commissioner also urged residents, business owners, and property managers to adopt proper wastewater management practices to protect public health and the environment.

Additionally, residents were encouraged to report any environmental infractions through the official channels provided by the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office.

The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, has emphasized the need for enhanced collaboration between law enforcement and the public to address rising security challenges. Speaking at the monthly Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) meeting, Ojajuni highlighted that effective policing relies heavily on community support and shared intelligence.

He noted that the state has been grappling with increased incidents of armed robbery, kidnapping, cult-related violence, and other social vices. The commissioner argued that a united front is essential to tackle these threats and ensure public safety.

Ojajuni reaffirmed the command’s dedication to intelligence-driven, proactive, and people-centered policing. He assured that the force will continue to foster stakeholder engagement in line with national reforms aimed at protecting lives and property.

The meeting served as a vital platform for dialogue between police and community leaders, focusing on improved intelligence sharing, better coordination of safety efforts, and building trust in policing operations across Ogun State.

The commissioner expressed gratitude to PCRC members and other stakeholders for their consistent collaboration through intelligence sharing, advocacy, and community involvement.

PCRC Chairman Comrade Lawal Abdullahi praised Ojajuni for personally attending the meeting, noting it was the first time a sitting commissioner in the state had done so. Abdullahi described this as a strong demonstration of commitment to community policing and pledged the committee’s continued support for peace and security in the state.

Nigeria’s Education Minister, Tunji Alausa, has challenged widely circulated figures from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) regarding the number of out-of-school children in the country. During a Tuesday appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Alausa asserted that the actual count is significantly lower than the 15–18 million often quoted by UNICEF.

The minister revealed that the federal government is undertaking a comprehensive nationwide mapping exercise to determine the precise number of children not attending school. This initiative, according to Alausa, has already facilitated the reintegration of over one million children into the educational system within the last two and a half years through various intervention programs.

Alausa emphasized that the government’s approach involves ground-level tracking and identification of children at the community level to verify enrollment data across all states. He cited Kaduna State as a case in point, noting that while UNICEF’s data suggested 1.8 million out-of-school children there, the government’s own mapping found only approximately 700,000. Similarly, in Akwa Ibom State, officials struggled to identify significant numbers of out-of-school children.

Despite the lower aggregate figure—projected to be below 8 million when all states are accounted for—Alausa acknowledged that the situation remains a critical concern requiring sustained action. He detailed new strategies being implemented, including partnerships with private schools that will be compensated on a per-child basis to enroll out-of-school children. This program is set to commence later this year.

“We are not disputing that there is a problem, but we must have accurate data to target our interventions effectively,” Alausa stated. He added that the government’s verified data now provides a realistic baseline for policy formulation and resource allocation.

Justice O.A. Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday turned down an application by Sirajo Muhammad Jaja, the Accountant General of Bauchi State, seeking permission to visit Saudi Arabia for Umrah and medical reasons while facing trial.

The judge ruled after hearing arguments from both sides, rejecting the request to temporarily release Jaja’s international passport. The defendant is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alongside Aliyu Abubakar, an alleged unlicensed bureau de change operator, on amended five-count charges related to money laundering and illegal conversion of state funds.

The alleged sum involved is N1,635,270,350.90, which the prosecution claims are proceeds from unlawful financial transactions. During Tuesday’s session, after cross-examination of the first prosecution witness, Abimbola Williams, a compliance officer from United Bank for Africa (UBA), defense counsel Chris Uche, SAN, informed the court about the application. He argued that Jaja needed to perform the lesser Hajj and attend to medical issues, noting that the prosecution had already responded.

However, prosecution counsel Abba Mohammed, SAN, opposed the motion, describing the defendant as a flight risk and pointing out that other individuals linked to the charges remain at large. In a 10-paragraph counter-affidavit filed on March 13, 2026, the prosecution urged the court to decline the request, asserting sufficient grounds for opposition.

After considering the submissions, Justice Egwuatu dismissed the application. The court adjourned the case to June 30, 2026, for continuation of trial proceedings.

The former presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabi’u Kwankwaso, has made a significant political concession, according to public affairs analyst Mahmud Jega. Speaking on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’ program, Jega described Kwankwaso’s agreement to support the zoning of the presidential ticket to the South within his new party, the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), as a landmark decision.

Jega noted that for a politician with substantial backing in a key and volatile state like Kano, this move was particularly noteworthy. He remarked that Kwankwaso must be cautious about his base’s reaction, as the public often perceives him as an aggressive and tough figure. However, in the interview, Kwankwaso appeared calm and considerate, Jega observed.

The analyst highlighted that Kwankwaso’s decision likely involved extensive consultations, and indications suggest that most of his supporters are on board. This could pave the way for a potential Obi-Kwankwaso ticket in the upcoming elections. Jega also pondered whether Kwankwaso’s youthful and social media followers would follow his lead, emphasizing the importance of a leader’s ability to bring their supporters along.